He glanced at Leng Shengnan: "Inheritance, combat awareness, reaction speed, adaptability, and even willpower, survival instinct, even luck... these are hard to change, but they do exist, and they should indeed be included in the standards of talent."

This slightly gloomy beautiful young man extended his bandaged left hand, covering half of his face, leaving only one eye shining with platinum light, and spoke deeply:

"And speaking of these things..."

"In my life, I am second to none."

"So, I want to train with you all, correct my theoretical problems, and take a fresh look at whether any of you have what it takes to be my rival, Du Qing!"

As soon as these words came out, the middle school syndrome and fighting spirit of Du Qing and Lin Guang's first meeting resurfaced, and it seemed like ethereal voices and faint holy light wings appeared vaguely around them.

Vishdair, Chelina, Lisa: "..."

Besides the speechlessness, Lin Guang also heard the implication in Du Qing's words—when everyone reaches Three-Star, he wants to fight him again, with full strength.

"Alright."

Whatever makes you happy.

Next to them, Leng Shengnan also looked at Du Qing and couldn't help but laugh.

And when she stopped laughing, she suddenly raised her hand and threw the extremely precious golden peach given by Du Qing to Lin Guang.

"This?"

"You take it. Lisa needs it too."

She laughed freely: "The reward from last time hasn't been settled yet."

"To put it broadly, uncle's hope of breaking through the Six-Star barrier might lie in his Ice Fairy's evolution and stepping onto the path of Ancient Martial Style."

"If he becomes a True Man, then my days would be much better."

"Then I shall not refuse it out of politeness."

Lin Guang was not pretentious and nodded, handing one to Lisa behind him.

The girl received the peach in surprise and kept thanking: "Thank you, Sister Shengnan!!"

"..."

She tilted her head, seemed to hesitate for a moment, and also looked at Du Qing: "Thank you, Brother Du Qing."

Du Qing raised an eyebrow, not caring how they distributed it, and gave some pointers: "Just eat it directly, it won't affect battle status."

This Golden Monkey Wine Peach seemed to have been washed, with water droplets on it. Lin Guang scrutinized it for a few seconds, did not hesitate, and bit down directly, then suddenly widened his eyes.

The texture of the fibers was almost imperceptible.

As soon as the pulp entered the mouth, a burst of rich, sweet, and intoxicating wine aroma exploded, yet this wine was not intoxicating; rather, it had a refreshing effect.

There was almost no need for chewing; just a suck, and the juice flowed smoothly down the esophagus.

Lin Guang finished the peach in a few bites, not even leaving the tail (the texture was like baby corn, crunchy), and soon a warm current began to spread slowly throughout the body, then gradually converged to the head, just like the time at the Golden Mountain Hot Spring, noticeably feeling that his entire mind was a lot lighter, as if providing a layer of support, and his Spiritual Power was more active.

He glanced at his status bar and nodded in satisfaction.

On the side, Lisa also finished the peach bit by bit, her cheeks flushed, and her big green-gold eyes brightened: "Delicious..."

After a few minutes, seeing that both Lisa and Lin Guang had basically adapted to their statuses, Leng Shengnan looked down at the time: "The appointment is at 9:30. It's now 25 past. It should be soon."

Coincidentally, just as this was said, a somewhat hunched figure pushed open the door and walked in.

It was an elder, with gray-white hair casually tied into a loose little braid, a few strands hanging messily over the forehead, appearing somewhat untidy.

His beard was thick and unruly, as if not shaved for days, with traces of dried coffee or wine stain faintly visible among the stubble, cheeks flushing unnaturally, nose slightly red, all exuding a faint alcoholic aroma.

He wore a faded gray hoodie, with a barely discernible band logo printed on the chest, the sleeve cuffs frayed.

The jacket's zipper was only halfway up, revealing a crumpled white T-shirt inside, the hem tucked casually into a pair of old jeans.

The pant legs were a bit short, and he wore a badly worn pair of sneakers, the laces loose as if ready to fall apart at any moment.

"Are you the little ones who want an old man as a training partner?"

This somewhat hunchbacked elder swept a glance over the training room, pausing on Lin Guang and the three girls, chuckling.

"Oh, I recognize you, kid. The one who punched through the top three families, seems like last month's wine debt is settled."

Leng Shengnan frowned, seemingly pondering something, and after a moment, her eyes became serious, speaking with a touch of respect: "You are... 'Poison King' Li Kujie?"

Spirit Beasts are called "King" in Tier Six, but for Spirit Masters, it's not quite the same.

Not to mention "many hands make light work," a strong Spirit Master giving himself a nickname is acceptable as long as it's not so arrogant that others can't stand it and decide to take action, and his title isn't really excessive... because his title comes from his talent, currently ranked 986, the [Poison King].

