When Lin Xiu regained consciousness, he found himself lying on a bed. There was a tearing pain in his body, not as severe as he had expected.
"You're awake, junior brother," Du Chaoping said excitedly beside him.
"How long was I out?" Lin Xiu asked, his voice hoarse, as he sat up with the support of his arm. The last time he used the Wind and Thunder Shattering Limits to enhance his Constitution and heal his injuries.
With the pain so light now, he couldn't have been lying down for very long, could he? He regretted allocating all his Attribute Points to the Starlight Body Forging Technique.
"For a day and a night."
Du Chaoping brought a cup of water over, and Lin Xiu took a sip and finished it, somewhat surprised. His injuries healed so quickly? Could it be the effect of the Starlight Body Forging Technique?
The Wind and Thunder Shattering Limits stimulated the body with the power of wind and thunder, promoting one's own realm and having a tearing effect on the meridians and body.
As if remembering something, Du Chaoping told Lin Xiu not to move around and hurriedly ran out. Soon, footsteps sounded in the corridor outside.
The door opened, and Elder Zhao and Elder Li walked in first.
When the two of them saw Lin Xiu on the bed, smiles appeared on their old faces.
Su Xiao, Leng Bai, and Xiu Yan followed behind, with Du Chaoping bringing up the rear.
"Awake? You youngster, you really pushed yourself. If it weren't for me happening to have a Revitalizing Pill on me, you'd probably have to lie down for at least half a month before you could sit up." Elder Zhao's tone was reprimanding, yet also seemed caring, which conveniently dispelled Lin Xiu's confusion.
"Lin Xiu, you must thank him. Normally, Elder Zhao is very stingy. It's hard to get him to take out a Fourth Grade Pill," Elder Li said.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiu got off the bed, bowed, and paid his respects. "I am grateful for the Elder's generosity."
"Don't listen to his nonsense, I am quite generous," Elder Zhao said with a bright smile. He gently lifted Lin Xiu with a palm and helped him back onto the bed with a gentle Dou Qi.
"But I must remind you, don't use such Secret Techniques recklessly next time. It's too harmful to the body, and if it gets serious, it will affect your foundation."
"I understand," Lin Xiu nodded earnestly, resolving to only use it again with Attribute Points available.
"The Fire Energy Hunting Competition has not had any new students break through the Black and White Evil Stopper since its inception. Lin Xiu, you are the first. As a reward, take this Red Fire Crystal Card. Inside, there are also one hundred days of Fire Energy, as a reward."
Elder Zhao returned to the main topic, looking at Lin Xiu with an appreciative gaze.
In reality, Lin Xiu almost single-handedly defeated the White Evil Stopper Team.
Such strength, such talent, was rarely seen among Outer Court Students.
Having such a promising talent in the Inner Court was something the entire Academy was very pleased to see.
Taking the red Fire Crystal Card, Lin Xiu followed the Elder's suggestion and transferred the Fire Energy from his Black Fire Crystal Card to the new one, then handed the Black Fire Crystal Card to the Elder.
"Next time you encounter difficulties in the Inner Court or have problems with your cultivation, you can come to me," Elder Zhao said, patting Lin Xiu's shoulder lightly.
Lin Xiu was pleasantly surprised by the favor and expressed his thanks.
After that, Elder Zhao distributed rewards to Su Xiao and the other three separately.
Unlike Lin Xiu's red Fire Crystal Card, theirs were blue Fire Crystal Cards, along with thirty days of Fire Energy.
After thanking the elders, the four of them received their Fire Crystal Cards.
Elder Zhao and Elder Li didn't linger and left the room.
"Wow, they directly rewarded us with a blue Fire Crystal Card. It takes at least 100 days of Fire Energy to upgrade from a Black Fire Crystal Card," Leng Bai exclaimed as he held up the blue Fire Crystal Card to examine it closely.
Beside him, Du Chaoping was equally excited, even more so than Leng Bai, his hand trembling as he held the blue Fire Crystal Card.
He knew very well that if it were solely up to him, it might take him a year in the Inner Court just to earn a blue Fire Crystal Card.
