Madman Lin, Master Lin

Five Years Later.

Yelin Junior Soul Master Academy, Work-Study Dormitory.

Lin Hanye, seated cross-legged on his bed, slowly opened his eyes, unable to hide the joy on his face.

"Phew, I finally cultivated to Level 10."

Five years had passed, and Lin Hanye's soul power had finally increased to Level 10.

For someone with only Innate Soul Power Half Level, such speed was truly unimaginable.

Yelin City was a major city, and the vast majority of students at the junior soul master academy were nobles.

Even so, fewer than twenty sixth grade students in all of Yelin City had broken through to Level 10.

Moreover, all of them generally possessed Innate Soul Power of Level 3 or higher.

The reason Lin Hanye had been able to break through so quickly was not only because Whale Rubber had increased his soul power by two levels.

It also had much to do with his daily grueling training.

After consuming Whale Rubber, besides increasing the difficulty and volume of his training on top of his original daily routine of "Run Ten Kilometers, One Hundred Push-ups, One Hundred Sit-ups, and One Hundred Squats," he had also found another path by learning "Tree Climbing" and "Water Walking" from the Naruto World.

At first, he failed countless times, ending up bruised and battered each time, or becoming a Drowned Rat.

Because of this, he was often mocked by his dormmates.

But gradually, he began to grasp the trick. He could now attach soul power to his feet and adhere to Large Trees and the surface of water.

By now, he could walk on Large Trees, walls, and lake surfaces as if on level ground.

Not only that, he often sparred in actual combat with teachers skilled in battle at the academy.

Although he was beaten badly every time, he could clearly feel himself growing stronger bit by bit.

The academy students did not understand his habit of seeking beatings, and gradually, Lin Hanye was given the nickname Madman Lin at Yelin Junior Soul Master Academy.

Of course, they only called him that in private. After enduring so many beatings, Lin Hanye's hand-to-hand combat ability had long surpassed that of his peers at the academy by a great margin.

Even the dozen or so sixth grade students who had obtained soul rings did not dare provoke him lightly.

After all, the title Madman Lin had not been given for nothing.

When he fought, he truly risked his life, and his speed was incredibly swift.

Whenever they dueled, before they could even unleash their soul skills or even their martial souls, his fists were already swinging at them.

Besides cultivating, Lin Hanye had not neglected his studies in Soul Master Theory.

As an outstanding young man of the twenty-first century in his Previous Life, Lin Hanye understood the importance of information all too well.

Although he possessed a transmigrator's foreknowledge, the knowledge he had learned about martial souls and Soul Beasts from the Original Work's novels and anime was extremely one-sided.

If he wanted to learn more, he had to study deeply.

At this time, the Soul Master Theory knowledge left behind by his father proved to be a tremendous help.

Influenced by those books, combined with Yelin Academy's collection of books and a transmigrator's foreknowledge, Lin Hanye's theoretical knowledge quickly surpassed that of every teacher at the academy.

Many students and even academy teachers came to seek his advice.

And every time, based on Lin Hanye's recommendations, they were able to hunt suitable soul rings for themselves.

Gradually, more and more students and even teachers came to consult him about martial souls and Soul Beasts.

In his spare time from cultivation, Lin Hanye welcomed everyone who came. He never hesitated to answer the questions of those students and teachers.

As time passed, the title "Madman Lin" at Yelin Soul Master Academy was gradually replaced by "Master Lin."

He earned the respect of the teachers and students of Yelin Academy.

Everyone believed that the reason Lin Hanye, with Innate Soul Power Half Level, advanced no slower than those with Innate Soul Power of Level 3 was entirely due to putting his own theories into practice.

"Level 10. I can finally obtain a soul ring."

A strange gleam flickered in Lin Hanye's eyes.

After cultivating for these past years, he understood his own cultivation talent all too well. If he followed the usual path step by step, then his future achievements would definitely be limited.

Even if he obtained Immortal Herbs, cultivating to the rank of Titled Douluo in the future would basically be his limit.

In this world where talent and background determined everything, if he wanted to transcend it and truly take control of his own fate, then having a Golden Finger and not using it would make him a complete Big Unlucky One—and an idiot.

Having made up his mind, Lin Hanye made some preparations that very day before seeking out the academy's Dean of Students.

"Master Lin, good morning. What brings you here today?"

The Dean of Students at Yelin Junior Soul Master Academy was a refined-looking middle-aged man named Niu Jin. His martial soul was the Green Ox, and he was a Level 32 Assault System Battle Soul Elder. When he obtained his Third Soul Ring two years ago, he had even sought Lin Hanye's advice.

Thus, the two had a fairly good relationship.

Lin Hanye smiled awkwardly. "What Master? Director Niu, please don't tease me. Just call me Little Lin. I'm not some master either. I came this time because I'd like to ask for your help in hunting my First Soul Ring."

"What Soul Beast are you planning to hunt?"

Niu Jin nodded slightly. He was not surprised that Lin Hanye, with only half a level of Innate Soul Power, had broken through to Level 10 so quickly.

After all, the other party was Yelin City's publicly acknowledged "Theoretical Master." His soul power had already reached Level 9 last year.

Lin Hanye said, "I want to hunt a hundred-year Ice Bamboo."

The moment he said this, Niu Jin's expression immediately turned serious. Frowning, he said, "There aren't any of those in the Soul Hunting Forest near Yelin City. You'd have to go to the Frost Forest, a thousand li from the academy. And even if we find one, it'll be difficult to kill. You're a Theoretical Master—you should know that although that thing cannot move, the Ice Leaves it fires can sever jade and cut gold. Once any living creature gets close, it will immediately be riddled with holes."

"Rest assured, Director Niu. I don't need your help to kill it. I only need you to lead me to the Ice Bamboo. Besides, hunting a Soul Ring does not always require force."

Lin Hanye smiled faintly, his face full of confidence.

"Fine, then. But if things don't go as planned, I can only take you to hunt other Soul Beasts. I believe there should be quite a few Ice Attribute Soul Beasts suitable for you in the Frost Forest."

Director Niu was ultimately persuaded by Lin Hanye.

Of course, if it had been anyone else, he definitely would not have agreed.

At most, he would have had an academy teacher help them hunt a ten-year Soul Beast.

Lin Hanye was different.

Although his Innate Soul Power was low, Niu Jin thought highly of his future.

He felt that Lin Hanye would definitely not remain ordinary.

Perhaps one day, he might truly break through the shackles of talent.

Early the next morning, the two prepared dry rations and water, along with a tent for camping, insect-repellent powder, and other supplies.

After renting a carriage, they finally arrived at the Frost Forest after three days of travel.

Soul Beasts like Ice Bamboo were not difficult to find.

Ice Bamboo preferred shade and generally grew near water or within narrow, deep valleys.

Led by Niu Jin, Lin Hanye searched along the outskirts of the Frost Forest. After passing several ten-year Ice Bamboos, they finally found a hundred-year Ice Bamboo near a Cold Pool.