Quinn Shepherd left Sacred Descent Mountain and returned to the Imperial Academy. Leonard Goodwin rushed over at once, setting up a banquet table to welcome him back and wash away the dust of the road.
Quinn widened his eyes, caught between laughter and helplessness. He grinned, "Grand Libationer, isn't this a bit much?"
Leonard Goodwin chuckled, "We're both demon-dao folk—naturally, we ought to look out for each other. Cult Master Quinn, is the Grand Guardian's Sword still serving you well?"
"Works great. Not giving it back."
Quinn explained, "It's the rule in the Great Ruins—"
"I know!"
Leonard burst out laughing, "I lived in the Great Ruins for two hundred years—I know the rules! Anything you swindle or snatch by your own skill, you never give back! Don't be so formal, eh? See, you're being formal again! Hahaha! The Great Ruins is half my homeland, so we're basically half-villagers. Since Cult Master Quinn just came back from my old home, of course I have to treat you to a meal—help with homesickness and all."
Quinn was left speechless, then sighed, "Grand Libationer, your thinking is truly lofty. I admire you."
"Oh, I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare! Cult Master Quinn, you're the real prodigy—young, talented, and heroic."
After they finished flattering each other, Leonard Goodwin let out a sigh. "The first time I saw you in the Great Ruins, I knew you weren't ordinary. I figured you'd soar to the top one day—never thought it'd come so soon. Cult Master—eh, calling you Cult Master is too formal, isn't it? Anyway, after all this upheaval, there are all sorts of vacancies among the top officials. Think you could help me get promoted?"
Quinn couldn't help but laugh, "Grand Libationer, I'm just a fifth-rank Mid-Palace Gentleman, barely a blip on the roster..."
"If you don't mind, just call me Leonard."
Quinn steadied himself and said, "I'm just a fifth-rank Mid-Palace Gentleman, without any real power. How could I have a say in the promotion of first- or second-rank officials? And to be honest, the sword I used to kill the Crown Prince was the Grand Guardian's Sword I tricked out of your hands. His Majesty still has some misgivings about me—and about the Cult of the Heavenly Saint. If I vouched for you with the emperor, I'd only be harming you."
Leonard laughed, "That's true—you're sharp. A toast to you, Cult Master."
Leonard was a shrewd man. This banquet wasn't really about asking Quinn to pull strings for his promotion—it was about making a connection and settling old scores.
Whether Quinn was in the emperor's good graces or not, Leonard had to make this connection.
As Cult Master of the Heavenly Saint, Quinn now stood on equal footing with the World-Honored One and the Dao Lord. Befriending him was as good as befriending those two—if all it took was a banquet, it was a bargain Leonard couldn't pass up.
After the banquet, Leonard personally escorted Quinn back to the Scholars' Quarters. On the way, Quinn noticed a handful of foreigners at the Imperial Academy and couldn't help feeling curious.
"After all the recent chaos, the new Crown Prince tore up the traitors' treaties and reclaimed the land. Some foreign states panicked and sent their envoys and noble heirs to study Everpeace culture."
Seeing Quinn's confusion, Leonard added, "The Crown Prince gave his blessing—foreigners can study in Everpeace now, and some of their noble youths are enrolled right here at the Imperial Academy."
Quinn nodded, then suddenly spotted a familiar face. He paused, smiled at the young man, and called out, "Ben Coates!"
The youth was a prairie barbarian. He turned to look at Quinn, confusion in his eyes. Around him were many foreign retainers, and two of them were great witches from Loulan Golden Palace.
Ben Coates quietly asked something of his companions. One of the great witches quickly whispered an explanation, and Ben nodded in realization. He greeted Quinn with cool formality: "So you're the Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon. Is there something you need, Cult Master?"
Quinn was taken aback, then shook his head. "No, nothing."
Ben Coates and his group walked away.
Quinn frowned slightly. Leonard Goodwin noticed and asked, "Cult Master, do you know this Ben Coates?"
"He's the youngest son of the Great Khan of the Barbarians—Ben Coates. I saw him practicing fists at the frontier once. His boxing style had a unique air to it, probably due to a special physique."
Quinn watched Ben's retreating figure, thinking, "He once challenged Libationer Barrett, saying he'd beat him someday. He left a deep impression on me. But now it's like he's seeing me for the first time..."
Leonard chuckled, "Just a kid—probably forgot."
Quinn returned to the Scholars' Quarters. Dragon-Qilin lay sprawled outside. Inside, the room felt cold and empty—he couldn't quite get used to it.
"If only Lina were here," Quinn thought wistfully.
If Lina the Spirit Fox were around, she'd have the place spotless and perfectly arranged, with everything cozy and comfortable.
Suddenly, Dragon-Qilin's voice rumbled from outside, "Miss, who are you looking for?"
A clear, pleasant voice replied, "Is your Cult Master Quinn home?"
"He is."
"I'm coming in."
"Mm."
Quinn hurried out of his room, just in time to see Lynn Ling push the door open and walk in. She was radiant—rosy lips, bright teeth, dressed in a spring-red shirt with red trim and collar. The burst of youthful energy hit Quinn like a wave, making his heart race.
"Cowherd!"
Her eyes sparkled as she walked over, smiling, "That big dog at your door is really easy to talk to!"
