The overlord of the gods is interrogating the alien female spy.

　"What brings you, young master, to Baizhao? Are you visiting your family or taking an exam?"

　The deer girl asked softly, her eyes falling on the petite girl in green beside the man.

　Was he a servant or a page?

　"It's neither a family visit nor an academic exam."

　Seeing the deer-woman opposite him tilt her head, her eyes showing confusion and bewilderment, he continued to smile.

　"I heard that the Celestial Master Examination of the Celestial Master's Mansion in Yan Kingdom is about to be held, and I plan to go and take a look."

　"Are you a Taoist master?!"

　The Celestial Masters held a very high status in the Yan Kingdom. Every Celestial Master who came out of the Celestial Master's Mansion, as long as they were not too lazy or lacked skill, could obtain an official position in the imperial court.

　For ordinary people, whether it's a Taoist priest or an official, they are all important figures they can't afford to offend.

　"A Celestial Master? I suppose so."

　That's...

　She didn't understand what this person meant, but since she had already found out, there was nothing more to ask.

　"Are you a pharmacist, young lady?"

　Watching her take the flowers and plants out of the basket and place them on the table to check them one by one, Chen Lingxu took the initiative to start a conversation with her.

　"I guess so. I know some herbal medicine and some medical principles, and I can help people treat minor illnesses to the best of my ability."

　"The young lady is truly kind-hearted. In this respect, she is quite similar to Chen."

　"Huh? Young Master Chen can also treat illnesses?"

　Upon hearing his words, the deer woman's pale silver eyes widened slightly.

　"Understood."

　"That……"

　She was excited and wanted to say something, but then she realized that the two of them had only just met and hadn't exchanged many words, so it would be too impolite to ask such questions rashly, and she shut her mouth.

　But then she thought, what if she didn't ask, and encountered an illness that she didn't understand but the person in front of her happened to know how to cure? If she missed the opportunity and caused the patient to suffer, she would wake up and give herself a couple of slaps in the face.

　"Young Master Chen...would you...like me, perhaps we could discuss medical matters?"

　After hesitating for a moment, she drank the tea. Just as she spoke, she heard someone outside shout that the rain had stopped.

　How much time has passed? Perhaps a quarter of an hour?

　"The rain has stopped and the sky is clear; it's the perfect time to travel. Young lady, I must take my leave now, and hope to meet you again someday."

　"Little algae ball, let's go."

　"Yes, sir."

　"Ah...Okay, okay."

　Watching the man and the boy in blue leave, the deer-woman sighed wistfully. Now, she'd probably be dreaming about this all night.

　Once they were far from the tea stall and there was no one on the road, the woman in green asked the people around her about what had just happened.

　Why isn't the master answering her?

　This girl in green was none other than the "Shapeshifter," a pageboy under the Primordial Celestial Venerable. However, since that title was rather awkward, Chen Lingxu gave her the nickname "Little Algae Ball" based on the Shapeshifter's earlier functions and effects.

　The shapeshifter doesn't care what it's called. She's just sitting here anyway, so she might as well go with the other person and have some fun. Maybe she can find some enjoyment in it.

　Based on her limited understanding of Chen Lingxu, she knew he had clearly become interested in the deer woman. But why didn't he answer her and seize the opportunity to kiss her?

　"Little Algae Ball, the fact that you can ask this question shows that you still don't understand people's hearts, and you've lived these ten thousand years in vain."

　Chen Lingxu reached out and ruffled her light blue hair twice.

　"Oh! We understand now. Master is trying to play hard to get..."

　With a snap, Chen Lingxu withdrew his fist and glanced at the little boy who was using such nonsensical words.

　"That's called playing hard to get. Do you really understand the knowledge of the Yan Kingdom?"

　"hey-hey."

　The boy chuckled.

　Of course she understood, but as a virgin, how could she show off in such a way? She still had to flatter the Heavenly Venerable and make him happy.

　"But sir, if we leave like this, will we really ever see her again?"

　"If we don't meet, we don't meet. The world is so big, and there are so many beautiful women... Little Algae Ball, do you remember what she looks like?"

　When Chen Lingxu glanced over, the boy in blue beside him had already transformed into the deer woman he had just seen.

　His clothing, demeanor, and mannerisms already resembled those of a human.

