One month later.
At the edge of the inner courtyard, beside the Grand Elder, Ziyan looked at Lin Yuan with slightly red eyes. Lin Yuan handed Ziyan two storage rings, his gentle gaze carrying a hint of reluctance as he said, "Ziyan, these storage rings contain the pills I've refined for you, with various flavors. There are plenty, enough for you to last a long time. This ring also has some snacks I've made."
Ziyan held the storage rings tightly in her hand and said reluctantly, "Lin Yuan, you must come back soon and take me on adventures."
Lin Yuan nodded, "Yes, Ziyan, you must also practice diligently in the academy!"
Then Lin Yuan turned to the Grand Elder, slightly bending his body in respect, and said, "From now on, Ziyan will need your guidance, Grand Elder."
In the past six months, perhaps due to Ziyan, Lin Yuan's relationship with Su Qian had grown much closer. Su Qian had become a mentor Lin Yuan greatly respected, and Lin Yuan had become a promising junior in Su Qian's eyes, both in talent and character.
"Understood," Su Qian said, patting Ziyan's slightly downcast head. He took out a piece of jade and handed it to Lin Yuan. "This is for you. It's the secret method you asked me to keep an eye on that can temporarily boost your strength. Consider it a farewell gift!"
Lin Yuan accepted the jade piece and solemnly bowed to Su Qian, "Thank you, Grand Elder."
"No need for such formality, Lin boy. Just remember not to tarnish the reputation of our Canaan Academy while you're out there!" Su Qian patted Lin Yuan's shoulder and joked.
"Yes! I understand," Lin Yuan replied seriously.
Then, Lin Yuan bent down and gave Ziyan a tight hug. After a few moments, he released her and turned to fly towards the outer courtyard.
Ziyan stood there for a while, lowering her head and remaining silent for a long time.
"Old man, I will practice hard and strive to punch Lin Yuan hard when he returns next time!" Ziyan's serious tone revealed a determination that was completely different from her usual self.
"Good! I will help you," Su Qian said, stroking his beard, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes as he sighed inwardly, "Indeed, the bonds between people are the easiest to foster growth."
"Then, old man, can you increase my share of medicinal materials? I need to eat more to become stronger." As Su Qian was lost in thought, Ziyan's mischievous voice reached his ears.
"You little girl!" Su Qian chuckled, feeling relieved. He preferred to see Ziyan happy and carefree.
Then, amidst the cheerful banter between the old man and the young girl, they headed towards the inner courtyard.
**Canaan Academy Outer Courtyard.**
As soon as Lin Yuan arrived at the outer courtyard, he found five people waiting for him: Elder Huo, Hu Qian, Wu Tianlang, Hu Jia, and Wu Hao.
Lin Yuan stepped forward and bowed to Elder Huo, Hu Qian, and Wu Tianlang. These three were significant figures in his cultivation journey. Elder Huo had initiated his career as an alchemist, Hu Qian, as the vice president, had included him in the "Hero Cultivation Plan," and Wu Tianlang had taken good care of him during his training in the enforcement team, having saved his life before.
The three exchanged glances, and Hu Qian stepped forward, handing Lin Yuan a black token with a large character "Lin" on one side. "This is for you. It's the messenger token of Canaan Academy. You might find it useful during your travels. After all, in the Northwest Continent, most forces still respect our Canaan Academy!"
Then Elder Huo, Hu Qian, and Wu Tianlang each gave their advice.
"While traveling, do not forget to improve your alchemy skills; do not waste your talent in this field."
"While traveling, do not forget to practice your fighting spirit; strength is fundamental in the Fighting Spirit Continent."
"While traveling, do not forget that Canaan Academy is your strongest backing; do not tarnish its name."
Lin Yuan clasped his fists and deeply bowed to the three elders, "I will remember your teachings, esteemed mentors." Elder Huo, Hu Qian, and Wu Tianlang each patted his shoulder in turn before leaving, leaving only Hu Jia and Wu Hao behind.
Lin Yuan nodded at Hu Jia and Wu Hao, smiling as he greeted them, "Hu Jia, Wu Hao, long time no see. Are you here to see me off?"
Hu Jia, now a three-star fighter, looked at Lin Yuan with a complex expression, which eventually turned into determination as she said, "I didn't expect you to have advanced so much. I heard from my grandfather that you've already reached the mid-stage Fighting King! It seems it's time for me to put in a lot of effort to catch up with you."
Wu Hao, also a three-star fighter, looked at Lin Yuan with fighting spirit, tightly gripping his blood sword, and said solemnly, "Even though you've gotten ahead, I won't give up. I will chase you closely from behind."
Hearing this, Lin Yuan nodded seriously and said, "That's good. Those with great ambitions achieve great things. I will take the lead on the path of cultivation, serving as a target for you to strive towards. I hope you can keep up with my pace."
"Since that's the case..."
As if recalling something, Lin Yuan took out two jade bottles containing pills from his storage ring. The bottles were filled with dense pill mist, indicating they contained very high-quality pills. Then, under the puzzled gazes of Hu Jia and Wu Hao, Lin Yuan raised his right hand.
"This is a peak fourth-grade pill I developed myself, the Earth Marrow Body Refining Pill. It can refine the body and lay the foundation for breaking through to the Great Fighter, Fighting Spirit, or even Fighting King realms in the future. If you are confident that you can return me an item of equal or greater value within five years using your own strength, come forward and slap hands with me to seal the deal, and take this pill!" Lin Yuan said with a light smile.
The Earth Marrow Body Refining Pill is also a top-tier existence among peak fourth-grade pills. To surpass it, one would need at least fifth-grade materials, which would be quite difficult to obtain on their own.
Upon hearing this, Hu Jia and Wu Hao's expressions changed. After a while, their initial surprise was replaced by determination as they exchanged glances.
Wu Hao stepped forward first, extending his hand to slap Lin Yuan's hand firmly, taking one Earth Marrow Body Refining Pill, and said solemnly, "I accept this deal."
Then, Hu Jia also stepped forward, extending her hand to slap Lin Yuan's hand firmly, taking one Earth Marrow Body Refining Pill, and said seriously, "I accept this deal as well."
In the distance, Elder Huo, Hu Qian, and Wu Tianlang, who were hidden and unnoticed by Hu Jia and Wu Hao, witnessed the agreement between them and Lin Yuan.
Wu Tianlang, usually serious, couldn't help but show a hint of a smile, and his normally steady voice had a lighter tone, "With Wu Hao's character, he will probably pay more attention to his cultivation from now on."
Hu Qian was also very pleased and said cheerfully, "Hehe, with this agreement, my girl won't be able to relax either. Her pride is quite high, so it seems she will put more effort into her training."
Elder Huo stroked his beard, his eyes filled with nostalgia, "The youthful promises of these young people are truly wonderful."
Hu Jia took out three wine cups, poured wine into them, and handed them to Wu Hao and Lin Yuan. The three raised their cups and clinked them together.
"Until we meet again, Lin Yuan."
"Until we meet again, Lin Yuan."
After saying this, the three of them drank the wine in one go.
"Then until we meet again! Thank you all for seeing me off today. I hope that when we meet next time, you can surprise me!" Lin Yuan laughed heartily, turned, and flew into the sky, eventually becoming a streak of green light as he headed northwest, soaring over the outer courtyard.
"The Gama Empire, Lin Yuan has returned."
This book has been signed. Thank you for your support, dear readers. Qingping will continue to work hard and hopes everyone will keep supporting, helping to collect, vote, and follow. If you have any thoughts on the plot, feel free to discuss in the comments section.
(End of Chapter)