This is eight years old? [Seeking follow-up reading!]

After repeated experiments by the two, Liu Yanchi finally reached a conclusion.

That conclusion was that Lu Lin's first Soul Skill, a group amplification Soul Skill called Blazing Lotus Domain, seemed to possess "absolute" characteristics.

The word "seemed" was used because Liu Yanchi couldn't be completely certain yet.

But at least, for him, a four-ring Soul Ancestor, the amplification effect of Lu Lin's Soul Skill was very real.

If this hypothesis held true.

Then let alone him, even a Titled Douluo-level expert would receive a stable 10% attack power boost as long as they stood within Lu Lin's Soul Skill's area.

Was this a Soul Skill that a six-hundred-year Soul Ring could provide?

Liu Yanchi was utterly perplexed.

After all, in his opinion, Lu Lin's Martial Soul's quality wasn't outstanding.

Furthermore, for fire-attribute Soul Masters, this amplification effect would increase by another 5%.

In other words, Lu Lin's self-amplification would reach an astonishing 15%.

Simultaneously, within Lu Lin's Soul Skill's area, abnormal status effects caused by water or ice attributes could be suppressed.

Undoubtedly, this was an extremely excellent amplification Soul Skill.

But was this Soul Skill truly his?

Sigh, he couldn't figure it out.

This kid, he really couldn't figure him out.

Liu Yanchi had felt a sense of frustration with Lu Lin more than once.

Liu Yanchi shook his head and looked at Lu Lin:

"Are you planning to apply to Shrek Academy?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Lin nodded and frankly admitted, "I do have that intention, Teacher Liu."

Liu Yanchi thought, as expected.

Ever since Lu Lin enrolled, seeing how desperately he cultivated, combined with his background, Liu Yanchi had already had this suspicion.

After all, Shrek Academy was the continent's foremost power against Evil Soul Masters, bar none.

Now, this suspicion had merely been confirmed by Lu Lin himself.

However, initially, Liu Yanchi hadn't been optimistic about Lu Lin's chances of getting into Shrek Academy.

Now, it seemed he was being proven wrong.

Good thing no one else knows...

Liu Yanchi muttered to himself:

"Since you've decided to go to Shrek Academy, you must always remember one thing."

"Shrek's Outer Court does not represent the true Shrek."

"As for why, you'll know when you get there."

Lu Lin was slightly taken aback.

This was the first time in many years that he had seen such an expression on Liu Yanchi's face.

However, Lu Lin had always known what Liu Yanchi was talking about.

Shrek's Outer Court was merely established because Shrek was forced to by the three Douluo Kingdoms.

To put it bluntly, Shrek's Outer Court was more like a place for aristocratic disciples to polish their reputations.

It would never be truly valued by the people of Shrek.

Otherwise, why would the admission standards for the Outer Court be so low?

"Thank you, Teacher Liu."

Lu Lin looked up at Liu Yanchi and said sincerely.

Seeing that Lu Lin had taken his words to heart, a faint smile appeared on Liu Yanchi's face.

I hope Lu Lin won't repeat my mistakes and can successfully graduate from the Outer Court.

As for Lu Lin truly entering the Inner Court one day, Liu Yanchi still wasn't optimistic.

"Oh, right, here's this back to you."

As Liu Yanchi spoke, the ring on his left ring finger flashed faintly, and a small cloth bag appeared in his hand.

Lu Lin was stunned.

Because this cloth bag was exactly the payment he had given Liu Yanchi for hunting souls.

"Teacher Liu, this was originally yours."

Lu Lin almost shook his head like a rattle drum.

"Heh heh, if you don't take it back, then Teacher will go back alone, okay?"

Liu Yanchi said with amusement, as if talking to a child.

He had always felt Lu Lin was too precocious, not at all like a child, and now he had a rare opportunity to tease him.

Lu Lin's mouth twitched slightly.

Liu Yanchi is resorting to this too?

Several days later, the two returned to Frostwind City.

After being away for a few days, seeing this familiar city, Lu Lin couldn't help but feel a sense of closeness.

The village where he was born in this life had already been destroyed by Evil Soul Masters.

Frostwind City was naturally considered his home in this life—he grew up in the orphanage until he was six, but he didn't feel any sense of belonging.

Perhaps in the eyes of the other orphans, he was like a jinx, someone to be avoided at all costs.

In short, no one wanted to bother with him.

However, strictly speaking, it was Lu Lin who had actively isolated them.

What made him feel close was actually the city itself.

Home is where the heart finds peace.

But in the future, he probably wouldn't have much time to return to Frostwind City.

It was like when he was away at university in his previous life, having to find part-time jobs during winter and summer breaks, only able to go home once or twice a year.

"Are you going back to the academy, or to the blacksmith shop?"

Liu Yanchi looked at Lu Lin and said plainly.

It had taken them about three to four days to travel back.

The fare for the return trip was paid by him, at Lu Lin's insistence—the reward he had given Teacher Liu had, in a roundabout way, returned to his hands.

He could only see if there would be an opportunity in the future to repay Liu Yanchi.

