Er Gouzi: I Feel a Bit Redundant!

Half an hour later.

Hoo... hoo...

Sun Moon Lin Qing's breathing finally steadied.

The veins on the surface of his skin gradually faded from view.

His muscles stopped tearing.

His bones stopped groaning.

That violent energy had finally been completely tamed, slowly merging into his limbs and bones to become his own power.

"Did I succeed?"

Sun Moon Lin Qing muttered to himself, his voice frighteningly hoarse.

He attempted to mobilize his soul power.

"Hum!"

Two soul rings rose slowly from beneath his feet.

One purple, one deep purple!

"I really succeeded!"

Sun Moon Lin Qing's eyes lit up, and he immediately sensed the surging soul power within his body.

"Level twenty-four!"

"Hahaha..."

Sun Moon Lin Qing couldn't help but laugh out loud, his laughter filled with excitement.

It hadn't been easy!

Only he, having tried it himself, knew the dangers of absorbing a soul ring that far exceeded his limit.

But in the end, he had endured.

Sun Moon Lin Qing's eyes flickered, and with a thought, his second soul ring lit up.

The deep purple light instantly illuminated the entire room.

Second Soul Skill—Metal Manipulation!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Iron nails on the table, copper buckles on the window frame, and every other metal object in the room all floated into the air.

Under Sun Moon Lin Qing's mental control, they all hovered above his palm, rotating, combining, and deforming.

It was as easy as moving his own fingers!

"It really is that soul skill of Sun Moon Lin Qing!"

Sun Moon Lin Qing's eyes grew even brighter.

He attempted more precise manipulation, condensing and combining several nails into a simple small knife.

Then, he controlled the knife to dance in the air, carving out streaks of cold light.

"In terms of offense, it can be used as a throwing knife."

"In terms of defense, it can form a metal shield."

"In terms of control, it can use metal chains to bind enemies."

"And what's more..."

Sun Moon Lin Qing looked at a point in the air.

With his Metal Manipulation soul skill activated at full power, the metal elements in the air began to slowly gather, condensing into a metal particle the size of a marble.

Although it was small, it was truly creation out of thin air!

"It can even condense metal elements from the air. I could even use my mental power to carve soul tool cores."

Sun Moon Lin Qing tried it for a moment but quickly gave up.

"My experience as a soul master isn't enough yet; I can't do it for now. I'll have to learn slowly."

But even so, the value of this soul skill was immeasurable.

"The relic I obtained from Sun Moon Lin Qing this time has truly solved my most pressing need."

Sun Moon Lin Qing retracted his soul skill.

The metal objects fell back to their original places one after another.

He stood up and stretched his limbs, feeling the exhilarating sensation of being filled with power.

"With that old pervert Priest dealt with and no more worries, I can finally show my true face."

No longer needing to disguise his appearance, no longer needing to worry about being targeted by a pervert, he could walk upright under the sun.

A major goal and burden had finally been resolved.

"Then, it's time to go pick up Er Ni."

A gentle arc tugged at the corners of Lin Qing's mouth.

He missed that silly girl.

Moreover, his upcoming plans might require Er Ni's help.

Two days later.

Emperor Soul Village.

Lin Qing walked along the familiar dirt road, breathing in the familiar air, a complex surge of emotions rising in his heart.

He had been gone for two years.

The village hadn't changed much; it was still those same dilapidated thatched cottages and those same familiar villagers.

But Lin Qing himself had changed too much.

The strengthening from three pieces of ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber had made his physique much taller and straighter.

Although he was only eight, he already looked like a ten-year-old child.

His skin was fair, and his features were refined.

Especially those blue eyes, so clear they seemed to reflect the sky.

Coupled with his clean, neat clothes, he was a different person from the ragged orphan of two years ago.

"Lin Qing?!"

A surprised voice came from the side.

Lin Qing turned his head to look.

It was Er Gouzi!

