As the morning mist gradually dissipated, the group proceeded along the forest path.
Zhang Lexuan walked at the front, her slender figure accentuated by her silver outfit.
Lin Ciyan walked alongside her, their steps perfectly in sync, drawing complicated glances from Ma Xiaotao behind them.
"At this speed, we should reach the border camp by evening," Zhang Lexuan estimated, "But the journey after that..."
"Too slow." Lin Ciyan suddenly stopped.
Everyone stopped as well.
"Captain, what's wrong?" Bei Bei asked.
Lin Ciyan didn't answer, but closed his eyes and focused his mind on the System Shop.
[ Auspicious Cloud Protection Aura. Effect: When the host heals/supports an ally, the target gains one stack of " Auspicious Cloud Blessing," increasing movement speed by 20% for 10 minutes. Can be used multiple times, resetting the duration, with a maximum stack of 10 (+200%). Price: 30,000 Slacking Value.]
"I bought it."
[Transaction successful! Current Slacking Value: approximately 271,000 points. The asset has been allocated to system storage and can be used at any time.]
He opened his eyes and looked at everyone. "Traveling like this is too slow. I have a way to speed things up."
"Speed up?" Dai Yueheng frowned.
"Unless we use Flying Soul Tool, but Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and the others..."
"No need for that." Lin Ciyan raised his right hand, and the phantom of the Holy Radiance Qilin appeared behind him.
A gentle Light of the Five Elements, and a seven-colored halo enveloped the entire area.
"First Soul Skill, Grace of Bathing Light."
It's not about healing injuries, but about permeating each person's body with the gentlest light-elemental energy.
[ Auspicious Cloud Protection Aura ] is now activated!
In an instant, faint, seven-colored auspicious clouds appeared beneath everyone's feet, appearing and disappearing intermittently.
"Huh?" Wang Dong was the first to notice the change.
She stomped her feet lightly, and her body felt a third lighter, as if the ground was pushing her up.
"The speed... has increased?" Xiao Xiao asked in surprise.
Lin Ciyan smiled, "This is my special ability; it can temporarily increase everyone's movement efficiency. Everyone, give it a try."
Ma Xiaotao took the first step forward.
Whoosh--!
The fiery red figure instantly shot out ten zhang, so fast that it left afterimages.
She stopped in astonishment and turned to look at Lin Ciyan: "This... has increased the speed by at least 20%!"
"Not only that." Ling Luochеn's cold voice rang out.
She didn't run; she merely touched the ground lightly, and her icy blue figure glided a great distance like falling snow, much faster than usual.
"The effect will be even better if we continue to stack it," Lin Ciyan said, releasing the Grace of Bathing Light once more.
A second layer of Auspicious Cloud Blessing!
The illusory auspicious clouds beneath everyone's feet solidified slightly, increasing their speed boost to 40%.
"Wow!" Xiao Xiao couldn't help but run a few steps, her petite figure as nimble as a swallow. " Elder Lin, this is amazing!"
Wang Dong also excitedly tried it out, subconsciously releasing his Light Goddess Butterfly Martial Soul, with pale golden butterfly wings fluttering behind him.
"Master, I feel... I can fly even faster!"
Lin Ciyan nodded. "Then let's give it a try."
He looked at Zhang Lexuan: " Sister Lexuan, I'll be in charge of assisting with acceleration from now on. You'll lead the team?"
"Good." Approval flashed in Zhang Lexuan's eyes. "Everyone, maintain formation, full speed ahead!"
"Yes!"
With the blessing of auspicious seven-colored clouds, the team's speed increased dramatically.
The reserve players, who were originally supposed to slow down and conserve their energy, were now easily keeping up with the pace of the regular players.
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi even had the energy to talk.
"Captain's ability... is so useful!" Xu Sanshi exclaimed in amazement.
"How much energy will be saved when traveling on missions in the future?"
Bei Bei wholeheartedly agreed, " Ci Yan always manages to pull off unexpected feats."
Jiang Nannan silently felt the propulsion of the auspicious clouds beneath her feet, her beautiful eyes looking at Lin Ciyan's back in front of her, a subtle ripple rising in her heart.
Huo Yuhao is also trying his best to adapt.
He possesses Spiritual Detection, enabling him to clearly perceive changes in speed.
It did indeed increase by 40%, and the consumption of Soul Power actually decreased.
Is this the support ability of the Ultimate Light attribute?
He looked at Wang Dong beside him, wanting to say something, but found that Wang Dong was moving closer to Lin Ciyan.
"Master! Master!" Wang Dong's light blue short hair fluttered in the wind, his handsome face filled with excitement.
"How long will this auspicious cloud last?"
"10 minutes," Lin Ciyan replied while maintaining the release of the Grace of Bathing Light, "But it can be layered and reorganized. Theoretically, as long as my Soul Power is sufficient, I can maintain it indefinitely."
"Does Master have enough Soul Power?" Xiao Xiao also came over, her big eyes full of curiosity.
Lin Ciyan laughed, "Guess?"
The third layer of Auspicious Cloud Blessing stacks up! Speed boost increased by 60%!
The procession sped through the forest like a colorful torrent.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao followed Lin Ciyan on either side, like two chirping little birds.
"Master, I've gained new insights into the light attribute manipulation you taught me last time!" Wang Dong said, as if seeking praise. "Look..."
A soft golden light gathered in her palm. Although it was not as pure as Lin Ciyan's Ultimate Light, it already possessed some of the charm of the divine.
"Not bad." Lin Ciyan nodded. "Keep practicing, it'll be useful in the competition."
Xiao Xiao retorted, " Elder Lin, the control range of my Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron has expanded again! It can now cover thirty meters!"
