"Master, please wash your face."
"I'll help you change your clothes, master."
"Mmm~"
Upon waking up, Yun Tianming could enjoy the service of three Snake People maids in rotation. Living such a comfortable life, he feared he might become depraved.
One of the older Snake People maids approached him and then squatted down in front of him.
"No need to put on shoes, I'll do it myself."
Yun Tianming pressed down on his body and stood up from the bed.
The expression of the Snake People maid froze for a moment. After hesitating for a while, she muttered softly, "Master, actually, that is..."
"Enough, you can leave now."
Yun Tianming waved his hand, firmly dismissing the three Snake People maids.
Looking at the three Snake Women in front of him, twisting their enchanting figures, with long snake tails hanging down from their waists, they gave off a strange visual impact.
Yun Tianming shook his head, dispelling the distractions in his mind. Fortunately, he was only fond of mature and charming elder sisters.
Taking out the medicine cauldron from the Spatial Ring, he began his alchemy practice for the new day.
A week later, there was still no trace of Qing Lin, and Yun Tianming had no way to find her. After all, he had arrived a year earlier than the original timeline, and Qing Lin was not in the Desert Metal Mercenary Group. It was still unknown where she was now.
After half a month, Yun Tianming gradually became restless and decided to set out on his own to search.
And just at this moment, the Sand Mercenary Group finally received good news!
"Young Master Yun, this is the mixed-blood girl we found with great difficulty from a peripheral Snake People Tribe. Take a look, is it her?"
Luo Bu's arm was wrapped in bandages, his face full of rough flesh, with several fierce scars added to it, and he appeared quite weakened.
During this past month and a half, they had been searching for news of mixed-blood individuals in the Tager Desert. Along the way, they encountered attacks from both the Snake People Tribe and Magic Beasts, resulting in many casualties. After finally obtaining a clue, Luo Bu, determined, decided to ambush a peripheral Snake People Tribe and successfully rescued a group of human females who had been confined, among whom they found a mixed-blood girl.
They saw that she was a girl of about 12 years old, dressed in ragged clothes and covered in dirt, with slender waist and a pair of tiny feet indistinguishable from those of humans.
The people of the Sand Mercenary Group were also uneasy. The girl's appearance was almost identical to that of a human, so they were not sure if she was truly a mixed-blood from the Snake People Tribe. If she wasn't, then all the bloodshed they had endured over the past month would be in vain! As for the rescue of human women, that was just an added bonus. If it weren't for Yun Tianming's Pill reward, they wouldn't have been willing to risk their lives.
"Child, look up."
Yun Tianming walked up to the timid girl and, without showing any disgust at her dirty face, lifted her chin with his hand.
"Mmm~"
The girl was like a frightened deer, huddled and uneasy, her big, watery green eyes filled with tears, her pale, cracked lips pitifully pleading, "Please don't hit me." It was clear to see that her small arms and legs were covered in scars of all sizes, indicating the inhuman torment she had endured.
Upon closer inspection, Yun Tianming noticed three tiny dark green dots deep within her emerald green eyes.
Staring closely at those somewhat eerie emerald green pupils, Yun Tianming felt his field of vision becoming surreal. Subconsciously, he released his Soul Power, dispelling the illusions that appeared in his sight. Those mysterious eyes seemed unmistakable.
Yun Tianming immediately felt relieved, finally confirming the other's identity. "Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. What's your name?"
"Others call me Qing Lin."
The girl pursed her lips, subconsciously gripping the part of her arm covered by bandages. Green snake scales grew on her arms, so she was often looked down upon by other human women who were also confined, believing her to be a hybrid of the Snake People Tribe. On the other hand, the Snake People Tribe did not consider Qing Lin, who lacked a snake tail, as one of their own. The reason she hadn't been killed was that Snake People hybrids generally didn't live past the age of ten. The leader of the Snake People Tribe considered Qing Lin to be a "rare find" and intended to send her to the tribe's main settlement as a gift to the great commanding officer.
"Very well! From today onwards, you're under my care."
Yun Tianming nodded in satisfaction, then gently took the girl's small hand, which was soft, feeble, and cold.
"Mmm~"
Qing Lin trembled slightly, then felt the warmth emanating from the other's palm, giving rise to a strange feeling in her heart.
"Sand Mercenary Group, this is your reward."
With a flick of his finger, Yun Tianming retrieved dozens of bottles of Pills from the Spatial Ring and handed them over to the Sand Mercenary Group. He also included a scroll of Black Qi Method as an additional gift.
"Is this... a Black Rank Mid Level Earth attribute Qi Method?!"
Luo Bu, upon receiving the scroll, showed signs of ecstatic joy on his face. His Dou Qi happened to be of the Earth attribute, and he had been practicing a Black Rank Low Level Qi Method until now. Hindered by his Qi Method, his progress in cultivation had been slow since he advanced to Dou Grandmaster many years ago. With the upgrade to a Black Rank Mid Level Qi Method, Luo Bu was confident that he could break through to the Dou Spirit level within five years!
"Thank you for your generosity young Master Yun!"
"Sand Mercenary Group is willing to serve Young Master!"
Luo Bu thought to himself that he hadn't chosen the wrong ally. The casualties and sacrifices made over the past month and a half were all worth it.
...
After sending away the members of the Sand Mercenary Group, Yun Tianming instructed a Snake Woman to help Qing Lin clean herself and brought a set of clean clothes.
"Master."
With the dirt washed away, Qing Lin looked completely refreshed. Dressed in a light green and elegant attire, she exuded purity. Despite her petite and delicate figure, certain parts of her body were surprisingly well-developed, making her no less attractive than Xiao Yi Xian, who was several years older! Her delicate oval face was beginning to show the potential of a beauty, resembling a lovely porcelain doll. She nervously fidgeted with her dress, her timid appearance resembling that of a frightened little rabbit, evoking sympathy.
"Don't call me master, call me Yun Tianming."
Yun Tianming revealed a kind smile.
The legendary Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils indicated Qing Lin's extraordinary growth potential, capable of reaching Dou Saint!
Establishing a friendly relationship with her was undoubtedly a wise choice.
"So, Tianming young master?"
Qing Lin had been confined for a long time and had been bullied by both the Snake People and humans. Even the Sand Mercenary Group, which had rescued her, treated her as if she were some kind of commodity. Only this young man in front of her looked at her with genuine kindness.
"Sure, call me whatever you like."
Yun Tianming knew that Qing Lin had suffered inhumane enslavement and that her mindset would take time to change.
****
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