13: Chapter 13 A kiss before parting: I'll wait for you to become stronger!

Chen Lin walked to the shop entrance and looked up at the "Fusion Workshop" sign.

Under the sunlight, the large golden characters shimmered.

She blinked and looked again at Lin Feng, who was standing at the entrance.

The youth was wearing a clean white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a smile on his face.

"What are you dazing for? Come on in." Lin Feng stepped aside to let her pass.

Chen Lin snapped out of it and walked into the shop.

Then, she froze.

The shelves were neatly lined with equipment.

Green and blue glows intertwined with one another.

Inside the counter was a row of deep blue potions; one look was enough to tell they were no ordinary items.

"The—these are all yours?" Chen Lin's voice went up an octave.

"Yeah, just got the stock in." Lin Feng casually picked up a blue short sword. "How is it? Not bad, right?"

Chen Lin leaned in to look at the attribute tag on the blade.

[Attack Power: 18-22]

[Effect: Bleed]

[Quality: Blue (Excellent)]

"More than just 'not bad'..." She looked up, her eyes wide. "These attributes are better than what the academy shop sells! Where did you get this from?"

Lin Feng smiled and set down the short sword. "Did you forget what my Talent is called?"

"Fusion..." Chen Lin realized. "You mean... all this equipment was created by your Fusion?"

"A portion of it." Lin Feng didn't reveal everything. "I can take ordinary equipment and, through Fusion, have a certain chance of turning them into Advanced equipment. However, the success rate isn't high, and it consumes a lot of Mana."

He shrugged. "But it's fine this way; at least I have a goal in life."

Chen Lin stared at him for a few seconds.

She suddenly reached out and patted Lin Feng's shoulder. "Lin Feng, this Talent of yours... is really strong!"

"Huh?" Lin Feng was taken aback.

"Think about it, those forging-type Talents, even B-rank or A-rank ones, can only stably produce green or blue equipment," Chen Lin said seriously. "Yours might be unstable, but it can produce high-quality items at a low cost. This is more practical than many Advanced Talents!"

She grew more excited as she spoke. "If you focus on the manufacturing path, you might even become a Great Master-level Equipment Master in the future! When that time comes, all those academies will be begging for your help!"

Lin Feng was amused by her reaction.

"It's not that easy."

"Why wouldn't it be!" Chen Lin glared at him. "You need to have confidence! Do you know that the most powerful Equipment Master in our Donghai City, an old professor with an S-rank Talent, also started by forging low-level equipment when he was young!"

Lin Feng's heart stirred.

S-rank Talent?

If my [Fusion] could fuse Talents...

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about that." He changed the subject. "How did you find the time to come over today?"

Chen Lin's expression suddenly dimmed.

"I have to report to the Capital Academy tomorrow... so I wanted to see you."

The shop suddenly fell silent.

Only the faint clamor from the market outside could be heard.

Pan Jingjing and the other two tactfully retreated to the warehouse.

Lin Feng was silent for a few seconds, then turned and walked to the shelves.

He picked out a set of blue leather armor—top, pants, bracers, and boots—all wearable at level 5.

He also took out the Light Burst Stone Bullet he had fused last night.

"Take these." He handed the items to Chen Lin.

"What's this?" Chen Lin took the leather armor and gasped after seeing the attributes. "All attributes +5? And it even has damage reduction? This... this is too precious!"

"Wear it for protection." Lin Feng handed her the stone bullet. "This is even more critical. Throw it if you encounter danger; it could save your life."

Chen Lin took the soybean-sized bead, looking bewildered. "How do I use this?"

"Just throw it at the enemy." Lin Feng didn't explain in detail. "Remember, don't use it unless it's absolutely necessary. And when you do, stay far away."

Chen Lin looked at the two items in her hands, her eyes suddenly turning red.

"Lin Feng... you're so good to me."

"Nonsense." Lin Feng rubbed her hair. "Isn't this only natural?"

Chen Lin broke into a smile through her tears. "I suppose so..."

She suddenly stopped and looked up at Lin Feng. "What about you? What are your plans?"

"Me?" Lin Feng smiled. "Keep running the shop, make money, and get stronger."

"Don't go on Explorer missions!" Chen Lin suddenly grabbed his arm. "I know newly registered Explorers have a rookie mission, but it's too dangerous! You have this craft now; isn't it better to just run the shop peacefully?"

Lin Feng looked into her eyes.

Those almond-shaped eyes were filled with worry.

He hesitated for a moment but decided to tell the truth. "Linlin, I became an Explorer for more than just making money."

"Then what is it for?"

