Although it was a lucky guess, Shui Bing'er had correctly deduced that Xiao Lin possessed a hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
However, she did not harbor any greed.
If she could save Xiao Lin, she would certainly gain considerable benefits. And if she could receive guidance from Master Xiao Yan, perhaps she might even become an Ultimate Douluo in the future.
No matter how she looked at it, it was all benefits and no harm.
For that very reason, Shui Bing'er hovered anxiously in midair, staring toward the direction the Medusa Serpent had passed.
Given the Medusa Serpent's massive size and the speed at which it had moved to treat its injuries, the path from the swamp to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well had already been carved into a gigantic trail.
If it rained, that trail would become a perfect riverbed.
Damn it—where exactly is he?
After flying for a long time, Shui Bing'er still could not locate Xiao Lin, and her anxiety only grew.
Compared to tracking the Medusa Serpent's path, the area she needed to search for Xiao Lin was far broader.
And the more she searched, the more worried she became.
If they hadn't guessed wrong earlier, Xiao Lin had merely exhausted his soul power—he hadn't died.
After all, the battle between Xiao Lin and the Medusa Serpent had ended with Xiao Lin's technique.
But if Xiao Lin had only run out of soul power, shouldn't he have left the Medusa Serpent's body as quickly as possible?
Following that logic, Shui Bing'er focused her search near the swamp.
Unfortunately, no matter how she searched, she couldn't find the slightest trace of Xiao Lin.
In her mind, if Xiao Lin hadn't successfully escaped from inside the Medusa Serpent, then sooner or later he would be digested.
That was the outcome she least wanted to see.
How could this be?
The more she searched, the colder her expression became.
After combing through a large nearby area without success, she had no choice but to continue further along the Medusa Serpent's trail.
"Hoo—"
Shui Bing'er exhaled a long breath. A mist of frost immediately appeared.
And with that frost, she suddenly realized something.
Ice!
Xiao Lin possessed Ultimate Ice!
Given her martial soul's sensitivity to Ultimate Ice, in theory, if she carefully sensed for it, she should absolutely be able to detect Xiao Lin.
Moreover, if Xiao Lin had exhausted his soul power but escaped from the Medusa Serpent's body, then to survive in Sunset Forest without soul power, he would need to conceal his aura.
Using ice to suppress his presence would be perfectly logical.
Which meant she could find Xiao Lin through ice.
Shui Bing'er grew excited. This time, she would search thoroughly.
First sweep the area broadly, then carefully sense for traces of ice.
With that thought, she accelerated her flight.
Looking down at Sunset Forest from above, the farther she flew, the more shocked she became.
What's going on?
Why does the Medusa Serpent's trail extend this far?
Where exactly is it going?
And where is Xiao Lin?
…
Meanwhile — Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well
Under Xiao Lin's constant singing, the immortal herb Wangchuan Qiushui Dew (Yearning-Through-Autumn-Water Dew) had awakened spiritual intelligence.
Whether it had awakened because it was moved by his singing—or irritated into awakening—was unclear.
In any case, awakening intelligence was a good thing.
But then again…
Now that Wangchuan Qiushui Dew had developed intelligence, could Xiao Lin still treat it as an ordinary immortal herb?
Maybe he should cultivate it—let it grow into a hundred-thousand-year soul beast and then sacrifice itself?
And later ascend to godhood together with it.
Xiao Lin's thoughts were always somewhat jumpy, but generally, he aimed for mutual benefit.
In the future, once he obtained divine power, using it to nurture Wangchuan Qiushui Dew would indeed be a good plan.
It would also be best to strengthen it further so it could produce more dew for Xiao Wu and Tang Ni.
"Alright, Dad's heading out first. Stay here, don't wander off. Cultivate properly. When you have time, chat with Ah Yin."
Xiao Lin patted the leaves of Wangchuan Qiushui Dew. He then left behind his Battle God Cloak, allowing it to act as the core of a formation, automatically isolating dragon aura and gathering Ice and Fire spiritual energy.
Only then did Xiao Lin remember that he still had an unexpected fortune to collect.
More than twenty million gold soul coins' worth of resources had been agreed upon.
Leaving the basin of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Xiao Lin told Meimei to cultivate diligently and reach the level of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast soon.
Then he once again exited beyond the poisonous miasma.
Back in Sunset Forest, Xiao Lin was deeply concerned about the people from Tianshui Academy.
Without hesitation, he began running at his fastest normal speed.
Summoning his Coiled Dragon Staff, arcs of lightning flashed around his body—and he vanished from his original position.
When he reappeared, he was already hundreds of meters away.
The Tianshui team carries my spiritual imprint. As long as I get close, I'll find them.
With that thought, Xiao Lin rampaged through Sunset Forest at reckless speed.
Before long, he sensed a strand of his own spiritual power.
Looking up, he saw Shui Bing'er, her Ice Phoenix martial soul manifested, flying in midair.
At that moment, her exquisite, beautiful face was filled with astonishment. She had also sensed the Ultimate Ice within Xiao Lin's body.
But what shocked her wasn't that—
It was Xiao Lin's vigorous, energetic state.
He still has soul power?!
Xiao Lin held the Coiled Dragon Staff, silver-white soul power covering his body, faint arcs of lightning flickering around him.
Under such circumstances, Shui Bing'er was certain she wasn't mistaken.
Xiao Lin still had abundant soul power.
He was simply a monster.
After spotting Xiao Lin, Shui Bing'er quickly turned and flew toward him.
"Hello, Xiao Lin. I am Shui Bing'er, captain of the Tianshui Team."
Because she needed his help, Shui Bing'er offered him a gentle smile.
For a moment, it was as if Xiao Lin saw an iceberg melt and spring return to the world…
Alright. Xiao Lin was a wise man.
And wise men do not fall in love.
Regaining his composure, Xiao Lin nodded slightly.
"You were looking for me? I was just about to find you too. You currently owe me resources worth twenty-five million gold soul coins."
His blunt, straight-man response froze Shui Bing'er's smile.
But very quickly, she replaced it with an even sweeter one.
"Of course. However, I hope you can invite Master Xiao Yan to assist in saving my teacher."
"Your teacher?"
"Yes. She was struck by the Medusa Serpent's spiritual shock and has somewhat lost her senses."
Shui Bing'er explained urgently.
"Oh. I can treat that. But what's in it for me?"
Xiao Lin stroked his chin, considering whether to raise the price further.
But then he reconsidered—did they even have that many resources left? That much gold?
Hearing that Xiao Lin could treat her teacher, Shui Bing'er was naturally overjoyed. But upon hearing him ask for benefits, she formed a new impression of him.
Master Xiao Yan's grandson… is very greedy for money.
Didn't Xiao Lin have pocket money growing up?
"Of course. As long as it's within our means, we will do our utmost."
Shui Bing'er had no grounds to refuse payment. It was only natural.
"Then lead the way. Spiritual injuries are best treated as early as possible."
Xiao Lin waved his hand, signaling her forward.
"Alright."
The next second, Shui Bing'er flapped her wings and soared ahead.
Xiao Lin followed closely below at high speed—moving even faster than she was.
(End of Chapter)