I... My Name Is Xiaolian

With extensive combat experience, the Sacred Domain Alliance had drawn up a battlefield map based on past knowledge.

It could be said that the battlefield of the Great Thousand War was a ring composed of three thousand minor worlds. The deeper one ventured inward, the richer the opportunities and the greater the harvest of faith.

Even though this was merely an illusion, those chosen by fate who had participated in the Great Thousand War before had reaped considerable benefits from it. Perhaps this was the wonder of this world.

In one of the minor worlds, Tian Zixing led a group of elite cultivators he had handpicked, soaring through the skies.

Tall and slender, he wore a cyan robe that fluttered lightly in the wind, his brows exuding an air of cold arrogance. Every movement carried an oppressive aura that seemed to tower above all living beings.

As a top-tier expert of this minor world, he naturally had his own pride.

He believed himself not only the chosen one of this minor world—but the chosen one of all the myriad realms!

"The Netherfrost Divine Domain..."

Tian Zixing murmured under his breath, his gaze sweeping over the distant undulating mountain ranges, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Even though the Netherfrost Divine Domain was far ahead at the moment, he felt not the slightest fear.

After all... they were nothing more than ants crawling up from minor worlds. Did they really think they could secure the top spot with mere underhanded tricks?

The corner of his lips curled into a mocking smile.

"When the Divine Battle begins, it will be the day your faith crumbles!"

He had already calculated everything. Though the hundred-day period was short, as long as he could defeat the core figures of the Netherfrost Divine Domain in the Divine Battle, he could seize all the faith they had accumulated in one fell swoop!

By then, whether it was three hundred thousand or three million, all of it would belong to Tian Zixing!

"Pick up the pace!"

He issued a cold command, and the thousands of cultivators behind him immediately accelerated, transforming into streaks of light as they raced into the distance.

...

Moments later, they descended into a valley.

The spiritual energy here was dense, towering ancient trees stretched toward the sky, and the distant roars of fierce beasts echoed faintly.

Tian Zixing stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze indifferent as he surveyed the surroundings.

"Split up. Use force to subdue the natives and spread our faith!"

The group responded in unison, preparing to disperse—

"Eek—!"

"Help!!"

A shrill scream suddenly pierced the sky!

Tian Zixing frowned slightly, turning toward the source of the sound.

Probably just another conflict between native tribes.

He sneered inwardly, having no interest in the savage battles of these barbaric lands.

Yet, the scream grew closer, accompanied by frantic footsteps and the furious roars of a beast.

"Roar—!"

A massive six-tusked elephant burst through the dense forest, its crimson eyes filled with brutality as it madly chased a slender figure!

Tian Zixing's gaze sharpened.

It was a woman.

Her clothes were disheveled, the hem of her white dress torn by thorns, revealing shallow bloody scratches.

Her long hair, like a waterfall, was now tangled against her cheeks, making her pale face appear even more fragile.

She stumbled as she ran, tears welling in her eyes, her lips trembling as if she might collapse at any moment.

"H-Help...!"

Her voice was choked with sobs, as delicate as a willow swaying in the wind—as if the next moment, she would be torn apart by the beast.

Tian Zixing's frown deepened.

How could a woman like this be here?

Her attire didn’t resemble that of a native—more like... a cultivator?

Yet her aura was pitifully weak, without even the slightest fluctuation of spiritual energy.

Just as he pondered—

"Eek!"

The woman tripped, falling heavily to the ground!

She let out a pained whimper, trying to get up, but her knees were already scraped raw, blood seeping through her torn dress.

Seeing this, the six-tusked elephant roared excitedly and charged forward at full speed!

At the critical moment—

"Hmph!"

After a brief hesitation, Tian Zixing flicked his sleeve coldly!

Whoosh—!

A streak of sharp starlight shot from his fingertips, slashing toward the beast like a blade!

"Thud!"

Blood splattered!

The six-tusked elephant didn’t even have time to scream before its skull was pierced by the starlight.

Its massive body collapsed with a heavy thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The woman remained frozen in place, as if still in shock.

She slowly lifted her head, timidly meeting Tian Zixing’s gaze.

Her eyes were as clear as autumn water, yet filled with fear and unease.

"Th-Thank you..."

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s hum, trembling slightly, like a frightened fawn that evoked an involuntary sense of pity.

