Jia Nan Academy Recruitment

Back home, Lin Ming saw Ya Fei sitting beside Yin Lin, feeding it a roasted beef leg. He said nothing, merely watched the harmonious scene in silence. After a while, Yin Lin was the first to sense Lin Ming's presence and looked toward the door, exposing him.

"Brother Lin Ming, you're back!" Ya Fei called out with a gentle smile. Lin Ming smiled and walked into the room. He went to Ya Fei's side, crouched down, and gently stroked her lovely hair. "Girl, have you been getting along well with Yin Lin?"

"Mhm, mhm. Yin Lin is really obedient!" Ya Fei nodded like a pecking chick, her magnetic voice ringing by Lin Ming's ear.

"Haha, that's good. Once I leave for Jia Nan Academy, you'll still have a companion to keep you company, so you won't be so lonely. Yin Lin can protect you too, and I'll be able to worry less." Hearing that Ya Fei and Yin Lin were getting along well, Lin Ming spoke with satisfaction. When Ya Fei went to other Auction Houses for experience in the future, Yin Lin's protection would help her avoid some minor trouble.

"Brother Lin Ming, don't worry. Ya Fei will take good care of Yin Lin. When you come back, I'll give you a big surprise," Ya Fei declared solemnly.

"Good! Then I'll wait for you to give me that big surprise." Lin Ming smiled at Ya Fei.

The day ended once again amid playtime with Ya Fei. That night, after returning to his room, Lin Ming took out a Dou Technique from his Storage Ring. It was the Profound Tier High-grade fist technique he had selected from the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion—Mountain Rushing Flood Fist.

Lin Ming had deliberately chosen Mountain Rushing Flood Fist from several Profound Tier High-grade Dou Techniques. The fact that it was a fist technique was only one reason. More importantly, among the Mittel Family's Profound Tier Dou Techniques, Mountain Rushing Flood Fist possessed the greatest power, second only to Earth Tier Dou Techniques. If there had been a palm technique or finger technique more powerful than Mountain Rushing Flood Fist, Lin Ming would have been more likely to choose the stronger one.

Mountain Rushing Flood Fist was a rare two-handed fist technique that could be used independently with either the left or right hand. Used with the left hand, it was called Mountain Rushing Fist; used with the right, it was called Flood Fist. Either hand alone could display the power of a Profound Tier High-grade Dou Technique, while using both hands simultaneously could unleash the might of a combined attack, making it not much weaker than an Earth Tier Dou Technique.

More than ten days later, Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team finally arrived at the Jia Ma Empire.

Today, because Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team had arrived at the Imperial City, the already bustling Imperial City was even more crowded than usual. Although most direct descendants of Great Families would not attend Jia Nan Academy, smaller families without such formidable strength were desperate to send their disciples there. After all, entering Jia Nan Academy gave them a chance to obtain higher-tier Cultivation Methods and Dou Techniques.

Seeing the sea of people, Lin Ming had no intention of joining the excitement now. Jia Nan Academy's recruitment lasted three days anyway, so he could simply go on the final day. That would save him from being surrounded and stared at like a monkey after exposing himself. There were still two days left, so he might as well spend them properly with Ya Fei. Hopefully, the girl would not cry when it came time for him to leave.

The two days passed in a flash. Early that morning, Ya Fei came to Lin Ming. Seeing her reddened eyes, Lin Ming stroked her cheek and said, "Girl, grow up well and wait for me to return."

Holding Ya Fei's hand, he walked out the door and saw three old men outside. Lin Ming hurried forward and greeted them, "Clan Leader, Grandpa Liu, Master Toso, why are you all here?"

"Haha, it's nothing. We just came to see you off," Mittel Tengshan said with a smile.

As a Clan Leader, how could he possibly have nothing to do? Lin Ming could only remember this kindness in his heart and repay them slowly once he had the ability.

"Here, this is for you. Even if you're going to Jia Nan Academy, don't let your medicine refinement fall behind." Master Toso tossed him a ring, his expression somewhat gloomy. It was likely because Lin Ming had barely visited the Medicine Refinement Hall during this period.

