After cultivating until dawn, Lin Xiu quickly freshened up and walked out of the dormitory to have breakfast.
As the morning classes concluded, he headed towards the lake.
"With my current progress, I should be able to break through to a 4 Star Dou Practitioner within a month. During this time, I'll strive to master all the Dou Techniques stored in the ring."
In another three months, the assessment for the promotion of Jia Nan Academy Outer Court Students to the Inner Court would begin.
Lin Xiu, for this term, was naturally unable to participate due to his low strength. To elevate from a Dou Master to the later stages, even to a Dou Grandmaster in three months, was a challenging task.
Although there was a slim chance to compete, it would undoubtedly attract a lot of attention.
Lin Xiu's goal was to participate in the next term. He had a year and three months left to elevate his strength to the level of a Dou Grandmaster during this time.
"Relying solely on rigorous cultivation, there's certainly a difference compared to medicinal assistance. Once I master all the Dou Techniques and accumulate a substantial amount of Attribute Points, I can try venturing outside the Academy."
Arriving at the lake, Lin Xiu prepared his fishing gear and suddenly remembered his mentor, Huo Lan.
In a sense, he was now working for Huo Lan, and merely having a Qi Method seemed a bit too meager as a benefit.
"I'll give it a couple of days. If he doesn't contact me, then I'll take the initiative to find him."
Casting out the fishing rod, Lin Xiu began practicing Dou Techniques.
Despite mastering high-level fishing techniques, Lin Xiu still maintained a laid-back attitude like a salted fish.
He planned to send the Elder a White Carp every few days. In case it became too frequent and people got tired of it, that wouldn't be good.
When it comes to taking advantage, one shouldn't be too reckless.
Not long after, Xiao Ning indeed arrived, carrying a set of fishing gear in his hands.
He first circled around Lin Xiu, feeling that he learned some things, he started fishing.
Without waiting for Xiao Ning to inquire, Lin Xiu wasn't in a hurry. After all, White Carp was not easy to catch; he had fished for several days before without any success.
"He's working so hard? He's already in the Academy, and he's still putting in so much effort?" Not far away, Xiao Ning occasionally glanced at Lin Xiu, who was practicing Dou Techniques, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Before, when Xiao Ning learned that Lin Xiu would come to the lake for fishing, he simply thought that the other party was here to relax. He didn't expect him to practice Dou Techniques here.
Just imagine, spending a significant amount of time practicing moves during the day, and then finding someone to spar with at night, comprehensively mastering the use of Dou Techniques – how tiring would that be?
Upon careful consideration, Xiao Ning felt that getting hit a bit wasn't unjustified.
If someone is better than you and works harder than you, who else should get beaten up if not you?
As time passed, the lakeside suddenly became lively. One after another, students arrived at the lake, carrying fishing gear.
"Mmm?" During a break, Lin Xiu noticed someone fishing beside him.
Normally, at the lakeside, including himself and Dean Hu Gan, there were at most six or seven people. Now, the number had exceeded dozens.
Judging by their fishing gear, it was clear that they had received tools from the Task Hall.
"Lin Xiu, are there so many people fishing here every day?" Xiao Ning, who hadn't caught any fish for a while and now saw the increasing crowd, felt a bit pressured.
'This boy...' Lin Xiu was used to it when he heard Xiao Ning calling him.
He shook his head and said, "No, but you can ask them."
Lin Xiu was also curious. A task with not many Task Points seemed to have such great allure?
Equally curious, Xiao Ning walked up to someone nearby and started a conversation with them.
Before long, Xiao Ning came back and accused Lin Xiu, "Lin Xiu, you're not being loyal at all. We share the same dormitory, and you didn't even tell me about such a good task."
Recalling how he had been used as a punching bag by Lin Xiu before, Xiao Ning felt even more wronged.
He considered Lin Xiu as a brother, that's why he sparred with him, not because he wanted to beat Lin Xiu.
"A good task? What's going on? You better explain quickly, or I might have to punch you." Lin Xiu didn't accept moral blackmail. There's nothing a punch couldn't solve, and if necessary, he'd add another one.
Knowing well how tough Lin Xiu's fists were, Xiao Ning immediately explained what he knew.
"The White Carp fishing task rewards have increased? Besides Task Points, you can also choose to receive two Pills?" Lin Xiu was greatly surprised and lamented.
Damn, It didn't mention this when I delivered the fish to Elder Huo yesterday. I missed out on two First Grade Pills.
Although First Grade Pills were just the most basic ones, they still contained medicinal properties, such as healing, restoring energy, stopping bleeding, and detoxification.
These Pills might not be needed in normal times, but it's good to be prepared. Even if you don't want them, you can sell them to someone else.
Many teams that go on expeditions often purchase these Pills.
"I've hit the jackpot!" Lin Xiu thought about the injuries he saw on Lin Dun's body yesterday. He could use the White Carp to exchange for healing medicine from the Elder.
After spending time together during this period, regardless of Lin Dun's other aspects, just for silently accompanying him in daily training, Lin Xiu was grateful. The other person had at least helped him gain a lot of experience.
"You really didn't know?" Xiao Ning had been observing Lin Xiu's expression and found that his surprise didn't seem fake. "Well, I won't blame you then. But you've been fishing for so long; you must have some experience. Share some with me."
"Are you asking for my help?" Lin Xiu glanced at him. "If that's the attitude, I suggest you give up on that idea."
"We're all roommates; there's no need to be so tense, right, Brother Xiu?" Xiao Ning put on a smiling face.
"I didn't catch that. What did you just call me?" Lin Xiu cupped his ear, pressing his palm against the side of his head.
"Brother, no need to hesitate, it's just fishing. I'll teach you for free." A voice came in just as Xiao Ning was pondering.
It was the person who had been talking to Xiao Ning earlier. He seemed unable to tolerate Lin Xiu bullying others.
"Really?" Xiao Ning showed a hint of hesitation.
"Do you know Blackwater City? There's a black river there, and my home is right by it. Fishing is what I do the most every day. I've been fishing for ten years." The young man, appearing to be eighteen or nineteen, looked radiant when talking about fishing, exuding great confidence.
Seeing Xiao Ning expressing interest, he added, "You've been here for quite a while. You ask him for advice buy have you ever seen him catch a fish before?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning suddenly realized that indeed, despite Lin Xiu being here for so long, he hadn't caught a fish yet.
He realized he had fallen into a thinking trap just because Lin Xiu had been fishing by the lake a few days ago. He mistakenly believed that Lin Xiu was good at fishing, but in reality, whether he had caught anything or not was unknown to anyone.
"Lin Xiu, I almost fell for your trick. You've been here for so long and still haven't caught a fish. I think you just want to take advantage of me."
Xiao Ning pointed angrily at Lin Xiu. He had just called him "Brother Xiu" a couple of times and now suspected that he might be taken for a fool again.
"I gave you a chance. If you regret it later, it won't be my responsibility. Don't blame me for not warning you."
Out of consideration for being roommates, Lin Xiu had thought about helping Xiao Ning catch a White Carp by lowering his head, but now that Xiao Ning had turned to others, regretting it later would cost him more.
"You can boast all you want. I just don't believe you're good at anything."
Xiao Ning, seemingly wide awake, didn't believe Lin Xiu's words at all and turned to the young man for guidance.
Seemingly worried that Lin Xiu might eavesdrop and learn, Xiao Ning and the other person specifically moved their fishing location, relocating to a place even farther from Lin Xiu.
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