Tian Zixing looked down at her, his brows still furrowed.

"Who are you?"

At his question, she shrank slightly, as if afraid.

"I... I’m Lian..."

She lowered her head, fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her dress, her voice growing quieter.

"I was originally here with my family elders for training, but... we were attacked by beasts, and everyone got separated..."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened again, tears welling up but stubbornly refusing to fall.

"I... I ran for so long, but it still caught up to me..."

Her tone was filled with helplessness and grievance, enough to soften anyone’s heart.

Before Tian Zixing could respond, one of the cultivators behind him spoke coldly:

"Sir, this woman’s origins are unclear. It’s better to kill her now to avoid complications!"

Lian shuddered violently at his words, large teardrops instantly spilling from her eyes!

"N-No, don’t kill me..."

She shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her cheeks as she curled into herself, like a small animal cornered in desperation.

"I... I really mean no harm... I just want to live..."

Her voice was choked with sobs, pleading in utter despair.

Tian Zixing shot a cold glance at the cultivator.

"Silence."

The man immediately shut his mouth, not daring to say another word.

Tian Zixing looked back at Su Bailian, pondering for a moment before asking:

"You claim to be a cultivator, yet you have no spiritual energy. Why?"

Su Bailian bit her lip and whispered:

"I... I was born with a unique constitution that prevents me from cultivating... My elders said bringing me here might help find a solution..."

Her tone was humble and pitiful, as if she herself held little hope.

Tian Zixing narrowed his eyes.

—A worthless cripple?

Yet her demeanor and bearing didn’t resemble that of an ordinary person.

And surviving in a place like this until now—was it really just luck?

She wasn’t someone from the Sacred Domain. Could she be a native born from this world’s evolution?

Though doubts remained, seeing her tearful appearance, he finally said indifferently:

"Since you have nowhere to go, you may follow us for now."

Lian’s head snapped up at his words, her eyes lighting up with joy!

"R-Really?!"

Her voice trembled with excitement, her cheeks flushing faintly with happiness.

Tian Zixing didn’t answer, simply turning to walk away.

Lian hurriedly scrambled to her feet, but the wounds on her knees made her stagger, nearly falling again.

Biting back the pain, she limped after him, careful not to get too close, as if afraid of being a nuisance.

After walking for a while, she ventured timidly:

"Um... Benefactor, may I... know your name?"

Tian Zixing didn’t look back, his voice calm and detached.

"Tian Zixing."

"Tian... Zixing..."

She repeated the name softly, as if etching it into her heart.

"Such a beautiful name..."

Her tone carried a hint of admiration, yet she held back, afraid of seeming too forward or disrespectful.

Tian Zixing paid her no mind.

Undeterred, Lian continued trailing behind him step by step, occasionally wincing as thorns scraped her skin.

She would let out a quiet "ow," then press on in silence.

Finally, one of the cultivators couldn’t bear it any longer and whispered,

"My lord, perhaps... we should give her some healing medicine? She’s slowing us down."

Tian Zixing paused mid-step and glanced back.

Lian stood with her head bowed, strands of hair clinging to her pale, sweat-dampened cheeks.

Noticing his gaze, she hurriedly forced a smile, though the pain made it look strained.

"I-it’s fine... I... I can keep going..."

Her voice grew quieter, as if afraid of being a burden.

After a moment of silence, Tian Zixing finally flicked a small bottle of pills toward her.

"Take it."

Lian fumbled to catch it, her eyes wide with disbelief and gratitude.

"Th-thank you, kind sir!"

Carefully, she tipped out a single pill and swallowed it.

As the medicine took effect, the wounds on her knees visibly healed.

Her eyes sparkled with delight as she looked up at Tian Zixing, brimming with reverence.

"You’re so kind, my lord..."

Her voice was soft and sweet, laced with a newfound dependence.

Tian Zixing didn’t respond, simply turning to continue walking.

Lian pressed her lips together and followed quietly.

This time, her steps were much lighter.

Every now and then, she’d steal a glance at his back, a sly glimmer flashing in her eyes.

Oh?

So that’s how it is?

Hehe, the top prize of a high-ranking sect, huh~

Then... how should I go about wrapping him around my finger?

Wait a minute—does this mean I’m getting roped into another sect again?

Ugh, more free labor for that couple!