Chapter 34:
If Zhu Zhuqing hadn't spoken up, Lin Bai would've gone off on his own after training with Xiao Wu, waiting for his new golden finger to arrive in peace. He never expected things to turn out like this.
"Miss, watch your step!"
Not far away, Gawain's voice rang out. Zhu Zhuqing instinctively leapt aside, but her foot landed on nothing. She hurriedly tried to escape into the shadows using her Martial Spirit, but found only emptiness around her — no shadows, no escape.
She raised her head. Lin Bai and Xiao Wu were right ahead, neither of them dodging. No — it wasn't that they couldn't dodge. Lin Bai simply didn't want to.
"Relax," Lin Bai said casually, "there shouldn't be any danger."
Truthfully, he wasn't completely certain. But in the past, every time a golden finger appeared, there'd never been danger. He didn't think this would be any different.
"Mm."
"Okay."
The two girls responded at the same time. Both were confident in Lin Bai — and at the same time, their eyes met, sparks flickering silently between them.
This woman… her relationship with Lin Bai isn't simple.
But before either of them could dwell on it, the ground beneath their feet began to twist and ripple like a living thing, dragging them down into the darkness.
Gawain's voice faded behind them. The next moment, everything went black.
When light returned, they found themselves surrounded by rough, jagged rock walls. A heavy, suffocating atmosphere filled the air. Before them stood towering bronze doors, over ten meters tall and lined up in a row.
At the same time, mechanical voices rang out in their minds.
[Welcome, challengers, to the Dungeon Novice Instance.]
[Based on the challengers' talents, you may open gates ranked from G to SSS. Clear a dungeon to obtain your adventurer status and unlock further challenges.]
[Danger Tip 1: Higher-ranked dungeons bring greater danger.]
[Danger Tip 2: Talent does not equal combat strength. Act within your capabilities.]
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were both stunned, their worldviews completely shattered.
"What is this place? Senior… does this kind of thing exist in Douluo Continent?"
"Lin Bai… am I dreaming? This can't be real, right?"
Both of them spoke almost in unison, their confused gazes falling on the only one among them who looked perfectly calm.
They immediately quieted down after hearing each other's voices. Neither wanted to look too flustered in front of the other.
Zhu Zhuqing silently recited his name — Lin Bai… Lin Bai… as if engraving it into her heart.
Lin Bai, on the other hand, wasn't the least bit flustered. He was sure there were no such things as dungeons in Douluo Continent. This had to be his doing. He clenched his fist.
Let's see what kind of golden finger you're bringing me this time.
"I haven't heard of anything like this either," Lin Bai said lightly. "But you both heard the voice. It sounds like it's selecting challengers. Let's follow the prompts and test our talents first."
In front of the bronze doors stood a hexagonal stone pillar, completely out of place with its surroundings. It was clearly a detection device.
"I'm fast. I'll go first."
Without waiting for a response, Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward. She was cautious by nature, unwilling to let Lin Bai or Xiao Wu test it before her.
As soon as her palm touched the pillar, a blue light flared to life, magic runes glowing and spreading upward.
Lin Bai wasn't in a hurry. He waited quietly.
About ten seconds later, Zhu Zhuqing let go and stepped down the platform. "It says my talent is 'S'. I can enter all bronze gates. Should be safe."
"I'm next."
Xiao Wu, feeling the unspoken challenge, didn't hesitate. This new girl was unexpectedly bold and clearly had ambition. If she didn't act, Zhu Zhuqing might steal a march on her.
Xiao Wu placed her hand on the pillar. This time, a gentle purple light lit up.
Her heart skipped a beat. She was naturally gifted with high soul power. If her talent wasn't even equal to Zhu Zhuqing's, wouldn't that be a joke?
Fortunately, the result didn't disappoint her.
"I'm also 'S'. Lin Bai, your turn."
Jumping off the steps, Xiao Wu's tone was bright and a little possessive. She wouldn't let anyone take Lin Bai away so easily.
Zhu Zhuqing felt the subtle hostility in her words and her expression cooled, an icy aura rising around her without a word.
Lin Bai stepped forward and placed his hand on the pillar.
The result was instant. A blinding white light shot skyward, illuminating the entire cave like daylight.
The dungeon's voice echoed again.
[Challenger talent detected: SSS.]
[Access granted to all dungeon levels.]
[Warning: SSS dungeons are extremely dangerous. Challengers are advised to consider carefully.]
Lin Bai ignored the warning.
If I'm right, this time's golden finger is inside that SSS dungeon. There's no way I'm passing this up.
The risk was worth it. This was the kind of life he wanted — one where danger was within reach but manageable, where rare creatures and ancient secrets waited to be uncovered.
Of course, all of it had to be built on strength.
Stepping down from the platform, Lin Bai turned to Zhu Zhuqing. "You haven't reached Rank 20 yet, right? Planning to enter the S-rank gate?"
Zhu Zhuqing heard the familiar concern in his voice and felt warmth bloom in her chest. She smiled softly — like snow melting under the spring sun.
"Mm. Since the higher the talent required to enter, the better the rewards, I can't let this chance slip by."
Lin Bai understood her well. That unyielding character — this was the Zhu Zhuqing he knew.
"The dungeon's danger level is unknown. A Rank 19 soul master isn't exactly safe in an S-rank instance. I can use my Martial Skill to stimulate your soul power and boost your physical strength. It'll last about an hour — should give you a better chance."
As for whether it counted as cheating? It didn't. It was still her soul power, he was just unlocking more of it.
"Right here?"
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated. She remembered the time he'd treated her with acupuncture, stimulating her blood vessels, and her face flushed.
Lin Bai immediately caught her expression and sighed internally.
Soul masters mature way too fast.
"Ahem — just stand still. I need to locate your acupoints."
Lin Bai's voice was steady. Zhu Zhuqing quickly composed herself and stood upright, letting him work.
Using the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles technique, Lin Bai carefully stimulated Zhu Zhuqing's potential, guiding her soul power into a more active state.
Off to the side, Xiao Wu pouted, her mood dark. Watching Lin Bai place needles along Zhu Zhuqing's skin made her chest feel heavy, and she turned away, cheeks puffed in frustration.
Dungeon talents were different from cultivation talents — mostly similar, but with about a 30% variance.
But this time, Lin Bai wasn't focused on numbers. His attention was on something else.
This wasn't just a new golden finger.
It was the start of a change big enough to make the entire world move to his rhythm.
And Lin Bai… was ready for it.
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