Assessment

At dawn, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Lin Ming, carrying Zi Yan, took flight.

Lin Ming had already given instructions on what needed to be given. As for the future development of the Medicine Gang, that was up to the people who would follow. After leaving the academy, Lin Ming could no longer concern himself with these matters.

"Lin Ming, where should we go now?" Zi Yan asked after they took to the air.

"We'll be gone for several years. Let's go to the Outer Academy first! I also want to say goodbye to Elder Huo," Lin Ming said without thinking.

After entering the Inner Academy, Lin Ming spent most of his time cultivating his cultivation and Dou Qi. As a result, apart from the time he met Elder Huo after his senior brother graduated, he had only met Elder Huo a few times in the past few years.

From the moment Lin Ming entered Jia Nan Academy, Elder Huo spared no effort in teaching Lin Ming. While Lin Ming's talent played a part, the reason someone would treat him well was because he had value.

In life, aside from parents and relatives, everyone has a purpose when interacting with a stranger. This purpose might be based on what benefits they might gain, or it might be due to their appearance, etc. No one interacts with a stranger without any ulterior motive.

Some might argue that it simply means you don't know his purpose. This purpose doesn't necessarily mean he has ulterior motives; he might just be bored or joking around, which also counts.

Why someone chooses to meet another person is their own business, and no one can control what they think at that time. However, after getting to know them, you can sense whether they are genuinely kind to you.

After arriving at the Inner Academy, Lin Ming could sense how Elder Huo treated him. At that time, Elder Huo truly treated Lin Ming like a teacher and a father.

It can be said that without Elder Huo Lin Ming's guidance, Lin Ming's advancement to the Tier 5 Alchemist would have been delayed considerably. Therefore, Lin Ming genuinely respected Elder Huo and treated him as his master.

Now that I'm leaving Jia Nan Academy to return to my family for a few years, I should at least tell Elder Huo about it and say goodbye.

At their current flying speed, Lin Ming and Zi Yan arrived at the Outer Academy from the Inner Academy in less than an hour. After finding a secluded spot, Lin Ming and Zi Yan landed from the sky.

Afterwards, Lin Ming brought Zi Yan to the Alchemy Department, and amidst everyone's disbelief and surprise, he entered the Alchemy Department.

Although Lin Ming has been in the Inner Academy for several years, and some people elsewhere may have forgotten Lin Ming existence, in the Alchemy Department, every new student who joins the Alchemy Department mentions Lin Ming and encourages them to take Lin Ming as a role model. As a result, more and more people are now aware of Lin Ming's existence.

However, Lin Ming's arrival still surprised and delighted them. It was like being a student at film school, where you'd hear every day about which big stars graduated from there, and now this big star had suddenly returned—it was the same feeling.

"You little brats, who said Lin Ming is here? If I don't see him, you'll see what I do to you!" Hearing the crowd shouting that Lin Ming had arrived, Steward Yang immediately ran out and said as he walked.

"Brother Yang, it's been years! You still look as radiant as ever!" Hearing Steward Yang's loud voice, Lin Ming recalled how Steward Yang had mocked him dismissively when he first came to the Alchemy Department, and couldn't help but joke back.

"Haha! Lin Ming, it really is you." Who else could it be but Lin Ming himself who called out to him? So much so that Steward Yang burst into laughter.

"You little brats, this is Lin Ming, the youngest third-, 4th Grade-, and even Tier 5 Alchemist in our Jia Nan Academy. If you little brats have even half of Lin Ming's achievements, you should be thanking your lucky stars," Steward Yang said with a wide grin.

"If we had half of Lin Ming's skills, we'd be the ones disciplining people now," one of them muttered to himself after hearing Steward Yang's reprimand.

"Since you know you don't have the ability, why don't you go refine pills instead of standing here waiting for dinner?" Steward Yang, with his extremely sharp ears, shouted at the person who had been muttering earlier.

Upon seeing Steward Yang's anger, everyone who had been gathered in the hall just moments before vanished in a flash, leaving only Lin Ming and his two companions.

"These little brats are a real headache. Come on, Brother Lin, I'll take you up there. Elder Huo is just around the corner." After watching the group finish running, Steward Yang said.

Facing Steward Yang, Lin Ming smiled helplessly and then said, "Brother Yang, let's go! Let's go see Elder Huo."

Afterwards, Lin Ming led Zi Yan and Steward Yang upstairs to the Elder Huo's place.

Upon arriving at Elder Huo's door, Steward Yang entered first, and then Lin Ming heard Steward Yang's voice.

"Elder Huo, do you know who has come?"

Upon hearing Steward Yang's question, Elder Huo replied with an air of profound mystery, "Who else could it be but Lin Ming?"

At this moment, Elder Huo thought to himself, "You're shouting so loudly down there, I'm not deaf, surely I can hear you?"

"Student Lin Ming greets Elder Huo." Upon entering, Lin Ming greeted him with clasped hands and a respectful bow.

"Alright, come and sit down!" Elder Huo said with a smile upon seeing Lin Ming's arrival.

"Old man, I'm here too. Why didn't you invite me to sit down?" Zi Yan couldn't help but say.

"Zi Yan!" Lin Ming said unhappily.

Seeing Lin Ming's displeasure, Zi Yan quickly pouted and stuck out her tongue.

"Haha! Only you can handle this troublemaker. Alright, all of you come and sit down!" Seeing Zi Yan's appearance, Elder Huo couldn't help but laugh and said.

After bringing Zi Yan to sit down in front of Elder Huo asked, "Are you leaving the academy to venture out into the world?"

Hearing Elder Huo's question, Lin Ming wasn't surprised at all. After all, he hadn't kept his departure a secret, and Zi Yan was also leaving with him; such news had already spread among the elders of the academy. Given Elder Huo's seniority in the academy, it would be unreasonable for him not to know this.

"Yes! I've been out for a few years now, and the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower isn't very helpful for improving my cultivation anymore. So I'm planning to go out for a while and visit my family." Facing Elder Huo, Lin Ming didn't hide anything and told him his thoughts.

"It's good to go out and see the world. Your cultivation level is high enough to graduate from the Inner Academy." Elder Huo agreed with Lin Ming's words.

Just as Lin Ming was about to speak, Elder Huo's words came again.

"Of course, you've met the graduation requirements in terms of cultivation, but if you want to graduate here, you'll need to undergo another test."