"Since none of you returned empty-handed this time, go back and rest for two days. After two days, we'll arrange for you to enter the Inner Academy. It's best to prepare yourselves mentally."
After Hu Gan closed the Inner Academy passage, he turned around and spoke to Yan Qingshan and the others, "Oh right, let me remind you again, if newcomers want to avoid being bullied by the seniors when they first enter the Inner Academy, your fists better be harder than theirs.
Of course, students who can enter the Inner Academy are basically the best of the best from the Outer Academy. Their cultivation talents are not weak, coupled with the Inner Academy's unique cultivation methods.
It's probably quite difficult for newcomers to catch up with their progress. However, the quality of your batch is indeed the best in recent years. As long as you help each other through the first year, you'll eventually stand out."
Hu Gan scanned the five of them with his eyes, "Therefore, I advise you to abandon your grudges and cooperate with each other in the Inner Academy. Otherwise, the consequences will be unpredictable."
"Thank you for the reminder, Vice Principal. We'll take note."
Yan Qingshan nodded slightly, bowed to Hu Gan, and then retreated with Xiao Yi Xian. Han Yue, Lin Yan, and Han Xian did the same. Everyone was eager to go back and check their gains.
Hu Gan watched their departing figures, a strange smile appearing on his lips. "The quality of this batch of students is so high. If Black White Evil are still the same as before, they'll be delivering food!"
…
In the Jia Nan Outer Academy, Lin Yan was a unique legendary figure. He was highly skilled, a loner, and lived in an extremely remote and secluded place.
It was a small waterfall surrounded by lush dense forest. A silver-like waterfall roared down from the mountaintop, finally crashing onto the rocks, splashing a mist of water.
A simple thatched hut was built in the dense forest next to the waterfall, containing some personal belongings. Inside the waterfall, a person sat in the center, holding a long spear, their Dou Qi constantly resisting the rushing water.
The faint red Dou Qi leaped continuously, dividing the waterfall into two. The nearly ten-meter-high cliff behind the youth was dry, and a large amount of river water was blocked in mid-air, forming a new water curtain falling from a greater distance.
The faint red Dou Qi radiated like flames, and as it resisted the power of nature, the youth's aura was constantly changing, slowly but steadily increasing.
"You came to see me. What's the matter?"
As the sun set in the west, the youth suddenly opened his eyes. A figure appeared beside him with a gust of wind. It was none other than Yan Qingshan, who had come to find him.
Yan Qingshan stared at Lin Yan and said in a deep voice, "Although you can improve rapidly with this method, it has significant side effects."
Lin Yan picked up his coat from the shore, put it on, walked to the river, and said, "You said before that we are the same kind of people. You should understand what I'm doing this for.
Compared to Han Yue and Han Xian, who have good backgrounds, we who come from ordinary families have to fight hard to stand out! I'm not as smooth and restrained as you. The reason I've come this far is because of one word: fight.
Of course, I know that improving cultivation with this extreme method puts a heavy burden on the body, but this trouble is still within my tolerance. Only by maintaining our cultivation progress can people like us truly stand out."
"You're right. So, let's join forces!"
Yan Qingshan nodded. Lin Yan, like him, came from a common family. Without family support, they could only rely on themselves. People like them urgently needed to improve their cultivation, even if it would harm their bodies. Sometimes, they couldn't care less.
"I'm not easy to get along with."
Lin Yan was silent for a moment and then said, "I'm straightforward, I'm used to being alone, and I'm not very familiar with some things..."
"These are not problems. I just need you to help me."
Yan Qingshan smiled calmly and then threw a jade bottle to Lin Yan. "This Three Lines Green Spirit Pill came from the hands of a peak fifth-grade alchemist. It can increase a Dou Grandmaster's cultivation by one or two stars, but there's also a small chance of failure.
In the Inner Academy, Dou Spirits are not uncommon. Our cultivation is still a bit weak. It's up to you now. Do you dare to take a gamble?"
"I agree to help you. I can help you in the Inner Academy, but I'm not good at things like building a force."
Lin Yan took the jade bottle, looked at the precious pill inside, the size of a dragon's eye with three-colored patterns, and slowly opened his mouth after being mesmerized. The fourth-grade Three Lines Green Spirit Pill was something he had considered but eventually gave up on.
He had reached the eight-star Dou Grandmaster realm at the fastest speed with this waterfall cultivation method, but it would take at least several months to reach the peak Dou Grandmaster realm. This seemingly small thing could save him several months of effort.
"I said, you don't have to worry about these things."
Yan Qingshan smiled and turned around, waving his hand behind him. "Cultivate well these two days and try to give those seniors a surprise when you enter the Inner Academy."
…
Jia Nan Academy, student dormitory area.
Yan Qingshan hummed a little tune as he walked towards his residence. Along the way, he met many admirers who greeted him, and he responded politely.
Lin Yan's matter went smoothly, beyond his expectations. Using a Three Lines Green Spirit Pill that he didn't need to exchange for the help of a future Dou King or even a Dou Emperor was a great deal.
Before Yan Qingshan prepared to absorb the Green Lotus Core Flame, he asked Lu Man to run errands and find someone to refine the Blood Lotus Pill and other pills.
At that time, he considered his cultivation after becoming a Dou Grandmaster and asked Lu Man to find someone to refine two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills and two Three Lines Green Spirit Pills.
The Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill could increase a Dou Grandmaster's cultivation by one star, and two pills could be taken during the Dou Grandmaster stage.
The Three Lines Green Spirit Pill had a similar effect, but only one pill could be taken during the Dou Grandmaster and Dou Spirit stages.
Yan Qingshan originally planned to take one pill each during the Dou Grandmaster and Dou Spirit realms, but his cultivation improved too quickly, and he was already at the peak of the seven-star Dou Grandmaster.
If he took two more Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills before entering the Inner Academy, he could directly reach the peak Dou Grandmaster realm. That meant he didn't need the Three Lines Green Spirit Pill.
In this case, he didn't mind using it as a favor.
When Yan Qingshan returned to his dormitory building, the sky outside was already dark, and the lights in the building were on. As he approached, he heard the conversation of three girls. Besides Xue Lan and Xiao Yi Xian, another person surprised him.
"Senior Sister Han Yue!"
Yan Qingshan entered the main hall of the small building. Sure enough, besides Xiao Yi Xian and Xue Lan, Han Yue, who had entered the Book Collection Hall with him today, was also there.