"To be honest, I'm also from Jia Ma Empire. After all these years away, I do have thoughts of going back to visit," Lin Xiu didn't rush to agree, instead observing Xiao Yan and noting the changes in his expression.
Xiao Yan had already learned about this from Xiao Yu and the others, so he showed no surprise on his face.
"Senior Brother, I heard you are quite interested in Qi Methods and Dou Techniques. If I can settle things with Yun Shan this time, then everything related to Misty Cloud Sect will be yours. The only condition is that if there's an unexpected situation, you lend a hand once," Xiao Yan said.
This was the information Xiao Yan got from his elder brother Xiao Li.
Since Lin Xiu emerged from seclusion, he had been appearing in succession at Black Mark City, Ground Fire Sect, Blood Sect, and other places. Xiao Li learned that Lin Xiu was particularly interested in these matters, not even sparing some Yellow Rank Dou Techniques.
"Alright," upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Lin Xiu didn't refuse any further.
However, whether or not he intervened with Misty Cloud Sect, the final possessions would all belong to him. In this regard, Xiao Yan's contribution was not significant.
Therefore, he added, "Apart from this, you still owe me a promise."
"Of course, I understand. Thank you, Senior Brother, for agreeing. It's really great," Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement in his eyes, which he hid well enough not to let Lin Xiu notice.
The two agreed on a time, and Xiao Yan took his leave. Later, Du Chaoping and others gathered around, as their conversation wasn't held in secret from them, so they all heard it.
"Young brother, are you really planning to go? I heard that Misty Cloud Sect is the largest sect in our Jia Ma Empire. Is it really wise to get involved in such an event?" Du Chaoping expressed concern for Lin Xiu.
In his view, traveling a long distance to help a junior in a battle would not yield substantial benefits compared to focusing on cultivation.
"Yeah, Elder Su Qian probably wouldn't agree either. He treasures you like a gem now. How can he rest assured letting you venture into such a distant place for risks?" Leng Bai thought Lin Xiu agreed too readily.
After all, the fact that the Academy intended to groom Lin Xiu as the next Grand Elder was an open secret.
"A sword's edge is sharpened by honing, staying at the Academy all the time will only make me languish."
Lin Xiu shook his head slightly, "As for Grand Elder, I will personally go and explain to him. I believe he will agree."
Upon hearing him say this, the two didn't say much more. However, Leng Bai, upon hearing Lin Xiu's words, looked eager, apparently wanting to participate as well.
But Lin Xiu brushed him off with a single remark about being inadequate as a Dou King, implying he could only watch from afar and not participate in much.
On the night Lin Xiu agreed to Xiao Yan's request, Lin Xiu Ya, Yan Hao, and others visited his courtyard. They discussed the matter, and news of Lin Xiu's decision to assist Xiao Yan and accompany him to Jia Ma Empire spread throughout the Academy.
"Xiao Yan approached me before, promising to refine a Mighty Huang Pill for me afterward, but I didn't agree. I didn't see the point," Yan Hao said casually.
Combat, such a thing, there are Magic Beasts near the Academy, and there are plenty of people in the Black-Corner Region. Why travel all the way to Jia Ma Empire?
Moreover, he wasn't particularly familiar with Xiao Yan. Although Xiao Yan had good cultivation talent and had surpassed him in strength, compared to Lin Xiu, there was still a significant gap.
Lin Xiu Ya nodded as well, indicating that he had also been invited by Xiao Yan.
"Are you really going?" He asked Lin Xiu with a questioning look.
"Yes," Lin Xiu nodded faintly.
Yan Hao and Lin Xiu Ya exchanged glances. Yan Hao spoke first, "Then we'll accompany you."
"And um..." Zi Yan, with her mouth full of meat, mumbled unclearly, raising her shiny, oily hand.
"Sure, since there's no danger this time, consider it a trip to see the sights," he added.
Lin Xiu was very casual. As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a scornful gaze directed at him.
"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" He met Yan Hao's gaze.
"While I haven't deliberately inquired, I do know that Misty Cloud Sect currently has a Dou Ancestor powerhouse." Yan Hao spoke seriously.
"I know that, but a year ago, I could defeat a peak Dou Emperor. Now, do you think a Dou Ancestor is a threat to me?" Lin Xiu replied nonchalantly.
Damn! He's acting like a big shot! Yan Hao felt an urge to slap himself.
"It seems like you've made a lot of progress this year. I'm looking forward to seeing your potential." Lin Xiu Ya smiled lightly.
Throughout this year, considering Lin Xiu's talent, how much advancement has he made? One star or two stars?
He said a Dou Ancestor poses no threat. Could Lin Xiu have advanced three star realms in just one year?
"There will be opportunities," Lin Xiu smiled similarly.
Setting aside Yun Shan, Protector Wu was worth his effort too.
If one does not reciprocate kindness, last year Protector Wu dared to accept the invitation to come to Black-Corner Region to deal with him. Next year, wouldn't he dare to come alone to assassinate me?
This risk must be preemptively suppressed.
The next day, Lin Xiu went straight to find Su Qian and briefly mentioned the news of his intention to go out.
As expected, Su Qian did not agree.
He hoped Lin Xiu would focus and improve at the Academy and not engage in fighting.
In terms of talent, Lin Xiu is stronger than anyone else; what he lacks is just time to grow.
Lin Xiu also repeated the old saying, roughly meaning "the sword is sharpened by grinding, and the plum blossom fragrance comes from the bitter cold."
The true strong must endure trials to grow.
Seeing Lin Xiu's determination, Su Qian had no choice. However, as he needed to remain at Jia Nan Academy, he could not leave easily and could only remind Lin Xiu to be careful.
After Lin Xiu agreed, he went to the outer courtyard again and found Hu Gan and Elder Huo.
These two had been quite considerate to him, and he wouldn't hide any good things from them naturally.
He gave Hu Gan a small amount of Core Quenching Body Milk obtained from the wilderness expedition, and to Elder Huo, a Sixth Grade Alchemist insight acquired from Han Feng, with some of Lin Xiu's own interpretations added to certain details.
He had not given these items earlier partly due to being busy and forgetting, and partly out of concern they might ask too many questions.
Now that he was about to leave the Academy, Lin Xiu gave them to the two.
Hu Gan and Elder Huo each received their respective items and were pleasantly surprised, somewhat bewildered.
Especially for Hu Gan, who had been stuck at the peak of Dou Emperor for a long time, having such a pure and potent Core Quenching Body Milk offered a great chance to break through to Dou Ancestor.
As for Old Huo, he had been trapped at the Fifth Grade Alchemist level for a long time without promotion. With this insight, he was confident he could advance within half a year.
The two detained Lin Xiu and didn't let him slip away directly, instead treating him to a sumptuous meal.
After several years, Lin Xiu tasted the flavor of White Carp again. Its flesh was indeed tender and delicious, with a natural sweetness, explaining why Elder Huo had been so fond of it before.
When he left their residence, Hu Gan and Old Huo each held a jug of wine, their faces flushed with alcohol.
Not long after Lin Xiu departed, the two men's eyes cleared up.
"Hu Gan, you really have a good eye for people," Old Huo sighed deeply, mixed with regret and admiration.
In just a few years, the boy who had exchanged fish for pills with him had now become a capable and independent strongman.
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