Chapter 4: Analysis and Learning
As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, its golden light bathed the room in a soft, amber glow. The room was cozy, filled with the comforting scent of home—books, old wood, and the faint lingering aroma of dinner. Lin Tian's mother, Lin Yue, entered the room with a serene expression. Her day had been long, filled with teaching students at the Lanshan Intermediate Spirit Academy, but her smile never wavered. Her love for both her family and her work was evident in the gentle way she moved.
"Congratulations, dear husband," Lin Yue said as she approached Lin Yun, her tone teasing but affectionate. "You're finally catching up to me." She wrapped her arms around him, her smile widening.
Lin Yun chuckled, his laughter rich and deep. He returned her embrace, pulling her close in a gentle hug. "I'll be careful, you know that. I have you and Xiao Tian to come back to," he said, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity.
Seated at the wooden dining table, Lin Tian watched them with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. Despite his youthful appearance, his thoughts ran deeper than those of a typical child, a result of the memories from his previous life. His father, Lin Yun, was preparing for his next soul ring hunt, a significant event that had been the topic of discussion in their home for days. Though they had spoken about it often, the weight of the situation now felt more tangible, especially as Lin Tian considered the inherent dangers of such a task.
Soul ring hunts were no simple matter. Each hunt required precision, strength, and strategy. Even though Lin Yun was a seasoned soul master, having achieved Soul Elder status, Lin Tian knew that the wilderness, especially a place like the Star Dou Forest, was unpredictable. The beasts there were formidable, and every hunt carried a risk, no matter how well-prepared one might be.
Lin Yue sat down at the table, her teasing expression fading as a more serious look took over. "Have you decided where you'll go?" she asked, her concern barely masked by her casual tone.
Lin Yun shook his head, his brows furrowing slightly. "Brother Fei suggested the Star Dou Forest. It has the most variety of soul beasts, so we should be able to find something suitable for everyone. But it's dangerous, no doubt about it."
For a moment, the room seemed to still, as if the air had thickened with unspoken tension. The Star Dou Forest was not just any hunting ground. It was vast, dense, and teeming with powerful soul beasts that could easily overpower even skilled soul masters. The rewards of a successful hunt were great—an increase in soul power, a new soul ring—but so were the risks.
Lin Tian's gaze lingered on his father's face. Though Lin Yun maintained a calm demeanor, Lin Tian could sense the underlying apprehension. His mother, too, must have felt it, for she reached out across the table and gently squeezed Lin Yun's hand. "Just promise me you'll be careful," she said softly, her voice filled with the quiet strength of someone who had lived through many such moments of worry.
Lin Yun gave her a reassuring smile, his voice steady. "I promise."
Despite the warmth of their interaction, Lin Tian couldn't shake the growing tension in his chest. 'How do people in these stories just suddenly adapt to combat?' he thought to himself, frustrated by the oversimplified depictions of battle he'd encountered in his previous life's stories. 'It's not that easy. Fighting isn't just about physical strength—it's instinct, experience, and years of honing those instincts in real-world situations.'
Though his father was strong and experienced, Lin Tian knew the dangers of overconfidence. His mind wandered as his parents continued discussing the logistics of the hunt, focusing on what kind of soul beast would be most suitable for Lin Yun's fourth soul ring.
The Sky Azure Vine, his father's martial soul, was well-known for its versatility and toughness. Lin Tian had witnessed his father's first soul skill, Azure Binding, countless times over the years. As a child, Lin Yun often used the skill to entertain him, summoning thick vines to create toys or shapes that Lin Tian would play with for hours. Even then, Lin Tian had noticed that the vines weren't just constructs—they had a life of their own, tough and durable, lasting until Lin Yun either exhausted his soul power or chose to dismiss them.
'The vines are essentially made of soul power,' Lin Tian mused as he watched his father speak. 'If they were real plants, we'd be a lot wealthier.' Despite the playful nature in which his father used the skill, Lin Tian knew that Azure Binding was a formidable ability. In combat, it could immobilize enemies and withstand most physical attacks.
His father's second soul skill, Vine Root Entanglement, was similarly impressive. Lin Tian had experienced it firsthand many times during their games of tag. The skill allowed his father to summon roots from the ground to ensnare his opponents. Even in those games, when Lin Yun held back considerably, Lin Tian could feel the strength of the skill. The vines gripped him tightly, slowing his movements until he was forced to give up. Though these games were a form of bonding, Lin Tian had always understood that the skill could be devastating in battle, capable of debilitating enemies and turning the tide of a fight.
Lin Tian pouted slightly at the memory of being constantly caught during those games. 'Hmph, dirty cheater,' he thought with a hint of childish frustration, though he couldn't help but admire the strength of his father's skills.
But there was one skill Lin Tian had never seen in action: his father's third soul skill. His curiosity finally got the better of him, and he spoke up. "Daddy, what's your third soul skill? Is it strong?"
Lin Yun's expression softened as he leaned closer to his son. "Ah, you've never seen it, have you?" he said with a grin. "It's called Azure Vine Wall. I can summon a thick wall of vines, almost impenetrable. Not only is it incredibly tough, but it also absorbs part of any attack that hits it, weakening the impact."
Lin Tian's eyes widened in awe. "Wow, that sounds amazing!"
Inside, Lin Tian was truly impressed. The Sky Azure Vine was renowned for its durability and flexibility. A skill that could absorb attacks while also serving as a barrier made it incredibly versatile, allowing his father to both defend and control the battlefield. 'No wonder Dad is the head of the control department,' Lin Tian thought, his admiration for his father growing even more.
As the conversation continued, with his parents discussing the possible soul beasts they might encounter, Lin Tian found his thoughts drifting once again. 'How do people who transmigrate into these worlds suddenly become combat-ready?' he wondered. 'If it were that easy, all the professional fighters back on Earth would be useless.'
He understood the reality of his situation. Simply having knowledge from his previous life wouldn't be enough. He would need to train his body and mind to adjust to this new world's physical and mental demands. 'I'll need extra training,' he realized. 'I'm already behind compared to the children here, who've grown up learning how to fight from a young age. They've only known combat, unlike me. But I won't waste this chance. I'll make sure I catch up.'
His resolve solidified, Lin Tian turned to his mother. "Mom, can you bring me more books from the academy? I've already finished the ones we have here."
Lin Yue raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Oh? You finished them all already, Xiao Tian? Are you sure you understood everything?"
"Yes, Mom! You can test me if you want," Lin Tian said, leaning into his role as an eager child. His pride in his intellect shone through.
His mother's warm smile returned. "My little genius," she said softly. "Alright, I'll test you tonight. If you pass, we'll visit the school library together, and you can pick out more books yourself."
Lin Tian beamed. "Thanks, Mom! Love you!"
Lin Yun, listening to the exchange, chuckled and added, "Our Xiao Tian is smarter than half the students in my classes."
"Of course," Lin Yue said with a laugh. "None of those ankle-biters are as bright as our Xiao Tian."
Lin Tian smiled outwardly, but inside, he felt a strange detachment from the praise. 'I'm no ordinary child,' he thought. His family didn't know the half of what he carried within him—the knowledge of a past life and a world far different from this one.
As the evening drew to a close, Lin Tian knew his path was set. His body might still be that of a child, but his mind was prepared. He would bridge the gap between his knowledge and his abilities, and he wouldn't waste this second chance at life.
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