Doehring looked at Lin Lei. "Mm, that's right. That wasn't magic!"
"Talented people are emerging in droves these days. A mere fifteen-year-old can cultivate both magic and martial arts, break through to the seventh rank, and keep his combat prowess up, too. I really don't know how he managed it."
"But it's a shame he only has average elemental affinity. Sigh..."
Lin Lei asked in confusion, "A shame? Grandpa Doehring, I heard that as long as Lei Lin doesn't die, there's a very good chance he'll become a Saint. Surely it doesn't matter if his elemental affinity is a little low?"
Doehring shook his head. "A prodigy like Lei Lin certainly has a chance of reaching the Saint Realm, but that's all it is—a chance. Breaking through that barrier isn't easy. Don't be fooled by those so-called historical rankings. His elemental affinity is far too poor!"
"And even if he does reach the Saint Realm, so what?"
"I've seen plenty of geniuses like him. Once he reaches the Saint Realm, he'll probably never make another breakthrough. Who knows how many years of accumulation it'll take him to reach the Saint Realm Mid-Stage!"
"Lin Lei, there's no need to envy him. Once you reach the Saint Realm yourself, you'll understand how important elemental affinity is."
At Doehring's words, a spark of fervor flashed in Lin Lei's eyes!
After reentering the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Lei Lin slowed his pace. Threads of lightning covered his body, while a faint ripple silently spread for several miles around him, letting him "see" everything Lin Lei did.
This was a technique he had developed based on the Telecommunication Law: Electromagnetic Induction. Its range and precision were both quite good, but most importantly, it was silent.
It was one of the things he relied on to travel through the Magic Beast Mountain Range!
"Mm, Lin Lei was clearly shaken by what I just did. No, he did witness a Saint-level battle when he was a child, after all. His strong heart isn't just for show."
"He's probably talking with Doehring right now!"
"Sigh... A Saint-level old man who lives inside you. If word got out, I wonder how many people would die of envy!"
"No wonder there's a spot beside Lin Lei that always feels strange to me. So that's where Doehring is?"
"The Laws really are something else. I can't observe him directly, but even Doehring's Saint-level soul can't ignore my Electromagnetic Induction!"
"But I still don't know whether my Telecommunication Law—or perhaps the Electromagnetic Law—counts as a higher or middle profound mystery."
"Sigh... The original story never explained all the profound mysteries of the lightning element. If it had at least given me some names to go on, I wouldn't be unable to tell which Law I'm comprehending."
After briefly lamenting the opportunities Lin Lei had as the protagonist—and his own lack of a convenient old man to guide him—Lei Lin focused his attention on Lin Lei again.
"At least, so far, everything's going smoothly. I've made a pretty good first impression on Lin Lei!"
"But I still have to be careful. I don't want to attract Beirut's attention and make him think I'll interfere with Beibei's growth. I need to avoid getting directly wiped out!"
Having fled up a tree, Lin Lei struggled desperately against the Wind Wolf pack and couldn't help feeling that he was terribly unlucky. He'd been ambushed by an archer as soon as he entered the mountain, and now, before much time had passed, he'd run into the most troublesome pack of beasts on the outskirts of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Hidden nearby, Lei Lin carefully sensed Lin Lei's condition and thought, "That's about enough. Time to act!"
Then several enormous lightning serpents, which had left a deep impression on Lin Lei, appeared once more. In a single wave, they wiped out most of the pack.
It was an overwhelming display of absolute strength!
"Heh, it's you again, kid! Tsk, tsk. You really are unlucky. It's your first time training in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, and you've already run into a Wind Wolf pack!"
Rescued, Lin Lei panted, "Lord Lei Lin... you've saved me again. But how did you know this was my first time training in the Magic Beast Mountain Range?"
At his question, a faint smile appeared on Lei Lin's calm face. "That rookie stink about you is obvious to anyone who's been training out here for a while."
"But..."
"It's impressive that someone your age dares to train in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Keep it up. If you make a name for yourself one day, then the effort I spent saving you from the wolves today won't have been wasted!"
For some reason, Lin Lei felt a trace of goodwill and admiration toward him.
That was right—admiration!
Although Lei Lin had been trying to avoid meeting Lin Lei and Beibei too early, in case it led to danger or a butterfly effect, that didn't mean he hadn't influenced Lin Lei.
One of his earlier tests of the butterfly effect had been simple and far-reaching: gradually influencing Wushan Town through changes in the Zi'ao Family's territory.
The territory's governance, education, culture, and economy were so far ahead of those of the current era that they were irresistible. They had not only made Hogg, a lord whose fortunes were fading, envious; they had also quietly influenced Lin Lei, the heir to Wushan Town.
They were the same age, and Lin Lei had better talent. When he was younger, he'd thought that perhaps he could become the next Lei Lin of the Baruch Family and lead his family back to glory.
But the older he got, the more he realized how difficult that would be. At the very least, developing the Baruch Family the way Lei Lin had developed his own was simply unrealistic.
He had even discussed with his old companion, Doehring, how he might help the Baruch Family rise like the Zi'ao Family.
But the answer was that he couldn't imitate Lei Lin's methods. After all, the Baruch Family wasn't the Zi'ao Family. Their circumstances were entirely different, so how could they possibly revive their fortunes in the same way?
As for borrowing ideas, how was he supposed to borrow the idea of finding a Sa'er to become his master?
Or the idea of inventing popular everyday goods like soap and spicy strips, just like Lei Lin?
Or perhaps he should copy Lei Lin and develop high-end alchemical items like lightning robes and electromagnetic cannons—items that even Doehring, a Saint who'd lived for thousands of years, found impressive?
In the end, Lin Lei concluded that the best way to revive the Baruch Family was to work hard and reach the Saint Realm. Once he became a Saint, the Baruch Family would naturally rise again.
That was the standard way to revive a family in a fantasy world where individual power reigned supreme. It was also Lin Lei's best choice.
After all, as long as you were strong enough, everyone around you would be a good person!
Having finished showing off, Lei Lin turned to leave again, but his stomach rumbled. He stopped, looked at the dead wolves all over the ground, then at Lin Lei, and asked, "Kid, can you roast meat?"
Despite his exhausted body, Lin Lei forced a smile. "I can!"
Before long, Lei Lin was sitting on a large rock, casually playing with Beibei, when the aroma of roasting meat reached him. He remarked, "That technique, that aroma... Is this really your first time training in the Magic Beast Mountain Range? How did you get so good at this?"
"Did you practice before coming into the mountains?"
Lin Lei started to reply, "Lord Lei Lin..."
Before he could finish, Lei Lin waved a hand. "Don't call me Lord. It makes me sound old. I'm not much older than you."
"Mm, if you don't mind, just call me Big Brother Lei Lin!"
"Come to think of it, we're pretty fated. Your name's Lin Lei, and mine's Lei Lin. Swap the characters around and you get the other's name. Hahaha!"
Before you continue