"Thank you for saving Uma, respected powerhouse!"
Compared to the young female of the alien race, the other two Single-Horned ones immediately stepped forward, placing their right hands over their chests in a peculiar gesture of salute.
"May we ask the powerhouse's name?"
From the eyes of these two Single-Horned ones, Leilin detected a well-concealed probing gaze, tinged even with a hint of suspicion. But he had already prepared his response long ago.
"I am Lei of the Winged People! I'm traveling and gathering material for my stories. You don't need to thank me—it was the great Will of the Lava that orchestrated everything..."
Thanks to the memories he had obtained from that Single-Horned one, Leilin now spoke as though he were a native of the Lava World, without the slightest flaw.
Moreover, the so-called Winged People served as the cover identity he had chosen for himself.
Through the other party's memories, he had discovered that all the alien races in the Lava World looked drastically different from ordinary humans, with only the Winged People bearing a passing resemblance. As for the wings? With a Morning Star wizard's magical expertise, conjuring up a pair of wings was laughably simple.
"So it's a friend of the Winged People! Welcome to the Land of Flame and Thorns!"
The Winged People were among the very few peaceful races in the Lava World. They lived scattered across its various corners, maintaining no entanglements with the other major powers. Though the two Single-Horned ones had not fully let their guard down, much of their wariness had dissipated, and they began enthusiastically inviting Leilin to a nearby city to rest and recuperate.
Leilin, who had his own agenda, politely declined at first before readily agreeing.
The two delighted Single-Horned ones immediately ordered materials to be gathered on the spot, throwing a banquet in Leilin's honor.
What surprised Leilin somewhat was that what they ate today was none other than that lava worm.
He had to admit, once he suppressed his revulsion and put the worm meat into his mouth, the terrible taste he had anticipated did not materialize. The flesh actually resembled chicken more than anything, with an added sweetness from its juices—a rare delicacy.
In the Lava World, food that contained a large amount of moisture was the highest-grade ingredient of all!
"Lord Lei! Thank you! And also..."
Uma turned to Leilin with her gratitude, handing him a large chunk of worm meat. There was a hopeful note in her voice.
"What is it?" Leilin replied with some amusement.
"Can I... can I see your... wings? I heard that the wings of the Winged People are the most beautiful things in the world!" Uma's eyes shone with admiration, which left Leilin not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"The most beautiful? I'm afraid our Winged People can't claim that title! But I can grant your request!"
Leilin nodded—whether this was pure childish fantasy or a deliberate probe by someone else—and gestured for her to watch.
When he stood up—crack! crack!—the clothes on his back split apart, revealing a pair of enormous, snow-white wings. Spread wide, the two wings spanned a full four or five meters, enveloping Leilin in their center like the feathers of an angel. Along the edges of the fine, white plumage shimmered threads of golden light.
"With this appearance, I could pass for an angel in my previous life..." Leilin thought with amusement, and at the same time noticed the stunned expressions on the faces of the other two Single-Horned ones standing behind the adoring Uma.
From their earlier conversation, Leilin knew that one was named Wu'erke and the other Wubo'er. Both belonged to the Wu Clan—the largest Single-Horned tribe in the vicinity. This outing was meant to complete the coming-of-age ceremony for several of their younger members.
In the Lava World, every adult Single-Horned one was required to hunt and kill a prey on their own, as proof of their maturity.
It was just their bad luck—or perhaps some hidden sabotage—that they had encountered a lava worm, and one in a berserk state at that. Had Leilin not intervened, the entire group would likely have been wiped out right then and there.
"Mr. Lei, you said you were a traveler before—could you tell me stories about other places?"
Uma rested her chin in both hands and leaned directly in front of Leilin, looking every bit the curious child.
Paired with her nearly three-meter-tall frame and her horn, this appearance—which would have reduced most children in his previous life to tears—created an almost comical contrast.
"Well now, hold on a moment. I'd like to have a word with your two uncles first!"
Leilin smiled. Everything he currently knew came from that unfortunate deceased. If they asked about anything else, he'd give himself away, so he immediately changed the subject.
"All right! Uma! Go to sleep now. We still have some matters to discuss with Mr. Lei!"
Wu'erke stepped forward, sending the pouting Uma away, and gave Leilin an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that, Mr. Lei! She's still just a child!"
"I bear no grudge against her," Leilin said, shaking his head. The light in his eyes made the two Single-Horned ones across from him unable to meet his gaze. "It's just... what exactly is the purpose behind your probing?"
"There's nothing we can hide from you, sir." Wu'erke and Wubo'er exchanged a look and both smiled ruefully.