In the evening, the door on the first floor of the inn was gently pushed open.
"Boss, we're back—"
Hestia's voice was the first to be heard, followed by the footsteps of Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue.
Ying Ping, Ilena, and Karyl were sitting on the sofa in the lobby. Upon hearing the sound, Ying Ping immediately stood up.
"Hestia."
His voice carried a smile, and the moment Hestia saw him, her eyes lit up, and she practically pounced!
"Ying Ping-kun—!!"
She crashed into Ying Ping's arms like a small animal, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck, her voice choked with a hint of sobs: "I haven't heard from you all day, and you're finally back! I was so worried!"
Ying Ping reached out and gently stroked her hair, saying tenderly, "Me too, Hestia, I've been thinking about you the whole time you were away."
Hestia looked up, her eyes slightly red: "Really?"
"Of course it's true."
Ying Ping nodded with a smile.
At this moment, Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue also walked over.
"Master, welcome back. Was this trial smooth?"
Takina bowed slightly, her tone as calm as ever, but her eyes softened considerably.
"Yes, very smooth."
Ying Ping stroked Takina's black hair.
Chisato, on the other hand, spread her arms with a grin: "Master! We were very diligent in protecting Lady Hestia today!"
Ying Ping looked at them, his lips curving upwards, and simply reached out to pull both of them into his embrace: "You worked hard, Chisato, Takina."
The two of them were startled by his sudden hug, and then their cheeks flushed slightly.
Chisato stammered, "Ma-Master, why are you so enthusiastic today..."
Ying Ping released them and smiled: "Because I really missed you all."
Hestia, who had been smiling, suddenly seemed to remember something and grabbed Ying Ping's hand: "That's right! Do you need me to update your stats right away?"
Ying Ping nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking. My achievements this time will surely surprise you."
Everyone returned to the room together.
Hestia eagerly took out the divine blood and parchment, having the three of them update their stats one by one.
First were Karyl and Ilena —
Both of their stats had significantly improved, especially in magic and agility, but their levels had not yet broken through.
"The increase in stats is huge, it's already very good!"
Hestia nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Ying Ping expectantly, "It's your turn!"
Ying Ping took off his top and sat down with his back to Hestia.
When the divine blood dripped onto his back, dense sacred characters instantly appeared in the void, much more complex than before!
[Ying Ping]
[Level: LV18]
[Stats: Omitted]
[Magic: Lightning Enchantment, Innate Time Control, Soul of Fear, Mist Lock]
[Skills: Shadow Step, Crippling Strike, Charged Attack, Eagle Eye, Blade Storm, Killing Intent Lock, Dragon's Heritage]
[Secret Art: Dragon Flash, Secret Art: Isshin]
[Development Abilities: Goblin Slayer, Goddess' Guardian, Shadow Monarch, Shura]
Hestia's eyes widened, and her voice changed pitch: "LV18?!"
"You, you were only LV11 when you left, weren't you?! You gained 7 levels in one day?!"
"And these development abilities of Shadow Monarch and Shura... it's incredible!"
Ying Ping smiled as he put on his clothes: "The enemies in this trial were very strong, so the experience points I gained naturally increased."
Hestia was so excited her hands were trembling: "No matter what, this... this is too amazing!"
"LV18, you are very likely the strongest adventurer in all of Orario, no, in the entire Lower World!"
She pounced on him, hugging Ying Ping again: "My Ying Ping-kun is indeed the best!"
Ying Ping was amused by her, and rubbed her head: "Alright, Hestia, there's no need to be so excited. I'll become even stronger in the future."
Chisato and Takina also showed surprised expressions, Takina whispered: "As expected of Master, truly unfathomable..."
Chisato excitedly raised her hand: "Master has become so much stronger, doesn't that deserve a celebration? How about we go out for another big meal!"
Hestia immediately agreed: "Agreed! Let's go celebrate at the Hostess of Fertility again!"
Ying Ping looked at their expectant eyes and nodded with a smile: "Alright, tonight we must eat our fill again."
Everyone cheered and left the inn in high spirits.
Orario was brightly lit at night, and the streets were bustling with people, lively and bustling.
Ying Ping walked in front, Hestia holding his arm.
Chisato and Takina walked on either side, while Karyl and Ilena walked behind, the group chatting and laughing.
