179: Chapter 179 You May Die

Morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, spilling into the room.

The entire Jiangcheng was buzzing about last night's earth-shattering battle.

"Did you hear? The Heavenly Secret Pavilion was completely wiped out!"

"Even the SS-Rank Expert Zhao Tianji was killed in seconds!"

"What kind of monster is that Lin Yuan..."

Spies from various factions were frantically reporting intelligence back to their headquarters.

Overnight, Lin Yuan's name became the biggest taboo in Jiangcheng.

No one dared to bring up targeting his Shelter anymore.

Just kidding, if he could kill an SS-Rank Expert in seconds, who would dare to go send themselves to their deaths?

Shelter training ground.

Lin Ruoxue stood in the corner, silently looking at the charred marks covering the ground.

Those were the imprints left by the thunder from last night.

She had witnessed with her own eyes how Lin Yuan took revenge for Chu Yanran.

Over eight hundred lives, extinguished just like that.

Without a hint of hesitation.

"He... really is protective of his own."

Ruoxue muttered to herself, complex emotions flashing in her eyes.

Envy, longing, and a hint of inferiority.

Yes, Chu Yanran was so beautiful, so strong.

And what about her?

Aside from being a burden, she couldn't do anything.

If Lin Yuan hadn't arrived in time yesterday, she and her mother would have been dead long ago.

"I don't want to be like this anymore..."

Ruoxue clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.

She didn't want to be a vase forever.

She didn't want to be protected forever.

She wanted to become...

Someone who could stand by Lin Yuan's side.

"What are you thinking about?"

A familiar voice sounded behind her.

Ruoxue turned around abruptly and saw Lin Yuan appearing behind her, not knowing when he had arrived.

"Lin... Brother Lin..."

She was a bit flustered and subconsciously took a step back.

Lin Yuan looked at her nervous appearance, his lips curling slightly upward:

"Scared of me?"

"No... it's not that..."

Ruoxue shook her head quickly, took a deep breath, and gathered the courage to look at him:

"Brother Lin, I have a request."

"Speak."

"Please... teach me how to become stronger!"

Ruoxue's voice was firm, and a flame she had never felt before burned in her eyes:

"I don't want to be a burden anymore!"

"I want to become stronger, strong enough to protect myself, to protect Mom..."

"Strong enough... to be able to help you."

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow.

This was the first time he had seen such a strong desire to survive in Ruoxue's eyes.

No, it wasn't a desire to survive.

It was an obsession to become stronger.

"Do you know what becoming stronger means?"

Lin Yuan walked slowly toward her:

"It means pain, despair, and countless brushes with death."

"It means you have to give up everything about being an ordinary person."

"Are you... really ready?"

Ruoxue did not hesitate at all:

"I am ready!"

"No matter how painful it is, I can endure it!"

"As long as I can become stronger!"

Lin Yuan stared into her eyes for a long time.

Those originally timid eyes were now filled with determination.

They looked just like his own used to.

To survive, to become stronger, he could give up everything.

"Good."

Lin Yuan nodded:

"Since you are so persistent, I will give you a chance."

"But I must warn you..."

His voice suddenly turned cold:

"My training is hell."

"Once you start, there is no turning back."

"You might die."

Ruoxue bit her lip:

"I am not afraid of death."

"I am only afraid..."

"Of never being worthy of standing by your side."

The last sentence was spoken very softly, but Lin Yuan still heard it.

A flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

This girl...

"Then let's begin."

Lin Yuan turned and walked toward the center of the training ground:

"The first lesson: awaken your potential."

"Your ice-type Superpower still has a lot of room for improvement."

"But you rely too much on the Superpower itself and neglect physical training."

He waved his hand casually, and countless ice spikes appeared on the ground.

"Dodge them."

"You are not allowed to use your Superpower."

As soon as the words fell—

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Countless ice spikes shot toward Ruoxue like a rainstorm!

"Ah—"

Ruoxue screamed, instinctively wanting to use her Superpower to defend.

But remembering Lin Yuan's words, she forced herself to hold back.

She dodged desperately, but was still grazed in several places.

Blood flowed down her arms.

Lin Yuan's voice was devoid of emotion:

"Your reaction speed is worse than an ordinary zombie."

"Again!"

Another wave of ice spikes!

This time, they were faster and denser!

Ruoxue gritted her teeth and continued to dodge.