Two years had passed, and Er Gouzi had grown quite a bit taller, but that dark face was still as familiar as ever.

At this moment, he was staring with wide eyes, looking Lin Qing up and down, his gaze filled with unfamiliarity and... confusion.

"You... are you Lin Qing?"

Er Gouzi asked uncertainly.

Lin Qing smiled.

"What, don't you recognize me after two years?"

"It really is you?!"

Er Gouzi's eyes widened even further.

"You've changed too much! I almost didn't recognize you!"

He leaned in closer, looking him over carefully.

"You've grown taller, become fairer, and... look better too."

When he said the last three words, Er Gouzi pursed his lips.

Clearly, he was still a bit jealous.

After all, his sister liked Lin Qing so much that it drove him, a sister-obsessed brother, crazy.

"Where is your sister?"

Lin Qing asked with a smile.

"Inside the house."

Er Gouzi pointed toward his own courtyard.

No sooner had the words left his mouth—

"Lin Qing?! Is that Little Qing?"

A cry of pleasant surprise came from the courtyard.

Immediately after, a figure ran out quickly.

It was Er Ni.

Two years had passed, and Er Ni had grown up as well.

The twelve-year-old girl was already standing tall and graceful.

Although she wore a coarse cloth dress, it could not hide her delicate beauty.

Her features had blossomed, her skin maintained a healthy glow despite years of labor, and her figure had begun to show the curves of a young woman.

At this moment, she stood before Lin Qing, gazing at him.

Her eyes were red, her lips trembled, and she wanted to say something but couldn't get the words out.

She simply... let the tears fall, drop by drop.

"Sister Er Ni."

Lin Qing spoke softly.

"I'm back."

"Wuu... Xiao Qing!"

Er Ni could no longer hold back, lunging into Lin Qing's embrace, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck, unwilling to let go.

"I thought you weren't coming back..."

She sobbed, her voice choked with emotion.

"Two years, not a single message. I thought... I thought you..."

"Thought I was dead?"

Lin Qing smiled and patted her back.

"Don't worry, my life is tough. As for you..."

He loosened his grip and looked Er Ni over carefully.

"You've grown up, and you've become beautiful."

Er Ni blushed, lowering her head to wipe away her tears.

"Talking nonsense..."

But the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve upward.

Nearby, Er Gouzi watched this scene and curled his lip, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowing it back.

Even though he was a sister-complex.

Seeing Lin Qing and Er Ni standing together... a talented man and a beautiful woman.

They were indeed a perfect match.

He sighed, turned around, and went into the house.

Out of sight, out of mind.

That evening.

Aunt Li's house prepared a sumptuous dinner to welcome Lin Qing home.

At the dining table, Aunt Li looked at Lin Qing, her eyes crinkling into slits.

That look was clearly that of a woman eyeing her own future son-in-law, looking incredibly satisfied!

"Xiao Qing, where have you been these past two years? How have you been?"

"In Suotuo City, learning some skills."

Lin Qing answered vaguely.

"Oh, oh, Suotuo City, a big city!"

Aunt Li nodded repeatedly: "You've got a future! You've got a future!"

As she spoke, she picked up a large piece of meat and placed it in Lin Qing's bowl.

"Eat more, look how thin you've gotten."

"Thank you, Aunt Li."

Lin Qing smiled and accepted it.

Er Gouzi pouted: "Mom, I'm thin too, give me a piece."

Aunt Li's expression changed instantly.

"If you want to eat, pick it up yourself. It's not like I'm stopping you; do you not have hands?"

Er Gouzi was immediately displeased.

"But Lin Qing has hands too!"

"Go on, go on, can you compare to Xiao Qing? Just eat your food!"

This atmosphere of ordinary human life was something Lin Qing enjoyed very much.

No matter how strong he became, he still loved this feeling.

Er Ni sat to the side, stealing glances at him from time to time, her eyes filled with joy.