Morning Pain, Midnight Growth

Morning light spilled through the leaves of the great Soul Tree, casting golden shadows over Lin Yuan's sleeping figure. The tree hummed faintly, soul energy gently pulsing around its roots.

Lin Yuan stirred awake beneath it, stretching lazily before settling into silent cultivation, letting the morning's sunlight blend with the soul energy from the tree.

Not long after, a familiar voice called out:

"Why are you sleeping out here?"

It was Prince Xuanyuan Cheng—sweaty, breathing heavily, a sheen of effort clinging to his round cheeks.

Lin Yuan blinked.

"I thought you only slept in the morning."

The prince huffed, placing his hands on his hips.

"I might be fat, but I'm exercising with all my might."

He wiped his brow, eyes flickering with something rawer than pride.

"Before bed, I take a healing pill every night… But I always wake up sore. Back then, I weighed over 400 kilos. Trainers called me useless. They starved me, punished me—but it only made me weaker. But your spiritual water… it helps. It actually helps."

Lin Yuan smiled softly.

"Then let's run."

From his pouch, he summoned two weight talismans—one set to 1000 kg, the other to 100 kg. He handed the lighter one to the prince, who paled slightly.

"Let's go."

They began to run. Slowly. Painfully.

Their footsteps pounded the ground like muffled thunder, sending little ripples through the grass and dirt.

Step by heavy step, they moved beneath the rising sun. Sweat clung to them like armor. Spiritual water was passed between them like precious elixir.

By noon, their legs burned.

After lunch, they resumed.

By dusk, they collapsed again beneath the Soul Tree—two exhausted souls resting under a humming crown of ancient power.

The next morning, Prince Xuanyuan Cheng woke with a start.

Around him, a hundred maids slept peacefully, curled up like flower petals around the Soul Tree's roots.

He sat up and looked to his side—where Lin Yuan lay, moonlight catching on her hair, her face serene and gentle in sleep.

Beautiful.

Far too beautiful.

Lin Yuan stirred and opened one eye.

"Why are you staring?"

"Why do you always sleep under this tree?" the prince shot back, flustered.

Lin Yuan yawned.

"The Soul Tree injures you to heal you. It drains a little energy while sharing some of its own. That's why I sleep so well here."

She stretched lazily.

"I didn't know it produced seventh-grade soul fruit though. I wouldn't have tried to steal one if I did…"

The prince chuckled.

"They're actually sixth-grade. And I can give you some."

He leaned in slightly.

"But… I want that poison you gave me last time. It helped clear my meridians. It hurt like hell—but my qi feels cleaner than ever."

Lin Yuan raised a brow.

"Deal."

Later, in her private quarters, a silver portal opene in the room.

Stepping through, she found Lady Baihua waiting with a jade bottle.

"Here's your poison," the lady said, eyes narrowed. "We're heading into the forest tomorrow, I need to eat a lot. Be ready."

Lin Yuan nodded and returned.

The prince was waiting with a hopeful grin.

"Here," Lin Yuan said, handing him the bottle.

The prince grinned and passed over a storage ring.

"Inside: a full harvest of sixth-grade soul fruit. A deal is a deal."

Lin Yuan nodded, her fingers brushing the ring.These will help me grow stronger.

She turned her eyes to the horizon—where forest mists loomed in the distance.

After handing the poison to the prince, Lin Yuan watched as the young royal cheerfully waddled back toward the formation chamber—eager to continue his slow, painful transformation.

Meanwhile, Lin Yuan wandered outside, the morning air crisp and fragrant with the scent of blooming herbs and damp soil.

He sat beneath a swaying soul tree and plucked a ripe, glowing sixth-grade soul fruit from his new storage ring. He took a bite.

Sweet. Rich with energy. The kind of fruit that could mend fraying souls and awaken long-sealed instincts.

He chewed slowly, savoring the warmth that bloomed in his chest. When he finished, he tucked the seed gently into his robe pocket.

An old maid watching nearby chuckled.

"You can throw the seeds away, young miss."

Lin Yuan shook his head, lips curling faintly.

