Midday at the canteen.
The 39th Campground students ate as they excitedly discussed tomorrow’s month-end exam.
“I heard that our opponent is the 40th Campground. They still have thirty-nine members while we only have twenty-four if we include that coward Lin Xun. We’re going to be at an absolute numbers disadvantage tomorrow.”
Some sighed while others frowned deeply.
“Hmph, numbers are useless if they don’t have sufficient power to back it up. I faintly recall that there seem to be no experts in the 40th Campground.”
Some were clearly disdainful while others disagreed.
“That’s not exactly true. The 40th Campground’s Lei Xinyue, Di Jun, and Gong Ming are not ordinary individuals. Only our top members Qi Can, Shi Yu, and Ning Meng can suppress them.” Someone made an evaluation and appeared as if he had a good understanding of both parties.
In another corner of the canteen, Shi Yu was giving his analysis, “Lei Xinyue is the granddaughter of one of the empire’s few Heaven Ascension experts, Lei Yaoting. She has been practicing the Lei Clan’s ancestral inheritance, Dipper Thunder Sword Scripture, since young and is definitely no pushover. If you encounter her, try to avoid fighting her as much as possible and use tactics focused on evasion to dull her offense.”
Li Qiu inwardly nodded. This was extremely important and detailed information that only someone like Shi Yu would be able to obtain.
Shi Yu continued, “Di Jun is also a formidable foe who specializes in the sword. The Thousand Sword Tune he practices boasts unimaginable power. However, there is no need to be overly worried. The Thousand Sword Tune only displays its true power in the hands of a Spirit Sea stage expert.”Li Qiu silently commited this to memory as well. No one knew what opponents they would meet in the month-end exam tomorrow and it was necessary to prepare as much as possible.
“As for Gong Ming…” Shi Yu frowned, “He practices the Nine Nethers Guard Club. He not only has astonishing physical abilities but also first-class stamina and defensive power. Defeating him is going to be a headache.”
Li Qiu seemed to also know Gong Ming and sneered, “The Gong Clan is known in the empire as the Never Falling Geezer Clan, indicating that no one can strike them down. However, I feel that they are a bunch of tortoises that only know how to hide in their shells and are too conservative.”
Shi Yu replied with a serious expression, “Such people are the ones you should never underestimate. My father once said that the Gong Clan have the wisdom of knowing to keep a low profile, making it nearly impossible for anyone to try and find a handle on them. As the Gong Clan’s most outstanding younger generation member, Gong Ming is definitely no ordinary individual.”
Li Qiu’s expression immediately turned solemn. He could tell that compared to Lei Xinyue and Di Jun, Shi Yu clearly regarded Gong Ming more highly.
While they were conversing, someone suddenly cried out in a voice filled with mockery, “Hahahaha, everyone look who it is! Isn’t this the coward Lin Xun?”
Several students turned to look and sure enough, they saw Lin Xun’s figure approaching from far away.
Many had nearly forgotten he even existed after three weeks of not seeing him. However, the students immediately recalled the rumors about him when they saw him again.
These rumors always had certain humiliating and disdainful key phrases such as coward and clown.
Several people’s expressions immediately turned strange as they began to whisper.
“So he finally dares to appear. How rare.”
“Humph, I bet he was forced. The month-end exam is tomorrow so he can’t keep hiding even if he wanted to!”
“Whatever, let’s not talk about this clown anymore. He’s going to be useless tomorrow anyways and is fated to be eliminated.”
In a corner of the canteen, Xin Wenbin suddenly became excited as he gnashed his teeth in anger, “The punk has finally appeared. I can’t wait to see how badly he will be beaten in the exam tomorrow!”
Qi Can could not help but laugh. He could not even be bothered to view Lin Xun as an enemy. A cowardly clown did not deserve such attention.
“Young Master Yu was right, he’s appeared after all and will most likely be participating in the month-end exam.” A thoughtful look rose on Li Qiu’s face.
“Heh heh, I’m looking forward to it.” Shi Yu revealed a thought-provoking smile.
Lin Xun seemed oblivious to the gazes and discussions about him. He quickly locked onto Ning Meng’s figure, walked over, sat opposite him, and said in astonishment, “Hey, why does it seem that you don’t really want to see me?”
Ning Ming gloomily ate his food, not giving Lin Xun a single glance from start to end. It was very unusual behavior.
Lin Xun pondered a little and suddenly laughed. He did not say anything else and began to dig into his food as well.
After disappearing for three weeks, seeing the familiar faces and the lively atmosphere of the canteen made Lin Xun feel as if it had been a lifetime ago.
However, he honestly preferred the atmosphere in Old Mo’s warehouse where he only needed to focus on his training and could ignore everything else.
Upon seeing Lin Xun remain silent, Ning Meng was no longer able to restrain himself. He abruptly raised his head and glared at Lin Xun, “You still have the face to show yourself, coward?”
