The battle before Qinglan Mountain's gates had struck like thunder out of a clear sky, its echoes sweeping through the surrounding hundred miles.
With the cultivation of a level twenty-two Soul Grandmaster, Lin Chen had crushed a Spirit Hall squad led by a level forty-two Soul Ancestor, instantly killing two Soul Elders and four Soul Grandmasters. That heaven-defying feat had shattered everyone's understanding of cultivation ranks. Qinglan Academy's name spread to more outside powers in the wake of the battle, and no one dared dismiss it lightly anymore.
Within the academy, every student took Lin Chen as their role model, and the fervor for cultivation reached unprecedented heights. Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi had also distinguished themselves in the battle at the gates: one was a heaven-defying new student who had absorbed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as a Soul Scholar, the other a newly advanced Soul Grandmaster with considerable combat prowess. The renown of the "Azure Mist Three Talents" had taken firm root in every student's heart.
After that battle, Spirit Hall had indeed grown much more restrained, sending no more people to harass Qinglan Mountain. Clearly, it was gathering strength in secret and waiting for a better opportunity. Lin Chen knew this was only a brief calm. Spirit Hall's greed would never abate so easily; the next time it came, it would bring stronger experts and crueler methods.
Remaining at Qinglan Academy meant enjoying the protection of the dean and the academy, but it would also limit his growth. True powerhouses never grew in greenhouses. Only by setting foot on the vast Douluo Continent, weathering its storms, and honing himself in real combat could he reach higher realms and gain the strength to protect everything.
Besides, his fated entanglement with Tang San had long been set in stone. Tang San had already established himself at Shrek Academy and was growing through trials alongside his companions. If Lin Chen stayed tucked away in one quiet corner, the distance between them would only widen.
It was time to leave Qinglan Academy and step into a wider world.
That day, Lin Chen brought Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi to Azure Cloud Hall to bid farewell to True Person Qinglan.
Inside the great hall, True Person Qinglan looked at the three spirited young people before him, especially Lin Chen, who stood tall with a steady gaze. His eyes were filled with reluctance to part, but also deep expectations. He had long seen that Lin Chen was no creature destined to remain in a small pond. Little Qinglan Academy could never contain this heaven-defying youth forever.
"Have you truly decided to leave the academy and seek experience outside?" True Person Qinglan asked in a low voice, a trace of reluctance in his tone.
Lin Chen bowed, his expression resolute. "Dean, thank you and the academy for nurturing me all this time. But if I want to grow stronger, I must leave Qinglan Mountain, see the wider world, and face the storms ahead. I'll also take Qingyuan and Xi'er with me so we can gain experience and improve our strength together."
Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi stepped forward as well and bowed slightly to True Person Qinglan. "Please grant us your permission, Dean."
True Person Qinglan sighed deeply and waved a hand, his eyes full of pride. "Very well. An eagle must eventually spread its wings and soar. I won't stop you. But the world outside is far more dangerous than the academy. Spirit Hall watches like a hungry tiger, and the various powers are a jumble of fish and dragons. You must be careful in everything you do. Never act rashly when trouble arises."
As he spoke, True Person Qinglan raised his hand, took out three jade pendants of pure emerald green, and placed them in their hands. "These are Azure Mist Tokens. Anyone who holds one is an honored guest of Qinglan Academy. If you encounter trouble you cannot resolve, take your token to any Azure Mist Branch Academy on the continent. They will do everything in their power to help you."
"I'll also prepare ample Soul Coins and cultivation herbs for you. Don't stint yourselves while cultivating outside. Remember, no matter when, Qinglan Academy will always stand behind you. If you grow tired or weary, come back whenever you wish."
Lin Chen and the two young women accepted the Azure Mist Tokens and cultivation resources, warmth filling their hearts. They bowed once more. "Thank you, Dean!"