"My parents..." Lin Feng's voice dropped. "The Dungeon where they went missing hasn't been cleared to this day. I want to go and see."

Chen Lin was stunned.

She naturally knew about what happened six years ago.

Lin Feng's parents were both Advanced Explorers who went missing during a mission to clear a Level 5 Dungeon.

The Federation searched for three months before declaring them dead.

But Lin Feng never believed it.

"Are you crazy?!" Chen Lin's voice trembled. "That Dungeon is Level 5! It hasn't been cleared for so long! Besides, you're only Level 5 right now..."

"I know." Lin Feng interrupted her. "I didn't say I'd go now. Only when I'm strong enough."

"Then how long will that take?!"

"I don't know." Lin Feng shook his head. "But it's the only way I can think of to get closer to them."

Chen Lin opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn't come.

She knew Lin Feng's personality.

Stubborn.

Once he set his mind on something, nothing could pull him back.

"Promise me," she could only say, gripping Lin Feng's hand tightly. "Don't take any risks until you feel you're strong enough. Okay?"

Lin Feng looked at her reddened eyes, and his heart softened.

"Alright, I promise you."

"Really?"

"Really."

Only then did Chen Lin breathe a slight sigh of relief.

She wiped the corners of her eyes and put the leather armor and stone bullet into her Storage Pouch.

"Then... let's go grab a meal? My treat."

"Sure."

...

The two found a small restaurant near the market.

They ordered a few dishes and chatted while eating.

Chen Lin talked a lot about things at her academy.

"There's a monster with an SS-rank Talent in our year. I heard they were designated as the next head student right after their Awakening."

"I heard the academy's training grounds are huge, and there are even simulated Dungeons inside."

"The instructor said we have to reach Level 2 in our first year. The pressure is so high..."

Lin Feng listened quietly, nodding from time to time.

He could feel the distance between them widening at a visible rate.

Chen Lin was about to enter a completely new world.

There were Geniuses, resources, and infinite possibilities there.

And what about himself?

Guarding a small shop, making some money by relying on his Talent.

While that wasn't bad, still...

"Lin Feng?" Chen Lin waved her hand in front of his eyes. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing." Lin Feng snapped back to reality. "I was just wondering if you'll meet someone even better once you're at the academy."

Chen Lin's face flushed. "What are you talking about!"

"I'm serious." Lin Feng smiled. "There are bound to be many Geniuses in the academy who are handsome, strong, and from good families..."

"Stop, stop, stop!" Chen Lin interrupted him, glaring at him petulantly. "Lin Feng, what kind of person do you take me for?"

"I didn't mean it like that..."

"Well, I do mean it like that!" Chen Lin stood up, leaning her hands on the table. "Am I, Chen Lin, the kind of person who changes her mind so easily? We grew up together; don't you know me by now?"

Lin Feng looked into her eyes.

Clear and firm.

He suddenly felt that what he had just said was a bit foolish.

"Sorry."

"Hmph." Chen Lin sat back down, though she still wore a stern expression. "That's more like it."

After finishing their meal, the two walked out of the restaurant.

It was already noon.

The sunlight was somewhat blinding.

"I should head back," Chen Lin said. "My flight is early tomorrow morning."

"Yeah." Lin Feng nodded. "Have a safe flight."

Chen Lin stood still.

She looked at Lin Feng, hesitating to speak.

Finally, she suddenly took a step forward.

She stood on her tiptoes.

And kissed Lin Feng on the cheek.

It was light and quick.

Like the brush of a feather.

"Lin Feng, take good care of yourself."

"When I graduate, I'll come back for you."

"By then, whether you've become incredibly strong or stay just as you are now, you're not allowed to reject me!"

After saying that, she turned and ran.

Her ponytail swung in a beautiful arc under the sunlight.

Lin Feng stood dazed on the spot.

He could still feel the warm sensation where she had kissed his cheek.

He reached up to touch it, watching Chen Lin's receding figure.

His heart was a whirlpool of emotions.

There was sweetness, bitterness, unease, and also anticipation.

"A long-distance relationship, huh..."

He sighed.

But soon, he shook his head, tossing the distracting thoughts to the back of his mind.

Now was not the time for this.

Grow stronger.

Only by becoming stronger could he take control of his own destiny.

And only then... could he live up to this expectation.

Lin Feng turned and walked toward the depths of the market.

He was going to that old man's stall.

Those special items containing sealed Rule Fragments might be the key to his rapid growth.

He passed through the bustling crowd.

He walked through the familiar streets. However, Lin Feng discovered that the old man was gone!