The two chatted as they walked, passing through several noisy streets before reaching a relatively quiet corner on the edge of town.
Several matching grayish-brown tents had been set up here. Compared with the chaos of the central district, this place seemed somewhat more orderly. Beside one tent, three people waited, some sitting and some standing.
"Everyone, I'm back! And I've brought good news!" Lei En's voice arrived before he did, his hearty laughter drawing the three people's attention.
All three stood at the sound. One was a tall young man in fitted leather armor, with eyes as sharp as a hawk's; he was presumably the Agility Attack System Soul Master. Another was a girl who looked slightly younger, around seventeen or eighteen. She wore a plain, pale-green dress and had delicate features and gentle eyes, with a hint of shyness. She was presumably the Healing System Soul Master who needed a Soul Ring. The last was a young man in a dark-blue combat outfit, his expression somewhat arrogant as he toyed with several green vines. His scrutinizing, slightly dissatisfied gaze fell directly on Lin Yan. This was undoubtedly the Control System Soul Master.
"Brother Lei, did you find someone?" the Agility Attack System youth asked first, his tone expectant.
"That's right!" Lei En patted Lin Yan's shoulder and introduced him to the others with a smile. "This young brother is called... uh..." Only then did he remember that he had not asked his name, and he looked apologetically at Lin Yan.
Lin Yan stepped in at just the right moment, his voice calm. "Lin Shuo." He used the alias he had prepared beforehand.
"Right, Brother Lin Shuo!" Lei En continued. "He's a Power Attack System Soul Master. I can tell he has an exceptional bearing, and he'll definitely make up for our last weakness. With him joining us, we'll have an even better chance of getting Xiao Yun her Third Soul Ring!"
At this, the Healing System girl called Xiao Yun smiled in delight. She bowed slightly to Lin Yan and said softly, "Thank you for being willing to join us, Lin Shuo."
The Agility Attack System youth also smiled and nodded at Lin Yan. "Welcome. I'm Ling Ren, Martial Soul: Wind-Chasing Dagger, level 27 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master."
Lin Yan nodded in greeting as well. He could sense the goodwill of Lei En, Ling Feng, and Xiao Yun. The team's atmosphere did indeed seem quite good.
Just then, however, the Control System Soul Master, who had remained silent all this time, gave a cold snort and spoke without a shred of courtesy. "Lei En, aren't you being too hasty? You just dragged some random person off the street to fill the slot? Look at his age-he hasn't even grown all his hair yet. How strong could he be? Once we enter the forest, he might not only be unable to help, but force us to split our attention to protect him!"
The atmosphere instantly grew somewhat strained.
Lei En frowned, trying to smooth things over. "Ji Qiu, you can't put it that way. I don't think Brother Lin Shuo is as simple as he looks..."
"Not as simple as he looks?" The Control System Soul Master named Ji Qiu interrupted him, his tone growing sharper. "Lei En, the Star Dou Great Forest isn't a playground! Danger lurks on every side. One careless mistake could doom the entire team beyond redemption! The Power Attack System fighter we need is someone who can hold the front line, someone we can rely on at a critical moment-not some 'little kid' of unknown origins who might need us to look after him! If his strength isn't up to par, he won't just hurt himself. He'll hurt all of us!"
Though his words were unpleasant, they were not entirely unreasonable. The delight faded from Ling Ren's and Xiao Yun's faces, replaced by a measure of worry and hesitation. Indeed, Lin Yan looked far too young.
Lei En looked at Lin Yan awkwardly and was just about to say something more.
Lin Yan, however, took a step forward of his own accord, his expression still calm and unruffled. Looking at Ji Qiu, he said evenly, "Your concerns are reasonable. Trust is the foundation of teamwork, and trust is often built on strength. Since you have doubts, letting strength speak is the most direct approach."
Ji Qiu had not expected Lin Yan to be so direct. He froze briefly, then curled his lips into a provocative smile. "Oh? Interesting. Seems you're very confident in yourself? Fine, you can join us. As long as you can last the time it takes an incense stick to burn against me, or make me acknowledge your strength, I'll have nothing more to say. Otherwise, go back where you came from!"
