Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Qing Lin's heart trembled with worry. This kind young master likely didn't know her true identity. Once he did, would he shun her like the others? She gripped her sleeves tightly, hiding the scales on her arms, dreading the moment he'd look at her with disgust. That would break her heart.

Xiao Bai noticed her tense gaze and the way she clutched her sleeves since sitting down. "Can I see your scales?" he asked gently.

Qing Lin's small face paled instantly. She shuffled away from him, reverting to her practiced reflex—crouching, hugging her knees, burying her head, her frail body shaking. "I'm… I'm sorry! I didn't mean to trick you!" she stammered, voice quivering with tears, berating herself for her carelessness. He'll look at me with disgust now. Despair crept in.

Xiao Bai sighed, head aching at her sensitivity. Seeing her trembling, he softened, rising to crouch before her. "Don't be scared. Let me see, alright?" He patted her head, voice soothing.

Half-hopeful, half-fearful, Qing Lin peeked up. His warm, gentle eyes eased her, and she exhaled softly. He's not repulsed. When he took her hand, she didn't resist. Xiao Bai lifted her wrinkled sleeve, revealing teal scales on her pale wrist. He touched them, feeling their textured pattern. "Such pretty scales," he said.

Qing Lin froze, stunned. No one had ever praised the scales she loathed and feared. Her battered young heart stirred with a strange warmth, her bright eyes glimmering. As Xiao Bai studied the scales, his soul sensed a faint anomaly. Tracing it, he met her gaze—greenish eyes with three tiny, glowing teal dots deep in the pupils.

He recognized the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils . His soul felt a gentle tug, like a child pulling his robe—noticeable but harmless. Intrigued, he considered probing this fabled "top pupil of the Dou Qi Continent," but the dots faded, and the sensation vanished. Too weak now, he thought. Forcing it could harm her. Plenty of time to study it when she's stronger.

"You're not scared?" Qing Lin whispered cautiously. "They say I'm a curse."

In the past, her scales sparked revulsion and fear, branding her as a harbinger of doom. Even her abusers spared her life, wary of her "curse" transferring to them. Xiao Bai rolled his eyes inwardly. Superstition in a fantasy world? Qing Lin's survival was likely due to her unique physique or sheer chance, not some curse. The Dou Qi Continent, from the novel, had no such thing—curses were high-level concepts tied to karma and fate, beyond this lower plane's scope.

"Scared of what? The scales or this so-called curse?" Xiao Bai asked, ruffling her hair, exasperated. "If it's the scales, I'm not fazed by snake beasts, let alone a few patches. If it's the curse, ignore their nonsense. No such thing exists—just ignorant drivel."

"Have you thought about leaving this place?" he asked, seeing her relax.

"Leave to where?" Qing Lin blinked, bewildered. To her young mind, Stone Desert City was her entire world, familiar despite its cruelty. No one had spoken of the outside, only mentioning the perilous desert crossing—unthinkable for someone as weak as her. Leaving had never crossed her mind.

"Come with me. Scared?" Xiao Bai looked at her warmly.

"Not scared!" she said, shaking her head. Then, self-conscious, she lowered it, twisting her fingers. "But… Qing Lin's useless. I only know cleaning, washing, cooking…"

Xiao Bai smiled at the earnest girl, nodding seriously. "That's plenty! Look, I'm hopeless at cleaning, washing, or cooking. You're already super capable, perfect for helping me!"

"Really?" Her head snapped up, eyes sparkling with joy.

"Really. From now on, you're my only little maid, Qing Lin. Sound good?" Xiao Bai pinched her cheek, chuckling.

"Good!" Her eyes curved into crescents, nodding vigorously at his affectionate gesture.

Hai Bodong watched, baffled. Why was Xiao Bai so kind to this random girl? With his talent and strength, finding a maid was trivial—even a Miteer Clan heiress would suffice if he asked. Yet, he invested such care in this child, leaving Hai Bodong stumped.

Xiao Bai, unaware of Hai Bodong's thoughts, would've scoffed. Your clan's girls compare to her? Qing Lin was a born beast tamer, specialized in snakes, with a natural beast-taming space. The Green Snake Triple Flower Pupil formed its own dimension, capable of storing beasts. Its domineering trait—absorbing beasts to boost her cultivation—made Xiao Bai envious. I want a space like that. Not for power, but to unleash a pet army in fights, sipping tea while enemies fell. Glorious.

Rubbing his chin, he mused about getting a pet. The lion from the Magical Beast Mountain Range? Too weak, low potential. He wanted a companion to grow with him, not lag behind. Recalling the novel, no suitable beasts stood out. The strongest candidate was Jia Nan Academy's little dragon girl, but her peak Dou Saint father in the academy's depths ruled that out. Narrowing his eyes, Xiao Bai grinned, glancing toward the Tagore Desert's depths with a sly chuckle.