In the morning, under bright sunlight, two young people stood by the road, a man and a woman.
The boy was handsome and dashing, while the girl was youthful and beautiful. Unfortunately, no one was around to watch them.
Su Qingwei clasped her hands behind her back, blinked her beautiful Phoenix Eyes, and said, “Lin Hao, when will you return to Guicheng?”
Lin Hao answered honestly, “I should return for a few days when I submit university application preferences.”
Su Qingwei smiled and said, “All right. We’ll go together then. I don’t know how to submit university application preferences.”
Lin Hao turned his head to the side and said, “It’s still a little early to talk about that. You should go.”
Seeing that no one else was nearby, Su Qingwei leaned close to his ear and lowered her voice. “What, are you trying to drive me away? You stole my first kiss. This matter isn’t over!”
As she spoke, she gnashed her teeth. She could not forget what had happened.
Even now, whenever she brought it up, her eyes still blazed with anger.
Sensing the girl’s killing intent, Lin Hao took a step back and said, “What do you want?”
Su Qingwei looked at him and said, “I don’t want anything in particular. That depends on you.”
Lin Hao sighed. “All right, we’ll talk about it then. I’ll compensate you. Do you want money or your life?”
“What kind of person do you take me for?”
The corners of Su Qingwei’s lips lifted, and a beautiful smile spread across her lovely face. Even her eyes curved into crescent moons.
As they were about to say something else, someone poked his head out of a nearby car and said, “Little Su, let’s go back.”
That person was a close friend of Su Qingwei’s father, so she had come by hitching a ride. She would have to take the same car back.
Su Qingwei gave Lin Hao a deep look and said, “I hope you earn enough to cover your tuition and living expenses. Then you’ll be able to enjoy university.”
Lin Hao nodded. “Thank you. I will.”
After saying this, Su Qingwei got into the car and waved at Lin Hao.
This time, they showed no emotion and shed no tears. They were only ordinary friends saying goodbye.
Lin Hao watched Su Qingwei leave in silence, his heart undisturbed.
Lin Hao gave serious thought to the girl’s comment about earning enough for tuition. He had earned enough to cover it long ago.
Now, Lin Hao had a greater goal. He wanted to earn at least one hundred thousand yuan.
During this Summer Vacation, he was determined to earn one hundred thousand yuan.
Before becoming a university student, he had to cover his own tuition and living expenses.
To him, continuing to ask mom for money was humiliating.
When Lin Hao returned, he had not yet reached the orchard when he saw Lin Yaoyang hurrying over to find him. He could not help asking, “Uncle Lin, what happened?”
Lin Yaoyang wiped away his sweat and said, “Come with me. The village chief wants to see you!”
They went together to find the village chief.
It turned out that the village chief had already gathered the villagers at the place where the she tree stood.
The she tree before them was not tall. It was a pine tree, but its shape was excellent. Its crown spread out like the many palms of an immortal.
Unfortunately, lightning struck the She Tree, and it was now on the verge of dying.
Lin Hao stepped forward to examine its condition and could not help frowning.
The village chief asked, “Lin Hao, what’s wrong?”
Lin Hao said, “Judging from its condition, there are already many termites beneath the tree. There must be a termite nest.”
An elder spoke up. “Do you have any way to deal with it?”
The system said, “quest: Heal the she tree and receive a reward!”
Another quest?
Hearing the system’s response, he was slightly delighted.
Lin Hao said with confidence, “Of course I have a way.”
The village chief thought Lin Hao was hesitating because he had not explained the payment, so he promised, “Don’t worry. If you heal the She Tree, we’ll give you fifty thousand yuan. Each household will contribute five hundred.”
Gasp!
Fifty thousand yuan?
That much?
Lin Hao had never seen a large sum of money. The village chief’s words moved him, and he resolved to complete the task for that huge reward!
Immediately, he told them to bring water over. As long as there was water, it would be fine.
The Rain-Bringing Technique required water because Lin Hao could not yet release Spiritual Power across a wide area.
After reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, he would no longer need water and could bring down rain directly.
