After Meimei was sent by Xiao Lin to guard the entrance of the poisonous barrier, Xiao Lin began awakening the spiritual intelligence of the Wangchuan Qiushui Dew.
Generally speaking, when a soul beast gains intelligence—or when an ordinary organism evolves into a soul beast—it is entirely a matter of luck.
But the Wangchuan Qiushui Dew certainly wouldn't rely on luck.
As an immortal herb that inherently enhances spiritual power, it possessed both talent and deep foundation.
If even the Wangchuan Qiushui Dew couldn't awaken intelligence, then Xiao Lin truly couldn't imagine how difficult it must be for other soul beasts.
At this moment, Xiao Lin sat cross-legged beside the plant, fully focused on creating the best possible conditions for its awakening.
Meanwhile, part of his consciousness split away, chatting with the two Dragon Kings.
Xiao Lin asked: Is there a method to awaken the Wangchuan Qiushui Dew's intelligence?
The two Dragon Kings replied: No. The Dragon Clan is born powerful.
Hearing that, Xiao Lin could only sigh in understanding.
But if things continued like this, who knew how long he'd have to stay here?
He was worried that the Tianshui Team might leave—and then refuse to acknowledge the twenty million-plus gold soul coins worth of resources they owed.
A "Musical Therapy" Idea
"I've heard plants have life too. Maybe I'll just praise the Wangchuan Qiushui Dew here."
Xiao Lin muttered to himself.
In his previous life, he had heard that plants could sense emotions.
It was said that if someone constantly cursed at a plant, it would wither.
Conversely, if you played pleasant music for it, it would grow well.
So Xiao Lin decided to give the Wangchuan Qiushui Dew a vocal spa session.
"Wangchuan Qiushui Dew, I'm your father!"
"You must listen to me and grow up quickly!"
He sang while attempting a sort of hypnotic encouragement.
In ancient tales, the Seven Calabash Brothers recognized a scorpion as their father and a snake as their mother.
Now, the Wangchuan Qiushui Dew would recognize Xiao Lin as its father.
Meanwhile — Sunset Forest
On the other side of the Sunset Forest, far from the swamp region, several members of the Tianshui Team wore expressions of worry.
"Bing'er… the teacher seems mentally broken."
Shen Liuyu carried Shao Wanqing on her back. On her shoulder was a faint translucent-white sticky patch—it was Shao Wanqing's drool.
Shen Liuyu anxiously spoke to the youngest member of the group, Shui Bing'er.
Shao Wanqing becoming mentally impaired was a disaster.
Without her, and with their highest cultivation only at Soul Ancestor level, even acquiring soul rings would be difficult.
Leaving the Sunset Forest itself might prove dangerous.
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"It seems our only choice now is to leave the Sunset Forest," Shui Bing'er said calmly despite her youth.
"We don't know what happened to the teacher. We must get her treated as soon as possible," Xue Wu added.
"We never should've come here to get Shen Liuyu a soul ring. Look what happened."
A voice unfavorable to team unity surfaced.
They were all water-attribute soul masters. If they had searched the ocean instead, they might have found suitable soul beasts long ago.
"Enough. Think about how to leave and how to save the teacher," Shui Bing'er said sharply, fulfilling her role as captain perfectly.
"Teacher's condition clearly resulted from a powerful spiritual attack. She's mentally damaged. How can we even treat that?" Yu Hairou said.
Most Tianshui Academy members came from notable families and had at least some knowledge of such matters.
Spiritual attacks were mysterious and unpredictable. None of them specialized in mental power. They didn't even know Shao Wanqing's exact condition.
Whether she could be saved at all was uncertain.
"No matter what, no matter the cost, we must find a way to cure Teacher. After all, she acted for our sake…"
Shui Yue'er looked at everyone with determination.
Mention of Xiao Lin
"If only that guy were still alive…"
Someone muttered.
They had clearly seen Xiao Lin's battle against the Medusa Snake.
His spiritual power had matched it evenly—and even surpassed it at the end.
"What was his name?" Shui Bing'er asked curiously.
"Seems like… Xiao Lin," Shen Liuyu recalled.
"You know him?"
"No… I guessed."
She hadn't heard his name directly, but based on his conversation with Shao Wanqing and his final display of strength, she made a deduction.
That level of power at such a young age wasn't something an ordinary faction could nurture.
And the name Xiao Lin was familiar—grandson of Master Xiao Yan, wielder of the Qiu Dragon Staff.
Those were known facts.
"Only Master Xiao Yan's grandson, Xiao Lin, could have such ability."
The team froze.
The logic made sense—but Xiao Lin had seemingly died in front of them while battling the Medusa Snake.
Yu Hairou and the others felt faint.
If Master Xiao Yan learned that Xiao Lin died saving them—
Would they ever have peaceful days again?
A Different Perspective
Only Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu remained calm.
Perhaps because of their Martial Soul Fusion bond, they thought alike.
"Perhaps… Xiao Lin didn't die."
They spoke simultaneously.
"His final move clearly subdued the Medusa Snake. He only fell because he ran out of soul power."
"But the Medusa Snake was also severely injured. It left in a hurry—perhaps to find herbs to heal itself."
Neither believed Xiao Lin was truly dead.
After all—no body had been seen.
And soul masters don't die simply from exhausting soul power.
"Then… should we look for Xiao Lin?" Shui Yue'er suggested suddenly.
"If he's alive, following the Medusa Snake's retreat path might lead us to him."
The idea gained approval.
"You're right. We must save Teacher—and Xiao Lin too. We can't let him face other soul beasts alone."
They had fully committed to the belief that Xiao Lin survived.
Some even imagined he had escaped from the Medusa Snake's grasp and was hiding somewhere to recover.
Shui Bing'er's Decision
"You all continue heading toward the forest's exit. I'll search for Xiao Lin's trail."
Shui Bing'er made her final captain's order.
Before anyone could object, she activated her martial soul.
With a cry of a phoenix, icy phoenix feathers manifested around her, and she soared into the sky.
"Alive, I want to see the person. Dead, I want to see the corpse!"
Flying over the Sunset Forest, she did not fear powerful soul beasts.
Her phoenix bloodline pressure was enough to suppress nearby flying soul beasts.
But beyond the stated reasons, Shui Bing'er had another thought.
If Xiao Lin could match the Medusa Snake in spiritual power and possessed invincible soul skills, then he must have had a one-hundred-thousand-year soul bone—likely spiritual or lightning attribute.
Perhaps even a head soul bone.
If Xiao Lin had truly died, she would retrieve that soul bone—
And bring it to Master Xiao Yan in exchange for treatment for her teacher.
(End of Chapter)