75: One year later, the inner court selection competition

One year later.

Roar!

Accompanied by a low roar filled with sorrow, a Demonic Beast crashed to the ground, and the air currents kicked up a large cloud of dust.

"Junior, your progress speed is too fierce. A Third-Tier Spiritual Winged Tiger is a top-tier Demonic Beast among Third-Tier Demonic Beasts; even a normal Six-Star Great Fighter might not be able to kill it."

Not far away, Du Chaoping walked over, his eyes filled with shock as he looked at the young man beside the Demonic Beast.

Huo Lan walked behind Du Chaoping, his gaze towards the young man also filled with astonishment.

"Lin Xiu, you will definitely make it into the top five this year," he said from the bottom of his heart. "Although your One-Star Great Fighter Realm is low, your combat ability is not inferior to a Six-Star Great Fighter."

Although he had been teaching the two for a year, he was still repeatedly startled by Lin Xiu's terrifying speed.

Du Chaoping spent a year barely improving from a Two-Star Dou Master to a Nine-Star Dou Master.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiu had advanced from a Nine-Star Dou Zhe (Fighter) to a One-Star Great Fighter, directly surpassing Du Chaoping.

"To be able to contend for the top five means the mentor's cultivation wasn't in vain," Lin Xiu said with a light smile, touching his hair.

During this year, Huo Lan held nothing back, not only imparting the High-Level Xuan Rank Cultivation Method Wind Howl to Lin Xiu but also generously teaching him all the Fighting Skills he knew.

Besides Cultivation Techniques and Fighting Skills, he was equally generous with Medicinal Pills.

However, Lin Xiu's true Realm at this moment was not what he displayed; he actually possessed the Strength of a Four-Star Great Fighter.

"It's time to go back; the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition requires early registration," Huo Lan took a deep breath, a hint of pride welling up on his face, difficult to conceal.

Lin Xiu, this unpolished jade, was discovered by him.

When he displays his talents in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition, it will be the time for him, as a teacher, to bask in glory.

Lin Xiu and Du Chaoping had no objections.

After some traveling, the three boarded a flying Demonic Beast.

Facing the magnificent scenery, Lin Xiu had no time to appreciate it, instead checking his panel.

【Name: Lin Xiu】

【Age: 19】

【Realm: Four-Star Great Fighter (2.1w / 4w)】

【Physique: 60】

【Spirit: 60】

【Aptitude: 40】

【Abilities:

High-Level Xuan Rank Cultivation Method: Wind Howl lv9 (Max)

High-Level Xuan Rank Cultivation Method: Wind Thunder Waterfall lv9 (Max)

Profound Rank Advanced Dou Skills: Wind Roll Strike lv9 (Max)

Profound Rank Advanced Dou Skills: Nine Heavens Thunder Slash lv9 (Max)

Profound Rank Intermediate Dou Skills: Ben Lei Palm lv8 (Max)

Profound Rank Intermediate Dou Skills: Wind Shadow Sword Art lv8 (Max)

Profound Rank Intermediate Movement Technique: Light Cloud Dragon Step lv8 (Max)

Profound Rank Low-tier Secret Art: Wind and Thunder Realm Breaking lv5 (105 / 500)

Low-tier Earth Rank Secret Art: Guiyuan Art lv10 (Max)

...】

【Attribute Points: 5】

"This year, I've gained a lot," Lin Xiu murmured to himself.

When he left the Academy, he won two Fighting Skills from Hu Jia, both of which were Profound Rank Low-tier.

The High-Level Xuan Rank Cultivation Method Wind Howl and the Profound Rank Advanced Dou Skills Wind Roll Strike were taught by Huo Lan.

Besides these two, Huo Lan also taught him one Profound Rank Intermediate Dou Skills and two Profound Rank Low-tier Fighting Skills.

Nine Heavens Thunder Slash was obtained by Lin Xiu through the Fusion of his own Fighting Skills and the Fighting Skills taught by Huo Lan.

Among them, Ben Lei Palm was originally within Lin Xiu's consideration, but then he remembered that this Fighting Skill originated from Dean Hu Qian, and it was convenient to use, so he might use it in competitions.

Lin Xiu did not choose it.

And this year, Huo Lan not only emptied his own savings but also took Lin Xiu and Du Chaoping to hunt down ruthless individuals in the Black-Corner Region.

From them, they also gained a lot.

"It's a pity I didn't get a High-Level Xuan Rank Cultivation Method; otherwise, I could have fused a Low-tier Earth Rank Cultivation Technique."

