Chapter 75: Building Influence? Future Plans!
Squeak...
The wooden door slowly creaked open, and Elder Lin introduced the four of them.
"This attic will be your residence within the inner court, with individual rooms, practice rooms, and all the necessary facilities."
"The inner court is different from the outer court; the competition here is more intense!"
"If you're alone, you'll be at a disadvantage here. Since you four already have the bond from the Fire Energy Hunt, why not take this opportunity to work together and form a small group?"
Elder Lin rambled on, explaining many rules of the inner court and giving his sensible advice.
"Thank you for your guidance and enlightenment, Elder Lin," Xiao Ze thanked respectfully.
"Hehe, with your cultivation speed, little guy, I'm afraid it won't take you more than a year or two to ascend to the position of elder. By then, you and I will be peers," Elder Lin chuckled, highly optimistic about Xiao Ze's potential.
Even before Xiao Ze truly became an elder, Elder Lin already saw him as a peer to some extent.
And since there were no outsiders present, he spoke frankly.
Xiaoxun'er and Han Yue didn't show much change in their expressions; they had absolute confidence in Xiao Ze.
However, Han Yue looked at Xiao Ze with some surprise.
She only got closer to Xiao Ze after the inner court selection tournament.
She didn't know much about Xiao Ze yet.
But with Elder Lin's endorsement, Han Yue gained a clearer understanding of Xiao Ze's future.
Being at least at the level of an elder!
"Alright, you should settle in first. Afterwards, explore the inner court and get used to the atmosphere of cultivation here."
"Farewell, Elder Lin."
Xiao Ze and his team watched Elder Lin leave and then each chose a room on the second floor.
As evening fell, Xiao Ze and his companions gathered again in the hall downstairs.
"After Elder Lin and Senior Han Yue's guidance, we now understand the inner court as well as the senior students. Now, it's time to make a decision."
Xiaoxun'er smiled and said, "Should we establish an influence?"
The corners of Han Yue's mouth twitched slightly, and she furrowed her brows.
As the bearer of the Calamity Poison Body, she was accustomed to being alone.
If she hadn't met Xiao Ze and become his companion, she might still be alone now.
She felt some resistance to the idea of forming an influence.
But seeing that Xiao Ze hadn't expressed his opinion yet, Han Yue didn't speak up.
Han Yue looked a little puzzled, showing a struggling expression.
She only got close to Xiao Ze after the Fire Energy Hunt and gained a lot of fire energy from him.
If Xiao Ze wanted to establish an influence, she couldn't just abandon him.
If that was the case, she would have to inform her clan in advance and not join the influence formed by her clan.
Xiaoxun'er's sudden question brought different expressions from the two present.
Xiao Ze took it all in, and a decision formed in his heart.
"Let's forget it. I'm used to being alone. Establishing an influence isn't really necessary. I can barely manage my own cultivation, let alone managing an influence."
After hearing Xiao Ze's words, Xiaoxun'er's brow relaxed.
Han Yue also breathed a sigh of relief, though inexplicably, there was a hint of loss in her heart.
Perhaps because she wouldn't be able to see Xiao Ze frequently in the future.
After all, if she joined the influence formed by her clan, she definitely wouldn't be able to live in the same attic as Xiao Ze.
And with their usual cultivation, they would have even fewer opportunities to see each other.
"Since Xiao Ze has made such a decision, then so be it."
Xiaoxun'er had no objections.
If Xiao Ze wanted to establish an influence, she would certainly assist him in managing it.
But if Xiao Ze didn't have such plans, Xiaoxun'er wouldn't force him.
"However... the advice of the elder about forming a group still has its merits. Being alone may not be easy in the inner court."
Han Yue couldn't help but express her worries. She planned to join the influence formed by her clan next.
After all, it was agreed upon before she entered the inner court, and she couldn't break her promise.
Now that she had found her place, she began to worry about Xiao Ze and the other two.
"Haha, don't worry, Senior Han Yue. It's true that being alone is a disadvantage, but that's only under normal circumstances."
Xiao Ze spoke confidently, "Once your strength reaches a certain level, you can overcome these troubles."
"After all, Senior Han Yue, didn't you say that there are lone individuals even on the Strong List?"
"I might have been overly concerned," Han Yue laughed, no longer doubting Xiao Ze's words.
The mystery and strength Xiao Ze displayed were enough to explain everything.
"Senior Han Yue, do you have a place to go now?"
Xiaoxun'er suddenly spoke.
Han Yue was surprised. She hadn't explained yet, but how did Xiaoxun'er already know?
She looked at Xiao Ze and the little doctor, who both had calm expressions, and couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Was I so obvious?"
"Indeed... a bit too obvious," Xiao Ze nodded.
"Xiaoxun'er just noticed the hesitation and struggle in Senior Han Yue's eyes when you mentioned forming an influence," Xiaoxun'er explained.
"Xiao Ze, I have a request. I wonder if you can agree?" Han Yue hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
"Please go ahead, Senior Han Yue."
"The influence I want to join is formed by my clan. It was agreed upon before, and it's difficult to refuse. But can I still live in this attic?"
"Of course! This attic doesn't belong to me alone, Xiao Ze. Stay as long as you like, Senior Han Yue."
Xiao Ze smiled, easing Han Yue's worries and earning a relieved smile from her.
...
In the evening, the four of them went to the cafeteria set up in the inner court for a hearty meal to celebrate their victory in the Fire Energy Hunt.
On the way back, Xiao Ze looked at the numbers on the blue fire energy card and couldn't help but sigh.
"Fire energy seems to be needed everywhere in the inner court."
Earlier, they had spent several days' worth of fire energy on just one meal.
This seemed to be one of the ways the inner court recovered fire energy.
In addition to the Sky Incineration Refining Tower, there were many other ways to recover fire energy in the inner court.
"The inner court isn't lacking in ways to obtain fire energy. Xiao Ze, with your strength, you could try the arena," Han Yue suggested upon hearing Xiao Ze's sigh.
"No rush. Let's go to the Sky Incineration Refining Tower tomorrow. That's the foundation of the inner court's ability to cultivate so many strong individuals. I'm really curious about it."
Xiao Ze hinted at something as he spoke.
He was looking forward to what benefits he could gain from the Sky Incineration Refining Tower.
Back in their attic, Xiao Ze went to the top floor.
Lying on the roof, Xiao Ze looked at the inner court in the night.
Except for a few places that were still bustling, most areas had fallen into silence.
The inner court was nestled in a basin, surrounded by towering edges.
Looking at the scene before him, Xiao Ze knew that he would spend the next one or two years here.
He didn't have many goals in the inner court.
First, he had to cultivate his own strength to the Emperor level.
This was fundamental to solving the crisis facing the Xiao family and had to be achieved!
As for future goals, Xiao Ze needed enough strength to act freely.
Otherwise, just facing the Queen Medusa would be enough to give him a headache.
(End of this chapter)