How can you become stronger if you don't build up bonds?

"Meow... sparkling water... hum... little cake... I want to eat it..."

Lillian fell asleep hugging the doll Lin Wei had specially made for her, talking in her sleep one sentence after another.

She's homesick...

On the other side, Shuliya also fell asleep after Lin Wei's repeated requests. She closed her eyes and leaned on Lin Wei's shoulder with a satisfied smile on her face.

Standing in the very center of such a heartwarming scene, Lin Wei was in a very good mood.

If only there weren't any mad blood rats around.

Lin Wei composed himself and continued to study the rat extermination plan in depth.

[Target: Mad Blood Rat]

[Level: 13]

HP: 653/679

[MP: 100/200]

This is the result Lin Wei obtained by using the [Panel Detection] function on the nearest Mad Blood Rat directly below.

Their level was higher than Lin Wei had imagined.

Normal blood rats rarely exceed level 5 because the magic circuits of such low-level monsters are basically not malleable.

However, the Mad Blood Rats can easily reach level 10 or higher, which indicates that the magic circuits within their bodies have undergone a fundamental mutation.

Indeed, this is the case. Take the mad blood rat that Lin Wei is currently probing as an example; the amount of blue energy in its body is constantly decreasing.

Since the Mad Blood Rats themselves do not possess spellcasting abilities, the principle behind their mana reduction should be the same as that of human body trainers—magic circuit amplification.

Human body trainers cannot freely use this amplification method at low levels; it can only be unconsciously activated in specific situations, such as when fighting for one's life.

What humans of the same level cannot easily do, the Mad Blood Rat has accomplished.

That can only mean one thing: these mutated mad blood rats are constantly in a state of overclocking and fighting for their lives.

This prolonged state of life-or-death struggle is completely inconsistent with the survival logic of living organisms.

The Mad Blood Rat must have paid a huge price in other ways.

Lin Wei considered this information crucial; the question was how to utilize it.

Regarding rat extermination, Lin Wei summarized two major difficulties.

First, we must reduce pollution; second, we must leave no stone unturned.

Shuliya did a good job in reducing pollution. As a senior nature mage, she knew very well that the bodily fluids of the Mad Blood Rat would pollute the land, so she used "strangulation" to kill them all, which meant directly severing their necks.

Lin Wei also considered using the power of creativity to replicate Shuliya's attack methods, but after trying it, he found that the plan was not feasible.

Lin Wei knew very little about Shuliya's vine-controlling magic; he had only seen her use it many times, and he was completely clueless about the underlying principles.

Hard copying is certainly usable, but the limited information provided by the prompts will lead to unbearable mana consumption; killing a single Mad Blood Rat Forest Guard will consume several hundred mana.

According to Green's estimate, there are still more than 500 mad blood rats roaming in this area.

Lillian and Shulia worked together to lure and kill more than 170 of them, which means there are still more than 300 Mad Blood Rats left.

Clearly, replicating Shuliya's method is not a viable option.

Lin Wei had to find another better solution.

Are there any targeted methods for extermination?

Lin Wei searched his mind for knowledge about the technology side of his past life.

Is there any concept of targeted infection?

Mad Blood Rats are social monsters; it would be great if they could form an infection chain that spreads from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred.

Technological testing typically aims to achieve this effect by working on the genetic level. Are there any alternatives to magical testing?

A magical loop?

Lin Wei shook his head. If Green had such a method, he would have used it long ago.

He's a master at manipulating magical circuits.

Then only the soul remains...

The spiritual realm has never been Green's forte.

Give it a try, what if it works?

If all else fails, Lin Wei will stay here with Lillian and Shuliya and use traditional methods to stall for another two days.

While Lin Wei may not excel offensively, he is absolutely unparalleled in defense and logistics.

If you want to use methods at the soul level, you can't do without one person—the idiot Mao Tina.

Lin Wei has already released this person two days ago.

But Lin Wei did not forget her.

The first thing I did after waking up this morning was check her location and condition.

Judging from the panel, Tina is in good condition; the disease debuff on her body is gone, and her health has returned to full.

She's still in that forest. With her abilities, she could easily live alone for two days. There's plenty of food to eat in that forest too.

As for why she didn't come back sooner, Lin Wei guessed that she was unsure whether her illness was fully cured, which was why she dared not venture into the territory of Scar Town.

Tina possesses certain soul techniques, and these techniques are more offensive, which is why Lin Wei considered using the soul side to exterminate the rats.

