Time flew like an arrow, and the sun and moon raced across the sky. Before long, nearly half a year had passed since Luo Chen broke through to level 30 and became a Soul Elder.
After all his hard work training during that time, his Soul Power had successfully reached around level 35.
On top of that, he had been undergoing practical combat training, while more frequent medicinal baths had improved his fighting skills and physical condition.
Although Luo Chen was still a Soul Elder, his actual combat strength had long since surpassed that of an ordinary Soul King-level Soul Master.
His days should have continued peacefully like this, but early that morning, after finishing his medicinal bath, Luo Chen didn't train as usual. Instead, he headed to the attic in the Worship Hall.
As far as Luo Chen was concerned, so long as he didn't leave Worship Mountain and enter the territory of Martial Soul Mountain, he could go anywhere he pleased.
That naturally included the attic, which recorded many of the continent's secrets and stored the knowledge accumulated by Spirit Hall over countless years.
There were many ancient books here. During the period just after he arrived at the Worship Hall, Luo Chen had often come to read books about Soul Beasts and Martial Souls, filling in the gaps in his experience and knowledge.
But that wasn't why he had come this time.
Guided by the lamplight, Luo Chen made his way to the deepest part of the attic. There, a pile of old books sat looking as if they were about to be buried in dust.
"Found it."
After searching for a long time, Luo Chen finally stopped in front of a bookshelf.
On the shelf's label, he saw a few words: "Herbal Medicine."
That was exactly what he had come for. He needed to learn more about this subject to prepare for his plans.
There was a place he had wanted to visit for a long time. He had put it off because he was too weak, and because he had only just joined the Worship Hall and hadn't gotten to know the elders well enough yet.
But now, Luo Chen felt that the time was about right.
"The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. A famous treasure trove in the original story. I hope it has Immortal Herbs that can help me and the grandfathers, too."
As the greatest advantage the Shrek Seven Devils had in the early part of the original story, those immortal treasures were even said to be the reason some of them could become gods later on.
Since he had transmigrated, Luo Chen had no intention of handing over such good stuff and letting those hypocrites benefit from it again.
As for its guardian, Dugu Bo, Luo Chen was more inclined to recruit him. After all, he was one of the few decent people in the original story.
And Tang San had tricked him badly in the original story, even taking over his home. Luo Chen couldn't help feeling that the old man had gotten a raw deal.
But that was as far as his sympathy went. What happened in the end would depend on whether Dugu Bo knew what was good for him.
For three days straight, Luo Chen shortened his training sessions to spend time in the attic. This unusual behavior soon caught Qian Daoliu's attention.
"Chen'er, what have you been busy with lately? If there's anything you don't understand about your training, you can just ask me or the other elders."
After breakfast on the fourth day, Qian Daoliu stopped Luo Chen as he was about to head back to the attic and asked, puzzled.
Luo Chen didn't waste words. He promptly pulled a sealed letter from his robes.
Qian Daoliu took it. The letter had yellowed and looked quite old.
Of course, that wasn't the truth. Luo Chen had written the letter himself and staged the whole thing shortly after joining the Worship Hall. Written from the perspective of someone who had been there, it contained some information about the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in Sunset Forest.
Most of it came from the original story. Luo Chen had added some details of his own, combining everything into this letter.
As for why a letter that had existed for only half a year, or perhaps a little less than a year, looked so old—as if it were an antique from a decade ago—that was Luo Chen's doing, too. He had brought a little "modern" shock to Douluo Continent.
There was a good chance Qian Daoliu wouldn't notice. Besides, Luo Chen was certain that Qian Daoliu trusted him and wouldn't insist on verifying whether the letter was genuine.
Before long, Qian Daoliu's brow furrowed.
Just as Luo Chen had expected, since Qian Daoliu hadn't used his Soul Power to examine it, he hadn't noticed that the letter had been deliberately aged.
"Chen'er, where did you get this letter?"
Qian Daoliu looked at Luo Chen, puzzled.
Luo Chen pressed his lips together and thought for a moment. To Qian Daoliu, it looked as if he were trying to remember something.
"It was given to me when I left by the village chief who found me."
"He said it had been left behind by the only Soul Emperor in our village."
Luo Chen began spinning an entirely straight-faced tale.
Qian Daoliu, however, furrowed his brow.
He certainly trusted Luo Chen. What he didn't believe was the content of the letter.
He had lived for so many years. How could there be such a treasure trove in the world that he had never heard of—and that Spirit Hall had never recorded, either?
He knew about Sunset Forest, of course, but he had never heard of any Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
"Chen'er, do you think everything in this letter is true?"
As he spoke, Qian Daoliu handed the unsealed letter back to Luo Chen.
Luo Chen naturally nodded. Everything he had done was meant to make Qian Daoliu believe him. Even a little belief would do.
As for why he hadn't simply told Qian Daoliu about it himself, that would have raised far too many questions.
How could a little kid like him know about something like that?
That was why Luo Chen had come up with this unusual plan shortly after arriving at the Worship Hall.
"Grandpa, I want to go and check."
"While I'm at it, I want to see the world outside. Didn't you say that only real combat could make me a true powerhouse? I think I'm ready to go out and see the world for myself."
Luo Chen spoke without being either servile or overbearing.
He had come up with those words on the spot to get permission to visit the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, but he really did want to go out and gain some experience.
Some of those words were his genuine thoughts.
At that, Qian Daoliu fell silent.
He was hesitating.
In his eyes, the situation was actually the opposite.
Whether the information in the letter was true or not, it was just an excuse for Luo Chen to go out. His real goal was to gain some experience, not to visit some Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
But in the end, Qian Daoliu relented.
He shook his head gently and beckoned to Luo Chen.
"Don't go to the attic today. Head back to your room first. I'll have Fifth Elder take you out in a little while."
"Just as you said, go to Sunset Forest and have a look... and while you're at it, let him show you what the world outside is really like."
"But Chen'er, remember: once everything's over, have Fifth Elder bring you back. You're still not strong enough."
Qian Daoliu raised a hand and stroked Luo Chen's forehead, speaking kindly.
He was still a little worried about Luo Chen, even though he knew that Guang Ling Douluo might stay by his side at every turn.
In his eyes, Luo Chen was still just a child who had awakened his Martial Soul only half a year ago—and he wasn't even seven years old yet.
The continent was still too dangerous for him.
But Qian Daoliu also knew that if Luo Chen wanted to become a true powerhouse, this day would have to come eventually.
So this time, he chose to let Guang Ling Douluo take Luo Chen out and show him the world beyond.
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