บท 32: Chapter 32: Bai Shan
Lin Xiu often visited the Task Hall and had seen many tasks, but he didn't accept any, which was somewhat related to his unfamiliarity with the surroundings of the Academy.
Now that someone was leading, Lin Xiu couldn't ask for more.
He had made up his mind that once he became familiar with the task procedures and the surroundings of the Academy this time, he would try to take on tasks himself in the future.
With all the Dou Techniques in the ring learned, Lin Xiu had no intention of continuing to stay by the lake.
"Wait, Lin Xiu, don't rush into a decision. I heard you've been fishing lately. If you still want to fish, you can fish for a few more days."
Huo Lan didn't want to tell Lin Xiu that this task was dangerous. As a young man of seventeen or eighteen, he might feel a surge of emotion inside.
The more he tried to persuade him, the more he might feel looked down upon, which would trigger his rebellious mentality.
Sighing, Huo Lan regretted not clarifying Du Chaoping's mission beforehand and then informing Lin Xiu to come over.
"Teacher, I've thought it through. To be honest with you, I've wanted to explore the surroundings of the Academy for a long time, but I didn't have anyone familiar to guide me," Lin Xiu said truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Huo Lan felt a moment of dizziness.
Wasn't this guy spending every day by the lake? How could he be so fond of taking risks?
According to his implication, wouldn't he be going out often in the future after this?
No, you've just been promoted to Dou Practitioner. It's very dangerous to do this!
Huo Lan hoped Lin Xiu would grow up quickly, but he had never thought of encouraging recklessness.
Listening to their conversation all along, Du Chaoping vaguely understood Huo Lan's thoughts. Now, Lin Xiu not only didn't retreat but also showed eagerness.
Such a scene was very familiar to Du Chaoping. Many new students were curious about the surroundings of the Academy.
"Teacher, since the junior brother has this idea, let him follow us," Du Chaoping understood that continuing to persuade would hardly change the outcome. At worst, they would pay more attention to safety in the future.
"Thank you, senior brother," Lin Xiu reached out his hand, and Du Chaoping hesitated for a moment before shaking it.
Lin Xiu asked, "Senior brother, when are we setting off?"
"Tomorrow morning," Du Chaoping replied.
"Alright," nodding, Lin Xiu asked again, "Senior brother, which area are we going to this time?"
"To the forest in the west," Du Chaoping didn't hide it, but he looked at Lin Xiu with some doubt. Did the junior brother care about this?
"Okay," Lin Xiu had no further questions.
After getting to know each other a bit, Lin Xiu saw that Huo Lan had nothing more to say, so he left on his own.
"The western forest... I remember there are quite a few tasks in that area. I should hurry to the Task Hall to check," he thought.
Lin Xiu isn't lacking in Attribute Points now, but he lacks money and Task Points. Whether it's money or Task Points, both can be used to exchange for weapons.
As Lin Xiu left, Huo Lan sighed, "Chaoping, you've worked hard. Try not to go to too dangerous places this time. If the task with the Water Tiger Beast is too much, just abandon it for now."
"I have weapons here; you can take them for now." Huo Lan said the latter sentence to the girl Qin Zhi, as he handed her a long sword.
After some more instructions, the three of them left Huo Lan's house.
After walking a distance, Qin Zhi said, "Senior brother, it seems like the teacher is particularly concerned about Lin Xiu, but I don't see anything remarkable about him."
Having learned that Lin Xiu was accepted as a Dou Disciple at nearly eighteen, she was very puzzled.
Such students belonged to the bottom level in the Academy, there were plenty of them, why would the teacher specifically arrange for them to take care of Lin Xiu?
"Junior Lin must have remarkable qualities; he won't be as simple as he appears," Du Chaoping pondered for a moment. He had followed Huo Lan for a longer time than both of them and understood the teacher's temperament very well.
Huo Lan never made meaningless investments.
"Taking him along, it might be difficult to complete the Water Tiger Beast task. Ah, my Aqua Dragon Sword is probably gone," Qin Zhi felt somewhat disheartened.
Completing the Water Tiger Beast task would allow her to have a weapon crafted by an elder. She had a second-tier magic core on hand, which could be used in the weapon.
"Not necessarily, we can arrange for him to wait in a safe place," Han Pu immediately comforted Qin Zhi when he saw her morale low.
Du Chaoping thought for a moment, "Let's go back and rest first. We'll adapt according to the actual situation later. Remember, the first priority is Junior Lin's safety."
Both nodded in agreement with this proposal.
They were all students whom Huo Lan regarded highly, and more or less had received Huo Lan's guidance and wouldn't casually violate the Mentor's requests.
The next day.
After a night of cultivation, Lin Xiu quickly packed a few changes of clothes and headed to the rendezvous point.
Last night, he accepted four tasks from the Task Hall, all located in the western forest.
He also prepared some dry rations, stored in his Spatial Ring.
"Senior Du, Senior Han, Sister Qin," Lin Xiu hastened his pace as he approached the three. "Sorry, I'm late."
"No worries, we arrived just a short while ago," Du Chaoping smiled. "Junior, we're planning to stay out for five days this time. Have you packed everything? I forgot to mention it to you yesterday."
"Yes, I've got everything ready," Lin Xiu nodded.
"Alright, let's set off then. I'll fill you in on some details along the way," Du Chaoping said.
Han Pu and Qin Zhi walked ahead, while Du Chaoping walked alongside Lin Xiu.
They first exited the Academy gate and then headed west.
Along the way, they occasionally spotted other students—some heading out for training, while others were returning.
During the journey, Du Chaoping would stop to greet people.
Through observation, Lin Xiu noticed that Senior Du seemed to have good relations with others. They encountered several groups, and there were always people who knew Du Chaoping.
"After entering the forest, you must remain vigilant, especially in dim shadows, where poisonous insects or snakes might lurk. If bitten, it's fine if you have antidotes on you; otherwise, it could be troublesome. Although Dou Qi can be used for defense, we're close to the Black-Corner Region, and sometimes if others notice you're not in good shape, they might attack. Generally, if we encounter strangers, we try to avoid them as much as possible," Du Chaoping explained in great detail, emphasizing especially when it came to encountering people.
Because the Black-Corner Region is a mixed area where all sorts of people gather.
Rumors have it that the Black-Corner Region is a place where kindness is unnecessary. So, despite their status as students of Jia Nan Academy, their safety in the wilderness is not completely guaranteed.
Lin Xiu listened attentively. It was indeed his first time coming to the Black-Corner Region, but he had a profound understanding of it.
The group suddenly stopped, and Lin Xiu snapped out of his thoughts. Up ahead, a small team of seven or eight people was approaching them, with a young man dressed in white leading the way.
Senior Du's mood seemed a bit off, Lin Xiu noticed. When the young man appeared, Du Chaoping's body tensed up, while Han Pu and Qin Zhi looked serious.
"Du Chaoping, another new recruit? Every year, you bring so many newcomers, yet no one has ever repaid you. If you have that time, why not bring a group of white-eyed wolves to cultivate instead?" One of the group stopped by Lin Xiu's side and glanced at Du Chaoping.
"I don't need you to meddle in my affairs," Du Chaoping remained calm.
After those people left, Lin Xiu couldn't help but ask, "Senior, who were those guys?"
"They're from the Black Rank Class Three," Han Pu glanced at Du Chaoping's back as he walked ahead and lowered his voice, "The one in white is called Bai Shan. He has conflicts with Senior Du."
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