"I'm storing them. Even a single seed can grow something if treated with care. But I have another use with it. "

The maid blinked, then smiled—perhaps surprised by the thoughtful answer.

After his fifth fruit, Lin Yuan stood and stretched, walking lazily across the courtyard. His eyes caught the glint of water beyond the garden.

A quiet jade lake, half-shaded by willows.

He stepped closer, entranced by the mirror-like surface. Mist curled along the edges. Tiny spirit fish flitted just beneath.

Maybe I should swim…

Just as he dipped a toe in, Lady Mingyan's voice echoed in his mind.

"Your third mother give you a gift inside your storage ring. A special robe. If you wear it, it will help you learn how to swim—and if you start drowning, it will let you fly out of the water."

Curious, Lin Yuan searched his ring and found it: a light, flowing dress embroidered with tiny water runes. It shimmered faintly when touched by sunlight.

He changed in the secret realm and slipped into the water.

It was cold at first—but not harsh. He kicked. Floated. Sank. Resurfaced. Each time, it became easier. The enchanted robe clung tightly when needed, lifting him gently whenever he flailed too hard.

So this is how swimming feels…

Suddenly, a memory bloomed in his heart.

He saw a gentle hand beneath clear water. A familiar laugh. A woman with long hair and icy eyes, showing him how to kick beneath the surface.

"Don't panic," her voice echoed from the past. "Float, breathe… water will carry you, if you trust it."

Sect Leader Yuexian...

He blinked the memory away. That day had felt like a dream. He hadn't even realized it had stayed in him so deeply.

You taught me this... Now I can sweem.

He swam until noon, then climbed out of the lake with dripping hair and a rare smile—soul refreshed, heart unexpectedly comfortable.

That night, the moon hung high over the soul tree, its pale light casting silver ripples across the courtyard.

A faint portal shimmered open beside the roots.

Lady Mingyan's voice echoed through Lin Yuan's mind:

> "Come into the secret realm. It's time."

Lin Yuan stood and stepped through the portal without hesitation.

Inside, the realm was vast and dark—shaped like a canyon of mist and echo. Lady Mingyan stood at the far end, cloaked in a long robe . Her expression was calm… but intense.

> "Tonight, we begin your training in **Soul Shaking Roar**."

Lin Yuan raised a brow.

> "I'm ready. I'm not afraid. Why it's dark. "

Lady Mingyan narrowed her eyes.

> "Don't say that so casually. This technique isn't a joke. It's a test of *will*.Unfortunately we run out Star Dew Lantern. You need to buy some "

She took a deep breath, planted her feet, and then—

unleashed a **roar**.

The air trembled. The realm itself shuddered. Lin Yuan felt like his very bones were vibrating, and his **soul rang like a cracked bell**. His vision blurred. His legs gave out. He fell to one knee, panting.

> "Soul Shaking Roar," she said coolly. "A sound that doesn't strike the body, but the soul. It can disrupt illusions, stun enemies, or even crack weak soul defenses."

She stepped aside.

> "Now… your turn."

Lin Yuan staggered to his feet, gathered his qi, and tried to copy the stance.

He clenched his fists, drew in breath, and let out his first attempt:

> "RAHHHHHHHHH!!—"

But instead of a mighty roar, it came out more like…

> "Rwahhhhrghh— *hic!*"

Lady Mingyan blinked.

A silence fell.

Then she chuckled. Just once.

Lin Yuan blushed.

> "That wasn't funny!"

> "You sounded like a startled cat trying to cough up a peach pit."

> "Tch. Let me try again!"

> "Do it," she said, smiling faintly. "But this time—don't *push*. Feel it from within your soul. Let your pain, joy, fear… all become sound."

Lin Yuan closed his eyes.

The next attempt was quieter. More focused. It didn't shake the realm—but it did cause the wind in the secret realm to ripple slightly.

Lady Mingyan nodded.

> "Better. One day, your roar might silence devils."

Lin Yuan wiped his brow.

> "And for now?"

> "For now," she smirked, "you sound like a tiger cub with a cold.