"Ji Qiu!" Lei En still wanted to dissuade him. He felt this was going a little too far.
But Lin Yan had already nodded. "Very well. Please."
Seeing Lin Yan agree so readily, a harsh glint flashed through Ji Qiu's eyes. He walked first to a small clearing nearby and announced loudly, "Ji Qiu, Martial Soul: Thorn Vine, level 26 Control System Soul Grandmaster! Show your Martial Soul and Soul Rings!"
Lin Yan walked slowly to stand opposite him, resting his right hand lightly on the sword hilt at his waist. He showed no sign of releasing his Martial Soul or Soul Rings, merely saying, "Lin Shuo, Martial Soul: Cold Light Sword."
Out in the world, one's identity was whatever one made it. Lin Yan really felt too embarrassed to announce his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. Otherwise, more trouble would inevitably arise, so he simply named the sword he carried as his Martial Soul.
He did not announce his Soul Power Level, which undoubtedly infuriated Ji Qiu even further.
"You won't even show your Soul Rings? You look down on me?!" Ji Qiu flew into a rage, believing Lin Yan was deliberately humiliating him. Even Lei En, Ling Feng, and Xiao Yun beside them looked surprised.
"I'm not looking down on you," Lin Yan explained calmly. "I just think there may be no need to go to that much trouble."
"Arrogant! I'll make you regret it!" Ji Qiu roared. "First Soul Skill, Entanglement!"
Two Soul Rings rose beneath his feet, one white and one yellow. At the same time, his First Soul Ring lit up, and the green vines in his hands abruptly surged in length. Like venomous snakes, they shot toward Lin Yan's legs to coil around them, moving so fast they whistled through the air.
Just as the vines were about to reach him, Lin Yan finally moved. His movements did not seem fast, yet he shifted his footing at precisely the moment before the vines closed in, moving his body half a step sideways at a subtle angle and narrowly avoiding their initial encirclement. At the same time, rather than drawing his sword, he shot out his left hand like lightning. He did not block them head-on; instead, with his fingers slightly curved, he lightly touched one thick vine and guided it aside.
Ji Qiu felt his Soul Power hitch. His supposedly certain strike seemed to hit empty air, its force diverted slightly by a supple strength, sliding past the hem of Lin Yan's clothes.
"Hm?" Ji Qiu was startled, but his reaction was swift. His Second Soul Ring immediately lit up. "Second Soul Skill, Poison Thorn Lash!"
The vines that had missed instantly withdrew, then whipped upward. Tiny purple thorns emerged along their surfaces, and with even greater force, they lashed at Lin Yan like whips from different angles. Their reach was immense, sealing off almost all his room to dodge.
Ling Ren and Xiao Yun could not help letting out quiet cries. Lei En clenched his fists as well, ready to intervene at any moment.
Facing this storm of attacks, Lin Yan remained composed. His body seemed to suddenly become as supple as though it had no bones, performing exquisitely precise evasions within the cramped space, at times like willow catkins drifting on the wind, at others like a fish gliding through water. At some point, the sheathed sword in his hand had begun darting out. Rather than blocking, it always tapped precisely where the vines' force was weakest, sticking, drawing, or guiding with a supple strength Ji Qiu could not comprehend at all.
Ji Qiu felt as though he were attacking a drifting wad of cotton, or stirring a still pool whose bottom lay beyond sight. Every powerful attack was neutralized and diverted with the slightest effort. The frustration of having strength but nowhere to use it nearly made him spit blood. Lin Yan's footwork seemed simple, yet he always found a blind spot in the attacks by a hair's breadth, while steadily closing the distance between them.
"Is dodging all you can do?! Show your Soul Skills!" Ji Qiu roared impatiently. His attacks grew even fiercer, and his Soul Power consumption soared.
Lin Yan, however, seemed not to hear him. His mind was wholly immersed in the essence of Tai Chi, sensing the flow of his opponent's Soul Power and the paths of his attacks. His opponent was, after all, a Control System Soul Master; direct assault was not his forte. Once Lin Yan got close...
