Unexpected

Afterwards, Lin Ming recounted to Elder Xiong how he entered the Cultivation Room to cultivate, how Xu Ke forcibly knocked on the door and disturbed him, and what happened afterward.

After Lin Ming finished recounting what had happened, Elder Xiong turned his gaze to Xu Ke, who was now standing up unsteadily, and said coldly, "Xu Ke, do you have anything to add?"

Under Elder Xiong's gaze, cold sweat poured down Xu Ke's forehead.

However, Xu Ke knew he couldn't remain silent, otherwise he would offend not only Lin Ming, but everyone, including the deacons. So Xu Ke removed his hand from his chest, clasped his hands in a fist salute, lowered his head, and said, "Elder Xiong, Xu Ke has broken the rule of disturbing others' cultivation, and I am willing to accept the punishment."

"Lin Ming, I, Xu Ke, was wrong about this. I was short-sighted," Xu Ke said to Lin Ming after speaking to Elder Xiong.

Xu Ke's voluntary admission of wrongdoing was unexpected not only by Lin Ming, but also by everyone present.

However, although Xu Ke's actions caused him to lose face, they are currently the best course of action.

When Lin Ming was recounting what had happened, he gave Xu Ke a whole carload of information. Lin Ming recounted Xu Ke's words and his own conversation.

This made it clear to Xu Ke that he was superior to the stewards, and that he had passed the stewards' inspection to enter the Fifth Floor of Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower. However, Xu Ke claimed that his entry into the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower was a violation of the rules.

This statement made Xu Ke a target of public criticism. Xu Ke will likely face repercussions from all the butlers in the future.

However, to Lin Ming's surprise, Xu Ke directly admitted that he had broken the rules, and then was able to swallow his pride and apologize to Lin Ming, admitting that he had been short-sighted.

Although Xu Ke's actions caused him to lose face, Xu Ke mitigated all the risks, aside from the loss of face.

If someone admits to being short-sighted, and then argues with them about their words, doesn't that mean the person arguing is also short-sighted?

Xu Ke admitted to breaking the rules, and even if he didn't, there were so many witnesses here that Xu Ke couldn't escape the fact that he broke the rules.

But now that Xu Ke Hark has admitted it, it's equivalent to turning himself in, and the punishment he receives will likely be reduced.

Xu Ke's ability to come up with the best solution in an instant, and most importantly, his willingness to put aside his pride, significantly increased the danger Xu Ke posed to Lin Ming.

What enemies fear most is someone who can endure hardship. Because those who can set aside their pride are like dogs that bite without barking; you never know when they'll strike.

"Xu Ke, you have broken the rules of the tower and disturbed others' cultivation. Considering that you have taken the initiative to admit your mistake, you will be punished with Heavenly Fire Energy, which you must pay off within three days. Otherwise, Restriction from entering the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower for cultivation for one month." Elder Xiong punished Xu Ke on the spot after he admitted his mistake.

"Xu Ke accepts the punishment. Elder Xiong, Xu Ke 'll take my leave now." Xu Ke coughed twice as he spoke. After finishing, Xu Ke covered his chest with his hand and slowly disappeared from the scene.

"Today's events should serve as a warning. If anyone violates the rules of the tower in this way in the future, don't blame me for imposing harsher punishments. Now, everyone disperse." After Elder Xiong finished speaking, he looked around. At this moment, no one dared to linger any longer, and each person went to their own Cultivation Room to begin their secluded cultivation.

After the onlookers dispersed, Elder Xiong looked at Lin Ming in front of him, and a smile appeared on his serious face.

"Lin Ming, you're truly a monster. At such a young age, not only have you reached the level of Tier 5 Alchemist, but your cultivation has also broken through to the Dou Ling. Old Huo really got a great deal." Elder Xiong's tone was now quite light, a stark contrast to his previous one.

"Elder Xiong, you flatter me. Lin Ming's alchemy skills have reached the level of Tier 5 Alchemist, and Elder Huo's guidance has been indispensable. As for my cultivation, I was just lucky to break through to the Dou Ling a couple of days ago." Lin Ming replied respectfully to Elder Xiong.

"Haha, you little rascal. Alright, go cultivate and try to grow stronger quickly! That way, if anything happens in the future, you can be of some help. Its fluctuations are getting bigger and bigger now!" Elder Xiong finished speaking, he moved and disappeared from Lin Ming's sight in no time.

Lin Ming knew from Elder Xiong's words that "Elder Xiong it" was probably the Fallen Heart Flame.

The Fallen Heart Flame has experienced energy fluctuations almost every year since a few years ago, causing the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower to tremble. Lin Ming encountered such a tremor shortly after entering the Inner Academy.

It has been almost a year since Lin Ming experienced that shock. The academy must have discovered that the energy of the Fallen Heart Flame is fluctuating again, and there will probably be another energy fluctuation soon, which is why Elder Xiong sighed.

Knowing the plot development, Lin Ming knew that the Fallen Heart Flame was only tentatively trying to break the seal, and it would be several years before it was officially broken. Xiao Yan had been in the Inner Academy for a year, so there were still eight years to go.