Lu Lin turned his head to look at Liu Yanchi:

"Teacher, I plan to go back to the blacksmith shop first."

"The blacksmith shop?"

Liu Yanchi thought for a moment: "I'll go with you."

He wanted to see how this kid had managed at the blacksmith shop.

To think his body had been strengthened to the point where he could absorb Soul Rings beyond his level?

Was he treating his body like iron to be hammered?

He hadn't set foot there since bringing Lu Lin to Zhao Shiyan two years ago.

On one hand, he trusted Zhao Shiyan to take good care of Lu Lin, and on the other hand, he genuinely didn't need weapons or anything similar.

Yet Lu Lin had given him such a surprise.

"Alright."

Lu Lin said. It wasn't anything shameful, so there was no reason to object.

His main reason for going back was to see if he could independently complete Hundred Forgings now that he had acquired a Soul Ring, and truly step onto the threshold of being a Forgemaster.

To Lu Lin's surprise, there were an unusual number of people at the Giant Rock Blacksmith Shop today.

Not only Zhao Shiyan.

There were also two Soul Masters looking to buy Hundred Forgings Mysterious Iron from Zhao Shiyan, and the chubby kid who was with them, Yao Yue.

As soon as Yao Yue saw Lu Lin and Liu Yanchi arriving together, his eyes lit up.

He trotted over to the two, first respectfully greeted Liu Yanchi, then ran up to Lu Lin, putting an arm around Lu Lin's shoulder and shaking him, his expression excited:

"Lu Lin, are you a Soul Master now?"

As Lu Lin's roommate, Yao Xiaopang naturally knew what he had taken leave for.

"Yes, I was lucky enough to absorb a Soul Ring. By the way, why are you here?"

Lu Lin felt dizzy from Yao Yue's shaking and couldn't take it, so he quickly stepped back a few paces to create some distance.

Two years had passed, and Yao Xiaopang was still half a head taller than Lu Lin, but his physique remained round and chubby, quite comical.

However, his Soul Power Level was currently only 7, and it would likely take him another year or so to break through to level 10.

"Teacher brought me here to pick up some Hundred Forgings Azure Iron."

Yao Yue replied truthfully.

A flicker of surprise flashed in Xu Ting's eyes.

He had an impression of this child named Lu Lin, and knew he was an apprentice at this blacksmith shop.

It was only enough to leave a slight impression.

He naturally wouldn't pay much attention to an apprentice.

Now, learning from Yao Yue's conversation that he had already acquired a Soul Ring, he felt a jolt of surprise.

An eight-year-old Soul Master was rare, not just in Frostwind City, but on the entire continent.

Furthermore, with Liu Yanchi accompanying him, it seemed this child's talent was not low, and his Innate Soul Power should be at least level six.

As for why he was so sure Lu Lin was eight years old... it wasn't like he didn't know Yao Xiaopang's age.

Xu Ting had already walked up to Liu Yanchi, exchanging pleasantries about not seeing each other for a long time.

Liu Yanchi, of course, wouldn't refuse a Soul Mentor. The two began a desultory conversation.

This left Yao Xiaopang feeling a bit awkward. He could only scratch his head and quietly walk to the other side, leaving the space to his two teachers.

Lu Lin walked over to Zhao Shiyan's side. "Master Zhao, I'm back."

Zhao Shiyan was completely open with Lu Lin. Though they didn't have the formal title of master and disciple, their relationship was that of one.

In Lu Lin's heart, Zhao Shiyan held an even higher position than Liu Yanchi.

Zhao Shiyan nodded, his expression still blank, showing no hint of emotion:

"Perfect timing. You forge the Hundred Forgings Azure Iron that Master Xu wants."

"Okay."

Lu Lin nodded and agreed immediately.

Xu Ting was slightly taken aback when he heard Zhao Shiyan wanted Lu Lin to do the forging.

Have an eight-year-old forge Hundred Forgings?

Wasn't that ridiculous?

Xu Ting frowned slightly.

He glanced at Liu Yanchi out of the corner of his eye and saw a similar expression on his face.

His heart stirred, and he didn't speak.

Instead, he focused his gaze on Lu Lin, who stood before the forging table, intending to see if this kid could truly complete the Hundred Forgings metal.

Zhao Shiyan handed Lu Lin a piece of Azure Iron he had selected, then walked to the other side, leaving Lu Lin ample space.

Lu Lin, with practiced ease, heated the Azure Iron, clamped it out with tongs, and placed it on the anvil.

Then, he took a deep breath, gripped the enormous forging hammer with one hand, and brought it down with a mighty swing—

Clang—

Xu Ting's eyelids twitched. Why did this scene look so incongruous?

Lu Lin's frame was slender. Judging by his appearance, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he couldn't even lift a chicken.

However, this was only the beginning.

The hammer fell, without a moment's pause.

Like a storm, the forging hammer in Lu Lin's hand danced, each strike falling faster than the last onto the Azure Iron. His movements were incredibly rough.

It was completely at odds with his delicate appearance.

The more Xu Ting watched, the more shocked he became. This was an eight-year-old!!!