Resolution

The next day, after finishing a night of cultivation, Lin Yuan glanced at the white strands of hair that had appeared because of the Life Devouring Pill, then left the small courtyard and headed toward the Alchemy Department.

After arriving at the Alchemy Department, Lin Yuan successfully found Elder Huo in the back mountain, where he was experimenting with and deducing the Pill Flame Technique.

When Elder Huo saw Lin Yuan, he subconsciously probed him with Soul Power, only to discover in surprise that he could not detect Lin Yuan's exact aura. He could not help but ask in astonishment, "Kid Lin, it's only been a few days. What happened? This old man actually can't see through your true cultivation anymore."

Watching Elder Huo scatter the flame in his hand and walk toward him, a bitter smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face. Immediately after, he no longer restrained his aura. A powerful aura belonging to the Dou Wang level erupted from Lin Yuan.

Sensing Lin Yuan's Dou Wang aura, Elder Huo could not help being shocked and said, "Dou Wang? This, this... what is going on? Didn't you only just break through to Da Dou Shi? How did you suddenly become a Dou Wang?"

After giving a salute, Lin Yuan said, "Fire Master, the details are like this..."

After that, Lin Yuan told Elder Huo the story of how he had swallowed the Life Devouring Pill and broken through to Dou Wang. Most of it was reported truthfully, with only a few details slightly altered. For example, he said the Life Devouring Pill had been obtained by chance while carrying out an Enforcement Team mission this time, and that he had been hunted down by someone and had taken the Life Devouring Pill in order to break the deadlock.

After hearing this, Elder Huo looked at the white strands mixed into Lin Yuan's long hair and could not help sighing. "Life Devouring Pill, Life Devouring Pill... I didn't expect it to actually be the legendary Peak Seventh-Grade Pill, the Life Devouring Pill. I really don't know whether to say you brat have good luck or bad luck!"

Lin Yuan responded with a bitter smile, then cupped his fists and said, "Please teach me, Fire Master. This student can feel that after taking the Life Devouring Pill, just as recorded in the books, I only have three years of lifespan remaining."

Elder Huo thought for a moment, then made up his mind and beckoned to Lin Yuan. "Come with me. This matter is important. We need to go see the Vice Dean." Having said that, he spread his Crimson Fire Wings and flew toward the distance. Lin Yuan also spread his Azure Fire Wings and followed.

After following Elder Huo to the Core Area of the Outer Academy, Lin Yuan also met the Vice Dean and several other elders. After Lin Yuan and Elder Huo explained the situation, Hu Gan could not help sighing at Lin Yuan as well. "Without the Life Devouring Pill, given your talent, you would have successfully advanced to Dou Wang within five years anyway. Now, you have become an extremely rare fifteen-year-old Dou Wang on the continent, but you must also pay such a huge price!"

Afterward, Hu Gan looked at Elder Huo and asked, "Old Man Huo, you're the expert when it comes to pills. Is there any way?"

Elder Huo sighed softly and said, "What this old man can do is also extremely limited. A Peak Seventh-Grade Pill is far too profound, not to mention this kind of strange pill that has been lost for a long time. This old man has no solution. The only method I can currently think of is to get Kid Lin some medicines that can extend lifespan and replenish life force. This old man knows of a Fifth-Grade Intermediate Pill called the Essence Returning Pill, which can extend a person's life by two years, but I am missing some of the medicinal ingredients on hand. This matter will require support from the academy! After Kid Lin takes it, he will have five years to find a solution."

Hu Gan exchanged glances with the elders present, then made a decision. "Lin Yuan is a direct-lineage junior of our Jia Nan Academy and the face of the Hero Forging Plan. This time, he also encountered such changes while carrying out an Enforcement Team mission. Moreover, he has indeed become a Dou Wang and should be rewarded. I decide to reward him with a Fifth-Tier Mid-Grade Pill in the name of the academy. Does anyone have any objections?"

"It should be like this!"

"It should be like this!"

"I agree!"

"Old Hu is right!"

Seeing everyone's stance, Hu Gan showed a satisfied expression, then said to Elder Huo, "Old Man Huo, I'll leave the pill refining to you. For the medicinal ingredients you need, just go straight to the Medicinal Herb Repository and take them!"

Then he looked at Lin Yuan and comforted him, "Kid Lin, I believe five years will be enough for you to find a way to resolve this. My intuition tells me that your future is still very long. Don't lose heart!"

Hearing this, Lin Yuan gave Hu Gan, Elder Huo, and all the elders a deep salute from the bottom of his heart.

"For Lin Yuan to have today, it is all thanks to the academy's cultivation. Although Lin Yuan is still young, after receiving so much kindness from the academy, Lin Yuan also wants to do what he can for Jia Nan Academy."

