7: Five thousand gold coins

On the way out of the mine, they encountered others; many were just waking up from unconsciousness, and some were injured and unable to move, having been trampled.

The middle-aged man called out to Lin Xiu, saying it was better to take one person than none, and the group walked out of the mine together.

The sunlight warmed their bodies, and the lingering chill from inside the cave quickly dissipated.

Having experienced a brush with death for the first time, Lin Xiu couldn't help but feel a lingering fear upon reflection; if he hadn't consumed so much red jade ginseng beforehand, he might have truly been finished this time.

With the crisis in the mine, the mining operations had to be suspended, especially as the white mist appeared with increasing frequency.

Two hours after Lin Xiu and his group left, the mine was once again enveloped in white mist.

Even if the Lin Family didn't care about the miners' deaths, they still had to consider their thoughts; if pushed too hard, there would be no one left to work.

In the evening, Lin Xiu saw the Lin Family Clan Chief leading people to the mine. The Clan Chief had a powerful Aura, and his clothes bore the insignia of Canaan Academy.

Lin Xiu couldn't observe the specific events firsthand, so he wasn't clear about them.

In the early morning, he overheard people chatting, and it seemed a teacher from Canaan Academy had entered the mine, saying a Demonic Beast was about to Breakthrough. Once it completed its Breakthrough, they would seal the cave entrance, and avoiding that area afterward would resolve the issue.

He didn't sleep all night.

The next day, since the mine couldn't operate temporarily, many people took leave to go home, and Lin Xiu was no exception.

By the time he returned to Te Lan City, it was already noon. After filling his stomach with his dwindling savings, he went to the plaza.

At this moment, many people were gathered in the plaza, with soldiers maintaining order around them.

"Hello, I want to register." Lin Xiu blended into the line and successfully received a plaque with his name written on it... "He encountered the white mist and didn't die? I can't tell, that kid's luck is really something."

Steward Lin heard the report and was somewhat displeased. "Go notify Lin Xiu and tell him to return to the Lin Family to work."

Since you escaped the mine, I'll make you work under me. Anyway, there are no horses for you to tend, so I can assign all the dirty and strenuous tasks to you.

The person did not leave.

"What's wrong? Are you worried Lin Xiu won't listen to you? Or do you think my words are ineffective?" Steward Lin's expression slightly darkened.

"No." The person quickly waved his hand, "Steward Lin, it's just that Lin Xiu took leave and went out."

"He dares to take leave? Where did he go?" Steward Lin was even more annoyed. He intended for Lin Xiu to suffer, yet this fellow actually took leave, while he himself hadn't had a single day off working for the Lin Family.

"When I came, I saw Lin Xiu seemed to be in the plaza, apparently wanting to register for Canaan Academy's enrollment test." The person wasn't entirely sure, as he had only glanced briefly.

"Canaan Academy? What a joke, he's just a stable boy, and he actually thinks he can pass Canaan Academy's assessment?" Steward Lin immediately prepared to go to the plaza to see.

If he really saw Lin Xiu there, he would definitely give him a good scolding!

...Canaan Academy's admissions only consider talent; those under eighteen years old with eight segments of Dou Qi meet the enrollment qualifications.

Every year, when Canaan Academy enrolls students, a large number of people come to participate.

Standing in line, Lin Xiu saw some people with three segments of Dou Qi also participating in the assessment.

Most of those people were dressed simply; it seemed they weren't intentionally causing trouble but rather didn't know their own strength, so they came to test themselves.

The students of Canaan Academy did not show the slightest anger towards those people; instead, they were very calm.

"Lin Xiu?"

A female student looked at the name, then looked up at the young man standing before her.

"It's me, hello, Senior Sister." Lin Xiu smiled.

The female student was momentarily stunned, then laughed, "Don't be in such a hurry to call me Senior Sister; first, we need to see if you can pass the assessment."

She took out two fist-sized stones, similar in appearance but slightly different in color.

"First, place your hand on the black stone." Lin Xiu followed the female student's instructions.

Soon, a line of text appeared on the stone:

"Dou Qi, eight segments, Advanced."

"Your strength meets the standard. Next, if your age qualifies, you will be my Junior Lin Xiu." The female student then had Lin Xiu place his hand on the other stone.

The number "17" appeared on it.

"Congratulations, Junior Lin Xiu, you have successfully passed the test. Welcome to Canaan Academy."

With both requirements met, the female student handed Lin Xiu a certificate of passing the test. Lin Xiu said thank you and walked towards the waiting area on the other side.

"Lin Xiu!"

Just then, a low voice came, and Lin Xiu saw Steward Lin storming out from outside the crowd.

Oh, good, I didn't go looking for you, but you came to me willingly!

Recalling the middle-aged man's warning, Lin Xiu felt that Steward Lin was highly suspicious, especially his sudden appearance in the plaza at this moment.

If he wasn't specifically keeping an eye on himself, then how would he suddenly come looking for him?

"Lin Xiu, have you forgotten your identity?" Steward Lin's voice was very loud, clearly intending to attract the attention of those around them.

"You first look at what this is." Lin Xiu directly interrupted what he was about to say, raising the certificate in his hand and waving it in front of Steward Lin.

"You passed the test? You are now a student of Canaan Academy?" Steward Lin's eyes widened, his expression full of disbelief.

"If you don't believe me, do you want to go ask?" Lin Xiu pointed to the Canaan Academy students not far away.

Steward Lin was merely a steward of the Lin Family; he wouldn't dare to question a Canaan Academy student.

Now, upon learning that Lin Xiu had passed the test, Steward Lin suddenly felt some regret; he shouldn't have come here.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, rolling down his cheeks. Steward Lin was responsible for managing the Lin Family, and he had some understanding of matters related to Canaan Academy.

"Congratulations, Lin Xiu, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first." Steward Lin turned to leave, but Lin Xiu grabbed his clothes.

"Steward Lin, don't you have anything to explain? For example, about what happened at the mine." Lin Xiu stared at the gradually paling Steward Lin with a half-smile.

This old fellow, he hadn't even provoked him much, yet he was already thinking of harming him. If he hadn't, by a twist of fate, eaten the red jade ginseng, he really would have let him succeed.

"I don't know what you're talking about. The transfer was the Family's order; I couldn't change it," Steward Lin said.

"Really?" Lin Xiu didn't believe him at all, but he indeed had no evidence. "How about you swear? If you lie, your descendants will all suffer a terrible death."

"Is that really necessary, Lin Xiu?" Steward Lin's expression became very ugly.

"You should know what my joining Canaan Academy means. Does Steward Lin hope I return to visit you in two years?" Lin Xiu's smile was somewhat cold.

"I was blind before; I'll compensate, I'm willing to compensate." Steward Lin was very clear-headed; with Lin Xiu's current strength, he couldn't do anything to him.

But after two years of Cultivation at the Academy, if Lin Xiu really came back to settle accounts, the Clan Chief would definitely abandon him.

"Ten thousand gold coins!" Lin Xiu said.

"That's too much; I'm just a steward, not an Elder. Five thousand, I can only manage five thousand at most." Hearing ten thousand, the flesh on Steward Lin's face twitched violently.

"Alright, I'll trust you this once."

Lin Xiu took a card from the trembling Steward Lin's hand and waved goodbye to him.

He had originally worried about not having money at the Academy, but now with five thousand gold coins, many troubles could be resolved.

Now that he no longer had to worry about his identity, Lin Xiu finally relaxed. He walked to the waiting area for those who had passed the test.

"Finally, I can safely tinker with that ring." After he got it, he had always been worried about others coveting it, so he had never inspected it.