After all, each person could only receive seven days of Fire Energy per month, despite being able to do some cleaning tasks.
But the returns were too low and would disrupt cultivation time.
And if he participated in the Arena, his strength was too weak.
"Don't just stand there, come over and distribute the Fire Energy," Lin Xiu waved the red Fire Crystal Card in his hand.
When Elder Zhao took it out just now, even he was stunned. After all, the red Fire Crystal Card was enough to reach the seventh or eighth floor of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
It's worth noting that the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower has a total of ten floors, with the tenth floor belonging to the elders, where only the top ten of the annual rankings can enter to receive the essence of the Heartfire for body forging.
All students can only go up to the ninth floor at most.
"If only I had the Heavenly Flame, I wouldn't have to worry about the hidden dangers of the fiery toxins from the Heartfire, and I could directly go down to the eighth floor to cultivate. I'm afraid the speed would be astonishing," Lin Xiu sighed in his heart. When he came to his senses, he found that Su Xiao and the others hadn't moved. He couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled.
After exchanging glances, Su Xiao finally spoke up, "Lin Xiu, actually, while you were unconscious, we had already discussed it. We don't intend to take any of the Fire Energy from this Fire Energy Hunting Competition. It's all for you."
"What do you mean? Am I still dreaming?" Lin Xiu couldn't help but feel doubtful. Who would refuse Fire Energy?
Su Xiao shook his head. "Originally, nobody thought we could keep the Fire Energy from this competition. When you later proposed your plan, we were all excited about it. But in the end, everyone witnessed that last battle, and we all understand that without you, we couldn't have defeated the White Evil Stopper Team."
"Lin Xiu, this time we can get a blue Fire Crystal Card and thirty days of Fire Energy, which is already a pleasant surprise," Leng Bai chimed in. At the time, he thought his efforts would be in vain, but he never expected Lin Xiu to single-handedly turn the situation around.
According to his expectations, being able to get several tens of days' worth of Fire Energy would have been enough, but he never thought the elders would not only reward Fire Energy but also give out blue Fire Crystal Cards.
This greatly exceeded Leng Bai's expectations.
"Junior brother, don't look at me like that. I've looked into it. If you give me the Fire Energy, it won't be long before the seniors snatch it away. It's completely unnecessary," Du Chaoping said, waving his hand when he saw Lin Xiu's expression.
This morning, several seniors came to collect tribute fees from the freshmen, and they came in succession.
At that time, Du Chaoping was thinking that instead of letting other seniors take it, it would be better to give it to Lin Xiu.
He personally experienced the kindness of that sword back then. At least, in terms of cherishing old relationships, there was a guarantee.
"My stance is similar to theirs."
Xiu Yan crossed his arms. "Lin Xiu, with that plan of yours, the freshmen hold considerable resentment towards you. Do you want to join our Law Enforcement Team? Otherwise, I suspect both the freshmen and seniors of this year will target you."
Lin Xiu waved his hand. He needed to sort things out now.
These few people didn't want the Fire Energy that everyone in the inner courtyard was scrambling for?
If other seniors were to see this scene, they'd probably be shocked, right?
"No, are you guys not joking?" Lin Xiu couldn't help but ask again.
Happiness indeed came too suddenly, leaving him a bit overwhelmed for a moment.
After all, he really needed Fire Energy.
Firstly, his Qi Methods urgently needed fusion, and Qi Method could only be cultivated once. To advance other Qi Method levels, Attribute Points were necessary.
He needed several tens of points for this.
He had to exchange some low-level Dou Techniques to earn Attribute Points.
Secondly, improving his strength.
Lin Xiu knew that Xiao Yan would come to Jia Nan Academy soon, and before his arrival, there would be a wave of opportunities.
Whether it was the Dou Technique Three Thousand Lightning Movements or the Grade Seven Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill, Lin Xiu wanted to compete for them.
These were all useful things for him. If he knew about them but missed them, he would be wasting his advantages.
---
Check out my Patreon for up to 50 Advanced Chapters.
Link : patreon.com/AlbertTL