36 3.3 Zhang Chi

Gray and Su Lin walked to the edges of Crystal Forest. And, like system said, since it was extremely cold, there were very few beasts that they came upon.

"We're finally out." Gray said with a gruff voice. He then arched his back a dim glow surrounded him until he was fully shrouded.

Su Lin squinted his eyes from the glow until it was gone. What was left was a young man. He had short, white hair and tanned skin. He was already wearing black robes but it couldn't hide his bulging muscles. His eyes were light blue and were set in his chiseled face. In short, he was a fairly handsome man.

Su Lin looked him up and down as he took in his body, but he couldn't look for much longer before he felt a knock on the top of his head. Su Lin raised his front paw and rubbed his head as he glared up at the offender.

"What was that for?" he demanded as he acted aggrieved.

Gray smirked, "Though it does feel nice to be admired, I really don't go for little babies." He said, matching Su Lin with his shamelessness.

Su Lin's eyes grew wide with disbelief, not expecting him to say that.

"I'm not a baby." Su Lin spat, totally forgetting that he was in face technically a baby.

"Yes yes, you're not a baby." Gray cooed at him like a person would to appease a kid throwing a tantrum.

Su Lin paid him no mind and ignored him.

Gray chuckled and picked up the fox. He laid him down on top of his cloaked shoulder and proceeded out of the forest.

They traveled for a week before they could finally get out of the Frost Abyss. Stopping by the banks of a small lake, Gray taught Su Lin how to circulate the Qi around him and dantian.

"Close your eyes and ears and feel your surroundings. Gather up all the Qi in your vicinity. I will protect you while you do so." Gray instructed.

Su Lin obeyed him shut off all his senses and focused only on detecting the Qi swirling around him.

Su Lin took in slow and deep breathes as he relaxed his body. Feeling the energy around him, Su Lin gradually pulled it into his body and down to his dantian.

Following Gray's instructions, Su Lin condensed the energy while purifying it. An unknown amount of time passed before his dantian was completely filled. Su Lin then cried out as a burst of energy flowed through his whole body, rejuvenating his limbs. He felt more powerful than he was before.

Su Lin opened his eyes and something foul smelling hit him in the face. His face distorted as he quickly got up, but his body felt uncomfortable when he moved around. Su Lin looked down at his body and saw that his original silver fur was completely caked in black filth. A putrid smell was emanating from the sludge on his skin.

"Gray, what is this stuff?" Su Lin asked in disgust.

"That's just your body being cleansed. It happens when you reach a new realm of cultivation." Gray explained as he backed away a few steps while covering his nose with his hand.

Su Lin glared daggers at him before running to the nearby lake to wash off. Su Lin spent a lot of effort scrubbing down his body to get all the filth off before he was satisfied.

Under the shining sun, the rays of light illuminated Su Lin's silky fur. Su Lin jumped out of the lake and shook his body. Droplets of water went every which way as he dried off his fur.

"If you're done, let's get going." Gray said when Su Lin got closer to him.

Su Lin nodded and ran up Gray's body until he reached his shoulders. He laid his body flat while hang his tails on Gray's other shoulder.

"Once we get to an inn, I'll teach you how to unlock your inherited memories." Gray told Su Lin when he started walking.

"Inherited memories?" Su Lin repeated in confusion.

"Yes, they are the memories of your predecessors that get transferred on. You obtain them only if you have royal blood." Gray explained in further detail.

Su Lin nodded his head in understanding and said no more.

It took another week before they could get out of the Frost Abyss. When they finally got out, Gray went in search of the nearest inn and got them both checked in.

He bought one room that had two beds and waved off the owner of the inn when he offered them food. Closing the door behind them, Gray took off his cloak, laid down on the bed and closed his eyes. It looked like he was going to fall asleep right then and there, but Su Lin wouldn't let him.

"Gray, you told me that you would teach me how to unlock my inherited memories." Su Lin said as he unkindly shook his tail on Gray's face to wake him up.

"Yes, I will show you in the morning," Gray yawned, "Please take pity on my sore feet and let me rest."

Su Lin rolled his eyes, how could a cultivator, especially a powerful one, have sore feet from walking.

Although he thought this Su Lin left him alone.

Instead he walked over to the other bed and sat down on the edge.

'System.' Su Lin's voice rand in his mind.

'Yes Host.'

'Did you see him?'

'Who?'

'Gray of course.' Su Lin said as if the answer was obvious.

'Yes Host, I saw him.'

'He is quite handsome, isn't he?'

'Yes? Host, I thought you were over~'

'Just because I'm over love doesn't mean I can't appreciate handsome men. Especially tall, and muscular handsome men.' Su Lin said self righteously.

'Whatever you say Host.'

Su Lin chuckled and stretched his limbs. He padded to the middle of the bed and laid down. He wrapped his tails around his body before he too, went to sleep.