Two months later.
Inside a hidden mountain cave, Lin Xiu grilled meat while inspecting his gains.
[Currently, "Mountain Breaker" and "Charged Punch" can be fused...]
[You consume 1 Attribute Point and gain Black Rank Low-Level Dou Technique "Deadly Strike"]
[Deadly Strike, Black Rank Low Level...]
[Currently, "Moon Shadow Finger" and "Golden Flame Hand" can be fused...]
[You consume 1 Attribute Point and gain Black Rank Low-Level Dou Technique "Wind Shadow Traceless Finger"]
[Wind Shadow Traceless Finger, Black Rank Low Level...]
[Currently, "Swift Wind Steps" and "Snake Shadow Step" can be fused...]
[You consume 1 Attribute Point and gain Yellow Rank High-Level Dou Technique "Wind Walk"]
[Wind Walk, Yellow Rank High level...]
[Currently...]
[You consume 1 Attribute Point and gain Black Rank Low-Level Dou Technique "Thunderbolt Golden Body"]
[Thunderbolt Golden Body, Black Rank Low Level...]
[Currently, "Flying Flowers Through Leaves" and "Wind-breaking Sword Style" can be fused...]
[You consume 1 Attribute Point and gain Yellow Rank High-Level Dou Technique "Crossing the Clouds and Fog"]
[Crossing the Clouds and Fog, Yellow Rank High level...]
[Name: Lin Xiu]
[Age: 18]
[Realm: 2 Star Dou Master (200/2000)]
[Constitution: 32]
[Spirit: 22]
[Aptitude: 20]
[Ability:
(Black Mid) Wind Thunder Technique lv8 (Full)
(Black Mid) Thundering Palm lv8 (Full)
(Black Low) Deadly Strike lv1 (0/100)
(Black Low) Wind Shadow Traceless Finger lv1 (0/100)
(Black Low Defensive) Thunderbolt Golden Body lv1 (0/100)
(Yellow High Movement) Wind Walk lv1 (0/100)
(Yellow High Swordsmanship) Crossing the Clouds and Fog lv1 (0/100)
(Yellow Mid Secret) Fury lv3 (230/300)
(Yellow Mid Secret) Origin Return lv5 (Full)
...]
[Attribute Points: 35]
"At this moment, I should be at my strongest." Lin Xiu exclaimed as he looked at his panel.
After the fusion of Mountain Breaker and another Dou Technique, transforming into Black Rank Low Level, his burst and damage ability escalated to another level.
In addition to his palm technique, he also gained a Black Rank Low Level finger technique.
His footwork had also improved, moving nearly twice as fast as the Swift Wind Steps. With the ability to sense opponents' movements through the wind, he could make timely changes in position.
Defensive Dou Techniques also saw a significant improvement. Able to utilize Lightning Attribute Dou Qi in Blood Qi, becoming stronger, and with Lightning Attribute Dou Qi providing a certain rebound effect.
"It's about time to go back." With a thought, Dou Qi in his dantian rolled back, and the wind and thunder Dou Qi poured into two Yuan apertures. His realm dropped from 2 Star Dou Master to 9 Star Dou Practitioner.
In these two months, Lin Xiu found a first-order Lightning Attribute magic core. After all, Lightning Attribute Magic Beasts were rare, and he didn't have the opportunity to find a second-rank one.
The crucial second-rank Lightning Attribute Magic Beast is also formidable, and Lin Xiu is not confident that he can win steadily now, especially since Lightning Attribute is renowned for its penetrating strength.
"In three months, advancing to 9 Star Dou Practitioner, the Academy elders should have nothing to say when they see me, after all, this is Jia Nan Academy."
Lin Xiu is ready to obtain Dou Techniques from the Academy. He has one more footwork Dou Technique, both Yellow Rank Low Level and Yellow Rank Mid Level. Regardless of which one he completed first, he can elevate his footwork to Black Rank Low Level.
As for sword techniques, he is a bit lacking, requiring at least one Yellow Rank High level.
"There's still one year left. Without protagonists like Xiao Yan or Xiao Xun'er in this generation, Wu Hao and Bai Shan haven't grown much either. I shouldn't have any major issues securing a spot in the top five. What needs attention is the competition for the Fire Energy when entering the Inner Academy."
Lin Xiu is not only thinking about preserving his own position but also about how to snatch away opportunities from others.
