A flicker of surprise passed through Lin Feng's eyes. This bargain-bin teacher of his was even more perceptive than he had expected.
He nodded and said slowly,
"That's right. So far, I've given a full set of enhancements to someone at Soul Saint level. The Soul Power consumption was no different from using it on a Soul Grandmaster. As for anyone above Soul Saint level, I haven't had the chance to test it yet, so I can't jump to conclusions."
"Besides, I've poured over a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins into this thing. If this soul skill didn't have some real substance, wouldn't I be a total sucker? Not to mention, your investment is in there too, Teacher. I can't let you lose money."
He dropped his joking tone and raised his eyes to meet Qian Renxue's golden phoenix eyes.
"And congratulations, Teacher. With your dual identities as my lifesaver and angel investor, you have officially unlocked the one-and-only, forever-exclusive privilege in the world."
"From now on, for all Godly Gear and buffs, Teacher, you may choose whatever you want for free, forever. This privilege belongs to you alone."
Qian Renxue froze slightly at his words. Looking at this little money-grubber who always brought her unexpected surprises, a genuinely warm and gentle smile curved her lips.
There was not a trace of pretense in that smile. It was a rare glimpse of sincerity from someone who had lived among schemes and disguises for so many years.
Possessiveness and warmth churned within her golden eyes. She asked softly, with a hint of anticipation she did not even notice herself.
"A privilege for me alone? Does that mean it will forever belong only to me?"
Lin Feng nodded with a smile.
"Of course. There's only one exclusive slot. Any more than that, and I'd be losing money. I don't do business at a loss."
The smile in Qian Renxue's eyes deepened. She quickly reined in her exposed emotions and returned to her usual cool, detached demeanor.
"Very well. Once your Dragon Soldier buff has finished cooling down, I want to try it."
"No problem."
Lin Feng agreed without hesitation.
"Once the buff is off cooldown, just call for me, Teacher."
With Blue Sentinel Power constantly replenishing their Soul Power, neither of them had to worry about consumption as they darted through the dim forest.
Beneath the shadows of the canopy,
Snake Lance Douluo was trembling with excitement. He grabbed Porcupinefish Douluo by the shoulder and shook him hard.
"Fatty, did you see that?! The Young Master smiled. A smile from the bottom of her heart! It's been so many years—I can't even remember how long it's been since I last saw the Young Master smile."
Porcupinefish Douluo looked at the two figures walking side by side below and could not help letting out a gratified sigh.
"Yeah! So many years. The Young Master has been far too lonely all these years. She doesn't even have a single friend she can speak honestly with."
Inside a crude wooden hut,
"Flender, it's already been several hours. Something must have happened to that kid Lin Feng. I have to go find him."
Zhao Wuji abruptly rose from his stool and rushed toward the door, his eyes full of anxiety.
"Old Zhao, get back here!"
Flender instantly got up and blocked the doorway, gripping Zhao Wuji's thick arm tightly. His usually sly face was now filled with gloom.
"Calm down. The Star Dou Forest is vast and boundless. How are you supposed to find him alone? Where would you even look?"
He took a deep breath and forced himself to steady his mind.
"Lin Feng probably just ran into a little trouble or had something come up. Don't forget, he has six Dragon Soldiers, and every one of them has the strength of a thousand-year soul beast. No one in the outer region can do anything to him."
"The outer region?"
Zhao Wuji stiffened, his face instantly turning pale as he muttered,
"That kid couldn't have... couldn't have gotten lost and wandered into the inner region, could he?"
The moment those words were spoken, Flender's heart sank, filled with self-reproach.
If that were true, then things were bad. Ten-thousand-year soul beasts roamed everywhere in the inner region of the Star Dou Forest. Forget a two-ring Soul Grandmaster—even he could not guarantee that he would make it out unscathed.
He knew they could not keep waiting like this and urgently ordered,
"Old Zhao, I'll follow the hidden passage toward the inner region to look for him. You stay here and keep an eye on the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group's higher-ups. If Lin Feng has really fallen into their hands, remember..."
"Do not act rashly. You must wait until I return!"
Gray wings spread from his back, and he transformed into a black blur as he flew at full speed toward the inner region of the Star Dou Forest.
There was only one thought in his mind.
"Lin Feng, don't let anything happen to you!"
Only Zhao Wuji remained in the wooden hut.
The candle flame flickered, casting light over the dried blood on his face. He remembered how Lin Feng had called him Uncle Zhao again and again when Flender had first brought him back.
Zhao Wuji clenched his fists until his knuckles cracked. The pressure of a Soul Saint spread uncontrollably, and the killing intent in his eyes grew thicker and thicker.
"Blood Wolf Mercenary Group... you'd better pray Lin Feng is unharmed. If even a single hair is missing from his head, then even if I die, I'll flatten your wolf den!"
One week later,
The inner region of the Star Dou Forest.
"Roar—"
A tiger's roar shook the mountains and forest as the Golden Flame Sword Tiger, covered in golden patterns, suddenly opened its savage maw.
A scorching golden pillar of fire shot toward the figure in midair. Even the air twisted from the heat wherever it passed.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly and steadied herself. Her first yellow soul ring suddenly lit up as she chanted coldly.
"Angel Shield."
A holy white shield instantly condensed before her, pressing tightly against the thin, cicada-wing-like Witch Shield that shimmered with a dark blue glow. One bright and one shadowy, they formed a perfect double defense.
The berserk pillar of flame smashed fiercely into the shields. The spell shield from the Cloak of the Witch triggered first, forcibly enduring the full-force fire breath for two seconds before shattering.
Using those two seconds of respite, Qian Renxue beat her wings and flashed sideways like a streak of light, evading the remaining flames without so much as a scratch.
On a thick branch not far away,
Lin Feng watched the figure in the air, like a female war goddess, with undisguised admiration in his eyes.
Her brows were like distant dark mountains, her eyes like cold golden stars. Supreme beauty, icy elegance, and fierce heroism intertwined, making her breathtakingly beautiful.
He sighed inwardly.
What a pity this bargain-bin teacher is too cold. Otherwise, she would be the Creator's perfect creation.
Watching Qian Renxue soar through the air with spread wings and slash through flames with her sword, Lin Feng was filled with envy.
When would he no longer have to hang from trees like an ornament? When could he face soul beasts head-on and fly freely through the sky?
A yellow soul ring suddenly lit up as he chanted softly.
"Wrath of the Dominator."
Qian Renxue suddenly froze in midair. She felt an unfamiliar yet completely controllable fluctuation of Soul Power instantly bind itself to her.
A clear message appeared in her mind. She could activate this soul skill at any time and summon three draconic soul beasts called Dominator Vanguards to fight for her.
So these are the Dragon Soldiers Xiao Linzi mentioned before?
Her heart stirred, and she activated the ability curiously.
The next moment,
Three enormous dark vortices unfolded behind her without warning, and dense dragon might instantly swept across the battlefield.
"Roar!"
Accompanied by three dragon roars that shook the mountains and forest, three Dominator Vanguards burst fiercely from the vortices. Their bodies were dark purple, covered in indestructible dragon scales, and savage dragon horns rose from their heads.
Their violent scarlet dragon eyes locked tightly onto the Golden Flame Sword Tiger below. The superior pressure of high-ranking dragon Bloodline instantly forced the Golden Flame Sword Tiger to lower its body, letting out a wary growl.
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