"I... I had a nightmare!"
Xiao Wu naturally didn't dare to say that she had been "eating melons" in that chat group all night!
Watching the Supreme Pontiff and Young Misses of great Families, whom she usually only heard about in legends, bickering, leaking secrets, and giving away money in the group...
That feeling was just too addictive!
"A nightmare?"
Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing her.
Even on the night she learned Tang Hao knew her identity as a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast, Xiao Wu hadn't suffered from insomnia like today.
It couldn't be that she got something good from the System again yesterday and was so excited she couldn't sleep?
However, Lin Yuan didn't care much about it... Time flew by like a white pony passing a crack.
In the blink of an eye, three months passed silently.
The early morning in Nuoding City still carried a hint of damp chill.
Inside a two-person apartment building near the academy, Lin Yuan was straightening his collar in front of a mirror.
Over these past three months, ever since Tang Hao was scared off by three Titled Douluo, the entire Nuoding City seemed to have regained its former tranquility.
To facilitate their Cultivation, Lin Yuan decisively took Xiao Wu and moved out of the crowded and noisy Dorm Seven, renting this small apartment with excellent privacy.
Anyway, neither of them was short on money now.
"Lin Yuan, where's my comb?"
Xiao Wu, wearing pink pajamas, walked out of the bedroom rubbing her bleary eyes.
Her long scorpion braid was undone now, cascading behind her like a waterfall, looking exceptionally smooth.
After three months of "lavish living," the girl seemed to have grown a bit taller, and her previously somewhat thin frame began to show the slight curves of a young girl.
"It's on the table; you left it there yourself yesterday."
Lin Yuan shook his head helplessly, picked up the comb, and skillfully began to brush her long hair.
During these three months, his spirit power successfully reached a Breakthrough to Rank 12.
Two ranks in three months—this speed was not considered slow.
He didn't know if the System was doing it on purpose, but it hadn't given him any spirit power rewards; instead, it provided him with insights and experiences regarding spear techniques and ocular arts.
Consequently, his progress in the Dao of the spear was very rapid.
Furthermore, thanks to the medicinal liquid Xiao Wu gave him, his mental force had also improved significantly.
When activating his Double Pupils, his perception became even stronger.
It had to be said, if Xiao Wu hadn't been there to accompany him and talk to him while he was Cultivating...
...his solitary, tedious Cultivation would indeed have been hard to endure.
His days were a constant cycle of spear practice, studying, and meditation.
Even with the mind of an adult, it was tough to handle.
Thus, he understood why others said Cultivation required moderation—haste makes waste, and being too aggressive easily leads to Qi Deviation.
"Hehe, you're still the best at combing, Lin Yuan."
Xiao Wu squinted her eyes in enjoyment, looking at the focused youth behind her through the mirror, her heart filled with sweetness.
These days of seeing him as soon as she opened her eyes, eating together, Cultivating together, and shopping together... it was simply like a dream.
Back in the Star Dou Great Forest, she wouldn't have dared to imagine that the human World could be so wonderful.
"Alright, stop being so vain."
Lin Yuan put down the comb and gently patted her small head... Half an hour later.
The two of them tidied up and walked out of the apartment side by side, heading towards the Nuoding Academy cafeteria.
However, Yu Xiaogang had come again, and this time, Tang San was with him.
Seeing Lin Yuan and Xiao Wu walking over hand-in-hand, the corner of Tang San's eye twitched slightly, and a faint, imperceptible gloom flashed in his gaze.
"Lin Yuan, Xiao Wu, you're early."
Yu Xiaogang spoke first, assuming the posture of an elder teacher.
"Grandmaster? Is something the matter?"
Lin Yuan stopped, his gaze indifferent.
Over these three months, this master and disciple pair had frequently harassed him.
Especially Yu Xiaogang, who seemed convinced that Lin Yuan was a rare talent and insisted on taking him as a disciple to prove his theories.
"Haha, Lin Yuan, I haven't seen you for a few days, and your aura seems to have become even more refined."
Yu Xiaogang nodded, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"How have you considered my previous proposal?"
"As long as you take me as your master, I can teach you everything I've learned in my life about the Ten Core Competencies of Spirits!"
"I can guarantee that on this continent, no one understands Spirits better than I do!"
Hearing this familiar opening line, Lin Yuan couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Here we go again. Does this old geezer not understand human speech?
"Grandmaster, I'll just be blunt."
Lin Yuan sighed with a look of helplessness.
"Could you please stop bothering me?"
"What benefit is there for me in taking you as my master?"
"Benefit?" Yu Xiaogang frowned. "Knowledge is the greatest wealth! I can guide you so you avoid detours!"
"Forget it."
Lin Yuan interrupted him bluntly.
"First of all, your Spirit is Luo San Pao, and my Spirit is the Soul Slaying Spear."
"You don't even know how to handle a spear; what can you teach me?"
Yu Xiaogang's face stiffened. "Spirit Cultivation all leads to the same destination..."
"Secondly."
Lin Yuan continued to twist the knife.
"Your strength isn't up to par either. I'm at Rank 12 now, and you're at Rank 29."
"In maybe two more years, I'll have surpassed you."
"When the time comes and I want to hunt a Thousand-Year Spirit Beast, can you take me? Or will I have to protect you?"
This single sentence struck Yu Xiaogang's weak point directly.
His expression instantly turned sour.
"But I have a lifetime of theoretical knowledge; I can teach you how to distinguish Spirit Beasts and how to obtain the most suitable spirit rings."
"I dare say that even among the Titled Douluo on this continent, not many possess this skill!"
Yu Xiaogang said with great pride.
Lin Yuan knew that Yu Xiaogang's claim was indeed correct.
After all, those with talent would certainly focus on Cultivating their Spirits; as long as their theory was sufficient, they wouldn't go out of their way to research it.
After all, on this continent, most talented Spirit Masters basically have backing, and someone will always lead them when they go out to hunt Spirit Beasts.
But Lin Yuan had the System!
He possessed this skill as well!
After three months of studying the Encyclopedia of Spirit Beasts in his mind, his understanding of Spirit Beasts had likely already surpassed Yu Xiaogang's; why would he need him to teach?
Lin Yuan shook his head. "That's not necessary. I'll learn that knowledge myself. Besides, with my talent, once I reach Rank 20, the Dean will naturally take me to hunt for a suitable spirit ring."
"Don't trouble yourself, Grandmaster. You should focus on teaching Tang San."
To stop Yu Xiaogang from bothering him, Lin Yuan said, "Grandmaster, how about this? If Tang San can defeat me under your guidance, it would prove you have some real skill. At that time, it wouldn't be out of the question for me to take you as my master."
"Alright, Xiao Wu, let's go Cultivate after breakfast."
Lin Yuan naturally took Xiao Wu's soft little hand and was about to leave.
"Stop right there!"
Just then, Tang San, who had been silent, finally couldn't take it anymore. His figure flashed as he blocked Lin Yuan's path...