First High School's Greatest Genius

Just as Lin Mu was thinking about this, Bai Mo whispered in his ear.

"There's one more thing—you need to be careful!"

A trace of confusion appeared on Lin Mu's face.

"I heard that Zhao Hai's hand suffered permanent damage. The Zhao Family is furious over this, and someone from the Zhao Family will be taking part in this Blood Qi Medicine Pool as well!" Bai Mo said.

"They want to cause trouble for me again?"

"Very likely! The Zhao Family is a major clan, after all. Zhao Hai's cousin is at First High School, and he has quite a bit of influence!"

"Let him do as he pleases! If he wants to court death, then so be it!" Lin Mu said.

"Just be careful, anyway!" Bai Mo said.

Lin Mu nodded slightly and said nothing more.

At that moment, Bai Fan stepped out. His gaze swept across everyone present, and after confirming that everyone had arrived, he spoke.

"This year's Blood Qi Medicine Pool is much the same as in previous years. The rules are simple: whoever can stay in the Blood Pool the longest is the winner and will receive a Blood Qi Pill!"

"Furthermore, the results this time will be entered into your records!"

A trace of puzzlement appeared on Lin Mu's face.

"Is the Blood Qi Medicine Pool that hard to endure?"

Bai Mo nodded. "The Blood Qi Medicine Pool is refined from several kinds of Fierce Beast Essence Blood and A-grade Potions. Its medicinal effects are incredibly overbearing."

"Those with weak willpower can't even last ten minutes!"

"Also, every year, some residual Fierce Beast Essence remains in the Blood Qi Medicine Pool. Their resentment runs deep, and they attack anyone who enters the Blood Pool without discrimination. Some people are affected and suffer qi deviation!"

Lin Mu's expression changed slightly.

He had not expected the Blood Qi Medicine Pool to be dangerous as well.

"However, people from several schools will be standing guard. If anything goes wrong, they'll handle it!" Bai Mo explained.

"Mm!" Lin Mu nodded.

As the bus started up, the group left the Academy.

About two hours later, they arrived deep in the mountains.

The place was remote, yet there were no Fierce Beasts in the surrounding area.

By the time the bus came to a stop, the geniuses from several other schools had already arrived.

An Old Man with white hair and a youthful face stepped forward. His eyes were like an eagle's, and a powerful aura radiated from his entire body.

"Everyone's here, right?"

His gaze turned toward the people in charge of each school.

"Everyone's here!"

"Everyone's here!"

Everyone answered.

"Bring them in!"

With that, the Old Man headed toward the mine tunnel behind him.

The group followed him into the mine tunnel.

The environment inside was rather dark, illuminated only by faint lights. Scattered stones littered the ground, and the place looked as if it had been abandoned for a long time.

As they continued deeper, they soon reached the very depths of the mine tunnel.

The area was covered in blood-red ores that gave off an eerie crimson glow.

At the bottom of the mine was a Blood Pool spanning a full four to five hundred square meters.

Bloody bubbles rose one after another, sending a chill down one's spine.

Lin Mu studied the Blood Pool. He could sense that something seemed to be moving within it; even from this far away, he could feel its resentment.

The leading Old Man swept his gaze over everyone present and slowly said, "This is the Blood Qi Medicine Pool. The medicinal effects inside are extremely overbearing, and there are also Fierce Beast Essences within it. After entering, if you feel any obvious discomfort, you must speak up immediately!"

"Otherwise, if something happens, we won't be responsible!"

His gaze shifted to the side as he immediately said, "Take them down!"

The leaders of the various schools led their students downward.

Upon reaching the edge of the Blood Pool, Lin Mu could clearly feel its domineering power. It was as though what lay before him was not a pool of blood, but living Fierce Beasts one after another.

Entering the Blood Pool was like entering their bodies.

"Be careful!" Bai Fan reminded them, his eyes fixed on the group.

Everyone present nodded and stepped into the Blood Pool.

Lin Mu and Bai Mo slowly approached.

The moment he entered the Blood Pool, Lin Mu's expression visibly changed. He could feel wave after wave of immensely powerful medicinal force pouring into his body.

"How domineering!" Lin Mu thought to himself.

This medicinal power was several times stronger than C-grade Potions.

Moreover, it continuously flowed into his body through his pores.

Lin Mu let out a soft breath, adjusted his breathing, and entered a meditative state.

The Five Hearts Facing Heaven Art began circulating at that very moment.

Before long, a system notification sounded.

"Completed Five Hearts Facing Heaven Art cultivation. Obtained 132x efficiency."

For a moment, Lin Mu felt a distinct change in the blood qi within his body, and a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes.

Here, his cultivation efficiency had increased five or sixfold. Combined with the system, that meant every cultivation session was hundreds of times more efficient than before.

"This is unbelievable!"

Lin Mu thought to himself.

Moreover, he discovered that with the system's help, he had an exceptional ability to adapt to the Blood Pool.

After completing one round of cultivation, he could clearly feel that his body was no longer suffering as much.

A faint smile touched his lips as he swam forward.

But at that moment, a figure blocked his path, his eyes filled with coldness.

"You're Lin Mu!"

Lin Mu's expression remained calm. "And you are?"

"My name is Zhao Shun! You were the one who injured my younger brother!" Zhao Shun's eyes were full of icy hostility, and he looked at Lin Mu with a trace of hatred.

"He had it coming!"

"You're courting death!" Killing intent surfaced on Zhao Shun's face.

"What? You want to make a move against me here?" Lin Mu asked in return.

Zhao Shun clenched his fists.

He truly did not have the nerve.

"Useless rat!" Lin Mu said.

At those words, the killing intent in Zhao Shun's eyes grew even more pronounced.

"You've got guts. Just you wait!" With that, he turned and left.

Lin Mu did not care, slowly swimming onward.

He discovered that the deeper he went, the stronger the medicinal power became.

And the fewer people there were.

Just as Lin Mu was moving forward, a cry of surprise erupted not far away.

A black-haired youth sat cross-legged, streams of blood qi pouring into his body like a vortex. His skin had turned blood-red, as though an Asura had descended into the world.

"He's Qian Mu! First High School's most outstanding genius?"

"I heard his Blood Qi Value has already reached 7.9. He has a chance of getting into the Provincial Top University!"

"7.9! How old is he?"

"Probably eighteen! His talent has always been incredible. I heard that not long after he began cultivating, his Blood Qi Value broke through 1.0, and after that, he advanced by leaps and bounds!"

"Too strong! How can the gap between people be so huge?"

"..."

Many people sighed in admiration.

Lin Mu's expression shifted slightly as well.

Qian Mu!

First High School's most renowned genius.

At such a young age, he had already cultivated multiple skills to Silver Grade. He was hailed as a once-in-a-century genius of Li City.

"I didn't expect to see him here!" Lin Mu looked toward him.

He could sense that Qian Mu's Blood Qi Value was extraordinarily powerful. The vast medicinal power entering his body was like a clay ox sinking into the sea, unable to affect him in the slightest.

Such composure and adaptability were indeed remarkable.