Follow Your Heart, and You Won't Be Lost

Lin Ze'an's consciousness grew hazy within the flower bud, a pale green radiance enveloping his body and mind like a thin veil.

That rich force of life seemed to transform into a gentle river, lifting him up softly and wrapping around him in a slow embrace.

At the same time, a tender voice resonated within Lin Ze'an's mind: "All life possesses its own soul, and plants are no exception."

"Yet, because they cannot speak, the people of this world often overlook this fact."

"Having lived through a previous life, you are still able to treat this strange world with a heart of compassion and gentleness. That is very good."

Lin Ze'an's consciousness drifted inside the bud, surrounded by countless flickering green specks of light that swirled around him like stars.

Within those specks, he seemed to witness countless fragments of life.

Sprouts breaking through the soil, flowers in full bloom, lush forests, and even microorganisms too tiny for the naked eye to see.

Every single life existed and blossomed in its own unique way.

"The things that have happened to you recently have left you quite lost, haven't they?"

At these words, Lin Ze'an's consciousness trembled slightly.

Indeed, the passing of his father, the early death of his mother, the cruelty of the Evil Spirit Masters... all of these things weighed upon his young heart like towering mountains.

He had once thought he knew clearly what he should do, but now, everything had become blurred and indistinct.

Should he kill those sinners? Those evil Spirit Masters who had destroyed countless homes, those petty villains who bullied the weak and feared the strong?

But if he did so, would he not also become one who trampled upon life?

Yet, if he did not pass judgment on those people, how was he to pour out the hatred and pain in his heart?

Just as he was lost in his confusion, that gentle voice spoke once more: "How one defines life and death, kindness and evil, depends entirely upon your own heart."

"I believe that if it is you, as long as you follow your true heart, you will not be lost."

"Continue forward, my successor."

As these words faded, the pale green light of the bud suddenly grew brighter, then gradually softened.

At that moment, the bud enveloping him burst open, and the rich force of life surged outward, instantly flooding half of Spirit City.

A moment later, the energy flower slowly dissipated, and Lin Ze'an landed back on the ground.

He stretched his body slightly, feeling the rich force of life circulating through his meridians: "Level 30. It seems I have reached a bottleneck."

Moreover, after absorbing the Love-Sickness Heartbroken Red, every inch of his flesh and blood had been reshaped, becoming tougher and full of vitality.

Was that voice Mo Ruier? Follow my true heart...

Just then, a series of urgent knocks on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Little Junior Brother, are you alright?" Yan's concerned voice came from outside.

Lin Ze'an was slightly startled, then immediately understood.

That made sense; with such a massive commotion, Yan, being the closest, would naturally be the first to notice.

He walked slowly toward the door and reached out to open the courtyard gate.

Outside, Yan's fiery red figure immediately came into view. He was about to speak, but the moment his gaze landed on Lin Ze'an, his words died in his throat.

"This...?" Yan's eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, staring at Lin Ze'an in utter shock.

The aura emanating from his little junior brother was like a fresh sprout in early spring—crisp and full of vitality, yet it faintly revealed a sense of pressure.

His entire temperament looked completely different from before.

"Did you break through? What level?" Yan regained his senses and asked in disbelief.

Lin Ze'an nodded and chuckled: "Yes, I consumed a celestial herb, and I have now reached level 30."

He turned his head toward the direction of the elder residences. With such a large disturbance, neither his master nor Uncle Ghost had come over.

It seemed they had listened to him and were focusing on absorbing their own celestial herbs.

Yan's gaze swept back and forth over Lin Ze'an, his face filled with astonishment: "Level 30! Little Junior Brother, aren't you a bit too incredible?"

"I remember you were only at level 22 just a moment ago. Is the effect of this celestial herb really that strong?"

If that was the case, wouldn't the one his little junior brother gave him have similarly heaven-defying effects?

Lin Ze'an nodded: "Of course. This is a celestial herb rarely seen in the world."

"Senior Brother, you are only one step away from breaking through to level 40, which is why I suggested you eat it after obtaining your spirit ring."

Although the overflowing spirit power would not dissipate, since he was only a step away, it was better to wait until after obtaining his spirit ring.

Lin Ze'an smiled slightly, stepped aside, and made an inviting gesture: "Come in and sit, Senior Brother. I'd like to chat for a while."

Yan raised an eyebrow in confusion but still walked into the courtyard.

The moment he stepped through the gate, he couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"You're the only one in all of Spirit City with a place like this." Yan looked around, his gaze landing on the lush, verdant plants.

They shimmered with a faint luster under the moonlight, and the air was filled with a fresh, pleasant fragrance: "To think you could actually transform your own home into a simulated cultivation ground."

Lin Ze'an said helplessly, "With my martial soul and talent, it's inevitable that I'd run into trouble if I went to the academy's simulated cultivation grounds."

"I have no desire to deal with that crowd, and besides, I sleep much more comfortably in an environment like this."

He led Yan to the stone table in the courtyard, then turned and walked into the house, returning a moment later with an exquisite tea set.

"Wait, little junior, I don't drink—" Before the word "tea" could leave his lips, Yan froze.

Because after setting down the tea set, Lin Ze'an picked up the teapot, but instead of brewing tea, he walked straight over to a vine in the corner of the yard.

He reached out and plucked a few fruits still glistening with dew, then, to Yan's astonishment, squeezed them into juice.

Lin Ze'an returned to the stone table with the teapot and sat down, pouring two glasses of juice that were emitting wisps of cool air.

He handed a glass to Yan and scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed: "I don't have any other glassware here, so let's just use the teacups for now."

Yan took the cup and examined the juice curiously, leaning in to sniff it; a scent blending fruity sweetness with the freshness of grass and trees wafted toward him.

"This... really suits your style, doesn't it?" Yan couldn't help but remark.

A plant-type martial soul, a home made of plants, and now even his drinks were plants...

Lin Ze'an gave a soft hum of agreement, picked up his own cup, and took a light sip.

Then, he gazed at the stars twinkling in the night sky and asked thoughtfully, "Senior, let me ask you a question."

"If someone suddenly told you that you had another relative in this world, how would you feel?"

Yan was in the middle of tasting the juice, but at these words, his movements faltered slightly, and he looked at Lin Ze'an with confusion.

He paused, then asked hesitantly, "Little junior, did something happen to you? Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Could it be that his father's passing had hit him too hard, leaving him in low spirits?