After three years, Allen returned to the murky secret realm of the "Mushroom Garden."
A large area outside the secret realm had been occupied by the enemy.
Fortunately, the gate to the secret realm, the giant mushroom circle, was still under the control of the defenders.
Feilin and Julie, upon receiving Allen's magical message, excitedly rushed to greet their old friend early in the morning.
Olivia, a naturalist prodigy, had received an anti-aging injection at sixteen and still looked like a young girl.
Standing next to Julie, she looked particularly petite.
Olivia and the Griffin siblings had cultivated together in the mushroom garden for six years, forging a deep friendship.
Although she and Allen had a difficult past,
but for the Griffin siblings' sake, they all came to greet Allen.
Just as the three of them waited anxiously, a beam of teleportation light rose from the ground outside the mushroom circle.
A tall, upright figure loomed within the teleportation array.
"Alan! My good brother, we finally meet again!"
Felin couldn't contain his excitement and rushed forward with a cheer.
Alan came forward and embraced his long-lost friend!
After so many years, Feilin had grown from a chubby little boy into a handsome, slightly chubby young man.
He had grown considerably taller.
But compared to Alan, he was still half a foot behind.
"Alan, what's your current level of cultivation?" Feilin asked excitedly.
"Late fourth stage."
Alan didn't want to lie to his old friend.
Seeing Feilin's eyes widen, he was about to scream.
Alan quickly added, "I've been in seclusion in the secret realm of Silver Moon Monastery for a full ten years!"
In reality, it was only four years.
The truth was too frightening, and no one would believe it.
Upon hearing this, Feilin felt relieved, then gave a wry smile.
"Even after ten years of seclusion, you're still far stronger than me!"
"Didn't I also cultivate in the mushroom garden for six years? And yet, I'm only at the late third stage... Sigh, I can't compare to you!"
"Don't say that! Even if I gave you four more years, you wouldn't..."
Alan's words of comfort were interrupted by Feilin's wave of his hand.
"Brother! You don't understand my situation. Even if I were given another four years, I wouldn't be able to break through my bottleneck!"
"My bloodline has reached its limit. There's no potential left to tap. This is how it's going to end!"
Alan's heart trembled, and he squeezed his hand tightly.
Felin could see that he was upset, so he forced a smile and offered comfort.
"Okay! I've figured it out. Don't feel bad for me!"
"Alan! I heard from Senior Brother Marvin that you had a fortuitous encounter on Silvermoon Island. Your Ogre bloodline merged with your Leopard bloodline, achieving a second awakening and becoming a Demon Leopard?"
Juli approached, curiously inquiring.
Alan smiled and nodded.
"No wonder you were able to break through the upper limit of your Ogre bloodline and advance to the Fourth Stage!"
Juli looked envious.
"By the way! You've been cultivating in the Secret Realm for ten years. Counting the time outside of it, you're almost thirty now, right?"
Juli tilted her head, examining Alan with confusion in her eyes.
"But you look only seventeen or eighteen... How do you maintain such good looks?"
"Well..." Allen glanced at Olivia and mumbled, "Let's talk about my beauty secrets in private, Sister Julie."
"Tsk! You little brat, you're really good at keeping us tantalized!"
Julie rolled her eyes at him playfully.
Turning her head to look at her cousin, a look of disdain on her face.
"You and Allen, two grown men, hugging and embracing, holding hands, unwilling to let go. Aren't you ashamed?"
"No shame!" Feilin said confidently.
"Stop talking nonsense! Go away!"
Julie forcibly tore apart her cousin and Allen's tightly clasped hands.
She took their place, holding Allen's hand and giving him a long-awaited hug.
Alan hugged the tall, voluptuous Julie; her soft touch felt so comfortable!
He kissed her fair, oval face, sniffed the fragrance of her hair, and sighed contentedly.
"Julie, holding you, I can't bear to let go."
Julie's cheeks flushed slightly, and she leaned into his neck, sighing with emotion:
"Alan, it's been years since we last met. You've grown taller and stronger."
"I love being held like this by you, too. It's so rare to feel the comfort of a little bird."