Go find her.

Lin Wei made his decision.

"Shuliya." Lin Wei gently touched Shuliya's face, knowing that Shuliya was a light sleeper.

"Your Highness, shall we leave...?" Shuliya sensed Lin Wei's intention.

"Okay, I'll leave for a little while and go find Tina."

"oh oh..."

Upon hearing that she was going to find Tina, Shuliya felt relieved.

"Keep sleeping. The barrier and the sofa can last a long time."

"Um..."

After giving Shuliya a final, light kiss on her pink lips, Lin Wei stepped out of the tempered glass shelter he had created.

……

The woods south of Scar Town.

Tina bit hard into the wild fruit in her hand, her wine-red eyes filled with bitterness and grievance.

"It doesn't taste good..."

She has been eating wild fruits and vegetables for two days in a row.

With her magic power locked by Lin Wei, she couldn't even start a fire, and even if she could hunt, she couldn't cook the prey properly.

"How much longer are they going to leave me hanging... I'm already fully recovered..."

Even if Lin Wei didn't come, Lady Luya should have come by now...

Could it be... that Lin Wei has really...?

Tina didn't continue speaking, but instead scratched her recently washed, silver-gray hair in frustration.

For the past two days, she has been subconsciously avoiding this thought.

The two explosions that day were terrifying!

Assuming she hadn't run away beforehand, given the power of the explosion, even if she had hidden in the shadows, she would have been blown to smithereens.

Whenever she thinks about this, Tina pats her chest, glad that she ran far enough.

Then, she would unconsciously recall what Lin Wei had done at the time.

Tina couldn't help but think that Lin Wei was responsible for both of those terrifying explosions.

Because he had already blown it up once before, and that Kui Long even said it was a sixth-order elemental storm.

What was he trying to do? Was he going to take the enemy down with him?

Tina only remembers that she was almost furious at the time. That bastard Lin Wei actually said that she was a pervert who wanted to peep at his naked body.

But at the time, I clearly wanted to stand by and support him, to see if I could help in any way.

This is absolutely ungrateful behavior.

It wasn't until those two massive explosions occurred that Tina belatedly realized what was happening.

Lin Wei seemed to be telling me to run away from him by saying that.

Coupled with his previous act of self-harm to transfer his magical power, Tina thought about it more and more and felt that everything he did was selfless.

How could this happen...?

He's clearly a demon...

The worst, most wicked demon in the world...

How could a demon do such a thing...?

Every time Tina thought about this, she didn't want to think about it anymore.

Because the next step would only involve determining whether Lin Wei is alive or dead.

But when she first thought about this problem, her thinking was seriously flawed.

Tina found herself not really wanting Lin Wei to die in the explosion!

The thought that I might never see his face again makes me a little sad.

Conversely, the thought of the possibility that he might be alive actually makes me happy.

This is incredible!

Could it be that I've been bewitched by him without even realizing it?

No, that can't be true.

It must be because of something else, because of Luya, because of Laura, because of the food and lodging he provided!

As long as he is alive, I can continue to eat and drink for free in the Duke's mansion, live in the best house, and sleep in the best bed.

Yes, that must be it!

So damn Lin Wei, don't die yet. When I want to kill you and have the chance to kill you, then it won't be too late for you to die...

……

Last night, Tina had a dream.

Her dream was filled with the thought-provoking question Lin Wei had given her.

How should we judge a demon that dies before it even has a chance to do anything evil...?

"So annoying!"

Tina angrily threw the unfinished wild fruit in her hand far away.

"Flap flap flap—"

A flapping sound came from above.

"I didn't throw it that way, why are you flapping your wings—!"

Tina cursed at the sky. There were always a few annoying birds in this forest that kept her from sleeping peacefully at night.

Huh?

Tina's outburst suddenly stopped.

These don't seem to be the birds that disturbed her sleep.

The sound of those wings flapping is so loud!

Tina looked wary and hid behind a large tree.

"Don't hide, Tina. Keep going forward, I'll wait for you outside the woods."

A very familiar male voice came from above.

That was... Lin Wei's voice!

He was riding on the back of a giant wind eagle.

He's not dead!!

Tina's jewel-like eyes unconsciously began to sparkle.

But immediately, she closed her eyes and shook her head.

I'm not happy that he's alive at all.

I'm just happy that I can eat well and sleep well!

Tina ran quickly forward and arrived at the edge of the woods in less than five minutes.

