Ah, how time flies! Half a month has zipped by in the blink of an eye. Truthfully, I barely noticed; a daily routine of drinking and fighting—I really didn't want this joyous life to end. (Net) This book is from ⒗к.Яg “The usual spot in the Earth Spirit Palace, Hoshiguma Yuugi roared with laughter while heavily downing her drink, her tone a mix of excitement and slight melancholy. She was thrilled by every intense day of the past half-month, yet saddened that such days were about to conclude.

“Weren’t you strongly against it at first? Now you’re so reluctant. That’s not how a demon acts,” Komeiji Satori commented sarcastically from beside her, though a faint smile played on her lips as she took a delicate sip from her wine cup.

“The situation now is a bit different from how it was then. How should I put it?” Hoshiguma Yuugi tilted her head, thinking for a moment, then waved her hand decisively. “Hmm… you can read minds, right? Why don’t you explain it for me? I’m terrible at finding the right, flowery words.”

“I said I would keep my eyes closed for these fifteen days. It’s not just you demons who keep their promises,” Satori retorted with a slight glare, clearly displeased.

Hoshiguma Yuugi nodded, remarking quite frankly, “Ah, that’s true. When you aren’t reading people’s thoughts, getting along with you is quite pleasant. It’s just that sometimes you’re a little bit nauseating.”

The exchange between the two made Lin Luo chuckle involuntarily. Over the past half-month, Yuugi and Satori still frequently sparred as before, but the atmosphere had subtly changed. With their banter and playful insults, they seemed more like a pair of bickering lovers… Time truly is an invincible force; in just half a month, both women had undergone changes that were, to some degree, gratifying to witness.

“Lin Luo, are you really going to the surface world?” Komeiji Koishi sat beside Lin Luo, lifting her head now, leaning her upper body against him as she looked up at him with clear reluctance.

Lin Luo smiled faintly, stroking her head. His eyes held no hesitation, only a measure of affection and cherishing, as if speaking to a younger sister. “Yes, I’m a person of the surface world after all, and there are still many things I need to do. I have to go. But I promise you, whenever I have free time in the future, I will absolutely return to the Earth Spirit Palace.”

“Really?”

“Of course, it’s true.”

“Then it’s a deal,” Koishi smiled radiantly, extending her finger as if ready for a pinky promise.

“Mhm, a deal,” Lin Luo linked his finger with the young girl’s, smiling as he did so. “…But you shouldn’t run around randomly like before anymore. Stay home more often and don’t leave your sister alone, got it?”

“I will, but I’ll still sneak out to the surface world to play sometimes,” Koishi replied happily, a trace of mischief in her voice.

Lin Luo chuckled softly, not taking offense, and dotingly rubbed the girl’s head… During these past two weeks, his growth in power was self-evident, and his cultivation realm had naturally progressed noticeably. Furthermore, his Seventh Consciousness was no longer quite as bewildering as it once was. However, something even more crucial to him had been refined: his state of mind.

Before obtaining the Contract Book, Lin Luo considered himself a modest man. As long as he could live peacefully every day, have a decent job, marry a good wife—not needing to be wealthy, just having money for medical treatment when sick and food when hungry, and occasionally having time to play a few games—that would have been enough… That was the wish of the ordinary him in the real world.

In the initial period after gaining the Contract Book, his ambition wasn't strong either; he never thought of reigning supreme or conquering the world. Although he jokingly called himself the ‘King of Harem,’ he never seriously considered conquering countless women—an unrealistic pursuit. He only wished he could use his own strength to do something for the people around him, to protect those he valued, and to secure the safety of those Hosts teetering on the brink of death… It was merely a small, heroic dream impossible to fulfill in reality.

That was why, at that time, he could unequivocally choose the chance to save Mikoto by entering her Inner World, without hesitation. To keep her hands clean, he used his immature power to slay the deranged Liu Ziwen. To save her when she was despairing and blaming herself, and to rescue the Misaka sisters who were moments away from brutal slaughter, he challenged Accelerator, the strongest esper in Academy City, to a fight to the death, disregarding his own life.

