83 Chapter 83: Lin Xiu Goes Crazy
"Here he comes."
Hu Gan, who was originally sitting on the chair, stood up when Lin Xiu entered. "Now that everyone is here, I won't waste any time. According to the rules, you are the top five in this selection competition, and each of you has the opportunity to try your luck in the library. Of course, you have two chances."
Hu Gan's gaze finally fell on Lin Xiu.
"Thanks to the Headmaster."
Lin Xiu modestly smiled. He originally thought that this opportunity would ultimately be to find items for his Mentor. Now, with two chances of his own, he didn't have to agonize over whether to fulfill his Mentor's promise or betray his conscience.
"It's your own strength that's sufficient, your own determination, and it has nothing to do with me."
Hu Gan waved his hand. Then, unwilling to waste any more words, he approached the wall behind him and casually tapped it a few times. A deep rumbling sound ensued, and shortly after, a dark passage appeared.
"Follow me," Hu Gan beckoned, taking the lead.
Night pearls illuminated the walls of the passage. After half an hour of traversing, the blinding light suddenly dimmed. Once Lin Xiu adjusted, he opened his eyes to see a steep mountain wall. Among the three cliffs, there was a spacious open space, where a massive, awe-inspiring ancient building stood.
On a plaque outside the building, weathered by time, three somewhat blurred characters faintly emerged: Book Collection Hall (Aka Library).
Hu Gan approached twenty meters away and stopped, bowing respectfully. "The top five of this year's Inner Court selection competition have emerged. According to tradition, I've brought them here. I request the elders to open the doors."
Light and shadows intertwined. Silently, two figures in gray robes emerged. Lin Xiu felt a surge of power sweep over him, a powerful pressure pressing down on his chest, making his breathing uneasy.
"Five? Why are there only four?" one of the gray-robed figures spoke.
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Hu Gan's face as he explained.
"It shouldn't happen again."
The two gray-robed figures glanced at Lin Xiu several times, finally settling their gaze on Hu Gan.
Upon hearing this, Hu Gan breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, please release the spatial lock, elders."
The spatial lock was an incredibly powerful barrier set up by Dou Venerate experts!
Lin Xiu widened his eyes, trying to discern some clues. The two gray-robed figures gestured and formed hand seals slowly. As the hand seals changed, a powerful invisible fluctuation permeated the space.
During this time, Lin Xiu didn't even blink.
However...
Once the spatial lock was completely released, he didn't see any clues, gaining nothing.
"It's a pity. Why didn't I gain any insight? Otherwise, if I could just understand a bit, I could use it to advance and grasp Dou Venerate-level Abilities in advance."
Lin Xiu sighed inwardly.
Following Hu Gan's urging, the four of them entered the building.
"Remember, no matter what you want to obtain, do not force it. Everything inside is protected by energy layers. If your hand can pass through the energy layers without obstruction, then you can take what's inside. But if you can't penetrate the energy layers, then give up. With your current abilities, you won't break through them. Every year, people enter the library, but many leave empty-handed. Remember, everything must come naturally. Don't force what you can't obtain."
Pointing towards the library, Hu Gan turned to Lin Xiu and the others.
Su Xiao, Leng Bai, and Li Yan all had serious expressions, tinged with a hint of nervousness. Lin Xiu had long known the rules and appeared more relaxed than them.
Passing by the two gray-robed figures, he received a reminder.
"Go in. The door will only remain open for one hour. After that hour, whether you've obtained what you need or not, you must come out."
With the gust of wind, the door slowly opened. Lin Xiu walked in first. Although it was said to be a matter of chance, he had undertaken the task of helping his Mentor find something and couldn't waste a single moment.
He still passed through a pitch-black passage. Lin Xiu arrived in a spacious room. There were large energy barriers on all four walls, emitting a faint light to dispel the darkness.
"Didn't they say to penetrate the energy layers? Could it be referring to these large barriers?"
Leng Bai walked up to Lin Xiu, seeing the four enormous barriers, and froze in place.
"Are there any other passages?" Su Xiao, who followed closely behind, was also momentarily stunned. The barriers in front of them seemed entirely beyond their strength to break through, and they hadn't seen anything else.
"No, the items haven't come out yet," Lin Xiu explained.
"Junior Brother, is this your first time coming in?" Leng Bai asked in surprise.
Su Xiao and Li Yan also couldn't help but look at him.
"No, I just have keen senses. Perhaps you should listen carefully for any movement," Lin Xiu realized he misspoke but remained composed.
He looked at the three of them. "Once we leave the library later, we'll enter the Inner Court. Would you like to team up? They say the forces in the Inner Court are complex, and it's easy to be at a disadvantage fighting alone."
"I won't join; I have my own team," Li Yan spoke first.
Leng Bai scratched his head, "I don't mind. I acknowledge your strength."
Having witnessed Lin Xiu defeating Xiu Yan, Leng Bai now held deep respect for Lin Xiu. Su Xiao smiled, "Before entering the Inner Court, I can team up with you guys."
"Before entering the Inner Court? What do you mean?" Leng Bai was puzzled.
Su Xiao explained, "The Academy has many traditions. Among them, before Outer Court students enter the Inner Court, there's a ritual where the seniors teach us a lesson to prevent troublemakers like us from causing any issues. They are the ones who entered the Inner Court in the previous year."
"Damn, teach me a lesson? How dare they!" Leng Bai instinctively reached for his ghost-headed broadsword.
"In that case, the three of us will temporarily unite," Lin Xiu addressed Su Xiao and Leng Bai.
Both of them nodded. Compared to what Su Xiao mentioned, Lin Xiu had a more detailed understanding.
Regarding strength, Lin Xiu was confident in himself. However, in the Fire Engery Hunting Competition, besides the eight teams from the previous year, there were also two teams known as the Black and White Evil Stoppers.
Those people are from the previous years in the Inner Court, even the ones before that. They possess considerable strength and will cooperate. Lin Xiu hasn't reached the point of self-confidence to take on five opponents alone. Therefore, it's important to draw some help to divert attention. At this moment, there was a continuous stream of light flying out from the barriers, diverting everyone's attention.
Huo Lan needs something called the "Shadow Pearl" Lin Xiu didn't ask about its specific function but kept its appearance in mind. The four of them each used their methods.
After about half an hour, Lin Xiu had already grabbed several items, including the Shadow Retrieval Bead that Huo Lan needed.
"Lin Xiu, have you forgotten what the Headmaster said? You can only take out two items," Leng Bai reminded Lin Xiu as he saw Lin Xiu holding a pile of things in his arms.
"Don't bother me!"
However, Lin Xiu seemed to have discovered something at this moment, his expression very serious, not wanting to be disturbed. He quickly flipped through the book in his hand, his eyes constantly scanning left and right, as if scanning for something.
All the text and patterns were memorized by Lin Xiu completely. The previous 60 points of Spirit, he hadn't found any use for. At this moment, Lin Xiu discovered its peculiarity. That is, memory!
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