Looking at the two girls before him, Goku said, "All your companions are dead. With just the two of you, trying to make it out of here is way too dangerous. Why don't you stick with us for the time being? Once I've wrapped up my business, I'll send you both home."
"…Then we'll be troubling you," Xue Lan hesitated briefly before nodding in agreement. She was well aware that with just the two of them, escaping the Tagore Desert was practically impossible. She was only a low-ranked Dou Fighter, and Qing Lin didn't even qualify as one. How could the two of them possibly make it out alive? They had no choice but to accept Goku's offer and follow his group for now.
"But before we leave, can I bury the captain and the others? I don't want their bodies to be left here and devoured by magical beasts." Xue Lan looked at the corpses scattered on the ground, her expression filled with sorrow. Just earlier, those people had been laughing and talking with her. Now, they were to be buried in the sands forever.
"Captain?" Goku raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his voice. "You mean even your captain died?" If he remembered correctly, their captain should've been one of Xiao Yan's older brothers. So even they were dead? The butterfly effect had really spiraled out of control this time.
"Yeah… Aside from me and Qing Lin, everyone else from the Desert Metal Mercenary Company either died in the Magical Beast Mountain Range or here in the Tagore Desert." Xue Lan's face twisted with pain and regret. "With our strength, we should never have gone after that so-called Dou God's treasure. We had barely entered the outskirts of the Beast Mountain Range when we were ambushed by a swarm of magical beasts. Out of a hundred people, only a dozen made it out. We finally escaped to the Tagore Desert, only to run into the Snake Tribe here… If it hadn't been for you guys, Qing Lin and I probably wouldn't have survived…"
"I see," Goku nodded, the pieces falling into place. Everything had started because he opened the Dou God's relic. But for a low-tier mercenary group like Desert metal to go chasing after a Dou God's treasure—wasn't that just suicide? Even with high-level experts paving the way, venturing into the core of the Magical Beast Mountain Range without sufficient strength was asking to be killed. Human greed really was bottomless, always harboring that foolish hope. If you're going to risk your life, at least make sure you have some cards to play.
With a casual wave of his hand—boom—the ground trembled as a massive pit opened up. With a thought, Goku lifted the corpses from the ground and floated them into the crater. With one hand pressed gently to the earth, sand and gravel shifted and flowed, quickly covering the bodies beneath the golden desert sands.
"Thank you," Xue Lan said softly. She walked up to Goku, her heart shaken by his overwhelming strength and filled with genuine gratitude.
Waving his hand, Goku said calmly, "Now that the Desert metal Mercenary company no longer exists, what are you two planning to do from here?"
"What else can I do? I'll just go back to being a mercenary. It's all I've ever known," Xue Lan said with a carefree laugh, though her expression turned slightly worried as she glanced at Qing Lin beside her. "But Qing Lin… her situation is a bit more complicated. You saw how things were. Back when our captain was alive, he was willing to take her in. But now… sigh."
Qing Lin lowered her head, her face growing pale as pain and anxiety filled her eyes. Now homeless and abandoned, was she really going to go back to that life—looked down on, insulted, and abused? If that was her only option, maybe it was better not to live at all.
"I see," Goku murmured thoughtfully, then turned to Qing Lin. "I can tell you have great potential. If you're willing, you can stay with me. Under my guidance, you're sure to become a powerful cultivator in the future."
Qing Lin, who had kept her head down, suddenly looked up, her face full of disbelief and excitement. "You… you're really willing to take me in?"
"Of course, as long as you want to."
"I do! I do!" Qing Lin nodded without hesitation, tears glimmering in her eyes. Someone was finally willing to take her in—and not just anyone, but the very first person who had ever told her that her scales were beautiful. That feeling in her heart, that warmth—it overwhelmed her.
Cai Lin studied Qing Lin from head to toe, her gaze eventually settling on the girl's eyes. A sudden flash of shock crossed her face. "Her eyes…"
"Heh, you noticed?" Goku turned to the surprised Cai Lin with a small smile. "Just as you're thinking—this girl is no ordinary person."
