The Return Date Is Set
Lin Chen had demonstrated it to him before—when the Divine Eye locks onto a target, it leaves an invisible spatial mark on the target. Within three breaths, it ignores any path, obstacle, or domain, and cannot be disturbed or interrupted, directly appearing next to the target through Void Shift. Currently, it can lock onto a distance of up to 150 zhang, and can be used a maximum of five times per day.
What does this mean?
This is an unparalleled skill for assassination and support. Taking the head of a general amidst the chaos of battle, or rushing to the aid of comrades in times of crisis, is all within a single thought.
Combined with the Chaos Prison Suppression Domain, he integrates control, assassination, and support into a unified force. Among those of the same level, who could be his match?
Xiao Wu's progress is also clearly visible.
After four months of nourishment from the spiritual energy of ice and fire, coupled with the continuous nurturing effect of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red Medicine, her cultivation level rose all the way to the peak of level 48, just one step away from level 49.
The duration of the Fourth Soul Skill, Invincible Golden Body, has been extended to nearly five seconds, and the number of uses has been increased to twice a day, enough to save one's life in critical moments.
She accompanied Lin Chen to cultivate by the spring every day, and her physical strength, Soul Power circulation speed, and recovery speed all improved significantly.
The Soft Bone Rabbit was already agile, but now it was even lighter than a gust of wind, and its Teleportation made even its afterimages fade.
What's even more eye-catching is its appearance.
In four months, the girl grew taller, her once slightly childish face matured, her jawline softened, and her eyes and brows became more expressive.
Her skin, nourished by the icy and fiery spiritual energy, was fair and delicate. Her long hair was tied into a playful scorpion braid, and when she ran, the ends of her hair brushed against her shoulders, carrying a faint medicinal fragrance. She was still that lively little girl, but unknowingly, she had gained a touch of charming girlishness.
Sometimes when Lin Chen was meditating and resting, his gaze would fall on her, and he would lose track of time.
That afternoon, it started snowing again.
A simple wooden shed was built in front of the thatched hut. Dugu Bo moved a stone bench and sat under the shed, cooking a pot of steaming meat soup.
The pot was bubbling away, and the aroma, mixed with the snow vapor, wafted far and wide.
Xiao Wu squatted down beside the fire, poking at it with a twig, but her eyes kept glancing at Lin Chen by the spring.
Lin Chen had just emerged from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, his upper body bare, water droplets rolling down his firm shoulders, glistening in the sunlight.
He was drying his hair with a cloth. His profile was sharp, and his jawline had developed some youthful sharpness. He was much more mature than he was four months ago, and his temperament was more calm and reserved. Standing in the snow, he was like a tall and straight pine tree.
"Hey kid, staring blankly again? Come on over and eat."
Dugu Bo tapped the edge of the pot with a soup spoon, raised his chin at Lin Chen, and spoke with a hint of mockery.
Lin Chen snapped out of his daze and just then saw Xiao Wu turn her head to look at him. Their eyes met, and Xiao Wu blushed and quickly lowered her head to stir the fire.
He felt a little awkward, coughed, and walked over to sit down. "Master is joking."
"What are you joking about?" Dugu Bo pursed his lips, ladled a bowl of soup, and handed it to him. "A brat is still a brat; he can get distracted even by a little girl. No matter how capable your disciple is, he's still just a kid."
Lin Chen took the soup and remained silent for a moment.
I don't know who it is, but not long ago he was acting all high and mighty like Titled Douluo. After spending these past few months with him, he has completely shed his aloof and indifferent facade and is now just a mischievous old man.
He loves to tease him all the time, and sometimes he even tries to steal food from Xiao Wu, showing absolutely no airs of a senior.
However, he also knew that Dugu Bo truly considered them as his own people.
This old man has lived a lonely life. His son and daughter-in-law passed away early, and his granddaughter spends most of her time at the academy, so he rarely has anyone to keep him company.
After spending four months together day and night, he may not say it, but in his heart he already regarded Lin Chen as half a grandson.
"The matter of storing poison is now completely resolved." Dugu Bo stirred the meat in the pot with a ladle and looked up at Lin Chen.
"We should head back to the academy. You're currently at the peak of level 40 Soul Elder, just hitting a bottleneck. On the way back, find a suitable Soul Beast to absorb your Fourth Soul Ring, which will save you from neglecting your studies. We can't stay cooped up in this valley forever; it's time to go out and broaden their horizons."
"The academy hasn't heard from you, their number one genius, for four months. They must be incredibly worried." He chuckled as he spoke.
Four months ago, Lin Chen sacrificed his Soul Ring, causing his cultivation level to drop to level fifteen or sixteen. If those old guys in the academy knew about this, they would be scared half to death.
Now look at him, not only has his cultivation returned, but he's also heading straight for the Soul Ancestor, and his Third Soul Ring is already at the 50,000-year level. Just thinking about Meng Shenji and the others' expressions makes me laugh.
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. "Are we going back? Then we can see Elder Sister Yan and Sister Lingling!"
Dugu Bo nodded and ruffled Xiao Wu's hair again, "It's good that you're back, little girl. It saves you from being cooped up in the valley with that boy every day."
Xiao Wu giggled, secretly glancing at Lin Chen, her cheeks flushed.
Lin Chen looked at her and smiled, his eyes filled with warmth.
The four months of life in the valley were quiet, yet peaceful. There was cultivation, the warmth of everyday life, a master, and Xiao Wu. It was the most relaxed period of his life since he came into this world.
But he also knew that towering trees cannot grow in a greenhouse.
The Heaven Dou City outside, and the even wider continent, await them.
The snow fell heavier and heavier, with goose-feather-like snowflakes landing softly on the roof.
Inside the shed, a roaring fire blazed in the stove, and meat broth simmered. The three sat together, enjoying the warmth and coziness.
"This disciple also wishes to return soon," Lin Chen nodded slightly, "But I'm sorry to trouble you, Master."
"Don't give me that." Dugu Bo waved his hand, changing the subject, "Tell me, what kind of Fourth Soul Ring do you want? Your master will arrange it for you."
After a moment's thought, Lin Chen said, "This disciple still wants to find a spatial attribute. The Third Soul Ring is the Void Beast King, which has the highest compatibility with spatial attributes. If the Fourth Soul Ring can continue the spatial path, it will be easier to trigger resonance and unlock stronger spatial Soul Skill."
"I'm not sure what kind of Soul Beast it is. I'd like to try my luck near the spatial rift in the Star Dou Great Forest. The spatial energy is active there, making it the easiest place for high-level Space System Soul Beast to be born."
"I knew you'd pick something special again." Dugu Bo snorted but didn't object. "Alright. The spatial rift is dangerous, but with Master there, nothing serious will happen. We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning and come back as soon as possible."
The moon was shining brightly that night, and the snow had stopped.
Lin Chen arrived at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and looked at the immortal Immortal Herb covering the ground. He couldn't help but smile. He had been tending to the herbs for the past four months and had used the spiritual energy of the ice and fire to help them grow. The Immortal Herb in the herb garden were growing vigorously and were full of spiritual energy.
He took out several warm jade boxes and began picking the jade pieces one by one.
The leaves of the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid are as lustrous as white jade, and it is the best for strengthening the body's foundation and removing impurities; I picked three plants. The petals of the Aromatic Silk Beauty are layered like colorful clouds; it is a holy product for harmonizing medicinal properties and resolving conflicts of Soul Power; I picked two plants.