Naming oneself after one's talent, no one can say a word against it.

At this moment, Lin Guang also remembered.

Poison King Li Kujie, once a Five-Star Spirit Master, was extremely skilled in assassination and ambush. It's said that he was backstabbed by teammates in his early years, nearly losing his life, and since then, became eccentric, indulging in betrayal.

He often uses his honest appearance to lure others. If teammates harbor ill intentions towards him because of his seemingly simple nature, he will mercilessly kill and rob them.

Even after these incidents came to light, Li Kujie did not restrain himself. Taking advantage of his poison technique and disguise technique, he specialized in intercepting those notorious for backstabbing teammates in the Secret Wilderness. He later ascended to Five-Star. Those who bore grudges either died suddenly or never returned after leaving the city.

However, some novice Spirit Masters who treated him sincerely ventured into the Wilderness with him and returned with rumors of unexpectedly receiving valuable Spiritual Materials.

So, while his reputation was mixed, he had relatively few enemies, and he was considered a person with his own integrity.

No one expected that such an obviously experienced Spirit Master would stand out during the Demon Race invasion ten years ago, single-handedly killing thousands of demons, including some of Tier Five.

After that battle, the Poison King vanished from public view. Some said he suffered a backlash from overusing Mystical Techniques, his Talent was damaged, and he had died.

It seems now there might be some truth to those rumors.

After all, Lin Guang remembered that in the photos from back then, his true form was a burly man, but he had now become like this.

If not for Leng Shengnan knowing his current appearance for some unknown reason... who would recognize him?

Vishdair scrutinized the old man, slightly frowned, his nostrils flaring, and suddenly looked at Lin Guang, asking in Terra language, "Is this old guy the sparring partner this time?"

—Her tone was obviously a bit off.

Lin Guang immediately perceived the hint of caution in her tone, stunned.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted.

The scent of wine on him was somewhat...

After Leng Shengnan's introduction, Du Qing nodded slightly: "That Daoist School Leader is thoughtful. I heard there's a genius in Li Hai City who's skilled with poison, just right for us to get acquainted."

On the other side, Li Kujie burped: "There are still young ones who remember the old man, huh."

"Uncle Bai Wu mentioned your recent situation to me."

"Oh, you're Old Bai's niece?"

Li Kujie squinted, shaking his head vigorously as if trying to see Leng Shengnan clearly, and after a while, with a doubtful tone, said, "You do resemble a bit."

He waved his hand: "Forget it, forget it, fame is nothing, no need to flatter the past, I'm just a Four-Star failure now."

He paused, then rubbed his index finger and thumb: "Of course, you still have to pay the agreed amount, no discounts for you."

"Well, originally Bai Wu was going to settle with me... but today there's an extra person, so we'll count separately."

He eyed Du Qing: "The appearance fee is eight thousand Credit Points per battle, ending when any side's automatic Body-Protecting Spiritual Artifact is triggered."

"That expensive?"

A hint of puzzlement flashed across Du Qing's face. Although he's a True Disciple of the Celestial Star Sect, he's not out of touch with reality. If this price was hourly, it would be more reasonable.

But unlimited battle is like a quick succession, most of the time not consuming all Ether and Spiritual Power, possibly having over a dozen battles a day.

"Experience is priceless."

Challenged, Li Kujie was not angry, grinned, revealing a mouth full of black and yellow teeth: "The Secret Realm and Wilderness woven by countless betrayals, assassinations, and lies, the cost to safely understand it is this high."

"Such boldness, unlimited battle is indeed a stage for the weak to win against the strong, what if you lose?"

"Hey, if I lose..."

But as the conversation continued.

In a split second, as almost everyone didn't react.

Suddenly, Lin Guang's body ignited a flame covering his surface.

The flame upon contact with the colorless, tasteless air, made a sputtering sound.

"?!"

Following that, on Chelina, Vishdair, and Lisa, Mars flickered, forming the same Flame Cloak from the Samadhi True Fire.

And then...

Amid deafening roars and overflowing Frenzy Evil Attribute Ether, a dark red figure pulled out a blood-red meteor-like brilliance, aiming a punch fiercely at the hunched old man.

It was Vishdair, who reacted the quickest, even noticing the abnormal situation earlier than Lin Guang.

The Explosion Fist driven by the full power of Evil Attribute Ether, accompanied by the phantom of a Demon-Eating Tiger Shark, in an instant, was already close to Li Kujie's face.

The fist wind carried a ghastly howl, the storm it stirred almost swept away the luxurious decor of the lounge.

Yet, at this moment.

Her fist… suddenly stopped!

No, it's not that she stopped on her own, but her arm was encased in a suddenly appearing purple slime.

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