At Lin Ciyan's enthusiastic greeting, a barely perceptible flicker passed through Bei Bei's blue-violet eyes, which had seemed a little empty.
He hesitated, but still held out his little hand and gently took Lin Ciyan's. His voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz:
"Y-you... hello. My name is Bei Bei."
Children's friendships were often that simple to form.
Especially when one child was as outgoing as a little sun, and the other was lonely and yearning for company.
Lin Ciyan knew exactly what was going on with the future childhood friend before him, who was "in the same boat" as himself.
What child this age didn't like to play or long for friends? It was only the sudden loss of his parents that had caused Bei Bei to shut himself away.
Though he had the mindset of a transmigrator, the influence of his child's body over the past few years had also brought back some of his innocent playfulness.
"Here, give this a try!" Without another word, Lin Ciyan shoved his beloved Automatic Soul Guidance Fishing Rod into Bei Bei's hands. "This is my exclusive secret technique, 'Fishing by Non-Action'!"
Holding the fishing rod, Bei Bei didn't know what to do with himself. "I... I don't know how..."
"Hey, that's exactly right!" Lin Ciyan patted his shoulder with the air of an old hand. "Let me tell you, fishing is all about the word 'fate.'"
"You need a calm mind, smooth breathing, and a handsome pose. Whether the fish bites... that's up to the fish's mood."
"We're here for the company. Enjoy the process, and leave the results to fate!"
[ Ding! You taught the future Dragon God Douluo the "Slacker Fishing Method." Slacking Value +35! ]
As he helped Bei Bei bait the hook (the rod actually did it by itself), Lin Ciyan happily thought, Once I've saved up enough Slacking Value, I'll buy that [Winning-by-Lying-Down Aura].
Then I'll bring Bei Bei, Sister Lexuan, and the others along to lie low... No, I mean, we'll gain insights while relaxing and grow stronger in comfort! Now that's the ideal life!
Bei Bei watched Lin Ciyan's smooth, seemingly casual movements, which carried a strange rhythm (he was actually just being lazy). Then he looked at the fishing rod in Lin Ciyan's hands, which seemed to have a mind of its own. His little head was filled with enormous astonishment.
A few minutes later, one fish after another was effortlessly reeled in by Lin Ciyan.
"L-Lin, you're amazing!" he couldn't help whispering, a trace of admiration in his eyes that he hadn't even noticed himself.
Bei Bei had tried several times but still hadn't caught a fish. Yet whenever the rod was in Lin Ciyan's hands, he kept reeling them in every few minutes (fishing addicts rejoice).
Bei Bei was already looking at Lin Ciyan with stars in his eyes. At that age, seeing another child do something you couldn't felt unbelievable.
Of course, catching fish nonstop really was unbelievable. Even Mu En found it amusing to watch Lin Ciyan keep landing fish today. He'd often caught fish before, but today they were biting especially fast.
Lin Ciyan was feeling awfully pleased with himself, but on the surface he just waved his hand nonchalantly. "Just the basics. Don't make a fuss. It's all basic technique."
[ Ding! The present Dragon God Douluo and the future Dragon God Douluo were both deeply astonished by the host's relaxed, effortless fishing technique. They both believe the host must be Jiang Taigong reincarnated. Slacking Value +60! ]
Lin Ciyan was thrilled when he saw that, but kept his expression calm and unreadable.
This is only the beginning. Just imagine how the Invisible Mode will be as my cultivation grows stronger.
Once I'm powerful enough to activate [Invisible Mode], even yawning in front of a crowd will seem unfathomably profound. Di Tian will see me and immediately make a run for it. Now that's what I call amazing.
Not far away, Mu En watched the two little ones huddle together and chatter. The long-absent curiosity and trace of excitement on Bei Bei's face, the sort that belonged to a child, filled his heart with emotion.
He was old. Even as a Limit Douluo, he couldn't fully fill the emotional void left in Bei Bei by the loss of his parents.
The loneliness in the child's heart was making him more and more withdrawn. If it continued, not only might his personality become extreme, but it would also be extremely detrimental to the growth of the Radiant Sacred Dragon bloodline within him.