"If you don't shape up, I'll serve you up for New Year's dinner! Keeping you around is useless—even for guarding the door!" Quinn threatened fiercely.
Dragon-Qilin's voice rumbled from outside the courtyard, "Cult Master, I heard all of that."
"Meant for you to hear! All you do is eat and sleep!"
Quinn took a good look at the princess. She'd grown brighter and more radiant, though her cheeks still held a trace of childish roundness. She was taller than Quinn now—a true young lady. Her spring shirt couldn't hide her blooming charm, like a cluster of flowers bursting from her fine clothes. It was hard to look away from her.
Lately, Quinn had started growing taller too—like wild grass shooting up in spring.
Thinking back to when they first met, the princess was just a wild tomboy, always in boys' clothes and full of swagger.
Lynn Ling walked over to the Yellow Spirit Pear tree in the courtyard. Buds were sprouting, but the pear blossoms always bloomed first—one by one, delicate stamens poked out from the soft petals.
Lynn Ling reached out with slender fingers to pinch a blossom, laughing, "You really do have taste—planting a Yellow Spirit Pear on Jade Mountain. When the blossoms open, I’ll come enjoy them for sure..."
"Don't move!"
Quinn's eyes lit up. "Hold that pose! Wait for me!"
He rushed to grab brush, ink, and paper, mixing colors and starting to paint. Lynn Ling grew impatient. "Are you done yet? My arm's going numb."
"Almost there."
Quinn was nearly finished but paused before the final stroke. He took out his seal, stamped it on the painting, then added the last brushstroke. Smiling, he said, "Done."
Lynn Ling came over to look. In the painting, she appeared a bit bashful—Quinn had captured that hint of shyness blooming in her heart.
"It's so lifelike."
Lynn Ling admired the painting, then asked curiously, "Why did you stamp your seal before finishing the last stroke?"
Quinn explained, "My painting skills are too good—if I finished it first, you might step right out of the picture and run off. This seal isn’t just my name; it’s a real sealing rune."
Lynn Ling leaned in to examine the seal. Their faces were close; Quinn's eyes drifted to her face—pale with a rosy glow, eyes sparkling. As she studied the seal, her elegant neck caught the light, and her serious focus made Quinn's heart beat faster.
"It really is a sealing rune!"
Lynn Ling was amazed. "If you wiped off the seal, would the painted me really walk out of the scroll?"
Quinn nodded. "I used the Soul Infusion technique—just a touch of spiritual resonance to give the painting a soul. But I've only succeeded once before, so who knows if it'll work this time. Best to keep it sealed, just in case you run off."
Lynn Ling shot him a shy glance, quickly rolled up the painting, and said, "This painting is mine! No stealing! Oh, I almost forgot—the real reason I came: Father summoned you to the palace for a checkup. I bumped into the eunuch with the imperial order and snagged the job."
Quinn straightened his clothes. "Will you come with me?"
"Of course! It's been ages since we've hung out. I've got so much to tell you."
The two of them stepped out. Dragon-Qilin lifted his head, "Cult Master, I'll watch the door. No one's getting in."
"Got it."
Quinn added, "Do a good job, and you won't end up on the New Year's table. And train harder—look at Blue Ox, all muscle. How are you supposed to beat him?"
They left the Scholars' Quarters. Along the way, the other scholars greeted them with smiles, but their eyes betrayed a hint of fear. Word had spread that Quinn was the Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon—a ruthless fiend who'd beheaded Ling Yuxia right in front of the emperor. No wonder they were terrified.
Outside the Quarters, Libationer Barrett strode over, followed by two scholars—Wayne Yong and Yue Qinghong. Both had made great progress, clearly benefiting from training with Barrett.
Behind them came a massive Blue Ox, walking on two legs, its body rippling with muscle, nostrils puffing smoke and fire, looking downright fierce—and munching on a peony blossom.
Libationer Barrett stopped and grinned, "Quinn, you two running off together? Eloping, are you?"
"We are not!"
Lynn Ling puffed up with indignation, "Don't be ridiculous, Professor Barrett! My father summoned him to the palace!"
Libationer Barrett roared with laughter. "I just ran into Ben Coates from the Barbarians. That kid's gotten strange—he still recognizes me, but he's not the same Ben Coates as before."
Quinn nodded. "I feel the same way. Ben Coates doesn't recognize me anymore—it's like he's a different person."
"He's strong—just as good as you," Barrett said.
Quinn's eyes flickered with doubt. "Just as good as me? I'm pretty tough, you know."
Barrett shot him a glare. "He's about to break through to the Six Harmonies Divine Vault, and I sense a terrifying power lurking inside him. You might not be able to beat him! Maybe the kid had some strange encounter—or maybe he's possessed... You go see the emperor first. I'll catch up with you later."
Quinn and Lynn Ling arrived at the palace, where the emperor and the Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor were waiting. Beside them was a hideous man, his face covered in lumps, diagnosing their injuries.
Quinn walked in. Emperor Yan Feng looked up and smiled, "The Doctor of the Middle Rank has arrived."
The lumpy-faced man glanced at Quinn, his mouth splitting wide like a giant toad, his smile almost a grimace. "Junior brother, how's our master doing?"
Quinn stopped, putting an arm in front of Lynn Ling. "Little Poison King?"