Hearing this, Celeste realized that she'd eventually be exposed if things continued this way.
There was only one handwritten copy, and she couldn't possibly give it to Lin Tian.
After all, she still needed to study it herself.
Summoning her courage, she said seriously, "Alright, let's start with the basics..."
...
After some time, Lin Tian felt as though a new world had opened before him.
"I never knew it could be like this—the spinning windmill, the hanging man, riding the pegasus... Damn, just thinking about it gets me excited!"
"Anyway, I'm off—thanks a lot!"
This was a genuine expression of gratitude!
As he opened the door and prepared to leave, he paused to add, "Oh, and take care of your health."
"Maybe get some iron in your system."
"O-okay!"
"His Goblin Majesty is really so thoughtful."
"Be sure to come by often~"
Inside the room, Celeste was gushing nosebleeds.
Her face was flushed a fiery red, so overwhelmed that merely repeating what she'd heard nearly caused her to lose too much blood.
She lay weakly on the bed, breathing heavily.
"What... what even was all that...?"
...
Back in his quarters, Lin Tian didn't immediately share what he had learned with the others.
After all, having a meeting about such things would be awkward for everyone, especially someone like Alice, who still had her pride.
Best to save the guidance for moments when they were... in the thick of it.
But he was eager to try it out on the One-Eyed Owl—after all, she owed him a Full Moon-class magic tool, didn't she?
...
Today, Goblin King City was abuzz with excitement.
The female beastfolk and monster women were thrilled about Bill's consort selection, while the male beastfolk and monsters couldn't contain their excitement after seeing Celeste's face in person, spending extravagantly in the Succubus House.
"So this is Goblin King City?"
"It reeks of envy..."
At the city gates, a cloaked, shadowy man appeared, his twisted face reflecting his unsavory character.
This was none other than Gallows, the Demon King of Envy.
The air thick with pheromones only intensified his envy, for he had never felt the pleasure of love or desire.
Next to him, a muscular woman hefting a massive axe stepped in. "Heh, serves you right for being a madman who kills without hesitation."
"I'll go have some fun—you enjoy yourself."
This was Hir, the Demon King of Wrath.
"Lady Hir, let me join you."
Following behind was a woman with a rustic charm, Scarlett, the Demon King of Lust.
Even though Gallows had come to help her kill Lin Tian, she still found him repulsive and preferred to avoid him.
Gallows's lip twitched. "Once I've killed him, you'll have to come and serve me well... even if I can't actually do anything."
His most potent weapon was the mythic magic, Curse of Envy.
Anyone inflicted with this curse would lose anything that surpassed Gallows, whether it be money, wealth, women, health, even familial bonds and friendships.
All would be stripped away.
In his twisted reasoning, he'd even castrated himself, ensuring that his victims suffered as much as possible under the curse of envy.
"Hehehe~ I'm coming for you, Goblin King..."
Gallows slinked toward the palace.
However, he didn't dare to venture directly inside—his overall combat power was unimpressive.
His strength lay purely in his ability to kill anyone using the Curse of Envy.
The way to break the curse was straightforward—kill Gallows.
...
Nightfall came.
Lin Tian stepped out of the palace, his face flushed with satisfaction. "That... that was an experience like no other!"
"Almost makes me feel alive again!"
"I should go thank Celeste in person!"
With that, he set off toward the Succubus House.
He'd spent the entire afternoon testing out theory and practice with the One-Eyed Owl, with astonishing results, and now he felt it appropriate to personally extend his thanks.
Mostly, he wanted to foster a closer relationship with Celeste.
After all, she was a top-tier Demon King with a battle power close to 24,000, much higher than the usual 20,000 benchmark for most Demon Kings—a formidable ally.
As he walked through the streets, Lin Tian suddenly halted and spoke icily. "Come out."
"Are you looking for trouble?"
"I might just grant you a taste."
It was obvious to him that someone was following.
In reality, he planned to lure them out to kill them.
Gallows stepped out from the shadows, his creepy, twisted gaze repulsively unsettling as he responded, "R-really?"
Swish!
In a flash, a blood spear materialized, poised barely an inch from Gallows's heart.
Lin Tian glared, his voice laden with threat. "Following me... are you tired of living?"
"State your intentions, and maybe I'll spare your life."
Of course, he merely wanted information before killing him.
However, the instant he saw Gallows's revolting expression and eyes, a wave of intense disgust overwhelmed him.
Too revolting and disgusting!
As a goblin, Lin Tian didn't want to judge others based on appearance.
But at this moment, he couldn't help thinking: this guy was hideous and sleazy as hell!
An overwhelming sense of disgust emanated from Gallows, as if he were on par with the likes of Mon-chan.
With one swift kick, Lin Tian sent him flying several hundred meters. "Get lost!"
"Your face offends me!"
The blood spear hadn't yet been consecrated by killing anyone.
If it were used to kill this wretch, it'd probably never be the same again.
So he opted for a kick instead—whether Gallows lived or died would be up to his own luck.
Boom!
Lin Tian's powerful kick sent Gallows crashing through a stone statue, which shattered into pieces upon impact.
Amidst the dust and rubble, Gallows let out a sinister chuckle. "Hehehe, I'll make sure you die a miserable death, goblin!"
A mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips as he spoke, and several of his bones had snapped.
Yet a twisted sense of satisfaction remained on his face.
The Curse of Envy had already been cast.
Now all Gallows needed was to hide and wait for Lin Tian's demise.
On the way back, Lin Tian's pupils darkened slightly, unknowingly marked by the black runic pattern of a magical curse—proof he'd been afflicted by the Curse of Envy.
Within three days, he'd lose everything he held dear, just like Gallows.
"Ugh, whatever."
"It's late; I'll save my thanks for another time."
He decided to head back and find someone else to share his newly acquired "theoretical knowledge."
With that thought, he went straight to Gobu Yue.
...
The next morning.
Gobu Yue was still sound asleep in Lin Tian's arms when the voice of the One-Eyed Owl cut through the quiet.
"Hey, kid!"
"I've decided to go out on a journey to train and hone my strength."
"That's it—goodbye!"
Her tone left no room for discussion.
This wasn't a request; it was a farewell.
Alongside her were Grugia, Osius, and the other members of the Dragon Slayer Guild. "We'll be following the boss on her journey."
"Take care, Brother Tian!"
"Farewell until we meet again!"
Lin Tian sat up in bed, baffled, still half-asleep.
He hadn't expected the One-Eyed Owl and her group to just leave like that, to set off on some journey.
It felt surreal.
Only after he got out of bed and fully gathered his senses did he realize they were actually gone.
Sitting alone in the grand hall, he sighed, "I suppose they'll be back soon enough... though, what's with the 'farewell until we meet again' bit?"
If they didn't return, it would indeed be a significant loss.
After all, he had long considered them friends after all this time together.
Their sudden departure left him with a hollow feeling, a sense of disbelief that he struggled to shake.