32: White Mountain

Lin Xiu, who frequently visited the Mission Hall, had seen many missions but never accepted any, partly because he was unfamiliar with the area around the Academy.

Now that someone was leading the way, Lin Xiu couldn't ask for more.

He had made up his mind: after familiarizing himself with the mission procedures and the Academy's surroundings this time, he could try taking on missions himself in the future.

Once he had mastered all the Fighting Skills in his naring, Lin Xiu no longer planned to stay by the lake.

"Wait, Lin Xiu, don't be too hasty in making a decision. I've heard you've been fishing lately. If you still want to fish, you can do so for a few more days."

Huo Lan didn't want to tell Lin Xiu that this mission was dangerous. A young man of seventeen or eighteen had a certain spirit.

The more he tried to persuade him, the more Lin Xiu might feel looked down upon, thereby triggering his rebellious streak.

Alas, he should have first clarified Du Chaoping's mission before notifying Lin Xiu to come. Huo Lan felt a bit annoyed.

"Teacher, I've thought it through very clearly. To be honest, I've long wanted to explore the areas around the Academy, but I didn't have anyone familiar to lead the way," Lin Xiu said truthfully.

Hearing this, Huo Lan almost fainted.

Wasn't this guy staying by the lake every day? Why was he so fond of adventure?

According to him, didn't that mean he would frequently venture out after this time?

No, you've just been promoted to Fighter! Doing this is very dangerous!

Huo Lan hoped Lin Xiu would grow quickly, but he never intended to rush his development.

Listening to their conversation, Du Chaoping vaguely understood Huo Lan's thoughts. Now, Lin Xiu not only hadn't flinched but was eager to try.

Du Chaoping was very familiar with such a scene; many newly enrolled students were curious about the Academy's surroundings.

"Teacher, since Junior Brother has this idea, let him come with us." Du Chaoping understood that further persuasion would be difficult to change the outcome. At most, they would pay more attention to safety going forward.

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Lin Xiu extended his hand, and Du Chaoping hesitated for a moment before shaking it.

Lin Xiu asked, "Senior Brother, when are we departing?"

"Tomorrow morning," Du Chaoping replied.

"Alright." Lin Xiu nodded and asked again, "Senior Brother, which area are we going to this time?"

"The forest to the west." Du Chaoping didn't hide it, but his gaze at Lin Xiu was a bit puzzled. Did Junior Brother care about this?

"Okay." Lin Xiu had no other questions.

After they got to know each other, Lin Xiu saw that Huo Lan had nothing more to say, so he took his leave.

"The western forest... I remember there are quite a few missions in that area. I should go to the Mission Hall and check them out quickly."

Lin Xiu currently didn't lack attribute points, but he lacked money and mission points.

Both money and mission points could be used to exchange for weapons.

After Lin Xiu left, Huo Lan sighed, "Chaoping, you've worked hard. This time, try not to go to overly dangerous places. If the Water Tiger Beast mission is too difficult, just give up on it for now."

"I have weapons here; you can take one to use." Huo Lan said the latter part to Qin Zhi, the female student, as he took out a longsword and handed it over.

After some more instructions, the three left Huo Lan's home.

After walking a certain distance.

Qin Zhi said, "Senior Brother, Teacher seems to be particularly concerned about Lin Xiu. I don't see anything extraordinary about him."

Learning that Lin Xiu was admitted at nearly eighteen with Dou Qi at the eighth stage, she was very puzzled.

Such students were at the bottom tier of the Academy, plentiful. Why would the Teacher specifically arrange for them to mentor Lin Xiu?

"Junior Brother Lin must have some outstanding qualities; he won't be as simple as he appears," Du Chaoping mused for a moment. He had followed Huo Lan longer than the other two and understood the Teacher's temperament very well.

Huo Lan never made meaningless investments.

"With him, the Water Tiger Beast mission will probably be difficult to complete. Alas, my Water Dragon Sword is likely gone," Qin Zhi said, somewhat dejected.

Completing the Water Tiger Beast mission would allow them to ask an Elder to forge a weapon once. She had a second-tier demon core, which she could use for the weapon.

"Not necessarily. We can arrange for him to wait in a safe place," Han Pu immediately comforted Qin Zhi when he saw her low spirits.

Du Chaoping thought for a moment, "Let's go back and rest. Then, we'll adapt to the actual situation. Remember, the primary goal is still Junior Brother Lin's safety."

The two nodded, agreeing with the suggestion.

They were both students highly favored by Huo Lan, and had more or less received his care, so they would not casually disobey their mentor's demands.

The next day.

After a night of Cultivating, Lin Xiu simply packed a few changes of clothes and arrived at the meeting point.

Last night, he had accepted four missions from the Mission Hall, all in the western forest.

He had also prepared some dry rations, stored in his naring.

"Senior Brother Du, Senior Brother Han, Senior Sister Qin." Seeing the three, Lin Xiu quickened his pace, "Sorry, I'm late."

"It's fine, we just arrived." Du Chaoping smiled, "Junior Brother, we're planning to be out for five days this time. Did you bring all your things? I forgot to tell you yesterday."

"Yes, yes, I'm all prepared." Lin Xiu nodded.

"Alright then, let's set off. I'll tell you some precautions on the way."

Han Pu and Qin Zhi walked ahead, while Du Chaoping and Lin Xiu walked side by side.

They first exited the Academy gates, then turned west.

Along the way, they occasionally saw other students, some teams heading out for training, and some returning from training.

During this time, Du Chaoping would stop and greet people.

Through observation, Lin Xiu found that Senior Brother Du seemed to have a good rapport with people; they encountered several groups, and someone in each knew Du Chaoping.

"Once we enter the forest, we must be vigilant, especially in some dark shadows, where venomous insects or snakes might be hiding.

If bitten by them, it's fine if you have an antidote, otherwise, it will be very troublesome.

Although Dou Qi can be used for defense, we are near the Black-Corner Region after all. Sometimes, if we encounter other people and they see you in poor condition, they might make a move.

Generally, if we encounter strangers, we try to avoid them."

Du Chaoping explained in great detail, emphasizing particularly when mentioning people.

Because the Black-Corner Region was a mixed area, a melting pot where all sorts of people could be found.

Rumor had it that the Black-Corner Region was a place where kindness was not needed.

Therefore, even with their Canaan Academy student identity, their safety in the wilderness was not entirely guaranteed.

Lin Xiu listened carefully. It was his first time in the Black-Corner Region, but he had a deep understanding of it.

The team suddenly stopped, and Lin Xiu snapped back to attention.

A small team of seven or eight people was approaching from the front, with a young man in white at the very front.

Senior Brother Du's mood seemed a bit off, Lin Xiu noticed that when the young man appeared, Du Chaoping's body became tense.

And Han Pu and Qin Zhi looked somewhat serious.

"Du Chaoping, bringing new people again? You bring so many new people every year, but I've never seen anyone repay you. Wouldn't it be better to spend that time Cultivating instead of leading a bunch of ungrateful people?"

The group stopped as they passed Lin Xiu, and one of them glanced at Du Chaoping.

"My affairs are none of your concern." Du Chaoping maintained a calm expression.

After those people left, Lin Xiu couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother, who were those guys?"

"People from Profound Rank Class Three." Han Pu glanced at Du Chaoping's back as he walked ahead, lowering his voice, "The one in white is Bai Shan, and he has a conflict with Senior Brother Du."