Chapter 296: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder; Liu Erlong’s Big Announcement
Chapter 296: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder; Liu Erlong’s Big Announcement
"Ahem."
Lin Qingmo cleared his throat, taking the lead in breaking the awkward silence.
"Teacher Erlong, I’m fine."
"I’m sorry for making you worry and for leaving without permission."
He expressed his apology in a formal tone.
"During this Soul Hunt in the Star Dou Great Forest, I successfully obtained my fifth spirit ring. I am now a Level 56 Spirit King."
As he said this, Lin Qingmo was mentally prepared to fabricate an explanation.
He had only just reached Level 50 before leaving.
At most, he had been away for less than two weeks.
A normal Spirit Master would typically gain one or two levels of spirit power after obtaining their fifth spirit ring.
He, however, had jumped directly from Level 50 to Level 56—a full six levels.
If word got out, it would absolutely shock the entire Spirit Master’s world.
Even the continent’s top Geniuses would find it impossible to cross six levels of spirit power within two weeks.
He had even prepared a complete story to handle any potential questioning.
But to his surprise, Liu Erlong didn’t show the slightest hint of shock.
She didn’t ask about the age of the spirit ring, nor did she inquire why his spirit power had increased so rapidly.
She didn’t even utter a single question regarding the Soul Hunt process.
Her eyes simply crinkled as a heartfelt smile appeared on her face.
The worry in her eyes vanished completely, replaced entirely by relief and pride.
Liu Erlong gently patted his shoulder, trying her best to project the warmth of an elder.
"Good, well done. As expected of a student I, Liu Erlong, have high hopes for. Congratulations, A-Qing."
"Hmm?"
Surprise welled up within Lin Qingmo.
Does she really not doubt such an exaggerated increase?
However, he soon felt at ease.
Perhaps Teacher Erlong wasn’t lacking curiosity.
It was just that she trusted him and didn’t want to press him on things he didn’t intend to share.
This unconditional trust flowed through his heart like a warm current.
In this World that scrutinized spirit powerFoundation and spirit ring origins at every turn, this lack of questioning was exceptionally rare.
"By the way, Teacher Erlong."
Lin Qingmo changed the subject, asking, "While I was away, has anything special happened at the academy?"
At those words, Liu Erlong’s expression stiffened, and her smile faded slightly.
She nodded, her tone becoming much more serious.
"There actually is something I need to tell you. However, I need to tell not just you, but the other children of the Royal Fighting Team as well."
"Oh?"
Lin Qingmo was somewhat surprised.
Anything that could make Liu Erlong so solemn was certainly no small matter.
After all, Liu Erlong’s personality had always been fiery and free-spirited; very few things could make her act so seriously.
"What is it that requires such gravity from you, Teacher Erlong?"
Liu Erlong didn’t say it directly, instead keeping him in suspense.
"Follow me. I’ll notify everyone together. This matter is of vital importance to our Royal Fighting Team and the entire Heaven Dou Academy."
...
That night.
The lights were lit in the Royal Fighting Team’s exclusive training ground.
The training ground covered a vast area, its floor paved with special shock-resistant blackstone.
Traces of spirit power impacts from past training sessions remained on the surface.
Ning Rongrong leaned against the training ground’s railing, playing with her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
The pagoda was lustrous and translucent, with a faint treasure light flowing over its seven exquisitely layered tiers.
She swung her legs boredly, her fingertips tracing the decorative patterns on the spire.
"What’s with Teacher Erlong today? Sending someone to notify us all to come to the training ground late at night."
Ning Rongrong was slightly impatient, her cheeks puffing out a little.
"I’m exhausted from training all day. I thought I’d be able to sleep in, but I was called up just as I’d gone to bed."
Not far away, Zhu Zhuqing sat cross-legged in a corner of the training ground, quietly meditating and regulating her breathing.
Dugu Yan was fiddling with a bottle of emerald-green poison, occasionally exchanging words with Ye Lingling beside her.
Xiao Wu was also rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Yu Feng leaned against a pillar of the training ground, a piece of foxtail grass dangling from his mouth.
His gaze drifted toward the training ground’s entrance every now and then, his impatience showing: "Who knows."
"Maybe there’s some new training task."
"After all, our new Royal Fighting Team hasn’t officially engaged in a Spirit Fight against another team yet."
Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes: "It’s also possible that it’s related to the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."
"There’s about a year left before the tournament begins. Teacher Erlong looking for us now likely has something to do with that."
"Oh right! Why didn’t I think of that!"
Ning Rongrong’s eyes lit up, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hand swayed.
"Is she going to give us extra training? I don’t want to be watched by Teacher Erlong every day; it’s too terrifying!"
Thinking back to the days of special training under Liu Erlong’s watchful eye, she couldn’t help but shiver.
"If it’s extra training, then so be it. Am I supposed to be afraid?"
Yu Feng curled his lip and spat out the foxtail grass.
"As long as I can get on the field and fight real experts, I’ll do whatever training is necessary."
"No matter what it is, we’ll know once Teacher Erlong arrives."
Ye Lingling spoke softly, her tone gentle and carrying a soothing power.
"Guessing here won’t yield any results."
As they were talking...
"Click!"
The training ground’s door was slowly pushed open.
Morning mist drifted into the training ground through the crack in the door, bringing the scent of morning vegetation and a hint of cool dampness.
Liu Erlong’s figure was the first to enter.
She had changed into a sharp red qipao dress, her wine-red hair tied up high, exuding a sharp and formidable aura.
Following closely behind was a tall, upright figure—Lin Qingmo.
The morning light pierced through the mist and fell on his shoulders, his black martial attire making his figure appear even more imposing.
The gazes of everyone in the training ground turned toward Lin Qingmo, and one by one, they were stunned.
The noise in the training ground came to an abrupt halt.
Ning Rongrong’s mouth opened slightly as she exclaimed in surprise.
"A-Qing? You’re back?!"
The one with the strongest reaction was Xiao Wu, who was standing furthest inside.
These past few days, she had waited at the academy gates every day for his return.
Each day she arrived full of hope and returned with disappointment.
The moment she saw Lin Qingmo, her eyes instantly turned red.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she dashed forward and threw herself into Lin Qingmo’s arms.
Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, and she buried her face deep in his chest.
"A-Qing! You’re finally back!"
Xiao Wu’s voice carried a sob and a deep sense of longing.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was? You didn’t even tell me before you left."
Her shoulders trembled slightly as the longing and worry she had accumulated for so long erupted all at once.
Lin Qingmo’s expression was tender as he gently patted Xiao Wu’s back, soothing her emotions.
Apologetically, he said, "I’m back. I’m sorry for making you worry."
He felt the soft texture of her hair against his palm and her slightly trembling back.
He slowed his movements, patting her back rhythmically to calm her surging emotions.
Leaving without saying goodbye was indeed his fault.
However, he hadn’t expected Xiao Wu’s reaction to be so intense.
It seemed Xiao Wu had truly missed him.
She was simply letting out all the bottled-up emotions.
(End of Chapter)
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