After finishing breakfast, Lin Yuan and the others headed south as the man had instructed.
Shortwave City was divided into north and south by a river. To go from north to south, one not only had to cross the river, but also pass through a nearby forest.
Naturally, Lin Yuan chose the forest—he knew his water-type abilities weren't strong.
Not long after they entered, shouts and chaotic footsteps echoed through the woods.
"Kid, you won't escape this time! Prepare to die!"
"I still want to run, but second and third brother have me surrounded!"
"Fourth Soul Skill—Air Raid!"
Four men, all possessed by their martial souls, were chasing a boy around nine or ten years old.
The boy's martial soul was a wolf, with two soul rings surrounding him—he was a talented young soul master. His clothes were torn, his body covered in blood and wounds.
Among the pursuers, the leader was a Soul King with the rings white, yellow, purple, purple; the second and third were Soul Sects with white, yellow, yellow, purple; the fourth was a Soul Master with white and yellow.
Lin Yuan frowned as he watched them.
Saving a life is more virtuous than building a seven-story pagoda.
Just as he dashed toward them, the system chimed.
[Ding! Current Mission 9: Rescue.]
Description: Qin Ming is being hunted. Save him, heal him, and eliminate all pursuers.Reward: +90% Qin Ming's loyalty, 2 Treasure Draw chances, and the recipe for Yellow Essence Pill.
Lin Yuan grew excited.
As he charged forward, the pursuers noticed him.
"Oh? Another fool seeking death? You're overestimating yourself! Take this!"
The enemy leader's martial soul—a great eagle—possessed him. His wings spread as his five soul rings lit up one after another. With a sharp screech, razor-like feathers shot out like arrows.
Lin Yuan loosened his muscles. With a step, hexagram patterns—like those from the I Ching—seemed to appear beneath him. He instantly picked the safest direction.
Feathers rained down like a net. Lin Yuan leaned left to dodge, bent down to avoid a fatal strike, then twisted right and rushed straight toward the eagle soul master. While evading, he closed the distance.
When their fists clashed, Lin Yuan silently activated the Beiming Divine Art. His opponent's soul power was sucked away, while Lin Yuan's Dragon King right leg bone continued generating energy, ensuring he never ran dry.
Meanwhile, Mi Yue had already summoned her martial soul. The luminous moth shimmered behind her as she activated her first soul skill—Eternal Blood.
Two or three shadow servants—moth-like—appeared and flew directly toward the fourth attacker.
The fourth attacker's martial soul was a local hound; possessed, he looked like a humanoid dog.
Using the momentary distraction, Mi Yue ran toward Qin Ming.
"Second Soul Skill—Pain Strike."
The shadow energy shot toward the third attacker. But the second attacker, possessed by a barbarian-type martial soul, threw a heavy punch at Mi Yue.
The blow sent her stumbling back several meters. The difference in soul power was too large.
The barbarian charged again. Just before impact, Mi Yue blinked away using her skill, reappearing at the shadow energy's location. She quickly cast her first skill again, sending three shadow moths crashing into the third attacker.
Taking the opening, Mi Yue grabbed Qin Ming's hand and ran.
"Follow me!"
With her martial soul active, Mi Yue could briefly glide. The wings of the moth flapped, lifting her and Qin Ming out of the chaos.
During the glide, Qin Ming looked up—and saw Mi Yue smiling at him.At that moment, Qin Ming felt his heart melt. She was unbelievably beautiful… and incredibly cute.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuan had already brought down the enemy leader.
Seeing Mi Yue rescue Qin Ming, Lin Yuan activated his second soul skill—Water Qilin.
"Ice Storm!"
Ice condensed into a raging blizzard, instantly freezing all four enemies. The storm continued ripping them apart.
Then Lin Yuan cast Flaming Meteor, burning their frozen bodies until nothing remained.
"We're leaving."
[Ding! Mission 9 complete. Rewards delivered:]
• Qin Ming Loyalty +90%• 2 Treasure Draw attempts• Recipe: Yellow Essence Pill
Yellow Essence Pill — accelerates cultivation, effective for Soul Sects and below.
Qin Ming's loyalty reached 90%—the "absolute trust" tier.
Lin Yuan returned to the hotel with the group.
He turned to Da Ji and Mi Yue. "Wait here. I'll wash this child up."
He led Qin Ming into the bathhouse, adjusting the water temperature."Why were you alone? Where are your parents?"
Qin Ming clenched his fists, rage burning in his eyes."They were killed by those bastards!"
Then he looked at Lin Yuan, determination in his voice."But you killed them. You saved my life. Without you… I'd be dead."
Despite his pain, he tried to kneel in gratitude.
Lin Yuan lifted him with soul power."I'm not a corrupt noble. You don't need to kneel. I'll wash you, heal you, and from now on—you'll follow me."
Qin Ming nodded heavily. "Yes!"
He silently vowed to train hard and repay this kindness.
While Qin Ming bathed, Lin Yuan discreetly pulled up his panel:
[Name: Qin Ming][Martial Soul: Flame Wolf][Age: 10][Soul Power: Level 25][Soul Ring: Yellow]
Lin Yuan was stunned. Ten years old with 25 soul power—truly a prodigy.
After the bath, Lin Yuan fed him a healing pill refined by the Taiyi Immortal. North Nether energy nourished his meridians while ice elements sealed and healed wounds.
After fifteen minutes, bruises faded, and damaged meridians healed. Only physical weakness remained.
Lin Yuan spent 20 points in the Hero Mall to buy Qin Ming new clothes. Once washed and dressed, the boy stepped out.
He looked gentle and refined, handsome features, still childlike yet firm-eyed. Tall, fair-skinned with a hint of wheat tone, brown eyes, chestnut-pink hair.
Mi Yue's eyes widened when she saw him; her heart raced uncontrollably.
Lin Yuan and Da Ji exchanged knowing looks.
Love at first sight? Really? How old are you? Then again… this is Douluo. This might be around puberty…
Lin Yuan said,"Qin Ming, let me introduce them. This is Da Ji, my partner. She is a Rank-95 Control-type Douluo, titled Mei Hu."
Qin Ming's expression froze in shock.A Titled Douluo?!
Da Ji smiled. Lin Yuan continued, "I am Lin Yuan. You may call me 'My Lord.'"
"Yes, my lord."
Lin Yuan glanced at Mi Yue, signaling her.
Mi Yue stepped forward."I am Mi Yue, nine years old, martial soul Luminous Moth, currently a level-23 Soul Master."
"My name is Qin Ming. Martial soul Flame Wolf. I'm 10 years old, level-25 Soul Master."
"Hmm… you're older than me. Can I call you Brother Qin Ming?"
"Of course."
At that moment, Lin Yuan noticed Qin Ming's loyalty had risen again—to 92%.
He had already surpassed the loyalty of summoned heroes—and he was the first outsider to reach such devotion.
Lin Yuan silently nodded in satisfaction.
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