After some inquiries, Lin Xiu found Lin Dun, who had already received treatment.
However, Lin Dun's condition was not too good. After examination, he would need to recuperate for at least the next week.
"Brother Xiu, I'm so useless." Lin Dun looked ashamed.
"No need for that, we're different, really." Lin Xiu consoled Lin Dun earnestly with a pat on the shoulder.
He wasn't joking; he was sincere!
Now injured, Lin Dun couldn't go out adventuring with Lin Xiu anymore. He felt like he had lost another chance to follow Lin Xiu closely.
With Brother Xiu's rate of progress, the next time he saw him, the gap between them would only widen.
Lin Xiu was unaware of Lin Dun's thoughts, but after understanding Lin Dun's situation, he felt relieved.
He had taken Lin Dun out himself, and now bringing him back intact was a form of accountability to himself.
After a brief chat, Lin Xiu got up and left. His training plan wasn't over yet, to be precise, it had just begun, but he had to return early due to an accident.
Reflecting on this trip, he realized that the gains were quite rich.
"All things depend on quality, not quantity. While earning Task Points, I need to level up all Dou Techniques."
Recalling this experience, Lin Xiu found that he had many Dou Techniques, but when facing opponents stronger than himself, he could only rely on Thundering Palm, and Mountain Breaker could barely be of use.
"My goal is to pass the selection in a year and secure a spot in the inner courtyard, but that's not all. Before entering the inner courtyard, there is another opportunity to seize the fire energy, and how to retain it is crucial."
Lin Xiu had read about this and had some understanding of this part.
It is said that every year during the fire energy seizure, there will be senior students from the previous year who have been promoted to the inner courtyard as opponents, seizing the newly admitted freshmen, in order to descipline the troublemakers among the new students.
This tradition has been upheld at Jia Nan Academy for many years, until Xiao Yan's year, when he led the students in a counter-seizure, breaking the tradition for the first time.
"It's very difficult. Even Xiao Yan barely managed to hold on by teaming up with multiple people. He has Earth Rank Dou Techniques, Black Rank secret methods, and even different fires. My greatest reliance now is only the Black Rank Mid-Level Thundering Palm."
The pressure is immense, but Lin Xiu can endure it. One year is enough time for him to change many things.
The phrase "effort can change destiny" might seem cliché to others.
But to himself, it is absolutely a maxim of truth.
"Lin Xiu, what are you doing here?"
As he walked towards the courtyard, Wu Hao saw the person coming towards him, looking surprised. He now had his arm wrapped in bandages, looking somewhat miserable.
"Do you have a problem? This place isn't owned by your family." Lin Xiu didn't have a good attitude towards Wu Hao; this guy was a battle maniac.
"Lin Xiu, our fight isn't over yet. Just wait, I will formally challenge you and defeat you," Wu Hao said seriously.
"Suit yourself." Lin Xiu shrugged indifferently as he walked past Wu Hao.
Wu Hao stopped him, "Lin Xiu, if you're thinking of seeking revenge against Senior Xiu Yan, I advise you to give up early. He'll be participating in the promotion to the inner courtyard next year."
Not knowing why Lin Xiu came to the infirmary, Wu Hao assumed Lin Xiu was injured by Xiu Yan and came here for treatment.
Out of goodwill, Wu Hao decided to give him a heads-up.
Xiu Yan is a senior of the Academy for two years, very strong in strength, and also the captain of the Law Enforcement Team. If Lin Xiu wants revenge, even without Xiu Yan speaking, members of the Law Enforcement Team would actively come after him.
"Are you done? Then I'm leaving." Lin Xiu shifted his gaze away from Wu Hao.
...
Task Hall.
A handsome young man walked in, dressed in light blue attire, emitting a faint temperament.
"Senior Su."
"Hello, Senior Su Xiao."
Facing greetings from people around, the young man smiled politely, nodding in response.
"Sister, I heard someone completed my task." Approaching the counter, Su Xiao lightly tapped the tabletop.
"Yes, it was a freshman this year. He practically risked his life to complete the task."
The girl bent down behind the counter and retrieved the queen bee needle. Her expression was serious as if she had witnessed Lin Xiu taking the needle by force.
"A freshman? Haha, it seems the Academy has recruited some good students this year." Su Xiao showed a hint of surprise.
The queen bee belonged to a Second Rank Magic Beast. Although it might be considered lower-ranked among Second Rank Magic Beasts, it wasn't something a freshman could easily handle.
"Yeah, Senior Su, your reward is too stingy. If it weren't for that guy, if it were someone else, it might have taken at least another half year for someone to take it."
The girl knew Su Xiao had a good temper, so she spoke very casually.
"Why do you understand him so well? Are you interested in him?" Su Xiao glanced at her.
"Because during the enrollment, he was the one I evaluated." The girl was Lin Xiu's senior sister. "He used to be just a stable boy, with no background. After entering Jia Nan Academy, he worked very hard and didn't miss any Dou Techniques."
The girl paused for a moment. "Senior Su, you're really lucky. You exchanged a Yellow Rank Low-Level secret method for a queen bee needle."
"What?" Su Xiao's smile disappeared instantly from his face. He had thought it was a disciple from some big family.
The freshmen who enrolled this year hadn't even been in for a month yet. With such a short time for cultivation, their strength wouldn't be high either.
If there wasn't a genuine need, which newly enrolled freshman would risk confronting a Second Rank Magic Beast? Unless they were reckless, more or less.
Thinking about this, Su Xiao felt a bit embarrassed. He had taken on this task with the intention of having someone help him retrieve it if it happened to be on their way.
"How about I compensate him?" Su Xiao tentatively said to the girl.
The girl gave him a thumbs up. "Truly the beloved Senior Su."
Rubbing his chin, Su Xiao pondered what would be an appropriate compensation.
At that moment, the girl seemed to notice something, came out from behind the counter, and hurriedly ran out of the Task Hall.
"Senior Sister?" Lin Xiu, who was about to leave the Academy, was suddenly stopped by someone familiar.
"Don't say anything, just listen to me." The girl spoke rapidly, occasionally signaling with her eyes towards Su Xiao in the Task Hall, summarizing the situation briefly.
Finally, she patted Lin Xiu on the chest. "Senior Su is very kind. I've fought for you to get an opportunity. Don't waste it."
Such good fortune? Lin Xiu was taken aback. "Senior Sister, thank you."
The girl smiled and gestured for Lin Xiu to follow.
"Senior Su, this is the freshman, his name is Lin Xiu," the girl introduced.
"Junior Lin, thank you for helping me retrieve the queen bee needle." Su Xiao, true to his name, often wore a smile on his face.
He sized up Lin Xiu, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
To become a beloved Senior in the Academy, Su Xiao relied not only on his good temper but also on his strong abilities.
Facing Lin Xiu, Su Xiao felt that this junior wasn't like an ordinary freshman. From Lin Xiu's demeanor and aura, he seemed more like a senior who had undergone half a year of training.
"I happen to lack this type of Dou Technique, so I took the task when I saw it," Lin Xiu responded with a smile.
"Xiao Xue just reminded me. A Second Rank queen bee's needle for a Yellow Rank Low-Level secret method does seem a bit stingy."
Su Xiao gestured towards the girl standing behind the counter. "Mainly, I never expected a freshman to dare to confront a Second Rank Red Queen Bee."
"When I received this secret Dou Technique, I also obtained a map from its previous owner. I never had time to explore it, so I might as well give it to you. In the future, when you become stronger, you can go and take a look."
After a brief pause, Su Xiao thought of compensation and handed a piece of parchment to Lin Xiu.
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