Lin Wei was sitting on a large rock waiting for her.

"Are you alright, Tina?"

Lin Wei looked Tina up and down. Apart from her clothes being a little dirty and her hair being a little out of shape, there was nothing unusual about her.

Conversely, Tina was also checking Lin Wei to see if he was missing any limbs.

Hmm... you're completely unharmed, that's amazing.

"You've finally come. I thought you'd forgotten about me..."

Tina's words came out unconsciously, and it wasn't until she saw Lin Wei's surprised yet amused expression that she realized the problem.

Tina suddenly covered her mouth.

—What was I just saying?!

—What's she trying to do with that coquettish tone?!

Tina's face flushed, not from shyness, but from a combination of shame and anger.

Lin Wei forced a smile, but in that instant he understood why Tina was acting this way.

"Wait a minute, what did you do to Luya?!"

After the temperature had been rising for several seconds, Tina finally realized what was wrong.

She had subconsciously mistaken Lin Wei for Luya.

It wasn't that she had developed hysteria from eating wild fruits and vegetables for a few days, but rather that Lin Wei really did have a very strong Luya scent!

This feeling isn't about smell or taste, but a sensation on a spiritual level!

Only a strong sense of closeness at the soul level would make Tina say those words unconsciously.

"Luya's fine, she's missing you."

The telepathic dialogue between Lin Wei and Luya transcends distance. As soon as Lin Wei saw Tina, he shared the information about this place with Luya, who was helping the surrounding villagers rebuild their houses.

"Something's wrong! You must have done something to her!"

Tina was anxious; she really couldn't accept that Luya's scent had transferred to Lin Wei.

"Luya saved me, and our bond is stronger than ever before. I am the greater beneficiary."

The Chain of Hearts copied all of Luya's attributes to Lin Wei, including her soul connection with Tina.

Because this soul connection was forcibly copied, Lin Wei couldn't completely control Tina like Luya could.

But its influence is real, and Tina's "love rating" is the best proof of that.

The adoration value, which originally flashed at most at 0, is now fluctuating repeatedly between 0 and 50%.

"You bastard—" Tina didn't really understand what Lin Wei was saying, but she could sense that something bad was going to happen.

"That's true." Lin Wei rested his face in his hand, revealing his deepest helplessness and melancholy to Tina without any attempt to hide it.

"you..."

Seeing that Lin Wei had no intention of defending himself, Tina immediately fell silent.

She could sense that Lin Wei was being forced into this situation, and that he didn't want it to be this way either.

"You...you are not allowed to do anything excessive to me..." Tina's words lacked any confidence.

"After we get back this time, I'll unlock your magic lock. You can do the job of being a personal maid as you see fit, or it's fine if you don't want to. Just don't go too far when you go out for a stroll, and don't cause trouble outside. Try to come home at night, and spend more time with Laila when you have time. I won't interfere with anything else." Lin Wei said what he had already thought of.

"Huh?" Tina was stunned.

How did he suddenly become so good?

Those commands above... they're not even commands...

Why...?

"Because you have done a good job and gained my trust."

Tina's "Affection Value" gradually stabilized at around 25%.

As long as the "Affection Value" stat is greater than zero, the unit will never actively harm the "Bond Leader". This is the ironclad rule of the [Bond Leader System].

Therefore, Tina no longer needs any of the restrictions.

"Who needs your trust..." Tina retorted in a very low voice.

"Before I return to Fengdu, there's one more thing I need your help with."

Lin Wei explained the rampage of the Blood Rat and his idea of ​​eradicating the rats from the Soul Side.

"How could I possibly do that? Do you think I'm some kind of soul master? At most, I can help you kill a few of those rats." Tina shook her head vigorously.

This was an answer Lin Wei had expected; he had never hoped that Tina would complete this task independently.

"What I mean is, teach me all the soul techniques you know."

"no--!"

Tina flatly refused, how could she possibly pass on such a unique secret technique from her master to an outsider?

"Then use it on me. You don't need to go all out, just let me feel that sensation. I think you're not just limited to that extreme extermination technique from last time, are you?"

"this..."

Lin Wei's strong Luya scent made it impossible for Tina to lie.

"Why should I help you with something like this...?"

"Because I'll give you money. If I use a soul-type spell on you, I'll give you 10 large gold coins."

"The young master has been robbed—?!"

"Yes, you heard me right, 10, big gold coins—"

"You can't back out! Deal!!!"