That was why, at that time, he would risk his uncertain power to save the Lili who only existed in fantasy; that was why he would wholeheartedly help Rin find the home she had lost; that was why he would unflinchingly confront something as insurmountable as the Evil of this World; that was why he would use forceful means to shield the helpless Rei; that was why he could utter words like, “No matter what, we cannot dishonor the dignity of the Knight King!”

All these things were accomplished, and they came to pass, bringing happiness to everyone. Perhaps his execution wasn't flawless, but in truth, he had given his utmost effort, realizing all their wishes one by one.

And what realized these wishes was not his power, but his purest desire.

But, at some point, something seemed to shift gradually… His power grew, and along with it, his desire grew larger. That most pure wish slowly morphed into a desire to possess everything and everyone.

Although his essential nature hadn't changed, that original core element felt genuinely lost.

Gui Qu Lai Xi had warned him: if the foundation is unsound, the greater the power, the greater the fall. It was such an obvious flaw, yet he hadn't taken the warning seriously, allowing that power to constantly erupt from within him, drifting further and further away from his original path.

But, that ends today!

Closing his eyes, Lin Luo smiled faintly. He could see it—the crooked road had straightened once more. He could now continue along his initial path… Yes, the desire still existed within him. As long as one possesses self-awareness, desire is unavoidable; without it, a person ceases to be human. But this desire was his alone, not something forcefully imposed upon him by any manner or power.

To put it in four words: he had undergone a complete transformation!

“Is that an illusion?” Just then, Lin Luo suddenly heard Hoshiguma Yuugi’s voice. He turned to look and saw her gazing at him with a puzzled expression. “I feel like your entire demeanor is different from half a month ago.”

“Well, of course it is,” Lin Luo offered a dry laugh. “If I were the same as my past self, wouldn't the hard training over the last fortnight have been completely meaningless?”

“Mmm, that’s true. Congratulations, regardless,” Yuugi chuckled heartily, unconcerned, and raised her bowl to clink a toast with Lin Luo.

The wine entered Lin Luo’s stomach, yet he felt no drunkenness; instead, his mind grew clearer. As his gaze swept over the gathering, he noticed a flicker of desolation in Komeiji Satori’s eyes, which instantly sparked a pang of guilt in his heart.

Through their time together these past two weeks, Satori seemed to have genuinely fallen for him. And he, too, was quite fond of this lonely, slightly sharp-tongued, and cunning girl. If it were the old him from half a month ago, perhaps just a little temptation, and he might have unhesitatingly taken her.

But now, Lin Luo would not touch her, because he could give her no promise.

The future was perilous: the Evil King and the Dark King, the God War and the Proxy Gods—these were all things he had to face. If it were a relationship of life and death like a Host, that would be one thing, but Satori was not a Host. Involving her would only bring her harm… At least, until he had completely resolved those issues, he would not touch Komeiji Satori. That was responsibility toward her, responsibility toward himself, and responsibility toward his Hosts.

“Satori,” Lin Luo called out to her, then slowly stood up and poured wine into her cup. Looking into the girl’s clear eyes, he smiled. “You know what I’m thinking right now, don’t you?”

Satori was slightly stunned and subconsciously opened her third eye. When she read a certain thought in Lin Luo’s mind, a flash of joy lit up her eyes. “Are you… truly serious about that?”

“Absolutely, I guarantee it with my life,” Lin Luo declared firmly.

“Good. I will wait for that day,” Satori nodded with a light smile, the desolation in her eyes replaced by anticipation.

“Hey, hey! What secret whispering are you two doing? It’s not fair if you don’t let us hear! This gathering rejects differential treatment!” Hoshiguma Yuugi immediately shouted in annoyance. Even Koishi pouted nearby, upset that she wasn't included in the secret talk.

Lin Luo felt a headache coming on. Secrets weren't something you could just blurt out. He forced a smile and started changing the subject. “Haven’t you noticed? The weather is quite nice today.”

