Lin Tian and Laun rode Fire Phoenix down slowly through a wave of scorching air, landing in an open area of the manor. Laun looked at Lin Tian, his gaze filled with concern and expectation, and said earnestly, "Lin Tian, you went through many hardships in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Such trials can forge a strong person, but you must also know when to rest. Go back to the imperial palace and take a few days off. Relax those taut nerves and recover properly. Cultivation cannot be rushed."
Lin Tian nodded respectfully and said gratefully, "Thank you for your concern, Teacher. I understand." With that, he turned and set off for the imperial palace.
When Lin Tian entered the imperial palace, its familiar atmosphere washed over him. He headed straight for his father and mother's chambers, his heart full of longing for his family. The moment they saw him, surprise flashed through their eyes, followed by deep heartache. His mother hurried forward and gently took his hand, her gaze moving over his body. When she saw the scars, some deep and some shallow, her eyes immediately reddened. Her voice trembled as she said, "Tian'er, you have suffered so much on this journey. These wounds..."
His father also stepped forward and patted Lin Tian's shoulder, his eyes full of concern. "My child, the Magic Beast Mountain Range is fraught with danger. It is already a blessing that you returned safely."
Warmth rose in Lin Tian's heart, and he smiled reassuringly. "Father, Mother, there is no need to worry. These scars are proof of my growth. Every one of them has made me stronger."
Seeing the weariness in Lin Tian's eyes, his mother's heart ached. "Eat first, then rest."
Lin Tian nodded. After eating with his parents, he returned to his own chambers. A steaming bath had already been prepared for him. He slowly stepped into the pool, allowing the warm water to envelop his body. His long-tense mental strength gradually relaxed at that moment, and the battles and dangers he had experienced in the Magic Beast Mountain Range seemed to fade away with the flowing water. He closed his eyes and immersed himself in that rare tranquility, falling into a deep sleep without realizing it.
When he woke, sunlight streamed through the window and fell across his face. Lin Tian looked outside and realized it was already noon the next day. He felt brimming with vitality, his mind fresher than ever before. After meditating briefly and sensing the steady circulation of magic power and battle qi within him, he rose and headed for the dining hall.
When he entered the dining hall, he found that his father, mother, sister, and brother were already seated. His sister's eyes lit up when she saw Lin Tian, and she said with a smile, "Little brother, you are finally awake. We have been waiting for you forever."
Lin Tian looked at his sister and was pleasantly surprised to find that her aura had become more condensed. She had already reached the peak of the sixth level as a warrior, while his brother had reached the late sixth level. He praised them, "Sister, Brother, your strength has improved greatly again!"
His sister playfully raised her chin. "Of course. But compared with you, we are far behind. Little brother, hurry and tell us about the Magic Beast Mountain Range. We have been curious for ages."
His brother nodded from the side. "That is right, little brother. You must have gone through plenty of thrilling and dangerous things in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Tell us about them."
Lin Tian smiled, sat down, and began his tale. "The Magic Beast Mountain Range was filled with dense forests and steep peaks, with all kinds of magic beasts lurking within. I encountered an Iron-armored Rhinoceros with incredibly tough hide. It stood nearly thirty feet tall and could withstand fifth-level magic head-on. I fought it to a stalemate for six hours before finding an opening in the joint of its front leg and defeating it. There was also a pitch-black Shadow Leopard that could blend into shadows and move swiftly. Its claws carried a paralyzing poison. It toyed with me for two days before I finally figured out its patterns and killed it."
His sister and brother listened with their eyes wide open. His sister could not help exclaiming, "Wow, that sounds so dangerous! Did you encounter any even stronger magic beasts?"
Lin Tian nodded. "Of course. I also fought a seventh-level Green Pattern Giant Serpent. Its body was enormous, as thick as a water barrel and several dozen feet long, with incomparably hard scales. Its attacks were swift and vicious. I had to struggle greatly before I managed to kill it."
