"Old Ma, are you crazy? That's your lifelong savings for your coffin!"
Su Yuntao was stunned!
Matthew Nuo's hands trembled slightly, but his gaze was exceptionally firm.
"Yuntao…"
"In this life, my talent is limited. This is as far as I can go."
"But I'm not willing to accept it…"
He raised his head and looked at Su Yuntao with burning eyes:
"But that child Lin Chuan is different. I have a feeling—he will stand at the very top of this continent in the future!"
Su Yuntao was shaken by these words.
He suddenly slapped his thigh and jumped up from his chair.
Gritting his teeth, he said:
"Fine! Since you have this courage, Old Ma, I, Su Yuntao, can't be a coward either!"
"I still have a few bottles of treasured secret medicine. I originally planned to use them as a betrothal gift to marry Sisi next door!"
Mentioning that charming female soul master, a trace of reluctance flashed in Su Yuntao's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
"Now it seems Sisi might not even fancy a mere twenty-something-level Grand Soul Master like me."
"But if Lin Chuan rises, even if I was just someone who once handed him water, in the future within the Spirit Hall, who would dare not give me some respect?"
"To hell with getting married! Women only slow down my sword-drawing speed, but Lin Chuan can carry me to the top!"
At this moment, the two reached a crazy consensus.
...
Morning.
Back mountain of Notting Academy.
On one side, atop a rock, Tang San sat cross-legged.
His eyes were tightly shut as he breathed in the rising purple qi of dawn.
This was a Tang Sect supreme technique, a daily practice that continued regardless of wind or rain.
And not far from Tang San, under a crooked tree—
The salted-fish king Lin Chuan lay sprawled on his back.
Under him was a thick layer of soft grass, specially laid by Tang San.
Over him was a coat made of soul beast fur, gifted by Su Yuntao.
Sleeping so deeply it was as if the world had ended.
As for the goodwill from Su Yuntao and Matthew Nuo—
Lin Chuan gladly accepted it.
That very day, he handed the rare hundred-year blood ginseng to Tang San:
"Xiao San, you eat this first!"
"So you can catch up to my pace!"
Tang San cried his eyes out!
After training hard for a week and relying on the medicinal effect, he advanced one level!
Yet he discovered Lin Chuan had advanced two levels!
Tang San: ...
Why does Big Brother seem to level up without even training?
He simply assumed it was because his big brother was heaven-defying!
From Lin Chuan's perspective—
Resources exist to be used.
Whether he consumed them himself or shared some with Tang San, he would never hoard them!
And as for the debt of favors—he wasn't afraid at all!
Someone giving him money every month to eat good food,
Plus medicinal baths and other support—
That was at least ten times better than Tang Hao!
What was there to be dissatisfied about?
At most, when he becomes successful in the future, he'll just look after Su Yuntao and Matthew Nuo. What's the big deal?
Let his future self repay today's debts!
At this moment—
Tang San, who had just finished his cultivation, slowly opened his eyes. A flash of light passed through his Purple Demon Eye.
His Purple Demon Eye had already reached the second stage, "Subtle Insight," and was in its mid-to-late phase!
But when he looked at the sleeping Lin Chuan beside him—
Within the vision of the Purple Demon Eye,
The energy of heaven and earth around them was actually forming a subtle vortex with each of Lin Chuan's snores.
No deliberate guidance, no complicated techniques.
That energy seemed like children who had found their home,
Rushing eagerly into Lin Chuan's pores, nourishing his meridians and strengthening his soul power.
"Big Brother… is truly too powerful."
Tang San sighed inwardly:
"He has already entered the third stage of the Purple Demon Eye—Mustard Seed!"
Tang San marveled in his heart:
"The highest state of cultivation is not deliberately pursuing power, but becoming one with heaven and earth, following the natural way."
"Although I train diligently every day, I am still inferior—I am only practicing techniques."
Tang San muttered to himself, his eyes filled with admiration:
"The general principles of the Mysterious Heaven Record say: The Great Dao is simple; the heavy sword has no edge."
"Big Brother is cultivating his mind! Even in his sleep, he comprehends nature. Every breath resonates with the world."
"This is clearly the legendary state of unity between man and heaven!"
"This is the gap in talent—and also the gap in realm."
Thinking this, Tang San clenched his fists, and an even fiercer fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.
"If a mortal like me doesn't work harder, how can I keep up with Big Brother? How can I be worthy of being his brother?"
"I'll train the Disorderly Wind Hammer Technique for another hour!"
Taking a deep breath, Tang San jumped down from the rock and took out several heavy iron billets from his storage soul tool.
Thus, while Lin Chuan turned over and continued snoring, Tang San began another round of self-torturing training.
A rhythmic "clang, clang" of hammering echoed.
This sound didn't wake Lin Chuan—instead, it was like a lullaby, making him sleep even more soundly.
...
Notting Academy, teachers' office.
Master Yu Xiaogang was scratching his head in frustration over a pile of documents.
His hair seemed even thinner.
"Unreasonable… completely unreasonable…"
Looking at Lin Chuan's data in the records, the Master painfully pulled at his hair.
"No meditation, yet soul power increases automatically?"
"No hunting soul beasts, yet relying purely on eating and drinking, his physical condition surpasses same-level assault-type soul masters by three times?"
Over these five years, the Master's worldview had been shattered again and again by Lin Chuan.
He had once tried to guide Lin Chuan using his own theories.
As a result, Lin Chuan punched a piece of granite into powder right in front of him.
And that punch didn't even use soul power—pure physical strength.
The Master immediately shut his mouth.
Facing such an utterly unreasonable mutant freak—
The Master went through a mental journey from shock, to questioning life, to complete speechlessness.
In the end, he realized something.
"My theory is not wrong! The one who is wrong is Lin Chuan!"
"He is an unrepeatable exception!"
"I can't waste time on him. I should focus on Xiao San!"
"Xiao San! My disciple! Twin martial souls, innate full soul power, diligent, hardworking, respectful to his teacher!"
"Xiao San is the perfect practitioner of my theory!"
"Only through him can I prove that I, Yu Xiaogang, am not a waste!"
At that moment, the office door was gently pushed open.
Lin Chuan's lazy figure wandered in, holding a thermos cup.
"Yo, Master, still not asleep?"
Lin Chuan yawned and placed the thermos on the table.
"Look at you worrying all day—your hair's about to fall out."
"Here, this is my goji berry and red date tea. Top-quality goods from Brother Su Yuntao—good for replenishing qi and blood."
The Master looked at the goji tea in front of him, then at Lin Chuan's concerned expression. His lips twitched twice.
What is this supposed to be?
Lin Chuan shrugged. Wasn't he just showing some concern?
If Yu Xiaogang collapses, who's going to help take care of Tang San?
With the Master fully managing Tang San, Lin Chuan felt his lazy lifestyle was even more secure!
This move—this is a win-win!
...
Winter vacation, Holy Soul Village.
This remote little village became lively due to the return of Lin Chuan, Tang San, and Xiao Wu.
Old Village Chief Jack wore that new cotton coat he only brought out during the New Year.