Chapter 5: Noticed

Yunluo Li, Year 9992, April 2nd.

On the eighteenth day after the system prompt, I finally got a chance to go alone to Hou Shan Pu Bu.

Linlei has been busy with something lately, leaving early and returning late every day; Yelu and Leinuo went to Fenlai Cheng to have fun; Qiaozhi is holed up in the library. The entire Dormitory is left with just me.

"Let's do it today." First release of this book, read smoothly on TTXS, ⓣⓣⓚⓢ. ⓣⓦ read anytime, providing you with error-free chapters and non-disordered reading experience.

I slung a small pack on my back and walked alone toward Hou Shan.

The Hou Shan of Ensite Institute stretches for dozens of li; the deeper you go, the more secluded it becomes. I followed the forest path for nearly an hour before the rumbling sound of water finally reached my ears.

The waterfall has arrived.

This is a cliff thirty or forty meters high, with water cascading down and striking a deep pool below. The pool water is clear, revealing the pebbles at the bottom. Surrounding it is a dense forest; sunlight filters through the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the water's surface.

"The scenery is actually quite nice." I looked around, thinking silently, "System, is this the sign-in location?"

【Ding—Detected host has arrived at designated location: Hou Shan Pu Bu.】

【Sign in now?】

"Sign in."

【Sign-in successful.】

【Reward obtained: Legend of Sword and Fairy · Five Spirit Wheel (Fragmented) — Can absorb the five elemental energies of heaven and earth, converting them into one's own Magic. Current status: Fragmented, only the Fire Spirit function is activated.】

A warm breath surged into my body, condensing into a faint wheel-shaped shadow at my chest. The shadow was divided into five compartments, but only one was lit—fiery red.

Five Spirit Wheel.

A classic item from Legend of Sword and Fairy, capable of absorbing the power of the five elements and converting it into spiritual energy. In this world, spiritual energy should be Magic.

"Something good." I secretly rejoiced in my heart.

Although it is only a fragmented version and can only activate the Fire Spirit, this means I can absorb the Fire Element from heaven and earth and directly convert it into my own Magic—this is equivalent to gaining another cultivation accelerator.

Fallen Heart Flame plus Five Spirit Wheel, double the joy.

"Hoo—!"

I took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and tried to circulate the Five Spirit Wheel.

The wheel-shaped shadow at my chest slowly rotated; the surrounding Fire Elements, as if attracted by a magnet, rushed toward me. I could clearly perceive that after entering my body, they were refined by the Five Spirit Wheel, transformed into the purest Magic, and flowed into my Middle Dantian.

The speed... is nearly double that of my usual meditation.

Combined with the automatic cultivation of the Fallen Heart Flame, it equals triple speed.

"I've struck it rich." I couldn't help but grin.

Just at that moment—

"Third brother?"

A familiar voice came from behind me.

I was startled, quickly suppressed my aura, and turned to look.

Linlei stood not far away, with Beibei perched on his shoulder, looking at me with confusion.

"Fourth brother?" I was somewhat surprised, "What are you doing here?"

"I've been cultivating here all along." Linlei walked over, "It's quiet here, no one disturbs."

I remembered that in the original novel, Linlei indeed often cultivated at Hou Shan, and couldn't help but laugh silently.

He found a flat stone nearby, sat cross-legged, and soon entered a meditative state. Beibei jumped down from his shoulder, lying on the stone, yet those round black eyes kept staring at me.

I felt a bit creeped out by his stare: "What are you looking at?"

Beibei turned his head away, ignoring me.

I smiled, didn't mind, and continued studying the Five Spirit Wheel.

Time slowly passed.

The waterfall roared, mist filled the air, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows.

I don't know how much time passed—

"Linlei."

An old voice suddenly rang in my mind.

My whole body froze.

I turned my head sharply to look at Linlei.

Linlei still had his eyes closed, but his eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if listening to something.

Delin.

It must be Delin speaking to him.

I felt a bit nervous in my heart. Delin is a Magus of the Saint Domain; his soul perception far exceeds that of ordinary people. Will he detect my abnormalities? Will he discover the Fallen Heart Flame and the Five Spirit Wheel?

"Linlei." That old voice rang again, this time with a hint of doubt, "That roommate of yours, the flame aura on his body... is very strange."

I pretended not to hear and continued meditating.

Linlei opened his eyes, glanced at me, then lowered his eyelids again.

"Grandpa Delin, what's wrong?" he asked in his mind.

"That flame, I have lived for over a thousand years and have never seen it before." Grandpa Delin's voice carried a hint of solemnity, "It is not like ordinary Fire Element Magic power; it seems more like... a spiritual creature naturally nurtured by heaven and earth. I have only heard of such an aura in legends."

