The days flowed by like a quiet stream, and before Wu Lan realized it, only one month remained before the journey to Nuoding Academy.
He sat cross-legged in his room, staring at the glowing list in his inventory with disbelief.
[Xuan Tian Record] – Mastery: Intermediate (33%)
[Ring Detonation] – Mastery: Basic (75%)
[Trace of Tang Hao's Strength] x 4
[Trace of Tang Hao's Agility]
[Trace of Tang Hao's Defense]
[Trace of Tang Hao's Mental Strength]
[Trace of Tang Hao's Soul Power]
[Soul Ring Age] x 10,000
His body had undergone shocking changes due to his training method and from absorbing Tang San's attributes. His soul power had risen to level eight, and his physical strength had grown so much that he could defeat Tang San with a single move without using Xuan Tian Record abilities.
Wu Lan now believed he could absorb more than a thousand-year soul ring without difficulty. If I combine all the attributes in my inventory, I can even absorb a ten-thousand-year ring... though I'm not sure yet.
The Xuan Tian Record had reached Intermediate mastery thanks to his own efforts and, more importantly, the consistent fragments gifted through Tang San's "payments." With the upgrade, several new features had been unlocked:
He could now completely hide his aura, even from a Title Douluo. Wu Lan used this ability to conceal his soul power from Tang Hao, otherwise Tang Hao might be shocked to find he had already reached level 8. His cultivation speed had also increased.
The Purple Demon Eye no longer glowed with Purple light, making it harder to detect.
Ghost Shadow movement speed had increased, and it feels like teleporting.
Jade Hands were also completely invisible when activated.
His Xuan Tian Record had entered a kind of stealth mode and increase speed of cultivation, even if he used it right in front of Tang San, the latter wouldn't notice.
He had also obtained the Soul Ring Age attribute, which allowed him to add age to multiple rings.
And most important of all, he had unlocked Ring Detonation.
Sacrificing a soul ring would temporarily boost his strength for 30 seconds, though the ring would be permanently lost and lot of hidden injures. A hundred-year ring gave him nearly double his strength. A thousand-year ring tripled his strength. A ten-thousand-year ring multiplied his power fivefold. And a red ring... tenfold.
The terrifying part was that the effect can be stacked.
It was a forbidden, last-resort technique, but also a deadly card in his hand.
While thinking about all this, Wu Lan arrived at Tang San's house. He greeted him as usual.
After a short chat, he began the healing session. As expected, nothing happened. No rewards. No prompts.
He wasn't surprised. The "payments" from Tang San had grown fewer and fewer. The well was drying up.
After that, he turned to Tang Hao.
"Uncle, are you ready?"
Tang Hao gave a slow nod. Wu Lan stepped forward with his usual calm expression, though his heart was pounding with excitement.
He activated the Sacred Orchid. Gentle light spread from his palm into Tang Hao's body.
A familiar sound rang in his mind.
[Healing in progress...]
[Payment detected: Ring Detonation Fragment]
[Would you like to absorb it?]
"Yes," Happy Wu Lan confirmed in his mind.
When the healing ended, Tang Hao gave a rare, warm look.
"Thank you, Wu Lan."
Wu Lan smiled. "No need, Uncle. You're Little San's father. Of course I'll help."
Tang Hao looked at him with mild approval. "Little San is lucky to have a brother like you."
Wu Lan smiled gently on the outside, but inside...
If Tang San ever finds out what I've been doing, he'll definitely chase me to the ends of the continent to kill me.
Then, Tang Hao said something that froze Wu Lan in place.
"I'm completely healed now. No more need to trouble yourself."
Wu Lan blinked. "Uncle... you're completely healed?"
Tang San's eyes lit up. "Really, Father?"
Tang Hao nodded. "Really."
Wu Lan stood there, stunned.
Did I really become strong enough to heal a Title Douluo's hidden injuries?
He thought about it for a while, then came to a different conclusion.
Tang Hao must have noticed something. Maybe he didn't want Tang San to worry anymore, so he stopped the healing on purpose.
Judging by progress, I'd say I only healed about fifteen percent of his injuries... but if I press him, he might grow suspicious.
Wu Lan felt like crying.
My treasure trove is gone.
Tang San turned to him with gratitude in his eyes. "Brother Wu Lan, thank you for healing my father."
Wu Lan nodded with a soft smile. "Brothers should help each other."
Tang Hao gave him a long look, then nodded slightly.
"Uncle, come to me in the future if you're injured. By then, my soul power will be stronger, and I'll heal you faster."
"Okay," Tang Hao nodded and replied slowly.
After chatting for a while, Wu Lan left their house.
Halfway home, Chief Jack called out to him.
"Grandpa Jack, what happened?"
"Wu Lan! I need your help. A nearby village has been attacked by bandits several times. They need a healer."
"Okay, Grandpa Jack. I'll pack and start tomorrow morning. And Grandpa Jack, there's one more thing I need to tell you."
Chief Jack asked, "What is it, Wu Lan? Tell me."
"Grandpa Jack, Nuoding Academy starts next month. So after I help heal the villagers, I'll travel a bit, then go directly to the Academy."
Chief Jack looked at him with concern. "Okay... just be careful on the way. And remember, this village will always be your home."
"Thank you, Grandpa Jack, for taking care of me all these years. I'll come back."
"Wu Lan, have a safe journey."
Wu Lan nodded and walked off with a thoughtful expression.
Since Tang San's and Tang Hao's payments have stopped, there's no point staying here.
It's better to go to Nuoding Town, earn some money by healing, and join the academy when the time comes.
He looked up at the sky and smiled faintly.
"Time to move forward."
That night, he went to sleep early.
The next morning, he woke up, trained on Xuan Tian Record a bit, and left his house with some spare clothes and the money his parents had saved.
On the way, he stopped by Tang San's house and told him he was going on a trip, and would come to Nuoding Academy in a month. Before leaving, he healed Tang San one last time, and suddenly heard a prompt.
[Healing in progress...]
[Payment detected: Blue Silver Bloodline]
[Would you like to absorb it?]
He was stunned. He hadn't expected to receive a bloodline.
It was complete. After receiving it. he wanted to look at his inventory
After hurriedly saying his goodbyes, Wu Lan left in the direction Chief Jack had told him.
While walking, he opened his inventory and checked his updated progress:
[Xuan Tian Record] – Mastery: Intermediate (34%)
[Ring Detonation] – Mastery: Basic (100%)
[Trace of Tang Hao's Strength] x 4
[Trace of Tang Hao's Agility]
[Trace of Tang Hao's Defense]
[Trace of Tang Hao's Mental Strength]
[Trace of Tang Hao's Soul Power]
[Soul Ring Age] x 10,000
[Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline]