BTTH: DISCIPLE CASHBACK SYSTEM Chapter 609: Xiao Jin – No Way, Sister Qing Lin, How Can You Be Number Three?

As Qing Lin departed the teahouse and stepped onto the bustling main street, Venerable Tianhuo abruptly raised his head, his gaze fixed upon a section of the sky. "A five-star Dou Zong… that aura feels somewhat familiar…" he mused.

"Senior Yao, is something amiss?" Qing Lin inquired, noticing Venerable Tianhuo's peculiar reaction.

"Girl Qing Lin, it appears that golden-haired youth from the Yunlan Sect has returned!" Venerable Tianhuo responded.

"It must be Xiao Jin!"

The mention of a "golden-haired boy" instantly brought Xiao Jin to Qing Lin's mind. In the next moment, she turned to Venerable Tianhuo. "Senior Yao, could you please assist me in bringing Xiao Jin here? Following that, we shall proceed to the Mercenary Guild to locate eldest senior brother!"

"Very well! Girl Qing Lin, let us go together!"

Affirming Qing Lin's request, Venerable Tianhuo nodded. A gentle wave of energy emanated from him, enveloping her, and then his figure dissolved from the city streets.

…

Soaring through the heavens, a young man with golden hair cut a swift path through the air. As he passed over the city far below, he faintly detected an exceptionally potent presence surveying the skies above it.

Just as he paused, intending to look back, he suddenly perceived that formidable aura was, in fact, drawing nearer to him.

In that precise instant, Xiao Jin’s senses heightened. As a magical beast, his innate danger awareness far surpassed that of most humans. He discerned that the source of that aura possessed a cultivation level of at least Dou Zun.

"Who goes there?"

Xiao Jin called out warily toward an empty space ahead.

"Haha, Xiao Jin, no need for alarm—it is I!"

As Xiao Jin's cautious challenge echoed, the very fabric of space before him distorted violently, accompanied by a cheerful laugh from within.

Upon recognizing the familiar voice, Xiao Jin's apprehension evaporated instantly, replaced by a broad, almost goofy grin.

In the following moment, the figures of Venerable Tianhuo and Qing Lin materialized from the rippling space.

"Sister Qing Lin, it truly is you!"

Seeing Qing Lin before him, Xiao Jin approached with a radiant smile. This marked his inaugural meeting with Qing Lin outside the sect.

"Greetings, senior!"

Although Xiao Jin was not intimately acquainted with Venerable Tianhuo, who stood beside Qing Lin, he nevertheless offered a polite greeting.

"Sister Qing Lin, what brings you here?" Xiao Jin inquired.

"Master permitted me to venture out for experience. I have been away for nearly a year now," Qing Lin explained, before turning the question back. "And you, Xiao Jin?"

"As for me? I came here specifically to resolve the matter of the three great empires conspiring to impede the expansion of the Mercenary Guild's branches," Xiao Jin replied, scratching his head.

"To address the joint obstruction from the three empires… wasn't that task assigned to the vice president of the Mercenary Guild? Don't tell me… Xiao Jin, you have ascended to the position of vice president?" Qing Lin pondered for a moment before asking with a smile.

"Indeed, I have always held the position of vice president! Brother Liu is the leader, and I stand as number two!" Xiao Jin confirmed, a flicker of pride gracing his features.

"Xiao Jin, what if I were to also join the Mercenary Guild as a vice president? That way, you would still be number two, and I would rank as number three!" Qing Lin proposed, her tone laced with a hint of playful inquiry.

"Ah, that simply won't do! Sister Qing Lin, if you were to join the guild, you must undoubtedly be number two. How could I possibly presume to rank above you!" Hearing her suggestion, Xiao Jin vehemently shook his head.

"Fear not, Xiao Jin. As vice president, your current renown actually surpasses that of our eldest senior brother. Your prestige has even permeated the Jia Ma Empire!" Qing Lin reassured him with a smile.

"Ah… that is purely because Brother Liu consistently dispatches me on missions!" Xiao Jin offered as an explanation.

"Haha, with eldest senior brother issuing you commands like that, did he offer any form of compensation? If not, your sister here will retrieve it for you!" Qing Lin declared, puffing out her cheeks in mock indignation.

"Hehe, he did. Every time I return from a skirmish, I am treated to a grand feast!" Xiao Jin responded with a chuckle.

"Eldest senior brother… only provided you with a large meal…" Witnessing Xiao Jin's contented expression, Qing Lin couldn't suppress a shiver. Internally, she felt Liu Ling was pushing the boundaries too far. Xiao Jin had practically annexed half of the Mercenary Guild's territories for him, and in return, he received merely a meal.

"If I join the guild, even eldest senior brother will have to settle accounts with me properly!" Qing Lin muttered under her breath.

"This young lady has truly absorbed much wisdom during her extended absence. She is already contemplating settling scores with her own guild leader senior brother even before formally joining the Mercenary Guild. Tsk tsk," Venerable Tianhuo mused inwardly upon overhearing Qing Lin's quiet utterance.