"To think… those eyes of legend actually exist. You've really found yourself a treasure," Cai Lin said, quickly regaining her usual composure. But the way she glanced at Qing Lin afterward still held a subtle, complicated gleam. The Triple Jade-Green Snake flower Eyes.—feared throughout the snake race—had just appeared before her eyes.
'Wait… based on their reactions, does Qing Lin really have some special power?' Xue Lan looked between Goku and Cailin in confusion, finally turning her gaze back to Qing Lin. She examined her closely but couldn't see anything unusual, only growing more puzzled.
"Fate brought us together. Why don't you stop living that dangerous mercenary life?" Goku turned his attention back to Xue Lan. "A pretty girl like you isn't suited for that path. Why not stay with us for now? Once we're back, I can introduce you to the Jia Nan Academy. You could study there."
Having secured Qing Lin's trust, Goku now turned his attention to Xue Lan. A wild and untamed beauty like her was a rare find. Since he'd already run into her, there was no way he was letting her slip away that easily.
"Jia… Jia Nan Academy? I… I could really get into Jia Nan Academy?" Xue Lan's eyes widened in shock, barely able to believe what she was hearing. That place was a dream for countless people across the continent. But almost no one ever made it in.
"Of course. I'm close with the dean. Getting you in is just a word from me."
"Really?" Xue Lan's eyes lit up with excitement. These people were clearly no ordinary travelers—their strength alone said as much. She had nothing to offer them, and in terms of beauty, she didn't exactly stand out next to the two stunning women already by Goku's side. If they wanted anything from her, it's not like she could resist anyway. But Goku had genuinely helped her without asking for anything in return. Maybe it really was just fate. It was an opportunity she couldn't afford to miss. "Since you're offering, how could I refuse? Alright, I'll stay with you for now. But you have to promise—you'll really take me to Jia Nan Academy!"
"Of course," Goku replied with a grin.
And just like that—another girl, successfully recruited.
____
The scorching desert stretched endlessly, golden sands rolling beneath the blazing sun. Goku and his group made their way across the blistering terrain, each step sinking slightly into the hot sand. For Qing Lin—who wasn't even a proper cultivator—this harsh environment was taking a toll. Her clothes were soaked in sweat, her breath labored, yet she stubbornly followed without falling behind.
Goku glanced back, shook his head slightly, then reached out and gently took Qing Lin's delicate, sweat-drenched hand. Qing Lin gasped, about to cry out in surprise, but just as the words reached her throat, a cool sensation spread from Goku's hand and surged through her body. The heat and exhaustion melted away in an instant, replaced by refreshing relief. She stared wide-eyed, mouth slightly agape.
Goku gave her a gentle smile. "This should feel a little better, right?"
"…Mm." Qing Lin lowered her head shyly, her cheeks blushing red as she nodded softly.
"Hey! Are you taking advantage of her just because she's easy to bully?" Xue Lan immediately shot him a glare, clearly displeased. She wiped the sweat from her brow and frowned at him.
"You look exhausted too. Why not let me hold your hand as well?" Goku responded with a calm smile, extending his left hand toward her.
"I wouldn't dare—" Xue Lan recoiled at first, but before she could finish the sentence, Goku had already grabbed her hand. The same cool sensation spread through her body, washing away the fatigue. Her tone softened almost instantly, eyes widening in surprise. "Huh? You… actually have this kind of ability? Not bad. In that case, I'll allow you to hold my hand—just for now!"
Born and raised in the desert, Xue Lan had long grown used to the rough life of a mercenary. She was straightforward and not overly reserved. If holding hands could relieve fatigue and cool her down in the blazing heat, she wasn't about to complain. Still, as they continued walking, she couldn't help but notice—being led by the hand like this, it felt… oddly romantic. Like taking a stroll through the desert with her lover. Even for someone as bold as her, a faint blush crept up her face.
As for Goku, he looked calm on the surface, but inside he was immensely pleased. What could be better than openly getting some benefits without anyone calling him out for it?
Just then, a streak of light zipped through the sky, shooting toward them and halting in front of Goku. As the glow faded, a tiny figure appeared—a little fairy-like girl, hovering in mid-air with a beaming smile and a bright red fruit in her hands.
"Goku! Look what I found for you!" she said excitedly, offering up the large crimson fruit.
