Undercurrents Before Departure

Grandmaster's invitation was like a massive boulder thrown into the once-calm lake of Lin Kun's heart, stirring up wave after wave.

Spirit Hunting Forest! It was a place where genuine danger and opportunity coexisted. For Lin Kun, whose Soul Power was only level 3—having just broken through—it was no different from a child entering a beast's den. But it was also an excellent opportunity—to observe Tang San obtaining his first Spirit Ring up close, record a wealth of precious firsthand Spirit Beast data for his Book Spirit, and perhaps even trigger a system mission to earn valuable points.

Risk and reward went hand in hand. Lin Kun chose to accept with almost no hesitation. In this world, if he wanted to survive and grow stronger, he could not fear risks.

Over the next two days, Lin Kun cultivated even more desperately. He used every spare moment to meditate, striving to stabilize his level 3 Soul Power while attempting to control that meager power with greater precision. At the same time, he practically lived in the library, frantically consulting every book related to Spirit Hunting Forest—Common Spirit Beast Illustrated Guide of Spirit Hunting Forest, Analysis of Spirit Beast Habits, Field Survival Precautions, and so on.

He no longer relied solely on his vague memories of the original work. Instead, he armed himself with this world's knowledge. The Book Spirit faithfully recorded everything. Although parsing higher-level information remained slow, its recording and analysis speed had visibly increased when it came to ten-year Spirit Beasts and common plants. The crystal of light flickered from time to time, feeding him fragments of information such as, "Ghost Vine, fears fire," and "Solitary Bamboo, tough, slow."

Ding! Detected that the host is proactively stockpiling knowledge and actively preparing for upcoming plot developments. Side mission triggered: Observer of Spirit Hunting Forest. Mission requirement: Successfully record and analyze detailed information on ten different Spirit Beasts within Spirit Hunting Forest (must exceed the Insight Skill's basic information). Mission reward: 50 Plot Breakdown Points, slight increase in Mental Power. Failure penalty: None.

Just as expected! Lin Kun's spirits lifted. Fifty points was not much, but even a mosquito's leg was still meat. More importantly, the increase in Mental Power was crucial for his use of Insight Skill and Spirit Shock.

On the night before departure, the atmosphere in Seventh Dormitory was somewhat subtle.

Tang San silently checked his equipment. Several small throwing knives had been polished to a brilliant shine, and his gaze was focused and calm. He knew the importance of this hunt—it was a crucial step in proving his teacher's theory.

Xiao Wu circled Tang San, her little face full of excitement and a trace of worry. "Little San, you have to be careful! I heard there are lots of powerful Spirit Beasts in Spirit Hunting Forest! But you'll definitely be fine!" She had blind confidence in Tang San.

Then, as if only just remembering something, she skipped over to Lin Kun's bed and planted her hands on her hips. "Hey, Lin Kun, you're going too? With Soul Power as low as yours, won't you just hold everyone back? Don't wet your pants from fright when the time comes and make Little San protect you!"

Her tone carried its usual spoiled arrogance, yet Lin Kun detected an extremely subtle, different emotion within it. Did she not want him to take the risk? Or... did she not want him to be alone with Tang San?

Lin Kun opened his eyes from meditation and smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Sister Xiao Wu. I'll stay close to Grandmaster and Tang San and try not to cause any trouble. I'm mainly going to broaden my horizons."

"Wh-who's worried about you?!" Xiao Wu's face reddened. She snorted and turned her head away. "I'm afraid you'll hold Little San back! Hmph!" With that, she ran back to Tang San and began whispering to him again.

Tang San looked up and glanced at Lin Kun, his gaze calm. "Spirit Hunting Forest isn't a place for sightseeing. Stay close to Teacher. Don't act on your own."

"I understand." Lin Kun nodded. He could tell Tang San meant it. Though it might mainly have been for the sake of Grandmaster's plan proceeding smoothly, there was at least a hint of warning in it. Was it because they came from the same village? Or because he had been sufficiently low-key and hardworking lately?

Wang Sheng and the other work-study students also gathered around, chattering out their envy and reminders. They all knew the dangers of Spirit Hunting Forest and longed to obtain Spirit Rings of their own, but they were still filled with envy that Lin Kun could go and see it in advance.

Late at night, after everyone had gone to sleep.

Lin Kun silently took out the one-time item rewarded by the system—Imposter's Mask. It was a strange, nearly transparent membrane as thin as a cicada's wing, cool to the touch.

"Grandmaster will definitely have Tang San display his Spirit Ring at the appropriate time in Spirit Hunting Forest. Won't I, someone with 'First-level Spirit Power,' stand out too much by following along?" Lin Kun pondered carefully. "What if... I could also 'have' a Spirit Ring? Even if it only looks like I do?"

A bold plan took shape in his mind.

He carefully recalled Grandmaster's description of Spirit Ring manifestation in the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, then focused his mind and guided Imposter's Mask.

"Simulate: ten-year Spirit Ring, white."

At a thought, the transparent membrane silently merged into his palm and vanished. Yet Lin Kun could feel that whenever he needed it, with a single thought, he could simulate a standard white ten-year Spirit Ring around his body! It would last ten minutes, have no Spirit Skill effect whatsoever, and was purely for appearances.

"At a critical moment, it might be useful... At the very least, it can reduce some unnecessary attention and suspicion." Lin Kun felt slightly more at ease. This was one of the few trump cards he could think of preparing in advance.

He checked the system space again. He would leave the 130 points untouched for now. Spirit Shock had finished cooling down, but he did not dare use it carelessly. Insight Skill could be used frequently, but he had to watch his Mental Power consumption.

Everything was ready.

Lin Kun closed his eyes and forced himself into a meditative state, conserving his energy for tomorrow's journey.

He knew that the moment he stepped out of Nuoding Academy, the real test would begin. He had to be extremely careful, as if walking on thin ice.