Chapter 28: Life on the Forest Border
After leaving the caravan alone, Yu Xiaolie headed towards the sect.
At this moment, he was filled with displeasure. After his falling out with Yu Zhentian, he could no longer stay in the convoy as if nothing had happened.
After running for an unknown distance, Yu Xiaolie suddenly sensed a familiar presence behind him. Turning around, he saw that it was Second Master Yu Yuanhai.
Yu Yuanhai's breathing was steady, and he easily kept up with him.
"Xiao Lie, are you alright?"
Yu Yuanhai stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over Yu Xiaolie with concern in his eyes.
"Second Master, I'm fine."
Yu Xiaolie shook his head.
Yu Yuanhai breathed a sigh of relief, raised his hand and gently patted Yu Xiaolie's shoulder, saying helplessly.
"You're such a stubborn kid. Your grandpa's only doing this for your own good. What's wrong with going to Thunder Academy? Your older brother went too, didn't he?"
"Second Master, I have my own plans. In the sect, I can better plan my cultivation path."
Yu Xiaolie pursed his lips and looked in the direction of the sect.
"Grandpa is also worried about your future, but his methods were a bit too forceful. Thunder Academy has abundant resources and can provide you with a better platform."
Yu Yuanhai sighed as he looked at Yu Xiaolie's stubborn expression.
Yu Xiaolie frowned slightly and said seriously.
"Second Master, I know he means well. But everyone's cultivation method is different."
Yu Xiaolie looked at Yu Yuanhai and then threw out a question.
"Second Master, what do you say is the method for Soul Masters to increase their Soul Power level?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Yuanhai's expression turned serious, and he patiently explained.
"One way for a Soul Master to improve is to find a simulated environment. In a place that matches their own Martial Soul attributes, a Soul Master can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth more efficiently, making their cultivation twice as effective with half the effort."
"The second is the most basic and extremely important meditation, which is to perceive the spiritual power of heaven and earth in tranquility and nourish oneself."
"There is also real combat, accumulating experience in battle and breaking through limits."
But as he spoke, Yu Yuanhai's voice grew softer and softer, as if someone had suddenly choked him.
A flicker of realization crossed his eyes, and the classrooms of Thunder Academy, filled with students, involuntarily came to mind.
With so many students in a class, each with different talents and martial spirits, how can a teacher possibly have the energy to manage how a child with a mutated martial spirit should cultivate?
Thinking about this, Yu Yuanhai finally understood the reason why Yu Xiaolie insisted.
"Xiao Lie, do you feel that no one in the academy can teach you according to your aptitude, thus delaying your cultivation?"
Yu Xiaolie nodded slightly.
A hint of difficulty flashed across Yu Yuanhai's face. He knew that Xiao Lie wanted to stay in the sect and cultivate with him, but...
"But even if you return to the sect and come with me, I can't accompany you to cultivate every day. The sect leader instructed me to…"
At this point, his voice unconsciously lowered, and a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaolie's heart skipped a beat. Even though Yu Yuanhai hadn't finished speaking, he had already guessed what Yu Zhentian was implying.
It's simply a matter of spending time each day training with the talented Yu Xiaozhen, since Yu Xiaozhen is a key talent cultivated by the sect and carries the high hopes of everyone.
Thinking of this, Yu Xiaolie's eyes dimmed, but his heart was in turmoil.
I thought that returning to the sect and following Second Master would give me more opportunities to grow, but now it seems that this path is also full of thorns.
An awkward silence fell between the two.
After a long silence, as if making a difficult decision, Yu Yuanhai said:
"Go find your second uncle!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaolie abruptly raised his head.
The Second Uncle Yu Luomian, whom Second Master mentioned, was an extremely unfamiliar figure to Yu Xiaolie.
Within the sect, he had only met his second aunt. His second uncle was rarely in the sect, and Yu Xiaolie had never even met him once.
...
Meanwhile, in a small town near the distant Sunset Forest.
Yu Luomian, dressed in a blue robe, was busy working in an orderly manner.
In the small town, most of the people coming and going are Soul Masters and their assistants who are busy with matters related to Soul Beasts.
Yu Luomian had just returned from an exploration in the forest, her face showing signs of fatigue.
He entered a spacious room filled with various books, specimens, and instruments related to the study of soul beasts.
"Recently, several hundred-year-old soul beasts have been frequently active in the eastern part of Sunset Forest, which may pose a threat to the surrounding villages."
"An assistant said anxiously."
Yu Luomian nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the huge forest map on the wall. After a moment of thought, he gave his instructions.
"Strengthen patrols in the eastern region, closely monitor the movements of soul beasts, and report any abnormalities immediately."
After arranging the affairs, Yu Luomian turned and walked towards the breeding ground.
Inside the arena, several tamed soul beasts stayed quietly in their respective areas. He carefully observed their condition and recorded information from time to time.
In this small town, every job he does is related to the safety of the surrounding people and also carries the trust that the Tiandou royal family places in him.
...
"Second Master, since you say that Second Uncle represents our sect and has been stationed at the border of Sunset Forest with the Heaven Dou Royal Family's army for many years, why don't we ask Second Uncle for information directly when we go to hunt for Soul Rings, instead of blindly trying our luck in the forest?"
Upon hearing about his second uncle's responsibilities, Yu Xiaolie was filled with doubt and couldn't help but ask.
In his view, his second uncle had first-hand information about soul beasts, and if he could obtain it, wouldn't hunting soul rings be twice as effective?
Upon hearing this question, Yu Yuanhai sighed helplessly, a hint of embarrassment appearing on his face.
