Chapter 27: The Spatial Ring

Because time was tight and the task was pressing, Lin Xiao finally gritted his teeth and hailed a cab.

He found a shopping mall and began a frenzied spree. This time, Lin Xiao wasn't stingy—anything he thought he might need, he bought it all. He had no confidence at all regarding this journey into the secret realm. What would count as passing? How long would he have to stay inside? He knew nothing.

The unknown is always daunting, and following the principle of better safe than sorry, Lin Xiao spent wildly. By the time he finished, he had filled five large duffel sacks with his purchases. Had he been able to carry more, he would probably have kept buying.

Pleasant moments are always short-lived; when Lin Xiao returned to the nursing home, it was almost eleven o'clock. Old Zhang stared speechlessly at Lin Xiao, who was lugging five bulging sacks.

"Hey, Xiao Lin, are you moving out or something?"

Lin Xiao grinned sheepishly. The fact that he was soon to enter the secret realm was no secret in the nursing home.

"I just bought some necessities—stuff I think I might need, Brother Zhang. I still have things to do, so I won't chat now. Time's almost up."

With that, Lin Xiao hurried off. Carrying five heavy sacks at a brisk pace, he made Old Zhang sigh at the vigor of youth.

When Lin Xiao returned to his room, he found Sun Zhiyuan waiting for him. To his surprise, another elderly man was also present. The old man's features were sharply defined, as though carved by a blade. Among the elderly, he was strikingly handsome—clearly, he must have been a heartthrob in his youth.

Lin Xiao knew who he was: Murong Yu, a resident of the nursing home. Lin Xiao had only seen him a few times, but it was clear the other residents held him in high regard.

Yes—regard. Lin Xiao had been at the nursing home for a week and had learned a fair bit about the place. The elderly here treated each other as equals, often joking around. Only in Murong Yu's presence did everyone seem to restrain themselves.

"Brother Sun, I'm back. Brother Murong, you're here too."

Sun Zhiyuan looked at Lin Xiao, at a loss for words. What the heck had this kid been up to, coming back with so many things?

"What were you doing, bringing all this stuff back?"

Murong Yu said nothing, only nodded at Lin Xiao with a gentle smile.

"I'm about to go into the secret realm, right? I have no idea what I need, and it feels like I might need everything, so I just bought a bit more."

Sun Zhiyuan couldn't help but roll his eyes at Lin Xiao's explanation.

"You don't really think this is a vacation, do you? With all this stuff, if you run into a spirit beast in the secret realm, will you be able to run? All this is just a burden!"

"Don't worry, Brother! There's no rule against bringing things into the secret realm, right? Since I've already bought them, it would be a waste not to take them. And if I can't carry it all, I have my friends to help."

Sun Zhiyuan was momentarily at a loss for words. Lin Xiao was right—there were no rules against bringing things in this time, as long as there was nothing forbidden.

Sun Zhiyuan sighed. If the kid wanted to bring all this, so be it. Looking at the pile, he soon turned his gaze to Murong Yu.

"Brother Murong, sorry you had to see this—this kid is always so reckless."

Murong Yu smiled faintly. "It's fine. I actually find him quite interesting. At least he knows to be prepared."

"Heh, that's not quite what I meant. Brother Murong, this kid is our recommendation. Not many know about it, but a few do. When he goes out, he represents us. If he shows up with all these bags, won't that be embarrassing for us? So, maybe you could…"

Murong Yu looked at Sun Zhiyuan in surprise; he knew exactly what Sun Zhiyuan was getting at. Old Sun really did think highly of this kid.

He also knew a bit about Lin Xiao's situation, and the attitude of the old comrades in the home toward him. Most people now wanted Lin Xiao to stay. This journey to the secret realm would determine if he could truly remain.

Lin Xiao kept silent, realizing that Sun Zhiyuan was trying to secure him some benefits. At this moment, it was best to just watch quietly.

"Alright, since you've asked, I'll do you this favor."

"Many thanks, Brother Murong!"

Murong Yu said nothing more. He simply raised his hand, clenched his fist, and a sharp burst of sound rang out. Lin Xiao had the strange impression that the very air in the room trembled.

When he looked again, Murong Yu was holding what looked like a ring.

Lin Xiao: Huh? Was that a magic trick? His hand had clearly been empty a moment ago—how did a ring suddenly appear?

Murong Yu tossed the ring to Lin Xiao, who caught it hurriedly. It really was a ring. Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes. He didn't know what purpose the ring served, but he vaguely recalled that many of the elderly in the home had similar ones.

"Thank you, Brother Murong. Um…could you tell me what this ring is for?"

Lin Xiao was truly curious. Since Sun Zhiyuan had asked for it on his behalf, it must have a special use.

Murong Yu remained silent, but Sun Zhiyuan couldn't help but speak up.

"Do you know what a windfall you've just gotten? Figure out how to use it yourself. Just channel your spiritual energy into the ring."

Lin Xiao immediately did as instructed, sending his spiritual energy into the ring—and at once, he understood. As his energy flowed in, Lin Xiao sensed a space within.

The internal space measured several hundred square meters. Now Lin Xiao realized what it was: a spatial ring.

Spatial rings were exceedingly rare, the product of high-level spatial adepts compressing space itself. Spatial adepts were rare enough, let alone one who could create a ring with hundreds of square meters inside.

In his predecessor's memories, Lin Xiao recalled a news story: a spatial ring with only about ten square meters had fetched over ten million at auction.

He'd struck it rich!

In that moment, Lin Xiao also realized Murong Yu's true identity—a spatial ability user, and a high-level one at that!

"Thank you, Brother Murong. You're truly magnificent!"

Unable to resist, Lin Xiao started experimenting. With a single thought, he sent the duffel sacks into the ring; with another, they appeared again.

Nice!

"Alright, that's enough. Stop playing around. It's almost time. If I remember right, the gathering is at half past eleven."

Lin Xiao: Are you serious? Only half an hour left. Is there really enough time to get out of the city now?

It seemed like just leaving the city would take more than half an hour.