Falling and climbing back up, getting injured and continuing to run.

Gradually, her movements began to become fluid.

Although she was still being hit, the number of times was significantly reduced.

"Improvement."

Lin Yuan said calmly:

"But it's still not enough."

"Now, while dodging, use your Superpower to counterattack."

"Remember, you must use your body and Superpower simultaneously."

Ruoxue nodded and took a deep breath.

Her hands began to condense the power of frost.

But being distracted, she was immediately hit in the shoulder by an ice spike.

"Focus!"

Lin Yuan shouted:

"Distraction during battle is just asking for death!"

Ruoxue endured the pain and continued to try.

Once, twice, three times...

She didn't know how many times she had fallen or how much blood she had shed.

But she didn't give up.

Because she saw approval in Lin Yuan's eyes.

Although very faint, it was indeed there.

Two hours later.

Ruoxue collapsed on the ground, covered in injuries.

But she was smiling.

Because she had succeeded.

She could dodge attacks while using her Superpower to counterattack.

Although she was still very clumsy, it was a start.

"That's enough for today."

Lin Yuan walked over and tossed her a bottle of healing potion:

"Continue tomorrow."

"The intensity will be twice that of today."

Ruoxue took the potion, her eyes firm:

"I will persevere!"

Looking at her stubborn appearance, Lin Yuan felt a slight stir in his heart.

This kind of unyielding spirit...

It really was just like his former self.

"Brother Lin."

Ruoxue suddenly called out to him.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you... for being willing to teach me."

Her eyes were full of gratitude:

"I know you are very busy, and have to deal with all kinds of enemies..."

"But you still take time to teach me..."

"I am really touched."

Lin Yuan was silent for a moment:

"You are my woman; it is only right that I teach you."

"Besides..."

He turned around, his voice very soft:

"I don't like the weak."

"If you want to stand by my side, you must become stronger."

"Strong enough that no one dares to look down on you."

Ruoxue was stunned.

Hearing Lin Yuan say she was his woman, she felt a burst of sweetness in her heart.

She didn't know why, but Lin Yuan's praise made her very happy!

He said standing by his side...

Was he implying something?

"I will!"

She said loudly:

"I will definitely become stronger!"

"Strong enough to be worthy of you!"

Lin Yuan's footsteps paused slightly, but he did not look back.

He just waved his hand and disappeared from the training ground.

Ruoxue looked at his departing back, and infinite motivation surged in her heart.

She had to become stronger!

For herself, for her mother.

And even more for...

The man she loved deeply.

Just then.

"Ruoxue?!"

Lin Wanrou rushed into the training ground and saw her daughter covered in injuries, her face turning deathly pale with fright:

"What happened to you? Who hurt you?!"

"Mom, I'm fine."

Ruoxue smiled to comfort her mother:

"This is training; Lin Yuan is teaching me how to become stronger."

"Lin Yuan?"

Lin Wanrou was stunned, then frowned:

"How could he be so harsh..."

"Mom, this is what I requested myself."

Ruoxue looked at her mother seriously:

"I don't want to be a burden anymore."

"I want to become stronger, I want to protect you, and I also want..."

She paused:

"To become someone worthy of standing by his side."

Lin Wanrou was stunned.

Her daughter's eyes...

They were exactly the same as her own feelings last night.

Yes, who wouldn't want to become stronger?

In this Apocalypse, the weak could only rely on the strong.

And they, mother and daughter...

Had been relying on Lin Yuan for too long.

"Ruoxue..."

Lin Wanrou held her daughter's hand:

"Mom supports you."

"And..."

She took a deep breath:

"Mom also wants to become stronger."

"Let's work hard together, okay?"

Ruoxue's eyes lit up:

"Really, Mom?"

"Of course."

Lin Wanrou smiled:

"Mother and daughter with one heart, their sharpness can cut metal."

"Let's become stronger together, and together..."

Her face flushed slightly:

"Stand by that person's side."

Ruoxue understood her mother's meaning.

Sure enough, Mom also...

"Then let's work hard together!"

She nodded forcefully:

"Anyway, he has so many women by his side..."

"A couple more won't hurt."

"The important thing is that we have to be outstanding enough."

"Outstanding enough that he cannot ignore us."

The mother and daughter smiled at each other, reaching an understanding.

On the rooftop in the distance.

Lin Yuan watched this scene silently, a smile curling the corners of his lips.