"Whoa! How cute!" Xue Lan and Qing Lin's eyes sparkled the moment they laid eyes on the tiny fairy. "I didn't know there were such tiny people in the world!" Xue Lan exclaimed.
"I'm not a tiny person!" the little spirit puffed out her cheeks indignantly. "My name is Little Sprite! Goku gave me that name!"
"So cute even when she's angry! Come here, let big sis hold you!" Xue Lan couldn't help reaching out.
"Hmph! I won't let you touch me!" Little Sprite made a face at her and darted away, landing gracefully on Goku's shoulder. She held the fruit up to him again. "Here! It's really yummy!"
"I told you not to wander too far," Goku said as he took the fruit, lightly rubbing her tiny head.
"I just got excited and flew a bit farther, that's all!" Little Sprite giggled, swinging her tiny legs as she sat comfortably on his shoulder. Then she leaned in eagerly. "Hurry and try it! It's super sweet!"
"So this is your way of bribing me, huh?" Goku chuckled, lifting the fruit to take a bite. But before he could sink his teeth into it, Cai Lin suddenly stepped forward.
"Wait!" She examined the fruit carefully, her expression shifting to one of shock. "It really is the Red Beauty Fruit! Little Sprite, where did you find this?"
"There's a canyon not far from here. I found three of them and already ate two!" Little Sprite giggled and patted her tiny stomach with pride.
"Red Beauty Fruit?" Xue Lan looked puzzled. "That name sounds… pretty extraordinary."
"It's an eighth-rank treasure fruit," Cai Lin explained, her eyes shining as she stared at the fruit in Goku's hand. "It's said that anyone who eats one will retain their youthful appearance forever."
"Forever young?" Xue Lan's eyes lit up instantly. She stared at the fruit with undisguised desire.
"Forever young, huh?" Goku twirled the fruit in his hand, looking unimpressed. "Sounds nice, but to me it's nothing special." With an immortal body and a wish from the dragon that made him essentially ageless, such a fruit really didn't mean much.
"If you girls want it, I'll share." Goku smiled, and with a flash of light, the fruit split cleanly into four even pieces. He handed them to Cai Lin, Moonlight, Qing Lin, and Xue Lan.
Little Sprite pouted, cheeks puffed up in frustration. "I picked that just for you, and now you're giving it away!"
"You already ate two of them, didn't you?" Goku laughed as he rubbed her head again. "Don't pout."
"But that one was special! I saved it for you!" she said, still clearly upset.
Xue Lan held the small slice of fruit in her hand, still stunned. "This… this really is for us to eat?"
This was an eighth-rank treasure! A legendary fruit! She never thought she'd see one in her life—let alone hold one.
Moonlight, however, didn't hesitate. For her, everything she had belonged to her master. Since Goku had given it, there was no reason to refuse. She took a few small bites, finishing the fruit in seconds. A faint rosy glow appeared on her face, making her look even more alluring than before.
The others quickly followed her lead. As the glow of the Red Beauty Fruit enveloped them, their skin became visibly smoother and more radiant. Xue Lan, who had spent years as a mercenary and bore numerous battle scars, found her skin healed and restored. Her once-tanned, rugged appearance now glowed with health and beauty.
Goku blinked in mild surprise. "Huh… guess that fruit really does work."
The girls were clearly delighted with the changes. Xue Lan couldn't hide her excitement. "If I ate this, does that mean I won't get old anymore?"
"Well, it was split into four, so the effect might be weaker," Cai Lin said with a nod, "but even so, it'll definitely slow your aging. That much is guaranteed."
Refreshed and revitalized, the group continued their journey through the desert, their footsteps lighter and spirits lifted. And thanks to the Red Beauty Fruit, the distance between the girls and Goku had quietly narrowed.
By now, the sun was dipping toward the horizon. Despite trekking through the desert for half a day, the girls showed no signs of fatigue—thanks, of course, to Goku.
The group arrived at a sunken patch of sand, the terrain uneven and slightly caved in.
"This is it," Cai Lin said calmly, looking around. "The entrance should be beneath that depression. The sandstorms probably buried it again."
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T/N:
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