71: Feel good

“Mentor, actually, we're not too clear on the specific reasons, but I suspect it might be related to the Mission Hall,” Du Chaoping said, his expression uncertain after two seconds of thought.

“The Mission Hall?” Huo Lan was startled.

Du Chaoping nodded, “Junior Lin Xiu said the blueprint for the secret chamber we found earlier was a mission reward he received after completing a mission.”

Han Pu and Qin Zhi nodded like pecking chicks when they saw Huo Lan's gaze sweep over them.

“Originally, after we came out of the secret chamber and taught Bai Shan a lesson, we were preparing to return. But Junior Lin Xiu said he still had a mission to complete and told us to go back first,” Du Chaoping continued, his expression turning a little regretful.

“I originally wanted to persuade Junior Lin Xiu to come back and watch the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition, but he refused. He said he wouldn't participate in this one, but would join the next one.”

“Wait!”

Huo Lan raised his right palm again, signaling Du Chaoping to stop talking. He needed a moment to process things.

In just two sentences, the amount of information was suddenly a bit too much.

“First, tell me what happened with teaching Bai Shan a lesson?” Huo Lan asked.

Du Chaoping explained the reason for their feud, recounting how he searched for the secret chamber, was tracked by Bai Shan the whole way, and then cornered at the cave entrance.

Huo Lan's expression was calm. He understood Bai Shan somewhat, knowing the boy's personality, and wasn't surprised.

“But if you were cornered, how did Lin Xiu rescue you?” Huo Lan couldn't understand.

Before he left last time, he heard Du Chaoping say that Lin Xiu had obtained a Profound Rank Intermediate Dou Skills from the Vice Dean and had exerted effort in dealing with the Water Tiger Beast.

But students are different from Demonic Beasts. Although their strength isn't as good as a second-tier Water Tiger Beast, they know how to adapt and understand the best moments for defense and attack.

Logically, Lin Xiu should have been at a disadvantage against them, so how could he have helped Du Chaoping and the others out of trouble?

Du Chaoping replied, “Junior Lin Xiu is very strong. His progress speed is too fast. When he appeared, he was already a Seven-Star Dou Zhe.

He also has a secret technique that, when used, can boost him to a Nine-Star Dou Zhe. Even Wang Ming, a One-Star Dou Master, couldn't take him down in a short while.”

Seven-Star? He's already a Seven-Star?

Huo Lan wondered if there was something wrong with his ears, or if time in his living space was different from Du Chaoping's.

When Lin Xiu was recruited, he was only at the eighth stage of Dou Qi.

After arriving at the academy and competing in the new student competition, he advanced to a Fighter.

And it wasn't half a month after the new student competition that he left the academy.

In less than a month, Lin Xiu went from a One-Star Fighter to a Seven-Star?

Wait!

A scene of him encountering Ge Mu flashed through his mind, and Huo Lan suddenly realized why Ge Mu had ignored him when he greeted him at the time.

One must know that Bai Shan was that old fellow's proud Disciple, carefully nurtured and prepared to be a seed student for the top five spots in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition.

Now, a newly enrolled student had injured his proud Disciple. Where would that old face be placed?

Huo Lan felt a surge of excitement, eager to go find Ge Mu and have a word with him.

But he still held back.

“So...”

Huo Lan looked at his three students, “Lin Xiu is now not fishing, but doing missions for the Mission Hall. To a large extent, is this due to my influence?”

Du Chaoping, Han Pu, and Qin Zhi exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

“Mentor, Junior Lin Xiu's strength is no weaker than last year's senior students. In fact, even an ordinary Dou Master would have no chance of taking him down. His movement technique speed is also not slow. If he encounters a second-tier Demonic Beast, escaping if he can't win is absolutely no problem,” Du Chaoping added, fearing that his mentor would worry about Lin Xiu's safety.

