Patience and Reflection
The news of the shop's destruction and Finn's serious injury was like the final, heavy boulder thrown into the already turbulent abyss of public opinion in Academy City. However, contrary to the thunderous rage or bloody retaliation that many had anticipated, Ling Yao, at the center of the storm, displayed an inexplicable calm.
Upon receiving the news, she remained silent for a moment, the chilling aura around her dissipating as she returned to her usual calm. She didn't immediately rush out of the place where she was being held to confront Silas or the thugs, nor did she utter a single word to the trembling academy staff who came to report the news.
This unusual calm only made those closely watching her reaction more uneasy. Especially Inquisitor Silas, who had long been prepared for any fierce resistance, even secretly setting traps for Ling Yao to walk right into. However, her complete inaction left him with a frustrating feeling, like punching empty air, and further convinced him—this heretic was cunning and ambitious!
A few days later, thanks to Professor Eleanor's strong mediation and assurances, Finn, whose injuries had stabilized somewhat, was allowed to visit Ling Yao at her temporary residence in a wheelchair.
Upon seeing Ling Yao again, Finn almost burst into tears again. His head was still bandaged, his face pale, and his ribs throbbed as he spoke, his voice trembling with sobs and immense guilt: "Miss Ling… I'm so sorry… It's all my fault… I couldn't protect the shop… All the medicine you painstakingly refined, and the notes, they…"
Ling Yao's gaze fell on Finn's bandaged forehead and his chest, which he clearly dared not exert any force, and her eyes flickered slightly. She walked up to Finn, extended her finger, and a faint, vibrant emerald green light gathered at her fingertip, gently touching his forehead and chest.
A gentle, mellow life force, far surpassing any of Eleanor's healing potions, instantly surged into Finn's body, nourishing his damaged bones and internal organs. A tingling sensation spread from the wound on his forehead, the pain quickly subsided, and even his breathing became much smoother.
"The shop is no big deal." Ling Yao withdrew her finger, her tone indifferent. "As long as no one is hurt, that's fine."
This brief moment of comfort and the immediate therapeutic effect brought Finn to the brink of tears, which streamed down his face—not from sadness, but from deep gratitude. Even at a time like this, Miss Ling's primary concern was still his injury!
“But…but they’re bullying us so much!” Finn wiped away his tears, gritting his teeth. “That bastard Silas! And those ungrateful idiots! Are we just going to let this go? You’re so powerful, if only you…”
Finn didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear. With Ling Yao's unpredictable and treacherous methods, if she wanted revenge, probably no one in the entire academy city could stop her.
Ling Yao shook her head. She walked to the window and looked at the meticulously manicured courtyard outside, which exuded an invisible sense of oppression.
“Revenge, easy.” She spoke slowly, her voice still calm, yet carrying a detached indifference born of worldly wisdom. “And then?”
Finn was taken aback: "And then...and then they got scared! And they didn't dare mess with us anymore!"
“After fear comes a deeper dread, a more intense hatred.” Ling Yao turned around, her gaze clear, as if she could see into the deepest darkness of people’s hearts. “The root has not been removed.”
She came into this world not to wreak havoc or to become a king. Her initial goal was simple—to regain her strength and find her way home. Later, she also had an added side benefit—to gather resources and make a living.
Silas's hostility and the people's fear stem from a complete lack of understanding of her power structure and the immense insecurity arising from this unknown. Violent suppression might bring temporary submission, but it cannot eliminate this deep-seated fear and rejection. Instead, it will solidify her reputation as an "evil heretic," provoking an even stronger backlash and potentially affecting those associated with her, such as Finn and Eleanor.
This is not in her best interest, and it's too much trouble.
Moreover, the greatest truths are the simplest, and the highest good is like water. Sometimes, the strongest power does not come from destruction, but from understanding and control.
“They don’t understand my power.” Ling Yao looked at Finn, a thoughtful glint in her eyes. “Therefore, I fear.”
"Then... what should we do?" Finn seemed to understand but not quite.
“Let him solve it.” Ling Yao gave an unexpected answer.
"Solve?" Finn's eyes widened. "How? They can't understand it at all! Just like Professor Eleanor, she's studied it for so long and she's still completely baffled!"