Once he had said everything he needed to, True Person Qinglan looked at Lin Chen and added gravely, "During your travels, you must be wary of Spirit Hall. Pay particular attention to a young man named Tang San as well. He comes from the Clear Sky Sect, studies under Yu Xiaogang, and is currently cultivating at Shrek Academy. His talent is truly heaven-defying. The two of you could be called the twin luminaries of this generation. If you meet him in the future, remember to proceed cautiously."
Lin Chen understood. The dean had indeed noticed the undercurrents between him and Tang San. He nodded slightly. "I understand. Rest assured, Dean."
After bidding farewell to True Person Qinglan, the three said their goodbyes to Instructor Qinghe and the other teachers they knew. Then they packed their belongings and set out on their journey.
Once they left Qinglan Mountain, the rolling peaks fell behind them, and boundless plains stretched ahead. Roads crisscrossed the land, and travelers passed in an endless stream, some ordinary folk, others Soul Masters whose bodies gave off fluctuations of soul power. Everywhere carried a sense of bustling everyday life and lurking danger utterly unlike Qinglan Academy.
This was the true Douluo Continent.
It was Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi's first time leaving Qinglan Mountain. Their eyes brimmed with curiosity as they took in the unfamiliar, fresh sights, yet they held tightly to Lin Chen's hands and never strayed a step from him.
Lin Chen walked between them, keeping both protected at his sides. His Life Soul Power spread out silently as he remained alert to every movement around them, his Life Domain ready to activate at any moment against a sudden threat.
"We'll head to nearby Heaven Dou City first," Lin Chen told them softly. "We can rest there and gather news about the outside world. Along the way, we'll look for a suitable second soul ring for Xi'er and opportunities to improve our strength."
Yue Huaxi was now a level twenty-one Soul Grandmaster, but she had yet to absorb her second soul ring, making further improvement difficult. Their first priority on this journey was to find her a high-age soul ring compatible with her Moonlight Spirit Grass Martial Soul.
Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi nodded together, without any objection to Lin Chen's arrangements. Wherever they went, being able to stay by his side and grow stronger together was enough.
The three continued toward Heaven Dou City. Lush green fields lined their route, and they occasionally encountered scattered hundred-year soul beasts. These beasts were weak enough that Lin Chen had no need to act. Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi could handle them easily together, giving both a chance to hone their soul skills and practical combat abilities.
Su Qingyuan's first soul skill, Azure Lotus Protection, grew increasingly refined. Its pure white lotus shield could both defend and heal her companions' injuries; combined with Lin Chen's Life Soul Power, its healing effect was exceptional. Yue Huaxi's Moonlight Spirit Grass soul skills leaned toward control and forceful attacks. Her silvery moonlight power could weaken enemies, and her attacks were fierce. The two worked in harmony, their combat strength rising rapidly with every battle.
After half a day of travel, they entered a dark, Dense Forest. The spiritual energy here was turbid, utterly different from the fields they had passed through. A faint, savage fluctuation of soul power hung in the air. Clearly, this was a gathering place for soul beasts, with no shortage of powerful ones.
"Be careful. Something's wrong with this Dense Forest. The soul beast auras are all mixed together, and quite a few belong to beasts over a thousand years old." Lin Chen's expression tightened slightly. He stopped and spread his Life Soul Power to its fullest extent, probing the movements around them.
Just then, hurried footsteps and Soul Masters' shouts came from deep within the Dense Forest, accompanied by the thunder of colliding soul skills. Clearly, someone was being besieged by soul beasts.
"Help! Is there a Lord Soul Master nearby? Please save us!" An anxious cry for help reached them in broken bursts.
Unable to bear it, Su Qingyuan looked at Lin Chen. "Should we go take a look?"
Lin Chen nodded slightly. He was not cold-blooded by nature. Besides, doing good deeds and building connections were part of gaining experience outside. Anyone who had run into danger in this Dense Forest was likely a Soul Master out seeking experience as well.
Following the voices, the three hurried deeper into the Dense Forest. A moment later, a perilous scene came into view.
