The experimental field behind the Demon King’s Castle was much more crowded than yesterday.
The small patch of green from yesterday had not disappeared. On the contrary, after a night, it had become even more vibrant.
A few samples had already been harvested from some of the crops. The rest continued to grow slowly under the shroud of the Holy Light Stasis.
The soil was lighter in color than the surrounding earth, and the magic concentration in the air was much lower.
The spot where the slow-release domain ore was buried still emitted a faint blue mist of light.
It looked peaceful. Stable.
Like a tiny plot of land that could truly breathe.
Lin Ling stood by the edge of the experimental field, looking at the greenery, her heart softening slightly.
Yesterday, it was just a hope. Today, it actually seemed to have taken shape.
Phelan quickly set up the detection crystals.
Aliviel was responsible for keeping unrelated personnel away.
Baroque personally stood on the outskirts like a mobile city wall.
Cecil arranged for people to stay far away from any potential explosion zones.
Watching this display, Lin Ling couldn’t help but swallow hard.
“Um.”
“Isn’t this a bit much?”
Baroque gave her a cold look.
“The person who almost blew up half an experimental field yesterday has no right to say that.”
Lin Ling went silent.
Phelan took out a piece of Rock Iron Ore even smaller than the one from yesterday.
“We won’t make a complete slow-release domain ore today.”
“First, we will test core generation.”
Lin Ling nodded.
“In other words, we’ll make a small-scale domain core first?”
“Yes.”
Phelan arranged several detection crystals in a semi-circle.
“But this time, you cannot absorb a large amount of magic at once like yesterday.”
“You must absorb it in small, multiple increments.”
Lin Ling blinked.
“Why?”
Phelan looked up at her.
“Because what you did yesterday was too dangerous.”
“You extracted and aggregated a massive amount of magic all at once, causing the magic sphere to reach a critical state. If you hadn’t created a miniature Holy Light Stasis to seal it at the last second, it would have spiraled out of control.”
Baroque said in a deep voice:
“You are not allowed to do that again.”
Lin Ling said softly:
“That was my first time; I didn’t have any experience.”
Baroque’s face grew even darker.
“This isn’t something you should learn through trial and error.”
Cecil added with a smile:
“After all, if you fail once, there might not be a next time.”
Lin Ling: “...”
She felt that made a lot of sense. But it also made things even scarier.
Phelan continued:
“This time, you will only absorb a small amount of magic.”
“Once a miniature Holy Light Stasis prototype forms, stop immediately.”
“We will observe its stability. If there are no abnormalities, we will proceed to the next round.”
Aliviel stood slightly behind her, her tone much lower than her usual playful self.
“In other words, take it slow.”
Niya also nodded.
“Miss Saintess, there’s no need to rush.”
Lin Ling looked at her.
Niya said seriously:
“The problems of the demon race have existed for a long time. They won't all be solved in one day.”
“You already did something amazing yesterday. So today... please be careful.”
Lin Ling was stunned for a moment.
Baroque crossed his arms, his voice low.
“The demons’ plight doesn’t require you to trade your life for it.”
Lin Ling blinked. She instinctively wanted to make a joke, but before she could speak, she saw that Baroque’s expression was very serious. It wasn't his usual sternness; he was truly worried.
Phelan also watched her.
“Your safety takes priority over the experimental results.”
Cecil stopped smiling.
“Little Pet, no one wants to see you perform an explosion this time.”
Aliviel said softly:
“If a problem occurs, stop immediately.”
Lin Ling opened her mouth. For some reason, she suddenly found herself unable to speak.
She had only proposed a plan, yet they were acting as if they were sending her off to some dangerous battlefield.
But on second thought, they weren't wrong. Yesterday, she really had almost taken herself out along with the experimental field. She had only been so relaxed because she had plenty of MP, but they all remembered she was a Saintess with only 1 HP.
A single touch could kill her. The slightest accident might be fatal. How could they not be nervous?
Lin Ling lowered her head and looked at her hands.
“I understand,” she said softly. “I’ll be careful.”
Just then, the sound of footsteps came from behind her.
Lin Ling turned around. Ivelia had walked up behind her at some point.
