The fight in front of Haze Academy had ended but the resulting ripples did not stop here.
Numerous cultivators gathered in groups of three to five to discuss the sudden battle that had just occurred. There was a different look in their eyes when they looked at Lin Xun now.
Lin Xun was seated alone on the stone steps at the side of the plaza. He was lost in thought, seemingly oblivious to all the attention he was receiving.
The earlier battles were the first time he had experienced the difference of the Human Dipper stage.
It was needless to say that the ability to attack from a distance made the battles more dangerous and filled with variables.
What he had not anticipated was the tremendous power produced by Storm Grinder.
Under normal circumstances, the dipper power Lin Xun cultivated was already extremely pure, clean like unblemished glass, and of extraordinary quality, which allowed him to display tremendous battle power.
After activating Storm Grinder, his battle power would be amplified even further and reach crazy heights!
This was what surprised Lin Xun.
After carefully reviewing the previous battles, Lin Xun soon understood the reason. Storm Grinder utilized a unique circulation method that had the same effect of suppressing a spring to the limit, creating a terrifying explosive force.In addition, the power was released like a high-speed rotating drill, resulting in far more destructive power than the norm!
Lin Xun hypothesized: This might be one of the functions of the aeth power reservoir. Different grade aeth power reservoirs generate completely different amounts of power.
His aeth power reservoir was very unique indeed and was far more mysterious than ordinary first-grade reservoirs.
Moreover, there was a mysterious resonance between his aeth power reservoir and the aeth power vortexes above his four heart acupuncture points!
Human Dipper experts who could cultivate second-grade aeth power reservoirs were already praised as first-class experts in this world, while those that possessed first-grade reservoirs were considered apex-level cultivators.
In comparison, Lin Xun’s aeth power reservoir was superior even to first-grade reservoirs!
It was impossible to measure people like him using common sense.
……
The registration time soon arrived. A bell chimed and the tightly shut doors of Haze Academy slowly opened.
Everyone waiting in the plaza felt a surge of excitement and they began to flood into Haze Academy.
Lin Xun also awoke from his thoughts and rose to his feet. With the already prepared certification in his hand, he followed the crowd in.
Suddenly, an extraordinary-looking young man in simple clothes approached and said in a low voice, “Greetings Young Master, I’m Cao Yunxiu and come from the Taixing District of Qingfeng County.”
Lin Xun was taken aback. “Friend, how may I help you?”
Cao Yunxiu said in admiration, “I saw Young Master ruthlessly crush those noble disciples earlier and it was truly impressive. It was also satisfying to see you stand up for us commoner disciples.”
Lin Xun raised his brow and said, “Apologies, what I did earlier was not to seek redress for the commoner disciples.”
His attitude had become a little cold. Cao Yunxiu’s words had put Lin Xun in the commoner disciple camp, which made him feel very uncomfortable.
It was not that he looked down on them but he hated to be put in groups by others.
Cao Yunxiu was stunned. “Young Master, me and a few other friends witnessed what you did earlier. In my view, we share many similarities. If we can become friends, the combined power we can gather in the future will allow us to be unafraid of those noble disciples.”
Lin Xun frowned. “What exactly do you want to say?”
Cao Yunxiu took a deep breath and quickly scanned the surroundings. After confirming no one was watching them, he said in a low voice, “I and a few friends who share the same aspiration have established a group called Achievers Society. Our goal is to gather people who possess first-class cultivation talent but come from poor backgrounds. We seek to help and support each other on the journey of cultivation. Does Young Master have any interest in joining?”
Lin Xun finally realized that he was being recruited.
“Sorry, I’m not interested.”
He had already begun walking again as he spoke. He had no interest in this Achievers Society or an alliance between commoner disciples.
Cao Yunxiu was stunned. His expression gradually darkened as he watched Lin Xun walk away.
Someone came over and asked, “Big Brother Cao, how did it go?”
“What else? Our Achievers Society can’t attract such a person.”
Cao Yunxiu laughed in a self-mocking manner.
The person coldly snorted. “Humph, he’s too arrogant. He’s clearly from a poor background like us. Is he looking down on us?”
Cao Yunxiu smiled faintly and calmly said, “That might not be the case. He might have his considerations. However, I believe that when our Achievers Society rises to power, he will definitely regret the decision he made today!”
The person said in admiration, “Big Brother Cao, only someone with a generous and forgiving heart like you can bring us to success!”
Cao Yunxiu laughed. “Let’s go and register for the exam. The provincial exam will be the first step for our Achievers Society. In the future, the Achievers Society will definitely establish a place for ourselves in the empire!”
……
Some distance from the white jade plaza, a middle-aged man in white robes suddenly asked as he watched the young cultivators enter Haze Academy. “Brother Dongtu. What do you think about that guy from earlier?”
