Chapter 70: Huo Lan's Shock

As he traveled, Ge Mu arrived at the Healing Pavilion.

"Bai Cheng wha-?" Just as he was about to enter, Ge Mu saw a figure coming out, with surprise flashing across his face.

The young man, upon hearing the voice, looked up. "Mentor Ge Mu, long time no see."

"You..."

Ge Mu was interrupted by the young man before he could speak.

He smiled and said, "My younger cousin's injury is almost healed. This time, I came specifically to educate him. Fooling around in the outer court is not the right path. Proper cultivation is the key to entering the inner court as soon as possible."

"I advised him several times, but it had no effect."

Ge Mu sighed, "I've looked into the matter this time. The other party is mainly a new student, and I can't easily intervene."

Bai Cheng's smile remained, "Failing to defeat even a new student is Bai Shan's own issue, Mentor Ge Mu, rest assured, I am a reasonable person."

After saying that, he nodded slightly and walked past Ge Mu.

Watching Bai Cheng's figure, Ge Mu felt that things probably wouldn't end so easily. Bai Cheng had once been his student, and he knew his personality well.

Entering the room, Ge Mu saw Bai Shan, who had recovered quite a bit, and another person.

"Lin Ge, why are you not focusing on cultivation and running over here?" Ge Mu looked at the young man standing by the bed.

This Lin Ge was one of his core students, expected to advance to the inner court this year.

"Mentor, I came to check on junior Bai Shan." Lin Ge explained.

Ge Mu turned his gaze to Bai Shan, "I just bumped into your brother. You've wasted a year already; you can't continue like this. With your talent, practice diligently, and within two years, you have a chance to secure a top-five spot in the inner court selection competition."

"In the past two months, I have thought it through and am determined to change. Please rest assured, Mentor, I will practice diligently from now on," Bai Shan earnestly promised.

Ge Mu nodded slightly. Seeing Bai Shan being so obedient, he didn't feel the need to say anything more.

"Mentor, can we just let this matter with the junior brother slide?" Lin Ge suddenly spoke.

"What do you want to say?" Ge Mu furrowed his brow. "That Lin Xiu is just a new student. Do you want to pick a fight with him? Even if you win, what's the point? It would only bring shame to me."

"How could that be, Mentor? I understand the boundaries," Lin Ge quickly apologized.

He was set to advance to the inner court next year.

The internal forces in the inner court were intricate, and it was crucial to join a powerful force to practice well.

When Bai Cheng came earlier, it indicated that he would help discipline Du Chaoping, Lin Xiu, and others for Bai Shan. Once they entered the inner court, he would pull Lin Ge into the White Gang.

Ge Mu stared at him, curious about what his disciple was trying to express.

"Mentor, you should know Du Chaoping. He's a student of Mentor Huo Lan and has recently broken through to become a 2-Star Dou Master. Do you think it's okay if I challenge him?" Lin Ge glanced at Bai Shan on the bed, "junior brother Bai Shan suffered a broken leg, and it's related to Du Chaoping."

"That shouldn't be a problem," Ge Mu was taken aback.

Students were allowed to have friendly matches, and with Lin Ge being a 3-Star Dou Master, dealing with Du Chaoping, who had just advanced to a 2-Star Dou Master, was pretty much a guaranteed victory.

"Mentor, then I'll take that as your approval." Seeing no objection from Mentor Ge Mu, Lin Ge passed a glance to Bai Shan on the bed.

Understanding the silent communication, Bai Shan's lips curled into a faint smile.

Lin Ge also smiled at the corner of his mouth.

Dealing with a new student directly wouldn't be appropriate, but what if he challenges me first?

I heard that the new student has a good relationship with Du Chaoping. If I seriously injure Du Chaoping, can he endure it?

Lin Ge heard about the encounter between Wang Ming and the new student, but he didn't care.

Even though the other person could match up with Wang Ming, does it have anything to do with me, Lin Ge?

After all, I am a 3-Star Dou Master. It's only been two months; how much can a new student's strength improve? Can they even reach 3-Star Dou Master?

...

Inside the room.

