Frank's maneuver made Otto curse internally. Yet, he could only stand by and watch.
Unlike Xue Mei, who was Frank's personal disciple and could be offered without consequence, Lin Fei was Otto's disciple—and more importantly, the daughter of the Black Rock City Lord. Even if Otto had the same mind to curry favor, the City Lord would never agree to such arrangements.
Unable to imitate Frank's shameless tactic, Otto could only watch anxiously, fuming inwardly. After all, it wasn't just the sting of his own failure that was painful—witnessing a friend succeed while one was powerless was even worse.
"Heh."
Facing Frank's performance, Lin Ran let out a faint chuckle. His gaze calmly swept over Xue Mei, his eyes neither mocking nor admiring—just a quiet, discerning look.
Truth be told, Xue Mei was quite beautiful. Her eyes were as clear as a mountain spring, her features delicate and elegant, with long, graceful brows and a tall, alluring figure. Her body was well-proportioned, curvy in all the right places, her skin like warm jade. That silver hair—soft, flowing, radiant—added a rare ethereal charm to her already stunning presence.
However…
"Apologies. I don't keep idle people around me."
Lin Ran's tone was flat, his refusal direct and without the slightest room for negotiation.
Those indifferent words caused Xue Mei's face to freeze. Her lips trembled slightly, her fingers clenched instinctively, and her eyes dimmed with unwillingness.
In Black Rock City, she had always been regarded as a gifted figure. And yet in Lin Ran's eyes, she wasn't even qualified to be a mere attendant. That blow to her pride, for someone so accustomed to admiration, was cruel and cutting.
A faint shimmer of tears gathered along her eyelashes. She looked down slightly, her pride aching, her chest rising and falling subtly as she suppressed the urge to speak out.
Lin Ran, observing her expression, remained impassive. Yet after a moment's thought, his eyes flickered slightly as if an idea had surfaced. He looked once more at Xue Mei.
With a flick of his finger, a wisp of crimson-gold Dou Qi shot forth, lightly imprinting itself on the space between her brows, forming a droplet-shaped seal that shimmered faintly.
"If you are truly sincere about following me, then cultivate well. Your Dou Qi talent is average, but your aptitude for alchemy is not bad. If you can reach the level of a fourth-grade Alchemist within three years, go to Yunlan Sect and seek out its leader, Yun Yun."
Yun Yun?!
That familiar name startled many in the room. Even Otto and Frank wore expressions of surprise. What was Lin Ran's connection to Yunlan Sect?
"I was acquainted with Yun Yun in the past," Lin Ran said casually, not bothering to elaborate. "If you meet the standard, she'll understand when the time comes."
Xue Mei silently touched her forehead, where the golden imprint radiated heat. Then she lowered her head and bowed deeply.
"Understood, Master Lin."
"Mm."
Lin Ran gave a small nod. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the chamber with Xiao Yixian at his side.
Greenyi glanced at Xue Mei, then at Lin Fei and Otto, who looked like they wanted to speak but were holding back. A soft, amused smile curved her lips as she quickly followed Lin Ran.
Originally, their departure for the Tager Desert had been set for the following morning. But now that everything was settled, there was little reason to linger. Time was too valuable to waste.
Without further delay, Lin Ran, Xiao Yixian, and Greenyi made their way toward the city's central flying beast depot. Behind them, Gu Te, Otto, and Frank escorted them all the way, watching as Lin Ran boarded one of the largest avian beasts in the depot.
"This was all I could do," Frank said with a sigh as he placed a hand on Xue Mei's shoulder. His eyes followed the silhouette of the flying beast as it soared into the sky. "This opportunity is now yours to seize. That youth's background is unimaginable. If you truly become part of it, your future will be limitless."
"Reaching fourth-grade Alchemist within three years is tough… but I will assist you with everything I can."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Xue Mei's eyes stayed fixed on the cloud-piercing bird. Compared to Lin Fei, the daughter of the City Lord, she had no strong backing. What she relied on was herself—and now, this one fragile chance Lin Ran had given her.
Once Frank passed away someday in the far future, what would she have left?
'Some things… you can only fight for yourself.'
She reached up and touched the Dou Qi imprint still pulsing with warmth on her brow. Her gaze hardened with resolve.
'Three years. Four-grade Alchemist. I will make it.'
…
Above the rolling clouds, a colossal avian magic beast soared gracefully across the skies.
Due to Lin Ran's identity, Black Rock City had naturally provided him with the best transport available. Though the flying beast was only a second-rank creature, it belonged to the wind attribute—its speed was excellent, and its wings wide and powerful. Flight aboard it was smooth and steady, with barely any turbulence. In the entirety of the Jia Ma Empire, few standard flying beasts could compare.
A luxurious cabin crafted from light yet durable rare wood sat firmly atop the beast's back. Inside, the space was divided into private rooms—Lin Ran, Xiao Yixian, and Greenyi each occupied one. The other two were designated for the beast's handlers.
Black Rock City's higher-ups naturally wouldn't dare make Lin Ran share a ride with common folk.
"Honored guest, which city would you prefer to disembark at?" a uniformed woman asked respectfully, her head lowered.
"There are many major cities within the Tager Desert—Mo City, Stone Desert City, Lingyan City, and more. With our Azure Wind Hawk's top-tier flight permit, we can traverse anywhere in the empire unhindered."
"Very well."
Lin Ran gave a light nod, then turned toward Greenyi.
She bit her lip, appearing troubled.
'This young man… he's really hard to please. I've been fawning on him the entire journey, and yet he remains unmoved. Either it's his overly watchful little maid or his own utter indifference. I'm beginning to question my charm...'
"We'll go to Stone Desert City. That's where my clan's Beast Elder is currently residing," Greenyi finally said after a pause.
Lin Ran nodded and looked back to the uniformed handler. "Stone Desert City, then."
"Yes, honored guest."
The woman bowed and swiftly exited. Greenyi opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but Lin Ran raised a hand and cut her off.
"It's getting late. Elder Green, I'll be resting."
"...Very well. Then I won't disturb you further."
Greenyi left reluctantly.
As moonlight rose, the Azure Wind Hawk sliced through the sky like a silent arrow. In his private room, Lin Ran extended his arms while Xiao Yixian helped him remove his outer robes.
"Master, that woman gives me a bad feeling. What if she's planning an ambush in Stone Desert City…"
"Not worth worrying about."
Lin Ran's voice was calm.
He had already deduced Greenyi's intent.
In the original story, Stone Desert City housed two Dou Huang-level figures: one called Lü Man, and the other, a sixth-rank magic beast—none other than the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor.
Clearly, the so-called Beast Elder Greenyi spoke of, and the recipient of the demonification pill, was that very serpent.
Lin Ran didn't care much for the schemes of Tian She Fu. Even if Greenyi truly intended to plot with Lü Man and the Serpent Emperor to ambush him, what could they accomplish?
'Three Dou Huang… that's it?'
They weren't worth fearing.
He already had the Black Serpent Emperor's blood essence. Its value to him was minimal now. What truly piqued Lin Ran's interest… were the other people in Stone Desert City.
Specifically—two brothers of the future Flame Emperor, Xiao Yan.
And…
Qing Lin.
(End of Chapter)