"It's a pity he died," Wang Linchi said regrettably.
The library had a new person at the front desk, no longer Mo Yan.
"Who else could it be but him? He foolishly followed his senior to the black market, presuming he could uncover a combat type soul seed. Ultimately, his senior was intercepted midway and managed to escape, but he didn't have the same luck. His charred body was brought back."
"However, from the look of it, he probably died instantly without suffering much."
The new library receptionist sneered, expressing disdain for Mo Yan's situation. He clearly had such a stable life, yet he still insisted on seeking adventure, without even considering his own capabilities, the receptionist thought.
Qinghe Academy and Qinghe City publicized this incident for seven days as a warning, to make those ordinary Awakeners who dreamed of reaching the heavens in a single step settle down.
It was also fortunate that Mo Yan's body was recovered. If it hadn't been, he would have simply been reported missing, and that would have been the end of it.
"Indeed. It was his decision to go there," Wang Linchi said, feeling a sense of relief, thankful that he had declined the proposition earlier.
"Did you know him well?" the receptionist asked curiously.
"I spent a lot of time reading here and became familiar with him over time," Wang Linchi answered frankly.
"Then didn't you know about his situation? Didn't you try to dissuade him?" the receptionist asked, puzzled.
"If you were going to the black market, would you tell the classmate of your next-door neighbor's son?" Wang Linchi retorted.
I knew, but I didn't try to dissuade him. I knew he wouldn't listen, so why waste my breath?
Hearing Wang Linchi's words, the receptionist felt slightly embarrassed. It did make sense. After all, when it came to such major life decisions, how could one really tell an outsider?
"Are you here to read again today? Need my help?" the receptionist awkwardly switched the topic. They weren't familiar with each other, so there was no need for excessive conversation.
"Mm, no need for help. I can find them myself," Wang Linchi replied.
After speaking, Wang Linchi headed into the library and quickly found the book he had wanted to read last time, along with a stack of others.
After registering to borrow the books, he immediately returned home.
As soon as he got home, he found a comfortable position, lay down, and began reading.
This was his way of relaxing.
He could, of course, choose other ways to relax, but reading indirectly enhanced his abilities. After all, knowledge is power, even if that knowledge couldn't yet be converted into actual strength.
"Old classmate, I guessed you would be home."
A sudden voice sounded. Wang Linchi glanced up to see Yan Ming King quietly entering his house.
"I didn't expect a busy person like you to have time to visit me. Not busy today?" Wang Linchi closed his book, placed it casually on the table, and smiled.
He was a little puzzled as to why Yan Ming King would suddenly come looking for him.
"Busy? How could I not be? I'm so busy I'm nearly cross-eyed," Yan Ming King replied, going along with Wang Linchi's comment.
For a moment, Wang Linchi wasn't clear about Yan Ming King's intentions. But Yan Ming King wouldn't visit him out of the blue; Wang Linchi sensed from his first words that there had to be an underlying purpose to this visit.
After about three minutes of conversation, Yan Ming King finally said, "I heard, old classmate, that your Third Generation Soul Seed Boiling research was successful. How come I haven't heard any rumors about it?"
In that instant, Wang Linchi immediately understood his purpose. It was for the Soul Seed Boiling. He just hadn't expected Yan Ming King to come to him personally.
No rumors? You already know it was successfully developed and have even found me, yet you claim there are no rumors? Wang Linchi thought with amusement.
"Just sheer luck, sheer luck. I can't compare to you," Wang Linchi replied. He didn't actually know the value of the Third Generation Soul Seed Boiling within the academy, but he was certain Yan Ming King was here for a handout.
"I have an impudent request, and I hope you can help me out, old classmate.
"The thing is, I really need the Third Generation Soul Seed Boiling, but I can't redeem it from the academy. So, I was hoping you could provide me with the original manuscript.
"Don't worry, I won't let you suffer a loss, old classmate. As long as you give it to me, I guarantee you the position of Deputy Left Envoy in the Ming King battle team!
"All the resources for breaking through to the Black Iron Level, I'll cover them all," Yan Ming King vowed.
The current Ming King battle team was no longer just a student group limited to Qinghe Academy; it had transformed into a faction within Qinghe City, even possessing its own base.
"I'm afraid that's not possible. If I hadn't submitted it to the academy, it would be my Soul Skill, and giving you a copy, old classmate, wouldn't be a big deal.
"But after submitting it to the academy, it became the property of The Court. I wouldn't dare to privately distribute Soul Skills. If I were caught and sentenced, I don't think even you, old classmate, have the connections to get me out," Wang Linchi rejected without hesitation.
Yan Ming King is truly dreaming. Even if he covered all the resources for the White Porcelain Level, it wouldn't match the value of my Third Generation Soul Seed Boiling. Besides, he says I'd only get them after joining the Ming King battle team, which means whether I get them or not would depend on his mood, and I'd still have to work for him.
After failing to obtain White Porcelain Level resources from Yan Ming King for the Second Generation Soul Seed Boiling, Wang Linchi understood that he needed to be direct.
Yan Ming King valued his beloved confidante; everyone else had to take a backseat.
"I guarantee you, it's not just..." Yan Ming King began without hesitation.
But Wang Linchi interrupted him, "Sorry, old classmate, when you say that, do you believe it yourself?"
Yan Ming King fell silent. Indeed, I don't believe it myself. If Wang Linchi got into trouble, I would try to bail him out for the sake of future upgrades to my Soul Seed Boiling, but not now. At most, I'd just ensure his survival. After all, Wang Linchi only has the Third Generation. If he had the tenth-generation Soul Seed Boiling that could allow me to upgrade to LV10, I would definitely go all out to protect him. But unfortunately, he doesn't. Moreover, I'm not sure if Wang Linchi can actually develop the tenth-generation. From the information I obtained from the Dean, the Third Generation is Wang Linchi's limit, so it isn't very valuable.
"Is there no possibility at all?" Yan Ming King asked irritably. The Third Generation Soul Seed Boiling required being a third-year student to redeem, and he was only in his second year. Under the rigid conditions, he simply couldn't exchange for it.
If he wanted to obtain it earlier, his only option was through Wang Linchi.
"It's not impossible. I need ten Soul Forging Methods compatible with a Book-type Soul Resemblance, reaching at least the Mountain Copper Level of cultivation," Wang Linchi stated calmly.
He means, don't think you can get something for nothing. Get something from me just by asking? Wishful thinking!
"Black Iron Level ones, yes. But you can forget about Mountain Copper Level," Yan Ming King said, his eyes flashing.
"At least three must directly reach the Mountain Copper Level. The rest can be Black Iron Level, but their quality must not be inferior to the 'Book Mountain and Sea Soul Forging Method'," Wang Linchi added to his demands.
"Fine!" Yan Ming King agreed. Pressing further would be inappropriate.
With my capabilities, forget Mountain Copper Level; I could even get my hands on a Secret Silver Level Soul Forging Method. However, I naturally won't just give Wang Linchi whatever he asks for.