Daily Life After the Storm

News of Yu Yuanzhen personally coming to apologize swept through all of Heaven Dou City like the wind.

Ten million Gold Soul Coins, thirty-six rare treasures, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's sect master personally bowing in apology.

Such treatment was something not even the leaders of major sects would necessarily receive, let alone a twelve-year-old boy.

What shocked everyone even more was what followed: Yu Yuanzhen personally severed Yu Tianheng's right arm, expelled him from the line of succession, and confined him for three years. The punishment was exceedingly harsh, practically a direct declaration that Yu Tianheng's future was over.

For a time, Lin Chen's name became the subject of heated discussion throughout the streets and alleys of Heaven Dou City.

Some marveled at his talent and background, some envied the compensation he had received, and others secretly rejoiced that they had never offended the boy.

Early in the morning, sunlight streamed into the dormitory through the gaps in the curtains.

Lin Chen opened his eyes, stretched, and sat up in bed.

After washing up and changing clothes, he pushed open the door and headed outside.

Partway there, he ran into Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.

Xiao Wu was carrying a cup of hot soy milk, drinking as she walked. When she spotted Lin Chen, she immediately ran over with a beaming smile.

"Morning! You're up pretty early today!"

"Morning." Lin Chen smiled. "You two are up pretty early too."

"I couldn't sleep." Xiao Wu leaned closer and lowered her voice. "I kept thinking about how to use all those rare treasures last night. Ten million Gold Soul Coins! And so many precious herbs! We're rich!"

Lin Chen could not help laughing. "Look at you. Ten million Gold Soul Coins got you this excited?"

"Of course!" Xiao Wu said righteously. "Ten million is enough to last me several lifetimes!"

Zhu Zhuqing walked beside them. Though she did not join the conversation, a faint smile lingered at the corner of her lips.

After spending this time together, she smiled far more often than before. Though she still did not talk much, the distant coldness that kept everyone at arm's length had melted considerably.

The three entered the cafeteria and found seats by the window. Lin Chen went to fetch several breakfasts, and they ate while discussing that day's class schedule.

Halfway through the meal, a familiar figure approached with a tray in hand.

Dugu Yan.

She wore a pale blue dress today, her long hair loosely gathered with a silver hairpin. She looked much gentler than before.

She stopped before Lin Chen, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Can I sit here?"

"Of course." Lin Chen shifted aside and made room for her.

Dugu Yan sat across from him and set down her tray, but she did not immediately pick up her chopsticks.

She lowered her head and fell silent for a moment. Then she looked up at Lin Chen, her gaze carrying a trace of seriousness. "Lin Chen, there's something I want to say to you."

"Go ahead."

"About Yu Tianheng..." Dugu Yan took a deep breath. "I want to apologize. Even though you said you don't blame me, I know that if it hadn't been for me, he wouldn't have become so hostile toward you, and he wouldn't have done that. So I still need to apologize."

Lin Chen looked into her earnest eyes, set down his chopsticks, and spoke gently but seriously. "Sister Yan, I've already said this has nothing to do with you. What Yu Tianheng did was his own choice, not your fault. You don't need to take responsibility for his stupidity."

Dugu Yan looked at him, her lips moving as though she wanted to say something. In the end, she merely nodded lightly. "...Mm."

She said nothing more, lowered her head, and quietly began eating breakfast.

Yet the fingers clutching her chopsticks loosened slightly, and the haze that had lingered between her brows seemed to disperse somewhat.

After breakfast, the four of them attended their morning theory class together.

During the lunch break, Lin Chen went alone to a small grove on the academy's back mountain. He found a clean patch of grass and sat down, closed his eyes, circulated his Soul Power, and examined the condition inside his body.

Although the matter with Yu Tianheng had been resolved, it had also served as a reminder.

In this world, strength was the only hard truth.

If he had not possessed sufficient strength, Shadow Seven's assassination attempt that night might have succeeded. If he had not possessed enough strength and influence, Yu Yuanzhen would never have personally come to apologize.

All respect and awe were built upon strength.

The Soul Power within his body circulated smoothly. The power of the Ice Fire Dragon King had already fused with him for the most part, and only the final step remained before it was completely absorbed.

He estimated that once he fully absorbed the power of the two Dragon Kings, his Soul Power should break through level sixty, perhaps even higher.

He opened his eyes, lowered his head to look at his hands, and clenched them. It was still not enough.

He needed to become stronger.

Strong enough to protect those he wanted to protect without relying on anyone else, and to suppress every enemy who dared offend him.

He rose to his feet and brushed the grass clippings from his clothes. Just as he was about to leave the grove, he suddenly sensed a familiar aura approaching.

He turned and saw a figure in white robes standing at the entrance to the grove, smiling at him.

Xue Qinghe.

"Student Lin Chen, pardon the interruption." Xue Qinghe walked over at an unhurried pace, her bearing as calm and elegant as ever. "There are some things I'd like to discuss with you. Is this a good time?"

Lin Chen looked at her and sighed inwardly. This Spirit Hall young mistress hiding within the Heaven Dou Empire really was impossible to shake off.

"Please speak, Your Highness."

Xue Qinghe stopped before him and looked at him warmly. "You handled the matter with Yu Tianheng very well. You neither humbled yourself nor acted arrogantly; you obtained the compensation you deserved and established your authority. To be honest, I greatly admire the way you handled it."

"You flatter me, Your Highness."

"However," Xue Qinghe said, changing the subject, a deeper meaning appearing in her eyes, "have you considered that Yu Tianheng dared to move against you not only because of jealousy, but also because he believed there was no sufficiently powerful force behind you? He knew you were acquainted with Dugu Bo and knew that you possessed Spirit Hall's Saintess Token, but in his eyes, those were merely acquaintances, not true affiliations."

She paused, looking into Lin Chen's eyes with an earnest, sincere tone. "If you are willing, the Heaven Dou Royal Family can become your true support. Not superficial courtesies and formalities, but genuine assistance and protection. With your talent, your future achievements will know no bounds. The Heaven Dou Royal Family is willing to invest in you and establish a long-term cooperative relationship with you."

Lin Chen looked into her sincere eyes and could not help admiring her acting skills.

She was clearly recruiting talent for Spirit Hall, yet she could present it so passionately in the name of the Heaven Dou Royal Family.

If he had not known her true identity, he might truly have been moved by her words.

"Your Highness's favor honors me deeply," Lin Chen said, his tone polite yet firm. "However, for now, I wish to focus on cultivation and do not want to be bound by any faction. When I have sufficient strength in the future, it will not be too late to consider such matters."

Xue Qinghe looked at him, a complicated emotion flashing through her eyes. She was silent for a moment, then smiled and shook her head. "Very well, I will not force you. But I hope you know that the doors of the Heaven Dou Royal Family will always remain open to you."

After saying that, she turned and left the grove.

Lin Chen stood amid the trees, watching her back vanish into the sunlight, his gaze deep and calm.

He knew Qian Renxue would not give up easily. The more unattainable something was to someone like her, the more she wanted it. But it did not matter. He had plenty of time to play along with her slowly.

He withdrew his gaze and turned toward the edge of the grove.