"Forget the pure gold chains—they’re way too tacky! What I want are pure gold rice bowls. Three of them, and make them big!"
Dragon-Qilin’s voice rang out: "Make my room just like Annie’s—half dragon’s nest, half sparrow’s nest. No Qilin den, that’s too old-fashioned... Cult Master! Cult Master’s back!"
Dragon-Qilin whipped his head around, joy and surprise on his face, but Lina the Spirit Fox was already one step ahead—she launched herself at Quinn, transforming into a ten-year-old fox-tailed girl with arms wide open, dashing straight for him.
Quinn quickly bent down, scooped her up, and set her on his shoulder, laughing: "It really is you, Lina! What brings you to Heavenly Court?"
Lina hugged his face, rubbing against him and chattering away at lightning speed: "Heavenly Court needed a batch of World Bridges, and Everpeace’s Supervising Foundries snatched the contract! I’m here to deliver the finished bridges to Zaofu Palace, settle the accounts, and spruce up Young Master’s Heavenly Venerable Residence. Last time I came, all the other Heavenly Venerable estates were grand and fancy, but yours was a rundown mess. Fat Dragon and Annie had to rely on Young Master Cyrus Qi just to eat, and they were so hungry their faces turned green... Who’s this lady?"
She suddenly noticed God-Queen Langwo, bristling with instinctive hostility. All her fox tails shot up, fur standing on end—every inch alert.
Quinn coughed and said, "This is..."
"I’m Langwo."
God-Queen Langwo sized up Lina, then opened her palm to reveal a bead. Smiling, she said, "Lina, it’s our first meeting—here’s a little gift for you."
"No way—!"
Lina turned her head away and shook it. "I never take things from strangers. If you accept gifts, you end up owing people."
God-Queen Langwo patiently explained, "It’s a little heaven bead. The space inside isn’t huge, but it’s more than enough to hold a sun, moon, and stars. And I heard you love wine, Lina, so I stocked a lakeful inside—just a small one."
Lina’s eyes sparkled, though she kept her face turned away. Her little hand snuck out, grabbed the heaven bead, and stashed it away—her face instantly lit up with delight. "How’d you know I love to drink?"
God-Queen Langwo smiled slightly and glanced at Quinn. Lina caught the look and thought, "Of course, Young Master always looks out for me."
But Quinn knew he’d never told God-Queen Langwo about Lina’s love of wine. The only reason Langwo knew was because her divine sense was so overwhelming—just a brush with Lina was enough to lay her bare.
Dragon-Qilin stepped forward, eyeing God-Queen Langwo warily. He sniffed her, his guard up: "She’s not Elaina Cloud, but she’s definitely scheming—already bribed Annie the moment they met! And it looks like she’s got the Cult Master under her spell too..."
God-Queen Langwo looked at him. Dragon-Qilin said, "Miss Langwo, do you have any big pots or steamers? I really like those."
Langwo flipped her hand, and a gleaming golden pot and steamer appeared right in front of Dragon-Qilin. She smiled, "Is this what you meant?"
Lina stared, curious, not sure where Langwo had pulled those from.
Dragon-Qilin eyed the pot, set it up, stacked the steamer on top, then leapt into the steamer and blasted it with a puff of fire—starting to cook.