76: What is he fighting for?

On the other side.

Huo Lan, holding the organized list, hurried into a room.

At this moment, there were many teachers in the room, busy registering their students.

For the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition, the number of participating students each year rarely falls below a thousand.

However, there are only fifty spots to enter the Inner Academy, making the competition extremely fierce.

The Selection Competition not only concerns the students' future but also affects the mentors' evaluations and promotions.

Generally, a Yellow Rank mentor wishing to be promoted to a Profound Rank mentor is closely related to the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition.

"Mentor Zhang, you're here too? Congratulations! This year, your student Su Xiao managed to escape from the pursuit of a Spirit Winged Tiger. With this strength, first place is a sure thing."

"Mentor Wang is truly modest. Leng Bai has been outstanding recently; it's said that not long ago, he was already able to kill a Four-Star Great Fighter. He's not much worse than Su Xiao."

"You two shouldn't be too complacent. Xiu Yan from the Enforcement Team is rumored to have also had a Breakthrough to Four-Star Great Fighter. It's still uncertain who will take first place."

A group of mentors gathered, naturally chatting about their students.

At the center of the crowd, Ge Mu was also present.

However, he didn't join them, as none of his students this year were capable of contending for the top five.

This year, I'll let you all be complacent for a while. Next year, my student Bai Shan will definitely have a spot in the top five, Ge Mu thought to himself. He had been teaching for many years and had never had a student place in the top five. To say he wasn't envious would certainly be impossible.

"Oh?"

His gaze shifted, and Ge Mu suddenly spotted Huo Lan's figure, quietly walking over.

When he discovered the name "Lin Xiu" among the names Huo Lan submitted, Ge Mu's lips suddenly curved into a smile.

"Huo Lan, why did you put in the name of a freshman who just enrolled a year ago? Did you make a mistake? Or are you preparing to give up?"

The suddenly raised voice quieted the others, drawing all eyes to them.

Ge Mu continued, "Lin Xiu is a student with good Aptitude. Three months after enrollment, he defeated my student Lin Ge.

But with such good raw talent, are you really not going to Cultivate him more? Registering him now, can he help you secure a top-five spot?"

Initially, upon hearing 'freshman,' the other mentors were curious why Ge Mu's reaction was so strong.

However...

Upon hearing the names "Lin Xiu" and "Lin Ge," they immediately understood and had an impression in their minds.

Most mentors in the academy knew that Huo Lan wanted to retrieve something from the Hidden Scripture Pavilion.

However, due to regulations, not just anyone could enter the Hidden Scripture Pavilion; only those who placed in the top five of the annual Inner Courtyard Selection Competition had one opportunity to enter.

Previously...

When Lin Xiu defeated Lin Ge three months after enrollment,

many mentors said that Huo Lan had finally found a suitable candidate.

If he was carefully Cultivated for two years, then there truly would be a chance.

It's only been one year, and he's letting Lin Xiu participate in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition? Isn't Huo Lan a bit too hasty?

One must know...

The Inner Courtyard Selection Competition is already intense, but the competition for the top five spots is even more heated.

Currently, among the contenders for the top five,

whether it's Su Xiao, Leng Bai, or Xiu Yan, all have been preparing for at least two years.

Huo Lan actually registered Lin Xiu now, no wonder Ge Mu would say he was giving up.

To use one year of Cultivation to compete against those who have Cultivated for two years...

Even the academy's little demoness didn't do that, and moreover, she has the Vice Dean as her maternal grandfather supporting her, yet she isn't participating in this year's Inner Courtyard Selection Competition.

"None of your business." Huo Lan glared at Ge Mu. He was just registering; he didn't want to attract attention.

"Huo Lan, you really are something. I was clearly kindly reminding you, and you're still ungrateful."

Ge Mu put on a pained expression, "It's not easy to meet a student like Lin Xiu. If you miss this chance, will you have another?"

"Get lost, do I need your reminder? Lin Xiu is my student. I know his strength better than you." Huo Lan waved his hand, signaling Ge Mu to stay away.

