29: Xiao Ning wakes up in the world

After Cultivating until dawn and a quick wash, Lin Xiu left his dormitory to eat.

Once his morning classes ended, he walked towards the lake.

“At my current pace, I should be able to Breakthrough to a four-star Fighter in a month. During this time, I’ll try to master all the Fighting Skills in the ring.”

In three months, the assessment for Canaan Academy Outer Academy students to advance to the Inner Academy would begin.

Naturally, Lin Xiu could not participate in this round. His strength was too low; to reach Late Stage Dou Master, or even Great Fighter, in three months was too difficult.

If he pushed himself, it wasn’t impossible, but it would undoubtedly be very conspicuous and attract attention.

Lin Xiu’s goal was to participate in the next round, leaving him with one year and three months. He needed to raise his strength to Great Fighter within this period.

“Purely Cultivating, compared to supplementing with Medicinal Pills, definitely has a difference. Once I master all the Fighting Skills, I can accumulate a lot of attribute points. Then, I can also try to venture outside the Academy for training.”

Arriving at the lake, Lin Xiu was preparing his fishing gear when he suddenly thought of Elder Huo, his mentor.

In a sense, he was now working for Elder Huo, and a single Cultivation Technique seemed like too little of a benefit.

“I’ll wait a couple of days. If he doesn’t look for me, I’ll go to him proactively.”

Casting out his fishing rod, Lin Xiu began practicing Fighting Skills.

Although he had mastered Advanced fishing techniques, Lin Xiu still maintained a laid-back attitude.

He planned to catch a White Carp for the Elder every few days and send it over. If he gave too many too frequently, people might get tired of it, and that wouldn't be good.

Such matters of 'shearing the wool' shouldn't be too aggressive.

Before long, Xiao Ning indeed arrived, carrying a set of fishing gear.

He first walked around Lin Xiu, and after feeling like he had learned something, he started fishing.

Lin Xiu did not wait for Xiao Ning to ask, nor was he in a hurry. After all, White Carp were hard to catch; he himself hadn't caught anything for several days prior.

“He’s so diligent? He’s already in the Academy, and he’s still pushing himself so hard?” Not far away, Xiao Ning’s gaze occasionally fell on Lin Xiu, who was practicing Fighting Skills, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

Before, knowing Lin Xiu would come to the lake to fish, Xiao Ning simply thought he was here to relax. He never expected him to be practicing Fighting Skills here.

Just imagine, spending a lot of time practicing Moves during the day, then finding someone to spar with at night to integrate the use of Fighting Skills – how exhausting must that be?

Thinking about it carefully, Xiao Ning felt that getting beaten wasn't unfair at all.

If someone is better than you and works harder than you, who gets beaten if not you?

Time passed bit by bit, and the lakeside suddenly became lively, with students arriving one after another, carrying fishing gear.

“Hmm?” During a break, Lin Xiu saw someone fishing next to him.

Previously, including himself and Dean Hu Qian, there were at most six or seven people by the lake. Now, the number exceeded dozens.

Judging from their fishing gear, they had clearly received tools after taking a Mission Hall mission.

“Lin Xiu, are there always this many people fishing every day?” Xiao Ning hadn't caught a fish yet, and now seeing the increased numbers, he felt a bit pressured.

This kid… Lin Xiu was already used to Xiao Ning’s way of addressing him.

He shook his head and said, “No, but you can go ask them.”

Lin Xiu was also a little curious. Could a mission with so few mission points have such a great appeal?

Xiao Ning, also somewhat curious, walked over to a nearby person and started talking to him.

A moment later, Xiao Ning returned and accused Lin Xiu, “Lin Xiu, you’re so disloyal! We live in the same dormitory, and you didn’t tell me about such a good mission!”

Recalling how Lin Xiu had used him as a punching bag earlier, Xiao Ning felt even more wronged.

He considered Lin Xiu a Brother, which was why he sparred with him, definitely not because he wanted to beat Lin Xiu.

“Good mission? What exactly happened? Hurry up and tell me, or I’ll beat you.” Lin Xiu didn’t accept moral blackmail. There was nothing one punch couldn’t solve; if not, he’d add another.

