In Martial Universe, Signed in at the Start with Yao Lao's Ring

Lin Dong felt a deep sense of disbelief regarding what had just happened.

Though he was only a beginner in the Symbol Master path and hadn't encountered a real mentor on his journey, Lin Dong still found Lin Yan's previous method extremely bizarre.

Because it completely defied common sense!

What Lin Yan had just done was akin to two martial practitioners fighting, and suddenly one side had their strength drastically suppressed by the other.

That feeling of sudden weakness and inability to exert any strength—either the opponent's strength vastly surpassed your own, causing you to be suppressed by their aura and unable to exert full strength, or you'd been injured or poisoned!

But at this moment, Lin Dong could clearly determine that Lin Yan's mental energy neither vastly surpassed his own, nor had Lin Dong himself been injured or poisoned.

Thus, it was quite intriguing why his mental energy had suddenly suffered such severe suppression.

"Brother Lin Yan, just now... what method did you use exactly?"

Full of astonishment, Lin Dong couldn't help asking Lin Yan.

As for Lin Yan, he didn't hide much from Lin Dong. He explained, "It's because of the effect of my Destiny Soul Symbol."

"Previously, didn't I lack a Destiny Soul Symbol? You also gave me a method to condense one."

"Originally, I intended to follow your method for condensation, but unexpectedly, I acquired another method for condensing the Destiny Soul Symbol, so I ended up using that."

"The suppression you felt in your mental energy just now was due to the effect of my Destiny Soul Symbol," Lin Yan told Lin Dong.

"There's actually such an overbearing Destiny Soul Symbol?" Lin Dong was utterly dumbfounded upon hearing this.

If he hadn't personally experienced such a thing, Lin Dong would've never believed it.

After all, it sounded far too absurd.

Unfortunately, it had truly and vividly happened to him, so Lin Dong had no choice but to believe it.

"Lin Yan, not only is your strength and talent heaven-defying, but even your opportunities are terrifyingly good."

"You can even acquire something like this; you're simply a child of destiny!"

Thinking about this, Lin Dong could only smile bitterly.

Lin Yan was already incredibly talented, yet he always obtained such powerful things—truly unfair.

"Right, Brother Lin Yan, could you let me see your Destiny Soul Symbol?"

Lin Dong quickly looked towards Lin Yan, speaking with anticipation. He naturally wanted to see what such a domineering Destiny Soul Symbol actually looked like.

"No problem."

Lin Yan smiled and nodded, then directly summoned out his Destiny Soul Symbol.

Instantly, a golden symbol appeared before Lin Yan.

Golden light radiated from this symbol, accompanied by an extremely ancient and profound aura.

Lin Dong stared blankly at the symbol.

Immediately after, he discovered that his own Destiny Soul Symbol, upon seeing Lin Yan's symbol, actually folded itself in half, as if bowing respectfully.

This completely stunned Lin Dong.

His own Destiny Soul Symbol was actually showing such reverence towards Lin Yan's Destiny Soul Symbol? As if a subject meeting a king—what exactly was going on here?

Lin Dong was utterly baffled and stood there for a long time, unable to recover.

Lin Yan smiled as he withdrew his symbol, then patted Lin Dong's shoulder and said, "It's a pity you've already condensed your Destiny Soul Symbol, so mine is of no use to you now."

Lin Dong could only smile bitterly.

He never expected that cultivating too fast would make him miss such an opportunity.

After this, Lin Dong quickly handed over the secret Mental Energy technique he had obtained from Gu Ying to Lin Yan.

Though Lin Dong was extremely envious of Lin Yan's Chaos Symbol, he knew that it wasn't fated to be his. Since that was the case, he didn't force it.

Yet this would not affect his relationship with Lin Yan; thus, he still handed over what he intended to give.

Lin Dong soon said his goodbyes and left.

As for Lin Yan, he began examining this secret Mental Energy technique Lin Dong had given him.

Through the brief description provided above, Lin Yan learned that this was a normal Mental Energy Secret Technique.

Secret Techniques, like martial arts, also had their own rankings.

Among them, the lowest level was the Common/Normal Grade.

Although this mental secret technique was only Common Grade, it was still better than nothing. Compared to randomly manipulating Mental Energy to confront enemies, learning a corresponding secret technique was obviously more effective.

Therefore, Lin Yan was not picky.

He quickly began to practice this Spirit Needle.

However, Mental Secret Spirit Techniques were inherently different from normal martial arts, and practicing them consumed significantly more Mental Energy.

After a full day of continuous, high-intensity mental training, Lin Yan felt somewhat tired.

So he simply went out for a stroll. It had been quite some time since he had gone out, and this was also a good opportunity to relax a bit.

However, Lin Yan hadn't walked far before he ran into Lin Xia.

"Lin Yan, why is it you?"

After seeing Lin Yan, Lin Xia was slightly startled.

It had been quite a while since they last talked. It wasn't because they had any conflicts, but simply because the gap between them was getting wider.

In the past, when Lin Yan's strength was comparable to hers, Lin Xia felt no pressure, laughing and joking whenever they met.

But as his strength rapidly rose to Heavenly Yuan Stage, Yuan Dan stage, and even became strong enough to kill Lei Bao and Xie Qian, becoming the strongest person in the Lin Family... Lin Xia felt an increasing amount of pressure whenever she faced him.

Thus, recently, she had been intentionally or unintentionally avoiding Lin Yan.

"Oh, Lin Xia, you're also out for a walk! What? Are you unhappy seeing me? What's with that expression?"

Lin Yan's attitude was the same as always. Although his strength had increased significantly, his heart remained unchanged when facing his friends.

"Haha, how could I be unhappy? It's just that seeing you nowadays, I feel a bit complicated," Lin Xia replied somewhat awkwardly.

Seeing this, Lin Yan understood her thoughts.

He sighed softly, stepped forward, gave Lin Xia a gentle hug, and then said, "Lin Xia, we've known each other for many years. I've always regarded you as a good friend."

"That was the case before, and it will always remain that way. But if you feel pressured facing me now, you don't have to force yourself. Still, I won't forget our friendship. If you ever need anything, feel free to find me."

After saying this, Lin Yan released Lin Xia and quickly walked away.

Lin Xia watched Lin Yan's departing figure. Tears silently trickled down her cheeks, but she chuckled lightly and scolded, "Hmph, that little brat, he's really good at acting cool!"

Wiping away her tears, Lin Xia entered a noodle shop nearby and directly ordered two bowls, "Boss, give me two bowls! I'm going to eat my heart out!"

----

Lin Dong was also training diligently.

Ever since receiving the blow from Lin Yan, Lin Dong had become even more motivated to train hard.

Today, Lin Dong was still in the mysterious space of the Stone Talisman, practicing the Qimen Seal.

However, at this moment, he suddenly discovered another presence within the mysterious space.

This was...

A mouse?