Once Lin Yu confirmed that the mysterious Spirit Master was indeed Tang San, a heavy stone seemed to drop into his heart, stirring ripples that refused to settle for a long time.
He stood quietly in a secluded corner of the Spirit Temple, the surrounding world seemingly cut off from him. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the clouds, casting dappled shadows and bright beams upon him like a mysterious painting. Lin Yu's profound gaze grew increasingly distant, as if piercing through the barriers of time and space to pursue everything connected to Tang San.
"Tang San... it really is him." Lin Yu murmured to himself inwardly, his thoughts surging like a tide. He recalled Tang San from his past life's memories—that powerful and legendary figure—who was now inextricably linked to his own destiny.
Lin Yu slowly closed his eyes, letting his consciousness sink deep into the memories of his past life. Those long-dormant fragments of memory, resembling an ancient scroll buried by the dust of time, unspooled slowly in his mind.
He saw the Tang San of his past life displaying peerless grace across various scenarios. Amidst fierce battles, Tang San wielded his Blue Silver Grass spirit, his agile form as nimble as a leopard, every movement imbued with boundless power and exquisite technique. His gaze revealed an unwavering, fearless conviction, as if nothing in the world could stop his forward march. "The sheer ferocity of his combat is truly awe-inspiring; no wonder he could become such an exceptional figure." Lin Yu could not help marveling inwardly.
Moreover, the resolute expression Tang San wore when facing adversity left an equally deep impression on Lin Yu. His brow furrowed slightly, his eyes flashing with an indomitable light; even when plunged into desperate straits, he would never easily admit defeat. "Such unyielding perseverance is truly admirable to the extreme." A wave of profound respect surged in Lin Yu's heart.
He also saw the deep bonds between Tang San and his companions, how they supported one another and advanced or retreated together, facing countless challenges and hardships as one.
A sense of emotion stirred in Lin Yu's heart. "Such sincere companionship is truly rare." He carefully sorted through these memories, letting not a single detail slip. "His Blue Silver Grass spirit seems to possess many more special abilities—what on earth are they all?" Lin Yu thought as he struggled to recall. As time passed, some blurred images gradually grew clear.
He saw Tang San's intense focus during cultivation, his calm composure when facing formidable enemies, and his decisive judgment at critical moments. "So he has a past like this, too." Lin Yu caught glimpses of Tang San's previously unknown experiences, which had forged his resilient character. "No wonder he could become so powerful; it all comes from his step-by-step efforts." Lin Yu's respect for Tang San grew a few shades deeper.
Lin Yu continued to immerse himself in the memories, unearthing even more information about Tang San. He discovered that Tang San possessed not only extraordinary strength, but also noble character and steadfast convictions. Tang San always adhered to his own principles, unshaken by the outside world. He treated his friends with sincerity and showed no mercy to his enemies. This blend of firmness and gentleness made him an admirable figure.
Furthermore, Lin Yu noted Tang San's attitude toward Soul Beasts. He knew full well that Soul Beasts were also living beings, not merely tools or resources. Tang San respected the life of every single Soul Beast and would not harm them lightly. This approach toward Soul Beasts reflected the kindness and compassion deep within Tang San's heart.
In the process of exploring Tang San's memories, Lin Yu came to understand this powerful rival more and more. He realized that to defeat Tang San, he needed not only to elevate his own strength, but also to study his virtues. Only by constantly refining himself could he truly stand at the peak.
Having acquired this valuable information, Lin Yu gained a more comprehensive and profound understanding of Tang San. He realized that Tang San's strength and potential were formidable indeed; if not handled with caution, it could spell massive danger for him.
Yet he also understood that merely understanding his opponent was not enough—he also needed to formulate effective strategies and plans to gain an advantage in the contest against Tang San. Thus, Lin Yu began to carefully analyze Tang San's personality traits and behavioral patterns, attempting to find his weaknesses and predict his next moves. At the same time, he pondered how to leverage his own advantages and utilize surrounding resources to bolster his strength. After deep deliberation, Lin Yu finally devised a detailed action plan.
He decided to start by increasing his own power, elevating his spirit power and combat skills through unceasing cultivation and study. Furthermore, he needed to strengthen coordination with his teammates to jointly oppose Tang San. "I must make thorough preparations and not act rashly." Lin Yu said quietly to himself.
Just then, Su Yao walked over. Seeing Lin Yu's deep contemplation, she asked with curiosity, "Lin Yu, what are you thinking about? You're so absorbed."
Lin Yu snapped out of it and replied with a smile, "It's nothing, just pondering some matters."
Su Yao widened her eyes and said in surprise, "Oh? Really? By the look of you, it doesn't seem like you're thinking about ordinary matters. Are you thinking about Tang San?"
Lin Yu nodded and admitted, "That's right, I'm thinking about Tang San. After all, he is our future rival; I must understand his situation so I can better deal with him."
Su Yao frowned and said with concern, "Is Tang San really that powerful, though? Can we defeat him?"
