The voice was calm, but the weight of the words made Ye Lingling's heart suddenly tighten.
Fang Ling, after crossing over, indeed hadn't gained much memory related to the broken leg from the little beggar's past.
But he clearly remembered how few people ever helped him.
Fang Ling had no idea how he had survived.
How he had escaped Death's grasp.
"Fang Ling, you…"
Ye Lingling looked at the bright, cheerful junior before her, but from him, she sensed a loneliness and desolation that mirrored her own. A trace of pity flickered in her eyes.
Even though her own heart was weighed down with hardship, she still couldn't bear to see the suffering of others.
Fang Ling shook his head, and a radiant glow suddenly lit up his face.
"The past is buried in the dust of time, irretrievable, and not worth retrieving."
"I never dwell on a bleak past. All that matters is becoming stronger in the future."
Ye Lingling stared at him without blinking, holding her breath.
Through his shining eyes, she felt that Fang Ling was glowing.
The light didn't come from any part of his body, it came from the deepest, purest, most untouchable part of his being.
It came from his radiant soul.
Like a star in the sky, shining with wisdom and resilience.
As tough as diamond, unyielding. As if no difficulty could ever shake his resolve.
She was drawn to Fang Ling. Drawn to that courageous, powerful soul.
It felt like an invisible force surrounded him, a pure and unwavering energy that seemed capable of dispelling even the darkest shadows in the human heart.
It came from deep admiration.
Anyone who endures hardship and never gives up deserves respect.
Even though people usually don't care about the struggles of the weak.
Fortunately, Fang Ling had achieved something. He could now be called.
A genius!
His experiences, combined with his words and the emotion behind them, were truly inspiring.
Fang Ling raised his fist with excitement:
"Senior, death comes to us all, some die with weight like Mount Tai, others as light as a feather."
"There's no need to fear the unknown storms ahead. What matters is grasping every moment in the present. As long as we can shine brilliantly in this life and live it to the fullest, then death is nothing!"
The impassioned speech, full of intensity, left Ye Lingling deeply shaken.
She sniffled and quietly replied, "Mm."
Her eyes were brighter now, no longer so hollow. Her energy had clearly returned, showing that she had truly listened.
"Thank you for your encouragement, junior."
"I'm better now. Let's head back."
She gently raised her hand, and her spirit power appeared like a dream.
Her spirit rings shimmered, and white and pale pink crabapple blossoms floated around her, glowing with fragrant light.
The blossoms transformed into threads of gentle light, falling softly on Fang Ling's shoulders.
Like feathers brushing over his heart, all his fatigue and weariness were washed away by that gentle power.
His body felt lighter, quickly recovering energy.
Although she was only a Grand Soul Master, her healing felt even better than that of her teacher, or even the Soul King healer from earlier.
Like spring rain silently nourishing everything, perhaps that's the best way to describe it.
The healing power was incredibly gentle, yet powerfully effective. Feeling it again, Fang Ling gained a deeper understanding.
He opened his eyes joyfully, his gaze glowing with intensity.
This was exactly the power he needed. He wanted Ye Lingling to be his personal healing support!
Up in the trees, Qin Ming finally relaxed. Along with another teacher, he quietly left.
In the peaceful mountain forest, only the two of them remained.
"Senior," Fang Ling softly called out after putting away all the tools he had taken out.
Before coming to the academy, he had been wondering how to build a good relationship with Ye Lingling so he could ask her to accompany him to the Great Soul Arena.
And now, the timing felt just right.
"Hmm? Need my help with something?"
Ye Lingling skipped ahead a few steps, her movements noticeably lighter.
Fang Ling hesitated for a moment, then gathered his courage and said, "I'd like to ask you to come with me to Heaven Dou City."
Ye Lingling paused and turned around almost instantly.
Thinking about his past, sounded simple, but full of bloodshed upon closer listen, her brows slightly furrowed beneath her black veil, and her bright blue eyes filled with surprise.
"You just arrived at the academy and already want to risk your life in battle? Not going to rest for a few days first?"
"No, no, I'm not in a hurry. I just wanted you to show me around Heaven Dou City, and maybe take a look at the Great Soul Arena while we're at it."
"You want me to take you?"
Ye Lingling gave Fang Ling a long look, a trace of contemplation in her eyes. "Are you trying to hit on me?"
"Cough, no, I already have someone I like." Fang Ling was caught off guard by her bluntness and hurried to deny it.
"Really?" Ye Lingling's eyes held a hint of skepticism. "If you like me, just say so. I don't mind your broken leg."
"Really, I swear it's true!" Fang Ling patted his chest in assurance. "More real than gold."
"So does the person you like know that you like her? Is she far from here?"
"Um… probably doesn't know?"
He'd only exchanged a few words with Zhu Zhuqing, how would she know?
"Unrequited love, huh? Little brother, not very old, but already quite romantic." Ye Lingling's eyes curved like crescent moons, sparkling with amusement.
"Do you think I'm pretty?"
A mysterious smile appeared beneath her black veil as she suddenly leaned in closer.
Fang Ling had no idea what she was up to now, so he simply answered truthfully:
"Pretty. Of course you're pretty."
"Eyes like autumn water, gaze like flowing light, face like peach blossoms, figure just right, height proportionate, shoulders slender as if carved, waist as narrow as if tied…"
"Tch. Men really are all the same, even the little ones are so glib."
Ye Lingling listened with great interest, clearly enjoying the praise, but still tossed out a sarcastic comment.
"Uh…" Fang Ling shut his mouth and blinked.
"If you want me to heal you, just say so. Why beat around the bush?"
Fang Ling gently shook his head.
"I just feel that passionate words only provide a temporary boost. You're too withdrawn, without a close friend or some kind of emotional outlet, eventually you'll be crushed again by the pressure."
"I think… maybe I could be your friend."
"Tch! I don't need friends. And how do you know I can't regulate myself?"
Ye Lingling was feeling quite strong now, full of energy. She immediately pushed back.
Fang Ling replied seriously, "Because my efforts lead to results. My soul power level will rise, and my combat ability will grow."
"My goal has always been clear: to become the strongest in the world."
"But you, you want an exciting life, do you even have a goal? What does 'exciting' mean to you?"
Faced with this pointed question, Ye Lingling had no answer.
Most people, even geniuses like Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng, didn't have such grand, long-term goals.
Vague goals lead to laziness. She'd been so withdrawn, what kind of goal could she possibly have?
Only Fang Ling had one, and he stuck to it unwaveringly.
Even if it seemed far-fetched and laughable to others, he took it step by step.
"If you don't have a goal, then let me be your friend. Let me be your first friend at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Let's go experience the brilliance of the world together."
"Friend, huh? That's a word I haven't heard in a long time." Ye Lingling's eyes went distant.
After a moment, her spirit returned, and she said quietly, "But I still think you just want free healing."
"Haha, just a little bit. But that's not the main thing." Fang Ling chuckled awkwardly.
She's sharp, didn't fall for it.
Ye Lingling met his gaze for a moment, then a soft smile appeared on her lips. Under Fang Ling's surprised look, she said:
"But I'll agree."
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