“Pretty good. He’s a rare talent.”
Beside him, a man in black clothes with wide sleeves nodded. He had stern eyes and gave off a powerful aura just by standing there.
If any of the Haze City bigwigs were present, they would immediately be able to identify that the middle-aged man in white robes was the Haze Academy Principal, Wei Lingzhen. He was also a famous great cultivator in the southwest province with unfathomable strength.
The one beside Wei Lingzhen was the commander of the Violet Plume Army stationed in the southwest province, Du Dongtu. The only person in the southwest province who could match him in status and power was Governor Liu Wudiao!
Wei Lingzhen chuckled and said, “Hehe, someone who is praised as a talent by Brother Dongtu must be remarkable. I wonder which clan he belongs to. I’ve never heard of him before.”
Du Dongtu thought a bit and said, “He’s definitely not a noble disciple. Given what he has shown today, I’m interested in recruiting him into the Violet Plume Army. From the strength he displayed, he will certainly achieve great things in the future.”
Wei Lingzhen was shocked. “I can’t believe Brother Dongtu is interested in taking him in. However, I feel he was too fearless and didn’t consider the consequences of his actions. It might have felt great to show off his capabilities but he also offended several people in the process. This just seems too reckless to me.”
Du Dongtu seemed unconcerned. “Young people should naturally be hot-blooded. If he had sucked it up earlier, I would look down on him instead.”
Wei Lingzhen was finally certain Du Dongtu was serious and could not help but chuckle. “What a pity. Given his character, I’m afraid he won’t be interested in joining the army. In his eyes, the national exam would probably be more attractive.”
Du Dongtu frowned. “If so, there’s nothing I can do.”
Wei Lingzhen said, “From what I know, there are still several outstanding individuals who will be participating in the provincial exam. They will not lose to this kid in terms of strength.”
Du Dongtu seemed interested. “Who are they?”
Wei Lingzhen answered, “My Haze Academy’s Xue Shaolin, Yu Wenjing, Le Zhiyou, and Yun Zitong are all apex-level among the Human Dipper stage. Governor Liu Wudiao’s young daughter, Liu Qianhuan, is also extraordinary.”
He paused for a moment before he continued. “From what I’ve heard, Yao Tuohai’s son-in-law, Lian Fei, is also an outstanding cultivator. These people are all amazing talents of the younger generation. Besides them, there are probably numerous undiscovered geniuses like that young man earlier. Once the provincial exam begins, we’ll find out just how many of these dark horses will appear.”
Du Dongtu nodded. “We’ll see when the provincial exam begins.”
Wei Lingzhen chuckled. “Naturally. With Governor Liu Wudiao as the chief examiner and us two as witnesses, the three of us will definitely be able to sift out the true cream of the crop.”
……
Lin Xun was unaware that he was already receiving attention from the Haze Academy Principal Wei Lingzhen and the Violet Plume Army Commander Du Dongtu before the registration started.
Lin Xun was busy queuing in the registration zone. When it was finally his turn, he handed over his certification and the ten silver coins fee and was given a token to acknowledge his participation in the provincial exam.
Lin Xun did not linger around and left immediately.
A Haze Academy Instructor was in charge of distributing the tokens. He was a stern middle-aged man called Lu Zizheng.
When Lin Xun left, Lu Zizheng picked up Lin Xun’s certification and closely observed it for a moment before putting it back without batting an eyelid.
Donglin City, Lin Xun, fourteen-years-old…it should be him.
Lu Zizheng pondered for a brief moment before calling over another instructor to take over his station before he hurriedly departed.
An incense stick of time later.
Haze City. In front of a magnificent hall.
Lu Zizheng passed a letter to the old servant at the entrance. “Pass this to your master. Tell him the person he’s looking for has appeared.”
Afterwhich, Lu Zizheng turned around and left.
Moments later, the letter entered the hands of the master of the hall.
“Lin Xun! I did not expect that he would appear…”
The master was a pretty young lady. Excitement was revealed on her face when she opened and read the letter.
“Susu, who did you say appeared?”
A young man, who was meditating in a corner of the hall, abruptly opened his eyes as a chilling light shone within them.
“It’s Lin Xun. He registered for the provincial exam today!”
The young lady happily waved the letter in her hand. “Brother Fei, you can finally have your revenge!”
The young man stood up and seized the letter. His expression also turned excited and somewhat sinister.
“Lin Xun, it’s been a whole year. I’m glad that you’ve finally appeared. It’s time to resolve the grudge between us!”
The letter turned to dust as chilling intent flowed out in the young man’s eyes.
If Lin Xun was present, he would definitely recognize that it was Lian Fei and Yao Susu!