Lin Yu patted Su Yao on the shoulder and comforted her, "Don't worry, as long as we unite as one and work hard to raise our strength, we will definitely be able to defeat him. Besides, I've already drawn up an action plan, and I believe we will succeed."
Hearing Lin Yu's confident words, Su Yao's mood relaxed somewhat. She smiled and said, "Fine, then I'll trust you for once. But you mustn't let me down!"
Lin Yu smiled and said, "Rest assured, I won't let everyone down."
Su Yao scratched her head and asked curiously, "Then what have you thought of?"
A thoughtful gleam flashed in Lin Yu's eyes as he slowly spoke, "I thought of his formidable strength, that shocking power; his unique spirit and skills, as if gifts bestowed by the heavens; and his character and experiences, with countless stories hidden behind them."
Admiration appeared on Su Yao's face as she marveled, "Wow, you managed to think of so much! What do you plan to do next, then?"
Lin Yu furrowed his brow and replied with a firm gaze, "I am going to cultivate even harder and constantly elevate my strength. Only then will I have the capital to face him."
Su Yao nodded vigorously in agreement, "Mm, I support you. But don't be too nervous; we'll work hard together, and I believe we can overcome any difficulty."
Lin Yu looked at Su Yao with gratitude and said sincerely, "Thank you, Su Yao. Having you by my side makes me feel much more at ease."
To better face the various challenges that might arise in the future, Lin Yu began to cultivate with even greater diligence. He threw himself body and soul into the study of cultivation techniques day and night without rest, leading to a marked improvement in his spirit power. Whenever night fell and most people had long since drifted off to dreamland, Lin Yu still kept vigil in the training room, his clothes soaked with sweat, yet he showed not the slightest hint of slackness. Deep in his heart, there was only one unyielding conviction: to become stronger. "I must surpass myself if I am to have any chance of going toe-to-toe with Tang San." Lin Yu silently pumped himself up. At the same time, he actively initiated exchanges with other experts, seeking their counsel in hopes of gaining valuable experience and wisdom from them.
During a sparring match with a veteran Spirit Master, Lin Yu focused entirely on countering his opponent's every attack. "Hey!" The veteran suddenly exerted force, launching a fierce assault. Lin Yu reacted swiftly, dodging agilely to the side while his mind raced on how to meet the move.
"Take this!" Lin Yu seized the opportunity, letting out a low cry before moving to execute a newly learned technique. This move had evolved from a martial arts technique in his past life's memories; although not yet fully mastered, it already carried considerable might.
The opponent clearly did not expect Lin Yu to suddenly pull off such a move, and a hint of surprise crossed his face. But he was a veteran Spirit Master after all; he quickly regained his composure and reacted promptly.
A fierce sparring match ensued, with both sides trading blows and yielding not an inch. In the end, Lin Yu was still slightly inferior, letting his opponent find an opening and defeat him.
After the sparring ended, Lin Yu bowed respectfully to ask for guidance: "Senior, in your opinion, what were my shortcomings just now?"
The veteran Spirit Master smiled and replied, "Your reflexes are agile, and your grasp of that move is not bad either. However, your application of the stances can be more flexible; don't be overly bound by the form itself—you must understand how to adapt to changing circumstances."
Lin Yu nodded humbly and said, "Many thanks for the guidance, Senior; I will keep it in mind."
Throughout the preparations, Lin Yu maintained a high degree of vigilance and keen insight. He continuously analyzed the intelligence gleaned from his past life's memories, attempting to predict Tang San's potential courses of action.
"If I were Tang San, what would I do in this situation?" Lin Yu often asked himself this question. Through putting himself in his opponent's shoes, he gradually grasped Tang San's thought process and decision-making habits, allowing him to better handle the upcoming challenges.
Finally, after thorough preparation, Lin Yu felt ready to embark on a new journey. He stuffed all essential items into his pack, slung it over his shoulder, and with firm conviction and yearning for the future, resolutely departed from the Spirit Temple.
Before his departure, Su Yao came to see him off. Her eyes shimmered with worry and reluctance as she softly said, "Lin Yu, you must be careful; I'll be right here waiting for your return."
Lin Yu paused his steps, turned around, looked at Su Yao with a smile, patted her shoulder gently, and comforted her, "Don't worry, Su Yao, I'll take good care of myself. When I return, we'll continue our adventures together."
With that, Lin Yu turned and walked away, not looking back once. His pace was firm and powerful, seemingly carrying a sense of resolve and mission. He knew this journey would be an arduous challenge, but he also firmly believed that only through such trials could he truly grow and become stronger.
Lin Yu stepped onto his new path, well aware that the road ahead was fraught with unknowns and challenges, yet he felt no fear. He believed that with the information gleaned from his past life's memories and his steadily growing strength, he would surely carve out his own path amidst this intertwined destiny with Tang San and achieve his goals.
His stride was resolute and strong, every step seemingly carrying expectations and determination for the future. Burning within his heart was a flame—a flame of longing to explore the unknown and pursue his dreams.