The Thirteen Protectors, adhering to the Saint Seiya principle that "the same attack cannot be effective twice," took both poison and antidote daily. Naturally, they didn't perish, but their gluttony did awaken. Having eaten so much, they gradually lost the desire to leave, with their greatest daily anticipation being the three meals. As for the Three-Step Soul-Chasing Powder, since they hadn't felt any discomfort recently, it had long been banished from their minds.

This changed how they viewed Lin Luo. The demonic image they initially held softened; they actually found him quite decent. Such earthly delicacies, they thought, even Lord-level demons probably don't get to eat three times a day. What immense fortune they possessed!

Consequently, sometimes, even without Lin Luo's command, they would proactively guide Xiao Zi and You Xiang. While the Thirteen Protectors weren't geniuses, they possessed unique insights regarding sheer power, which shouldn't be confused with intelligence.

Furthermore, Lin Luo was, after all, human, and his understanding of early-stage demon cultivation was piecemeal. The Thirteen Protectors were different; they had ascended from the lowest-tier demons step by step. They knew precisely what kind of training was most suitable at each stage, and in this regard, they were far superior to Lin Luo.

Thus, with their guidance, You Xiang and Xiao Zi could bypass numerous detours, achieving swift progress.

Lin Luo had merely provided three meals a day, securing not only thirteen sparring dummies and gatekeepers but also gaining counselors. He considered this a rather profitable trade.

Given the undeniable, rapid growth of the two little lolis, Lin Luo decided to grant them a temporary holiday as encouragement, planning to take them out for some real fun.

The two little lolis naturally agreed to this decision with five limbs—two hands, two feet, and one head, hence, five limbs.

"Boss, when will you be back if you go out to play?" The leader of the Thirteen Protectors was self-aware. As the gatekeepers, he knew this outing was definitely not for them, so he harbored no expectations, only hoping Lin Luo would return soon and not forget their lunch and dinner.

"Probably tomorrow. After all, we promised a whole day of fun," Lin Luo chuckled.

The leader immediately looked crestfallen. "Then what about us?"

Lin Luo knew what he was worried about and found it amusing. "Don't worry, your three meals are already prepared. Just go to the kitchen to get them when the time comes... Also, remember to guard the door well and absolutely do not let any idlers in. If I return tomorrow and the house is safe and sound, I'll add extra to your meals. If anything is missing, I'll still add extra to your meals. Do you understand?"

Although the leader's intelligence was unreliable, it didn't prevent him from understanding that the two instances of 'extra meals' held vastly different meanings. The first meant a culinary bonus; the latter undoubtedly meant an increase in their misery. "Understood, understood! Boss, rest assured. With my brothers here, we guarantee not a single petty thief will step within ten miles of this residence!" the leader declared, slapping his chest with fervent certainty.

Ten miles around? Hey, aren't you being a bit overzealous!

Lin Luo was speechless but couldn't be bothered to correct him. After a few casual instructions, he left with the two little lolis. Immediately after their departure, the once spirited Thirteen Protectors seemed to shrink, becoming listless one after another, suggesting these fellows possessed the potential to only work as hard as their immediate task demanded.

Not long after, one of them suddenly asked, "Boss, what exactly is this house? I've never seen a house that looks like this in all my life."

This question had long lurked in the minds of the Thirteen Protectors, but they had never dared to ask until now. Once voiced, it instantly drew everyone's attention.

After watching for a while, the leader realized all eyes were fixed on him and felt a surge of frustration: Damn it, if so many of you don't know, how could I possibly know!

However, as the leader, he had to maintain his authoritative demeanor at all times. In essence, he had to pretend he knew even when he didn't. So, he deliberately coughed a few times and then said solemnly, "Well... it's actually quite simple. We all know that rarity equals value. And the Boss is undoubtedly a powerful figure at the Lord level; it's only natural that where he lives differs from ordinary people."

His words amounted to saying nothing at all.

But once curiosity is piqued, it becomes hard to suppress, and the Thirteen Protectors were no exception. They had been in this place for quite some time, yet they had never set foot inside the house, desperately longing to explore its secrets, but simultaneously fearful of the severe consequences if Lin Luo found out.

"That shouldn't be an issue. Didn't the Boss say the food he prepared for us is inside the house? That implies he allows us entry. So, as long as we are careful and absolutely do not mess anything up, there won't be any trouble," a quick-witted member suddenly suggested, instantly rousing the others from their daze.

