88: Chapter 86 Tolerance

Beneath the Golden Ancient Tree, watching Lin Yan leave, Elder Mu En's eyes were somewhat profound.

"Lexuan."

Hearing Elder Mu call her, Zhang Lexuan finally withdrew her gaze from the gradually receding figure, turned her head, and softly replied, "Elder Mu."

Looking at Zhang Lexuan standing beside him, a kind smile appeared on Elder Mu En's face.

"Lexuan, do you still remember what I told you before?"

Meeting Zhang Lexuan's slightly puzzled gaze, Elder Mu En slowly continued.

"It's about the engagement between you and Bei Bei."

Seeing that Zhang Lexuan seemed about to say something, Elder Mu En raised his hand, signaling her to remain calm.

"This matter… was something I decided back then in a moment of foolishness."

"Later, when Bei Bei got together with that orphan from the Tang Sect, and you came to me, I already said that the matter of the engagement would be dropped here…"

"Lexuan… what I want to talk about today is actually still this matter."

"It's just that child Bei Bei doesn't have this blessing."

"From now on, completely forget about that engagement."

"In the future, follow the guidance of your heart, pursue the life you want, and also pursue… the person who makes your heart flutter."

Looking at Zhang Lexuan's silent expression, Elder Mu En gently pulled her hand and patted it affectionately, just like when she was a child.

"Lexuan, when I rescued you back then, you were only as high as my chest."

"In the blink of an eye, more than a decade has passed."

"Now you've grown into a fine young woman, but as for this old man of mine… time is running out."

"Just to give this old man peace of mind, forget that engagement. Don't let me carry guilt toward you down below…"

"Elder Mu…!"

Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan's eyes instantly turned slightly red.

"Child, don't cry."

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death—aside from those eternal gods in the heavens, no one can avoid them…"

"Even gods can die… if they are killed."

"As for this old man… I am already content to have lived this long. Do not grieve for me, nor do you need to feel sad."

"Being able to continue living happily from now on is what I most hope to see."

"Back then…"

"It was because I knew my injuries were hard to heal and my days were numbered, and it happened to be a time when Shrek was facing a shortage of talent and lacked successors."

"That I grew anxious for a moment and leveraged my kindness for repayment, setting the engagement between you and Bei Bei, hoping to firmly keep you in Shrek."

"Thinking about it now, I was too selfish…"

"I shouldn't have used this piece of paper for an engagement to bind the rest of your life."

"So… Lexuan, promise me, completely and thoroughly forget about that engagement, okay?"

Looking at the earnest gaze in Elder Mu En's wrinkled face, Zhang Lexuan raised her head slightly, holding back her tears from falling, then slowly nodded and managed to squeeze out a smile.

"Mhm."

"Elder Mu."

"From now on, I will definitely live a good life."

But the next second, not knowing what she thought of, that smile on her lips actually took on a hint of bitterness.

Hearing this, as if feeling a sense of relief, Elder Mu En gently patted the back of her hand again.

Seeing the lingering bitterness on her face, Elder Mu En paused and slowly continued speaking.

"Lexuan, I have seen all your changes and actions during this period."

"I can tell that the way you look at that kid Lin Yan is already different…"

Having her innermost thoughts exposed in a single sentence by Elder Mu En, Zhang Lexuan recalled everything they had experienced during this time.

Life and death together in the Extreme North, meticulous care beneath the ice crevasse, and the companionship and mutual understanding over the past ten months…

But when that golden figure that often accompanied Lin Yan flashed across her mind, the bitterness on her face grew even thicker.

Stirred by the emotions in her heart, Zhang Lexuan pressed her lips together, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible hoarseness.

"He… already has someone by his side."

Hearing this, Elder Mu En showed a somewhat peculiar smile, carefully choosing his words.

"That kid Lin Yan… is different from Bei Bei…"

"I can tell that he is not a well-behaved master."

"Mhm…"

"He… has a capacity for tolerance…"

"…"

Words need only be spoken to a certain point.

When Zhang Lexuan also left, beneath the tall Golden Ancient Tree, only Elder Mu En was left once again.

Deep within his dim, aged eyes, a trace of expectation quietly flashed.

This person Lin Yan… he couldn't see through him…

But what he could tell was that deep down in this child's bones, he was also someone who cherished relationships and remembered old ties.

If Lexuan could end up together with him… he could truly rest easy.

"…"

The next morning.

Students who had returned to the school one after another were pleasantly surprised to find that the long-closed Lava Mimicry Cultivation Field had finally reopened once again.

However, when they impatiently made their reservations, registered, and went underground, they were astonished to find that in the lava pool and the numerous caves below, which were originally something people kept at a respectful distance from, there was unexpectedly an extra group of "Spirit Beasts".

As seen in the lava pool, crimson, scalding magma slowly churned.

Over a hundred "Spirit Beasts" of various shapes and forms were either comfortably soaking in the magma or lazily scattered around the banks.

But if one observed carefully for a moment, they would discover that these so-called "Spirit Beasts" were all entirely condensed from pure flames!

Just when everyone was somewhat baffled by the origins of this group of "Spirit Beasts".

A few students who had previously witnessed Lin Yan make a move instantly recognized the true identity of some of these "Spirit Beasts" and couldn't help exclaiming in shock.

"This… this seems to be the Flame Spirit of that Prodigy Lin Yan?!!"

"What?!!"

Reminded thusly, the remaining students who had witnessed the battle between Lin Yan and Teacher Zhou Yi all focused their gazes and looked downward.

Taking this careful look, they immediately recognized quite a few "familiar faces".

At this moment, the Thunder Fire Eagle transformed from the Purple Flame Thunder Fire was hovering above the lava pool. As its wings spread, arcs of electricity crackled and burst, with purple flames churning ceaselessly.

The Rock Turtle transformed from the Earth's Core Lava Fire floated leisurely in the magma; the Nether Flame Lion and the Red Bone Flame Leopard lay on the left and right, sprawled across the scorching rocks by the pool's edge.

The former's dark blue mane burned silently, exuding a hint of eerie coldness; a thin layer of red flame was Binding its fur, and its tail was wagging unconsciously.

In addition, a crowd of Flame Spirits such as the Black Flame Giant Serpent, Falling Star Fire Crow, and Holy Flame Spirit Deer each occupied a corner, either lying down to rest their minds, chasing and playing, or circling the center of the pool with low chirps.

What was even more wondrous was that at this moment, deep within the eyes of every Flame Spirit, intense spiritual light circulated. Compared to before, they possessed a kind of lively Qi carrying warmth and emotion!

And these Flame Spirits were naturally kept and raised by Lin Yan in this place.

Yesterday, when he went to find Elder Mu En, this was the matter they discussed.

Since his second spirit ring underwent a transformation, the Flame Spirits had already been able to independently Cultivate and evolve.

Then he naturally needed to find a prime "pasture" to "graze" these Flame Spirits.

Thus, he logically set his sights on this Lava Mimicry Field extremely rich in fire-attribute energy.

And yesterday, when he mentioned this matter to Elder Mu En—

Elder Mu En did not hesitate at all, waving his hand on the spot and directly allocating this lava pool and a portion of the caves above entirely to him.

Now, the plank road that could originally lead directly to the bottom had a notice board erected at about two-thirds of the way down from the top of the cliff face, making it clear that the lower section was no longer open to the outside world.

However, although it sounded at first glance like this mimicry cultivation field had directly shrunk by a third, for most outer courtyard students, the impact was actually not significant.

After all, due to the terrifying high temperature at the bottom, almost no one would usually go there to Cultivate on ordinary days.