Chapter 65: Parchment's Role

Using the same method, Lin Xiu resolved the crisis on Qin Zhi's side.

Seeing the two standing together, safely out of danger, Lin Xiu focused on dealing with others.

"I don't believe you alone can defeat all of us." Bai Shan rushed over with others.

After a brief moment of panic, Bai Shan also understood.

At the moment, Du Chaoping couldn't be Wang Ming's opponent. As long as they held back Lin Xiu, and Wang Ming dealt with Du Chaoping, Lin Xiu alone couldn't stir up any waves.

So, after Bai Shan surrounded Lin Xiu with his men, he didn't expect to defeat Lin Xiu, mainly aiming to besiege him and prevent him from supporting Du Chaoping.

Holding the power of thunder in his palms, Lin Xiu felt frustrated as his Thundering Palm couldn't find a target. Bai Shan and his group became clever, each of them very vigilant. 

Every time Lin Xiu found a chance to strike, two or even three people would immediately come to interfere. In such a situation, if Lin Xiu made a move, he would be subjected to attacks from at least two people. 

Exchanging blows in this manner was clearly inappropriate at the moment. Because Wang Ming was the greatest threat. 

"Junior, don't get entangled with them," Du Chaoping shouted. He voluntarily stepped back to the entrance of the cave, waiting for Lin Xiu to come over. 

The two stood side by side, facing Bai Shan and the others. Behind them was the cave entrance. As long as Bai Shan and the others dared to press forward, they could retreat into the cave for defense. The cave entrance was narrow, only allowing one person to pass through. Du Chaoping was confident that, together with Lin Xiu, they could deal with one person first.

Seeing through their intentions, Bai Shan and Wang Ming became somewhat wary. Both of them knew the power Lin Xiu could unleash, and anyone who charged first at this moment would undoubtedly pay a heavy price in severe injuries. 

Wang Ming was only acting on someone's behalf, gaining no benefits at the moment. If he suffered severe injuries, who would compensate for the time wasted on recovery? Therefore, Wang Ming had no intention of taking the initiative to charge. 

They pressed forward step by step, and when they saw Lin Xiu and the others retreat into the cave, they all stopped. "Go bring some firewood and use smoke to force them out," Bai Shan commanded. Immediately, someone took action. 

"Bai Shan, perhaps they are telling the truth. If there's nothing inside the cave, there's no need to waste time," Wang Ming suggested, eager to return to the Academy. 

"Senior, wait for another half day. If we can't smoke them out, we'll leave," Bai Shan decided that even if they couldn't gain an advantage, they would at least make things difficult for them.

Before long, a large amount of firewood was piled up at the cave entrance and then set on fire. Inside the cave, the four individuals also discerned Bai Shan's plan.

"Senior, they've started a fire," Qin Zhi covered her nose, her expression somewhat unpleasant. The air was already very foul, and now with the addition of smoke, there was no ventilation space, making the upcoming situation extremely uncomfortable.

Du Chaoping looked at Lin Xiu, "Junior, what's your current level of strength?"

He wanted to rush out and confront Bai Shan.

"If I unleash my full power, I can probably end up mutually injured with Wang Ming," Lin Xiu replied.

"What?" As soon as these words were spoken, the three individuals in the cave were clearly startled. In the glow of the fire, three faces simultaneously showed expressions of shock.

"Junior, your progress is too terrifying," Du Chaoping's mood was complex, his inner feelings a mix of various emotions. After being at the Academy for almost two years, he couldn't surpass a junior who had been enrolled for less than a month.

No wonder Mentor values Junior Lin Xiu so much. Han Pu and Qin Zhi's inner emotions were similar to Du Chaoping's.

"Senior, is there no other way in the cave? Have you all checked?" Lin Xiu smiled and inquired about the situation inside the cave. Because he didn't want to end up mutually injured with Wang Ming, considering that, apart from Bai Shan and Wang Ming, the others were not to be underestimated. Once he and Wang Ming ended up mutually injured, he would ultimately fall into Bai Shan's hands. What would happen in the end was hard to predict.

"There's none. We've checked everywhere," Qin Zhi sighed.

Du Chaoping said, "Junior, you shouldn't have come earlier. Now, you're involved again. Ah."

He sighed deeply, feeling somewhat guilty.

"You guided me before, and even gave me a weapon. If I see you in trouble and don't lend a hand, can I still consider myself a person?" Lin Xiu waved his hand.

"Take a moment to adjust yourselves, and I'll take another look."

For now, the conditions inside the cave were tolerable, and Lin Xiu decided to examine the situation inside the cave. Du Chaoping didn't say anything either, sitting cross-legged on the ground, replenishing the Dou Qi in his body, preparing for the breakout later.

The cave was around ten square meters, and Lin Xiu took only a short time to walk a couple of circles. He eventually stopped in front of a wall with patterns.

"When we came in earlier, three Golden-Tailed Mice were sleeping under this wall."

Han Pu walked to Lin Xiu's side, his right hand touching the patterns on the wall. "These patterns are strange, like they were randomly drawn. I tried before but found no clues."

"I feel a bit familiar with it." Lin Xiu carefully examined it twice, sensing a faint recognition.

However, he clearly came into this cave for the first time.

Hearing this, Han Pu didn't inquire. They had observed inside the cave; there were no signs of human activity for at least half a year.

So, he didn't think Lin Xiu had been here before; perhaps he had seen it elsewhere.

Lin Xiu frowned and pondered. He found the patterns on the wall more and more familiar, just a bit disorganized and not matching his impression.

"Right, the parchment."

Suddenly, Lin Xiu remembered something he had obtained earlier, took it out, and compared it with the patterns on the wall. "No wonder it felt somewhat familiar."

On the parchment, the patterns had a different appearance, compared to the wall, it was a completed version.

"Junior, where did you get this blueprint?" Han Pu leaned over to take a look and found that the patterns on it matched the wall.

"It was a reward for completing a task." Lin Xiu replied. Following the hints on the parchment, he easily found a protrusion on the wall and pressed it.

Click!

A sound echoed in the cave.

"We can move on now!" Han Pu pressed the pattern, almost exclaiming. Remembering that there were others outside, he quickly stopped himself.

Du Chaoping and Qin Zhi came over, both showing joy on their faces.

"I said we should keep looking! Golden-Tailed Mice wouldn't randomly choose a place to nest," Du Chaoping said with excitement in his eyes.

Qin Zhi rolled her eyes. "Senior, in my opinion, we should have called Junior Lin Xiu earlier. You said we should wait until we had some results before getting him."

"When did that happen?" Lin Xiu, who was moving the patterns, turned his head in confusion.

Qin Zhi explained it was the day they met at the Academy.

Du Chaoping awkwardly rubbed his head. "I was mainly worried about wasting Junior's time. You know Mentor is hoping for Junior to strive for the top five spots."

"It seems I'm still a lucky star. Next time, don't forget to call me for such good things," Lin Xiu chuckled.

"Definitely! We'll make sure to call you in the future," Du Chaoping hastily assured.

Lin Xiu called on the three to help together.

He added, "I suggest not getting too excited yet; no one knows what lies ahead."

The three nodded, but smiles adorned their faces.

Regardless, at least they had something to look forward to. After all, this past week had been tough for them, sustained only by a single thought.

The wall patterns were not too complicated, and with the parchment patterns as a reference, it didn't take them long to piece it together.

Afterward, a section of the wall sank down, revealing a pitch-black hole.

"I'll go ahead." Du Chaoping picked up a torch. The path ahead was unknown, and there might be dangers, but he didn't show any fear.

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