Yuugi pointed toward the countless Blazing Fires surrounding them. “Isn’t it the same as always? Burning away.”

“It’s different, it’s different! I deliberately cranked up the heat today,” a young girl’s voice drifted over from nearby. Without turning around, they all knew who had arrived.

“Acu, so it was you causing trouble,” Satori looked toward the source of the voice, her tone laced with mild reproach.

Two girls approached from that direction. One was the Flame Cat Komeiji, and the other was a black-haired, black-winged young woman whose body seemed fully armored, save for her empty left hand. The most striking feature was a massive, glowing red orb embedded directly in the center of her chest, radiating scorching energy.

She was also one of Komeiji Satori’s pets, a Hell Crow named Yatadera Okura. Having swallowed the Yatagarasu, a deity possessing solar power, her strength had seen an unprecedented surge. That ultimate power manifested as nuclear fusion; in sheer destructive capability, she surpassed even Hoshiguma Yuugi.

“Heh heh, I just wanted to make the atmosphere a bit livelier,” Okura responded to Satori’s accusation with a slightly sheepish smile. As she walked over, she couldn't help but complain, “It’s rare that Akari and I finished our work early and rushed over, and you’re already drinking. So disappointing.”

“We had no obligation to wait for you,” Satori replied calmly, taking a sip of her wine.

“Oh, come on, that’s too harsh! Now there won’t be anyone left to spar with!” Okura wailed, then quickly ran over and started grabbing food laid out on the ground.

Her manner suggested absolutely no respect for her mistress, acting familiar and presumptuous. Komeiji Satori didn't mind; after all, Okura was just a silly girl—yes, despite possessing immense power, she was ultimately just a simpleton.

“Akari, aren't you eating?” Lin Luo looked toward Flame Cat Komeiji, who stood beside Komeiji Satori. Compared to Okura, Akari, who showed reverence toward Satori, was much more proper as a pet.

“There’s no need to be so restrained when we’re not on duty,” Satori said.

“Heh heh, then I’ll have this fish,” hearing that, Akari chuckled.

During this half-month period, besides the three of them (Satori and Koishi), these two pets occasionally joined the fray, engaging in battles that were often five against one. Although they put immense pressure on Lin Luo in every aspect, they were indispensable to the refinement of his current state of mind and cultivation.

This small banquet lasted from evening until the next morning. Although everyone felt reluctant, the end finally had to come. When the banquet concluded, Lin Luo naturally had to set off for the surface world.

At parting, Akari and Okura returned to their posts first. Then, Hoshiguma Yuugi also left the Earth Spirit Palace—though she managed to spirit away several dozen jars of Lin Luo’s finest wine on her way out. Next, Komeiji Koishi went off with her pets to play. Only Lin Luo and Komeiji Satori remained in the clearing.

The two gazed at each other, neither speaking. Finally, Satori suddenly lunged forward, hugging Lin Luo tightly before pressing a deep kiss upon him.

Lin Luo paused, but did not refuse. He wrapped his arms around the girl in return and began kissing her passionately. However, beyond the kiss, the two engaged in no other overtly passionate actions. Lin Luo’s hands rested securely on her waist, keeping things proper.

After a while, they parted lips. Satori looked at him deeply, said nothing, and then turned to leave. She had received Lin Luo’s promise; everything else was secondary, to be addressed another day.

This scene left Lin Luo feeling slightly uneasy. The saying goes that a beauty’s favor is the hardest to repay. He somewhat understood that feeling now, but that particular affection was impossible for him at this moment; he was no longer the man he used to be.

“Forget it. I should head back to the surface world first,” he sighed, shaking his head. Once Satori’s retreating figure vanished from sight, he too turned and flew toward the surface world.

In the Earth Spirit Palace, he had gained much and left much behind, but the two were not proportional. He had harvested far more than he had given. Although he felt a degree of guilt, he was confident he could repay it someday.

Lin Luo was certain of this.

l;!--END--g;RH