The morning sun spilled down, but Chen Zhou didn't leave right away. Instead, he went to the Spirit Pagoda.
After reaching the top floor and meeting Leng Yaozhu again, he told her about being kicked out, along with everything else.
Leng Yaozhu didn't care at all.
She didn't even seem to feel anything. She simply nodded calmly and pointed to a box nearby.
"All right, don't be sad. From now on, I'll be your real mother."
"This box is for you."
"You've heard of Mystic Water Pills, right? They can improve your talent and constitution. There are four in here, all for you. Taking them will help your cultivation speed improve even further."
Leng Yaozhu spoke casually. As she talked, she turned a page in the book she was holding.
But when Chen Zhou saw that she was holding the book upside down, he fell silent.
"Thank you, godmother."
"I'll never forget your great kindness."
After speaking, Chen Zhou picked up the box containing the four Mystic Water Pills.
The three ten-thousand-year Dragon Blood Fruits he had were still being refined, and the process wasn't finished yet. These four Mystic Water Pills would help him cultivate even faster in the meantime.
He had already figured out that his cultivation speed was being suppressed by about fifty times—an even more outrageous situation than Tang Wulin's had been back then.
The problem was, his cultivation speed was two hundred and forty times that of an ordinary person, which was still far too fast.
Under the circumstances, rare pills and spirit herbs that ordinary people coveted were no longer much use to Chen Zhou. Instead, he needed to find a way to suppress his Soul Power.
After all, if he reached the Soul Emperor level—or became even stronger—at the age of ten, he'd definitely be captured and cut open for research.
That wasn't what Chen Zhou wanted. He wanted to keep a low profile.
Like a great tree, he needed to drive his roots deep into the earth to gather more nourishment. Its branches could grow tall and show off their talent, but they couldn't reach the heavens and make others wary.
That was Chen Zhou's principle for survival.
Leng Yaozhu didn't know any of this. Watching the boy accept the gift, she nodded calmly.
"Go straight back. From now on, I'll send you some pills every month."
"I'll also collect some ten-thousand-year spirit herbs that you can use."
After speaking, Leng Yaozhu sat up and looked directly at Chen Zhou, her voice serious.
"You're six and a half this year. When you're nine, it'll be time to enter what you call an intermediate academy. I expect you to reach the third ring by then."
"Your talent is excellent. As long as you work hard at cultivation, reaching the third ring shouldn't be a problem."
Meeting Leng Yaozhu's serious gaze, Chen Zhou nodded.
The resources she was providing added up to an astronomical amount. Mystic Water Pills alone were difficult to obtain, and three ten-thousand-year spirit herbs, plus the pills she would provide each month, amounted to an unimaginable fortune.
In return for providing so many resources, Leng Yaozhu was only asking him to reach the third ring. That really wasn't too difficult.
Even a good-for-nothing could manage that without much trouble.
What's more, with his cultivation speed, reaching the third ring would be even easier. He could just take a year or two off from cultivating.
"All right, godmother. I'll definitely reach the third ring within three years. I won't disappoint you."
"Just call me Aunt Leng. 'Godmother' sounds too awkward. Go back and wait by the entrance. I'll have someone take you home."
After speaking, Leng Yaozhu waved Chen Zhou away, showing no intention of keeping him there.
Chen Zhou didn't mind. He bowed respectfully, then turned and left.
Less than a minute after he stepped out, the black-clad man from earlier came over and respectfully escorted him to the high-speed rail station.
Before leaving this time, though, Chen Zhou took a stroll around Shrek City.
He wasn't looking to buy anything for himself. He wanted to bring Na'er some gifts.
After all, the little girl had been waiting for him for three or four days. She must have been worried sick.
Shrek City had plenty of food, with all kinds of snacks on display.
Chen Zhou mainly brought back some pastries and snacks that would keep for a while.
As the high-speed train rolled along, he sat in the familiar business-class seat. This time, he wasn't as ill at ease as before.
After all, the black-clad man had been sent by his godmother. Now that he had someone backing him, he wasn't nervous anymore.
And after fusing with a Soul Bone and becoming much stronger, Chen Zhou felt more hopeful about his future.
Of course, he couldn't let his guard down. Once he got home, improving his forging skills needed to become a top priority.
His talent for forging was excellent, but he still needed to practice hard.
The high-speed train rolled onward, its whistle blaring. In less than a few hours, Chen Zhou was back in Eastsea City.
When he reached the station entrance, the black-clad man respectfully bowed to him before heading back. Chen Zhou let out a breath, picked up his suitcase and the large bag of snacks, and turned to leave.
But as soon as he stepped outside this time, he saw a familiar car.
It was the same car that had picked him up before. The difference was that this time, Su Xin wasn't the only one to get out. A pretty little girl climbed out with her.
The little girl waved her chubby hands at him, then came running over with a patter of footsteps.
Without thinking, Chen Zhou held out the snacks in his hands. But the little girl didn't even look at them. She rushed right past the food and hugged him tightly.
Chen Zhou froze for a moment. He wanted to say something, but when he looked down, he saw the little girl was already crying, tears pattering onto his clothes.
Seeing the tear tracks on her face, Chen Zhou helplessly reached out to wipe them away, then patted her head.
"Why are you crying? I was only gone a few days. Why are you crying?"
"Did someone bully you?"
"I thought you... didn't want me anymore."
"Waaah, big brother... you were gone for days."
The little girl spoke in broken sobs, tears still glistening in the corners of her eyes. Chen Zhou's heart ached at the sight.
He stood up helplessly and handed his suitcase to Su Xin. Then he wrapped an arm around the little girl and lifted her into his arms.
"It's all right. I'd never leave you behind."
"Let's go home. Big brother came back with a lot of good things this time."
Chen Zhou smiled as he spoke.
He had gained so much over the past few days—not only had he obtained a Soul Bone, but his own strength had also improved considerably.
He took the little girl with him, and the two of them followed Su Xin back to the Spirit Pagoda.
At that moment, on the top floor of the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda, Chen Mo stared silently at the report Leng Yaozhu had sent him.
"Good grief, did he really go that far? He beat up the future Pagoda Master!"
"My disciple's talent is way too good!"
Chen Mo muttered as he looked at the report.
He was delighted, but there was also a touch of helplessness on his face. It was clear now that he'd probably be spending his retirement at the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda.
After all, going to headquarters was no longer an option.