Xiao Zhitian looked at the petite girl standing before him and thought to himself, This must be Qing Lin.
The young girl carefully placed the bronze basin onto the wooden shelf, dipped a handkerchief into the water, wrung it dry, and then stood nervously to the side.
"Y-Young Master Xiao Zhitian… I-I was arranged by Leader Xiao Ding to help you with your ablutions."
"I'll do it myself." Xiao Zhitian stood up and walked toward her. His voice was gentle. "What is your name?"
"Ah!" The girl flinched. "I-I am Qing Lin…"
He took the handkerchief from her hand, wiped his face briefly, then lowered his hand to return it.
At that moment, his gaze fell upon her wrist.
There—faint bluish scales, shaped like tiny snake scales, were exposed where her sleeve had slipped.
Qing Lin noticed his gaze.
Her face turned deathly pale.
She stumbled backward several steps and collapsed into a crouch, hugging herself tightly.
"I-I'm sorry… I… I didn't mean to scare you… please don't hit me…"
Her body trembled uncontrollably.
Xiao Zhitian paused, then walked over and squatted in front of her. His expression remained calm.
He gently placed a hand on her head.
"Qing Lin… may I see your scales?"
She froze.
Slowly, she raised her tear-filled eyes. "Young Master… you're… not afraid?"
"Why would I be?"
He gently pulled back her sleeve, studying the scales on her wrist. Then he softly brushed his fingers over them.
"They're beautiful."
Qing Lin's mind went blank.
Beautiful?
Since childhood, everyone who saw these scales treated her like a monster. Disgust. Fear. Hatred.
Never once… had anyone said they were beautiful.
She stared blankly at him.
"They really are," Xiao Zhitian said calmly. "You don't need to care about what others think. You live for yourself. Not for them."
Something cracked inside her.
A warmth spread through her scarred heart like sunlight breaking through endless darkness.
At that moment, three faint green dots briefly appeared in Qing Lin's pupils.
Xiao Zhitian noticed them—but said nothing.
The dots slowly faded away.
"Th-Thank you… Young Master Xiao Zhitian…" Qing Lin stood up and wiped her tears.
"From today onward," she said softly, gathering her courage, "I will serve as your personal maid. If you need anything… I will do my best."
Xiao Zhitian nodded. "Then take me around. Also help me find the others who came with me."
"Yes!"
She hurried to dispose of the water, then quickly returned.
Soon, they arrived outside the Little Fairy Doctor's room.
Just as Xiao Zhitian raised his hand to knock, the door opened.
Little Fairy Doctor stepped out.
"Oh? You're awake already? I was just about to look for you."
"If I waited for you to wake up," Xiao Zhitian said calmly, "the sun would already be overhead."
She rolled her eyes at him, then noticed Qing Lin.
"Who is she?"
"Qing Lin. My elder brother arranged her to be my maid."
He then introduced Little Fairy Doctor.
Qing Lin immediately bowed. "Miss Little Fairy Doctor."
Little Fairy Doctor studied the timid girl for a moment. Something in Qing Lin's eyes reminded her of her own lonely past.
Her expression softened.
"You don't need to call me 'Miss.' Just call me Sister Little Fairy Doctor."
Qing Lin hesitated and looked at Xiao Zhitian.
He nodded.
"S-Sister Little Fairy Doctor…" she said quietly.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Does Elder Hai plan to keep hiding?" Xiao Zhitian suddenly said toward the wall.
A moment later, Hai Bodong leaped over and landed beside them.
"I have nothing to do. Might as well accompany you," he said calmly.
After brief introductions, the four walked through the mercenary compound.
Most mercenaries greeted Xiao Zhitian respectfully.
But when their eyes fell on Qing Lin…
Disgust.
Avoidance.
Whispers.
Qing Lin's steps grew slower. Her shoulders trembled.
Xiao Zhitian glanced at her.
"Do you remember what I told you earlier?"
"I…" Her fingers clenched nervously.
"Lift your head. Look forward." His voice was calm and steady. "With me here, you don't need to fear anything."
Little Fairy Doctor finally understood something was wrong. After a brief explanation from Xiao Zhitian, her heart softened completely.
She gently took Qing Lin's hand.
"If you call me sister… then you are my family. No one will bully you."
Qing Lin's eyes reddened again.
But this time, they weren't tears of fear.
They were tears of warmth.
By dusk, the four had toured most of Stone Desert City and returned.
No one dared provoke them—with Xiao Zhitian's alchemist robe and Hai Bodong's oppressive aura present.
Back at the compound, Little Fairy Doctor took Qing Lin away, saying they wanted to talk privately.
Xiao Zhitian returned to his room.
Inside, he sat cross-legged and refined the Thunder Origin.
The Heavenly Metal Lightning within his body surged.
One strand… two strands… three…
By the time he finished, five strands of Heavenly Metal Lightning coiled within him like silver dragons.
Just as he stood to stretch—
Boom.
The Dou Qi within him surged violently.
A breakthrough point.
Xiao Zhitian calmly called out.
An old man with youthful features, crane-like beard, and black robes appeared instantly inside the room.