Lin Xiu sighed.

After reaching Profound Rank Advanced, the number of Cultivation Techniques required for further Fusion increased from two to three.

And this year, he continuously hunted Demonic Beasts, so he had no shortage of attribute Demonic Cores, and the Yuan Acupoints in his body had already reached seven.

Besides wind and thunder, Lin Xiu now possessed the five attributes of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

He had tried cultivating other Cultivation Techniques, but unfortunately, except for one water-element Profound Rank Intermediate Skill that could be cultivated normally after fusing with the Wind Lightning Skill to form the Wind Thunder Waterfall, the other four attributes were currently in a dormant state.

"I hope to find a Profound Rank Advanced Five Elements Cultivation Technique from the Academy's Hidden Scripture Pavilion."

Lin Xiu was now full of confidence in winning the top five in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition, but thinking of the promise he made to his mentor, he felt a bit guilty if he didn't earnestly fulfill it.

"The mentor's needs come first!"

A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring; Lin Xiu disliked owing people things.

If Huo Lan had adopted a hands-off approach, he wouldn't feel guilty, but Huo Lan had been dedicated this year.

Lin Xiu decided not to think about these things for now, and everything would be based on the actual situation of entering the Library.

His gaze fell on the Physique, Spirit, and Aptitude columns.

After several explorations, Lin Xiu initially found the meaning of Physique; every 20 points was equivalent to a major Realm.

For example, his current 60 points of Physique were equivalent to the Strength of a normal Nine-Star Great Fighter.

In a pure test of Strength, Huo Lan was no longer Lin Xiu's opponent.

In terms of spirit, Lin Xiu had not yet found a reference, but his perception range had improved further. He estimated that he would need to consult an Alchemist to get a reference.

However, after his Aptitude increased to 40 points, Lin Xiu felt it very clearly.

The hallmark of a Great Fighter, besides the Dou Qi armor, was the Dou Crystal condensed from Dou Qi in the Dantian.

Lin Xiu had subtly inquired about the size of his mentor's Dou Crystal and compared it with his own, finding them to be roughly the same size.

His current Realm was Four-Star Great Fighter.

And Huo Lan was a Seven-Star Great Fighter.

"The larger the Dou Crystal, the more abundant the Dou Qi, the longer the combat duration, and the more Fighting Skills can be released. In the subsequent Inner Academy Fire Energy Hunting Competition, even if I encounter the Black and White Guardians, I should be able to win."

Lin Xiu had not yet used his full Strength, but he felt that dealing with a One-Star Dou Ling should not be a problem.

Putting away the panel, Lin Xiu pondered his future direction. The Inner Academy was a place to improve Strength, but obtaining Cultivation Techniques and Fighting Skills was not easy.

He didn't know how much time had passed. When Lin Xiu was woken up by Du Chaoping, they had already arrived at Canaan Academy.

Huo Lan was the first to disembark from the flying Demonic Beast, allowing them to move freely, reminding them not to fight with others during this period and to conserve their Strength for the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition.

After accepting Du Chaoping's dinner invitation, Lin Xiu first returned to his dormitory.

At this moment, it was afternoon, and everyone in the dormitory was present.

Seeing Lin Xiu enter, Xiao Ning, Lin Dun, and others who were playing around paused.

At first glance, they felt that Lin Xiu, whom they hadn't seen for a year, was like a powerful Demonic Beast; a deterrent Aura rushed towards them.

"What? Haven't seen me for a year, and I've changed a lot?"

Looking at the suddenly stunned crowd, Lin Xiu touched his cheek and chuckled.

As his words fell.

Xiao Ning and the others felt the heavy stone pressing on their chests being removed, their breathing became smooth, and their expressions returned to normal.

Lin Dun was the first to step forward, circling Lin Xiu once. "Brother Xiu, what Realm are you now? The moment you entered, I felt a bit uncomfortable breathing."

Although Xiao Ning and the others didn't speak, curiosity shone in their eyes.

They had all heard about Lin Xiu participating in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition.

"Just so-so, only a One-Star Great Fighter," Lin Xiu released his Aura.

The captivating Aura from before surged again, and everyone's breathing hitched.

"I'm only a Seven-Star Dou Zhe (Fighter), and you're already a One-Star Great Fighter?" Xiao Ning's fingers ran through his hair, letting out a sharp cry.

The others also looked shocked and incredulous.

We all entered the Academy together, so why are you so outstanding?