Besides, even if the Fallen Heart Flame were to break free now, Lin Ming could only watch helplessly. With his cultivation level of only the initial stage of Dou Ling, it would be completely impossible for him to seize and take away the Fallen Heart Flame in front of the Great Elder and many other elders.

Even if we take a step back and the academy entrusts the Fallen Heart Flame to Lin Ming for refinement, Lin Ming still wouldn't dare to refine it.

Just kidding, trying to refine a Heavenly Flames without taking proper precautions is suicidal.

Ignoring these matters, Lin Ming returned to his Cultivation Room and closed the door again.

After this incident, Lin Ming believed that no one would dare to disturb his cultivation again.

However, what happened to Xu Ke today also served as a wake-up call for Lin Ming. Xu Ke White Dragon Gang only be considered the number three figure in the White Dragon Gang. Above him are Lei Qian, who has Strong Ranking level of Five-Star Dou Grandmaster and is ranked thirtieth on the Strong List, and Bai Wei, the current Gang Leader the White Dragon Gang, who has a cultivation level of Seven-Star Dou Spirit and is ranked Bai Wei on the Strong Ranking.

Today, Xu Ke alone left a deep impression on Lin Ming. Xu Ke's ability to put aside his pride and get things done in an instant also shocked Lin Ming.

Through Xu Ke, Lin Ming learned that the White Dragon Gang's ability to maintain its position as one of the dominant forces in the Inner Academy despite the Medicine Gang's suppression was inseparable from its forbearance.

Lin Ming's biggest worry right now is Bai Wei, who possesses the Seven Stars of Dou Ling. If Xu Ke has such forbearance, then Bai Wei, as the leader of the White Dragon Gang, is probably no less capable than Xu Ke. However, the difference between Xu Ke's strength and Bai Wei's is not just a little bit.

It's impossible for anyone to remain completely unaffected when someone with both strength and exceptional patience is constantly watching you.

After calming himself down, Lin Ming went to the center of the Cultivation Room. Then, Lin Ming took out the Fire Crystal Card again and inserted it into the groove on the stone platform. The number on the Fire Crystal Card decreased by five points again.

After calming his mind and clearing away all other thoughts, Lin Ming entered into cultivation.

A massive cluster of Heart Flame burned near Lin Ming's heart, and the heat emanating from this Heart Flame caused Lin Ming's body to feel a slight pain.

Lin Ming's physical strength has now reached the level of Tier 4 Magical Beast, yet he still felt a slight pain from the heat emanating from this cluster of Heart Flame. One can imagine how extraordinary the power of this Fifth Floor Heart Flame is.

It's no wonder that the academy stipulates that no one is allowed to cultivate on the Fifth Floor of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower before their cultivation level reaches the Dou Ling.

Given the intensity of this Fifth Floor of Heart Flame, those whose cultivation has not reached the Dou Ling Heart Flame probably not be able to withstand the scorching heat emanating from it, let alone cultivate.

Having endured the pain of the Lightning Body Tempering and the Earth Heart Body Tempering Milk, Lin Ming's pain tolerance is now unparalleled. Therefore, this slight pain is nothing to Lin Ming.

Circulating the Chaos Spirit Five Elements Technique Cultivation Method, which had opened up the Second Layer Meridians, Lin Ming continuously channeled his Dou Qi Heart Flame.

Lin Ming's Dou Qi is now considered extremely pure. Therefore, after being refined by the Heart Flame, the volume of the large mass of Dou Qi has not changed much, appearing to have shrunk by about one-tenth.

After being refined by the Heart Flame, the size of the Dou Qi has not changed much, but the energy it contains has increased significantly.

After refining these Dou Qi, Lin Ming followed the latest meridian circulation route of the Chaos Spirit Five Elements Art for one cycle, then gathered them back into his dantian and integrated them into the Dou Crystal.

Looking at the speed at which the Dou Qi gathers in the dantian, the Chaos Spirit Five Elements Technique, now with Second Layer Meridians, is much faster than the Chaos Spirit Five Elements Technique with only a first layer of meridians; it's several times faster.

As Lin Ming watched the immense energy of the Dou Qi gather within the Dou Crystal, he could sense an extremely subtle change occurring within Dou Crystal.

This improvement in cultivation was almost visible to the naked eye, so Lin Ming immediately devoted himself entirely to cultivation.

Cultivation knows no time, and Lin Ming's cultivation lasted for half a month.

After his cultivation level increased to the Dou Ling, Lin Ming knew that the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire's tolerance for Fire Poison would also increase. And now, Lin Ming knew the time it took for the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire to become saturated with Fire Poison.

After half a month of cultivation, the Fire Poison within the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire has finally reached saturation.

Although Lin Ming's current cultivation level and physical strength allow him to persist in cultivation for another month on his own, Lin Ming body will be filled with Fire Poison by then.

Besides, half a month of seclusion is enough for Lin Ming. It's time for him to go out and handle some matters within the Medicine Gang, and also help Zi Yan refine Medicinal Pill.