Alan picked up the 5-foot-9-tall mare, weighed her, and whispered in her ear, "Julie, you've lost a lot of weight. Are you dieting?"
"Not really," Julie smiled shyly. "Maybe it's because I've been fighting so much lately and exercising so much."
She would never admit that she'd been secretly dieting to give Alan a fresh, beautiful impression. Olivia pricked up her ears.
Hearing Julie's insincere words, she couldn't help but curl her lips.
"I'm glad you're not dieting," Allen patted Julie on the back. "Otherwise, I'd be the only big eater here, and it would be so lonely at mealtimes."
"Yes! Allen, let's eat together from now on. I've even learned to cook, so I can make you something delicious!"
Seeing Julie's sweet, feminine expression, Olivia finally couldn't help but interrupt.
"Julie! You and Junior Brother Allen have been hugging each other for so long, aren't you tired of it? I'm so sick of you watching!"
Julie felt embarrassed by what he said and tried to break free from Allen's embrace.
However, the strong arms holding her tightly showed no sign of loosening.
Julie felt a sweet sensation in her heart.
Under pressure from his dominance, she half-heartedly gave in and stopped struggling.
Allen put his arm around Julie's waist and turned to Olivia.
"Julie and I haven't seen each other for years. We miss each other, so what's wrong with a little affection after seeing each other?"
"It doesn't bother you. It's none of your business!!"
Olivia's pretty face flushed red at his public rebuke.
She was furious, wanting to explode, but she couldn't find a reason.
After all, Julie herself was willing to throw herself at him.
As an outsider, what could she do if she didn't like it?
Felin could see that sparks flew between Allen and his cousin the moment they met, and both wanted to talk alone.
Olivia was a bit strange.
It would have been fine if she'd never been in a relationship herself, but seeing others in love made her feel embarrassed and embarrassed, finding it corny...
Alan and Julie were flirting with each other, each one expressing their affection. A young girl, unromantic, standing nearby, unable to resist making sarcastic remarks, truly ruined the atmosphere!
"Olivia, let's not disturb my sister and Alan here. Let's go somewhere else."
Felin is such a good brother!
He wanted to get Olivia out of the way and give his cousin and her friend some privacy.
Unfortunately, Olivia, this gifted girl, has a woefully low EQ in some areas!
Unable to understand Felin's intentions, she nervously whispered in his ear:
"Felin! We can't leave now!"
"I heard that Alan is a playboy!"
"He changes girlfriends more often than he changes his clothes!"
"I'm worried Julie's being toyed with by that playboy. I have to keep a closer eye on her!"
"No, Olivia, you're... how can I put it?!"
Felin hesitated, feeling both amused and embarrassed.
First, he had to admit that Olivia's observation was accurate.
During his two years at the Warlock Academy, the number of female sorcerers around Alan was indeed a revolving door.
The problem was that none of them were Alan's lovers, but rather clients paying for his pleasure.
Felin knew about Alan's half-open business, and so did Julie.
As for Olivia, she'd always been so well-protected by her family that she'd never been exposed to the sex trade and didn't know the inside story.
It was a misunderstanding, true.
However, the Warlock Academy's top gigolo, known as the "Night King," held a less-than-honest image in the minds of innocent girls...
Perhaps even worse than a philandering man!
Felin felt obligated to cover up his friend's shame, but he didn't know how to clarify the misunderstanding with Olivia, leaving him speechless.
In the end, it was up to his cousin to resolve the situation.
"Olivia! Alan and I have something to discuss. I'll excuse myself for now. We'll see you in the restaurant at dinner."
Julie, holding Alan's arm, walked into the mushroom circle.
With a flash of light, the two figures vanished.
Olivia watched them go, her face etched with displeasure.
He still couldn't let go of Julie, worried she'd fallen for the wrong man.
Being cheated on physically and emotionally by some playboy!
...
Alan followed Julie into the mushroom hut she and Olivia shared.
The two girls shared a living room, each with a boudoir.
Alan sat down in the living room, sipping the herbal tea Julie had brewed, and stretched out comfortably.
"Sister Julie, I have something I need to return to you."