The Demon King was still wearing her black dress today, her dark red eyes appearing a bit softer than usual in the morning light. She looked at Lin Ling without speaking immediately.
Then, under everyone’s gaze, Ivelia gently reached out.
Before Lin Ling could react, she was pulled into a hug.
It was a very light embrace. It wasn't forceful or oppressive; her arms simply circled Lin Ling’s shoulders and back gently, as if she were afraid that even a little bit of force would hurt this overly fragile Saintess.
Lin Ling froze completely.
“D-Demon King?”
Ivelia whispered:
“Take it slow.”
Her voice was very soft, yet it fell clearly into Lin Ling’s ears.
“You are more important than this plan.”
Lin Ling was dazed.
The air grew quiet. As Ivelia held her, a very faint dark red light flickered silently at her fingertips. The light didn't spread; it just settled gently on Lin Ling’s shoulders, hair, wrists, and heart.
Like an invisible shield, it quietly covered her.
Lin Ling didn’t notice, but all the demons around them did.
Aliviel’s pupils constricted slightly.
Baroque lowered his head, his expression becoming extremely solemn.
Phelan’s pen stopped in mid-air, and for the first time, he didn't record immediately.
The smile on Cecil’s face vanished completely.
Niya’s eyes widened.
That was the highest-tier protection magic of the Demon King. A supreme guardian spell that only a Demon King could use. It transferred any damage received by the target onto the Demon King herself.
Lin Ling didn't know. She just stood there stiffly, being held by the Demon King, her mind a mess.
After a moment, Ivelia released her. She looked at Lin Ling, her tone still calm.
“If there is any danger, stop immediately.”
Lin Ling nodded instinctively. “Yes.”
Ivelia added, “Don’t push yourself.”
Lin Ling whispered, “I’m not that brave.”
Ivelia looked at her. “Yesterday you were. If you hadn't brought it under control at the end, did you even think about yourself?”
Lin Ling: “...”
She couldn't argue. Because yesterday, she really had pushed through with a mindset of “it’s a bit dangerous, but it seems doable.”
Ivelia stepped back. But her hug seemed to be a signal.
Aliviel walked over and gave Lin Ling a light hug, carrying the faint, unique scent of a succubus.
“Be good,” Aliviel whispered in her ear with a smile. “Be careful this time. Don't make yourself look like a magic tool that’s about to shatter.”
Lin Ling’s face felt a bit hot. “I’m not a magic tool.”
Aliviel released her and laughed. “Then prove it to us.”
Next was Niya. Niya ran over and gently hugged Lin Ling’s waist. She was still young and a bit shorter than Lin Ling. The hug was light, but very earnest.
“Miss Saintess,” Niya whispered. “Please be safe.”
She didn't know high-tier protection magic, nor did she have powerful magic. She could only carefully attach the strongest protection spell she knew onto Lin Ling.
It was a very faint light, so weak it was almost invisible. Compared to Ivelia’s supreme guardian spell, it was like a candle flame next to the stars. But Niya closed her eyes and prayed very seriously in her heart.
I hope our magic can protect this gentle Miss Saintess. I hope she doesn't get hurt. I hope she doesn't disappear. I hope she can always stay in the Demon King's Castle, smiling and complaining about the bread being too hard.
Lin Ling looked down at Niya. For some reason, her nose felt a bit stingy.
“Niya...”
Niya quickly let go and stepped aside, looking a bit embarrassed. Then it was Cecil’s turn.
He seemed like he wanted to say something in his usual lighthearted tone, but in the end, he just reached out.
“Ladies first for hugs. We men will maintain proper etiquette.”
He gently shook Lin Ling’s hand. His tail flicked behind him. A wisp of subtle magic settled on the back of Lin Ling’s hand through the handshake, like a tiny charm.
“Little Pet, don't make us worry.”
Lin Ling blinked. “Did you just say something serious?”
Cecil immediately laughed. “You misheard.”
Phelan stepped forward. He didn't hug her, but simply reached out his hand very seriously.
Lin Ling looked at him. “Lord Phelan wants a handshake too?”
Phelan nodded. “As an experimental collaborator, I must confirm your safety priority.”
Lin Ling: “...”