　"Alright. We'll use this form tonight. Let's change back first."

　"Yes, sir."

　Besides being Terra's know-it-all, there was another reason why she brought the shapeshifter along.

　That's her ability to change her appearance in countless ways, enough for Chen Lingxu to try out and use for as long as time goes by.

　Chapter 43 How can immortals be without celestial deer as mounts?

　Chen Lingxu had been in Yan Kingdom for some time. Although Yan Kingdom had already begun exchanging goods and establishing trade and other cooperative relationships with the other countries of Terra, it was still relatively introverted overall, with few foreigners traveling or settling in Yan Kingdom.

　The shapeshifters are scattered across the land, leaving their mark on every country. Each shapeshifter can communicate remotely with the others. Therefore, when it was learned that Chen Lingxu was about to arrive in Yan Kingdom, some shapeshifters who had become wealthy in Yan Kingdom prepared travel permits, identity documents, and goods and clothes for him.

　Since they were there for tourism, Chen Lingxu wasn't in a hurry to get going. He dressed himself and the shapeshifter up in the classic image of the Yan Kingdom's Celestial Master.

　He is the dignified Primordial Celestial Venerable; he cannot do without a page to attend to him.

　After his sightseeing, he heard about the so-called Celestial Masters' Gathering and decided to come and have a look, to see just how capable the Celestial Masters, whom Yan Kingdom was so proud of, really were.

　"Gentlemen, are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"

　"Checking in. A superior room."

　The waiter first led the two to register at the counter, asked for details, and looked at their sign before guiding them to sit down at a table by the window in the lobby, where they began to memorize the names of the dishes.

　"Two catties of cooked game meat, a roast goose, and a stewed fish scale—it has to be fresh. Also, a catty of good wine and two bowls of large meat noodles. That'll do for now. Pay the rent along with the meal fee."

　"Alright, please wait a moment, gentlemen. The fine wine and food will be here shortly!"

　After calculating the price, the waiter was immediately overjoyed to see the gold ingot that the distinguished guest had casually slapped on the table, and even his greeting became more enthusiastic.

　Xiao Bian, who goes by the pseudonym Zao Tongzi, first poured tea for Chen Lingxu, then took out a wild fruit he had picked at random from his bag and started eating it.

　"Master's appetite has increased recently."

　After casually starting a conversation, the shapeshifter discovered the recent changes in the Qilin Overlord.

　She remembered that whether in Letania or Kazdel, the other person only ate a little bit, but after arriving in Yan, the time and money spent on the road were far less than the amount spent on ordering food and eating in the towns along the way.

　"Is this...your homesickness?"

　"Nostalgia? After all, I am a Qilin, and I was born in the fire-type region. Whether it is the appearance of these creatures, their eating habits, or their lifestyle, they are more to my liking than Kazdel or other places."

　Similar styles existed in the previous civilization system; Lu was from that star sector. However, Chen Lingxu was busy traveling with his girlfriend and didn't have much contact with them. Now that he thinks about it, all those Qilin and dragons he possessed were probably discovered or modified by the zoo there.

　"So, sir, you intend to settle down in Yan Kingdom?"

　If the shapeshifter were allowed to choose where to live, she wouldn't stay in Kazdel, just as most royal courts have branches there to show they haven't forgotten the Demon Lord and the Sarkaz. And on this land, apart from the icy northern regions, there's probably nowhere more desolate and ruined than Kazdel. Even Sargon's deserts have oases, capable of forming their own...

　In the ecosystem, and in Kazdel, even rats passing by would leave some food for the demons and give them the middle finger.

　"If we're talking about buying houses and land, then definitely yes."

　Otherwise, why stay in a guesthouse every day? That would be so boring, and you wouldn't feel comfortable enough when you want to do something.

　"So the first thing I did when I went to Baizao was to find a good place to buy a house there."

　As for money, Chen Lingxu didn't care at all.

　Even without the support of shapeshifters, he could easily make a house out of gold by hand, not to mention the copper coins that hadn't yet been withdrawn from the market in the Great Yan Dynasty. And there was no need to hire anyone to manage the house; a few of his algae-children could simply be assigned to it, and that would be the end of it.

　"It seems we need to prepare several more identities."

