Training Camp

"I underestimated him," Bai Fan said.

"Your Third High School has produced a fine seedling," an elderly man remarked at that moment.

"I'm quite surprised myself," Bai Fan said with a smile.

"Nurture him well. He might achieve unexpected results in the Martial Arts Exam," the old man continued.

Bai Fan nodded slightly, a few thoughts stirring in his mind.

Lin Mu's gaze swept over the group present.

He knew these people had entered the Blood Pool for his sake. A faint smile crossed his face as he cupped his hands slightly. "Thank you, teachers!"

"No need for thanks! Who would've thought Third High School could produce someone like you!" someone said.

Lin Mu smiled faintly and said nothing more. His eyes fell on the medicine bottle at the bottom of the Blood Pool. Within the bottle, wisps of black energy surfaced, drawing in some lingering resentment.

A trace of coldness flickered in Lin Mu's eyes.

He knew this was Zhao Shun's doing.

His figure shot upward swiftly, breaking through the water's surface in moments. His gaze swept the area and soon landed on Zhao Shun.

"A dignified Zhao Clan Disciple, reduced to such underhanded tricks?" Lin Mu said coldly.

Zhao Shun, hiding among the crowd, had his expression shift slightly.

He hadn't expected Lin Mu to come out unscathed.

A shadow of gloom passed through his eyes. "Don't spout nonsense here. Without evidence, don't talk recklessly!"

"The one who did it knows in their heart," Lin Mu said.

"Then go find him!" Zhao Shun replied indifferently.

Lin Mu's eyes locked onto him, a thread of killing intent seeping into his gaze.

Bai Fan and the others also emerged from the Blood Pool, their eyes fixed on Zhao Shun.

They all knew that A-grade Potions were expensive—not something just anyone could afford.

Given Zhao Shun's family background, producing such a potion was nothing to him.

And with his grudge against Lin Mu, it was entirely possible he'd do something like this.

"Third High School will investigate this to the end. I hope it has nothing to do with your Zhao family. Otherwise, even if I have to take it to the Provincial Capital, I won't let it go," Bai Fan said coldly.

Zhao Shun's expression shifted slightly.

But he still insisted stubbornly, "I told you, it wasn't me!"

A teacher from First High School stepped forward. "Vice Principal Bai, don't speak without evidence!"

"Precisely because there's no evidence, I'm saying this. If I had evidence, I'd have acted already," Bai Fan said.

The First High School teacher's gaze turned cold, but he said nothing more.

Bai Fan's eyes turned to Lin Mu. "Lin Mu, do you have the confidence to handle this matter?"

Lin Mu was taken aback for a moment, then immediately nodded. "Yes!"

"Good! As Vice Principal of Third High School, I announce that you will represent our school at the Training Camp in half a month."

"The Training Camp has a certain mortality rate. With your strength, settling a few grudges shouldn't be a problem," Bai Fan said.

Lin Mu's expression shifted slightly.

He knew exactly which Training Camp Bai Fan was referring to.

It was set up by the Ministry of Education to cultivate top-tier talent.

Only geniuses had the chance to participate.

Those who entered the Training Camp would be tempered in every aspect.

Competition among trainees was allowed.

And every year, the camp had a mortality rate.

Because of this, some geniuses didn't dare to join.

Bai Fan's words carried two meanings.

One: his talent had earned the principal's recognition.

Two: Zhao Shun was also participating in this Training Camp.

A faint smile appeared on Lin Mu's face. He immediately said, "Thank you, Principal!"

Bai Fan nodded slightly, said nothing more, and turned to walk away.

Many of the trainees present had their expressions change at this scene.

None of them expected Vice Principal Bai to be so direct.

Because he knew that an investigation might not yield results, so he let the student settle it himself.

But wasn't he afraid that Lin Mu might not be a match for Zhao Shun?

The faces of those from First High School weren't looking too good.

Bai Fan's move was undoubtedly slapping them in the face.

If Zhao Shun really died at Lin Mu's hands, that would mean their people from First High School were incompetent.

And even if Zhao Shun could defeat Lin Mu, he would definitely be branded a petty man.

That would be extremely disadvantageous for First High School.

Yet they didn't know what to say.

Because they knew well that Bai Fan could sometimes be quite shameless.

Reasoning with someone like that was useless.

And from Lin Mu's expression, it really seemed possible that Zhao Shun had done it.

If that were true, Lin Mu seeking revenge had solid grounds—what could they say?

"This Zhao Shun, how could he be so brainless?" one First High School teacher said.

The others nearby just shook their heads slightly, not knowing what to say.

Zhao Shun's expression wasn't great either. He knew clearly that with Bai Fan stirring things up like this, almost everyone present believed he had done it.

It seriously damaged his reputation.

"No matter! Just a bit of reputation—at worst, people will gossip behind my back! Since you dared to let him join the training camp, I'll make you understand how formidable a Zhao Clan Disciple can be!"

Zhao Shun thought to himself darkly.

After this incident, he wanted to kill Lin Mu even more.

Lin Mu's eyes carried a cold expression as he swam toward the center of the Blood Pool again, closing his eyes and sinking into cultivation.

In his heart, Zhao Shun was already a dead man.

For now, improving his strength was the most important thing.

And he even needed to thank Zhao Shun—if not for the Grievance Curse, so much resentment wouldn't have gathered.

Nor would he have suffered such a powerful Mental Attack.

Which allowed his spirit to undergo a transformation.

"My mental power seems able to form a physical entity! And it has a certain deterrent effect—those resentful energies don't dare approach me!" Lin Mu thought to himself.

He could feel his mental power like countless arms, able to stretch freely and lift things with ease.

A trace of joy rose in Lin Mu's heart as his Cultivation Method slowly cycled, his Blood Qi Value increasing steadily.

Six hours passed in the blink of an eye.

Most trainees couldn't hold on and left the Blood Pool.

Only a few remained persisting.

Their faces showed varying degrees of pain.

And they were getting farther and farther from the central area of the Blood Pool.

A trace of blood seeped from Zhao Shun's mouth. He cast a venomous glance toward Lin Mu's direction, then slowly swam away, leaving the Blood Pool.

"Seventh Place!" the teacher standing on the shore in charge of recording announced at that moment.

His Blood Qi Value was 4.9—lasting this long in the Blood Pool was no small feat.

Another half hour passed, and two more figures opened their eyes, swimming toward the shore.

"Sixth Place! Fifth Place!" the teacher called out.

An hour later, fewer and fewer people remained in the Blood Pool, leaving only Lin Mu and Qian Mu.

Their positions were somewhat apart—Lin Mu stood at the very center like a firm rock.

Qian Mu was in the middle area, and at this moment, pain showed on his face. His eyes slowly opened, and when he saw Lin Mu, a helpless expression crossed his face.

Although his cultivation was decent, training in the Blood Pool was truly painful. The further in, the stronger the pain, and the weaker the training effect.

Besides, the moment Lin Mu withstood that wave of resentment attack, he had already lost. He moved and quickly left the Blood Pool.

Many people on the shore had slightly changed expressions.

None of them expected that this year in the Blood Qi Medicine Pool, even Qian Mu would only rank second!!

Bai Mo stood in the distance, her beautiful eyes appraising Lin Mu. After entering the Blood Pool, she had gritted her teeth and persisted, but due to insufficient ability, she soon fainted. When she woke up, she heard about Lin Mu's deeds.

Now seeing Lin Mu take first place, her heart was also filled with joy.

As expected of the man she had her eye on—he really had stamina!!