"Thirty meters?" Lin Ciyan raised an eyebrow. "It's quite remarkable for Soul Elder to achieve this. Keep it up."
The two girls' eyes sparkled when they received the praise.
Ma Xiaotao watched from behind, pursing her lips.
Ling Luochеn remained calm, though a thoughtful glint flashed in his icy blue eyes.
This ability to accelerate groups is extremely valuable in team battles.
The journey lasted for an hour.
Just as the Auspicious Cloud Blessing was about to disappear, Lin Ciyan once again released the Grace of Bathing Light.
Fourth layer stacked! 80% speed boost!
The team has already covered nearly 200 li, more than twice as fast as expected.
"Take a 15-minute break," Zhang Lexuan ordered.
Everyone stopped and began to regulate their breathing.
Lin Ciyan walked to a tree and sat down. Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao came over.
"Master, are you tired?" Wang Dong naturally handed over the water pouch.
Xiao Xiao then took out some snacks from her Storage Soul Tool: " Elder Lin, have something to eat to replenish your energy."
Ma Xiaotao, watching from behind, couldn't help but twitch at the corner of her eye.
Ling Luochеn silently looked away.
Huo Yuhao sat not far away, watching Wang Dong's intimate attitude towards Lin Ciyan, and felt a little uncomfortable.
Wang Dong seems to be getting more and more attached to Elder Lin lately?
After the rest period, we continued our journey.
The fifth and sixth layers of Auspicious Cloud Blessing gradually overlapped.
When the speed bonus reaches 120%, the team is already close to the border.
"There's an open area ahead," Zhang Lexuan said, gazing into the distance. "We can use our Flying Soul Tool now."
She looked at Teacher Wang Yan.
Wang Yan nodded and took out more than a dozen military-standard Flying Soul Tool from his Storage Soul Tool.
That was prepared before we set off.
"Those whose cultivation level is below the fourth ring need someone to assist them," Zhang Lexuan assigned the task.
" Ma Xiaotao is with Huo Yuhao, Dai Yueheng is with Xiao Xiao, Xi Xi is with Jiang Nannan."
Wang Dong... You can fly by yourself, it's not a big problem."
" Sister Lexuan, I'll take Wang Dong with me," Lin Ciyan suddenly said.
Everyone was taken aback.
Wang Dong's eyes lit up instantly.
Zhang Lexuan glanced at Lin Ciyan and nodded. "Alright. Let's divide it like this then."
The Flying Soul Tool is now fully equipped.
Wang Dong stood in front of Lin Ciyan, with the wings of the Light Goddess Butterfly spread behind him, swirling with a pale golden halo.
Lin Ciyan stretched out his hand. "Hold on tight."
Wang Dong quickly grasped his hand; it was warm to the touch.
The aura of the Holy Radiance Qilin emanated naturally, and the gentle Light of the Five Elements enveloped the two of them.
At that very moment, Wang Dong's body trembled slightly.
She had always been somewhat averse to Flying Soul Tool.
That mechanical feeling always made her uncomfortable.
But under the illumination of Lin Ciyan's Holy Radiance Qilin, that discomfort miraculously disappeared.
"Master, your light..." she murmured.
"Relax," Lin Ciyan said, as the Flying Soul Tool behind him lit up with white light.
The two slowly ascended into the air.
Wang Dong was surprised to find that he was using the Flying Soul Tool exceptionally smoothly this time.
After the Soul Power was injected, the broken wings unfolded smoothly, and the ascent was smooth without any sluggishness.
Moreover... the Soul Power consumption was at least 30% less than usual!
"Is it Master's light attribute that's helping me?" She looked at Lin Ciyan.
"I suppose so," Lin Ciyan smiled. "My Light of the Five Elements can harmonize energy, making the Soul Tool operate more smoothly."
Actually, this is a hidden effect of the [ Auspicious Cloud Protection Aura ].
Speed gain encompasses all forms of movement, including flight.
Furthermore, with the nourishment of the Holy Radiance Qilin's light attribute, Wang Dong's adaptability to Flying Soul Tool has greatly improved.
"Great!" Wang Dong excitedly accelerated, his pale gold butterfly wings vibrating in sync with the folding wings of his Flying Soul Tool, making him more than twice as fast as usual.
She drew a graceful arc in the air and flew back to Lin Ciyan's side.
"Master, look! I'm flying so steadily!"
The joy radiating from his handsome face was clearly visible to everyone below.
With Dai Yueheng's assistance, Xiao Xiao also took to the air. Looking at Wang Dong, who was soaring nimbly through the sky, she said enviously, " Wang Dong seems to have completely adapted..."
Huo Yuhao was lifted into the air by his senior, his gaze fixed on Wang Dong and Lin Ciyan with a complex expression.
He could sense that Wang Dong's feelings for Elder Lin... seemed to go beyond just a teacher-student relationship.
Could it be that Wang Dong likes boys?!
Thinking about this, Huo Yuhao felt it was very likely, and he pondered deeply while operating the Flying Soul Tool.
The entire team took off and, led by Zhang Lexuan, flew towards the border military camp.
With the 120% speed boost from the Auspicious Cloud Blessing, plus the Flying Soul Tool, travel efficiency skyrockets.
What would normally take half a day was covered in just two hours, and the outline of the military camp came into view.
"Descend altitude and prepare for landing," Zhang Lexuan ordered.
The group descended slowly.
The sentries had already spotted them outside the military camp.
A group of black-armored warriors quickly assembled. The middle-aged general at the head stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Zhang Lexuan.
" The Shrek Academy team?" he asked.
"Yes." Zhang Lexuan handed over her academy credentials. "I am ordered to proceed to Star Luo City and will be resting here en route."