Alan pulled the Griffin Feather Talisman from his pocket.
The magical golden feather could summon a griffin.
For many years before Alan learned the art of "Air Dance," the Griffin Feather Talisman had served as a means of aerial transportation, a tremendous help!
For this, he was deeply grateful to Julie for generously lending him this magical artifact.
Julie waved her hand, a bright smile on her face.
"I already have a new feather talisman, so you don't have to return it."
"This one's a gift from me to you."
"If you don't mind, keep it as a souvenir."
Alan didn't bother with the formalities, but instead joked, "Is this considered a token of our love?"
Juli rolled her eyes at him, a hint of shyness mixed with anger.
"I hope so... However, I've never heard of a couple paying for a night's sleep!"
Alan was surprised she still remembered this, and felt a little embarrassed.
Luckily, Julie wasn't a petty person.
She smiled and said, "Look at it on the bright side. At least you're giving me a 30% discount! It's a testament to our deep friendship."
"Sister Julie, you don't have to actually pay. Just keep the account. I'm not really short of money lately anyway."
"You're not short of money, and you're asking me to keep the account?"
Julie sneered, trying to understand his mindset.
"So, what you care about isn't money, but a certain... attitude? Or a sense of ritual?"
Alan nodded with satisfaction.
"Sister Julie, you truly are my confidant!"
"Friendship is friendship, but I can't take advantage of you for nothing."
"Even after accepting your feather talisman, I must also return your favor with a generous gift."
"Oh! What gift?" Julie piqued.
Alan opened his storage bag and pulled out a bottle of anti-aging potion.
"Sister Julie, just now outside, you asked me how I haven't aged in ten years. How did I maintain my appearance? The secret lies in this potion."
What young and beautiful woman wouldn't yearn for a youthful appearance?
Listening to him describe the anti-aging potion's magical properties, Julie felt both grateful and a little uneasy.
"Alan! Is such an expensive gift truly appropriate for me?"
"Sister Julie, the anti-aging agent is indeed valuable, but compared to our friendship in times of hardship, it's nothing!"
Alan patted Julie's hand, calming her down.
"Sister Julie, there's one more thing I have to mention."
"Well! Go ahead, I'm listening!"
Julie clung to his arm, as docile as a lamb.
"You and Feilin, with your griffin bloodline, have a limit of only level three."
"If you don't consider other options, I'm afraid your path of cultivation has reached its end."
Julie smiled wryly and nodded in acknowledgment.
"That's the truth. What else can we do?"
"Sister Julie, I've spent these years studying at Silver Moon Monastery, devoting considerable effort to the study of pharmacy."
"If you trust me and entrust your fate to me, I promise to give you a surprise."
Alan said seriously.
"Okay!" Julie said without hesitation.
Her promise was so readily apparent that even Alan was taken aback.
"Sister Julie, bloodline enhancement carries some risks. Won't you consider this carefully?"
Julie shook her head and smiled.
"Alan, we haven't been together very long, but I think I know you pretty well."
"You're a bit of a playboy, but you're incredibly kind to your friends!"
"You've offered to help me improve my bloodline, which shows you've considered the risks and are convinced the benefits far outweigh them."
"Sister, although I'm not very bright, I'm quite good at judging people."
"You're good to me, and I like you. I'm willing to put my fate in your hands."
"If the bloodline improvement fails and I die from a bloodline collapse, that'll be my bad luck!"
"Rather than being stuck in the late third stage for the rest of my life, with no hope of a breakthrough, I'd rather take a risk and try to make a name for myself!"
Alan was deeply moved by Julie's heartfelt words.
He held her hand, a look of sorrow on his face.
"Sister Julie, I feel bad when you say that."
"Originally, I just wanted to maintain a pure friendship with you."
"Now that I've heard your heartfelt words, I can't help but like you even more. I even want to marry you."
"But I already have several wives and concubines. Wanting to monopolize you... isn't that a bit too greedy?"
Julie laughed heartily, revealing a mouthful of perfectly white teeth.
"You stinky little brother! You're such a jerk!"