After slowing down for a moment, as if thinking briefly, Lin Yuan continued, "Lin Yuan is untalented. My cultivation still has no small gap from all you seniors, and only my alchemy skill is worth mentioning. Previously, this student's alchemy skill had already broken through to the fourth grade. When I broke through to Dou Wang, this student felt that my Soul Power improved quite a bit. I believe I will soon be able to refine Fifth-Grade Pills. If there is anywhere you need me to contribute effort, please speak frankly, seniors."

Hearing this, Hu Gan could not help praising him repeatedly. "Good, as expected of the direct-lineage genius of my Jia Nan Academy. Since you have this intention, Jia Nan Academy will fulfill and reward you. Old Man Huo."

Elder Huo seemed to share a tacit understanding with him and took over. "Since your alchemy skill has already reached this level, I, as the head seat of the Alchemy Department, hereby announce that Lin Yuan is appointed as an Honorary Elder of the Alchemy Department. The Alchemy Department's pill formulas of fifth grade and below will be opened to him. At the same time, he will undertake part of the tasks in Jia Nan Academy's Pill Reserve Plan."

Hu Gan thought for a moment, then added, "Although it came from an opportunity, you have already completed the goal of the Hero Forging Plan ahead of schedule. There is no problem with you becoming an elder, but you are still young. I hope you will first go to the Inner Academy for advanced study for a period of time and experience the foundation on which Jia Nan Academy stands on the continent. As for refining pills, you can do that in the Inner Academy too. What do you think?"

Lin Yuan thought for a moment and replied, "This student also wants to study in the Inner Academy for a period of time. Does this student need to enter the Inner Academy through the Inner Academy Selection Competition two months from now?"

Hearing this, Hu Gan did not know whether to laugh or cry. "You brat already have Dou Wang strength. Wouldn't taking part in that kind of competition be bullying people too much? That is a selection and tempering process aimed at ordinary students. A special case like you can forget about it. I will speak with the Inner Academy side, and you can go straight over."

"Then..." Lin Yuan wanted to speak but stopped, and an indescribable expression appeared on his face.

Seeing this, Hu Gan understood the key in an instant. A slightly strange smile appeared on his face, and teasing entered his tone. "Hehe, you brat are thinking about the rewards for the top five in the competition, aren't you? Don't worry, yours won't be missing. Come find me in two days. Go back for today!"

"Thank you, Dean and elders. This student takes his leave!" Afterward, Lin Yuan left as instructed, flying toward his own small courtyard.

After everyone left, only Hu Gan and Elder Huo remained where they were. Hu Gan asked Elder Huo with a trace of deeper meaning, "Old Huo, what do you think? About this child, Lin Yuan!"

Elder Huo waved his hand. "What do I think? Of course I admire him. Kid Lin can be considered someone I watched grow up. He has high talent, good character, works steadily and in moderation, is good at judging the situation, and knows how to repay kindness. Although his thoughts are a little deep, in this world where the weak are prey to the strong, only someone with deeper thoughts can go far!"

After a pause, a bit of envy also entered Elder Huo's tone. "Thinking about it carefully, this child's fortune is also very good. A Peak Seventh-Grade Pill... this old man has refined pills for so many years and has never even seen one, yet he obtained such a thing by chance at such a young age."

Hearing this, Hu Gan nodded. "Indeed. I have a feeling that the Life Devouring Pill will not be able to stop this brat. It seems my Jia Nan Academy is about to produce an extraordinary genius!" After a pause, as if he had thought of something, a trace of laughter entered his tone. "If this child could become this old man's grandson-in-law in the future, that would be even better. Haha."

Elder Huo cast Hu Gan an annoyed glance. "You old fellow, can't you be serious? If Hu Jia hears that, just see if she doesn't pluck your beard clean." Having said that, he turned and left.

Hu Gan paid it no mind and strolled in the direction of the Inner Academy.

"It's time to arrange Lin Yuan's entry into the Inner Academy. While I'm at it, I'll discuss with the Great Elder the specific arrangements for Kid Lin in the Inner Academy!"

At the same time, Lin Yuan, who had returned to the small courtyard, let out a breath.

"My goals can be considered achieved: the life-extending pill, the goal of going to the Inner Academy ahead of time, and the qualification to enter the Library Pavilion. I originally thought there would be some twists and turns. Jia Nan Academy..."

"If Lin Yuan does not die, the grace of Jia Nan will surely be repaid like a gushing spring in the future!"

Collecting his thoughts, Lin Yuan considered the next step.

"The next goals: within half a year, temper my foundation in the Inner Academy through the Fallen Heart Flame, and break through and consolidate my alchemy skill by helping the academy refine pills. And most importantly, Zi Yan."