Go out and confront each other!

In a flash, three days passed.

With a bang!

A violent roar came from the secret room. A terrifying vortex devoured the world, and the slender figure sitting cross-legged beneath the vortex opened his eyes, divine light like a thunderbolt piercing through the sky.

"Eighth Level of Core Formation!"

"Still haven't broken into the Hua Hai Realm!"

As Lin Dong's voice fell, the terrifying vortex behind him vanished without a trace, quickly returning to calm.

He looked inward at his Dantian; there were only eight Core Formation patterns on his Golden Core.

Ultimately, Lin Dong only broke through to the Eighth Level of Core Formation, unable to break into the Hua Hai Realm. Without the 1.5 times Spiritual Qi absorption speed, he would have stopped at the Seventh Level of Core Formation.

The deeper one's Cultivation Realm, the longer it takes to Breakthrough.

However, compared to others who might take a year or half a year to Breakthrough a minor Realm, Lin Dong's Breakthrough speed was like a rocket soaring into the sky, rapidly increasing!

It was equivalent to one minor Realm per day.

If not for Lin Dong's ten times Cultivation speed, coupled with his 1.5 times Spiritual Qi absorption speed, he might have needed several months to Breakthrough a minor Realm.

"The time left for me is too short!"

"If I had ten more days or half a month, with sufficient Cultivation resources, Hua Hai could be achieved!"

"The Bai Family, they will not have peace!"

"It seems I can only go to the Secret Realm assessment and then look for an Opportunity to Breakthrough!"

Lin Dong stood up and walked out of the secret room. He only felt a slight regret, giving the Bai Family a day or two more to live.

But he wasn't greedy.

In just five days, he went from a Mortal with no Cultivation to a Realm that looked down upon the younger generation of Yunlan City.

He absolutely had to attend the Outer Courtyard assessment.

Participating in the assessment offered a chance to join the Inner Courtyard, gaining more resources monthly, and other benefits.

Most importantly, the assessment took place in a Yao Beast Secret Realm, which contained many third and fourth-tier Yao Beasts. For Lin Dong, these were pure experience points!

"Counting the time, the Outer Courtyard assessment should begin today!"

Lin Dong looked in the direction of the Bai Family, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Since I can't destroy the Bai Family now, I'll kill Bai Han in the assessment first!"

Lin Dong washed and groomed himself, changing into a white robe. His entire being exuded an ethereal and refined aura.

Lin Dong bid farewell to the butler and headed towards the academy!

Along the way, Lin Dong had a smooth journey, with no unexpected incidents.

Arriving at the familiar academy entrance, Lin Dong strode in. Many people on the road turned to look, but unlike in the past when they would offer cold remarks, most now showed reverence.

The Outer Courtyard assessment gathering point was in the academy's plaza.

Lin Dong wasn't too late; there was still half an hour before it began, but hundreds of young men and women had already gathered in the plaza.

"Brother Dong!"

As soon as he arrived at the plaza, Lin Dong heard Skinny Monkey's voice, who was happily walking towards him.

The two bumped fists and shoulders. Lin Dong glanced at Skinny Monkey's Cultivation and smiled, "Not bad, you've broken through to the Second Level of the Chongmai Realm!"

"Hehe, it's all because Brother Dong gives too much pressure; I accidentally broke through!"

Skinny Monkey scratched his head sheepishly: "It's a pity, only the top thirty can enter the Inner Courtyard. With my Cultivation, I'm afraid I won't have a chance to make it into the top thirty and enter the Inner Courtyard."

"Don't worry, your Brother Dong has your back! Entering the Inner Courtyard will be simple!"

Lin Dong patted his chest. With his Realm and Cultivation, he could sweep through the Outer Courtyard Disciples. Taking Skinny Monkey into the top thirty would not be difficult.

"Hey, kid, why are you so late? This old man has been waiting for you for a long time!"

Just as Lin Dong and his brother were catching up, an old voice suddenly came from beside them. Elder Hu's figure appeared beside the two.

"Greetings, Elder Hu!"

Lin Dong and Skinny Monkey quickly saluted. Elder Hu nodded.

Lin Dong said: "This Disciple has been in seclusion for many days and only came out this morning! I'm a bit late. Is there something the Elder needs from this Disciple?"