As he spoke, Lin Tian took out his Storage Ring and displayed the spoils within one by one. "Look, these are the magic cores I obtained from those magic beasts, along with the Anonymous Magic Crystal Cards I got from the raiders."
His sister and brother gazed at the magic cores emitting strange glimmers, their eyes filled with envy. Lin Tian selected several gifts from them and handed them to his parents, sister, and brother. "Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, these are for you. Sister, this sixth-level fire-element magic core suits you and can aid your cultivation. Brother, take this dagger. I seized it from a raider, and it is very sharp. Father, Mother, this seventh-level magic core is the highest-level one I have. It is for you."
His sister happily accepted the magic core. "Thank you, little brother! This gift is wonderful!"
His brother also accepted the dagger with a smile. "You are thoughtful, little brother. But if we go out to train in the future, what should we be careful about?"
Lin Tian's expression turned serious as he said earnestly, "First, you must have a clear understanding of your own strength. Do not rashly challenge opponents far beyond your ability. In the Magic Beast Mountain Range, danger is everywhere. You must remain vigilant at all times and pay attention to your surroundings. When you encounter a magic beast, do not panic. First observe its weaknesses, then look for an opportunity to attack. Also, never be greedy for temporary gain. Some things that appear tempting may conceal fatal traps behind them."
His father added from the side, "That is right. Your little brother is correct. Outside, safety must always come first. If you encounter a danger you cannot handle, come back at once. Do not try to act tough."
Lin Tian rested for a time and fully enjoyed the warmth of his family, greatly easing both body and mind. Afterward, he resumed his usual cultivation routine, training punctually each day while constantly studying and refining his path of combining magic and battle qi.
Every morning, he rose early and went to the training grounds behind the imperial palace. He first performed a set of basic warrior exercises, loosening every muscle and bone as he circulated battle qi through his limbs and body, feeling it surge through him like a rushing river. Then he would wield his spear and perform techniques of his own creation, each move infused with magic power. The spearhead would sometimes blaze with scorching flames and sometimes erupt with powerful impact force. During practice, he constantly adjusted the ratio at which magic power and battle qi merged, striving to reach the most perfect state.
In the afternoon, Lin Tian would find a quiet place to cultivate magic. He meditated to sense the magical elements around him, attempting to gather and compress them. To improve his control over magical elements, he shaped flames with magic power into all kinds of forms, from simple fireballs to intricate fire phoenixes, constantly challenging his limits.
At night, Lin Tian entered meditation once more, tempering his mental strength.
Thus, half a year passed in the blink of an eye. On a quiet night, while cultivating, Lin Tian sensed fluctuations in his mental strength and successfully broke through to the peak of the sixth level.
But he was not satisfied with that. He immediately chose to enter secluded cultivation.
During those days of seclusion, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivation, cutting himself off from the outside world. He continued forging weapons with fire magic, operating his mental strength at full capacity as he sensed the changes in the fire elements within.
Finally, on the fifth day of seclusion, as a new weapon was successfully forged, Lin Tian's mental strength naturally reached the seventh level. He was overjoyed, but quickly suppressed his excitement and seized the momentum to begin refining the elements of heaven and earth. As the first drop of liquefied magic power slowly fell, Lin Tian successfully became a seventh-level mage. He could feel that his connection with magical elements had become closer, and his use of magic power had become even more effortless.
Only after completing the refinement of his magic power did Lin Tian leave seclusion. He hurried to see his parents and tell them the good news. When his father and mother heard it, their eyes were filled with relief and pride.
Afterward, Lin Tian rushed without delay to Teacher Laun's manor. When Laun learned that Lin Tian had successfully become a seventh-level mage, a pleased smile appeared on his face. He patted Lin Tian's shoulder. "Lin Tian, you truly did not disappoint me. A seventh-level mage is only a new starting point. The road ahead is still long. You must continue working hard and constantly improve your strength."
Lin Tian nodded firmly. "Teacher, do not worry. I will continue cultivating diligently and reach the Saint Domain as soon as possible."
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