She sighed and handed him her hand. “Even your concern sounds like an experimental report.”
Phelan took her hand. His palm was slightly cool. A layer of pale green magic circuits appeared faintly at his fingertips and settled on Lin Ling’s wrist.
“This is a Stability Art. It can delay a loss of control if your magic becomes turbulent.”
Lin Ling was stunned. Phelan let go of her hand. “This is a bit of concern for you.”
Lin Ling looked at the patterns that quickly faded on her wrist and was silent for a moment. Then she whispered, “Thank you.”
Phelan nodded calmly. “Acknowledged.”
Finally, it was Baroque. He stood in place, his face looking very stiff.
Lin Ling looked at him. Baroque looked at Lin Ling. The two were silent for several seconds.
Lin Ling couldn't help but say, “Lord Baroque, you look like you're preparing for war.”
Baroque snorted coldly. “I originally wanted to give you a warrior’s blessing.”
Lin Ling blinked. “And then?”
Baroque looked at her thin wrist, then at her entire appearance that seemed like she would fall over if touched. Finally, he said stiffly:
“Forget it. You only have 1 HP. I’m afraid I won’t be able to control my strength.”
Lin Ling: “...”
She actually couldn't argue with that.
Baroque stepped forward. He reached out a hand that was much larger than Lin Ling’s, but his movements were extremely gentle—so gentle that it was completely unlike his usual gruff self.
Lin Ling was dazed for a moment before reaching out to take it. Baroque’s palm was thick and warm, like a wall.
“Don’t die,” he whispered.
Lin Ling paused. Baroque frowned as if he wasn't used to saying such things, turning his head so his eyes were looking elsewhere.
“If something really happens to you, there will be no one left in the Demon King's Castle to complain about the soft bread.”
Lin Ling’s nose had been stinging, but when she heard the second half, her emotions hit a wall. “Is that how you show concern? The bread is still hard!”
Baroque snorted. “As long as you understand.”
Lin Ling looked at his extremely awkward face and suddenly laughed. “Yeah. I understand.”
She suddenly felt like she was a fragile item being carefully packaged by a group of demons. It was completely absurd, and also very gentle.
Lin Ling looked up. “Um... is everyone being a bit too nervous?”
The air went still. Everyone looked at her at once. Lin Ling felt a chill down her spine from their gaze. She immediately changed her tune.
“I mean, I’ll be careful. I really will. It’s actually not as serious as you think.”
Baroque said coldly, “You thought that yesterday too.”
Lin Ling: “...”
Fine. Her credit was bankrupt. She could only raise her hands in surrender.
“I promise. Small amounts, multiple times. No pushing myself. No conjuring giant orbs. No blowing up the experimental field.”
Cecil laughed. “Incorrect. Your own safety is much more important than the experimental field, Little Pet.”
Phelan nodded. “Miss Saintess’s safety is far more important than a single experimental field.”
Lin Ling took a deep breath and then walked to the edge of the experimental field.
This time, she didn't directly extract a massive amount of magic like yesterday. Following Phelan’s plan, she first unfolded a tiny Holy Light Stasis in her palm.
It was only the size of a fingernail. A pale white light membrane appeared faintly, like a transparent bubble.
Then, she extracted a tiny wisp of magic from the edge of the experimental field. It really was just a tiny wisp. The pale blue magic, like a thread, was guided by her into that miniature domain.
The white membrane vibrated slightly. The magic inside began to rotate.
Phelan immediately spoke: “Stop absorption.”
Lin Ling stopped at once. Everyone watched the miniature domain tensely.
One breath. Two breaths. Three breaths.
No explosion. No cracking. It just glowed slightly.
Phelan looked down at the detection crystals. “Stable.”
Lin Ling breathed a sigh of relief. “Then continue?”
Phelan nodded. “Second time.”
Lin Ling absorbed another small wisp of magic. This time it was slightly more than before. The miniature Holy Light Stasis expanded slightly and then began to absorb the internal magic to reinforce its boundaries.
The outer shell became brighter, but it still didn't spiral out of control.
“Stop.”