In front of all the villagers, Lin Hao began watering the she tree.
Lin Yaoyang watched his movements, unable to understand them.
Could Lin Hao also be a con artist?
But there was no explanation for how he could deceive so many people.
Unable to figure it out, Lin Yaoyang could only continue watching.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Lin Hao first used Frost Qi to deal with the insects in the tree and the Termites underground.
As the seconds passed, everyone could see many insects crawling out of the she tree.
This was exactly what had happened before!
Everyone’s eyes lit up. The scene matched that day’s exactly, proving the technique was working.
“It’s happening at last.”
“So many insects.”
“This is perfectly normal. The She Tree is practically dead. Its Tree Trunk is full of insects.”
“These insects will hollow out the She Tree, and the wind will eventually snap it.”
Everyone came from the village and understood how trees died.
Lin Yaoyang’s breathing grew heavy as he stared at Lin Hao. The boy possessed a steadiness far beyond his age.
Was he truly only eighteen?
How could an eighteen-year-old have learned a spell?
Lin Yaoyang could not understand it no matter how hard he thought.
The village chief revealed a smile. This was only the beginning; the exciting part was still to come. He looked forward to the revival of the she tree.
Many Termites crawled out of the ground, and the Termites eventually dragged out the Termite Queen as well.
This process lasted half an hour.
Seeing the plump Termite Queen, an Elder took it and said, “How dare you damage our She Tree? I’ll soak you in liquor.”
Another Elder laughed. “It’s nourishing. Do you dare drink it?”
The elder replied, “It’ll be the same if I give it to my son to drink.”
Lin Hao did not care in the slightest. It was only a termite queen, and it was useless to him.
The insects attracted many birds again. The birds treated the place as a dining table and kept feeding on them.
This strange phenomenon drew applause and cheers.
Lin Yaoyang was astonished. “Is that all? Can Lin Hao’s Spell drive away insects?”
The village chief stroked his long beard and said, “Keep watching. The exciting part is still to come.”
Under everyone’s gaze, Lin Hao began the second stage and used the Rain-Bringing Technique.
Strands of Mist formed around the She Tree and drifted into the surrounding area, making everyone feel as if they were in a Mortal-Realm Immortal’s paradise.
The effects of the Rain-Bringing Technique appeared.
Everyone was stunned. This was a true Spell; they could feel as if they were experiencing it firsthand.
The yellowing tree branches of the she tree turned green again. Crystal-clear dewdrops hung from them, and new buds began to sprout.
The She Tree’s main body had seemed dead, yet its bark split open and new buds grew from within.
These changes encouraged the villagers, who answered with a burst of cheers.
“It’s alive!”
“My heavens, the she tree has undergone Revival!”
“A miracle!”
“I’m seeing a spell again! How incredible!”
“I missed it last time, but this time I witnessed the entire process. Unbelievable.”
“Lin Hao isn’t an ordinary person. He knows spells; he’s a true master!”
Everyone was excited. Some shouted, some danced, and some hugged one another.
Lin Yaoyang was utterly dumbfounded. The She Tree had been certain to die, yet he had watched it come back to life before his eyes—an impossible feat made real.
At that moment, shock filled Lin Yaoyang’s eyes as he looked at Lin Hao again.
Lin Hao smiled faintly when he heard the System’s notification: Quest Completed.
The village chief smiled and said, “Very good, Lin Hao. You healed the She Tree, so we’ll give you fifty thousand yuan today.”
The revival of the she tree was a major event. They would slaughter a pig, hold a banquet, and treat Lin Hao to a grand feast.
One piece of good news followed another, but Lin Hao did not become carried away.
Lin Hao’s composure set him apart from his peers, and Lin Yaoyang felt he was destined for great things.
Lin Yaoyang regarded Lin Hao with newfound respect and said, “Lin Hao, you kept this hidden well!”
Lin Hao pleaded, “Uncle Lin, please don’t tell mom about this yet.”
Lin Yaoyang laughed heartily. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell your Mom. I’m no blabbermouth.”