Azure Sea Peak, within Lin Aotian's newly assigned residence.

"Ahhhhh!"

Lin Aotian threw the teacup on the table to the ground, and the poor teacup shattered instantly. "Where's the task? System, give me a task already! I need to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, do you understand? I need to break through now!"

Despite his furious roar, Lin Aotian saw no response from his system. Unable to contain his anger, he smashed the teapot to the ground as well.

After doing this, he felt slightly relieved.

However, when he thought of Xiao Lin's face, his inner rage flared up again.

"What does it mean? Why do I need him to report when I want to see the sect leader?" Lin Aotian clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with undisguised killing intent and anger.

At this moment, he was nothing like the shy and bashful person he appeared to be in front of others.

In truth, with his temperament, it was difficult for him to hide his emotions or perfectly conceal his inner thoughts while pretending to be someone else.

However, he had to admit he was lucky. The day his system activated, he received a skill called "Face Change"—in short, with this skill, as long as he concentrated and guided it, his face would show the expression he wanted, without any flaws.

So along the way, his shy and bashful image fooled everyone, even the old fox Dongfang Yu.

"Calm down, calm down, he's just cannon fodder, no need to get angry with him. I'm the protagonist, after all." After convincing himself a few times, Lin Aotian calmed down again. As he began to clean up the broken pieces on the ground, he started thinking about his future actions. "I wonder when the next task will be released. It's better to complete that task of wooing Ning Yunmiao first..."

Thinking of that cute girl who was like a kitten, some inappropriate images began to surface in Lin Aotian's mind.

"Heh, talking nonsense because you're unwell? Just wait until I get you, hehe..." Lin Aotian, feeling a bit parched, took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. "However, it seems the urgent matter is to establish a connection with the sect leader."

He had already asked around and knew the current sect leader was a woman, which made his desire to meet her even stronger.

But he wasn't planning to wait for Xiao Lin to report; he wanted to take the initiative.

"Dealing with these women, creating some chance encounters to leave a deep impression will definitely help me win them over..." With this plan in mind, Lin Aotian left the room full of ambition, ready to head to Green Lotus Peak.

However, he quickly returned.

"Only those in the Foundation Establishment can fly on their swords. Damn it! Aren't I the protagonist? Why does it feel like the world is against me?"

A quick look at "paw𝑟ead.com" will leave you more fulfilled.

Kicking the leg of the table, Lin Aotian felt frustrated and annoyed.

According to that old man's advice, asking those idiots to take me there, they definitely wouldn't agree... Create a chance encounter? I can't even get there, let alone create a chance encounter!

"Huff... huff... huff... It's fine, there must be a way..." Lin Aotian took a few more deep breaths and sat down on the chair.

Isn't it just a trip over there? He couldn't believe that with his protagonist's halo, he couldn't find a way.

As the protagonist, with such effort, how could he not succeed?

With his mind solely focused on wooing girls and finding a powerful backer, Lin Aotian thought.

……

……

Green Lotus Peak, inside Xiao Lin's room.

"Senior Brother, the back is done, turn around."

Using her hand as a brush and spiritual energy as ink, Yu Qiaoxi nodded as she looked at Xiao Lin's broad yet not overly muscular back.

"Do you need to draw the front too?"

"Both sides need to be done."

"Alright then..."

Xiao Lin, shirtless, could only turn around, embarrassedly averting his gaze.

To be honest, it was the first time in his two lifetimes that Xiao Lin found himself shirtless in the same room with a young girl.

As for why they were in the room and not outside in the courtyard, one reason was that Ning Yunmiao was too shy to watch, and the other was that Xiao Lin was worried that if Luo Qingyan returned unexpectedly, it might cause trouble...

Some might ask, is it really necessary to take off clothes just to set up an array?

According to Yu Qiaoxi's theory, the answer was yes.

The specific reasoning was complicated, something only those who understood would understand.

"Senior Brother, why are you shy? I'm not shy. We're doing this openly, not doing anything shameful..." Yu Qiaoxi continued to draw on Xiao Lin's body while pouting.

[But I must say, I didn't notice before, but Senior Brother is quite fit.]

Yes, my body is quite solid...

Xiao Lin thought expressionlessly, having given up on resisting.

"By the way, have you named this array yet, Fifth Junior Sister?" Perhaps to avoid awkwardness, Xiao Lin tried to make conversation.

"Not yet," Yu Qiaoxi replied casually, "Senior Brother, why don't you help me name it?"

"Well... what exactly does this array do?"

"Simply put, it can channel various energies, including spiritual energy, into the mark on your arm in the correct way."

"Various energies? What other energies besides spiritual energy?"

"Theoretically, it can also convert external attacks, like spells, into usable energy."

"Huh? Doesn't that mean it's like having an extra piece of armor?"

"To absorb an attack, you need to let it hit you. If you can withstand it, you can use that energy."

"What if I can't withstand it?"

"......"

"......"

"Alright, it's done."

Yu Qiaoxi tapped Xiao Lin's chest with a finger, nodding as her eyes flashed with a hint of charm. "Okay, let's go test it outside. We don't want to destroy Senior Brother's room."

"Got it."

Xiao Lin didn't bother with naming it anymore. He quickly put on his shirt and followed Yu Qiaoxi out of the room.

"Senior Brother, Fifth Junior Sister!"

Seeing the two come out, Ning Yunmiao, who was nibbling on meat like a hamster, immediately got up from the stone bench.

[Wow, Fifth Junior Sister is amazing, her face isn't even red! Is this the mark of a mature woman?]

Mature? Based on age in this world, you're actually a year older than her... But I think Fifth Junior Sister's face isn't red not because she's amazing, but because she was a man in her past life...

After silently complaining, Xiao Lin took a few steps to the center of the courtyard, spreading his feet slightly and getting into position.

Yu Qiaoxi led Ning Yunmiao to the side.

"Oh oh oh, is it starting? Fifth Junior Sister, do you want some?"

"No, thank you. Fourth Senior Sister, be careful. If the mark is successfully activated, who knows what kind of power it might unleash."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely protect Fifth Junior Sister."

"My cultivation level is higher than yours, I should be the one protecting you."

"Ugh, Fifth Junior Sister, you're so heartless. Really not eating? It's really good."

"No, thank you."

"......"

Listening to the discussion between the two junior sisters not far away, Xiao Lin felt a bit speechless. However, when he saw Xiaobai appear beside Ning Yunmiao out of the corner of his eye, he felt reassured and began channeling spiritual energy from his Dantian and Qi Palace.