Bond Level Increased! Di Tian Prepares to Strike [Seeking Follow-up Reads]

"Your talent could still see further improvement. Take this herb; I hope it can lend you a hand."

Lu Li said with a calm expression and a smile.

The talent of the person before him was truly a pity; this was someone who had been stuck at the Soul Emperor realm for six or seven years, yet would still reach the level of a Super Douluo over a decade later.

Although not quite his equal, the talent was still illustrious.

Even if the system hadn't rewarded him with this Mysterious Ice Grass, he would have still sought out rare treasures to mend his friend's talent, not only out of regard for their friendship but also to act as an investor in his potential.

"Brother Lu Li, this is too valuable."

"I cannot accept it."

Wu Changkong struggled to tear his gaze away from the Mysterious Ice Grass, then took a deep breath and said firmly.

He certainly knew the value of this rare treasure.

He was even more aware of how important it was to him.

As long as he refined and absorbed it, he would absolutely be able to completely heal the hidden injuries within his body, and his cultivation might even climb to a higher level.

But he could not accept it.

One should not receive rewards without merit. He was very grateful that Lu Li would offer him such a gift, but he absolutely could not take it; to accept it would be the greatest disrespect to this friend.

"..."

Lu Li didn't speak, just watched him silently.

"Brother Lu Li, please have some self-respect."

Wu Changkong wore a helpless expression, his heart torn between a strong desire for the treasure and the refusal to take it, as he said solemnly.

Self-respect?

"If you can beat me."

"Then I'll have self-respect."

A smile curled on Lu Li's face as he said indifferently.

Sorry, Changkong, I've stolen this line of yours.

"..."

Wu Changkong stood frozen, his cold eyes filled with bewilderment; how could these words have come out of the other man's mouth?

Wasn't this supposed to be his line?

"In any case."

"If you still consider me a friend, take it."

"Hmm..."

"Thanks, Lu Li."

Seeing that there was no room for negotiation, Wu Changkong took a deep breath and accepted the spirit herb, feeling the weight in his hand as if it were a thousand pounds.

"Later, I will return something of equal value to you. I won't let you pay for this in vain..."

He added.

"We're brothers, saying things like that makes it distant."

Lu Li shook his head.

"Hmm... alright, brother."

Wu Changkong gave a gentle smile and patted the other man on the shoulder.

"Oh? Finally not keeping a straight face? Even though you're a cold and arrogant god, you're more human when you smile more."

Lu Li glanced at him in surprise and chuckled.

"..."

Wu Changkong silently withdrew his smile.

"Alright, go back and absorb this spirit herb."

"Being stuck at the Soul Emperor realm, your cultivation is indeed a bit weak. Becoming a Soul Saint and pairing it with your Two-Word Battle Armor is when you truly step into the ranks of the strong."

"For your future, this rare treasure will still serve as the icing on the cake."

"Continue moving forward toward the direction of a Limit Douluo."

Lu Li looked at him with approval once more and spoke truthfully.

"You certainly think highly of me."

"I'm already twenty-seven. Is it worth it?"

Wu Changkong clearly hadn't expected the person before him to value him so much, and he said bitterly, is he worth it?

He was nothing more than a piece of trash kicked out of the Shrek inner court, while the person before him was the youngest Title Douluo...

He truly hadn't expected to be held in such high regard by a dignified Title Douluo like him.

"It's worth it."

Lu Li patted his shoulder upon hearing this.

Because he was Wu Changkong, so...

He was worth it.

"..."

A short while later, Wu Changkong didn't even know how he had walked out of Lu Li's office. With a dazed expression on his face, he stared at the precious treasures in his hands, clearly unable to fully process what had just happened.

The treasures he had dreamed of to cure his hidden injuries had just been handed to him as a gift, just like that.

"I owe you a massive favor, you guy."

"Lu Li."

He sighed, helpless.

He was clearly only a Soul Emperor, a six-ring Soul Emperor in his twenties who was three major realms weaker than the other man.

"I have never called anyone a brother, but if it's you, I think it will definitely be fine."

"Thanks, brother."

"..."

"How is this Wu Changkong..."

At this very moment, Lu Li in the office was silently staring at the data panel before him.

Because just a moment ago, Wu Changkong had actually completed a freshly minted special mission for him!

[Through long-term interaction with Teacher Wu, you have gained his deep friendship through your unique personal charm and super ability. Even though your cultivation is weak, you have become good friends with him.]

[You have become a close friend in his heart.]

[Character Bond attribute branch unlocked.]