"This is not allowed. Unless the Emperor agrees, it would be tantamount to abusing one's authority to benefit the sect."
"Our sect's relationship with the royal family has already become increasingly strained."
The relationship between the sect and the royal family is delicate; a slight misstep could trigger an even greater crisis of trust.
"Moreover, the monitoring of spirit beasts is mainly for the benefit of the royal family's spirit masters. When the spirit masters in the army need to absorb spirit rings, they will seek their assistance in hunting them down."
Yu Yuanhai continued to explain.
"After all, the empire can't just ignore such a Soul Beast Forest. The resources within it must be utilized to serve the empire."
He shook his head slightly, looking at Yu Xiaolie, hoping he could understand the implications.
Yu Xiaolie nodded in response to Yu Yuanhai's words.
After discussing their options, the two set off together for Sunset Forest.
...
After several days of arduous travel, Yu Xiaolie and Yu Yuanhai finally arrived at the border of Sunset Forest.
From a distance, what comes into view is an orderly encampment.
The campsite was surrounded by a sturdy fence with various warning signs hanging on it, constantly reminding everyone of the dangers lurking in the forest.
In the center of the camp was a huge campfire pit, which was now burning fiercely, bringing a touch of warmth to this somewhat desolate frontier.
There were some makeshift tables and chairs made from tree trunks around the area, piled high with various maps, files, and hunting tools.
Not far away, soldiers were carrying out their daily training, shouts of battle rising and falling, their figures appearing particularly resolute in the afterglow of the setting sun.
As soon as the two stepped into the camp, two taxi drivers carrying long guns quickly stepped forward and looked them over warily.
Yu Yuanhai quickly stepped forward, revealed his identity, and stated his purpose. After listening, the soldiers exchanged glances.
One of them said.
"Please come with me, I will take you to see Lord Yu."
Then, led by the soldiers, Yu Xiaolie and Yu Yuanhai walked through the crowded camp toward the largest tent.
Along the way, people cast curious glances at them.
The atmosphere inside the tent was somewhat somber.
Yu Luomian sat in the main seat, looking at Yu Xiaolie and Yu Yuanhai with a cold expression.
After listening to Yu Yuanhai explain his purpose, he frowned and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
In his view, the sect was sending Yu Xiaolie here at this time to dump trouble on him. He was too busy with royal affairs to take care of the child.
"This isn't a shelter, I don't have time for him."
Yu Luomian's tone was icy, making no attempt to hide her refusal.
He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his eyes filled with detachment.
Seeing this, Yu Yuanhai leaned close to Yu Luomian's ear and whispered something.
"Xiao Lie has a mutated martial soul. The sect leader wanted him to go to Thunder Academy, but he absolutely refused."
Upon hearing the words "mutated martial soul," Yu Luomian's body stiffened slightly, as if something had struck deep within his heart.
Yu Luomian looked up at Yu Xiaolie, her gaze becoming complicated.
"Second Uncle, don't worry, I won't be a burden to you. I just want to find a place where I can improve myself."
Yu Xiaolie looked at Yu Luomian with a determined gaze.
Looking at Yu Xiaolie's appearance, Yu Luomian seemed to see his former self.
Because of the family's favoritism, more energy was focused on the eldest brother, Yu Yuanzhen.
Even though he also possessed the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Martial Soul, the sect paid less attention to him because his elder brother awakened his soul earlier and accumulated soul power earlier. This is why he left in a huff and rarely returned to the sect.
"Well, since we're here, let's stay for now."
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaolie looked at Yu Luomian with a hint of gratitude in his eyes.
Yu Luomian looked at Yu Xiaolie without a trace of a smile and spoke coldly.
"Here, you only get paid and have food if you work."
"Besides, I don't have time to care whether you live or die."
His gaze was fixed on Yu Xiaolie, as if trying to see a hint of embarrassment on his face.
In his view, setting strict rules for the child in advance is the only way to curb his dependence.
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaolie was not afraid at all; instead, his eyes lit up with excitement.
"no problem!"
He nodded vigorously.
For him, life-or-death combat is the opportunity to improve that he has been dreaming of. Every confrontation with danger may become a chance for him to break through his limits and rapidly improve his combat ability and soul power.
Yu Yuanhai watched all of this from the side.
He stepped forward, gently patted Yu Xiaolie's shoulder, and said earnestly.
"Xiao Lie, be careful in everything you do here."
"Although your second uncle looks stern, he is a capable man. You should learn from him."
His eyes were full of concern, worried that Yu Xiaolie would suffer, but also hoping that he could gain something from this place.
"If you really can't stay here any longer, go back to the sect. Your second grandfather will be waiting for you to come back anytime."
Yu Xiaolie looked at Yu Yuanhai, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.
"Second Grandpa, don't worry, I will take good care of myself."
Yu Yuanhai gave a few more instructions before turning and leaving.
Yu Xiaolie watched his departing figure and clenched her fists tightly.
Just then, a team that had been out on a mission returned, and everyone looked exhausted.
Several team members were covered in blood, their clothes were torn and ripped, and bloodstains dripped onto the ground from the corners of their clothes.
As soon as they entered the camp, they noticed Yu Xiaolie standing next to Yu Luomian, and a hint of doubt flashed in their eyes.
One of them wiped the blood and sweat stains from his face and asked as he passed Yu Luomian:
Who is this?
His voice was hoarse, revealing the exhaustion after the mission.
Yu Luomian's lips curled up slightly as she glanced at Yu Xiaolie.
"Him? Yu Xiaolie, he's come here looking for trouble."
Yu Luomian spoke casually, as if she were discussing a trivial matter.
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