Chapter 57 | The Otherworld Journey That Starts From a Slime

After strolling with Lina for over an hour, the two finally grew tired.

Back at the tavern, they continued to chat while they ate.

However, their conversation was entirely devoid of substance.

While others were out there discussing everything about the secret realm, testing each other, and exchanging information to increase their chances of passing the exam, these two were sitting there debating which girls were the prettiest.

“Brother Ye, did you see that Leopard Cat girl? Her tail is so long, and those stripes on her face... she’s so cute!”

“Yeah, she’s cute, but she’s got a temper. I saw some guy try to hit on her, and she scratched his face up. I think that Flower Spirit girl was better. Her hair looked like flower petals—totally ethereal.”

“Mhm, mhm! And that Dwarf girl...” Lina added.

“Girl? Aren’t Dwarves all dudes?” Zhang Ye asked, startled.

“No, the bald one with the flower on her head was a girl,” Lina said, blinking.

“What?! That was a woman?!”

“Yeah. In the Dwarf race, the ones with flowers on their heads are girls.”

“Holy... her beard was longer than my leg hair...”

“I know, right? I thought her hair and beard looked so silky. Even silkier than my hair. I wanted to ask her what her maintenance routine is.”

“Uh... remember to ask for me too when the time comes. My hair’s only been growing for a month...”

“Will do.”

“Sigh...” As they talked, Lina let out a sigh. “All those girls are so beautiful, but they’re all so powerful. They definitely won't be interested in me...”

Zhang Ye patted her shoulder to comfort her. “Don’t lose heart. There’s always someone with bad eyesight out there.”

Lina: “...”

Then, stars began to twinkle in Lina’s eyes as she asked, “Brother Ye, who do you think is the most beautiful girl?”

“The most beautiful?” Zhang Ye raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Leona. Without a doubt, Leona!”

“Samanra and the others can step aside. Leona is the ultimate truth!”

Hearing this, Lina immediately nodded in agreement. “Mhm, mhm! I think Leona is the most beautiful too!”

“When she smiles... oh my god, she’s so cool!”

“She’s as overbearing as a lion!”

“With that kind of wild beauty, even being beaten up by her would be a blessing!”

Zhang Ye looked at Lina in horror.

Girl, there’s something wrong with you!

Do you have some kind of weird fetish?!

Being beaten by Big Nana is not a blessing at all. It hurts like hell!

Just as Zhang Ye was about to argue, a magnetic voice suddenly came from the doorway.

“Oh? Is someone praising me?”

Zhang Ye and Lina snapped their heads toward the door.

Seeing Leona standing there with a spirited smile, the stars in Lina’s eyes practically flew out of her sockets.

“Le... Le...”

“Big Nana, what are you doing here?” Before Lina could get Leona’s name out, Zhang Ye spoke first, running up to Leona with a look of pleasant surprise.

“Just coming to check on you. How are you feeling?” Leona habitually rubbed Zhang Ye’s head.

Ever since she had rubbed his bald head, she couldn't shake the habit, even now that his hair was growing back.

“It’s a piece of cake!” Zhang Ye laughed. He then turned to Leona and said, “This is Lina, a friend I just made. Lina, this is...”

“Leona!” Lina finally snapped out of it and cried out. She rushed over to Leona, looking her up and down with a dazzling sparkle in her eyes. “It’s... it’s the real Leona. The Red Lotus Lion, Leona... Oh my god!”

“What a cute girl!” Leona laughed and rubbed Lina’s hair as well, radiating the approachability of a big sister.

Lina was instantly entranced, wearing an expression of pure bliss as she leaned into Leona’s hand.

Leona then turned to Zhang Ye and got down to business. “Alright, let’s talk seriously. You’ve seen it yourself this time—many of your opponents have reached Tier Eight or higher. Moreover, from what I know, Tier Nine mid stage candidates have appeared in other recruitment areas.”

“They have major factions backing them, so they definitely have many powerful offensive and life-saving methods.”

“Based on the strength those Tier Nine mid stage candidates have shown, they are not inferior to an average Tier Ten. They can even power pseudo-Saint artifacts.”

“So for now, I’m not asking you to take the top three. As long as your rank isn't too low and you pass the exam safely, that’s enough. Understand?”

Seeing Leona’s serious expression, Zhang Ye felt a warmth in his heart. He grinned.

“I didn't have much confidence in getting top three originally, but after hearing that, I’m definitely going to win a top-three spot for you!”

Leona chuckled and tapped his forehead. “Remember what I said. Don’t overextend yourself.”

She paused for a moment, revealing her sharp canine teeth. “But if you really can take the top three, I wouldn't mind giving you another kiss!”

Zhang Ye’s eyes widened, and his breath grew hot. “Wait for the good news. I shall be unstoppable!”

“Good.” Leona smiled. She gave Lina a deep look before turning to leave.

Lina stood there with her mouth agape, looking at the direction Leona had gone and then back at Zhang Ye. Her gaze darted back and forth before she finally couldn't help but ask, “Brother Ye, you and Leona...”

Zhang Ye gave a smug chuckle. “So, girl, don’t even think about Leona. She’s going to be the mother of my little lions in the future!”

Lina’s face was the picture of shock. She never imagined Zhang Ye had a relationship with Leona, and a seemingly very deep one at that!

Then, she looked at him with burning intensity. “Brother Ye, how did you woo Leona? Can you teach me? Please teach me! I want to go after Lady Samanra!”

Zhang Ye looked at her and shrugged helplessly. “Sigh, this is purely based on my irresistible charm and a heart of gold. It’s a natural gift; you can’t learn it.”

Lina: “...”

How can this person be so shameless?

“Alright, enough talk. Go cultivate. We enter the secret realm for the exam tomorrow. Every bit of strength counts,” Zhang Ye said.

“Fine...” Lina was extremely disappointed that she didn't get Zhang Ye’s pick-up secrets, but she soon recovered. “Brother Ye, do you really plan to compete for the top three against those Tier Nine mid stage geniuses?”

Zhang Ye chuckled, a burning fire in his eyes. “For a kiss from Big Nana, my combat power will surge tenfold. So what if they’re Tier Nine mid stage? Even if a Tier Ten mid stage shows up tomorrow, I’ll still knock them flat!”

He wasn't joking. He had hidden trump cards that were sufficient to damage a Tier Ten.

Furthermore, he had analyzed Lina’s Blink, which would take his combat power to the next level. With the Parallel Guardian and Leona’s protective power as insurance, Zhang Ye believed he wouldn't lose to anyone.