“The direction may be wrong.” Ling Yao walked to the desk, which was piled with books and notes on basic magic theory that Eleanor had previously sent her. She picked up a book called “The Principle of Basic Elemental Resonance” at random.
"To make someone understand me, you must first understand why they are who they are." She turned the pages of the book, her eyes quickly scanning the complex formulas and models. "Only by knowing the rules can one transcend, can one...integrate."
At that moment, Finn vaguely felt that Miss Ling seemed to be exuding an aura he had never seen before—it was neither the sharpness of battle nor the indifference of ordinary days, but rather a kind of… similar to the focus and wisdom of a great scholar when he was deep in thought.
Ling Yao decided to try a different approach.
Since it's impossible to directly make the other party understand the "Tao" and "principles" of the cultivation system, then start with the "rules" that they can understand. Deeply understand the magical nature of this world, comprehend the basic logic of its energy operation, and then find a way to interpret and demonstrate your power using a "language" that they can understand or at least accept.
This is not submission, but another form of "indoctrination" and "conquest".
As a result, Ling Yao's life rhythm underwent a subtle change in the days that followed. She reduced the time she spent simply absorbing magic cores and instead immersed herself in those magic theory books that she had once regarded as "crude and primitive".
Professor Eleanor was overjoyed upon learning of Ling Yao's new move. Ignoring external pressure and criticism, she immediately became Ling Yao's "exclusive magical theory advisor," visiting her almost daily. The two, one teaching diligently (though often left questioning her life choices), and the other learning intently (and occasionally posing questions that shattered Eleanor's worldview), formed a peculiar harmony.
Ling Yao's learning speed and comprehension ability are terrifying. Those obscure and difficult magical models and laws are quickly dismantled, absorbed, and reconstructed in the face of her powerful spiritual analysis and cross-disciplinary knowledge. She can often pinpoint the flaws or limitations of a theoretical system with incisive insight, and can also put forward conjectures from completely different angles that leave Eleanor speechless yet vaguely feel that they are profoundly meaningful.
No longer content with merely understanding the surface, she began to delve into the origins of magic: What is the essence of elemental energy? How does mental power work? Why can spells and magic circles invoke rules? How does the fundamental framework of this world differ from that of the cultivation world?
This in-depth exploration even helped Eleanor break down many of her preconceived notions, broadening and deepening her perspective on magic. She felt as if she weren't teaching a visitor from another world, but rather engaging in a cross-world academic dialogue with a wise and unfathomable pioneer!
In addition to her studies and research, Ling Yao also began to try some new things.
Instead of directly using her divine power, she tried to mobilize the elemental energy of this world, imitating the spellcasting methods of magicians to complete some of the simplest spells, such as condensing a small water ball or igniting a small cluster of flames.
The process didn't go smoothly at first. The energy of this world was too active and "noisy," far removed from the celestial power she was used to controlling with ease. But she possessed unparalleled control and learning ability, and soon she was able to manipulate the elements with the precision of the most outstanding magicians, even more effortlessly and without any trace of artifice.
She also tried to use the materials of this world, combined with her understanding of "medicinal properties" and certain techniques of magical alchemy, to concoct some "potions" with similar effects but more in line with the locals' understanding.
She even began to wonder if she could represent some of the simplest runes in the form of magic circles. Although the power might be greatly reduced, at least the people of this world could understand how they worked.
She did all of this quietly and without fanfare.
The storm of public opinion surrounding her continues, the court's underhanded tactics have never ceased, and the college's guards remain. But in that quiet little building, a silent revolution that could potentially change the perceptions of two worlds is quietly brewing.
Ling Yao, like the most patient hunter, temporarily sheathed her sharpness and lay in wait, not to avoid danger, but to gain a deeper understanding of the hunting grounds and the habits of her prey, so as to plan the most perfect strike.
She is learning, thinking, and preparing.
We're going to end this boring farce in a way that the world can understand.
The first to feel this change was Finn, who was finally able to walk. When he saw Ling Yao casually condense a water sphere from the air into an incredibly pure water sphere that even carried a slightly cool and sweet scent to quench his thirst, he was so surprised that his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
"Miss Ling...you...you can use magic?!"
Ling Yao looked at the water sphere, tilted her head slightly, seemingly examining her own work, and finally commented calmly:
"The application of energy, though varied, remains fundamentally the same."
"It's just that the method is a bit noisy."
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