Battle Through the Heavens: It turns out I'm actually the patriarch of the Xiao family!

Chapter 55 Live for Yourself

Slowly approaching Qinglin's side, Xiao Chen squatted down, gently stroking the little girl's head with his palm. Then, amidst her fearful expression, he grasped her arm and carefully lifted her sleeve.

Looking at the blue snake scales, he suddenly said softly, "What beautiful scales."

'

All of Qinglin's fear froze on her small face in an instant.

From birth, the memories that accompanied this body were endless rejection, disgust, and cold stares.

These ugly scales, which terrified her so much that she trembled alone at night, were the mark of a curse, proof of shame.

She didn't even dare to look directly at them.

But now—he said—

So beautiful!

Silently, a strange feeling arose in that fragile heart, which was almost completely devastated.

Qinglin opened her eyes, which held a hint of strange allure, and asked timidly, "Senior, do you really think they're beautiful?"

Staring into Qinglin's bright, watery eyes, Xiao Chen saw three extremely tiny emerald green dots hidden deep within the pupils.

hum!

A faint yet eerily strange power suddenly emanated from the depths of those pupils.

Xiao Chen felt as if the air around him had frozen for a moment. A moment later, he was jolted and quickly came back to his senses.

He looked into Qinglin's eyes again and found that the three tiny green dots had disappeared.

With a gentle smile, Xiao Chen pulled down Qing Lin's sleeve, then helped her up. He looked at the timid girl in front of him with a smile and said, "Of course it's true. I'm sorry to have startled you."

Qinglin shook her head almost instinctively, her thin shoulders trembling slightly, her small hands twisting the hem of her clothes tightly with extreme tension.

In her memory, never, ever had anyone lowered themselves and sincerely expressed their respect for her insignificant fear like the senior in front of her.

This unfamiliar kindness left her at a loss, a wave of emotion instantly welling up in her eyes, blurring her vision.

"Senior, I will be your personal maid during this time. If you need anything, just tell Qinglin." Qinglin said in a low voice, bowing.

With a slight smile, Xiao Chen nodded gently, patted the girl's head, and said with a smile, "Let's go, show me around this Desert Iron Mercenary Group."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked forward.

"Mmm." Gently, Qinglin followed carefully.

Stepping out of the room, the morning light poured down freely, and fine golden dust danced in the air, making one feel warm all over.

Even in the scorching desert, it was still early morning, and the temperature of the sunlight was just right, bringing only comfort and not causing any annoying heat.

As Xiao Chen and Qing Lin walked through the mercenary group, the mercenaries passing by would stop in their tracks, their faces filled with awe, and bow respectfully when they caught sight of him.

However, when their gazes fell upon Qinglin to the side, their expressions gradually turned cold, and some even harbored a hint of disgust in their eyes.

Xiao Chen witnessed this stark change in demeanor and could only let out a helpless sigh.

This cold rejection stems from hatred.

The mercenaries on the edge of the desert all have an indelible blood feud with the snake people.

Every time these mercenaries thought about the little girl in front of them, whose blood flowed with the filthy snake-men, they couldn't help but show some disgust.

This emotion is something that almost nothing can suppress.

This is the aversion that arises from long-standing mutual antagonism between humans and snake people.

Qinglin, who possesses both human and snake-human blood, bears the discrimination and disgust of both sides.

In truth, she was just an extremely innocent girl.

Along the way, the disgusted looks that came from all around made Qinglin's petite body tremble slightly.

That adorable little face, which should have been irresistible to countless people, was now filled with a dullness.

As he rounded a corner, Xiao Chen paused slightly, and a barely audible sigh escaped his lips.

He turned his head and his gaze fell on Qinglin beside him.

The girl's face became uneasy because of his soft sigh. She clutched the hem of her clothes tightly with her small hands, and her timid eyes were filled with unease and confusion. She almost dared not look him in the eye.

Xiao Chen remained silent for a few moments, then said softly, "Don't worry too much about what others think, okay?"

"Senior—" Qinglin felt somewhat at a loss.

So Xiao Chen gazed into her eyes and smiled, saying, "Qinglin, don't worry too much about what others think. Just remember, you're not living for others; you're living for yourself!"

After saying that, Xiao Chen smiled slightly, rubbed Qing Lin's little head, and continued walking forward.

Hearing Xiao Chen's words, Qing Lin stood there stunned. After a long while, a strange light appeared on her lovely, delicate face.

Those gentle words of comfort echoed repeatedly in my mind.

"For—myself?"

She whispered unconsciously, a strange warmth suddenly surging into her heart, dispelling her previous confusion and gloom.

Her pretty nose twitched almost imperceptibly, as if suppressing some surging emotion.

Three tiny green dots suddenly reappeared silently in her emerald green pupils.

"Thank you so much, senior!"

She murmured something softly, and a strangely alluring smile suddenly appeared on Qinglin's face. Then she jogged to catch up with the boy's back.

Fifteen minutes later.

Inside the council chamber.

"Ancestor, the Sand Mercenary Group is the strongest force in Stone Desert City besides the City Lord's Mansion."

"Although our Desert Iron Mercenary Group is not inferior in overall strength, their leader, Rob, is a Grand Battle Master."

"So unless there's something major going on, we generally don't provoke the Sand Mercenary Group."

"However, Xiao Li and I are both Great Dou Masters now. With our strength, we can easily take down the Sand Mercenary Group. There's no need to trouble you."

It was Xiao Li speaking.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen pondered for a while, then looked up at Xiao Ding and Xiao Li and smiled, "It's alright. I'm still a little interested in that guy named Luo Bu and would like to meet him."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a glance, both looking puzzled.

Xiao Chen naturally wouldn't tell them that he had a very deep impression of Rob.

He watched the scene where Xiao Yan used Luo Bu to test the Buddha's Wrath Lotus many times.

"Alright, I'll go chat with them first. You can take the Mo Tie Mercenary Group and set off now."

"Yes!" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li replied respectfully.

When I looked up again, Xiao Chen had already disappeared.

Thinking that he could wipe out the Sand Mercenary Group today, Xiao Li's face faintly revealed a sinister and ferocious aura. With a flick of his hand, a tungsten steel spear appeared in his palm, and he said coldly, "I've long disliked these people. Apart from Rob, the rest of the Sand Mercenary Group are just a bunch of cowards!"

Xiao Ding smiled faintly, a cold glint flashing in his lowered eyes.

Beside her, Qinglin cautiously glanced at the two of them, and for some reason, felt a chill run through her body.