READ NOVEL ONLINE chapter 28
28. The Echoing Forest
“A bit late, aren’t you, Lino?”
“Sorry, I overslept.”
Lino replied nonchalantly, though Han Xianzi had guessed he deliberately stayed away. She had considered sending Su Kexin or Liu Shuqin to find him, but unexpectedly, Qin Shili took the initiative.
Lino’s affection for Qin Shili was common knowledge within the sect, yet the icy Qin Shili usually wouldn’t even glance at him. This time, it was likely his bizarre achievements in the Wind Sea Forest that piqued her curiosity, prompting her to personally invite him over.
After all, during the recent expedition, only Lino and Qin Shili had slain beasts of the heavenly tier. As the strongest among her peers, Qin Shili couldn’t help but care.
Indeed, even heroes struggle to bypass a beauty’s gate. With Qin Shili making a move, Lino had no choice but to comply obediently.
“Lino, your accomplishments in the Wind Sea Forest have made me very proud. Now that your senior and junior sisters are here, could you share what happened?”
“I’m afraid I can’t divulge that.”
Lino flatly refused. The matter was already public knowledge, and no one would believe it was a result of the Demon Cultivators’ blunder leading to mutual destruction. The more he said, the more mistakes he could make, and he didn’t want to amplify the situation further.
“Is there a difficulty you’re facing?”
“You could say that.”
“Alright then.”
Han Xianzi didn’t press further. If Lino was unwilling to speak, she couldn’t force the truth out of him.
“Lino, here’s a Qi vessel. Let me check your Qi.”
In front of Lino was a table with a small dish on it, marked with a handprint. It was a Qi vessel. Placing one’s hand on the imprint and channeling Qi would give a rough idea of the practitioner’s Qi condition.
To know someone’s cultivation level more precisely, one would need a Heavenly Mystery Stone, but that was a spiritual stone kept in the Hún Líng Pavilion by the sect leader, only brought out once every six months.
Lino didn’t refuse. He placed his hand on the Qi vessel’s imprint and circulated his Qi. Han Xianzi observed the color changes of the vessel, and after a moment, she reached a conclusion.
Lino’s Qi was weak, matching his second-tier cultivation level.
This was strange. With a second-tier cultivation level, how did he manage to kill so many Demon Cultivators?
“Is there a result?”
“Yes, the Qi is weak. You still need to cultivate your Qi. You may withdraw your hand now.”
Lino retracted his hand. “I’m not ashamed, I’m Lino, the underdog. Are you satisfied now? Let’s have a proper talk and not treat me like some great hero.”
The results concerning the Qi vessel puzzled everyone. Errors with the Qi vessel were minimal, so it was unlikely to misjudge Lino’s Qi. However, the result did match his outward Qi presence.
Lino’s strength had become even more enigmatic.
“Is there anything else?”
“There is,” Han Xianzi nodded slightly. “For this expedition, the sect will reward contributions. Your achievements grant you privileges. You may choose any spiritual beast from the sect, form a bond, and you’re free to use the Dao Pavilion’s spiritual spring and any spiritual weapon. Moreover, the elders are willing to personally guide you through any confusion, a privilege only your second senior sister has.”
Han Xianzi listed a multitude of rights that Lino, the low-tier cultivator, could now enjoy. However, he himself was uninterested. Spiritual beasts, elder guidance, and even the spiritual spring—why would I, a world-ending villain, indulge in such things?
“Alright.”
Lin Nuo responded half-heartedly, “Anything else?”
“You might be dispatched on an assignment soon, so be mentally prepared.”
“Okay, anything else?”
“Your senior and junior sisters hope you will join them in their practice and cultivation.”
“Alright, anything else?” Lin Nuo was like an unfeeling parrot.
“That’s all.”
“Okay, then… cough, may I go to cultivate now?”
“Go ahead, I wish you success.”
Fairy Han waved her hand gently, and after Lin Nuo performed a perfunctory bow, he left.
A few girls remained in the hall, and Fairy Han’s gaze shifted to Qin Shili:
“Shili, what are your thoughts?”
“It’s meaningless.”
Qin Shili spoke indifferently, “Conventional methods can’t gauge his strength; I’ll take my leave first.”
Seeing her target Lin Nuo leave, Qin Shili lost interest in staying and followed suit.
Fairy Han sighed softly. Lin Nuo was a promising talent that was overlooked, but she felt he had a rebellious nature and was unwilling to communicate with her, his master. Even ordinary conversations seemed to have an unspoken barrier.
“Master, don’t mind it. The elder brother must have his reasons. He’s cold-mouthed but warm-hearted, indifferent on the surface, but his heart is warm.”
“Kexin, I’ve noticed that ever since you returned from the Fenghai Forest trial, you’ve always spoken well of Lin Nuo.”
“Ah, it’s not like that, Master… I’m just telling the truth…”
Su Kexin shyly lowered her head, her small hands fidgeting with her clothes unconsciously.
Among Fairy Han’s disciples, Su Kexin was the youngest and the most naive. Whenever Lin Nuo was mentioned, Su Kexin would become excited and inadvertently praise him, which could only be explained by one reason.
The dawn of affection.
The young girl, easily admiring the hero who champions the weak, and considering Lin Nuo’s handsome features and the fact he had saved her, it was natural for Su Kexin to have such thoughts.
“Kexin, try channeling your energy too.”
“Yes, Master.”
Following Fairy Han’s command, Su Kexin placed her hands on the energy vessel and began to channel her energy.
After a moment, Fairy Han observed the vessel’s condition, her brows slightly furrowed.
“What’s wrong, Master?” Su Kexin sensed something amiss.
“Kexin, what have you experienced? Your righteous spirit energy has suddenly become too strong; it could burn your meridians.”