Returning to the Village

For some reason, the thought of going to the Extreme North Land grew stronger and stronger in Jiang Zhen's heart.

Even in his dreams these past few nights, he would occasionally hear several faint, ethereal voices.

"Come... come here..."

Whenever he heard that voice, he would dream of a massive, narrow Ice Crevice.

Thus, Jiang Zhen decided to make a trip to the Extreme North Land.

He would also bring Ah Yin along and take the opportunity to show her the world outside.

But before that, he should return to Xi Nan Village for a look.

Ever since he awakened his Martial Soul and left, he had never gone back.

Several days later, Jiang Zhen arrived at Xi Nan Village outside Nuoding City, leading Ah Yin by the hand as she curiously surveyed everything around her.

The Old Sophora Tree at the village entrance remained lush and flourishing. Yet when the villagers beneath it saw the two approaching, they could not help stopping their work, their eyes filled with astonishment and unfamiliarity.

The youth in front stood tall and straight, nearly 1.7 meters in height, far exceeding others his age.

His long water blue hair flowed like rippling waves, making him especially eye-catching.

Even more unusual were the two strands of sky blue hair at his temples, which curled backward from his tied hair.

His bangs fell naturally, concealing a deep blue highlight beneath them that added a touch of unruliness.

He wore a white-and-blue Jing Suit. The fabric appeared ordinary, yet with every step, it gleamed faintly like rippling water.

What people found hardest to look directly at were his eyes—long and slightly upturned, their sky blue irises as clear as the purest glacial lake. When his gaze shifted, it carried a tranquil, profound calm that seemed detached from the world.

Beside him followed a little girl of around eight, as though she had stepped out of a painting.

A blue-gold long dress wrapped around her petite frame. Its skirt hem was uniquely styled, with golden ribbons surrounding it that fluttered without wind, flowing with a faint radiance.

Her features were so exquisite that she scarcely seemed human. Her deep blue eyes resembled flawless blue crystals, pure and translucent, carrying a trace of innocent bewilderment and curiosity toward the world.

A natural yet noble elegance rippled around her, accompanied by a faint, refreshing fragrance. It was as though even the earth around her had come alive because of her presence.

"Such... such a beautiful little girl..."

"Who's that young man? He looks a little familiar."

"Is... is that Kid Jiang Zhen?!"

At last, a sharp-eyed elder recognized that face. Though it had changed greatly, its outline remained the same, and he cried out in shock.

The villagers immediately erupted in commotion. None of them could connect the handsome youth before them, with his extraordinary bearing and unusual hair color, to the scrawny boy who had lived on handouts from the village three years ago.

Jiang Zhen smiled and nodded at the elder who had recognized him, exchanged a few pleasantries, then led Ah Yin straight toward Village Chief Grandpa Liu's house.

The moment they reached the doorway, the courtyard gate creaked open. Grandpa Liu came out upon hearing the sound. When he saw Jiang Zhen, he froze for a moment before his aged face broke into a broad smile.

Especially after sensing the unfathomable fluctuations of Soul Power from Jiang Zhen, he became so excited that he hardly knew what to do with himself.

"Xiao Zhen? It really is you! Good kid, this change... You've become a Soul Grandmaster?"

Grandpa Liu's voice trembled with immense comfort and delight.

"Grandpa Liu."

Jiang Zhen respectfully bowed, handing the old man several boxes of delicate pastries and some practical bolts of cloth. "I'm preparing to travel for a while, so I came back specially to visit you and everyone else."

At that moment, a sturdy figure came running from the village after hearing the news. It was Zhao Hu.

He had grown even more robust than a year ago. Much of the childishness had faded from his face, replaced by a greater sense of resolve.

The instant he saw Jiang Zhen, his eyes lit up. He hurried forward. "Brother Jiang Zhen! You're back!"

"Mm, I came back for a visit."

Jiang Zhen sensed Zhao Hu's aura and nodded slightly. "At the peak of Level Nine already? Not bad progress."

Zhao Hu scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed but unable to hide his pride. "It's all thanks to the pills and advice Brother Jiang Zhen gave me. I haven't dared slack off for even a day! It's just... I've been stuck on this last level for nearly a month..."

Upon hearing that, Jiang Zhen first had Ah Yin go look around, then went with Zhao Hu to his home.

He had him prepare a barrel of cold water.

Jiang Zhen then took a small jade box from his Storage Ring. When he opened it, there was a small, cut piece of gelatinous substance inside, giving off a faint golden glow and a fishy smell.

"This is Thousand-Year Whale Jelly. It should be enough to help you break through your bottleneck. Enter the water after taking it, and I'll stand guard for you."

Zhao Hu had complete faith in Jiang Zhen's words. He accepted the whale jelly and swallowed it immediately.

Vast energy spread through his body. Jiang Zhen pressed one hand lightly against his back, sending in a strand of pure Profound Water Soul Power to sort through and guide that energy.

In less than half an hour, the fluctuations of Soul Power around Zhao Hu abruptly intensified. He suddenly opened his eyes and exclaimed in wild joy, "I broke through! Brother Jiang Zhen, I'm Level Ten!"

"Mm, not bad."

Jiang Zhen withdrew his hand. "Since you're already Level Ten, we may as well obtain your first Spirit Ring. There should be suitable Soul Beasts in the Soul Hunting Forest outside Nuoding City."

With that, he looked toward Grandpa Liu and several village elders who had gathered after hearing the news. "Elders, this journey of mine may take quite some time. If the village encounters any difficulties, go to the Clear Spring Chamber of Commerce in Nuoding City and seek a steward surnamed Li. He will help you."

Before leaving Nuoding City, he had quietly used Gold Soul Coins to establish a small business. It could also serve as a way out for the village.

Hearing this, everyone was even more grateful.

Jiang Zhen did not delay any longer. He once again headed for the Soul Hunting Forest outside Nuoding City, bringing along the wildly excited Zhao Hu and the ever-curious Ah Yin.

With Jiang Zhen, whose true strength far exceeded his apparent level, holding the fort, the entire process went incredibly smoothly.

Relying on his powerful spiritual perception, they soon found a Diamond Wolf with a cultivation of roughly seven hundred and thirty years, a ferocious temperament, and exceptional defenses.

Jiang Zhen barely needed to act. He merely condensed water to slightly restrict the Diamond Wolf's movements, then formed several water blades and knocked it down.

Then he shouted to Zhao Hu, "Its weakness is its waist and abdomen! Use your Iron Sword, pour all your Soul Power into it, and give it the final blow!"

Zhao Hu let out a roar. His Iron Sword Martial Soul possessed him, and he thrust out with all his strength, striking the Diamond Wolf precisely in the vulnerable area of its waist and abdomen and successfully killing it.

A bright yellow Spirit Ring slowly rose up.

Under Jiang Zhen's protection, Zhao Hu smoothly absorbed this Spirit Ring that exceeded the usual Age limit. His Soul Power stabilized at level twelve, and he gained a rather impressive attack Spirit Skill—Diamond Stab—which could greatly enhance the piercing power and destructive force of his next slash.

At the entrance to Xi Nan Village, Jiang Zhen bid farewell to Grandpa Liu, Zhao Hu, and the villagers who had come to see him off.

"Brother Jiang Zhen, go out there without worry! I'll watch over the village! I'll definitely become a powerful Spirit Master, and someday... someday I'll repay you!" Zhao Hu clenched his fists, his gaze incomparably resolute.

Jiang Zhen smiled and patted him on the shoulder. He then nodded to Grandpa Liu and the villagers before finally taking Ah Yin's hand.

"Let's go."