"Huo Lan is a bit too much, don't you think?"

"Indeed, Ge Mu is right. He could have found Lin Xiu, had a chance to try, but registering now is just wasting the opportunity."

"Yes, yes, he's only been enrolled for a year! Huo Lan is too hasty. If his student were Xiao Xun'er under Ruo Lin, it would be understandable, but Lin Xiu is still a bit lacking."

"After all, it's about contending for the top five; the difficulty is several levels higher than contending for the top fifty."

Listening to the whispers of the surrounding mentors, a subtle smile flashed across Ge Mu's lips.

The Inner Courtyard Selection Competition each year is a highly anticipated event, with a large crowd watching.

This student, who hasn't even participated in a competition yet, is now being discussed by the mentors. It will surely spread among the students very quickly, and then Lin Xiu will be noticed by even more people.

If he has a bad mentality, is affected, and then encounters some strong opponents, he might even be eliminated early.

Previously, when Lin Ge was defeated by Lin Xiu, Ge Mu was discussed for a long time because of it. He kept it in his heart, waiting for an opportunity for revenge.

"Ge Mu, I'm telling you, your despicable Move will not succeed!" Huo Lan snorted coldly.

He realized that Ge Mu's actions were all to make Lin Xiu receive attention.

Sometimes, pressure can become motivation, but if the pressure is too great, it will become a burden.

However...

Huo Lan was not worried about this.

Originally, he wanted to explain Lin Xiu's strength, but now he didn't plan to do so.

Just wait!

On the day of the competition, you will all be shocked by Lin Xiu's true strength!

Huo Lan's hurried departure, his back falling into Ge Mu's eyes, turned into a desperate escape.

Not long after, the news about Lin Xiu contending for the top five in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition...

spread throughout the academy.

When all the students learned that someone who had just enrolled for a year was going to compete with older students for one of the five spots...

These people were surprised, doubtful, and also mocked and ridiculed.

Xue Ni was the first to share this news with Xiao Yu.

"Who spread this? It must be fake?" Hearing this, Xiao Yu frowned slightly, "I admit Lin Xiu is very strong, but his strength is limited. Contending for the top five is still quite unlikely."

"Anyway, the whole academy is spreading it now." Shrugging her shoulders, Xue Ni's chest heaved. She leaned close to Xiao Yu, "Is there really nothing between you two? I just saw that your first reaction seemed to be worry?"

Hearing this, Xiao Yu hugged her tightly, rolled onto the bed, and fiercely tormented her until Xue Ni continuously begged for mercy.

In a dormitory.

Bai Shan also heard the news. He was first stunned, then a hint of disdain appeared at the corner of his mouth, "If you said Lin Xiu could contend for the top fifty, I could understand, but the top five? What will he use to contend? Even if he fights with his life, it's not enough."

As someone who had once defeated him,

Bai Shan recognized Lin Xiu's strength. In one year, with Lin Xiu's exquisite combat experience and lightning-attributed Dou Qi, securing a top-fifty spot was indeed no problem.

After all, he himself now had the confidence to contend for a top-fifty spot. The reason he hadn't participated was to prepare for another year and contend for the top five.

Because the top five spots were all for those who had meticulously prepared.

Their Realm alone could create several gaps with the fiftieth-place holder.

These people were all outstanding in the Outer Academy.

Sometimes, no matter how rich one's combat experience, facing Realm suppression, there is only the outcome of defeat and retreat.

In the Enforcement Team.

Wu Hao, dressed in dark red robes, was about to leave when he heard the news and asked a middle-aged man for leave.

"I want to watch the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition in the academy."

"For that Lin Xiu? It's been a year, and you still haven't moved on?" The middle-aged man glanced at him.

Wu Hao silently nodded.

"You don't need to keep him on your mind. Your Dou Qi is different from others, and also different from his. As long as you can maintain your original heart and not be corroded by slaughter, your future strength will only grow faster and faster."

The middle-aged man had high hopes for him, but seeing the silent Wu Hao, he still agreed to his request.