Lin Xun grinned, “Who told you I’m a coward?”
Upon seeing that Lin Xun was unashamed and unconcerned, the accumulated disappointment and anger in Ning Meng’s heart completely erupted, “You still dare to deny it! Who doesn't know that you ran away to help some bullshit rune master because you were afraid of being eliminated? Why did I ever acknowledge a hopeless friend like you!”
He had subconsciously raised his voice, drawing the attention of several nearby students. Upon seeing this scene, Qi Can, Xin Wenbin, Wen Mingxui, and the others in their circle could not help but gloat.
Although Ning Meng and Lin Xun had a pretty good relationship previously, Ning Meng seemed to have lost it due to Lin Xun’s cowardice. This made them despise Lin Xun even more. What was finding oneself completely alone? This was it!
Lin Xun was stunned, not expecting Ning Meng would be so enraged. After a long time, Lin Xun earnestly said, “As your friend, I only wish to tell you that those rumors are false.”
“False?” It was Ning Meng’s turn to be stunned. However, his expression remained stormy, “Couldn’t you have informed me? I exchanged ten bottles of Lengning Pills for you but you didn’t even bother to say goodbye. You should be hacked to mincemeat!”
A warm sensation flowed in Lin Xun’s heart. He finally realized that Ning Meng was angry because he genuinely treated Lin Xun as a friend. Anyone else would not have been so outraged.
Lin Xun “Let’s put this aside for the moment. I will tell you everything after the month-end exam.”
Ning Meng frowned, “Why wait till then?”
Lin Xun suddenly chuckled. He nonchalantly looked around and lowered his voice, “Because I need some payback first!”
His voice turned chilly towards the end.
It was impossible to completely ignore the mockery and disdain. He was also not so tolerant enough to leave it at that.
Ning Meng’s heart thumped in shock as he dazedly stared at Lin Xun. In the end, Ning Meng said, “Then I’ll wait for your explanation.”
Lin Xun grinned and nodded.
However, he would never have guessed that his opportunity would arrive sooner than he expected.
……
The other campground students dispersed after lunch. They had no training since the month-end exam was tomorrow. After all, it would be very detrimental if they were injured at this juncture.
However, Lin Xun and the other 39th Campground students did not get to relax. They were brought to the arena by Xiaoke where they underwent their regular training.
This baffled many people, making them feel that Xiaoke’s training was too harsh. What would training do at this point besides risking injury?
However, a single question from Xiaoke made everyone unable to say anything, “Blood Kill Camp’s training will last for a year, meaning there will be twelve month-end exams. Tomorrow is only the first exam, why is there any need to be nervous?”
What could anyone say in response?
However, it was impossible for them not to feel disheartened. Their opponent tomorrow was the 40th Campground and they were already at a numbers disadvantage. It would be over for them if they did not treat this seriously.
However, Xiaoke’s following words swept away all their negative feelings. “I have specially prepared Black Jade Snow Melting Salve for all of you so no one has to worry about sustaining any injuries.”
Only then did many realize that although Instructor Xiaoke might seem cold and heartless, she knew what she was doing. She wasn’t all strict and harsh.
Many students grew excited upon entering the arena. After all, this was last-minute training that the other campgrounds did not dare to do.
Young people were especially particular about maintaining face and had strong egos. They were often fond of such unconventional things because it would give them more face.
Xin Wenbin in particular was super excited and was praying hard he could draw Lin Xun as an opponent. Nothing would be better than beating him up right before the month-end exam.
Perhaps the heavens were watching. Xin Wenbin’s luck was unimaginably good and he managed to draw Lin Xun!
“Hahaha hahaha!” Xin Wenbin began to laugh uncontrollably, his face filled with smugness. The heavens are helping me!
Qi Can and the others could not help but display strange expressions. Lin Xun is so unlucky. He hid for three weeks only to encounter Xin Wenbin the moment he reappeared.
They knew that Xin Wenbin had advanced to the True Martial ninth layer earlier in the week and his battle power was completely different from when he entered the camp.
On the other hand, Lin Xun had abandoned the training three weeks ago to do chores for a rune master. How could he possibly be Xin Wenbin’s match?
Unfortunately for them, they did not know how Lin Xun had spent the last three weeks. Otherwise, they would definitely regret thinking this way.
“Did that Xin Wenbin become an idiot?” Lin Xun displayed a carefree smile.
“Don’t be such a busybody. Are you sure you can do this?” Ning Meng grew worried about Lin Xun.
He was likewise under the impression that Lin Xun had been doing menial chores for three weeks and had neglected his training. How could he possibly be Xin Wenbin’s match?
“You’ll know whether he's an idiot after you fight.” Shi Yu suddenly approached and said in a soft voice as he walked past Lin Xun.