As they neared the entrance of the Academy, Han Yue snapped out of her daze to find her wrist held by Lin Xiu. A blush flashed across her face as she gently pulled away.
Lin Xiu remained composed, asking, "Senior Sister, are you going to see someone from the Medicine Gang to refine medicine?"
"No, the Medicine Gang's prices are high, and Ice Soul Pills are only Third Grade Pills. Others in the Academy can also refine them."
Han Yue shook her head slightly. "This time you can meet them and get to know them. In the future, if you need to refine pills, you can also find them."
Among the inner courtyard students, the power struggles were complex. However, not all alchemists would join the Medicine Gang, leading to the emergence of some independent individuals. The sale of drugs in the Academy was almost monopolized by the Medicine Gang.
Those alchemists, in order to avoid trouble, would choose to befriend some strong classmates.
If conflicts arise, people like Han Yue would have to intervene.
"Senior Sister, do they often encounter frequent conflicts?"
Lin Xiu felt he could start a proxy business. Dou Technique leveling up requires experience, and sparring can also gain realm experience. Winning can earn favor from alchemists, as well as Fire Energy.
It's a win-win situation. Han Yue was taken aback. "Not really."
Seeing a hint of disappointment on Lin Xiu's face, she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Lin Xiu shook his head.
In a courtyard, Lin Xiu met several alchemists who lived together.
Most of the courtyard area had been transformed and planted with vegetation. The meeting went very smoothly; alchemists liked to invest and were never stingy with their favor towards those with potential.
Learning that Lin Xiu was interested in alchemy, the alchemist responsible for helping Han Yue directly refined Ice Soul Pills in the courtyard to show Lin Xiu a thing or two.
"Merely observing with the naked eye won't trigger the ability to refine medicine. To unlock it, I may need systematic learning or a mentor to guide me in," Lin Xiu understood the direction for the next steps after a session of alchemy. To become an Alchemist, he figured he needed to obtain something akin to a manual like Qi Methods or Dou Techniques, or find a teacher.
"Junior Lin Xiu, feel free to visit anytime. If you need to refine pills, you can also come to us; we're usually free," several people stood side by side at the courtyard entrance, their smiles warm.
"No problem," Lin Xiu replied with a smile. After a moment's thought, he decided to advertise himself a bit, "Senior Brothers, if any of you need help resolving issues through fighting, you can also contact me."
The others were momentarily stunned, seeing Lin Xiu's expression wasn't joking; they nodded in confusion.
As they watched Lin Xiu and Han Yue leave, they exchanged a glance with each other.
"This junior seems to have a strong desire for battle," someone remarked.
Another person rubbed their chin. "It's not surprising. Remember how he fought quite a few senior students in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition when he first entered the Academy?"
"I was worried about having to speak up in the future, but now Junior Lin Xiu himself said it. If those guys from the Medicine Gang provoke us again, I won't hold back," someone clenched their fists, a fierce look flashing across their face.
"Don't act recklessly. Junior Lin Xiu has only been in school for a short time. If he provokes those who rank high on the strong list, he may not necessarily be their match," the person who rubbed their chin reminded.
The group closed the courtyard door, and the chatter gradually faded away.
...
Separated from Han Yue, Lin Xiu first went to collect his two-month share of Fire Energy, totaling fourteen days. Then, he exchanged all the magic cores on his body for Fire Energy. The Fire Energy he had just obtained hadn't even warmed up in his hands before he exchanged some of it for Dou Techniques.
"Four hundred and sixty days worth. If I go to the eighth level, it'll cost eight days of Fire Energy per day... Hmm, I'd better practice on the fifth level for now."
Back at his residence, Lin Xiu prepared hot water and soaked himself in it, pondering slightly. He realized his Fire Energy was running low.
"I also have the blood of Fifth Rank Magic Beasts. If I were to purchase with Fire Energy, it would probably cost a fortune."
"I never worried about money in the outer courtyard. I didn't expect to be troubled by it after entering the inner courtyard."
"I'll wait for Du Chaoping and Leng Bai to come back later and ask them."
Lin Xiu tentatively planned to participate in the Arena. It provided both experience and Fire Energy, but he needed to control his wins and losses. Winning consistently would make him too strong for anyone to challenge.
In the evening, Du Chaoping and Leng Bai returned, each having broken through two realms in strength. They didn't have much Fire Energy on them, and they couldn't spend all their time in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
So, three months passed, but their progress was several times slower than Lin Xiu's.
"You, you disappeared for two months! You promised to watch over both of us, didn't you?" Leng Bai rushed up to Lin Xiu and punched him in the chest.
Lin Xiu was taken aback. "You got bullied?"
Leng Bai nodded.
Seeing him silent, Lin Xiu looked to Du Chaoping.
"It was after you left the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower and left for two days. Those senior students came looking for us, wanting to challenge both me and Leng Bai," Du Chaoping forced a somewhat strained smile.
After entering the inner courtyard, he realized just how important strength was. Weaklings could only endure beatings.
"Who were they? Was Bai Feng among them?" Lin Xiu's expression darkened as he asked.
"White Gang didn't participate. It's strange when you think about it. After all, in terms of conflicts, Bai Feng should have the biggest conflict with you," Du Chaoping said, looking puzzled.
Lin Xiu looked lost. It was strange that Bai Feng didn't get involved; was he planning something big?
With no clues, Lin Xiu didn't want to waste brain cells. He called the two of them, planning to settle things at the Arena tomorrow.
Du Chaoping tried to persuade him otherwise, but Leng Bai disagreed. The former had always been modest in the outer court, unlike Leng Bai.
"Senior Brother, don't worry. I'm a 7 Star Dou Grandmaster now. Even facing an early stage Dou Spirit, they're no match for me."
To reassure Du Chaoping, Lin Xiu revealed his strength. Upon hearing this, both Leng Bai and Du Chaoping showed surprise.
"Lin Xiu, you were behind me before. Now you've surpassed me directly?" Leng Bai couldn't accept reality.
Du Chaoping was more accepting; he had experienced such a situation before.
...
The next day.
Early in the morning, Lin Xiu took the two of them to the Arena.
Many people were here, earning Fire Energy through duels, so even in the morning, the Arena was bustling.
Leng Bai pointed out several forces in succession. Initially, those people didn't pay attention to Lin Xiu, but after several 9 Star Dou Grandmasters were defeated by Lin Xiu in one move, they gradually realized that what those people in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition said about their encounters might not be boasting; Lin Xiu was really strong.
After a morning's worth of time, those who had bullied Leng Bai and Du Chaoping all bowed their heads and apologized.
"Take these Fire Energy. If you have time, keep an eye out for me. If someone lacks the strength to fight, ask them if they need a stand-in."
Before entering the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, Lin Xiu instructed the two.
Leng Bai was stunned, "A stand-in? Are you planning to be a hired fighter?"
"What's the problem? There are people like that in the Arena. Anyway, I enjoy sparring with others and earning Fire Energy." Lin Xiu saw many people with the same mindset as him today in the Arena.
Leng Bai choked for a moment.
In fact, he had once had such thoughts, but his strength was not enough. After losing two matches, he didn't dare to take on challenges anymore.
"Lin Xiu, what if someone hires you to deal with us?" Leng Bai suddenly asked.
Du Chaoping was startled, as if he hadn't ruled out this possibility. He couldn't help but look at Lin Xiu.
"Leng Bai, you're doubting my character now. Given our relationship, if such a thing were to happen..."
Lin Xiu patted Leng Bai's shoulder, "You tell him, he'll have to increase the Fire Energy he proposes!"
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