"Very well. From now on, you will be my junior brother. I will regularly open a portal for you to visit Kamar-Taj. I hope you live up to the title of a mage."
Mordo's tone toward Lin Mei was distant, neither warm nor harsh, but there was a clear sense of alienation.
Lin Mei, however, did not take offense. He was well aware of Baron Mordo's reputation.
Born into a noble family, Mordo inherited his baron title. He studied magic under the Ancient One, but as his power grew, so did his ambitions. In the end, he attempted to betray his master—a grave act of defiance against tradition.
Only the Ancient One could tolerate such a disciple. If this had happened in Kunlun, Mordo would have been struck down without hesitation.
Mordo raised his Sling Ring and prepared to open a portal in the courtyard. Lin Mei observed his movements closely, his mind instinctively analyzing the technique behind the spell. Within moments, an intuition struck him—he understood how to use the Sling Ring.
As Mordo gestured for him to step through the portal, Lin Mei suddenly asked, "Senior Brother Mordo, do you have an extra Sling Ring? Could you give me one?"
Mordo paused, his gaze sharpening as he scrutinized Lin Mei. He hadn't expected such a request.
Could he really grasp the fundamentals of the Sling Ring just by watching? And now he even dares to ask for one? Mordo wondered.
"You wish to wield a Sling Ring?" Mordo's voice was cool, carrying a hint of skepticism. "The Sling Ring is both a symbol of a Kamar-Taj sorcerer and the key to opening space portals. It is not something given out lightly."
Lin Mei smiled, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "I understand, Senior Brother Mordo. But since Master Gu Yi has chosen me, I believe I am qualified to become a true mage. To me, this ring is not just a tool—it is a challenge and a mark of my progress."
Mordo remained silent for a moment, weighing his thoughts. He knew that anyone personally chosen by the Ancient One must be exceptional. Moreover, Lin Mei's thirst for knowledge and pursuit of power reminded him of his younger self.
"Very well." Mordo finally spoke, his tone still cold but carrying a trace of acknowledgment. "But understand this—the Sling Ring is not just proof of your ability. It is also a test of your will and character. Once you wear it, you will bear the responsibility of protecting the balance of the dimensions. There is no room for negligence."
With that, he retrieved a new Sling Ring from his pocket, its surface shimmering with arcane runes. Handing it to Lin Mei, he added, "This ring is new. For now, I am merely lending it to you. Whether you can truly claim it depends on your future performance."
Lin Mei accepted the Sling Ring with both hands, feeling the ancient energy coursing through it. A surge of excitement welled up inside him. The thoughts forming in his mind were proving to be correct.
Without hesitation, he slipped the Sling Ring onto his finger and, guided by his intuition, began rotating his hand in a practiced motion.
A golden portal suddenly flared to life—leading directly to the entrance of his own home.
Mordo's eyes widened in shock. He had assumed Lin Mei's understanding of the Sling Ring was merely theoretical. He had never expected him to open a portal so effortlessly.
The certainty in Lin Mei's eyes confirmed that he had deliberately chosen his destination.
Without hesitation, Lin Mei picked up his suitcase and stepped through the portal. Before Mordo could fully process what had happened, Lin Mei turned and swiftly closed the gateway behind him.
In the living quarters of the Ancient One at Kamar-Taj, two figures had been watching the scene unfold.
The Ancient One withdrew her gaze, while Sun Wukong scratched his face with a smirk. "This time, you've really found a treasure."
Master Gu Yi smiled slightly, his eyes gleaming with wisdom as he spoke to Sun Wukong:
"Indeed, Lin Mei's talent has exceeded my expectations. His ability to learn and adapt is extraordinarily rare, even among the many disciples I have trained."
Sun Wukong curled his lips, clearly unimpressed by Master Gu Yi's praise. He was more interested in his own amusement. "So what? He still has to train step by step. I don't believe he can surpass me anytime soon."
Master Gu Yi shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity. "Sun Wukong, raw strength is not the only measure of greatness. Lin Mei possesses something invaluable—the thirst for knowledge and an unyielding curiosity for the unknown. These are the true cornerstones of becoming a great mage."
Sun Wukong shrugged, not entirely convinced but choosing not to argue. For someone like him, who had long transcended mortal limitations, sheer power was no longer his sole pursuit.
Meanwhile, Lin Mei had returned to his world through the portal, now standing at his doorstep. He took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar air, as a surge of emotion welled up inside him.
"I never expected to master the Sling Ring so quickly," Lin Mei murmured to himself, eyes flickering with excitement.
With that, he pushed open the door and stepped inside—only to be immediately grabbed by the collar and thrown right back out.
Lin Mei: ???
The door slammed shut behind him, making it clear just how unwelcome he was at that moment.
"What the hell? Is this how a father treats his son? I haven't even eaten yet, and you're off enjoying a romantic dinner with the food I cooked!" Lin Mei grumbled, rolling his eyes so hard they nearly reached the back of his head.
From inside, a voice called out impatiently. It was Lin Tianyi, his father.
"Kid, because of you, I've had a rough time lately."
"Go find somewhere else to hang out. Don't get in the way of your mother's special training session."
"Oh, and by the way, there's a bunch of small troublemakers outside. Looks like they were drawn here because of you. Handle it."
With that, Lin Tianyi shut the door without another word.
Lin Mei let out a helpless laugh, equal parts amused and exasperated. Then again, knowing his father, this was hardly surprising.
Just as he was about to grumble some more, a sharp scent in the air made his expression turn cold.
"Ugh, these pests again."
With a flick of his wrist, Lin Mei sent his suitcase flying upstairs with magic. Then, without hesitation, he turned and started walking toward a parked car about 200 meters away, prepared to deal with the unwelcome visitors lurking in the shadows.