Chapter 17: Bidding Farewell to Ye Lingling; Tang Hao Despairs Over Losing the Blue Silver King
"I'm fine. Are your companions alright?" Chu Chen asked softly, looking at the approaching Ye Lingling.
This Ghost Tiger with two thousand years of cultivation hadn't cost him much effort. The reason was that the current Blue Silver Emperor, paired with Chu Chen's terrifying second Soul Skill, was exceptionally effective.
"Sister Ling's injuries have recovered, and Sister Xiaoya has found us. We're all fine."
Ye Lingling's tone struggled to remain calm. A Ghost Tiger with two thousand years of cultivation was equivalent to a human Soul Elder in strength. Furthermore, the Ghost Tiger was a special species, and ordinary Soul Elders found it difficult to kill one in a direct confrontation.
Especially in such a short amount of time!
Yet Chu Chen had done it—slaying a Ghost Tiger in such a short time with only the strength of a Great Soul Master.
"Lingling, is your friend alright..."
The two women Ye Lingling called Sister Ling and Sister Xiaoya arrived just then. Seeing the dead Ghost Tiger, shock filled both their eyes.
They were well aware of this Ghost Tiger's strength.
Seeing it slain by the youth before them felt truly surreal. In their eyes, this youth seemed even a few years younger than Ye Lingling.
...
"I see. Little Brother Chu Chen, thank you for saving Lingling. She has a stubborn nature and doesn't like to talk to others; she's only on good terms with the two of us. That's why we brought her here to obtain her second Soul Ring."
At this, a hint of embarrassment appeared on Sister Ling's face.
"I didn't expect all this to happen. It's a good thing Lingling met you."
Chu Chen signaled for them not to worry about it. The four of them traveled together and soon exited the Star Dou Great Forest.
Perhaps due to her unusual experience with Chu Chen, Ye Lingling's previously indifferent personality had softened considerably, and she could now converse with him naturally.
However, she never once removed her veil.
"You've only been at an Elementary Spirit Master Academy for one semester? You're actually so much younger than me..." Ye Lingling said in shock.
She had assumed Chu Chen was at most a few months or a year younger than her, but she was truly stunned when she learned his actual age.
She didn't tell Sister Ling or the other about Chu Chen's thousand-year Soul Ring or his special Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. This was Chu Chen's secret; though she had discovered it by chance, she would keep it for him.
"Which academy do you plan to attend later?" Ye Lingling asked somewhat abruptly after a moment's hesitation.
"Hmm? Could it be that you want to see me again?" Chu Chen teased.
"I... I don't!"
Ye Lingling instinctively denied it, then pretended to say casually, "I... will probably go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy..."
Chu Chen smiled; he already knew that, of course.
"If you need help in the future... like if you need a support system Soul Master to hunt Soul Beasts, you can come to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to find me. You saved my life, and you saved Sister Ling and Sister Xiaoya... I owe you a favor."
Ye Lingling's voice was very soft, growing so quiet at the end that it was like a mosquito's buzz only she could hear.
"Alright, I'll remember that," Chu Chen promised.
Hearing this, Ye Lingling smiled gently. Through the black veil, Chu Chen saw the corners of her mouth turn up slightly.
After leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, the two parties parted ways. Sister Ling and Sister Xiaoya thanked Chu Chen once more.
As Ye Lingling passed Chu Chen, she emphasized again, "Um... if you need help, you can come find me..."
"Alright, I will," Chu Chen said with a smile.
The encounter while obtaining his second Soul Ring was quite memorable for Chu Chen. Perhaps years later he would fulfill this promise, but for now, he only wanted to return to Emperor Soul Village quickly to enjoy his rare vacation...
"She's clearly very gentle at heart, so why does she seem so cold on the surface?" Chu Chen murmured in confusion as he lay in the carriage.
The vacation soon came to an end.
After bidding farewell to Tutu, Chu Chen set out once again for Notting Academy.
Academy life was a bit tedious after all, but Chu Chen enjoyed it. While he already knew most of the knowledge from the lessons, he still picked up some new insights.
Combined with the information he had as a Transmigration traveler, he made some fresh gains!
The only thing he found interesting was the place where the Blue Silver King had sacrificed itself. In his spare time, Chu Chen returned to the old site.
However, a crack had appeared on the ground here, clearly caused by a heavy impact.
Chu Chen used the power of the Blue Silver Emperor to communicate with the surrounding Blue Silver Grass, recreating the scene from not long ago...
He saw Tang Hao arrive, travel-worn and full of hope, though his voice carried a hint of sadness.
"Damn Spirit Hall! I, Tang Hao, swear to destroy you! You killed Ah Yin and took her Soul Bone. I will fight you to the death!"
Tang Hao arrived, muttering, "Fortunately, with the Blue Silver King here, Little San's Blue Silver Grass has hope of Awakening. I must find a way to take the Blue Silver King away, or..."
Tang Hao's voice stopped abruptly.
He saw that the Blue Silver King had already sacrificed itself and vanished, leaving only a mess behind.
All that remained was ordinary Blue Silver Grass everywhere.
At that moment, Tang Hao's world completely collapsed. He knelt on the ground and couldn't help but cough up several mouthfuls of blood, nearly fainting...
"It's over... it's over... Little San's Blue Silver Grass is finished..."
Tang Hao's eyes were vacant. Without the Blue Silver King, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass lost the chance to evolve into the Blue Silver Emperor. How far could he go with just ordinary Blue Silver Grass?
He blamed everything on the Spirit Hall, and his fury reached a boiling point. He was so enraged he nearly went to risk his life to fight the Spirit Hall!
...
After watching Tang Hao's ordeal, Chu Chen suppressed the urge to laugh. After giving the Blue Silver Grass here plenty of life energy, he returned to Notting Academy.
A few years of classes didn't feel long to him.
He became absorbed in mastering the Blue Silver Emperor's abilities. In the blink of an eye, nearly six years passed, and Chu Chen was no longer the boy he once was.
He left the small area of Notting City and headed toward Heaven Dou City, the most prosperous center of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Now, he was tall, and his neat, short hair perfectly complemented his sharp facial features. His deep eyes made it impossible to read his thoughts.
Years later, Chu Chen returned to the Star Dou Great Forest. Traveling alone this time, he was calm and composed as he ventured deep into the central region!
"I've been at Level 40 for some time now. Once I obtain my fourth Soul Ring, I'll head to Heaven Dou City."