On the fifth day after Lin Qin broke through, the early morning sun just poured into the valley.
He stood by the stream and waved his right hand forward casually. He did not move Battle Qi, but fine cracks suddenly appeared on the surface of a rock three meters away in front of him, and then turned into powder.
"It's still not accurate enough." Lin Qin frowned and said to himself, "The vibration frequency needs to be adjusted according to the target material."
Aileen stood not far away watching him practice and couldn't help but say, "This is already very strong. My water shield is like paper in front of you."
Lin Qin turned to look at her. "After the Saint Realm, every step of progress is difficult. I have only initially mastered this technique."
"You call this preliminary?" Aileen smiled bitterly, "I don't even understand how you did it."
"This is the understanding of the nature of power." Lin Qin walked up to her, "Just like when you control the water element, you must not only know its shape, but also its nature."
Aileen nodded thoughtfully and then asked, "Your condition seems to be more stable today than in the past few days?"
"Well, the realm is basically stable." Lin Qin looked around, "It's time to leave here."
Aileen paused for a moment. "So fast?"
"I've stayed here long enough." Lin Qin's gaze swept across the entire valley, "It's time to go to a place where you are needed more."
The two began to pack their bags. Aileen carefully wrapped Cold Jade Marrow in soft cloth and carefully put it into her backpack. She checked the potions she prepared and made sure that the corks were tightly sealed.
"I have labeled these herbs." She handed a bundle of prepared herbs to Lin Qin, "The blue ones are for external application and the green ones are for internal use. I have written the usage on the labels."
Lin Qin took the herbs and put them away. "Thank you."
When she walked out of the cave, Aileen couldn't help but look back. There were still traces of burnt marks on the stone wall that she accidentally made while practicing magic, and there were pits on the ground that Lin Qin had made while practicing sword practice.
"I feel a little reluctant to leave here." She said softly.
Lin Qin is also observing this place where he has lived for half a year. "This is a good Cultivation Ground place, but we can't stay here forever."
They walked out of the valley along a familiar path.
After passing through the last forest, there is a fork in the road ahead. One leads to the north, leading to a more desolate area; the other leads to the southeast, gradually entering the human settlement area.
Lin Qin stopped at the fork in the road.
"I'm going to Arctic Ice Plains." He said directly.
Aileen was stunned. "Arctic Ice Plains? Isn't that the Saint Realm restricted area?"
"The more dangerous the place, the more it can temper a person." Lin Qin looked to the north, "I need an extremely cold environment to verify some ideas on cultivation."
"But..." Aileen hesitated to speak.
"It's not suitable for you there." Lin Qin turned to her, "The low temperature in the core area of the ice field is so low that an eighth-level magician cannot survive for a day. And it is said that there are Saint Realm level ice monsters there."
Aileen lowered his head and twisted his fingers together unconsciously. "I know that I am not strong enough..."
"It's not a matter of strength." Lin Qin rarely explained a few more words, "Everyone's cultivation path is different. Arctic Ice Plains is suitable for me, but it may not be suitable for you."
Aileen was silent for a moment, and when he raised his head, his eyes had become firm. "I understand. In fact, I have already thought about it, it is time to return to the family."
"Your family?"
"Hawk Family, Azure Wave City in Southeast Province." Aileen said, "It has been almost two years since I left my family to practice. It's time to go back."
Lin Qin nodded. "It's okay to go back."
"It's not just as simple as going back." Aileen's tone became serious, "This experience has made me realize that I still have many shortcomings. I want to go back to my family for seclusion, and with the help of my family's collection of books and resources, as well as these Cold Jade Marrow, I can fight against the ninth level magician with all my strength."
She looked directly into Lin Qin's eyes. "I don't want to be a burden that needs protection all the time. When I break through level nine and have a deeper understanding of Water Element's magic, I will go find you."
Lin Qin raised his eyebrows slightly. "Looking for me?"
"Yes." Aileen said with certainty, "But not in this state. I want to go to you as a partner who can fight side by side."
Lin Qin looked at her silently.
"Are you serious?"
"Very serious." Aileen clenched his fists, "In the past six months, I have watched you become stronger step by step. That concentration and persistence have made me understand a lot. I also have my own way to go, and I can't always rely on others."
"The path of cultivation is very difficult."
"I know." Aileen smiled, "But it's worth it."
The two fell into a brief silence, with only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves.