75 Chapter 75, One Year Later, Inner Court Selection Competition
One year later.
Roar!
Accompanied by a mournful roar, a Magic Beast crashed to the ground, creating a dust cloud.
"Junior, your progress is too impressive. The Third Rank Spirit Winged Tiger is among the top of the Third Rank Magic Beasts. Even a 6 Star Dou Grandmaster may not necessarily be able to kill it," Du Chaoping said as he walked over from a distance, his gaze filled with shock at the young man next to the Magic Beast.
Huo Lan walked behind Du Chaoping, and his eyes, too, were filled with amazement as he looked at the young man.
"Lin Xiu, this year, you will definitely have no problem ranking in the top five," he sincerely said, "Although your cultivation is at the level of a 1 Star Dou Grandmaster, your combat ability is no less than that of a 6 Star Dou Grandmaster."
Although he had been instructing the two for a year, Lin Xiu's terrifying speed still startled Du Chaoping multiple times.
In one year, Du Chaoping, who started as a 2 Star Dou Master, barely managed to advance to a 9 Star Dou Master.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiu ascended from a 9 Star Dou Practitioner to a 1 Star Dou Grandmaster, completing a direct overtaking of Du Chaoping.
"To be able to compete for the top five is not in vain for Mentor's cultivation," Lin Xiu said, touching his hair and smiling.
During this year, Huo Lan did not hold back at all. Not only did he teach Lin Xiu the Black Rank High-level Qi Method Wind Roar, but he also generously shared many Dou Techniques he had learned.
In addition to Qi Method and Dou Technique, he was equally generous in sharing knowledge about pills.
Lin Xiu's true cultivation level at the moment was not as he appeared, but at the level of a 4 Star Dou Grandmaster.
"It's time to go back. We need to sign up early for the Inner Court selection competition," Huo Lan took a deep breath, a hint of pride surging on his face, difficult to conceal.
Lin Xiu, this unpolished jade, was dug out by himself.
When he showcases his skills in the Inner Court selection competition, it will be the time for his teacher to feel proud.
Lin Xiu and Du Chaoping had no objections.
After some twists and turns, the three boarded a flying Magic Beast.
Facing the magnificent scenery, Lin Xiu had no time to appreciate it. Instead, he checked his own panel.
[Name: Lin Xiu]
[Age: 19]
[Realm: 4 Star Dou Grandmaster (21,000/40,000)]
[Constitution: 60]
[Spirit: 60]
[Aptitude: 40]
[Ability:]
Black Rank High-level Qi Method: Wind Roar lv9 (Max)
Black Rank High-level Qi Method: Wind and Thunder Waterfall lv9 (Max)
Black Rank High-level Dou Technique: Whirlwind Strike lv9 (Max)
Black Rank High-level Dou Technique: Nine Heavens Thunder Slash lv9 (Max)
Black Rank Mid-level Dou Technique: Thundering Palm lv8 (Max)
Black Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique: Wind Shadow Sword Technique lv8 (Max)
Black Rank Mid-Level Movement Art: Light Cloud Wandering Dragon Steps lv8 (Max)
Black Rank Low-Level Secret Technique: Wind and Thunder Shattering Limits lv5 (105/500)
Earth Rank Low-Level Secret Technique: Origin Return lv10 (Max)
...
[Attribute Points: 5]
"This year, the harvest is abundant," Lin Xiu murmured to himself.
When leaving the Academy, he won two Dou Techniques from Hu Jia, both Black Rank Low-Level.
As for the Black Rank High-level Qi Method Wind Roar and the Black Rank High-level Dou Technique Whirlwind Strike, they were taught by Huo Lan.
In addition to these two, Huo Lan also taught him a Black Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique and two Black Rank Low-Level Dou Techniques.
The Nine Heavens Thunder Slash was a fusion of Lin Xiu's own Dou Technique and the Dou Techniques taught by Huo Lan.
Among them, Thundering Palm was initially within Lin Xiu's consideration, but later he thought about how this Dou Technique originated from Hu Gan, the Headmaster. Since it felt handy to use, he might use it in competitions. Lin Xiu did not fuse it.
During this year, Huo Lan not only emptied his own resources but also led Lin Xiu and Du Chaoping to hunt down criminals in the Black-Corner Region. They harvested a lot from these encounters.
"It's a pity that I didn't acquire a Black Rank High-level Qi Method; otherwise, I could have fused an Earth Rank Low-Level Qi Method," Lin Xiu sighed.
After reaching Black Rank High level, the required quantity for continued fusion increases from two to three. In this past year, continuously hunting Magic Beasts, he had no shortage of attribute magic cores. His Yuan apertures had reached seven.
Besides Wind and Thunder, Lin Xiu now possessed five attributes: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. He had attempted to practice other Qi Methods, but unfortunately, except for a Water-based Black Rank Mid-Level Qi Method that could be combined with the Wind Thunder Technique to form Wind and Thunder Waterfall and be practiced normally, his efforts were in vain.
The other four attributes are currently in a dormant state.
"I hope to find a Black Rank High-level Five Elements Qi Method in the Academy's library."
Lin Xiu is now full of confidence in securing a spot in the top five of the Inner Court selection competition. However, thinking about fulfilling the promise to his mentor, he feels a bit guilty if he doesn't take it seriously.
"First, prioritize Mentor's needs!"
Lin Xiu believes in repaying kindness with gratitude; he doesn't like owing favors to others. If Huo Lan had been lax in guiding him, he wouldn't feel guilty, but this past year, Huo Lan had put in great effort.
Lin Xiu decides not to dwell on these thoughts for now and will base everything on the actual situation when entering the library.
He shifts his gaze to the columns of Constitution, Spirit, and Aptitude.
After several attempts, Lin Xiu has preliminarily understood the meaning of Constitution; every 20 points are equivalent to a major realm. For instance, his current 60 points in Constitution are equivalent to the Qi Strength of a normal 9 Star Dou Grandmaster.
In a pure strength contest, Huo Lan is no longer Lin Xiu's opponent.
Regarding Spirit, Lin Xiu hasn't found a reference point yet. However, he perceives that his range has significantly expanded. He estimates that he needs to have a discussion with an Alchemist to establish a reference point.
On the other hand, after raising Aptitude to 40 points, Lin Xiu feels a very obvious difference. The hallmark of a Dou Grandmaster, aside from the Dou Qi armor, is the condensation of Dou Qi into Dou Crystal in the dantian.
Lin Xiu had subtly inquired about the scale of Mentor's Dou Crystal and compared it with his own to confirm, finding them to be roughly the same size.
His current realm is 4 Star Dou Grandmaster, while Huo Lan is a 7 Star Dou Grandmaster.
"The larger the Dou Crystal, the more abundant the Dou Qi. The combat lasts longer, and one can unleash more Dou Techniques. In the upcoming Inner Court Flame Hunting Competition, even if I encounter formidable opponents, I should be able to win."
Lin Xiu hasn't used his full strength yet, but he feels confident that dealing with a 1 Star Dou Spirit should pose no problem.
Closing the panel, Lin Xiu contemplated his future direction. The Inner Court is a place to enhance strength, but obtaining Qi Methods and Dou Techniques is not easy.
After who knows how long, when Du Chaoping awakened Lin Xiu, they have already arrived at Jia Nan Academy.
Huo Lan is the first to dismount the flying Magic Beast, allowing them to move freely. He advises them not to engage in fights during this period, preserving their strength for the Inner Court selection competition.
Accepting Du Chaoping's invitation for a meal, Lin Xiu first returns to the dormitory.
At this moment, it's already afternoon, and everyone is in the dormitory.
Seeing Lin Xiu enter, Xiao Ning, Lin Dun, and others who were playing around pause for a moment.
At first glance, they feel that Lin Xiu, whom they haven't seen in a year, is like a formidable Magic Beast, emitting a compelling aura.
"What's wrong? Haven't seen me in a year, do I look very different?"
Looking at the momentarily stunned crowd, Lin Xiu touches his cheek and chuckles as he speaks.
As the words fell.
Xiao Ning and the others felt the heavy stone pressing on their chests being lifted, and their breathing became smooth again, their expressions returning to normal.
Lin Dun was the first to step forward, circling around Lin Xiu. "Brother Xiu, what realm are you in now? When you just entered, my breathing felt a bit uncomfortable."
Although Xiao Ning and the others didn't speak, curiosity was evident in their eyes.
They had also heard about Lin Xiu participating in the Inner Court selection competition.
"Just average, only a 1 Star Dou Grandmaster," Lin Xiu releases his aura.
The imposing aura that captivated everyone's attention earlier resurfaces, causing a momentary pause in everyone's breath.
"I'm just a 7 Star Dou Practitioner, and you're already a 1 Star Dou Grandmaster?" Xiao Ning's fingers dig into her hair, emitting a sharp whistle.
The others also looked shocked, finding it hard to believe.
They all entered the Academy together, so why is he so outstanding?
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