231: Chapter 231 Numerical Explosion!

Unknowingly,

seven days had passed in the blink of an eye.

Li Fan's half-month confinement was now nearing its end.

And over these past seven days,

the discussions about Li Fan and Duan Ping on the academy forum had gradually subsided, almost returning to calm.

Although some chatter remained, it was significantly less compared to before.

After all, the academy held far too many precious resources.

Compared to paying attention to these trivial bits of gossip for amusement, they were obviously more focused on cultivation.

Instead of wasting time discussing gossip on the forum, wouldn't it be much better to attend a lecture by a Domain Lord level or Realm Master Level powerhouse?

As for the Sparring Partners,

they had even less time to pay attention to these miscellaneous matters.

Not only did they have to cultivate desperately, trying their best to keep up with the Students, but they also had to act as targets for the Students to test their hypotheses about cultivation and combat.

In short, one could say they were extremely busy.

Apart from Peng Song and a few fellow natives from the Tianlan Star Domain, most Sparring Partners had almost forgotten about Li Fan, who was still in the Confinement Valley.

...

"Brother Li will be released soon."

"After he gets out, I'll have him come over so I can apologize to him in person."

"Cousin, I've dragged you into this. You didn't need to come with me to the Discipline Department."

Inside the manor,

Duan Ping was communicating with Duan Linger through the virtual network.

Hearing Duan Ping's words, Duan Linger waved her hand dismissively. "Cousin, what kind of talk is that? When Li Fan fought Fang Tong, I was the one fanning the flames. It's only right that I go with you."

"And it's not really a big deal anyway. It just means I can't leave the dorm. The dorm has all kinds of complete cultivation facilities, so I can still cultivate just fine. At most, I've missed a few Realm Master Level public lectures, but I can make up for those later."

Duan Linger was clearly very optimistic.

Seeing Duan Linger so optimistic, Duan Ping's mood improved slightly.

"By the way, cousin, the New Student Competition starts in half a month. Do you have a ranking goal in mind?" Duan Linger suddenly changed the subject, her face showing curiosity.

In response, Duan Ping waved his hand with a smile. "Given my current ability, I'll just go with the flow. But you, if you put in some effort, you might have a chance to break into the top thirty, maybe even the top twenty."

Duan Linger felt a bit disappointed by Duan Ping's answer, but it also seemed reasonable.

Duan Ping hadn't fought anyone in a long time. The last time she saw him truly fight was years ago, and his level back then could be described as somewhat mediocre.

If he had maintained that rate of progress over the years, then Duan Ping really would have to just go with the flow.

...

In a corner of the academy,

Cang Hai was currently drinking and chatting leisurely with a few close friends.

"Old Cang, you haven't seemed quite right these past few days. You're not still thinking about that Sparring Partner of yours, are you?"

One friend, seeing the melancholy look on Cang Hai's face, couldn't help but ask.

As Cang Hai's close friends,

they had naturally heard of Li Fan, were aware of the deeds he had pulled off, and also knew of Cang Hai's hopes for him.

In response to his friend's question, Cang Hai just let out a melancholic sigh and continued drinking his sorrows away.

"Come on, Old Cang, you don't actually believe a Sparring Partner can become a Formal Student, do you? I watched that fight between Li Fan and Fang Tong. It was simply that Fang Tong wasn't taking it seriously."

"Exactly, there's no need to sigh like that. This Li Fan simply doesn't have the talent. And even if he originally did, he doesn't now. Staying in the Confinement Valley for half a month at his level... after he comes out, it'll take him a month or two just to recover. Even if he participates in the half-month New Student Competition, there's no way he can make it into the top ten."

"Who told the kid not to listen? Didn't you warn him before not to provoke those Formal Students in the first month?"

The other two friends chimed in.

They weren't very optimistic about Li Fan.

Listening to his two friends' words,

Cang Hai remained silent for a moment before sighing again.

His friends' words, though blunt, did hold truth.

Among the Sparring Partners he had brought back, the ones he had the highest hopes for were Li Fan and Peng Song.

The experience of being confined in the Confinement Valley was just too detrimental to Li Fan's cultivation.

It had almost certainly sealed off Li Fan's path to becoming a Formal Student.

Because missing the New Student Competition and the enlightenment stele

made the difficulty of becoming a Formal Student afterward far too great. There had never been such a precedent since ancient times.

As for Peng Song,

Peng Song was now making rapid progress.

However, in terms of raw combat strength, there hadn't been a major leap yet.

The difficulty of breaking into the top ten was still extremely high.

"He'll be out tomorrow."

"Let's see his mental state then. If it's still decent, maybe he can try secluding himself for another half-month to cultivate properly. Perhaps there's still a sliver of a chance."

Cang Hai finally spoke.

That's right.

He still held onto a tiny sliver of hope for Li Fan.

Although half a month was very short for most people, even insufficient to accomplish much,

for Li Fan, perhaps a miracle could happen.

After all, he had personally witnessed Li Fan's strength skyrocket within a single month.

"Old Cang, you're truly an optimist."

"Let me put it this way: if that kid really can make it into the top ten, Old Cang, I'll work for you for free for a year! You tell me what to do, and I'll do it!"

His old friends couldn't help but shake their heads with smiles.

...

Time flew by.

It was the next morning.

Today was the day Li Fan was to leave the Confinement Valley.

On the second-level flat ground of the Confinement Valley,

Li Fan was training frantically.

Compared to seven or eight days ago,

not only had the aura around Li Fan's body risen by a level,

but his overall presence had also surged by several times at the very least.

After successfully completing a set of exercises,

Li Fan opened his attribute panel.

"Name: Li Fan

Level: Star-Treading Level Eighth Rank (14.7%)

Strength: 166,898.3 (Star)

Defense: 166,258.1 (Star)

Spirit: 236,112.6 (Star)"

Now,

Li Fan had successfully stepped into the Star-Treading Level Eighth Rank.

And his numerical values had soared!!

His current terrifying stats, combined with the Frenzied Battle Prairie Art, meant his combat power was already comparable to the peak of Star Shattering Rank Sixth Order!

Li Fan was clearly very satisfied with this round of improvements.

This Confinement Valley was truly a blessed land for cultivation!

If possible, he would even be willing to stay here and cultivate indefinitely!

Just as Li Fan was lost in thought,

a deafening roar echoed from above.

Li Fan understood.

The time was up; he was about to be released.

"What a shame. If only I could stay here a bit longer."

"If I could cultivate here for another half-month before the New Student Competition, I'd have a great chance of breaking into the top ten!"

Li Fan murmured.

As he spoke, he began walking upwards.

If the Law Enforcement Personnel found out he had gone to the deeper levels, violating their instructions, he wondered if they would block his path next time.