"Hmm... seclusion is good!"

Elder Hu stroked his beard, becoming more and more satisfied the more he looked at Lin Dong. Not only was his talent good, but he was also diligent.

But as he kept looking, his pupils contracted, as if he had discovered something: "Wait... how did you, kid, break through to the Eighth Level of Core Formation?!"

"In just a few days, you broke through a major Realm and several minor Realms?!"

"You didn't take some powerful medicine, did you?!"

Elder Hu was so shocked that he pulled off a handful of his beard, not even noticing the pain: "This old man has lived for so many years and has never seen such a Prodigy like you, kid!"

He remembered that when Lin Dong registered as an Outer Courtyard Disciple, he was only at the Fourth Level of the Chongmai Realm.

Only a few days had passed, and Lin Dong was already at the Eighth Level of Core Formation?

Even taking medicine wouldn't be this potent, would it?

He had seen a lot in his life, and the most impressive person he had seen was a Genius at the Core Formation Realm who broke through a minor Realm in a month.

"His Qi is profound, and his Foundation is solid! Excellent!"

Elder Hu grabbed Lin Dong's hand and examined him.

He did not feel any superficial Qi from Lin Dong's body; instead, it was very profound, indicating that Lin Dong's Foundation was very solid!

"Thank you for your concern, Elder. This junior merely obtained a small Opportunity by chance!"

Lin Dong's lips curved upwards, and he cupped his fists, not struggling, knowing that Elder Hu was concerned about him.

Meanwhile, Skinny Monkey beside him had an expression of utter adoration, his face practically screaming, "Brother Dong, teach me!"

Mmm!

Elder Hu nodded, knowing that Cultivators had their secrets, and did not dwell on the topic.

He changed the subject, saying: "In these past few days, the Bai Family hasn't caused you any trouble, have they?"

Lin Dong's pupils constricted: "Elder... could it be that you invited someone from the City Lord's Mansion?"

While in seclusion, he had wondered why the Bai Family hadn't attacked.

But in the morning, after hearing about the Yunlan City incident from the butler, he understood that the City Lord's Mansion had intervened.

He also couldn't understand why the City Lord's Mansion would interfere. He initially guessed it was a favor left by his father, but upon hearing Elder Hu's words, he quickly realized it was due to Elder Hu's connections.

"Not too stupid!"

Elder Hu smiled: "However, you don't need to suspect what this old man is plotting; I have no other intentions. I just don't want to see a peerless Prodigy, who the academy painstakingly produced, fall so quickly!"

"Thank you, Elder! This junior will surely remember this kindness today!" Lin Dong bowed solemnly, secretly noting Elder Hu's kindness.

Elder Hu waved his hand: "It's a small matter, I just find you, kid, pleasing to the eye!"

Saying that, he changed the subject again: "Two days ago, the academy decided to add a special reward for the first-place winner: an Opportunity to enter the Divine Pool. Originally, I wanted to tell you that it would be beneficial for you to achieve Hua Hai!"

"Now I tell you, it can help you achieve Hua Hai!"

"Thank you for your concern, Elder! I am determined to get first place in this Outer Courtyard assessment!"

Lin Dong said sincerely. He understood that this was Elder Hu's true purpose in seeking him out, and it was very likely that the additional resources for the first place were also resources that the Elder had fought for him.

Elder Hu nodded. Lin Dong's Cultivation far surpassed that of most Outer Courtyard Disciples. With his Cultivation, taking first place would be a piece of cake.

After speaking, Elder Hu went to the viewing platform, propped his legs up, and sipped some wine.

The assessment would begin very soon! Lin Dong and Skinny Monkey walked to join the crowd.

Not long after, Lin Dong felt two hostile gazes. Without even thinking, he knew who they were: Liu Yanran and Bai Han.

Bai Han and Liu Yanran were surrounded by a group of Disciples. The title of the Outer Courtyard's number one was still very well-known. To survive the assessment and even make it into the top thirty, clinging to a powerful figure was the best method.

Seeing Lin Dong look over, Bai Han moved his lips, mouthing, "I will kill you!"

Lin Dong also moved his lips, mouthing, "Idiot!"

...