Douluo Continent: I can overdraft the future in advance

Three days later, Luo Yun and Master Fang returned to Wuyun City.

"Master Fang, you should go back and rest first," Luo Yun said. "I can go home by myself."

Master Fang glanced at him and nodded: "Come to the shop as usual tomorrow afternoon."

Luo Yun was taken aback. Master Fang's health condition indicated he needed a good rest; he had thought he would need to rest for a few days.

"You haven't mastered your second-tier heater yet," Master Fang said, turning and leaving.

Luo Yun watched his figure disappear around the street corner, then carried her bag home.

---

At his doorstep, Luo Xing was pacing back and forth in the yard.

Seeing Luo Yun turn the corner, he was taken aback at first, then rushed over in three steps, grabbed Luo Yun's shoulder, and looked him up and down.

"You're back? Are you injured? Did you get the spirit ring? Where's Master Fang? Why didn't he come back with you?"

A barrage of questions came at Luo Yun, and before he could answer, Lin Shi ran out of the house, her eyes red-rimmed, and looked him up and down while holding his hand.

"Mom, I'm fine," Luo Yun said. "I got the spirit ring. Master Fang went back first. He was a little injured, but it's not serious."

Luo Xing frowned: "Master Fang is injured?"

"We encountered a spirit beast on the way, and Master Fang blocked it for us," Luo Yun said casually. "It wasn't serious; he'll be fine after a few days of rest."

He didn't mention the ice falcon or the fact that the two of them almost died on the ice field, to avoid worrying his parents.

Luo Xing nodded, not asking any further questions, and simply patted Luo Yun on the shoulder: "It's good that you're back. Come on, let's go inside and eat."

---

At the dinner table, Luo Yun told his parents about his second spirit ring.

He activated his Martial Soul, and two spirit rings slowly rotated around him. The first ring was a normal yellow. The second ring—the outer ring was deep yellow, and the inner ring was dark purple; as the spirit rings rotated, the purple color flickered in and out.

Luo Xing stared at the spirit ring, his chopsticks hovering in mid-air.

"What is this?"

"A near-thousand-year soul ring," Luo Yun said. "The Ice Crystal Grass, over nine hundred years old, combined with a bit of luck, has become what it is now. Its power is close to that of a thousand-year soul ring."

Luo Xing put down his wine glass, looked at Luo Yun, and his tone suddenly became serious.

"Yoona, Master Fang's influence on you goes beyond simply teaching you a skill."

Luo Yun did not respond.

"He traveled all the way from Wuyun City to the far north to accompany you in your search for the Soul Ring, and he even got injured in the process," Luo Xing said. "This favor can't be repaid with money."

He paused, then looked at Luo Yun: "What do you plan to do?"

Luo Yun was silent for a moment, then said, "I want to become your apprentice."

"Aren't you already his student?"

"Not just a student," Luo Yun said, "but a master. A proper apprenticeship, the kind where you go through the formal apprenticeship ceremony."

Luo Xing looked at him without saying a word.

"Master Fang taught me for two years, from the most basic forging to engraving magic arrays, and now he's accompanied me to the far north," Luo Yun said. "He doesn't say it, but the things he's done are something I'll remember for a lifetime."

Luo Xing nodded and stood up from his chair.

"Okay," he said.

He walked to the cabinet, pulled out a piece of red cloth, and took out several items from it—some spiritual herbs, a complete set of soul tool tools, several pieces of high-quality soul metal, and a jar of fine wine he had brought back from outside.

"Is that enough?" he asked Luo Yun.

Luo Yun looked at the things on the table and nodded.

That's enough.

---

The next morning, Luo Yun went to Master Fang's shop with his father.

The shop door was open, and Master Fang was tidying up inside. His injury hadn't fully healed, so his movements were a bit slow, but he was already able to move around normally.

Luo Xing stopped at the door and cleared his throat: "Master Fang."

Master Fang looked up and saw Luo Xing and Luo Yun coming over together, and was stunned for a moment.

