Chapter 27: That's an Attack, That's a Roll—Alright, Go Kill the Amethyst Winged Lion King!
With his soul power severely depleted, Jiang Lin gave up thinking. He decided to rest well on the way back and begin his next stage of research once they returned to Qingshan Town.
While Jiang Lin was in the carriage, munching on some of the sweet-tasting herbs Mr. Yao had bought as if they were desserts, they encountered the Lionheart Mercenary Group—whom they had previously traveled with—just outside the city.
Jiang Lin stepped out to take a look. The team led by Captain Lin Shi had two new young faces. Judging by their looks, they bore some resemblance to Xiao Yan. Later, Lin Shi introduced them as Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, two brothers seeking to gain experience through travel.
Mr. Yao exchanged a few polite words with the group, and then both parties continued their journey together.
On the verdant official road outside Qingshan Town, Mr. Yao and Jiang Lin stood by the roadside, watching the Lionheart Mercenary Group vanish into the distant horizon. Only after their convoy completely disappeared did Mr. Yao drive the carriage along a small path toward Qingshan Town with Jiang Lin in tow.
"Did you fall into a pot of rice or something?" On the way back, Mr. Yao glanced back into the carriage at Jiang Lin. Seeing the healthy flush in Jiang Lin's face, he was slightly relieved. But once they arrived in front of the Wan Yao Zhai store and Mr. Yao began unloading the medicine boxes, he immediately sensed something was off about their weight.
Still, he didn't scold Jiang Lin too much. The herbs were bought to be used after all—eating them wasn't a big deal.
"My mouth was dry on the road... I ate a bit too much without thinking." Jiang Lin replied meekly. Having lived in Wan Yao Zhai for a year and possessing a great memory, he knew which herbs were edible—especially the sweet, sugary ones.
"Forget it, forget it. Ah." Mr. Yao shook his head and ordered the store clerk to bring the untouched herbs back into the shop, while he took Jiang Lin back to his private quarters.
"You seemed eager to ask me something on the way. You can ask now."
"In Wutan City, that girl Xun'er… Her presence wasn't something ordinary Dou Spirit or Dou King families could nurture. I'm worried that a powerful expert might be secretly watching us." Back in the loft, Mr. Yao changed into a clean coat, sat down at the tea table, and poured himself a cup of tea.
From the second time he saw Xiao Xun'er, Mr. Yao had suspected her special identity. He didn't believe in coincidences like that—meeting her twice in one day, both times seemingly accidental but clearly deliberate.
That's why he had avoided discussing much with Jiang Lin afterward, saving it all for their return to Qingshan Town.
"You're right, Mr. Yao. Neither of them seemed ordinary," Jiang Lin replied, pouring himself a bowl of tea and gulping it down.
"Ah, nothing beats home-brewed tea!" he exclaimed, then continued, "After going to Wutan City, many questions popped into my head. I'd like to ask you something."
Mr. Yao, however, shook his head. "Three things. She only left you three things. A letter forbidding you from becoming an alchemist, a warm jade, and the book you use to cultivate."
"You don't need to know anything else. Just know that the things she left you are important. And that letter… you can't read it yet. Not until you can defeat the king of the Magical Beast Mountain Range."
Mr. Yao held a letter—split into two parts—one for him and one for Jiang Lin.
His portion was straightforward: instructions not to let Jiang Lin walk the path of the alchemist, and that a peaceful life would suffice. If, one day, Jiang Lin could defeat the king of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, then he would have the right to read the final letter.
Mr. Yao had received great kindness from Jiang Lin's mother in his early years, which was why he honored her last wishes by taking care of Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin fell silent upon hearing this. The king of the Magical Beast Mountain Range was a magical beast known as the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Defeating it would require at least the strength of a Dou Huang. Clearly, the letter left by his mother held a significant secret—perhaps even the truth of Jiang Lin's origins and a profound revelation about his ultimate identity.
But his silence lasted only a moment before Jiang Lin grinned and said, "That's a tough task right from the start. I think beating Mr. Yao is more doable than defeating the Amethyst Winged Lion King."
Mr. Yao shot him a disgruntled look. This kid—was he seriously thinking of targeting him?
Can't solve the problem? Then solve the person who posed the problem? Who taught you to do things this way?
"Of course, if you do have the strength to defeat me, I won't object to that method," Mr. Yao said lazily.
You can't talk sense into a hard-headed fool. If Jiang Lin's temperament ever truly came to that point, Mr. Yao would have nothing left to say.
Jiang Lin laughed it off, "Hahaha, just joking! Just joking! Mr. Yao, give me three to five years—I'll serve the Amethyst Winged Lion King's head on a platter!"
With that, he dashed off toward his courtyard, not even sparing a glance at the lovely Xiao Yixian on the way.
"…" Mr. Yao stared speechlessly at the back of this silly kid as he left.
"Mr. Yao, what's up with Jiang Lin this time? What kind of madness is he on now?" Xiao Yixian, whom Jiang Lin had casually brushed off, came over to Mr. Yao to complain.
"He's found a purpose. I guess he's finally motivated to cultivate," Mr. Yao said, shaking his head. Seeing this, Xiao Yixian didn't press further and took her leave.
"Ah… all of them… nothing but headaches." In the now-empty living room, Mr. Yao rubbed his temples and muttered to himself.
Elsewhere, with the sun still high, Jiang Lin returned to his courtyard and began practicing his Dou Techniques. He had already mastered Explosive Step and Flame Fist. He had even attained a high level of mastery in the High Yellow-Class Technique—Diamond Smash—but rarely had sparring partners to use it on.
After warming up, Jiang Lin brought out his tattered cloth-wrapped greatsword and incorporated Explosive Step into his every move—still as a boulder, fast as thunder. He charged forward with the dragging sword, suddenly twisted his path, and then explosively retreated. Every motion stirred winds with hidden thunder; every swing of the heavy sword carried a ferocious, earth-shattering force!
In the end, after a series of violent maneuvers, Jiang Lin was drenched in sweat, his muscles sore and strength nearly spent. Just as exhaustion was about to set in, a golden light suddenly glimmered from the cloth-wrapped greatsword in his hands!
Modified Dou Technique: Diamond Gravity Slash!
With a single mighty swing, it came crashing down—clang! Sparks flew as the armored training dummy before him was cleaved diagonally in two!
At the same time, Jiang Lin felt a sudden surge within his previously empty dantian—an entirely new Dou Qi was forming.
Dou Qi Stage: Seven!
(END CHAPTER)
Friends, if you enjoyed the novel, you can subscribe to my Patreon channel.
Until November 30st, get 25% off both your subscription and the purchase of your novel. Thank you for your support.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1