"What are you looking at?"
A crisp, clear voice rang in Lin Feng's ear, accompanied by a faint fragrance.
"Books," Lin Feng replied without even turning his head. For him, the most important thing right now was finding a method for his future cultivation.
Qian Renxue frowned. In truth, she had been observing Lin Feng for a long time. For the past year, this guy had come to the library every single day, always sitting in the exact same spot.
The only thing that changed was the book in his hands. After a year of playing the "scarecrow," it was impossible not to draw attention.
Annoyed by Lin Feng's indifference, Qian Renxue felt a little irritated. In her seven years of life, aside from her mother, no one had ever spoken to her with such a tone.
"This guy... he won't even look up? Hmph!"
Smack!
Qian Renxue slammed the table.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Isn't it basic manners to look someone in the eye when they speak to you? Don't you know how to be polite?!"
Lin Feng turned his head helplessly, a flash of surprise flickering in his eyes.
He sized up Qian Renxue and secretly sighed — As expected of the future Angel God, you can already see traces of her unmatched future beauty.
Golden hair cascaded down, her delicate cheeks tinged with pink. She wore a short golden-white gauze dress. Her big round eyes gleamed with mischief and charm, yet she radiated a noble and sacred aura.
But why was she here? And why did it feel like she came looking for him?
"Yes, young lady. I'm reading a book."
With that, he lowered his head again and resumed taking notes.
Qian Renxue had started feeling a bit proud after seeing the surprised look in Lin Feng's eyes, but now she was left speechless.
What is this feeling… wanting to speak but not knowing how to? Reading? That's your answer? I wanted you to tell me what kind of book you're reading!
"'Possible Improvements to Meditation Techniques, Volume 6'?"
Qian Renxue sat down next to Lin Feng and softly read the title of his notes.
"Hey! Lin Feng, let's introduce ourselves. My name is Xiao Xue."
"You investigated me?"
Qian Renxue was stunned. Seeing Lin Feng's calm, expressionless face, she panicked a little and waved her hands in a fluster.
"No! You come here to study every day. A lot of people in the library know your name — I didn't investigate you!"
Lin Feng set his pen down and looked at her with mild amusement.
"Hmm, I'm not angry. It's just… I don't think I've seen you around the academy?"
"Oh, uh… that's because my elders are high-ranking officials in the Spirit Hall, so they didn't let me attend the academy.
You love to study, so you should know this — the stuff from the primary academy, I can just learn at home."
Lin Feng nodded. He wasn't bothered by her vague response. After all, someone with innate level 20 soul power could afford to lay low in the early stages.
"So that's how it is. Then… are you here to read as well? The bookshelves are over there. If you can't find a book, you can ask the lady at the counter."
Qian Renxue's breath caught in her throat. What is this guy talking about? I came and sat right next to him—obviously I came to talk to him! What a blockhead!
She slammed her right hand down hard on Lin Feng's shoulder, puffed out her cheeks, and threatened fiercely:
"I said, I came to see you! I wanted to see what you were researching! Got it?!"
"Ow ow ow! I get it, let go already!"
"Hmph."
Rubbing his sore shoulder, Lin Feng looked at Qian Renxue helplessly. Honestly, he hadn't planned to get involved with her so soon, but since it had already happened, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"What do you want to know?"
Qian Renxue smirked, arms crossed over her chest as she huffed:
"Tell me everything about you!"
---
"Soul power circulation within the body? I already know how to do that," Qian Renxue said proudly, lifting her chin with a look that screamed, Praise me!
"It's not the same," Lin Feng replied. "What I mean is a fixed path for soul power to flow through the meridians, boosting bodily strength, enhancing physique growth, and accelerating soul power absorption.
It's not just the ordinary method where you guide soul power when you need it — any soul master can do that."
Qian Renxue fell silent, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear to hide her embarrassment.
"So… what use does that have?"
Lin Feng pulled out a diagram of the human meridian system.
"Look here. The human body contains various acupuncture points and meridians. When a soul master releases a soul skill, soul power surges within the body. These meridians are like the riverbeds of soul power.
When soul skills are used, the soul master's physical and combat abilities are enhanced significantly.
So, in my opinion, the most crucial part of soul power extraction and transformation happens during internal circulation.
If we can create a method that defines a specific route for soul power to travel within the body, soul master cultivation could undergo a revolutionary change.
Imagine — soul power circulating within, improving physique, purging internal impurities, accelerating absorption and transformation...
Taking it a step further, soul power could evolve its own traits, making the creation of personal soul skills much easier. That's what I'm working on."
Qian Renxue pouted as she listened to Lin Feng go on and on. So that's it? After a whole year, this is the grand research he's come up with? This seems way too unrealistic…
She sighed and gently tried to persuade him:
"Just you? You think you can figure out something that no one has discovered in thousands of years? Maybe focus more on your own cultivation."
Lin Feng interrupted her.
"Since you've learned about me, you should know my innate soul power level, right?"
Qian Renxue looked a bit embarrassed. Is it really okay to bring up someone's shortcomings right to their face?
"Uhh… I think it's level 1? That's what I heard! But it's not that bad! At least you can cultivate, right? Don't feel too down."
Lin Feng smiled and shook his head.
"I'm not feeling down at all. Right now, my soul power level is 6."
Qian Renxue's eyes widened in shock. "That's impossible!"
It was a widely accepted fact in the soul master world that innate soul power level directly correlated with cultivation speed. With her own innate level 20 soul power, and even factoring in the +3 boost from a soul ring, she had only improved by 5 levels over the past year.
How could someone with only level 1 innate soul power do the same?
"Don't believe me? Try sensing it yourself."
Lin Feng extended his right hand.
Qian Renxue hesitated. Besides her father and a few grandfathers, no other man had ever touched her. Staring at Lin Feng's smiling face, she grew flustered.
"Tch… What's there to be afraid of?!"
In the next moment, her delicate hand touched Lin Feng's. Her skin was soft and smooth. Without thinking, Lin Feng lightly traced her palm.
"You! Don't move!"
Qian Renxue's cheeks turned rosy. She glared at Lin Feng and clamped down tightly on his hand.
"Ow—!"
"Hmph."
As she focused her senses, Qian Renxue's expression turned to shock.
"It's real?! How did you do this?!"
Excited, she loosened her grip without even pulling her hand back, leaning in close to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng glanced at their still-clasped hands and smiled:
"Didn't I say? This is what I've been researching. And now… I've already achieved some early results."