“According to what you said, Lin Xiu is experienced in strength, knows movement Fighting Skills, and even has a secret Fighting Skill that temporarily raises his Realm. Do I still need to worry about him?”

Huo Lan waved his hand, picked up the water cup again, and took several large gulps, 'glug glug glug'.

When he put it down, the water in the cup was already empty.

Qin Zhi saw this and proactively went to help pour more water.

She had a premonition that the mentor would probably continue to drink water later.

“Du Chaoping, did Lin Xiu really say he wanted to participate in the next Inner Courtyard Selection Competition?” Huo Lan asked again, a glimmer of anticipation flashing in the depths of his gaze towards Du Chaoping.

If given the chance, he would certainly hope that a student could enter the Hidden Scripture Pavilion as early as possible to help him retrieve items.

“I must have misheard,” Du Chaoping shook his head. “Junior Lin Xiu had already walked far away when he replied to me.”

Hearing his words, Huo Lan's eyelids drooped slightly, and he also felt that he was being too hasty, his concern clouding his judgment.

Are there people in the academy who participate in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition within a year of entering?

Yes!

But those people were the ones with an S-level potential rating at the enrollment ceremony!

“Has Lin Xiu returned now? Tell him to come find me,” Huo Lan asked.

Du Chaoping shook his head, “Mentor, I will try my best to keep an eye out for him. If I see Junior Lin Xiu, I will notify him to come over immediately.”

“Alright then, you all can go back first. Du Chaoping, if you still have things to do these two days, handle them first. I will arrange a training plan for you next,” Huo Lan reminded Du Chaoping, who had walked to the door, then waved his hand.

Du Chaoping nodded heavily and left with the other two.

“Senior, congratulations! With the mentor's support, you definitely have a chance to advance to the Inner Academy.”

“Senior, should we treat ourselves to a good meal tonight?”

As soon as they stepped out, Han Pu and Qin Zhi smiled. The two of them had often been looked after by Du Chaoping.

Now, seeing Du Chaoping finally have hope of advancing to the Inner Academy, they sincerely congratulated him.

“Thank you.”

Du Chaoping's suppressed excitement finally released after leaving the mentor's room, the corners of his mouth curving upwards uncontrollably. “About dinner, let's wait until Junior Lin Xiu returns, how about that?”

“Of course, that's fine. Speaking of which, Junior Lin Xiu is the real hero,” Qin Zhi agreed without a second thought.

Han Pu also smiled. “It was indeed the correct choice to proactively befriend Junior Lin Xiu back then. Was giving him that sword worth it?”

He winked at Qin Zhi.

Qin Zhi gave him a punch. “Oh, what are you doing... Didn't I finally agree?”

The three left laughing.

Inside the room.

“This Lin Xiu really gave me a huge surprise. However, the specific situation will only be confirmed after I see him,” Huo Lan's mouth also curved upwards, his mood wonderful.

“Let's go, to turn in the mission.”

Clapping his hands heavily on his thighs, Huo Lan rose from his seat, picked up the water cup from the table, and drank all the water inside. The corners of his mouth finally relaxed a bit... Meanwhile.

Lin Xiu, who they were discussing, quietly returned to the academy.

He went straight to the lake, taking out his fishing rod with somewhat unfamiliar movements.

“It's been a long time since I've fished. My strength has improved in the past two months, and my Medicinal Pills are also used up. I'll fish two fish first and send them over to replenish my Medicinal Pills.”

Lin Xiu was not in a hurry to turn in the mission. Anyway, it had been two months, and a little more time wouldn't make a difference.

And if fishing didn't work, it would be dinner time soon.

Without his help with fishing, Elder Huo probably hadn't eaten many White Carp during this time.

If he sent them over at dinner time, and Elder Huo was in a good mood, giving him two second-grade Medicinal Pills, he would have hit the jackpot.

After preparing the bait, Lin Xiu cast the fish hook into the lake.

“Why isn't Dean Hu Qian here today? It seems he'll arrive later.”

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