Chapter Seven: Are there different levels of waste?

The four words "Hundred Schools Competition" were nothing short of familiar to Lin Xiaonuo. Students across the entire continent dreamt of showcasing their skills on the arena of the Hundred Schools Competition. Even if it was just to make an appearance, they could boast about it to their classmates for years to come.

Each school selected a five-person team to compete against each other, vying for the ultimate glory. Those who stood out in such a place were rightly called the pride of the heavens.

Chen Yifeng nodded. "Since you're aware of it, that makes things easier."

"Let me tell you secretly, the school leaders are preparing to give you a spot this time."

"Xiaonuo, haven't you always hoped to change the status quo through your own efforts?"

"Here's your chance! Go make a name for yourself on the stage of the Hundred Schools Competition!"

After nearly an hour, Chen Yifeng left.

Lin Xiaonuo's excited heart still hadn't calmed down. To think that she actually had the qualification to participate in the Hundred Schools Competition. Such a thing would have been unimaginable in the past.

Lin Xiaonuo immediately communicated with Zhu Qingyun.

"Senior, I have something..."

"Alright, alright, I heard you. It's about the Hundred Schools Competition, isn't it?" Zhu Qingyun said impatiently.

"Compared to this so-called competition, the matter of the Hundred Refinement Tower is the most important."

Zhu Qingyun thought it through. The Hundred Schools Competition was naturally a competition between students. For Lin Xiaonuo, it might be a chance to make a name for herself. But for him, there were absolutely no benefits! Students were humans; even if they were beaten to death, there would be no merit!

"Senior, this competition is crucial for me!"

"My mother..."

"Listen to me, I don't care about this so-called competition at all."

"If you want to gain something, you have to give something in return."

"Saying it's a competition against others, isn't it still relying on my power, right?"

"So, what do you have to offer me?"

Offer?

Lin Xiaonuo had always believed that contracts were fair, and indeed they were. But Zhu Qingyun was too powerful, ridiculously so. Some of the checks and balances in the contract simply didn't work on him. Lin Xiaonuo had secretly tried to use the contract's forced command to give orders to Zhu Qingyun. But it was as if the other party hadn't received it at all. So, she understood that she wasn't qualified to negotiate terms with Zhu Qingyun.

"Senior Zhu, Xiaonuo wants to know, what do you need in return?"

Hook, line, and sinker!

Zhu Qingyun smirked.

"I detest monsters and ghosts the most."

"I was quite fond of that abnormal space before. I'll give you a month to find ten thousand monsters for me to kill."

"In return, I'll assist you during the competition."

"Deal!"

Lin Xiaonuo was overjoyed. She hadn't expected Zhu Qingyun's condition to be for her to go monster hunting for leveling up. This was a tremendous opportunity for her. She could have Zhu Qingyun lend a hand and reap the benefits. It was just too good!

Thinking about this, Lin Xiaonuo no longer hesitated. The most crucial thing now was to find a suitable combat skill for herself. Then, she would head to the Hundred Refinement Tower. She aimed to kill as many monsters as possible in the tower within a month, to gather ten thousand monsters.

Arriving at the Hundred Martial Pavilion, it was already afternoon. Taking out the teacher's card given by Chen Yifeng, she verified her identity with the guards at the door and entered the pavilion.

Inside the Hundred Martial Pavilion, Lin Xiaonuo couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment. From the outside, the Hundred Martial Pavilion was only the size of two or three houses. But inside, it was unexpectedly vast, with no end in sight.

Lin Xiaonuo was so stunned by the ingenious space that she couldn't move.

At this moment, Zhu Qingyun's voice came.

"It's just a courtyard in the palm of your hand. What's there to be curious about? Haven't seen enough!"

Being rebuked by Zhu Qingyun, Lin Xiaonuo didn't know how to retort. It seemed that her contract spirit was extraordinary.

After browsing for a while, Lin Xiaonuo finally arrived at the area where sword techniques were displayed. After some careful selection, she held two combat skills in her hands.

"The Wind Drifts and Snow Falls Sword Technique"

"The Nebula Rotates Sword Technique"

These combat skills were all based on agile body movements to drive sword techniques. They were very suitable for petite and agile women to practice.

But the problem was, the Hundred Martial Pavilion had regulations. Each time, only one combat skill could be learned until it was perfected before selecting the next one. This was to lay a solid foundation and not become a jack of all trades.

Just as Lin Xiaonuo didn't know how to choose, Zhu Qingyun said indifferently, "Open both books and flip through them from the first page to the last."

Although she didn't know what Zhu Qingyun was up to, Lin Xiaonuo obediently did as she was told.

After flipping through both books, Lin Xiaonuo cautiously asked, "Senior Zhu, what do I do next?"

"That's all, you can leave."

"But I haven't decided which one is more suitable for me yet."

"Senior Zhu, you're incredibly skilled, could you give me some guidance?"

Hearing Lin Xiaonuo's question, Zhu Qingyun raised an eyebrow.

"You want my opinion?"

"Yes, which one of these two combat skills do you think is more powerful?"

"Trash, why bother distinguishing between strong and weak?"

Zhū Qīngyún did not lie.

If Zhū Qīngyún were compared to a phoenix in the sky, whether it was a parrot or a swallow on the ground, it made no difference to him.

However, this statement startled Lin Xiaonuo.

Now she was in the Baiwu Pavilion of the Tianji Academy, where the martial arts techniques were all of superior quality.

Even self-taught martial artists outside would likely experience a qualitative leap if they obtained any of the techniques here.

Some small countries might even start wars for the martial arts techniques passed down here.

Such precious items.

Yet Zhū Qīngyún referred to them as garbage?

Lin Xiaonuo blurted out, "Garbage? Are these books garbage?"

Unintentionally, Lin Xiaonuo's voice echoed through the Baiwu Pavilion, drawing the attention of many senior students who were selecting martial arts techniques.

Most students still saw Lin Xiaonuo as they had on the day of the ceremony.

However, they still remembered Lin Xiaonuo from the day of the spirit-summoning ceremony.

In their eyes, Lin Xiaonuo's presence in the Baiwu Pavilion must have been the result of another plea to Chen Yifeng.

After all, she had no future as a summoner now.

Learning some martial arts and becoming a martial artist would be the best choice.

Hearing the mockery from the others, Lin Xiaonuo didn't want to argue with them.

She put down the two martial arts techniques and hurried towards the gate.

Behind her, a senior female student smirked and said,

"Yeah, isn't this our aloof school beauty?"

"What school beauty? That's a big joke, hahaha."

"The contract creature is just a mortal. Well, in a twisted way, that's quite impressive.H~A~H~A~"