The Wager

Lin Xiao leaned on Lu Yuan's shoulder, panting, his eyes closed, his chest heaving violently.

Lu Yuan supported him without moving. The sound of birds flapping their wings in the distance completely disappeared, and the heavy twilight pressed down.

He stood to the side, leaning on his Qingzhu cane, watching silently.

"Come inside," the old man finally spoke, "It's chilly at night."

The three returned to the bamboo hut. Qingzhu lit a lamp and then boiled water. The flickering firelight illuminated their tired faces.

Lin Xiao drank a large bowl of warm water before he recovered.

"He will come back." He said in a low voice.

Lu Yuan nodded.

"I know."

"Next time... it won't be so easy." Lin Xiao licked his canine teeth. "I understand the family rules. Today, Seventh Grandpa had some doubts, but those doubts couldn't overcome the 'rules'."

He paused.

"They won't allow me to 'mess around' like that."

Lu Yuan didn't reply. He was thinking about the look in Seventh Master Lin's eyes before he left—wavering, weary, and something else deep inside.

Qingzhu brought in the porridge. It was a very thin rice porridge, served with a side dish of pickled vegetables.

"Fill your stomach first." The old man sat down. "I've known that seventh son of the Lin Clan for decades. Stubborn and inflexible, but not a bad person. The fact that he backed down today means you've hit a nerve."

Lu Yuan took the bowl of porridge.

"The sore spot?"

"Family tradition." Qingzhu sipped her porridge. "The older the family, the more they value 'tradition' more than their own lives. What you said today is tantamount to pointing fingers and saying that something they've passed down for a thousand years is flawed. He may not admit it, but in his heart..."

The old man shook his head.

"But it's precisely because he values you so much that he's even less likely to let you go." Qingzhu looked at Lin Xiao, "You are their most outstanding talent in the last hundred years, and your Martial Soul is also special. Letting you go? The Lin Clan can't afford to lose face like that."

Lin Xiao gripped his chopsticks tightly.

So there's still no way out?

"The road..." Qingzhu murmured.

The wind rustled outside, and the bamboo leaves whispered.

No one spoke.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Lu Yuan was the first to wake up. He sat cross-legged by the window, looking at the herbs covered in dew in the herb garden outside, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees.

He was calculating time, resources, and possibilities.

Lin Xiao was still asleep, his brows furrowed, his right hand twitching involuntarily in his sleep.

Footsteps came from outside.

It's very light, but lands extremely steadily. It's not Qingzhu.

Lu Yuan stood up. Almost simultaneously, Lin Xiao also opened his eyes, his amber pupils shrinking slightly in the dim light.

The two looked at each other.

They've arrived.

The door was pushed open. Seventh Master Lin stood in the doorway, followed by two guards. The old man had changed into a dark blue robe, his silver hair was neatly combed, and his face was expressionless.

He didn't go inside; he just stood outside the threshold.

"Come out and talk."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable weight.

Lu Yuan and Lin Xiao went outside. Qingzhu also came out from the side room, standing under the eaves with her cane, but did not approach.

The valley was shrouded in mist in the early morning, and the herb garden was filled with the bitter scent of grass.

Seventh Master Lin's gaze swept over Lin Xiao, lingered on his face for a moment, and then turned to Lu Yuan.

"Sharp-tongued," the old man said calmly, "I've been thinking about what you said yesterday all night."

Lu Yuan remained silent.

"The family is not unaware of the drawbacks you mentioned," Seventh Master Lin said slowly. "Suppression of cultivation techniques and correction of Soul Bone both come at a price. But compared to crippling a genius, these costs are acceptable."

Lin Xiao's throat moved.

"However—" Seventh Master Lin changed the subject, "The 'change' you showed yesterday did indeed surprise this old man somewhat."

He stared at Lu Yuan.

"I'll tentatively believe you've made some discoveries, but words alone are insufficient proof."

Lu Yuan met his gaze.

"Does the senior want proof?"

"Proof?" Seventh Master Lin smirked. "Kid, do you know how many resources the Lin Clan invested in Xiao'er's Martial Soul? How many so-called ' Grandmaster ' did we consult? Everyone claimed to have a solution, but what was the result?"

He held up three fingers.

"Three months."

Lu Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

"Within three months, if you can help Xiao'er completely resolve the problem of stagnant Soul Power circulation and steadily increase her strength by at least three levels—for example, from the current level thirty-three to level thirty-six," Seventh Master Lin said, enunciating each word clearly, "And in the process, you must not leave any hidden dangers or damage her foundation."

He paused.

"If you can do that, I will take charge and no longer interfere with his fate. I might even represent the family to mediate between you and the Hundred Refinements Pavilion."

Lin Xiao suddenly looked up.

"Seventh Grandpa, you--"

"Shut up," Seventh Master Lin interrupted him, his gaze still fixed on Lu Yuan's face. "I haven't finished speaking yet."

The air suddenly turned cold.

