The Lin's Patriarch is weird.

Chapter 173: 173. Overthinking is dangerous, kids

Lin Xuan led the two toward the Lin Family estate.

The sight of the pair walking through Azure Willow City quickly attracted attention. People stopped along the streets to stare, while cultivators quietly whispered among themselves. Some had never seen a member of the Whale People in their entire lives, while others were still struggling to believe that the legendary race actually existed.

Hai Yue seemed increasingly irritated by the attention.

"Why are they staring?"

Lin Xuan glanced at the people along the street.

"Because your sister is very beautiful."

Hai Yue frowned but did not respond.

Elder Hai, meanwhile, appeared completely unbothered. Her cloudy eyes wandered across the city with faint interest, as though she were observing a place she had only heard about in old stories.

After some time, they finally arrived at the Lin Family estate.

Lin Xuan personally led them into one of the guest courtyards.

"I hope this place will be suitable."

Hai Yue looked around.

The courtyard was spacious and quiet, with several trees growing along the stone paths and a small pond in the center. A few servants had already prepared the rooms.

"It is better than the inns," Hai Yue admitted.

Lin Xuan smiled.

"I shall take that as praise."

Hai Yue gave him a brief glance before sitting down.

A moment later, several servants entered carrying trays of food.

Freshly prepared dishes covered the table. There were roasted spirit beast meats, fragrant spiritual rice, spirit fruits, and several delicacies prepared by the Lin Family’s cooks.

Hai Yue’s eyes immediately moved toward the table.

She had maintained an indifferent expression ever since arriving, but the sight of the food finally caused her composure to waver.

Elder Hai noticed this and smiled faintly.

"Go ahead."

Hai Yue did not hesitate.

She picked up a piece of roasted spirit beast meat and took a bite.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"This is good."

Lin Xuan sat across from them.

"I am glad you approve."

Hai Yue took another bite.

"What beast is this?"

"A spirit beast from the mountains surrounding Azure Willow City."

"You hunt them?"

"Sometimes."

Hai Yue nodded thoughtfully before continuing to eat.

Elder Hai picked up a small piece of fruit and tasted it.

"This is quite different from what we eat beneath the sea."

Lin Xuan looked at her with interest.

"What do you usually eat?"

"Many things."

Elder Hai smiled.

"Spirit fish, sea fruits, shellfish, and various plants that grow beneath the ocean. The sea provides more food than humans realize."

Hai Yue nodded in agreement.

Then she suddenly looked toward Lin Xuan.

"Do you have fish?"

Lin Xuan paused.

"Fish?"

"Yes."

"Of course."

Hai Yue’s expression finally brightened.

"Fresh?"

"Fresh."

"Then I want some."

Lin Xuan nodded toward one of the servants.

"Prepare several varieties."

The servant immediately bowed and left.

Lin Xuan leaned back slightly.

The first part of the King’s Trial seemed simple enough.

Feed them.

The difficult part would probably be the entertainment.

He looked at Hai Yue, who was now happily eating the food that had been prepared for her.

Aside from food, what does this kid like?

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Hai Yue suddenly looked up.

She stared directly at him for several moments before her brows furrowed.

"Do you take pleasure in watching others eat?"

Lin Xuan froze.

Only then did he realize how suspicious his behavior must have appeared.

"No."

He immediately stood up.

"I suddenly remembered that I have something to attend to. Please enjoy yourselves."

Without giving Hai Yue an opportunity to question him further, Lin Xuan turned toward Elder Hai.

"Elder Hai, please make yourselves comfortable. I shall take my leave for now."

Elder Hai nodded.

"Very well."

Lin Xuan gave the two a final nod before leaving the courtyard.

Once he was outside, his expression immediately became serious.

A translucent system screen appeared before his eyes.

[ Name: Hai Yue ]

[ Realm: Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm

Martial Spirit: Seventh-Grade Earth Rank. ]

[ Name: Hai Yun ]

[ Realm: Third Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm

Martial Spirit: First-Grade Legend Rank ]

Lin Xuan stared at the information in silence.

These two were some serious bombs.

If he ticked them off in the wrong way, who knew when they would explode?

He rubbed his forehead.

The younger one was already at the tenth layer of the Golden Core Realm.

And the seemingly harmless old woman beside her was actually a Third Layer Nascent Soul cultivator.

Lin Xuan suddenly felt that the three-day hosting requirement might not be as simple as he had initially thought.

At the same time, inside the guest courtyard, the moment Lin Xuan’s figure disappeared from sight, Hai Yun’s expression changed.

The gentle smile that had remained on her face vanished.

She immediately raised her hand and formed several seals. A faint spiritual fluctuation spread throughout the courtyard as a formation quietly took shape, completely sealing the room and preventing any sound from escaping.

Hai Yue finally lowered the piece of meat she had been chewing on and looked toward Hai Yun.

"What’s wrong?"

Hai Yun’s expression remained solemn.

"Your Highness, this mission is proving more difficult than we anticipated."

Hai Yue frowned.

"We managed to get into the Lin Family without any problems, didn’t we?"

"Yes."

Hai Yun nodded slowly.

"But I believe he is dangerous, very dangerous."

Hai Yue’s expression became tensed as she stared at her aunt.

Hai Yun had accompanied her for many years, and throughout that time, her judgment had rarely been wrong. If she was taking a human cultivator this seriously, there had to be a reason.

"Why do you think so?"

Hai Yun glanced toward the entrance of the courtyard.

Even though the soundproof formation was already active, she still lowered her voice.

"Did you not remember the nickname he used when referring to the Monarch of the Sea?"

Hai Yue’s eyes narrowed.

"The Dragon Snacking Monarch?"

She suddenly looked at Hai Yun.

"Are you saying that this Lin mortal could be from the Dragon lineage?"

Hai Yue could hardly believe the thought.

Hai Yun immediately raised a finger to her lips, signaling her to remain silent.

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