Hearing Xiao Zhitian's words, Qing Lin's heart felt as sweet as honey. A gentle smile bloomed on her delicate face.
Over the past few days, she had grown used to staying by Xiao Zhitian's side, serving him quietly. And more importantly… he had never once treated her with disdain. Instead, he treated her with patience, kindness, and warmth she had never known before.
"If Young Master Xiao Zhitian is willing… Qing Lin can always be your personal maid."
Her voice was soft, yet her eyes carried unmistakable longing.
Xiao Zhitian looked at her calmly.
"I'm willing," he said. "But my future path won't be easy. I will travel, cultivate, and face dangers constantly."
"As long as Qing Lin can stay by Young Master's side, I'm not afraid of hardship."Her voice became firm. "As long as Young Master doesn't think I'm a burden… that's enough."
In her heart, she silently added:Without you… my world would be nothing but darkness.
Xiao Zhitian studied her for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Alright. I'll speak to Big Brother. From today onward, you'll follow me."
Qing Lin nodded heavily, eyes slightly red.
Xiao Zhitian gently ruffled her head.
"Qing Lin… do you want to cultivate?"
She froze.
"Cultivate?" Her expression became nervous. "Qing Lin tried before… but I couldn't cultivate even a trace of Dou Qi."
"That's because your talent hasn't awakened," Xiao Zhitian said calmly."You possess an extremely rare constitution. Once activated, your talent would stand at the peak of the continent."
Qing Lin's eyes widened.
"But… the method I have carries risk," he continued. "It may fail. It could even hurt you."
Qing Lin didn't hesitate.
"Young Master… I'm willing."
Her answer was immediate and firm.
Xiao Zhitian was slightly surprised — but also moved.
"Good."
He had Shui Ye erect a Dou Qi barrier around the room. Then he took out a special jade bottle.
Black and gold intertwined across its surface. A mysterious aura seeped from it.
Inside was the heart blood of the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python.
Xiao Zhitian opened the lid.
Instantly, seven-colored light burst forth, gathering into the illusion of a colossal white python hovering in midair.
Though only energy, its presence was terrifying.
Suddenly, the illusion seemed to sense something.
Its enormous head turned toward Qing Lin.
Its mouth opened.
Qing Lin gasped in fear.
At that moment, her pupils began to change.
Three tiny green dots slowly appeared within each eye — growing clearer, brighter, more defined.
Seeing the reaction, Xiao Zhitian immediately sealed the bottle.
The giant python vanished.
Qing Lin's body went limp.
She collapsed.
Xiao Zhitian caught her gently and placed her on the bed.
Half an hour later, Qing Lin slowly woke up.
She blinked in confusion.
"Young Master… what happened?"
"You don't remember?"
"I only remember… a very, very big snake…"
"Do you feel anything unusual now?"
She hesitated, then touched her eyes.
"It feels… strange. Like there's a space inside them."
"Focus on it."
Qing Lin closed her eyes, concentrating.
When she opened them again, three green dots shimmered clearly within each pupil.
Xiao Zhitian handed her a mirror.
"Look."
Qing Lin froze.
"These… are my eyes?"
"This is your awakened talent," he said gently."Green Snake Three Flower Pupils."
He explained its abilities to her in detail — perception, control, suppression, illusion, bloodline resonance.
Qing Lin listened in awe.
"But… will my eyes stay like this forever?" she asked nervously.
"Try retracting them."
She focused again.
Slowly, the green dots faded.
Her eyes returned to normal.
Her expression instantly brightened.
"I can control them!"
Xiao Zhitian nodded.
But as she smiled brightly, something stirred in her presence — perhaps the pupils' subtle charm, perhaps something else entirely.
Xiao Zhitian stared for half a second too long.
"Y-Young Master… why are you looking at me like that?" Qing Lin asked softly, her face flushing.
"Cough."
He turned away slightly.
"I was just thinking about what cultivation method suits you."
He took out a yellow scroll and placed it in her hands.
"Horned Snake Illusion Spirit Art. You'll cultivate this from now on."
Qing Lin held the scroll as if it were a treasure.
"I can really cultivate now?"
"Yes. And your speed will be terrifying."
Her eyes sparkled.
"Then… I'll work hard! So I can help Young Master fight bad people in the future!"
Xiao Zhitian smiled faintly.
He then took out a light green storage ring, attached to a thin metal chain.
He lifted it.
"This is a storage ring. Wearing it around your neck will hide it from greedy eyes."
"A storage ring?!" Qing Lin panicked. "This is too precious! Even if Qing Lin sold herself—"
"I have many," he said calmly, stepping closer.
He lifted her long green hair gently and placed the necklace around her neck.
Qing Lin stood frozen, face completely red.
Xiao Zhitian stepped back and examined her.
"Looks good."
Qing Lin quickly hid the ring beneath her clothes, heart pounding.
"Come," Xiao Zhitian said."I'll take you to see your Little Fairy Doctor sister. She'll help guide your early cultivation."
Qing Lin nodded and followed.
They arrived at Little Fairy Doctor's door.
Knock. Knock.
The door opened.
"You're up early today," Little Fairy Doctor said softly, looking at them both.
"Come inside. I have something to tell you."
They entered.
Little Fairy Doctor closed the door.
Then she looked at Xiao Zhitian closely.
"You broke through again?"
"Eight-Star Dou Shi now?" Xiao Zhitian asked, sensing her aura.
She nodded.
"I broke through last night."
Xiao Zhitian took out two boxes of poison pills and handed them to her.
"These are for your cultivation."
Little Fairy Doctor accepted them, her eyes gentle.
And beside her, Qing Lin stood quietly — no longer the fearful girl she once was, but someone whose destiny had finally begun to awaken.