[Ding, congratulations on becoming a close friend of Wu Changkong.]

[One new close friend added.]

[Current close friend: Wu Changkong.]

[Level 69 Assault System Battle Soul Emperor with the Sky Frost Sword martial soul. His cultivation is extremely strong and he is your future goal.]

[Bond attribute: The other party's cultivation speed increases by 20%, and their developed strength increases by 20%.]

[At the same time, before your cultivation surpasses his, you will gain a 100% additional cultivation speed, a massive cultivation bonus, and share a portion of his soul skills.]

[The effect will be synchronously upgraded once your cultivation surpasses his.]

"Bond attribute branch..."

Lu Li wore a look of surprise; he truly hadn't expected the system to have such an ability.

This meant that by establishing relationships with others, he could gain other effect boosts. He wondered what the results would be for his teacher and Nanalie...

"Why did I think of her?"

Lu Li froze, then smiled helplessly. Thinking of his teacher was only natural, but he hadn't expected Nanalie to pop into his head. It seemed love-sickness was contagious...

But then again.

Staring at the information on the data panel, Lu Li silently covered his forehead:

"System, let me ask, is there any possibility that my cultivation has already surpassed his?"

What did it mean by having an effect boost before his cultivation surpassed the other party?

[Absolutely impossible.]

The system's voice came instantly.

"What is my current cultivation?"

"Level 91 Title Douluo, one-ring Soul Master."

Lu Li: "..."

Listen to that, is that even human language?

What do you mean a Title Douluo is a one-ring Soul Master!

"System, I don't want the 100% cultivation speed anymore, 20% is fine, just give me the 20%."

Lu Li took a deep breath and asked aloud.

[Host, you will be at a disadvantage.]

[You are only a Soul Master, still five major realms away from his cultivation. You would be losing out big time.]

The system's concerned voice rang out. Even though it was still a cold, mechanical tone, the concern and intelligence were clearly audible.

Well, intelligence.

"..."

"Then let's just consider it a loss, how about that?"

Lu Li was stunned for a moment, then continued speaking.

Looking at the system's reaction, could it be that there was actually a chance?

[Detected the host's strong desire, your cultivation speed has been adjusted to fifty percent.]

[The host is truly a hero!]

[Those who value their friends should not have a bad ending. The system is deeply impressed by you, your charm has increased by one point.]

[Current charm: Extraordinary +1]

"Alright, thank you, system..."

Lu Li's expression was terrifyingly calm; this wasn't because he was aloof, but because he was struggling to hold back his excitement.

A fifty percent boost to cultivation speed! For a Title Douluo, the implications of this were self-evident.

[You are welcome, this is what the system should do.]

"Nothing to do today, initiating meditation!"

The corners of Lu Li's mouth curled up. He didn't even think about going home; he sat cross-legged, and his cultivation began!

"It truly lives up to being a top-tier heavenly treasure."

"I've only just swallowed it, and I already feel warm all over."

On the other side, in the dormitory, Wu Changkong had just consumed the Mysterious Ice Grass. Watching the golden light emerge from within his body, he sighed with emotion.

However...

Wasn't this thing supposed to be ice-attributed?

"..."

"Wulin, what did you say to teacher Lu Li earlier?"

In the boys' dormitory, Tang Wulin hadn't been back for long when Xie Xie, who had been slacking off next door, kicked the door open and walked in curiously.

"Nothing much."

"I was just interested in heavenly treasures, so I asked teacher Lu Li about them. Now I know they're available at the auction house, hehe."

Tang Wulin shook his head with a smile and answered truthfully.

"Oh? You're interested in that?"

"Then why don't we go take a look today? The auction house usually has exhibitions for their items. If there's anything you need, you can bid on it directly later..."

Xie Xie looked thoughtful, then said with a smile.

"Really?"

"Then why don't we go now?"

Tang Wulin's eyes lit up. This was a perfect opportunity to check the prices of heavenly treasures in advance, which would make it easier for him to plan his future purchases!

"Let's go."

"I'll take you out for a good time."

Xie Xie chuckled and nodded.

"Alright, I trust you!"

"..."

The two left as soon as they decided, heading out of the academy together.

Little did they know, in a hidden spot nearby, a figure draped in a black robe had already overheard everything.

"It seems..."

"The matter of testing him can be carried out today."

A cold sneer appeared on Di Tian's face. His figure moved in sync with the two, then vanished in a flash.

An opportunity to go out, hadn't it just presented itself?

Tang Wulin...

Let me see exactly what you're made of.

"..."