Chapter 157: Farewell to Chen Zhong

“Are you done? How is Elder Wu’s condition?” Seeing Elder Mo appear, Lin Xiaobao immediately pushed aside the matter of Lietian being swallowed and first inquired about Elder Wu’s situation.

“You actually still have some conscience, kid!” Elder Mo said. “I’ve managed to stabilize his soul for now, but how long it will take for him to recover remains unknown.”

“As long as there’s no danger, that’s enough. Didn’t you say that if I could refine the Chaos Mirror, it would help Elder Wu recover? I’ll do my best!” Lin Xiaobao’s eyes lit up. “I obtained quite a few valuable items from the ancient seals. If the Chaos Fragment devours them all, wouldn’t that speed up the process?”

“No!” Elder Mo shook his head. “The Chaos Mirror only consumes pure spiritual power, such as spirit stones and demon pills. For ores and other forging materials, unless they are refined into high-level magical treasures—at least Dao-grade artifacts empowered by the Way’s force—they have no effect on the Chaos Mirror.”

“I see!” Lin Xiaobao felt a bit disappointed but suddenly thought of something and asked, “Elder Mo, could you teach me two more cultivation techniques?”

“Just focus on cultivating the Supreme True Fire Technique. I don’t have any techniques more advanced than that!” Elder Mo replied curtly.

“I’m not asking for myself!” Lin Xiaobao hurriedly explained. “I want to help Master and Simeng Ling. Look at Wang Dashan—he’s been cultivating the technique you gave him, and his progress is like riding a rocket. Can you maybe—”

“You little flatterer! Wang Dashan’s rapid progress is because he has the Strength God’s physique, and of course, my top-tier cultivation techniques help!” Although Elder Mo told Lin Xiaobao to stop flattering him, he clearly enjoyed both giving and receiving praise.

“Well then…” Lin Xiaobao waited for Elder Mo’s next words.

“Bring out two jade talismans!” Elder Mo did not oppose Lin Xiaobao’s wish to enhance those around him. After all, he knew Lin Xiaobao’s temperament well—if he didn’t ease his mind, he wouldn’t focus on cultivating.

As Lin Xiaobao’s palm revealed two jade talismans, two different beams of light flashed between them.

“These are the Azure Moon Spiritual Scripture and the Tortoise Scale Forbidden Scroll. They’re more suitable for those two to cultivate.” Elder Mo said somewhat wearily. “You must hurry to Longxiang Academy and seize that Chaos Mirror fragment. Your time is running out!”

“I understand!” Lin Xiaobao felt a heavy pressure after Elder Mo’s words. “Once everything is arranged, I’ll set off.”

Seeing no response from Elder Mo, Lin Xiaobao stepped out of the secret chamber. At the door stood Lin Tian, Yun Keke, Simeng Ling, Wang Dashan, and Qin Feng.

“Why are you all here?” Lin Xiaobao asked, puzzled.

“The Treasure Exchange has ended, so naturally we’re waiting for you to come home!” Qin Feng explained.

“There’s something I want to discuss with everyone.” Lin Xiaobao paused before sharing his plan. In fact, he had already calculated this—according to Gu Yixiang, the next enrollment ceremony at Longxiang Academy would be in a month.

“You want to go to Longxiang Academy?”

None of those present knew about Lin Xiaobao being favored by Kuang Lizhen, so they were all shocked, except for Simeng Ling and Wang Dashan, who had no concept of what Longxiang Academy truly meant.

“Wherever Brother Xiaobao goes, I’m going!” Wang Dashan immediately declared his stance.

Lin Xiaobao was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t thought of bringing Wang Dashan along before, but now that he mentioned it, perhaps Wang Dashan’s Strength God physique would give him a chance to cross the threshold of Longxiang Academy. He smiled and said, “Alright, we’ll go together!”

“Are you really taking him with you?” Qin Feng looked at Lin Xiaobao incredulously.

“He has the Strength God physique, so he should have a chance!” Lin Xiaobao explained. “As for Master, how about you stay in Xuanyang Hall to cultivate?”

“Stay in Xuanyang Hall?” Lin Tian seemed tempted, since the spiritual energy there was far stronger than at the Wind and Snow Pavilion. But after some thought, he said, “That might be inconvenient.”

“There’s no inconvenience. I’ll speak to Brother Chen and arrange for you and Meng Ling to stay here to cultivate. That way, I’ll be more at ease.” Lin Xiaobao’s eyes asked for confirmation.

“I have no objections, but…” Lin Tian seemed to gather his courage and said, “I just hope that when you go to Longxiang Academy, you can bring Meng Ling along to give her a chance as well.”

Although she still didn’t know what Longxiang Academy truly signified, from the looks in Lin Tian and Qin Feng’s eyes, Simeng Ling could guess it was no ordinary place. She looked at Lin Xiaobao with a hopeful expression.

“Well…” Lin Xiaobao initially thought it would be pointless for Simeng Ling to go, but seeing Master’s earnest gaze, he quickly patted his chest and said, “Alright, I’ll find a way to get Meng Ling into the academy.”

“What about me?” Yun Keke asked. Having signed a master-servant contract with Lin Xiaobao, she knew that under her current conditions, she had no chance of entering Longxiang Academy.

After some discussion, the group finally decided: Lin Tian would stay in Xuanyang Hall, Yun Keke would return to the Yun family, and Qin Feng, because Lin Xiaobao was going to Longxiang Academy, was freed from his three-year apprenticeship as an apothecary and given his freedom. However, both Qin Feng and Yun Keke seemed dissatisfied with this arrangement.

Lin Xiaobao then gave the Tortoise Scale Forbidden Scroll and Azure Moon Spiritual Scripture he obtained from Elder Mo to Lin Tian and Simeng Ling. He also slipped Lin Tian a Tribulation Avoidance Pill before going to bid farewell to Chen Zhong.

“Leaving so soon? I haven’t had a chance to spend time with you lately.” Chen Zhong felt a bit guilty after Lin Xiaobao explained his intentions.

“That’s nonsense, Brother. We’re brothers—why bother with such things?” Lin Xiaobao didn’t mind.

Chen Zhong nodded. “Once you enter Longxiang Academy, you must study diligently. No matter who enters, everyone is limited to five years of study there. How much you learn depends on fate. As for Lin Tian, I will arrange for him to live better in Xuanyang Hall than he did at Wind and Snow Pavilion.”

“Your words ease my mind!” Lin Xiaobao felt much more at ease after Chen Zhong’s promise. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered, “This is a Tribulation Avoidance Pill. Perhaps Sister-in-law might need it someday.”

Chen Zhong accepted it without refusal. He felt no need for formalities between them. “No clues have emerged as to which force simultaneously destroyed Wind and Snow Pavilion, Liuyun Sect, and the Long family, but it’s very likely they were targeting you. I will continue to investigate. You must also be careful...”

Fortunately, both were straightforward men, avoiding unnecessary words. Chen Zhong had suggested Lin Xiaobao travel with disciples from Xuanyang Hall to Longxiang Academy, but the free-spirited Lin Xiaobao declined.

After a short while, Lin Xiaobao returned to gather the group and prepared to set out.