CHAPTER 227: CHAPTER 201: FOREST DUEL

Chongnuo City, Iron Blood College.

The ten members of the Novice Training Class under Hang Jianshe were preparing to set off at the school entrance.

"Is Lu Lin really not coming to the preselection this time?"

"Does anyone know what he’s been up to?"

Ever since Lu Lin took a leave from school a month ago, the training class had entered the second stage of learning.

Arena battles.

Although they were all reserve team members and had a low chance of actually playing, they still had to practice.

In case most of the main team members got injured and couldn’t compete, they would need to substitute.

However, Lu Lin had been on leave for a month without returning, making the freshmen headed to Bovangpo City understandably anxious.

"Don’t ask me, I don’t know,"

Zhu Haolin casually replied.

During this one month, they had all improved quite a bit.

Hang Jianshe had reached the peak of Level 2, with a potential breakthrough to Third Level at any time.

Cong Xiaolong, Zhu Haolin, and Yao Zongheng had all reached the mid-level of Level 2.

The other six also showed various improvements.

However, due to Lu Lin’s absence, Iron Blood College replaced him with a new freshman.

"If you don’t know, don’t speak, I wasn’t asking you,"

Cong Xiaolong said, then turned his head and asked, "Yu Long, I heard you’re classmates with Lu Lin, do you know where he went?"

Zheng Yulong.

He was the freshman who replaced Lu Lin. Previously, he hadn’t even signed up for the Challenge Match, but within a month, made rapid progress from his original Zero Level high stage to the initial stage of Level 2, and due to his unique abilities, he could replace Lu Lin in the reserve team.

"How would I know that?"

Zheng Yulong shook his head with a smile.

"Didn’t you know the girl who came to visit Lu Lin a while back? Is she also from Saturn?"

In just three sentences, Cong Xiaolong had skewed the main topic.

"Yes, she is the president of the Star Guide Division in Saturn Green City and is now a Senior Star Guidance Master."

"So impressive?!"

Cong Xiaolong exclaimed, "Once Lu Lin returns, he should introduce us to the girls from the Star Guide Association. The girls at our school are all about cultivation, leaving us with no interest at all."

"Alright, say no more, Cong Xiaolong, the bus is here."

Hang Jianshe said.

A magnetic levitation bus stopped in front of the three of them, and Lei Ming jumped out and said, "Alright, everyone, get ready to board. We’re expected to arrive in Bovangpo City this afternoon."

Everyone silently got on the bus.

As Cong Xiaolong passed by Lei Ming, he asked, "Teacher Lei, is Lu Lin really not coming?"

Lei Ming hesitated, waved his hand to let Cong Xiaolong get on the bus without saying a word.

After finding out that Lu Lin had been absent for five consecutive days, Lei Ming had already called him but couldn’t get through.

Just as he was thinking of asking someone about it, Wang Jianfang told him Lu Lin had something to do out of town and to not worry about it.

Lei Ming had some vague suspicions but didn’t pry further.

Once on the bus, Cong Xiaolong approached Lei Ming again: "Teacher Lei, is it possible that the school sent Lu Lin ahead to the Exotic Battlefield for adaptive training?"

"Could he have already advanced to Fourth Level?"

Seeing Cong Xiaolong’s mysterious expression, Lei Ming shook his head and told him to sit back down.

Exotic Battlefield.

It was exactly as he suspected, otherwise, if Lu Lin were still within the federation, he would have at least found time to return a message.

However, this time seemed a bit long.

Lei Ming shook his head, listening as the speculation continued with smiles from Cong Xiaolong on the bus.

"Do you guys think Lu Lin might be off somewhere with a girl he likes?"

"Silent, deep gazes shared between them."

"Waiting until the moon is high in the sky, then they stroll into the little forest expressing their heartfelt affections."

"Haha, Cong Xiaolong, you’d better shut up. Lu Lin, being so disciplined with himself, how would he be with a girl?"

...

Hang Tang City.

Standing on the second floor, Tian Dayin saw Lu Lin looking at her with an infatuated expression, and her lips curved up slightly.

She chuckled softly and pointed at Lu Lin.

"Come to the little forest behind tonight."

After speaking, Tian Dayin turned and entered the room.

Lu Lin withdrew his gaze, pondering what Tian Dayin meant.

At this moment, Tian Dayun ran from the bungalow, "Brother Niu Niuniu, I’ve talked to the housekeeper. The master won’t return today, so you can stay for a couple of days until the master returns, then you can arrange your match with the Second Miss."

"Alright, thank you, Big Brother Tian Da."

Lu Lin smiled in a straightforward manner, then followed Tian Dayun to stay in a vacant room.

After he left, Lu Lin removed his heavy armor, loosened his bindings, and tossed the Saint on the bed.

The Saint was still oblivious, but after these three days, the wound on his neck had healed naturally.

Laying on the bed, he seemed to be simply sleeping.

Lu Lin couldn’t help but recall the sight of Tian Dayin earlier.

Her beauty was indeed unmatched; Lu Lin could say that he had never encountered such a beautiful woman in his life.

