Life at the Godwind Academy has recently become peaceful.
Feng Lingtian spent most of his time in the side hall of the Pill Pavilion flipping through " Lingtian's Notes," occasionally being pulled out for a walk by Su Mei'er.
Feng Xiaotian and Shui Bing'er had a fixed routine: one would finish practicing martial arts, the other would wait for them under the corridor, and then they would walk out of the academy together.
Jiang Lin and Bai Lingyu's seats were by the window in the side hall. Bai Lingyu always sat next to Jiang Lin. Sometimes when Jiang Lin was reading, Bai Lingyu would sit next to him. The two didn't talk much, but anyone could see that they liked each other.
Su Ran and Ye Qingyu are more reserved, but in their daily lives, they are often seen being affectionate together. Su Ran often makes some small snacks, and after baking them, she doesn't specially deliver them to Ye Qingyu often sits.
Ye Qingyu was stunned for a moment when she first saw it, but she got used to it afterward, and would occasionally look up and ask, "What flavor is it today?"
Lu Hanxiao and Bai Chenxiang were the most mischievous—the noise Bai Chenxiang made when she blew the stove could be heard from two courtyards away. Lu Hanxiao would always watch from the side, and when Bai Chenxiang came running out covered in soot, he wouldn't laugh, but would just hand her a cup of water.
These days were as peaceful as if the previous siege had never happened. But Feng Lingtian would occasionally pause when he opened " Lingtian's Notes," wondering how long this peace could last.
Ning Fengzhi came again that day.
The cooperation between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Pill Pavilion on pills has been going on for more than half a year. Ning Fengzhi would personally come every now and then to discuss the supply, check the quality, and chat with Feng Qingxuan.
This time he brought Ning Rongrong and Oscar with him. Ever since Ning Rongrong started to participate in sect affairs, Ning Fengzhi would bring her along every time he came, so that she could familiarize herself with the procedures and negotiations. Today, Oscar was also there.
Feng Lingtian and Su Mei'er came out of the side hall of the Pill Pavilion, intending to take a walk towards the martial arts arena. Before they even got there, they heard Bai Yu's voice coming from afar.
When they reached the edge of the training ground, they found that everyone was there. Feng Xiaotian finished practicing a set of Gale Footwork and was sitting on the sidelines drinking water.
Su Ran and Ye Qingyu sat under the shade of a tree by the field. Ye Qingyu held a pastry made by Su Ran and slowly ate it. Jiang Lin sat on the steps by the side reading a book. Bai Lingyu sat next to him, twirling a sycamore leaf between her fingers.
Bai Yu waved to Feng Lingtian and Su Mei'er as they approached, saying, "Vice Captain, Mei'er Meier, you've come at the perfect time— Rongrong brought Oscar along today."
Feng Lingtian followed his gaze and saw Ning Rongrong walking towards the academy gate with Oscar, who looked much stronger than he had six months ago.
Ning Rongrong led the way, pointing towards the main building and Pill Pavilion while talking to Oscar, as if she were acting as a guide.
As the two approached, Feng Lingtian greeted them, "You're back?"
Oscar saw him and smiled, "You're back."
"Did it go smoothly?" Feng Lingtian asked.
"It went... pretty smoothly," Oscar said.
Hearing the conversation, Zhong Yue curiously leaned over and asked, "What are you talking about? Where's Oscar?"
Feng Lingtian didn't answer directly, but glanced at Oscar, as if leaving the conversation to him.
Oscar glanced at Feng Lingtian before speaking, "I spent a year searching for a path to become stronger. Before I left, Feng Lingtian told me that there was a Soul Beast in the Frozen Forest of the Far North called the Mirror Beast, and its Soul Skill might be useful to me. So I went there."
Feng Lingtian stood to the side without saying a word, as if he had tacitly agreed to the matter.
Bai Yu urged from the side, "So what happened to you? Don't just tell me what you went to do, tell me about the journey."
"Yes, yes, tell us about it." Cheng Luo chimed in.
Others gradually gathered around— Shi Yan put down what he was holding and took two steps toward them; Su Ran, who had been sitting under the shade of a tree, also stood up, and even Feng Xiaotian turned his head to look at them.
Seeing that everyone had gathered around, Oscar sat down on the steps under the eaves.
He coughed twice, as if clearing his throat, then raised his hand to touch his chin—even though he had no beard, he stroked it in a pretentious manner, as if imitating a storyteller.
