The Black Wing Clan's settlement.
Surrounded by mountains, with lush vegetation.
It resembled a simple small village.
Meer walked at the front, leading the way while also opening up a floodgate of conversation.
From his words, Linde also learned about the Black Wing Clan's situation.
Thanks to the Divine Bird's protection, the Black Wing Clan here had not suffered persecution from the Demon King and lived relatively well.
In addition, Linde also learned about the Divine Bird Trial.
Overall, the Divine Bird Trial was divided into two stages.
The first stage was a trial of the body.
The Divine Bird was known as the Divine Bird of Deadly Sickness; the potent poison it emitted could easily destroy a country.
Simply approaching it would result in being afflicted by the poison; only a resilient physique could withstand it.
The second stage was a trial of the mind.
Only those with unyielding and resilient spirits could gain the Divine Bird's recognition.
The two stages sounded easy, but they were incredibly difficult to achieve.
Therefore, since ancient times, only a handful of people had ever been recognized by the Divine Bird as its master.
At the same time, everyone had been led to a house.
The overall architectural style was similar to other Black Wing Clan residences.
The only advantage was its size, sufficient to accommodate Linde and his companions.
"Lady Eve, esteemed guests, please rest here for the night."
Meer smiled, "I will have food sent over shortly. You all should conserve your energy and prepare for tomorrow's trial."
Night fell.
At the dining table.
"Guests, these are our Black Wing Clan's specialty foods."
Several Black Wing Clan maidens placed dishes on the table, smiling as they introduced them.
"This is Hundred Snake Pot, Green Scale Fish..."
Once they left, everyone, whose appetites had already been whetted, began to eat heartily.
"Hmm, the taste is really good, very fresh."
Linde nodded, giving a very high evaluation.
The Black Wing Clan's food perfectly exemplified what is meant by high-quality ingredients, requiring only simple cooking methods.
Without too many seasonings, the natural flavors of these wild delicacies were exceptional.
Not long after, the entire table of dishes had been completely devoured.
"So full, it was delicious."
Akame rubbed her little tummy, her tail wagging continuously, a look of satisfaction on her face.
"Oh, that's right, Master."
As if remembering something, Akame spoke, "Master, for tomorrow's trial, should we go together?"
"It's good to see the world."
Linde nodded, then looked at everyone with a strange expression, "However, there might be danger."
"So you still cannot be complacent; you need to raise your levels."
As soon as these words were spoken, the girls immediately looked evasive.
"Oh, I just remembered, I have something I haven't done yet."
"Master, I ate too much."
"Master, continuous travel is too tiring; it's better to conserve energy."
"Master, I need to prepare for the Divine Bird Trial. See you tomorrow morning."
Leaving these words, the girls scattered in all directions.
They were indeed a bit tired.
Most importantly, they had already agreed to the Star Spirit.
"…"
These guys, why weren't they like this when they wanted to level up before?
Wasn't it just that I was a little too frequent?
"Heh heh, just wait until you beg me."
After Linde muttered to himself, he had already returned to his room.
Nothing to do, feeling light.
Linde simply picked up a magic book and began to supplement his knowledge.
Learning is endless.
Even with his current strength, the same was true.
But the next moment.
Feeling approaching footsteps, Linde's brow furrowed slightly.
"What's going on? Don't they all have something to do?"
"Oh, so it's her."
After sensing for a moment, a look of understanding appeared on Linde's face.
Just then.
The Star Spirit had already arrived at the door and immediately saw Linde, who was smiling ambiguously.
"Ma… Master, hello."
The Star Spirit greeted him, but her cheeks were flushed crimson.
Some things.
Even if she had prepared herself mentally.
But when the time came.
She still couldn't help but feel shy.
Linde looked at her playfully and laughed, "I was wondering why something felt off today."
"So you've already done the preparatory work."
Hearing Linde's words, the Star Spirit couldn't help but panic, her skin already flushed pink.
"Master, what are you saying?"
As she spoke, the Star Spirit still moved with nimble steps and came before Linde.
"Hmph!"
She took a deep breath and stabilized her emotions.
"Actually, I just wanted to… wanted to break through my level cap."
Linde nodded seriously, "Mm, that's right."
"This is indeed a big deal."
"After all, your level has already fallen behind the first echelon among the Retainers."
According to the Devil's ranks, the Star Spirit was at the level of a High-Class Devil.
She could be said to be at the top tier among the Retainers, with very few able to compare.
But due to the efforts of other Retainers.
She had gradually been surpassed.
In a while… it might not be impossible for a Retainer to defeat the Demon King.
"That's right, so I… I need to work hard."
The Star Spirit bit her lower lip lightly, her trembling fingers beginning to move.
The next second.
Her outer garment slightly opened.
A pure white undergarment, full of the style of Other World.
Large patches of fair skin were exposed to the air, and the perfect curves made one's breathing involuntarily quicken.
Her delicate, porcelain-white skin seemed as if it could break with a touch.
"This… this was all Meyn's idea, she… she said you would like it."
Upon hearing this, Linde no longer hesitated, pulling her into his embrace and gently pinching her cheek.
Immediately, the Star Spirit flushed completely red.
"Mm-hm, Meyn seems to understand me very well."
"Don't… don't look… it's too embarrassing."
The Star Spirit covered her face with her hands, but still couldn't help but peek at Linde through her fingers.
"Right, there's something I'm very curious about."
Linde gazed at Eve and spoke seriously.
"I've read a book that says your Elf race is similar to bees. Can you let me see?"
"Hmph, you're thinking too much."
The Star Spirit let out a delicate snort, but her habitual instincts couldn't be concealed, and she naturally began to act.
Her light green wings also began to constantly change their glow.
This scene made Linde feel greatly novel.
"What's going on with your wings?"
"Hmm… this is a characteristic of the Star Spirit; the color of the wings will… change."
"It can do that?"
Linde was startled and subconsciously reached out to pinch the Elf's wings, curiously examining them.
He really wanted to know.
With the fluctuation of her emotions, how many colors these wings would display.
"Master, I feel it, my level has increased!"
As a Star Spirit, her strength had been stagnant for hundreds of years.
No matter how much she cultivated, her level cap had locked her progress.
Even after becoming a Devil, the confinement had disappeared.
But with her level.
Through her own cultivation, progress could only be described as turtle-slow.
But now.
The Star Spirit truly experienced the joy of leveling up.
Every cell in her body was leaping and trembling.
Within her body, energy was constantly being devoured and transformed into her magic power.
"Heh heh, this is just the beginning."
"Believe me, as long as you work hard, raising one level is not a problem."
"Mm-hm."
The Star Spirit's face was full of excitement.
Her pair of Elf wings had already turned pink, fluttering excitedly.