Moreover, she didn’t seem to be as volatile and irritable as Tian Dayun claimed, rather, she appeared somewhat... gentle.

It’s just that he might be a bit strong-willed.

However, what does this have to do with Lu Lin? He couldn’t possibly stay in Hang Tang City and marry into the Tian Yun Family.

Lu Lin didn’t think much about it either, and opened his storage ring to check the previous spoils.

In the Blood Pool Cave, he later had a fierce battle with the Saint where both were injured, and he fell into a coma while Maffield absorbed all the soul power.

Fortunately, Bai Buyi and the others came up to check the situation later, otherwise, if those alien races found Lu Lin, he might be dead now.

The biggest gain this time was the Soul Crystal.

Evolved from the Soul Devouring Crystal, Lu Lin held the Soul Crystal in his hand and observed the black crystal embedded with tiny streams of flowing light.

Should I absorb it?

This is a question.

Lu Lin is on the Exotic Battlefield, where danger lurks everywhere. If an accident occurs during absorption, he can’t guarantee his safety at all.

At this moment, not even Bai Buyi and others are here.

If danger arises, Lu Lin could be discovered, and the consequences are unpredictable.

But precisely because he’s on the Exotic Battlefield, Lu Lin needs stronger power to ensure his safety.

So many alien races are pursuing him, seemingly not intending to capture him.

Instead, it appears they’re driving him along a pre-planned route.

Those involved couldn’t be just those responsible for charging at Fourth Level, there must be higher-level aliens scheming behind the scenes.

Lu Lin wants to shake off their pursuit, and he must enhance his strength as much as possible.

After a moment’s dilemma, Lu Lin decided to absorb it.

But not now.

Wait until he returns from Tian Dayin’s invitation tonight.

Besides this Soul Crystal, Lu Lin also found a small black box.

The box was engraved with mysterious and profound patterns, resembling totems or formations.

Chen Xiran said when handing it over to Lu Lin that this black box was found on the Saint.

But she merely found this item.

Under that circumstance, anything the Saint carried must be extraordinary.

Lu Lin opened the box. There was only one Star Crystal inside.

Also a black Star Crystal, but completely different from the Soul Crystal.

Lu Lin researched it for a while but couldn’t figure it out and reluctantly gave up.

Apart from these two special items, there were also some books, Star Crystals, and weapons, but none were of great use to Lu Lin.

Once he returns to the federation, he plans to see if anyone from the Star Investigation Office wants them; if not, Lu Lin intends to return to his old business and auction them off with Xiao Yu’s help.

Considering they’re the Saint’s collection, they should fetch a decent price.

After tidying up the spoils, Lu Lin tried to see if he could put the Saint into the storage ring, but it still didn’t work.

Thus, Lu Lin continued to carry the Saint on his back and put on heavy armor.

He heard someone saying it was time to eat.

Lu Lin had been living rough these few days, just right to take this opportunity to taste the cuisine of the Exotic Battlefield.

Hmm, hopefully, it’s delicious.

Furthermore, he needed to inquire about some information from the Tian Yun Mansion.

As the robust Lu Lin entered the restaurant, almost everyone’s gaze was drawn to him.

Such a strong person.

Many servants privately inquired about Lu Lin’s identity and quickly learned that he was invited by Tian Dayun from outside the city to spar with the Second Miss.

"So strong, he’ll definitely defeat the Second Miss, right?"

"That’s not certain; being more robust doesn’t mean stronger ability."

"That’s true. Last time, a Barbarian Elephant Tribe member, five meters tall, was beaten by the Second Miss, fleeing in disgrace."

Everyone was discussing enthusiastically, but Lu Lin pretended not to hear, sat down, and began eating.

He was genuinely hungry, and although the cuisine of the Tian Da Family might not match Hua Xia delicacies, trying it for the first time piqued Lu Lin’s interest.

After eating five or six people’s worth of food, Lu Lin stood up, brushed off, and left the restaurant.

Throughout, he didn’t interact with anyone, trying to maintain his persona of gullible innocence.

Night fell.

The star belt in the sky emitted a gentle glow.

Lu Lin sensed no one was observing him and casually walked out of the room to the backyard grove.

By then, Tian Dayin was already waiting.

She said nothing upon seeing Lu Lin and directly launched an attack.

"Mountain Finger."

Tian Dayin’s speed was extremely fast, and her hair transformed into the Willow Branch State.

Lu Lin extended his hand to grab it and casually tossed Tian Dayin aside.

But Tian Dayin seemed indifferent.

"Landslide."

Before touching the ground, Tian Dayin defied the laws of physics and redirected herself mid-air toward Lu Lin.

Just as Lu Lin was about to act, he discovered his hand was entwined with several transparent threads.

"Go."

Lu Lin simply didn’t move, letting the other side wrap him up, and executed a foot strike.

Star Power erupted.

Tian Dayin was immediately flung back, but she adjusted her form while airborne. Her left hand extended, as if releasing spider silk, and yet another transparent thread attacked Lu Lin.