Lin Ling stopped immediately. Phelan checked. Baroque stared at her. Aliviel stood behind her, ready to pull her away at any moment. Cecil already had a teleportation magic tool in his hand. Niya was so nervous she didn't even dare to breathe too heavily.
Ivelia stood not far behind Lin Ling, her dark red eyes never leaving her.
Even though Lin Ling herself felt this was very steady, the tension of those around her was even more exaggerated than when she had first conjured that dangerous energy ball yesterday.
She couldn't help but whisper, “Everyone really doesn't need to be this nervous.”
No one ignored her. Lin Ling had no choice but to continue.
Third time. Fourth time. Fifth time.
Each time she only absorbed a little. Each time she stopped for a check. Each time she continued only after stability was confirmed.
The miniature Holy Light Stasis grew brighter bit by bit. From a transparent membrane, it turned into a semi-solid pale white shell. The pale blue magic inside rotated slowly.
It had become a domain core that was smaller than yesterday's but clearly more stable.
Lin Ling looked at the object in her palm, her eyes lighting up. “It worked.”
After confirming the detection results, Phelan finally nodded.
“As long as a massive amount of magic isn't absorbed all at once, the stability of the core is significantly improved compared to yesterday.”
Baroque let out a heavy breath. Aliviel’s shoulders also relaxed slightly. Niya’s eyes were bright.
“Miss Saintess succeeded...”
Cecil laughed. “And there was no explosion.”
Lin Ling immediately raised her hand. “That deserves praise, right?”
Phelan looked at her. “Yes.”
Lin Ling was stunned. She had only said it in passing, not expecting Phelan to actually nod.
The next moment, Phelan looked down to record.
——Second domain core successfully generated.
——Low-volume, multiple-injection method adopted.
——Risk significantly reduced.
——Practitioner’s safety greatly increased this time.
——The primary practitioner chose to seek praise after this experiment, which may influence subsequent experiments.
Lin Ling: “...”
“You still don't need to record that last sentence!”
Cecil burst out laughing.
By the experimental field, the tense atmosphere finally loosened a bit. But no one truly let down their guard. Because they all knew that the easier Lin Ling made it look, the easier it was to forget how dangerous the task itself was.
She could absorb a massive amount of magic equivalent to the scale of the entire Demon King's Castle, and she could seal that magic into a materialized miniature domain. But she herself still only had 1 HP.
That was her cruel lifeline. So even if Lin Ling smiled and said “it’s fine,” no one was willing to let her face the danger alone again.
Lin Ling looked down at the tiny domain core in her palm. It was quiet, stable, and bright. Like a beginning that could be replicated.
She looked up, just about to say “let’s make another one.”
Baroque had already spoken coldly: “Rest.”
Lin Ling: “I haven't even said anything yet!”
Baroque: “I know what you were going to say.”
Aliviel pressed her shoulder with a smile. “Miss Saintess, mass production isn't finished in a single day.”
Phelan nodded. “For every three cores made, rest for at least half a quarter of an hour.”
Cecil added, “And eat something.”
Niya immediately brought out the pre-prepared soft bread. “Miss Saintess, here.”
Lin Ling looked at the soft bread, then at the circle of demons in front of her who left absolutely no room for negotiation. She was silent for two seconds.
Then she naturally took the bread. “Since everyone is so insistent, I suppose I can cooperate.”
Baroque snorted. “You’re clearly happy about it.”
Lin Ling took a bite of the soft bread and closed her eyes. “This is called respecting everyone’s desire to protect me.”
Everyone: “...”
Ivelia looked at her, a very faint smile appearing in her eyes.
Lin Ling didn't notice. She was sitting by the experimental field, taking small bites of the soft bread. She was layered with one protection spell after another that the demons had cast on her, both secretly and openly.
Next to her palm, the second domain core floated quietly.
The distant black earth was still vast. But in this tiny experimental field, a new method had appeared.
Small amounts, multiple times. Stable generation. Controllable mass production.
The demons’ food crisis wouldn't be solved overnight. But starting today, the miracle was no longer a one-time accident. It had the possibility of being repeated.
And Miss Saintess herself had finally, without even realizing it, been officially classified as the highest priority for protection in the entire Demon King's Castle.
Rate on N.U.
