Returning Home

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Xu Qing stood outside the village, his face filled with concern. Staring at the sky, he let out a long sigh.

"What should I do now?"

As soon as he returned to Ulto Town, he headed straight for the Spirit Hall Branch Bishop.

"Xu Qing, you're back already? That kid isn't in any trouble, is he?" the bishop asked in a casual tone.

"Bishop, after registering as a soul master, Lin Yongming never returned to his village. According to his mother, he went directly to the Soul Beast Forest instead. I believe this information is accurate." Xu Qing reported helplessly.

"What?! He went into the Soul Beast Forest?"

"Well, I suppose it makes sense. After all, he was already Rank 20 when we tested him. What soul master could resist the temptation of gaining a soul ring and advancing their strength?" The bishop shook his head with a wry smile. He realized Lin Yongming had likely been too eager to obtain his second soul ring.

Xu Qing, however, was displeased. "Bishop, does His Holiness the Pope truly not care about Lin Yongming at all? Otherwise, why would he say to 'observe him for a year'? We could've just given him a hundred-year soul beast and saved all this trouble!"

"Xu Qing, watch your words. His Holiness the Pope has his own reasoning. We are not to question him."

"Besides, didn't the Pope state in his letter that if Lin Yongming can acquire a soul ring on his own within a year, we are to report it immediately?"

"From now on, I want you to check Lei Yu Village every three days. If you find Lin Yongming, test his strength immediately. If his second soul ring is only a ten-year ring, he's worthless." The bishop ordered.

"Understood, Bishop. But… can he even make it back alive? Or what if he gets lost? After all, he's blind…" Xu Qing hesitated.

"Not necessarily. You forget—before he left, he took a gold spirit coin from us. If he went to Star Dou Forest, hiring a carriage wouldn't cost much."

"If he doesn't show up within two months, you can stop checking. Until then, visit every three days."

"Yes, Bishop." Xu Qing nodded and left.

The bishop sighed deeply. "This is troublesome. I'd better report this to His Holiness the Pope. We can't afford to be held responsible if something happens."

He promptly wrote three separate letters and sent them to Spirit Hall Headquarters.

Spirit Hall Headquarters – Pope's Palace

"Your Holiness, another letter has arrived from the Ulto Town Branch."

A messenger presented the sealed letter to the Pope.

"Them again? Do they think I'm not busy? I already told them to monitor the blind kid. Do they think pestering me will get them transferred to Spirit City?"

The Pope slammed his armrest in frustration.

"Your Holiness, please don't be angry. I doubt they have such motives. They're likely only reporting because of urgent news about the blind boy. Perhaps you should take a look." One of the attendants stepped forward cautiously.

"Hmph. There better be useful information in this, or else…" The Pope took the letter and read it.

"As expected, it's about the blind boy again. What an honor—his innate full soul power has already made me read three separate reports about him."

"Hmm? He went to the Soul Beast Forest alone? Most likely Star Dou Forest. Should I call him reckless or brave?" The Pope chuckled.

A man with a soft, eerie voice spoke up from the side. "Your Holiness, this proves Saintess's speculation. His sensory abilities are likely far beyond normal. In fact, due to his congenital blindness, his spiritual power is probably quite high."

"If he manages to return alive, regardless of whether he obtained a second soul ring or not, I'll send someone to personally bring him a soul beast. Then, we'll see if he's a dragon or just another donkey."

On the Road – Lin Yongming's Journey Home

The path of cultivation is long and arduous.

After days of traveling, training, and recovering his soul power, Lin Yongming had fully stabilized the power of his thousand-year soul ring. In fact, he had even made further progress.

"It's been ten days since I left. My parents are probably worried sick. Thankfully, I'm almost home."

Covered in dust from travel, his medium-length hair had been tousled by the wind. Facing the setting sun, he could feel its warmth against his skin.

Even though he couldn't see, he could sense the sun's lowering position by its heat.

As he walked, a breeze passed by—

Lin Yongming's brows furrowed immediately.

"There's a faint scent of blood in the air… Did they slaughter livestock in the village today? Or is there something wrong?"

Sensing something amiss, he increased his speed, transforming into a streak of lightning as he rushed toward Lei Yu Village.

After ten minutes, his Heart Eye scanned the area.

His expression darkened instantly.

"Damn it—bandits! And they've already killed several people!"

A group of twenty or more bandits had rounded up the entire village at the foot of the Thunder Tree.

Among them, Lin Yongming spotted his parents.

Near the bandits' feet, five villagers lay in pools of blood, their fate grim.

The only one still resisting was Village Chief Leisuo.

The Bandit Leader's Threat

"Old man, your village looks quite wealthy, yet all you have is 200 gold coins? Stop fooling me!"

The bandit leader, a scar-faced brute, grabbed the village chief by the collar, his expression twisted with menace.

"Please, sir, this is truly all we have! Perhaps I can offer you some grain instead?" the village chief pleaded.

"Enough nonsense! If you don't have at least 1,000 gold spirit coins, then I'll have to search the village myself. But if I find even one extra coin, I'll kill someone for each one I uncover!"

With a heavy shove, he threw the chief to the ground.

The villagers were trembling.

The chief sighed in despair. "Everyone… for the sake of our lives, we have no choice but to hand over everything we have."

But then—

"Village Chief, no! Even if we give them all our money, they won't let us go!"

Lin Yongming's father, Lin Chong, stepped forward boldly.

The bandit leader scowled. "Looks like the five I killed weren't enough to scare you. Anyone who dares interfere with my business… dies!"

His soul rings lit up—four rings!

He raised his weapon, prepared to strike Lin Chong down—

Lightning Strikes Back

"STOP!"

A furious voice roared through the air.

Before the bandit leader could attack, a silhouette burst onto the scene—

Holding a blade crackling with lightning, Lin Yongming slashed forward.

BAM!

A single strike sent the bandit leader flying backward.

Lin Yongming had arrived just in time.

His expression was cold.

Even though he couldn't see—

His blade would guide him.

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 50 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 140 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.