Xiao Ning knew how hard Lin Xiu’s fists were and immediately explained what he had learned.

“The reward for the White Carp fishing mission has increased? Besides mission points, you can also choose two first-grade Medicinal Pills?” Lin Xiu was greatly surprised and felt pained.

Damn it, Elder Huo didn’t mention this when I gave him fish yesterday! I lost out on two Medicinal Pills!

Although first-grade Medicinal Pills were only the most basic, they were still medicinal ingredients and possessed some medicinal effects, such as healing injuries, restoring Qi, stopping bleeding, and detoxifying.

It didn't matter if these Medicinal Pills weren't needed normally; the main thing was to be prepared for emergencies. Even if you didn't want them, you could sell them.

Many teams venturing out for training would procure these Medicinal Pills.

“This is truly someone offering a pillow when you’re sleepy.” Lin Xiu thought of Lin Dun’s injuries he had seen yesterday. He could exchange White Carp with the Elder for healing medicine.

Having spent time together, putting aside other things about Lin Dun, Lin Xiu was very grateful for his silent persistence in sparring every day. The other party at least helped him gain a lot of experience.

“You really didn’t know?” Xiao Ning had been observing Lin Xiu’s expression and found that his surprise didn’t seem fake. “Then I won’t blame you. But you’ve been fishing for so long, you must have some experience. Share some with me, please.”

“Are you begging me?” Lin Xiu looked at him askance. “If that’s your attitude, then I advise you to give up that idea.”

“We’re all roommates, no need to make things so tense, right, Brother Xiu?” Xiao Ning plastered a smile on his face.

“I didn’t hear clearly. What did you just call me?” Lin Xiu dug at his ear, his palm cupped to his ear.

“Brother, there’s no need. It’s just fishing. I’ll teach you for free.” Just as Xiao Ning was hesitating, a voice came.

It was the person Xiao Ning had just spoken to. He seemed unable to stand Lin Xiu bullying someone.

“Really?” Xiao Ning showed a hint of hesitation.

“Do you know Blackwater City? There’s a Black River there. My family lives there, and the most I do every day is fish. I’ve been fishing for ten years.” The young man looked eighteen or nineteen, and when he spoke of fishing, he glowed with confidence.

Seeing Xiao Ning somewhat tempted, he added, “You’ve probably been here for a long time. You’re asking him for advice, but have you seen him catch any fish before?”

Hearing this, Xiao Ning suddenly realized. Yes, Lin Xiu had been here for so long, and he hadn’t caught any fish either.

He knew he had fallen into a logical fallacy. Just because Lin Xiu had been fishing by the lake for the past few days, he mistakenly thought Lin Xiu was good at fishing. But in reality, whether he had actually caught anything, no one knew.

“Lin Xiu, I almost got tricked by you! You haven’t caught any fish all this time. I think you just want to take advantage of me.”

Xiao Ning angrily pointed at Lin Xiu. He had called him Brother Xiu twice just now and suspected he was being played for a fool again.

“I gave you a chance. If you regret it later, it won’t just be a matter of calling me ‘Brother’ anymore. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Out of consideration for being roommates and knowing they’d see each other often, Lin Xiu had thought about helping Xiao Ning catch a White Carp.

However, now that Xiao Ning had turned to someone else, if he regretted it later, he would have to pay extra.

“Just boast. I don’t believe you’re good at everything.” Xiao Ning seemed to have a moment of clarity and didn’t believe Lin Xiu’s words at all, turning to ask the young man for advice instead.

Perhaps worried that Lin Xiu would eavesdrop and learn, Xiao Ning and the other person deliberately moved their fishing spot further away from Lin Xiu.

Brothers, please recommend and keep reading. The data during the new book period is very important. Also, I want to say something: sometimes I, the humble author, get carried away when writing, and it’s not that I deliberately want to pad the content. If you feel the plot is dragging, please point it out in the comments. I will fix it immediately. The main storyline is definitely about gaining power, showing off, and slapping faces. Fishing and such are just seasoning. If you feel the plot is slow when you read it, please say so. I, the humble author, am all about listening to advice. Finally, please give me some votes. Thank you, brothers.