"My master is Black…." Lin said, not wanting to lose face in front of the special items. He straightened his back and stood firm. He wasn't strong, nor did he have anything to hide, so he came clean immediately.

"Why… your teacher is Hei Kui. Don't mingle recklessly with the kids. Hei Kui is the master of Wei Hall." The surprised look on the girl's face seemed as though she'd just heard the most unbelievable thing in the world. It wasn't surprising, though, as Xuan Kui Star Lord hadn't taken a disciple at Shuwei Hall in hundreds of years.

"I wouldn't dare to bluff my way through. If the master found out, would I still be alive?"

You know Lin Yun's unfairness—she didn't believe that Lin Yun was speaking from his heart. But then, Lin spoke again, "Look at those women, taller than anyone else. They immediately dropped from the sky, knelt on one knee, and bid farewell to Lin Dao." Uncle Shi, the little girl Xue Zi, along with those elders who left their seats—they were merely annoyed. "Please forgive me."

Actually, as Lin explained, this was about the Black Queen, a person of truly high status. Even something like this was worth bowing in reverence to her presence.

"Humble, joyous—you're learning the right way." Lin said, grabbing Xue Zi. His tone was playful, but his approach was unyielding.

"Mm." Xue Zi's face was cold, but his voice was soft and skilled.

"Does your name match your outfit?" Lin asked, referring to Xue Zihong's laughter.

Xue Zi looked down and realized her clothing buttons weren't fastened properly, her pure white skin faintly exposed. She immediately grew embarrassed. She couldn't understand how she'd let such sloppiness happen. Turning her head, she glanced at Lin Yun and smiled. "Let Uncle Shi laugh, okay?" she said.

"Why laugh? I see everything." Lin, though delighted inside, pretended to brush it off in front of her, suppressing his glee. Xue Zi Mei, though being a fairy, was quite naïve. She played along with the ruse, but her innocence made it feel wrong! If he could marry her, that would be wonderful.

"You don't call me teacher or uncle. I'm older than you. That's proper. But now I'm just old. Just call me Lin, or maybe 'novel.'" Lin said with a smile.

"That… is not possible. I'm a disciplined person." Xue Zi, though respectful by nature, struggled to loosen up—it was indeed a bit difficult.

"Why not? You called me Master Uncle before. We're friends now, so just call me 'novel.'" Lin hinted, hoping to befriend this very likable Xue Zili. Deep down, he saw this connection as potentially helpful in fostering better ties with his wife at Shuwei Palace.

"I think," Uncle Shi chimed in. "Oh no! Novel!" Xue Zi blushed immediately, like he had drifted into improper thoughts, slightly disoriented but also a bit excited.

"Oh, good—then we're friends." Lin Yun saw Shuwei Hall as a promising start.

"Alright… hubby. Novel… What if I caught you peeking at me while I was bathing?" Xue Zi teased, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

Lin, startled as though caught red-handed, replied hastily, "I'd never do such a thing. If I ever wandered through the grass nearby and saw… that was an accident! You'd have to ask for proper justice!"

"Often hanging out here for fans' gatherings, novel, aren't you living on some lofty peak? I'll take you there," Xue Zi offered generously.

Lin blinked, unsure of where exactly he was, and scratched the back of his head. After a moment of pondering, he replied, "I need to cross the mountain to register."

Registering required going over the peak of a mountain—it wasn't far from Luoxia Peak. Crossing that mountain would take him right to the place.

"That high?" Xue Zi pointed at the massive trail that stretched a thousand meters vertically.

Lin gasped and looked up at the towering peak in disbelief. He felt a sinking coldness in his chest. From below, the summit seemed impossibly high, like peering at the heavens from the ground. It was as though he'd suddenly been placed in front of an enormous pillar, and he began doubting whether he would return by nightfall.

"This is…," Lin muttered, caught off guard by the silence. "How can I make it there? Tomorrow I'll still be clueless about this steep path."

"Novel, what level of power do you have now?"

"Darkness, third grade," Lin answered with a cheerful grin.

Xue Zi understood that Lin wasn't going to manage this; it would take at least three hours of walking to get there. For someone like him, still far from mastering flight, the wilderness itself was full of dangers.

"Novel, if you allow me to fly you, I could get you to Luoxia Peak within minutes."

Lin stared at the stunning young woman offering to assist him. Even his jaw dropped. Xue Zilin nodded her assurance and clasped Lin's hand. Suddenly, a whirlwind whipped up around them.

As Lin observed the protective gust swirling around Xue Zi, lifting her into the sky, he felt pure envy. He couldn't help but wonder when he might amass the resources needed to cultivate such power and soar through the skies.

From the rushing wind, Xue Ziyi shouted, "Hold onto her waist or you'll fall!"

Lin hesitated momentarily but ultimately wrapped his arms around Xue Zirou's slender waist, his face flushing in embarrassment—what kind of man clings to someone else's wife like this? Yet, the sensation of being in flight, combined with nose-twitching whiffs of Xue Zi's perfume, filled him with an elation that washed away all hesitation. As they flew faster and higher, Lin's legs flailed awkwardly in mid-air, leaving him drenched in a cold sweat.

In a matter of minutes, they reached the top of Luoxia Peak.

Lin Yun and Xue Zifen marveled at the vibrant, fragrant flora sprawling across the summit. The scene left a deep impression on Lin Yun.

As Xue Zilin prepared to leave after ensuring Lin was safe at home, her stomach betrayed her with a loud rumble. Xue Zidun's embarrassed expression turned redder. Lin, noticing her hunger, let out an awkward laugh.

"Stay for dinner," Lin offered. "I'll cook."

Seeing Lin extend the invitation, Xue Zi couldn't refuse. Hunger was gnawing at her. Despite just returning, she hadn't eaten properly even during her journey. It had been nearly a month since she'd had a proper meal.

"Sure!"

But Lin couldn't cook. After fussing in the kitchen for too long, he concocted his "signature" dish: "Ling Fire-Roasted Duck." The ingredients were exquisite, the preparation meticulous… yet the end result was identical to a pile of charred blackness, a dish aptly renamed "Black Charcoal Duck."

When Lin hesitated, standing by the table before lifting the pot's cover, a plume of smoke billowed out, carrying with it a strong, burnt aroma. Xue Zi thought for a moment that the dish had caught fire.

As she inspected the completely charred Ling Duck in the pot, Xue Zi didn't dare pick up her chopsticks.

"Can this even be eaten?" Xue Zi asked cautiously.

"Trust me!" Lin insisted with the confidence of a seasoned chef. "This is my perfected 'Fire-Roasted Duck.' It's full of flavor! Go ahead, try it. Xue Zi, don't hold back."

Swallowing nervously, Xue Zi forced a weak smile before taking a small bite. The next moment, her face contorted as she spat it out, gasping and flapping her hands rapidly.

"Spicy… so spicy! Water, water…!"

"Water coming!" Lin hurriedly brought over a jar of water. Xue Zi grabbed it and drank in large gulps, but even after finishing the entire jar, the burn in her mouth didn't subside. When she dashed to the kitchen, Lin was left scratching his head in confusion. "Was it really that spicy?" he wondered aloud. He, too, broke off a piece of duck and popped it into his mouth, only to nearly spit fire moments later.

"Ptooey…"

Lin's face flushed with embarrassment as he realized he'd disappointed his guest drastically. After a while, Xue Zi returned to the room. She rolled up her sleeves and sighed, "Let me cook. At least that way, we won't waste any more food."