At the Hostess of Fertility pub, the warm light and the aroma of food wafted over.
Syr saw them and greeted them with a smile: "Welcome! It's been a while since I've seen everyone from the Hestia Familia."
Hestia proudly lifted her chin: "Waitress, quickly bring out your best menu!"
[PS: This is a change from the original setting. Freya's transformation magic makes it so Hestia can't recognize her.]
After everyone was seated, they ordered a large table of delicious food and drinks.
Glasses clinked, laughter filled the air.
After only a few drinks, Hestia's face was already flushed, and she leaned on Ying Ping's shoulder, giggling and talking nonsense.
Chisato and Takina were having a competition to see who could pick up more peanuts with chopsticks.
Ilena and Karyl, meanwhile, were discussing their experiences in the Sekiro world.
Ying Ping looked around the lively dinner table, a smile unconsciously curving on his lips.
This was the life he wanted.
There was laughter, companionship, and a daily life worth protecting.
"Mr. Adventurer."
Syr suddenly leaned in, lowering her voice mysteriously, "I heard you guys have some beef with the Apollo Familia? It seems they've been plotting something lately..."
A glint of coldness flashed in Ying Ping's eyes, but he quickly returned to a gentle smile: "Is that so? Thank you for the reminder, Miss Shopkeeper. May I ask if your name is Syr?"
"Yes, my name is Syr Flova. Hehe, what's your name?"
Syr asked with a bright smile, her hands behind her back and her head tilted.
"My name is Ying Ping. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ying Ping also smiled and nodded.
No matter what Freya's attitude towards him was now, he no longer cared.
With the strength of an LV18 Shadow Monarch, as long as the gods didn't interfere, he was powerful enough to completely dominate the entire Orario.
When they left the Hostess of Fertility pub, the streets of Orario were already ablaze with lights.
Colorful lanterns hung on both sides of the street, the shouts of vendors rose and fell, and everywhere was a scene of joy.
The air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and various delicacies.
"Oh, right! Today is the first day of the festival!"
Hestia's eyes lit up, her tipsiness instantly dissipating a bit. She excitedly tugged at Ying Ping's sleeve, shaking it, "Ying Ping-kun, let's go have some fun!"
Ying Ping looked at the bustling crowd on the street and nodded with a smile: "Alright."
Chisato and Takina exchanged glances, then tacitly stood on either side of Ying Ping, each taking one of his arms.
"Master~ A festival is only fun when everyone goes together!"
Chisato blinked, a mischievous smile on her face.
Although Takina didn't speak, the tips of her ears were slightly red, and the grip on his arm didn't loosen at all.
Seeing this, Elaina snorted lightly and directly squeezed in front of Ying Ping, turning to face him: "Master, I want candied apples!"
Kokonut followed obediently, muttering softly: "It feels like everyone has become a little scary..."
And so, Ying Ping, surrounded by the girls, walked along the lively festival street.
Passersby around them cast envious glances, especially the male adventurers, whose eyes were practically popping out—
After all, a man surrounded by five beautiful girls of different styles was truly too eye-catching a scene.
"Hey, are those people from the Hestia Familia?"
"Is that man the Ying Ping who is rumored to have crippled the Apollo Familia's captain?"
"I really want to convert and join their Familia!"
"Damn it, he doesn't look particularly special, so why does he have so many beautiful women accompanying him..."
Whispers kept coming, but Ying Ping didn't care at all.
Hestia was holding his left arm, Kokonut was holding his right hand, and the excited Chisato and Takina were following behind him.
"Didn't you want candy? Here, take it."
Ying Ping handed the candy he had just bought to Elaina.
"Thank you, Master!"
Elaina happily took it, took a small bite, and her large eyes immediately narrowed in bliss, "Mmm, so sweet..."
This scene drew many envious glances from the adventurers around.
Hestia had drunk a bit too much and was practically hanging on Ying Ping.
She giggled, pointing at a stall in the distance: "Ying Ping-kun, I want that glowing hair ornament!"
Ying Ping smiled helplessly, supported her, and walked over, buying a star-shaped hair clip and gently pinning it in her hair.
"Does it look good?"
Hestia looked up, her eyes sparkling.
"Of course it looks good, it suits you very well."
Ying Ping said softly.
Just as everyone was happily strolling through the festival, a loud sound of gongs and drums suddenly echoed throughout the entire street...