Five young Soul Masters were being besieged by a massive four-thousand-year Shadow Wolf soul beast. All five were Soul Grandmasters, but despite resisting together, they had already been driven back again and again. Every one of them was injured, and their soul power was badly depleted. They were on the verge of dying in the wolf's jaws.
The Shadow Wolf soul beast was pitch-black, swift as a phantom, its fangs gleaming coldly. The aura of its four thousand years of cultivation was savagely violent. It launched fierce assault after fierce assault, keeping the five trapped.
"They're students from the Heaven Dou Empire Royal Soul Master Academy. Judging by their clothes, they must be out gaining experience," Yue Huaxi said, her keen eyes recognizing their uniforms at once.
Lin Chen watched calmly as the Shadow Wolf prepared to pounce on the students. He did not hesitate. "Move! Save them!"
As the words fell, Lin Chen flashed forward, charging out first. A pale green Life Domain instantly unfurled around him, enveloping the Shadow Wolf!
[Life Domain activated. Enemy soul power suppressed by 35%, speed reduced by 40%!]
The Shadow Wolf, so swift a moment before, abruptly slowed. The soul power within its body grew sluggish, and more than half its savage aura faded. A flicker of panic crossed its eyes.
Before the Shadow Wolf could retaliate, the two deep green soul rings beneath Lin Chen's feet blazed to life, and Life Blue Silver Grass burst from the ground!
"Life Entanglement! Life Suppression!"
Both soul skills activated at once. Thick strands of blue silver grass coiled upward like lightning, binding the Shadow Wolf's body tight. Vast suppressive force poured down, pinning the four-thousand-year soul beast directly to the ground and leaving it unable to move!
The entire process took no more than a single breath!
The Royal Soul Master Academy students, who had been on the brink of despair, stood frozen in place. Their eyes widened as they stared in disbelief at Lin Chen's sudden arrival and the effortlessly subdued Shadow Wolf, their minds completely blank.
A four-thousand-year soul beast had been taken down instantly by a Soul Grandmaster, just like that?!
Lin Chen walked slowly forward and looked at the five, who were still shaken. "Are you all right?" he asked evenly.
Only then did the young male Soul Master at their head recover his senses. He hurried forward with his companions and bowed to Lin Chen, his voice filled with gratitude and awe. "Thank you for saving us, Senior. We're students from the Heaven Dou Royal Soul Master Academy. We encountered this Shadow Wolf while out gaining experience. If you hadn't saved us, we would certainly have died here today!"
As he looked at the two green soul rings beneath Lin Chen's feet, the awe in his eyes deepened. With such a heaven-defying soul ring configuration and such overwhelming strength, the youth before him was unquestionably one of the continent's foremost geniuses!
Lin Chen waved a hand and was about to speak when Yue Huaxi's eyes suddenly lit up. Looking at the suppressed Shadow Wolf, she said softly to him, "Lin Chen, the Shadow Wolf's soul power is yin and supple, and it contains the power of speed. It's highly compatible with my Moonlight Spirit Grass Martial Soul. This four-thousand-year Shadow Wolf would be perfect for my second soul ring!"
A trace of a smile flashed through Lin Chen's eyes. He turned to Yue Huaxi and said warmly, "Perfect. I'll keep it restrained for you. Absorb its soul ring right away."
An unexpected rescue had led them straight to a soul ring suited to Yue Huaxi. Fate could weave such wondrous coincidences.
Yet as they spoke, several concealed gazes deep within the forest remained fixed on Lin Chen. Greed and malice filled those eyes as they silently studied his heaven-defying soul rings and the subdued four-thousand-year Shadow Wolf...
A new crisis was quietly brewing.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away at Shrek Academy, Tang San had just completed a practical combat trial and advanced to a level thirty-three Soul Elder. Standing in the academy square, he seemed to sense something and looked up toward the distance, his gaze deep. An inexplicable, intense sense of danger rose within him, as though a powerful rival were slowly drawing closer.
The twin threads of fate were slowly converging toward the same point.
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