　Since the master didn't explain things clearly, she had to figure out what to do on her own.

　As he was pondering this, an idea suddenly popped into the shapeshifter's head.

　Right now, they're just making her work as a maid. But what if, after she gets tired of traveling, they want her to take the imperial examination to become a celestial master or an official... or even seize the throne from the true dragon?

　"What are you thinking, little algae ball? Do you think I'm the kind of person who invites trouble?"

　Chen Lingxu reached out and took a fruit to accompany his tea, and immediately saw what she was thinking.

　"Being an emperor may seem comfortable, but when trouble arises, it can be a real headache. You have to enjoy the benefits of power while also bearing the pile of problems."

　This is also one of the reasons why Chen Lingxu was reluctant to reunify Terra.

　Another reason is that Terra doesn't currently have enough capable people. Once these insectoids are unified, the responsibility will fall entirely on him. Let's wait until a sufficiently outstanding leader emerges before considering unifying Terra.

　Anyway, as long as that membrane in the sky isn't torn down, Terra will just play its own game, and things like lumberjacks and interstellar wars have nothing to do with them.

　"The food's here. Eat up. Don't try to take the chicken leg from me this time."

　"Hehe, that's not something I fought with you for, it was a gift from the master."

　As they ate and drank, it started raining again outside. Chen Lingxu's spot was right by the window, which added to the enjoyment of the view and made the experience even more pleasant.

　"Thank you for your trouble. Do you have any rooms available?"

　"Oh dear, sir, you've come at an inopportune time. We're fully booked today, all the middle and lower rooms are full. Only two upper rooms are available."

　"Ah...that lobby..."

　Chen Lingxu's ears were incredibly sharp. Following the sound, he saw a fair-skinned little deer talking to the waiter with a worried expression. She probably didn't have enough money, and it was getting dark, so she couldn't travel any further. She was asking if she could spend the night in the lobby when someone was available.

　"Please wait a moment, sir."

　The shapeshifter turned its head and glanced at it, then immediately understood, wiped its mouth, and went to call for help.

　"Young Master Chen, it really is you. When I saw Miss Zao, I thought it was just a resemblance."

　Sitting at the table, the little deer with nine-colored hair spoke to him with a look of surprise.

　Although the two had only met once, the surprise of seeing each other again in this vast land full of strangers made the little deer's tail twitch.

　"It is truly a great honor for me to see you again, young lady. May I ask your name?"

　"Young Master Chen, you may call me Nine-Colored Deer."

　"Hmm... what a wonderful name you are, young lady. Then I shall take the liberty of calling you 'Miss Deer,' shall I?"

　"OK."

　"Alright. Then Miss Lu need not address me as Young Master Chen, as that doesn't suit my taste. Just call me by my name, Chen Lingxu."

　"That won't do... I, I'll call you Young Master..."

　"If it's inconvenient, just call me Ah Xu. That's what all my friends call me."

　"But I have only met the young master twice."

　"So what? Our first meeting was fate, and now that we've met again, it's only right that Miss Lu and I become friends. If Miss Lu refuses this fate or destiny, I, Chen, will be heartbroken to have missed out on a dear friend."

　Looking at his smiling face and listening to his warm words, Nine-Colored Deer couldn't help but admire his generosity, righteousness, and hospitality.

　Just close friends or confidants... isn't that too early?

　“Then, I… shall be so bold. Ah Xu…”

　"Alright. Miss Deer hasn't eaten yet, has she? Little Algae Ball, go and call the waiter to serve Miss Deer her food. Do you have enough money?"

　"Yes, sir. There's plenty of money."

　"Ah, Young Master Chen... Oh, Ah Xu... How could I let you spend so much money? I still have some money."

　“Miss Lu, I am a very hospitable person. If you are unwilling to accept my hospitality, then it will be difficult to remain friends.”

　Seeing his tough demeanor, Nine-Colored Deer had no choice but to nod and accept the other party's offer of a meal, while also changing how she addressed him.

　"...Do you prefer this style?"

　The planet Precyth, captured by the gravitational field of Chen Lingxu's blazing sun, appeared, pinched its chin, and glanced thoughtfully at the deer woman before it.

　Hmph, that pink-haired devil tried so hard, but it was no match for someone who only met him once.