"You think I'm some common snake? I am the mighty Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor, the sovereign of all serpent magical beasts, I—"
The Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor's expression turned grim as he roared indignantly. But before he could finish his words, the crimson-gold seal on his forehead suddenly began to heat up.
"To become your mount is my greatest honor!"
"..."
The words got stuck halfway in his throat. Forcing a twisted smile onto his dark-scaled face, the serpent prostrated before Lin Ran, even his once cunning, slit-like pupils now appeared clear and obedient.
He gave in.
What Eight-Winged Serpent Emperor? Just call him Little Black.
Lin Ran's lips curled slightly as he turned his gaze toward the dazed-looking Lv Yi.
"Letting the Sky Serpent Sect take Qing Lin away wouldn't have been a bad choice. I don't know much about serpent cultivation techniques, after all. But entrusting what I want to someone else to safeguard… that's something I dislike."
"You understand what I mean, don't you?"
"..."
Lv Yi gently bit her lip, then sighed softly. She bent one knee and bowed deeply toward Lin Ran.
"I'm willing to serve Lord Lin Ran."
"See? Talking to smart people is always easier."
Lin Ran chuckled as he carried Qing Lin back toward the ruined camp of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group. At the same time, he channeled a stream of Dou Qi into Qing Lin's body.
The unconscious girl let out a soft murmur and gradually awakened, her delicate face dazed and confused.
"Wh-where am I…?"
She slowly opened her eyes, only to find herself being held in a young man's arms. A blush bloomed across her refined, porcelain-like cheeks. But when her gaze swept across her surroundings, she gasped and covered her mouth, face going pale.
Due to Green Python's explosive Dou Qi earlier, the Mo Tie Mercenary Group had been reduced to rubble. Many mercenaries were crushed beneath the debris, with cries of agony ringing out one after another.
"How… how did this happen…?"
She only remembered delivering a letter to the commander and deputy commander. Then she encountered a breathtakingly beautiful woman.
After that, everything went black.
Now, upon awakening, the entire camp had become a ruin…
Qing Lin struggled slightly, wanting to stand up, but the moment her feet touched the ground, her legs gave out and she collapsed again into Lin Ran's arms.
"Sir, I…"
"Your meridians were sealed by Dou Qi. I've already unsealed them, but your body will still need some time to recover."
Lin Ran said softly, lifting her up again. "My name is Lin Ran. As for what's happened here, you'd better speak with your commander."
"Mm…"
Hearing that, Qing Lin's emerald eyes shimmered with a touch of shyness.
Though she served as a maid in the Mo Tie Mercenary Group, her mixed-blood status meant she wasn't well-liked. Even the two commanders treated her only with lukewarm regard.
Thus, it was her first time being held so close by a man.
Inhaling the faint scent from Lin Ran's robes, she felt inexplicably safe. Yet when the wails of the wounded mercenaries reached her ears again, worry surfaced on her small face.
This mercenary group was her home. These mercenaries weren't quite family, but they were her comrades.
Seeing them in such a miserable state, her heart welled with sorrow.
She instinctively wanted to go help bandage their wounds, but her weakened body left her slumped helplessly in Lin Ran's arms.
Lin Ran carried her forward. Behind him, Lv Yi and Bai Ya followed silently. After just a few steps, he noticed a graceful figure moving through the wreckage, tending to the wounded.
Each time she healed someone gravely injured, she would show a gentle, radiant smile—soothing and heartfelt.
Even the fiercest mercenaries turned as docile as lambs before the young woman, blushing like shy children.
"Xiao Yixian."
Lin Ran called softly.
The girl's eyes brightened. She immediately skipped over to Lin Ran's side.
Her gaze briefly swept over Lv Yi and Bai Ya behind him, surprise flashing in her eyes. But the moment she saw the young girl in Lin Ran's arms, she pouted with a hint of jealousy.
"As expected of you, Young Master—fighting multiple Duo Huang and still managing to bring back such a lovely young girl."
"This little sister is quite pretty. What's your name… Ah—ow!"
Xiao Yixian rubbed her head tearfully, wronged.
"G-Greetings, sir. My name is Qing Lin."
The soft, timid voice startled Xiao Yixian slightly. It seemed Qing Lin became even more nervous under her gaze. Her already shy face grew even paler.
"D-Did I do something wrong, miss…?"
"No, not at all."
Xiao Yixian smiled warmly, the gentleness in her expression like a spring breeze. Her slender hand reached out and pinched Qing Lin's delicate cheek. "I'm just surprised the Young Master managed to find such an adorable little doll. You're lovely."
"N-No I'm not…"
Qing Lin's bashful manner only deepened Xiao Yixian's smile. Just from a glance, she'd already taken a liking to the little girl.
Her timid and self-deprecating demeanor was painfully familiar to Xiao Yixian—exactly how she had felt when her Poison Body had first erupted.
But compared to her, Qing Lin's aura of inferiority was far more severe.
When Xiao Yixian's body had first revealed its toxicity, it was only herself who grew self-conscious. Others simply left.
Qing Lin, on the other hand, not only carried the burden of her heritage but also endured endless scorn and ridicule. How had this little girl managed to survive under such pressure?
Thinking this, Xiao Yixian looked at her with added softness and compassion. Her storage ring glowed, and she retrieved a pill.
"Here. Your constitution seems very weak. This Blood Vitality Pill should help."
"Ah… I…"
Qing Lin looked lost, not daring to accept it.
"Take it, Qing Lin."
A weak voice rang out. Xiao Li, leaning on a spear and limping forward, approached the group.
His gaze swept across Lv Yi and Bai Ya, pausing briefly, then settled on Lin Ran as he bowed deeply.
"My lord."
Xiao Li was fully aware—if not for Lin Ran's appearance, both the Mo Tie Mercenary Group and he himself would have been annihilated.
That mysterious Duo Huang had clearly come for Qing Lin. As for Lin Ran's appearance, he guessed it wasn't unrelated to her.
But so what?
Lin Ran had saved his life. That was all that mattered.
A life-saving grace was greater than the heavens—let alone Lin Ran's unfathomable strength and identity as a sixth-grade Alchemist.
Furthermore…
After this calamity, their top fighters were nearly wiped out. Only a tenth remained alive. The commander—his own elder brother, Xiao Ding—had died. The entire mercenary group was finished. Even their camp was destroyed.
Once the shock of the Duo Huang battle faded and Stone Desert City returned to normal, their group's fate would be grim.
At best, they'd be picked apart by rival mercenary groups. At worst, old enemies would seize this chance to take revenge—especially the Sand Mercenary Group, who had always been at odds with them.
Just thinking of it made Xiao Li feel sick.
That was why, the moment he could barely walk, he pushed aside his grief and rushed to meet Lin Ran.
This was his only hope—the Mo Tie Mercenary Group's only hope.
Xiao Li took a deep breath, then dropped to his knees before Lin Ran, bowing his head.
"My lord, you saved my life and the Mo Tie Mercenary Group from disaster. I have no way to repay you. I, Xiao Li, am willing to follow you to the ends of the earth, to serve at your beck and call without hesitation!"
(End of Chapter)