"Qing Lin, I am going to release a magical beast in a moment. Don't be afraid—I'm here with you."
Inside the room, Gu He gently patted Qing Lin's head, his voice soft and reassuring.
Knowing how ugly the Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Serpent looked, he reminded the little girl beforehand so she could brace herself and avoid being startled later.
"A magical beast?"
"Teacher, are you giving me a magical beast?"
Qing Lin's emerald-green eyes flickered with curiosity, but she quickly nodded. "Mm! Don't worry, Teacher. I won't be afraid."
Having followed Gu He for some time now, she had come to realize that her teacher was no ordinary man. Witnessing his many secrets had also strengthened her nerves considerably.
Hearing her response, Gu He smiled faintly. With a thought, he summoned the serpent from his system space.
The next moment, a massive figure materialized in the room—the ugly, ferocious form of the serpent now loomed before them.
The moment the beast appeared, the spacious room suddenly felt cramped.
Crack!
The serpent's massive body knocked against a table, instantly reducing it to splinters.
"Stupid beast! Don't you know how to shrink yourself?"
Annoyed by the lack of space, Gu He glared at the serpent and scolded.
The serpent, initially irritated at being summoned, reluctantly shrank its body upon remembering the terrifying purple flames within it.
As the creature's form diminished, Qing Lin finally got a clear look at the magical beast before her.
Despite her mental preparation, the sight of the two vicious serpent heads made her flinch in fear, and she instinctively hid behind Gu He.
"Qing Lin, don't be scared. With me here, it wouldn't dare act recklessly."
Seeing her timid expression, Gu He sighed inwardly before soothing her in a gentle voice.
Reassured by his words and trusting him completely, Qing Lin gradually calmed down. Finally, she mustered the courage to look up at the serpent.
"Qing Lin, don't close your eyes. Focus and look straight into its gaze."
Gu He took her small hand and slowly led her closer to the beast.
As they approached, the sight of the monstrous serpent heads sent a shiver down Qing Lin's spine. Sensing her trembling, Gu He continued to reassure her.
"Don't be afraid. If it dares harm you, I'll skin it alive."
"Now, listen to me. Open your eyes wide and concentrate on it."
Encouraged by his steady voice, the little girl slowly lifted her head, her eyes meeting the serpent's cold, reptilian gaze.
The moment their eyes locked, Qing Lin's pupils involuntarily constricted.
Then—three faint green dots materialized beside her emerald irises.
This time, the dots were clearer than ever before. Upon closer inspection, they almost resembled tiny flower buds.
The three green dots flickered dimly before transforming into three minuscule green blossoms.
As this bizarre floral pattern emerged, an eerie light burst forth, enveloping the serpent.
The moment the strange glow touched it, the massive beast stiffened, its twin pairs of eyes widening in panic as it stared at the little girl before it.
The ghostly light slowly traversed the serpent's body before finally settling on the center of its two foreheads.
As the glow condensed, its intensity grew stronger, shrinking until it was no larger than a palm.
Then—with a final pulse of eerie radiance—two tiny green flowers were imprinted onto the serpent's heads.
The light faded, and the floral patterns in Qing Lin's eyes swiftly vanished, her pupils returning to their usual emerald hue.
But the moment her eyes normalized, her body swayed weakly. Her eyelids fluttered shut, and she collapsed.
Gu He's expression shifted. Reacting instantly, he caught her before she hit the ground.
Meanwhile, the serpent remained frozen in place. Yet, whenever its gaze landed on Qing Lin, the ferocity in its eyes melted away, replaced by an unnatural docility.
[Ding! Host has bestowed the third disciple, Qing Lin, with a Tier 4 magical beast.]
[Congratulations, Host, for triggering the 10,000-fold return! Reward: Tier 7 magical beast—Scarlet Flame Demon Python!]
[The Scarlet Flame Demon Python has been stored into the system space. Host, please check at your convenience!]
A system notification chimed in Gu He's mind, but he paid it no heed for now.
His focus remained on the unconscious Qing Lin. Quickly retrieving a medicinal pill from his storage ring, he placed it gently into her mouth.
Sigh...
As the pill took effect, Qing Lin stirred in his arms. Her drowsy eyes fluttered open, and she blinked up at him, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Rubbing her temples, she murmured, "Teacher... what happened to me?"
"It's nothing. How do you feel now?"
Relieved to see her awake, Gu He let out a breath and spoke in a concerned tone.
"How I feel...?"
A trace of confusion flickered in Qing Lin's green eyes.
"I'm not sure..."
She shook her head slightly before stepping forward, staring at the massive beast before her.
"Somehow... I feel a strange connection to it. Like I can sense its thoughts..."
Hearing this, a faint smile tugged at Gu He's lips. If she could feel this much, it meant she had succeeded.
"Qing Lin, try giving it an order," he suggested.
"An order...?"
Tilting her head, she gazed at the serpent and softly commanded, "Return!"
Instantly, the green markings on the serpent's forehead flared brightly. Its massive body shrank rapidly before transforming into a streak of blue light that shot into Qing Lin's sleeve.
Patting her cuff curiously, a small smile graced her lips.
"It's amazing!"
…
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