Radiance needed openness and breadth of spirit.
"Letting this child, Ciyan, influence Bei Bei may be one of the best decisions I've ever made." A relieved smile touched Mu En's lips.
Lin Ciyan might have spouted all sorts of "crooked reasoning" about "Relaxation Domain" and "letting go of obsessions," but on closer thought, perhaps there was some truth to it.
Tension and relaxation were both part of the way of letters and arms. Cultivating with a relaxed mind might truly take one farther.
He watched Bei Bei, under Lin Ciyan's "guidance," try to cast the rod. His movements were clumsy, but he was exceptionally earnest. A heavy stone in Mu En's heart finally settled a little.
When the two little ones grew tired of playing, they lay side by side on Lin Ciyan's Auspicious Recliner (thankfully, it was wide enough). Lying there made them both feel at ease, and wisps of something seemed to enter their bodies.
It seemed the Auspicious Recliner's effect of slowly increasing Soul Power had kicked in. But they hadn't awakened their Soul Power yet, so he didn't know whether it could increase their Innate Soul Power.
At the thought, Lin Ciyan immediately figured that if it could increase Innate Soul Power, the item would be far too overpowered. But then again, an item worth 80 Slacking Value probably couldn't have an effect like that.
Still, being able to speed up recovery while lying on it was pretty good.
The two chatted as they watched the sky.
"Grandpa Mu said Sister Lexuan will come see me before long," Bei Bei said softly.
"Sister Lexuan, huh?" The figure of that cool, moonlike prodigy appeared in Lin Ciyan's mind.
He'd seen her a few times on Sea God Island, though they'd only exchanged nods.
Lin Ciyan knew she was truly impressive. Though she was only in her teens now and it was hard to tell, her future was limitless.
He remembered that in the original story, Zhang Lexuan had become a Soul Douluo at just twenty-four and even possessed a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring. Her talent was terrifying.
"Sister Lexuan is very kind to me..." Bei Bei's tiny voice was full of dependence. "I used to be alone all the time. After Sister Lexuan came, she stayed at our home and kept me company, talking to me and teaching me how to read..."
"For the past year or two, Sister Lexuan hasn't been able to stay at the clan home because she has to attend classes at the academy. Now I've come to the academy too, so I'll be able to see her often." A smile appeared on Bei Bei's face.
Lin Ciyan could tell that Zhang Lexuan was like an elder sister and a mother to Bei Bei, a ray of light in his dark childhood, one of the few sources of warmth in his life.
Now that Lin Ciyan was here, he patted Bei Bei on the shoulder. "Don't worry. From now on, I've got your back. I'll show you an even more exciting life! I promise it'll be much more fun than sitting around by yourself!"
Bei Bei looked at the brilliant smile on his face, as if it could chase away every shadow. He didn't quite understand, but nodded solemnly.
He didn't really know what "got your back" meant, but he could feel the sincerity and kindness in it.
Mu En watched the two little ones on the recliner. One was talking animatedly, and the other was listening with rapt attention, occasionally pressing his lips together in a smile.
The sight brought a heartfelt smile to his deeply wrinkled face.
"A win-win situation..." he murmured to himself. Bei Bei had emerged from his isolation, Lin Ciyan had gained a companion, and Shrek's future seemed to have gained another variable and a brighter hue thanks to this curious pairing.
"Perhaps true strength isn't just about the level of one's Soul Power..." Mu En thought, his heart full of emotion.
As for what the future would bring?
Mu En gazed into the distance, as if looking through space at the Sun Moon Empire, growing ever stronger and increasingly ambitious.
Meanwhile, by Sea God Lake, Lin Ciyan faced Bei Bei and issued an invitation from the depths of his soul:
"Well, Bei Bei? Stick with me and learn the true meaning of 'slacking.' Trust me, slacking should be nurtured from childhood! Stick with me from now on. I promise you'll be happy and relaxed, and still grow stronger!"
Bei Bei looked at him. Though he didn't quite understand what "slacking" meant, Lin Ciyan seemed so confident that he nodded firmly all the same.
"Okay! Lin, I'll listen to you!"