Hearing some commotion, Huo Lan had just finished washing up, changed into clean clothes, and walked over to open the door.

"Mentor."

Du Chaoping and the others stood at the door, respectfully greeting.

"Come in." Huo Lan nodded gently, leading the way into the room. "In the past two months, I haven't been at the Academy. I hope your training hasn't lagged behind."

Though concerned about Lin Xiu's recent situation, Huo Lan understood that he couldn't neglect the others who were also his students.

Approaching a soft chair, Huo Lan turned to sit down when suddenly he noticed three figures, each draped in robes emanating different colors of Dou Qi. His lowering buttocks froze in mid-air.

"Dou... Dou Master? All three of you have become Dou Masters?" Huo Lan's voice showed a hint of lack of control, rising a bit, resonating from his throat.

'What's going on? I've only been away for two months, and all three of them have advanced to Dou Masters?'

"Mentor, I am now a 2-Star Dou Master," Du Chaoping said, witnessing his Mentor's expression for the first time.

A sense of pride, satisfaction, and gratitude toward Lin Xiu emerged in his heart.

Throughout, his cultivation speed had been slow, even ranking at the bottom in the Academy.

Huo Lan remained silent, after sitting down, he picked up a cup from the table, "gulp, gulp, gulp," took several sips, then slowly placed it back down.

"Tell me, what's going on here?" Originally concerned about Lin Xiu's situation, Huo Lan now had to shift his attention to these three students.

The three exchanged glances, and finally, Du Chaoping explained. He recounted the story of the cave secret room and the pure Dou Qi to their Mentor.

"Mentor, thanks to Junior Lin Xiu, otherwise, the three of us wouldn't have been able to improve our strength so much in such a short period." In the end, Du Chaoping emphasized Lin Xiu's contribution.

Initially, when he heard about the pure Dou Qi, Huo Lan became alert, but upon learning that Lin Xiu had actively refused, his concerns eased.

"Lin Xiu's refusal is appropriate. Blindly providing him with pure Dou Qi would have been harmful to him."

Huo Lan looked at his three disciples, speaking with a tone of deep concern, "It's not that using Dou Qi to enhance isn't good, but Lin Xiu has just enrolled. He has plenty of time; there's no rush."

After all, Lin Xiu has a short cultivation time at the Academy, and his foundation is far from as solid as that of Du Chaoping and the others. Using external forces to enhance isn't advisable.

Huo Lan's gaze swept over the three, ultimately settling on Du Chaoping. "You were stuck in the Dou Practitioner realm for too long. Breaking through with external help is also considered a good thing. Work hard and strive to participate in the inner court selection competition this year. With luck, you might make it in."

The inner court selection competition has a minimum strength requirement every year, which is at least a 7-Star Dou Master. Those below 7-Star Dou Master cannot secure a spot in the top fifty even if they participate.

"Mentor, I..." Du Chaoping's face showed fear. Achieving at least a 5-Star advancement in strength within a year, even to the level of a Dou Master, was beyond his wildest dreams.

However, as soon as he started to speak, he saw Huo Lan raising his palm, signaling him to keep quiet.

"No need to speak; I know what you're worried about. But as a 2-Star Dou Master now, you have a good chance this year. I will help you," Huo Lan, as a Mentor, was naturally not heartless.

Moreover, over the past two years, Huo Lan has observed all that Du Chaoping has done for him—though there may not be merit, there certainly is effort.

Now that Du Chaoping has an opportunity, Huo Lan would undoubtedly lend a helping hand.

"Thank you, Mentor. I will definitely not disappoint your expectations." Du Chaoping's nose tingled, and he bowed to Huo Lan.

'I owe this opportunity to Junior Lin Xiu, and I must remember it in my heart!'

He silently recited in his mind.

Beside him, Han Pu and Qin Zhi wore smiles, applauding and congratulating Du Chaoping.

They weren't anxious; confident in their own talents, entering the Academy for their second year, they had plenty of time and opportunities to vie for a spot in the inner court.

Huo Lan created a gust of wind, lifting Du Chaoping up. "Tell me more about Lin Xiu. Why did he go outside the Academy? Wasn't he fond of fishing?"

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