She didn't criticize Allen's dirty tricks too much, but simply laughed and punched him.
Perhaps she had already seen through this shameless man, a man who was as indifferent as a dead pig!
Julie's warlock bloodline originated from the griffin.
What new species could the griffin evolve into?
Alan had no idea.
Try to use the system to deduce the evolutionary path.
Manitail, Lamia, Lamassu, Sphinx...
None of these paths are ideal.
Either the evolutionary range is limited, making it uneconomical.
Or the potential required for evolution is too great for Allen to afford.
And the hippogriff path is even worse, pure degeneration!
It seems Julie can't go down the path of bloodline evolution.
The path more suitable for her is fusion!
So the question arises.
Which warlock bloodline belongs to the same lineage as the griffin?
This can be discussed in two ways.
The griffin has characteristics of both lions and giant eagles.
So, theoretically, any bloodline with a connection to "lion" or "giant eagle" could be attempted to fuse with the griffin's bloodline.
Alan has yet to obtain the bloodline essence of an eagle-like magical beast.
As for lions...
Speaking of this, he was all too familiar with it!
In the Silver Moon Monastery, the beastly bloodlines of the Cat Academy were divided into four categories.
Lion!
Tiger!
Leopard!
Meow!
All feline beastly bloodlines can be fused with griffin bloodlines.
The closest relative is undoubtedly the lion-human bloodline.
"Lion Sister" Maria owed Allen a large sum of money for prostitution.
Unable to pay, she sold her blood to pay off the debt.
Lion Sister's blood essence came in handy right now.
Ai
Lun spent one potential point to fuse the Lionman bloodline with Julie's Griffin bloodline.
The resulting composite bloodline was called "Griffin."
Griffinman bloodline was even rarer than the Leopardman bloodline.
However, it wasn't truly unique, a self-contained ancestor!
This was exactly what Allen wanted.
If he created a composite bloodline similar to the Poison Wizard's, a self-contained ancestor, he wouldn't dare inject it into Julie.
Otherwise, if Julie pressed him, it would be difficult to explain.
Rare, but ancient, bloodlines didn't present this problem.
Julie first injected the "Griffinman Awakening Agent," followed by a dose of the "Heavenly Restoration Potion" Allen had given her.
This new bloodline was elevated to a superior caliber.
Julie was excited! Like a child with a new toy, she couldn't wait to meditate and practice, awakening her "Griffin" bloodline as quickly as possible!
Alan waved his hand, reassuring her not to be impatient.
"Sister Julie, there's something I need to say upfront."
"Griffins inherit the beastman's chronic disease: lycanthropy!"
"On full-moon nights, they tend to lose control of their minds."
"Once the beastman's madness strikes, they become ruthless and the consequences are dire!"
"To suppress lycanthropy, from today on, you must switch to a meditation method specifically designed for beastmen."
"I know that. Calming Meditation!"
Juli took over, looking at Alan eagerly.
"Aside from the Beast Cult, Silver Moon Monastery has the most beastmancers!"
"Did you learn Calming Meditation during your training at the monastery?"
"I know a little bit," Alan said calmly.
"Can you get me a tranquilizing meditation awakening potion? The price is negotiable!"
"Sure, but it's not necessary."
Alan smiled.
"Sister Julie, I have a better meditation method, but it's inconvenient for me to give it to you right now. Are you free tonight?"
"If you come see me, I'm always available!"
Julie blurted out.
Afterwards, she felt a little embarrassed, but she didn't try to hide it.
She had no pretense of pretense.
What Alan liked was precisely her straightforward and frank personality.
"After dinner, I'll help you fuse your bloodline and switch to meditation, okay?"
"Yes!"
Julie nodded happily.
Seeing Alan get up to leave, she couldn't help but hug him.
"Sister Julie, are you reluctant to let me go?"
Julie blushed and nodded bravely.
Alan caressed her brilliant golden hair and leaned in for a kiss.
Julie raised her head to meet his passionate kiss, and they embraced sweetly.
After the passionate kiss, Julie suddenly remembered something.
"Alan! Feilin is facing a similar dilemma as me. Can you also help him improve his bloodline and break through the bottleneck?"