"If you can't do that," the old man's tone turned serious, "Not only will Xiao'er have to obediently come back with me and accept the family's arrangements, but you'll also never again be allowed to utter such nonsense as 'choosing your own path'."

He raised his finger and pointed at Lu Yuan.

"You must also hand over all your research notes, data, models—all written records—regarding Martial Soul and Soul Power. You must also Soul Oath never to divulge these contents, never to profit from them, and never to engage in related research again."

He stared at Lu Yuan, his eyes as cold as ice.

"How?"

Are you willing to bet?

After he finished speaking, the valley became eerily quiet.

Lin Xiao's expression changed. Three months to resolve a Martial Soul threat that even a top-tier family would find troublesome, and he was expected to advance three levels? This wasn't a bet; it was a challenge!

"Impossible!" he blurted out, "Seventh Grandpa, this is clearly—"

"I'm asking him." Seventh Master Lin didn't even glance at Lin Xiao, only staring at Lu Yuan. "You, do you dare to answer?"

Qingzhu tightened her grip on the bamboo cane. The old man's lips moved, but he ultimately remained silent.

Lu Yuan stood still, his face expressionless.

His mind was racing.

Three months, ninety days. The real challenge lies in "completely resolving the stagnation" and "leaving no hidden dangers." This means that he must complete the systematic reconstruction of the Martial Soul energy circuit while improving his Soul Power.

Time is tight and the task is heavy.

but...

This is also an opportunity—a chance to get the Lin Clan to formally recognize his theories and in exchange for Lin Xiao's freedom.

The risk is enormous. If they lose, not only will Lin Xiao have to go back to being a puppet, but all the research he has accumulated over the years will also be handed over to someone else.

The cost would be almost unbearable.

Lu Yuan took a slow breath.

He recalled the manuscripts from his previous life that had been shelved and eventually gathered dust. He thought of this life, starting from Maple Leaf Town, and how he had been verifying, deducing, and building the theoretical framework step by step.

Knowledge should not be monopolized, nor should it be buried.

He looked at Lin Xiao. The boy was clenching his teeth, his fists so tight his knuckles were white, and his amber eyes were full of anger and resentment—and a hint of fear that he was trying hard to hide.

Lu Yuan withdrew his gaze.

"Can."

The voice was clear, calm, and without the slightest hesitation.

Lin Xiao was stunned.

Seventh Master Lin raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" the old man asked, his tone scrutinizing. "Young man, don't be reckless. Once this bet is made, it's bound by Soul Oath; you can't afford the consequences of going back on your word."

"I'm sure," Lu Yuan said, "But on two conditions."

"Explain."

"First, we need an absolutely quiet and safe environment for the next three months. Senior and your people, please leave the valley and refrain from monitoring, disturbing, or interfering with our cultivation and research in any way."

Seventh Master Lin narrowed his eyes.

"Second," Lu Yuan continued, "I need a resource list. Some medicinal herbs, minerals, and special Soul Power environments are necessary for completing the adjustment and upgrade. I will draft the list within three days, and the family should provide it as needed—as part of the bet, there should be no limit to these resources."

After he finished speaking, he waited quietly.

Seventh Master Lin fell silent.

He stared at Lu Yuan, as if trying to see through the boy's body to understand what was hidden inside. After a long while, he slowly nodded.

"The environment is acceptable. Resources..." He paused, "... bring the list, the family will evaluate it. If it's reasonable, we'll give it. If it's unreasonable, forget it."

"Whether it's reasonable or not, I will provide a detailed explanation and theoretical basis," Lu Yuan said.

Seventh Master Lin gave him a deep look.

"Alright." The old man turned around. "Three days from now, I will come to collect the list. From then on, the bet will officially begin."

He took two steps, then stopped.

"Xiao'er."

Lin Xiao looked up.

"You chose this path yourself." Seventh Master Lin, his back to him, spoke with a complex tone, "You lost the bet, don't blame the family."

After saying that, he and his guards disappeared into the misty path without looking back.

The herb garden fell silent again.

Lin Xiao suddenly turned to Lu Yuan, his eyes red.

"Are you crazy?" His voice trembled. "Level 3 in three months? And you want to completely overcome the stagnation? Do you know how difficult that is?!"

"I know," Lu Yuan said.

"Then you still--"

"Because this is the only chance." Lu Yuan interrupted him, "Lin Xiao, your Seventh Grandpa didn't come here today to negotiate. He came to give the family, to you, and to himself a 'justifiable' reason."

He looked at Lin Xiao.

He needs to see 'results,' 'results' of sufficient magnitude, before he can go back and convince those old guys. Otherwise, he won't be the only one coming next time."

Lin Xiao opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Lu Yuan turned and walked towards the bamboo house.

"Go pack your things. We only have three days to prepare."

"What are you preparing?" Lin Xiao followed.

"List." Lu Yuan pushed open the door and pulled out paper and pen from his bag. "And..."

He paused.

"A complete solution that can simultaneously resolve stagnation and enhance Soul Power."