There! The instant the vines withdrew to gather force, a sharp gleam flashed in Lin Yan's eyes. His body, poised to strike all along, suddenly surged forward like a hunting leopard! This step was as swift as lightning, utterly different from his earlier composure. In an instant, he crossed the last few steps between them and cut straight inside Ji Qiu's guard!
"What?!" Ji Qiu's expression changed drastically. Being approached at close quarters was a Control System Soul Master's greatest fear. He hurriedly tried to retreat and command his vines to defend him.
But how could Lin Yan give him that chance? The instant he broke inside Ji Qiu's guard, the sword at his waist finally rang with a clear hum-and flashed from its sheath! A cold gleam streaked past. Rather than chopping, the blade darted like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, passing precisely through a gap in the vines hastily returning to defend. The next moment, the icy blade rested lightly against Ji Qiu's neck.
Every movement stopped short.
Ji Qiu froze in place, cold sweat instantly beading across his forehead. He could clearly feel the blade's icy touch and chilling killing intent. His vines, which had been flailing menacingly, now drooped helplessly.
Silence fell over the clearing.
Lei En, Ling Feng, and Xiao Yun stared at the scene, dumbstruck. In truth, only a few dozen seconds had passed between Ji Qiu launching his attack and Lin Yan closing in to subdue him. The fierce clash of Soul Skills they had imagined had never happened. Lin Yan had not shown even a single Soul Ring from beginning to end. Relying solely on exquisite footwork and swordsmanship, he had defeated Ji Qiu, a level 26 Control System Soul Grandmaster, with such effortless ease!
His strength... was unfathomable!
Lin Yan slowly withdrew his sword and took a step back, his tone as even as ever. "Thank you for the bout."
Ji Qiu's face alternated between green and white. He touched his still-chilly neck, looking at Lin Yan with a complicated expression. After a long while, he took a deep breath. Though he still looked somewhat embarrassed, he solemnly cupped his hands. "I lost! I accept it wholeheartedly! I was blind just now and underestimated you. You're more than strong enough to join us. Welcome, Lin Shuo!"
Though arrogant by nature, he was not a petty man who could not accept defeat. Lin Yan had won his respect through absolute strength.
Only then did Lei En breathe a sigh of relief. Laughing heartily, he stepped forward and clapped Lin Yan and Ji Qiu firmly on the shoulders. "Good! We really did have to trade blows to get acquainted! That settles it! Brother Lin Shuo, your skills are truly incredible!"
Ling Feng also stepped forward, admiration in his eyes. "Impressive! Looks like we really have found a powerful ally this time!"
Xiao Yun smiled happily as well, her gaze toward Lin Yan filled with gratitude and trust.
After this contest, the barrier between the team members instantly vanished, and the atmosphere became genuinely harmonious.
As captain, Lei En smiled and formally introduced the team to Lin Yan. "All right, Brother Lin Shuo, let me formally introduce our Boulder team again. I'm Lei En, Martial Soul: Boulder Shield, level 31 Defense System Battle Soul Elder." Three Soul Rings rose beneath his feet, one white, one yellow, and one purple.
"Ling Ren, Martial Soul: Wind-Chasing Dagger, level 27 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master." Two Soul Rings rose beneath Ling Feng's feet, one white and one yellow.
"Su Yun, Martial Soul: Dandelion, level 30 Auxiliary System Quasi Tool Soul Elder. Our objective this time is to obtain her Third Soul Ring." Beneath Su Yun's feet, white and yellow Soul Rings likewise rose, while the phantom image of a dandelion emitting a soft white light appeared beside her.
Looking at this well-rounded team, whose members had fairly distinct personalities, Lin Yan let go of his last trace of concern. He nodded. "Lin Shuo. From here on, I look forward to working with you."
"Good! Then let's waste no time. We'll set out now and enter the Star Dou Great Forest!" Lei En swept his hand forward, full of vigor.
The five made a few preparations and checked the supplies they carried. Then, without further delay, they left Star Dou Town and headed toward Star Dou Forest.