However, at Lin Ye's current level of cultivation, he could only execute the first move.
This was likely why his father had left the Xuanyuan Sword Technique in the sixth layer of restrictions, accessible only after reaching the Soul King realm.
After temporarily setting aside the newly acquired martial skill, the Xuanyuan Sword Technique, Lin Ye turned his attention back to the jade pendant in his hand.
Although he had obtained the reward, he had yet to read his father's letter!
Once again channeling his zhenqi into the jade pendant, Lin Ye's consciousness instantly appeared in a pitch-black space.
Inside the dark space lay an exquisite wooden box.
Taking out the box, Lin Ye opened it to find a letter inside.
With excitement, he unfolded the letter.
The letter began with his father's greetings and reflections, followed by an introduction to the Xuanyuan Sword Technique.
But at the end, the letter mentioned another matter.
It instructed Lin Ye to visit the Heaven Dou Imperial City when he had time to seek out a man named Dugu Bo. By splitting off a sub-body from the Symbiote Battle Suit and giving it to Dugu Bo, Dugu Bo would pledge his service to Lin Ye as agreed. He would then take Lin Ye to a medicinal garden—a garden left behind by his father.
The garden contained many rare herbs that Lin Ye could use to aid his cultivation of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique. He could also distribute the herbs to those around him.
Some of the herbs could even trigger the evolution of specific martial souls. A catalog detailing the relationship between the herbs and martial soul evolution lay beneath the wooden box, which Lin Ye was to review when he had time.
"Father left me a medicinal garden too?"
After finishing the letter, Lin Ye couldn't help but feel astonished.
Having broken the sixth layer of restrictions on the jade pendant, obtained the Xuanyuan Sword Technique as a reward, and read the letter, Lin Ye retrieved a book titled *Herbal Compendium* from beneath the wooden box.
After briefly flipping through it, he put everything away.
"I'll look into these later. I'm not planning to go to Heaven Dou Imperial City for now, and it's getting late. I should head back and lead everyone out of the Star Dou Great Forest."
Returning to the spot where he had left earlier—
"Young Master!"
Seeing Lin Ye return safely, the Golden Crocodile Douluo immediately stood up and called out.
The others nearby were equally relieved. Earlier, when Lin Ye was taken away by the Titan Giant Ape, they had all been on edge!
"Let's go. We're leaving."
Upon his return, Lin Ye didn't elaborate and simply led the group out of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Compared to their slow progress when entering the forest to search for suitable spirit beasts, their departure was much faster since they only needed to focus on moving forward. By evening, they had exited the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Young Master, we'll part ways here!"
After leaving the forest, Meng Shu cupped his hands toward Lin Ye and spoke.
Since they were heading to different cities—Meng Shu's Dragon-Snake Clan was based in the Balak Kingdom's capital, Balak City, while Lin Ye was returning to Suotuo City—their paths diverged.
"Young Master, after we help Still complete her withdrawal procedures from the Monster Academy, we'll send her to you first. Please don't hesitate to discipline her if she falls short in any way. Once we've settled our clan affairs, we'll bring our elite members to serve under you. Take care!"
Meng Shu continued solemnly.
"Elder Meng Shu, take care as well."
Lin Ye smiled faintly, cupping his hands toward Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang before they parted ways.
Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang took Meng Still and headed toward Balak City.
Meanwhile, Lin Ye, the Golden Crocodile Douluo, and Zhu Zhuqing made their way back to Suotuo City.
Returning to the town they had passed through earlier, they retrieved their carriage from the hotel and set off again.
After nearly two days of travel, the trio finally arrived back at the Violet Hotel in Suotuo City on the third day.
…
Time flew by, and another day passed.
Evening, inside the room.
Lin Ye stood in the Dragon-Elephant Stance, breathing rhythmically and practicing his punches.
As his qi and blood circulated vigorously, his entire body turned as red as a boiled shrimp.
The rapid rise in internal temperature caused sweat to evaporate and pour out incessantly, drenching his body.
Suddenly, a powerful aura erupted from within him.
Lin Ye exhaled sharply, releasing a dense, white turbid qi that shot far into the air before dissipating after several seconds.
"Finally, a breakthrough!"
With the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique now advanced, Lin Ye withdrew his stance and clenched his fists, still flushed with excitement.
Before entering the Star Dou Great Forest, his Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique had already reached the peak of the third layer, just a step away from the fourth.
After battling the Titan Giant Ape, he felt the barrier to the fourth layer had thinned to a mere paper's thickness.
Now, after nearly a day of cultivation, he had finally broken through to the fourth layer!
"Time for dinner. Tonight, Zhuqing and I will head to the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena."
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Lin Ye murmured to himself.
That night—
"You want to team up with me for a duo battle? But you're a Soul King, and I'm only a Soul Elder. Wouldn't that disqualify us?"
Pulled by Lin Ye to the front of her room, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't hide her confusion.
"Don't worry, it's possible. Wait a moment."
Lin Ye smiled faintly, entered his room, and closed the door.
After a little over a minute, he reemerged, now dressed and styled differently—having assumed the identity of "Jian Yi."
"How about now? Will this work?"
Standing before Zhu Zhuqing, Lin Ye grinned and retrieved the Hidden Wind Sword from his jade pendant.
As the sword appeared in his hand, three spirit rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—rose slowly from his feet.
"You… you're Lin Ye?"
Hearing his voice but seeing a completely different appearance—now unrecognizable behind a mask—Zhu Zhuqing was stunned.
"Indeed. But for now, my name is Jian Yi. Let's go. Since we'll be competing together in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament next year, we might as well get familiar with teamwork at the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena first."
Taking Zhu Zhuqing's hand, Lin Ye left the Violet Hotel and headed straight for the arena.
Upon entering, they approached the registration counter for duo battles.
"Please present your battle badges. We need to verify your strengths first."
Behind the counter, a blue-haired female staff member with twin ponytails addressed Lin Ye politely.
"Here."
Lin Ye and Zhu Zhuqing handed over their battle badges.
Each badge bore a unique ID linked to the spirit master's registered information, allowing the staff to verify their details.
"Confirmed. Both of you are Soul Elders. Would you like to register as a duo for the Soul Elder tier?"
After checking their identities, the staff member inquired.
"Register us."
Lin Ye nodded without hesitation.
"Understood! Please pay a fee of ten gold spirit coins for processing. For every duo battle victory, you'll earn an additional ten gold coins. Also, please decide on a team name."
Accepting the coins from Lin Ye, the staff member smiled courteously.
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