Walking out of the mine tunnel, they encountered others, many of whom had just awakened from unconsciousness, while some were injured and unable to move due to being trampled.
The middle-aged man called out to Lin Xiu, "If you can take one, then take one," and the group walked out of the mine together.
The sunlight shone on them, dispersing the lingering coldness left in the cave.
Experiencing life and death for the first time, Lin Xiu couldn't help but feel a bit scared when he thought back. If he hadn't eaten so much Red Jade Ginseng before, this time might have really been the end.
With the crisis in the mine, mining had to be halted, especially as the probability of the white mist appearing became more and more frequent.
Two hours after Lin Xiu and the others left, the mine was once again filled with the white mist.
Even if the Lin family members did not consider the deaths of the miners, they still had to consider their thoughts. If they were pushed too far, there would be no one left to work.
In the evening, Lin Xiu saw the patriarch of the Lin family leading a group of people to the mine. The other party had a strong presence, with clothes bearing the words "Jia Nan Academy."
As for the specific details, Lin Xiu couldn't observe them firsthand, so he wasn't sure.
In the early morning, he overheard people chatting. It seemed that a teacher from Jia Nan Academy had entered the mine. They said there was a Magic Beast about to breakthrough, and once it did, they would seal off the entrance and avoid that area in the future to be safe.
He didn't sleep all night.
The next day, since the mine couldn't operate temporarily, many people took leave to go home, including Lin Xiu.
By the time he returned to Te Lan City, it was already noon. Using the little savings he had left to fill his stomach, he went to the square.
At this moment, the square was surrounded by many people, with soldiers maintaining order around the perimeter.
"Hello, I'd like to sign up," Lin Xiu mingled in the line and successfully obtained a sign with his name written on it.
...
"He encountered the white mist and didn't die? This kid's really lucky."
After hearing the report, Steward Lin was somewhat unhappy. "Go inform Lin Xiu to come back to the Lin family and work."
Since the mine let you escape, I'll make you work under my hand. Since I don't have a horse for you to raise, I can give you all the dirty and tiring work.
The person did not leave.
"What's wrong? Are you worried that Lin Xiu won't listen to you? Or do you think my words are ineffective?" Steward Lin's face darkened slightly.
"No, no." The person hurriedly waved their hands. "Steward Lin, it's just that Lin Xiu took a leave of absence."
"He dared to take leave? Where did he go?" Steward Lin became even more displeased. He had sent Lin Xiu to endure hardship, and this guy dared to take leave!
"When I came, I saw Lin Xiu seemed to be on the square, seemingly wanting to sign up for the enrollment test of Jia Nan Academy." The person wasn't too sure, as they had only glanced hurriedly.
"Jia Nan Academy? What a joke. He's just a horse caretaker, and he wants to pass the assessment of Jia Nan Academy?" Steward Lin immediately prepared to go to the square and see for himself.
If he really saw Lin Xiu there, he would definitely give him a good scolding!
...
The enrollment at Jia Nan Academy only looks at talent. Those under eighteen with an eighth-rank Dou Disciple qualification are eligible for admission.
Every year during Jia Nan Academy's enrollment, a large number of people come to participate.
Standing in line, Lin Xiu saw some with only a third-rank Dou Power also participating in the assessment.
Most of those people were dressed plainly, seemingly not intending to cause trouble, but simply unaware of their own strength, so they came to test themselves.
The students of Jia Nan Academy did not show any hint of annoyance because of those people; instead, they remained quite calm.
"Lin Xiu?"
A girl glanced at the name and then looked up at the young man standing in front of her.
"It's me, Senior Sister," Lin Xiu smiled.
The girl paused for a moment, then smiled, "Don't rush to call me Senior Sister. First, let's see if you can pass the assessment."
She took out two fist-sized stones, similar in shape but with slightly different colors.
"First, place your hand on the black stone," Lin Xiu followed the girl's instructions.
Soon, words appeared on the stone:
"Dou Power, Eighth Rank, High level."
"Your strength meets the standard. Next, if your age fits, you'll be my junior brother." The girl then had Lin Xiu place his hand on the other stone.
On it, the number "17" appeared.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lin Xiu, you've successfully passed the test. Welcome to Jia Nan Academy."
Meeting both requirements, the girl handed Lin Xiu a proof of passing the test. Lin Xiu thanked her and then headed towards the waiting area on the other side.
"Lin Xiu!"
At this moment, a deep voice came, and Lin Xiu saw Steward Lin walking angrily from outside the crowd.
'Alright, I didn't go looking for you, but it seems you've come to me on your own!'
Recalling the middle-aged man's warning, Lin Xiu felt strongly suspicious of Steward Lin, especially since he suddenly appeared in the square at this moment.
If he wasn't specifically paying attention to Lin Xiu, then why would he suddenly come looking for him?
"Lin Xiu, have you forgotten your identity?" Steward Lin's voice was loud, obviously trying to attract the attention of everyone around.
"First, take a look at this." Lin Xiu directly interrupted what he was about to say, holding up the proof in his hand, waving it in front of Steward Lin.
"You passed the test? You're now a student of Jia Nan Academy?" Steward Lin widened his eyes, his expression full of disbelief.
"Don't believe it? Why don't you go ask?" Lin Xiu pointed to the Jia Nan Academy students not far away.
Steward Lin was just a steward of the Lin family. Where would he find the courage to question the students of Jia Nan Academy?
Now that he knew Lin Xiu had passed the test, Steward Lin suddenly felt some regret. He shouldn't have come here.
Sweat dripped from his forehead, sliding down his cheeks. Steward Lin was responsible for managing the Lin family, so he still had some understanding of the matters concerning Jia Nan Academy.
"Congratulations, Lin Xiu. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave." Steward Lin turned to leave, but Lin Xiu grabbed his clothes.
"Steward Lin, don't you have anything to explain? Like what happened at the mine?" Lin Xiu stared at Steward Lin, whose face was gradually turning pale, with a smile that was not quite a smile.
This old guy, he hadn't really provoked him, yet he was already thinking of killing him. If it hadn't been for accidentally eating the Red Jade Ginseng, he might have succeeded.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Sending you there was the family's order, and I couldn't change it," Steward Lin said.
"Really?" Lin Xiu didn't believe it at all, but he didn't have any evidence. "Then swear. If you lie, neither you nor your descendants will have a good end."
"There's no need for that, Lin Xiu." Steward Lin's face turned extremely unpleasant.
"You should understand what it means for me to join Jia Nan Academy. Does Steward Lin want me to come back in two years and pay you a visit?" Lin Xiu's smile turned somewhat icy.
"I was blind before, I admit it. I'll compensate. I'm willing to compensate," Steward Lin was very clear-headed. With Lin Xiu's current strength, he couldn't do anything to him.
But after practicing at the Academy for two years, when Lin Xiu really came back for revenge, the patriarch would definitely abandon him.
"Ten thousand gold coins!" Lin Xiu said.
"Too much, I'm just a steward, not an elder. Five thousand, I can offer at most five thousand." When he heard ten thousand, Steward Lin's face visibly trembled.
"Alright, I'll go easy on you this once."
Taking the card from the trembling hands of Steward Lin, Lin Xiu waved goodbye to him.
Originally, he had been worried about not having enough money at the Academy, but now with five thousand gold coins, he could solve many problems.
No longer needing to worry about his identity, Lin Xiu finally relaxed. He walked to the waiting area for those who had passed the test.
"I can finally tinker with that ring without worries," he thought. Since he had obtained it earlier, he had been concerned about others coveting it and had not yet examined it.
---
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