Alan couldn't help but laugh and reached out to pinch her rosy cheek.
"Felin and I have a life-long friendship. Do I need to be reminded of that?"
"Okay, I was being polite. I'm sorry!"
"Stop all the niceties and get down to business."
"What do you want from me?"
Julie pouted, her lips voluptuous.
"Remember to wear black stockings, shower, and wait for me in the bedroom for our date tonight."
Alan shamelessly demanded.
Julie, despite her outgoing and generous demeanor, was still young, and she finally gave in.
Blushing, she punched him.
"Bah! You're so bad!"
She scolded him, but her mind was already made up.
Black stockings with suspenders and a short skirt—they're so charming!
You bad boy! Tonight, I'll let you experience the devastating power of long legs in black stockings!
...
Mushroom Garden.
Tall mushrooms formed an underground forest, dark and silent.
The two young people strolled side by side through the mushroom forest.
Felin performed the "Dancing Lights" technique.
Magic created four balls of light that chased each other through the air.
Like a group of playful elves.
Alan could tell that Feilin was worried.
Even without his telepathy, he could guess what was going on.
Since Feilin was too embarrassed to confess,
Alan simply took the initiative to speak up, helping his old friend.
"Felin, do you believe in love?"
"Ah? This..."
Felin scratched his head, bewildered.
"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
"Are you and Olivia in love?"
Alan went straight to the point.
Felin's face was embarrassment.
Under his gaze, he had no choice but to tell the truth.
"We're in love... I'm afraid not."
"I just have a crush on her."
Felin sighed, his eyes forlorn, his self-esteem barely concealed.
"I like Olivia, but unfortunately, she doesn't seem to have any feelings for me. She just sees me as a friend."
"You haven't confessed to her yet?" Allen asked softly.
Felin shook his head sheepishly.
"Brother, I'm actually not very good at pursuing girls."
Alan's voice was low, sincere.
"Just some theoretical advice, just take it for what it is."
"What if Olivia likes you, but is shy and too embarrassed to confess? Will you two just keep wasting time?"
"I think if you like someone, you should be bold enough to say it. Even if you're rejected, it's better than regretting it later."
"Be a man, take the initiative. It's not that hard!"
Fei Lin glanced at him and said angrily:
"You don't know how to pursue girls, boy?"
"That's right. It's always the girls who pursue you!"
"What you said is true. I understand everything."
"But when it happens to me, it's not so simple."
"The gap between Olivia and me in terms of family background and talent is too huge."
"My griffin bloodline caps out at the late third stage."
"Olivia is younger than me, but her cultivation is higher."
"The gap between us will only widen in the future."
"To be honest, I know I'm not worthy of her."
"If I don't confess, we can still be friends."
"If we break that window paper, we can't even be friends anymore!"
Alan easily understood Feilin's anguish.
Seeing Olivia fall further and further behind, he couldn't help but feel inferior.
"Alan, do you remember when we were in college?"
"The day Angel married into the Randolph family, he hosted a banquet for our old classmates."
"We went to the banquet excitedly, but ended up being severely humiliated by Pamela."
"From that day on, I realized how strong the barrier between the poor and the wealthy is!"
"Olivia's family background is not much worse than Pamela's."
"I come from a humble family and don't have Angel's incredible talent. Why should I pursue a young lady from an aristocratic family?"
Felin put his hands in his pockets, his eyes lost in thought.
"To be honest, if Olivia accepted my confession, I would be even more miserable."
"Why?" Alan wondered.
"Because I can't bear to see Olivia suffer with me."
"Think about it, a rich girl like her, even if she's willing to marry, will her parents and family elders agree?"
"Olivia is a simple yet stubborn girl."
"Once she's convinced of a truth, she'll stick to it."
"If she falls out with her family for me, how can I bear it?!"
"If I don't mind her enduring this pressure, it only means I don't love her at all. I only love my own vanity."
Fei Lin sighed and said quietly:
"I don't expect to win Olivia's heart. I just hope she lives a better life than me and marries a good man of equal status. I'll also silently offer my blessing."