The group instantly agreed, excitedly preparing to embark on their house exploration. However, as soon as they reached the doorway, before they could even reach for the handle, a small golden figurine suddenly materialized before them, adopting an arrogant posture and shouting viciously, "Time has not come, you mongrels! Return before this great deity!"

"..." The Thirteen Protectors froze, struck dumb.

Setting aside the mentality of the Thirteen Protectors being scorned by the doll version of the 'niang' (a familiar term for a feminine figure, often used here to refer to the doll's personification), Lin Luo, on the other hand, was happily enjoying his outing with the two little lolis.

It had been over ten days since he arrived in this era, but apart from wandering around his immediate vicinity, he truly hadn't visited any other places. This time, having the two little lolis lead the way was both a reward for them and a chance for them to relax.

"Master, there's a large lake over there; it's very beautiful. Shall we go see it?" After walking for a short while, Xiao Zi suddenly pointed in a direction and excitedly told Lin Luo.

"Alright," Lin Luo certainly wouldn't refuse, nodding with a smile.

The three of them then walked toward the opposite side. A few minutes later, a lake shimmering with blue light was revealed before their eyes. Since it was still morning, the mist had not completely dissipated. That faint haze drifting over the lake surface lent it a mysterious air.

Lin Luo looked at the lake across from them, suddenly paused, and then suggested, "Since we're here, let's go boating on the lake as well."

"Boating?" Xiao Zi and You Xiang were momentarily stunned. "Do you mean swimming in the lake?"

"Of course not, I mean traveling on the lake by boat," Lin Luo laughed.

"But where would we find a boat around here?" Xiao Zi pouted. Boating sounded nice, but one needed a boat for that.

A mere boat was hardly a challenge for Lin Luo. He smiled slightly, then casually tossed something into the lake. The next moment, a small, modern vessel capable of holding five or six people appeared on the water's surface.

"Wow!" Although they already knew Lin Luo could perform divine magic, witnessing this scene still made the two little lolis exclaim involuntarily.

"Master, can you teach us this magic trick?" You Xiang asked with great yearning.

"You won't be able to learn this," Lin Luo replied casually, ignoring You Xiang's disappointed expression. He walked toward the pleasure boat first and beckoned the two, "Hurry up and get on. If we miss the timing, you won't see the good stuff."

"Good stuff?" The two exchanged glances, both puzzled by his meaning.

Lin Luo merely smiled without explaining. After the two boarded, he started the engine and let the boat drift slowly across the lake, requiring him to do nothing else.

"This boat can move on its own? That's really convenient," Xiao Zi commented again in awe.

"Of course, it's convenient, because it's magic, capable of anything you wish," Lin Luo fabricated casually, though his gaze swept across the lake, seemingly looking for something.

"Master, is there anything around here?" You Xiang, suspecting danger in the lake, couldn't help but become vigilant and asked Lin Luo.

Lin Luo nodded. "There is something, but it's not dangerous. Well... moving a bit further into that mist should be just right."

"What is it?" Hearing him speak so mysteriously, even Xiao Zi became curious.

But Lin Luo insisted on keeping it a secret until, not long after, the boat and its occupants were enveloped in the mist. Just then, the morning sun rose above the horizon, and the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and fog, shining directly onto the lake surface where they were. At the same moment, the surrounding mist began to dissipate.

Then, as that first ray of sunlight touched Xiao Zi, the slight shimmer of her floating golden hair rippled, and these light particles scattered onto the lake. The surface before them instantly turned a pale gold, motionless, as if it were solid ground.

"So beautiful!" Xiao Zi and You Xiang exclaimed involuntarily.

But the spectacle wasn't over. The second ray of sunlight followed, just as the boat turned slightly. The light shone directly onto You Xiang. Since she was wearing a green outfit that day, she was completely covered in green, instantly casting specks of green light.

These reflections illuminated the lake surface, dyeing it green, and as the ripples moved, it transformed completely into a green ocean.

"The golden earth and the green ocean—so that's what it meant!"

Never mind the astonishment of Xiao Zi and You Xiang upon witnessing this magnificent scene; Lin Luo finally understood what Yakumo Yukari had referred to as the golden earth and the green ocean.

They represented Yakumo Yukari and Kazami Yuuka, respectively.

In other words, everything happening now was fully known to the future Yakumo Yukari.

But why, on his first visit to Gensokyo, did she not recognize him? What was the reason for that?