Linlei fell silent for a moment: "He is my brother."

Grandpa Delin also fell silent.

After a long while, he sighed: "Very well. This child's aura is pure, not like someone harboring evil intentions. Since you trust him, I will not say much more. Just be more attentive in the future."

"Mm."

Linlei responded in his mind and closed his eyes again.

I secretly opened a slit in my eyes, saw him return to calmness, and breathed a sigh of relief in my heart.

Delin indeed noticed. But he did not point it out, likely out of consideration for Linlei's sake.

"Thanks, Fourth Brother," I silently said in my heart.

In the evening, Linlei and I returned to the dormitory together.

Back at the dormitory, Yelu and Leinuo had already returned and were chatting with Qiaozhi in the courtyard.

"Third and Fourth are back!" Leinuo rushed up first. "Where did you go today? Why are you soaked with water?"

"Hou Shan Pu Bu," I answered honestly.

"Waterfall?" Yelu's eyes lit up. "Is it fun there? Take us tomorrow!"

"Why would you go? You can't even swim," Qiaozhi retorted.

"If you can't swim, you can learn!"

The five of us made a ruckus again.

At night, I lay in bed, studying the Five Spirit Wheel.

The wheel-shaped shadow on my chest had stabilized; the Fire Spirit slot glowed with a faint red light. I could perceive that as long as I activated it, the surrounding Fire Element would automatically surge toward me.

"Pity it's only the incomplete version," I sighed inwardly. "If it were the complete Five Spirit Wheel, capable of absorbing the five elements of earth, fire, water, wind, and thunder, it would truly become a cultivation artifact."

【Ding—The Five Spirit Wheel (Incomplete) can be repaired through check-ins or special opportunities. Next repair prompt: Unknown.】

The system added a timely remark.

"As long as there's hope, that's good."

I turned over and closed my eyes.

Outside the window, moonlight flowed like water, spilling across my face through the window.

Beibei, I didn't know when, had crawled out from Linlei's blanket and was lying on the windowsill, those round black eyes staring at me.

I smiled at it, closed my eyes, and went to sleep.

The next morning, when I woke up, Beibei had already returned to Linlei's side.

"Third Brother, get up quickly!" Yelu's voice came from the courtyard. "Today is Fire Element class; I heard they're going to teach Level Two magic!"

I jolted upright.

Level Two magic? Perfect timing to test the power of the Five Spirit Wheel.

After hastily washing up, the five of us headed toward the classroom.

In the first-year Fire Element classroom, there were far more people than usual—all had heard that Level Two magic would be taught today and came to observe.

Teacher Ailisen stood on the podium, still with that same cold demeanor.

"Today we teach the Fire Snake Technique," she stated bluntly. "Level Two Fire Element magic; the core lies in precise control over the flame's form. I will demonstrate once first."

She raised her hand, chanted softly, and a fire snake as thick as an arm shot out from her palm, coiled once in the air, then slowly dissipated.

"Who wants to try?"

The classroom fell silent.

Level Two magic; an ordinary person needs at least half a year to master it. It's only been a little over a month since school started; who dares to try?

"I'll go."

I stood up.

Ailisen glanced at me and nodded.

I walked to the front of the podium, took a deep breath, and began to chant.

The Fallen Heart Flame within my body trembled slightly; the Five Spirit Wheel spun simultaneously, and the surrounding Fire Element surged wildly. I raised my hand—

A fire snake shot out from my palm.

Slightly thinner than Ailisen's, but the edges of the flame shimmered with a faint milky white. The fire snake coiled three times in the air, then crashed straight into the testing target in the corner.

"Boom!"

The magic sensor on the testing target lit up with a line of numbers: Temperature—1320 degrees.

The classroom was deathly silent.

The normal temperature for a Level Two Fire Snake Technique is around 800 degrees. My shot directly exceeded that by sixty percent.

"Good," Ailisen said, looking at me, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes.

I lowered my hand and returned to my seat.

All the way, countless gazes fell upon me. Some were shocked, some admiring, and some jealous.

"Third Brother, you're too perverted!" Leinuo said in a low voice.

I smiled but said nothing.

After class, the five of us went to the dining hall to eat. All the way, people kept pointing and whispering.

"That's him, Aikesi Yan. First in yesterday's arena match, and today he knows Level Two magic again."

"Knowing Level Two magic at nine years old; this talent is too terrifying."

"I heard he, Linlei, and Dixie are known as the Three Great Geniuses; I think he's even stronger than Dixie."

"Shh, keep it down; Dixie is right beside us."

I turned my head to look; Dixie was walking past from the side. He glanced at me, expressionless, and left.

"This person is really cold," Leinuo muttered.

"That's just his personality," Qiaozhi said.