Your Third Soul Ring Needs to Absorb Solitary Bamboo!

Lin Yan finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Although this move was risky, the odds of success were high!

That was right; ever since he guessed that Ning Fengzhi would likely continue to send experts to assassinate Wen Ruan, Lin Yan had begun to ponder countermeasures.

After much deliberation, only two methods seemed reliable.

One was to send Wen Ruan to the Crown Prince's Mansion in Heaven Dou City, where she would be protected by Qian Renxue.

The other was to use Tang Hao's hand to protect himself, thereby protecting Wen Ruan.

The former was the safest, but if he did that, not only would he be separated from Wen Ruan, but she might not necessarily be happy living in the Crown Prince's Mansion. Over time, given Wen Ruan's timid and insecure nature, it would inevitably affect their relationship.

As for the latter...

As long as he could make Tang Hao believe that Lin Yan had value, then when the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect came to attack, Tang Hao would step in to protect him.

Furthermore, if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect dared to dispatch a Spirit Douluo or someone even stronger, Tang Hao would fight them to the death for the sake of the "Xiao Wu" spirit ring!

This was Lin Yan's plan.

If it went well, and Ning Fengzhi sent either Sword or Bone Douluo, both sides would end up suffering heavy losses!

By then... the situation would be entirely under Lin Yan's control.

Returning to reality, Lin Yan held Wen Ruan tightly under the covers and whispered softly.

"It's alright, I will always protect you."

"With me here, no one can hurt you."

The next day.

At the gates of Shrek Academy.

Just like in the original timeline, this spirit-hunting operation was led by Zhao Wuji. Aside from the addition of Lin Yan and Wen Ruan, there were no other changes.

"For this trip to the Star Dou Forest, you must take Teacher Zhao Wuji's lead and absolutely must not disobey his orders."

"In critical situations, Lin Yan also holds partial command authority. Do not act on impulse, do you hear me?"

Flender faced the group, his tone carrying an unprecedented gravity.

He was not joking; this group included the "Third Prince of Star Luo and his fiancée," the "Little Princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," the "son of Tang Hao," and the "future Guardian General of the Heaven Dou Empire!"

If anything were to happen to any of these people, his ten heads wouldn't be enough to pay the price.

Flender finally looked at Zhao Wuji.

"This concerns your life, so you must weigh the priorities clearly."

The subtext of this sentence was that if they encountered danger, he should save the one with the biggest background first!

Zhao Wuji nodded, and as he responded to Flender, the usual playful grin was completely absent from his face.

After a long series of further instructions, the group finally set off on the road to the Star Dou Forest.

On the way, Lin Yan walked up beside Tang San and, without intentionally lowering his voice, said directly.

"Tang San!"

"I have studied your Blue Silver Grass carefully. You are currently at level 29; when you reach level 30, if you absorb a life-attribute spirit ring, you can alleviate the symptoms of your slow cultivation speed."

As he spoke, Lin Yan glanced at the bushes not far away, as if someone there were watching him as well.

Lin Yan then continued to add.

"On this trip, if you are able to break through directly, I suggest you absorb a thousand-year Solitary Bamboo spirit ring."

Tang San's expression was strange.

He couldn't understand at all why Lin Yan was telling him these things.

One had to know that just a few days ago, Lin Yan had shown great hostility toward him, and even at the dinner table, that guy had made him lose face.

Yet yesterday, he suddenly said there was a problem with his Blue Silver Grass, and today he came over to tell him to absorb a Solitary Bamboo spirit ring.

"Inexplicable! Who would listen to your advice?"

Tang San's eyes were suspicious.

"My teacher is a world-renowned master of spirit theory; the cultivation path he designed for me cannot be wrong..."

"..."

"In any case, I will not follow your advice."

At this moment, Xiao Wu also chimed in.

"Exactly, what right do you have to interfere with Little San's spirit ring selection? You're arrogant and conceited, really thinking you're something special."

"Don't think that just because you have a little strength, you can order others around."

Xiao Wu's eyes were fierce, like a mother hen protecting her chicks, terrified that Lin Yan might touch Tang San in the slightest.

To this, Lin Yan nodded gently.

"Mm, just keep the advice I gave you in mind."

With those words, he returned to Wen Ruan's side.

The fluidity of his movements left both Tang San and Xiao Wu stunned.

W-what?

Was he just here to tell me that? He isn't going to press the issue, lecture me, or try to cause me any trouble?

This guy is a bit too strange.

Tang San looked bewildered, completely unable to fathom what Lin Yan was thinking.

In truth, it was no wonder Tang San couldn't figure it out, as Lin Yan's words hadn't been meant for him at all, but rather for Tang Hao, who was lurking in the shadows.

As long as Tang Hao knew that Lin Yan had already selected the spirit beast for Tang San, that was enough.

Lin Yan quickly returned to Wen Ruan's side, the two of them chatting and laughing, as sweet and affectionate as a young couple could be.

It was as if Tang San's rejection and Xiao Wu's hostility hadn't affected him in the slightest.

This scene left Tang San and Xiao Wu even more confused...

Before long, Ning Rongrong suddenly sidled up to Lin Yan.

Unlike the composed demeanor she had shown toward him over the past two days, the young girl's eyes now held a hint of shyness as she looked at him.

"Lin Yan, thank you for yesterday."

"Um... after we return from this spirit hunt, could I treat you to a meal?"

Lin Yan glanced at Ning Rongrong, and the image of that old fox, Ning Fengzhi, involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

He immediately declined.

"No thanks, I have a girlfriend."

Lin Yan's refusal left Ning Rongrong stunned.

It seemed the young girl had never considered such an outcome possible.

Why? Why is he acting like a completely different person? He definitely wasn't like this last night!

Ning Rongrong was internally devastated!

She truly couldn't understand; Lin Yan had been so patient with Tang San and Xiao Wu just moments ago, so why was he suddenly like this with her?

Did I do something wrong? No, that's not it...

It's Wen Ruan!

It must be Wen Ruan who made Lin Yan treat me like this.

Realizing this, Ning Rongrong glared at Wen Ruan, her eyes filled with undisguised jealousy.

Damn it, a mere commoner spirit master, daring to fight me for a man and ruin the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's plans.

One day, I will have Sword Grandpa kill you!

Sensing Ning Rongrong's gaze, Wen Ruan met her eyes for a fleeting second before quickly looking away and shrinking back.

She looked as if she were the one who had done something wrong...

Lin Yan was speechless at the sight, but he didn't say anything further.

As for Ning Rongrong...

He hadn't originally minded befriending her; if they got along well, becoming a couple wouldn't have been out of the question.

This wasn't Lin Yan being narcissistic, but rather the fact that in recent years, both Ning Fengzhi and Qian Renxue had indeed harbored such intentions.

After all, given the positions Lin Yan and Ning Rongrong held, making certain sacrifices for the sake of their factions was understandable.

Even Qian Renxue had been prepared to sacrifice Lin Yan's charms.

But after the incident with the Spirit Saint assassin, Lin Yan had completely changed his mind!

Absolutely not!

Setting aside his personal dislike for that old fox Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's attitude toward Wen Ruan alone made it impossible for Lin Yan to be on good terms with Ning Rongrong.

If Ning Fengzhi were to send a powerhouse to assassinate Wen Ruan in the future, Lin Yan and Ning Rongrong would inevitably end up on opposite sides!