"Boss Luo? What's up?"

Luo Xing didn't say anything, but gave Luo Yun a push. Luo Yun stepped forward, stood in front of Master Fang, and then bowed respectfully.

"Master Fang, I would like to become your apprentice."

Master Fang stopped.

He glanced at Luo Yun, then at Luo Xing, and remained silent for a few seconds.

"Aren't you already learning?" His tone was still the same old one. "What's the difference between praying and not praying?"

"There is a difference," Luo Yun said. "I've studied under you for two years, and you've never held back a single thing you taught me. This trip to the far north was also a great favor. If I didn't even call you my master, I would be a terrible person."

Master Fang's lips twitched, as if he wanted to say something, but then he swallowed it back.

"Master Fang," Luo Xing spoke up, "Yun'er is right. I know what you've taught him these past two years. You were injured on this trip to the far north, and although he didn't tell me the details, I know it was serious. This favor can't be repaid with money."

He placed the things in his hands on the table—metal, medicinal herbs, tools, and wine.

Master Fang stared at the things on the table and remained silent for a long time.

"Get up." Master Fang's voice was a little hoarse.

Luo Yun straightened up.

Master Fang looked at him with a different expression than usual. It wasn't a cold, scrutinizing gaze, but something indescribable—like relief, or something else entirely.

"Fine, I'll become your apprentice then," he said, "but let me make this clear from the start. I have a bad temper, and I won't hold back when I teach. If you can't stand it, you're free to leave anytime."

Luo Yun smiled and said, "It's been two years. I'm used to it by now."

Master Fang snorted, turned around, and put away the things on the table.

"Alright, that's enough. You've finished your prayers." He looked at Luo Xing. "Boss Luo, you can take him with you now. Come to class as usual tomorrow afternoon."

Luo Xing nodded, patted Luo Yun on the shoulder, and turned to walk out.

As they reached the door, Luo Yun suddenly spoke up: "Father, you should go back first. I have a few words I'd like to say to Master."

Luo Xing glanced back at him, didn't ask any more questions, nodded and left.

Only Luo Yun and Master Fang remained in the shop.

As Master Fang was putting his tools on the shelf, he asked without turning his head, "What's the matter?"

Luo Yun walked to his side, took out a small cloth bag from his pocket, and opened it. Inside was that thin, cicada-wing-like, ice-blue bone—an external soul bone.

Master Fang stopped.

"Why did you take this out?"

"Master, please absorb it."

Master Fang turned around, stared at Luo Yun, his brows furrowed tightly.

"What did you say?"

"You absorb this external soul bone." Luo Yun repeated, "Your martial soul is the Moon Wolf. Although it's not ice-attribute, this soul bone will most likely grant you flight ability, making it a versatile choice."

Master Fang stared at him for several seconds, then shook his head.

"No. This soul bone is ice-attribute, and it's a perfect match for your martial soul. If you absorb it, it will be of far greater help to your future than it would to me."

"Master," Luo Yun interrupted him, "you're over forty this year. You're level thirty-seven, stuck for several years. Although this soul bone can't directly increase your soul power, it can give you the ability to fly and additional defensive measures."

Master Fang didn't speak. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and the muscles in his jaw were taut.

"Moreover," Luo Yun continued, "I'm only ten years old. A ten-year-old two-ring Soul Master, plus a near-thousand-year Soul Ring, plus the evolution of my Martial Soul. I'll have plenty of opportunities in the future."

Master Fang remained silent for a long time.

"You little rascal." Master Fang's voice was very low, almost inaudible.

He didn't reach out to take the soul bone, but he also didn't say anything more about refusing.

Luo Yun placed the soul bone on the table and pushed it in front of Master Fang.

"Master, please accept it. Besides, didn't you say I was a genius? I'm sure I'll have talent in the future too."

Master Fang stared at the bone for a long time. Then he reached out, picked up the soul bone, and held it in his palm.

"Okay," he said, his voice a little hoarse. "I'll take it."