Entering the Inner Academy ahead of time allows me to seize opportunities in this generation, conceal my strength, and when Xiao Yan and the others arrive, I can seize opportunities again, grabbing twice in a row.
The Fire Energy can be used in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, where the Fallen Heart Flame can purify the Dou Qi inside the body, accelerating the advancement of strength.
Therefore, Fire Energy is crucial within the Inner Academy.
Lin Xiu can't imagine how fast his cultivation speed would be with the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, combined with his current abilities.
After eating grilled meat, Lin Xiu set off back to the Academy.
...
On the other side,
A dusty figure descended from a griffin and headed towards the Academy.
"It's been more than two months. I wonder how Lin Xiu's cultivation progress is now?" Huo Lan's expression revealed concern.
Last time, he arranged for Lin Xiu and Du Chaoping to go on a training journey, mainly because he saw Lin Xiu fishing all day and was worried about wasting time.
Unexpectedly, Du Chaoping returned and told him that Lin Xiu's fishing wasn't a complete waste of time. At least, he managed to obtain a Black Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique from Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan.
At that time, Huo Lan was utterly bewildered when he heard the news.
Initially, Huo Lan intended to have a chat with Lin Xiu, but Elder Huo suddenly approached him, saying there was an important arrangement and he needed to handle it personally.
As a Mentor, Huo Lan naturally had an upward mindset. Being able to assist Elder Huo made him anxious, and he didn't dare to be negligent.
However, he didn't expect it would take two months, and he couldn't help but worry that Lin Xiu might have slacked off.
Huo Lan had also been a student and fully understood that persevering in cultivation is a tedious and boring task.
If Lin Xiu wasted time during this period, it would greatly disrupt his plans.
"I'll have him come for an inspection later. If he has been lazy, I'll just reprimand him a bit." Huo Lan adhered to the Mentor's approach, and a little education wouldn't hurt.
But on second thought, Huo Lan reconsidered, "Reprimanding might not be good. A few words of advice will do. It's important to remember that haste makes waste. As long as Lin Xiu can participate in the assessment in two years and secure a top-five position, I'll be satisfied."
Entering the Academy, Huo Lan bumped into Ge Mu coming towards him.
Huo Lan greeted him, but unexpectedly, Ge Mu wore an expression so sour this time, unwilling to say a word.
"What's going on? Is this old guy too petty? I haven't provoked him in these two months. Why is he in such a bad mood?" Huo Lan was puzzled for a moment.
Without stopping, he continued, "Speaking of which, Ge Mu does have a promising disciple under him. It seems his name is Bai Shan. He treasures that Bai Shan as if he's a precious gem. In the future, when Lin Xiu participates in the Inner Court Assessment, he will surely become a rival to Bai Shan.
Regardless of the outcome of Lin Xiu's assessment this time, as a Mentor, I should make some investments."
Since Elder Huo's task was not urgent, Huo Lan did not rush to report but instead returned to his residence for some freshening up.
On the way, Huo Lan saw his own students and informed them to contact Du Chaoping and have him come over.
Before leaving, Huo Lan instructed Du Chaoping to keep a close eye on Lin Xiu during his absence from the Academy.
Therefore, Huo Lan planned to first gather information from Du Chaoping, and after completing Elder Huo's task, he would then have a discussion with Lin Xiu.
During Huo Lan's cleaning break, Du Chaoping also received a notification.
After thanking the classmates who informed him, Du Chaoping brought Han Pu and Qin Zhi together.
"Mentor is back, and he asked for me. It might be related to Junior Lin Xiu. Since you both have benefited from Junior Lin Xiu, come with me."
Du Chaoping informed the two, and during this period, their strengths had significantly improved due to the pure Dou Qi. Du Chaoping had advanced to a 2 Star Dou Master, while Han Pu and Qin Zhi both broke through to 1 Star Dou Master.
A significant portion of the credit for this improvement comes from Junior Lin Xiu. They have gained benefits, and it's necessary to let Mentor see it.
Perhaps it could give Mentor a pleasant surprise and prompt Mentor to give special rewards to Junior Lin Xiu.
"No problem, Senior."
"Alright."
The two had no objections; on the contrary, they were full of anticipation. They were both students recognized by the Mentor, and now with such significant progress, it would surely bring joy to Mentor.
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