Ning Rongrong, standing beside her, couldn't help but chuckle, "You're even putting on an act? Hurry up and tell me, I'm also curious about your experiences this past year—you haven't even had a chance to tell me yet."
Oscar glanced at her, as if surprised by her response. He withdrew his hand, sat up straight, and adopted a serious tone. "Alright, then I'll start from the beginning..."
And so, Oscar began to recount his experience. "When I first arrived in the Frozen Forest, I was completely disoriented and almost froze to death in the woods. Later, I followed a mercenary group for a few days before I figured out the rules there."
The mercenaries came in all ranks, but they all shared one thing in common—don't flaunt your wealth when you're out and about. If you wear too much gear or spend too much, you'll be targeted that very night. I didn't know that at first, and I brought a few nice clothes with me, which were stolen the next day."
Feng Lingtian leaned against a pillar and listened without interrupting.
"Later I learned my lesson and dressed just as shabbily as them, and sat in the most inconspicuous spot when we ate. When people asked me what kind of Soul Master I was, I said I was Support System, and they stopped asking."
Oscar chuckled as he said this, "Then I was able to quietly venture deeper into the forest and find the Mirror Beast."
He stood up and brushed off imaginary dust from his clothes. "When you're out in the world alone, the hardest thing isn't being unable to defeat Soul Beast, it's not knowing when to trust someone and when to be wary of them."
Feng Lingtian didn't reply immediately after hearing this. He stood under the eaves, watching the sycamore leaves rustling in the wind in the courtyard, and after a few moments spoke, "Then do you think it's worth it?"
Oscar glanced at him. "Very worth it."
Bai Yu chimed in from the side, "You keep saying it's worth it, but what kind of Soul Skill did you get? Show us!"
Oscar smiled and didn't refuse. He stood up, extended his hand, palm facing upwards, and his Soul Power condensed for a moment—
A pale golden Sausage appeared in his hand, its surface shimmering with a flowing luster, and faint traces of Soul Power circulating within it.
"This is the Mirror Sausage," Oscar said. "As long as I have the blood of the corresponding Soul Master, I can copy their Martial Soul and Soul Skill."
For example, if I obtain Captain Feng's blood, I can condense the Mirror Sausage of the Gale Twin-Headed Wolf. After consuming it, I can temporarily possess his Martial Soul and Soul Skill.
A moment of silence fell over the area. Su Ran was the first to snap out of it, her eyes lighting up. "How long can this thing last?"
Oscar thought for a moment, "After it's generated, it will probably last for a day or two. Any longer, and the effect will gradually weaken."
Su Ran's expression changed from excitement to regret. "That's not enough. I was thinking that if this stuff could be stored for a longer time, it would be more reliable when Qingyu and I go out for training—I'm Food System, I have no combat abilities, I'd just be food for them."
Bai Yu laughed at him from the side, "You're certainly honest."
Su Ran didn't deny it. "That's exactly right."
Feng Lingtian didn't speak, but his thoughts had been completely ignited by those words— Su Ran had voiced the question he had been pondering.
If the Mirror Sausage can be preserved for a long time, then Su Ran, Ye Qingyu, Jiang Lin, Bai Lingyu... everyone will have an extra layer of protection when they go out to train.
"I'll give it a try," Feng Lingtian said. "Let's see if we can make a Soul Tool for storing food, so that the Mirror Sausage can be preserved for longer."
After saying that, he turned and walked back. The crowd behind him began to murmur amongst themselves.
Bai Yu was the first to stand up. "After hearing Oscar's experience, I feel I can't stay here any longer. I should go back to my family and see if there's anything that needs to be taken care of."
Shi Yan glanced at her. "I'll go with you."
Bai Yu glanced at him and nodded. "Okay."
Cheng Luo nodded, "Indeed. We've been staying in the academy all this time, and although we've been cultivating, it seems like we've lost our direction. Oscar's return has reminded me."
Feng Lingtian didn't turn back, but quickened his pace. He returned to the side hall of the Pill Pavilion, opened a blank page of " Lingtian's Notes," and wrote a few words:
Mustard Seed Storage Soul Tool.
He paused for a moment, then added another line: It needs to have the function of delaying the loss or stagnation of items.
Feng Lingtian sat at his desk for a long time. As darkness fell outside the window, he did not light a lamp.