The Mysterious Sal Quinn

"What do you mean? What do you mean you don't know?" Lin Ke was completely confused. "How do you not know?" Lin Ke could hear the frustration in Lily's voice.

"There's only one explanation… It's that his cultivation is currently higher than the system can properly read. However, if you level up the system further, it can determine even higher cultivations." Lily answers.

"Well, what's the highest level of cultivation you can read right now?" Lin Ke asks.

"Right now, I am able to determine the cultivation of anyone below the first sub-realm of the Soul Cultivation Realm." Lily says.

"Lin Ke, what is your cultivation level right now." Master Sal interrupts Lin Ke and Lily's mental conversation.

Lin Ke looks up in shock. 'I just received my 2 upgrades in cultivation… Did he maybe notice something different?' Trying to keep himself calm, Lin Ke answers, "Currently, I am in the Bone Tempering Sub-realm."

Master Sal raises an eyebrow. "Hm? Really?" His voice holds a tinge of doubt. Lin Ke begins to sweat a little. "That's quite an impressive artwork for someone who's only at the Bone Tempering Sub-realm… Without even reaching the Eye Tempering Sub-realm you already have such an attentiveness to detail. Impressive, very impressive…"

"You're too kind, Master Sal, I still have a long way to go." Lin Ke answers humbly. "Plus, I still must thank you for helping me become a C-class artist just like that."

"No, no. It would be a shame to see such talent moving along so slowly, so I just wanted to push you along. Anyways, besides all of this, what are your plans from now on?" Master Sal was extremely straightforward.

Lin Ke was caught slightly off-guard by the question. Even he himself didn't know what he was going to be doing afterwards. That was when Lily cut in. "I will be providing you with different locations around this world that you will have to travel and draw the scenery. I will measure them to my standards."

"I will be traveling around the world to see the beauty of the world, and to capture it with my brush. That is also how I will improve and become a better artist!" Lin Ke answers.

Master Sal raises an eyebrow. "Hm? Interesting. That's quite a rare option to take. Many people prefer to stay within the comforts of a city and just be patronized by others. The way you chose is definitely better for improving rapidly… In fact, I was going to tell Lia to do the same…" He trails off, as if thinking about something. He then continues, "Anyways, besides this, please make yourself comfortable in this house for the time being, you are welcome to stay for as long as you want, I will have a maid show you to your room." A beautiful lady with a curvaceous figure stepped up. She was wearing a standard maid outfit that only served to compliment her appearance.

Lin Ke stands up and bows. "Thank you for your kindness towards someone you just met today, Master Sal." It's quite rare you would get such a generous person willing to house a stranger for no reason whatsoever.

However. There was a reason for Master Sal housing Lin Ke. Well, 2 reasons in fact. One, that Lin Ke was truly talented if he was only at the Bone Tempering Realm, and two, what Lin Ke had painted…

"This way, Sir." The maid said and began to lead him through a hallway. Lia gets up too and walks beside him. Lily is still content with sitting in Lia's arms and Lia is cradling Lily carefully, trying hard not to make Lily angry with her. Lin Ke watches as she plays with Lily.

From Lin Ke's perspective Lia seems like a shy, but obedient girl who is a little obsessed with animals. She hasn't really spoken much besides asking him about Lily. She was also beautiful beyond comparison. Lin Ke was pretty sure that if there was a blazing bright sun next to her, she would still make it pale in comparison. Lia, as if noticing someone staring intently at her, looks up at Lin Ke. Briefly, their eyes meet, causing Lin Ke's heart to jump irregularly. Lia's face blushes, as if she wasn't used to being scrutinized so closely by someone else and glances away.

Lily, of course, notices this awkward moment, and takes full advantage. "Hohoho? Are your male hormones kicking in? Is this beautiful young lady just too much for you to handle?" Lily gloats happily at Lin Ke's nervousness. "If I remember correctly, when you died, you didn't even have a girlfriend yet huh? Oh, poor you! Poor, poor you…"

This, of course, infuriates Lin Ke. "Shut up! If it wasn't for your God messing up and skipping a stone randomly on clouds, would I be here?!" He yells in his mind.

The maid stops in front of a door. They hadn't gone too far from the living room. She unlocks the door and bows. "Sir, this will be the room you will be staying in, here is a key for the door. If you need anything, feel free to ring the bell in the room and I will be there to help you shortly."

Lin Ke nods and smiles. "Thank you." He walks into the room to see a pretty standard room. The room was very clean with a large bed, a bright glowing lamp on a table in one corner, and crystal chandeliers hanging overhead. Of course, they were probably not powered by electricity, but perhaps some other energy source. There was a mirror on one wall and a large closet built into the wall. It was quite spacious and comfortable.

Lia stood by the doorway, as if deciding whether or not to come in. She shuffled around nervously before reluctantly letting down Lily, who immediately leaped onto the bed. The maid then said, "Sir, I'm sure you need some time to relax, so we'll excuse ourselves for now. I will come to get you later when dinner is available."