Lin Ming caught the ring and extended his Spiritual Strength into it. Inside were not only medicinal pills, but also many pill formulas. Seeing those pills and formulas, Lin Ming knew the family had paid a heavy price. However, he had no intention of refusing, nor could he refuse even if he wanted to. He might as well accept them generously and repay them many times over in the future.

There was no time to inspect the pills and formulas carefully, so Lin Ming withdrew his Spiritual Strength. Seeing the three old men before him, he gave them a deep bow and said solemnly, "Rest assured. When Xiao Ming returns, whether it's my cultivation or medicine refinement, I'll make you satisfied."

At that moment, Ya Fei came to Lin Ming's side. He turned and pinched her pretty little cheek. "Brother Lin Ming is leaving now. Ya Fei, while I'm away, you must be strong and take good care of yourself. With Yin Lin keeping you company, I can worry less. If anything really happens, go find Grandpa Liu or the Clan Leader. They'll help you."

Listening to Lin Ming's words, Ya Fei struggled to keep the tears at the corners of her eyes from falling, wanting to leave Lin Ming with an image of strength.

"Clan Leader, Grandpa Liu, Master Toso. Xiao Ming is setting off." After bidding farewell to the three old men and bowing deeply once more, Lin Ming set off on the road to Jia Nan Academy.

When he arrived at the outskirts of the recruitment site, Lin Ming found a squad of guards. After displaying his Mittel Family identity token, he was escorted into the recruitment grounds. Lin Ming had no objection to this kind of privilege. Otherwise, if he had to squeeze through that impenetrable crowd himself, he could not guarantee that something unpleasant would not happen.

Seeing Lin Ming escorted into the recruitment grounds by a group of guards, a man walked over. Seeing Lin Ming's youthful appearance, clearly no older than sixteen, he assumed Lin Ming was some useless spoiled young master relying on his family background to show off. His tone was therefore rather hostile. "Boy, I don't care how much backing you have here. If you fail the test, crawl back to wherever you came from. Jia Nan Academy doesn't welcome useless spoiled young masters like you."

Seeing the man before him, who was around twenty-five or twenty-six and a Six Stars Dou Zhe, Lin Ming wanted to ask where this guy got the nerve to call him a useless spoiled young master. It seemed this person was jealous of Lin Ming's good family background. Lin Ming had not encountered such people since advancing to Dou Zhe. After some thought, he decided there was no need to waste words on someone so irrelevant. The facts would slap this man's face hard soon enough.

"I know the rules of the test. Bring out the Testing Crystal. I prefer to let facts speak for themselves," Lin Ming said calmly.

"Fine, boy. Then we'll let facts speak for themselves." Hearing Lin Ming's indifferent tone, the man's displeasure became even more obvious. He thought, Even if this kid passes the test later, I'll still humiliate him and let him know that he can't rely on his background to lord it over others at Jia Nan Academy. After all, the academy tacitly permitted this. They had to give these new students, who had been geniuses in their own families, a little warning to make them easier to manage later.

With that thought, the man took out a Testing Crystal and said boastfully to Lin Ming, "Boy, this is the crystal Jia Nan Academy uses for testing. Only those at Dou Qi Stage Eight or above can light it up by placing their hand on it. Know your place. If you haven't reached that level, hurry up and crawl back home. Don't blame me when you embarrass yourself."

Seeing the man's punchable expression, Lin Ming held back. He snatched the Testing Crystal, lit it up, and held it before the man's eyes. Then he said calmly, "Like this?"

Seeing Lin Ming light up the Testing Crystal, several people nearby gathered around. Lin Ming looked no older than sixteen, while Jia Nan Academy's recruitment requirement was merely to reach Dou Qi Stage Eight before eighteen. Lin Ming had achieved it two years early. By the time he was eighteen, he could reach Dou Zhe, so these people came over to get on good terms with him first.

Only then did the man react. Lin Ming had simply moved too fast. From snatching the crystal to lighting it and placing the lit crystal before him, only a single breath had passed. By the time he came to his senses, those people were already about to gather around. He hurriedly said, "Since you've lit the crystal, Junior Brother, you've passed the assessment. Go stand with those people over there."

He wanted to send Lin Ming off to stand as punishment before the onlookers arrived, venting the anger he felt over the boy snatching the crystal. Even now, he believed Lin Ming had merely reached Dou Qi Stage Eight, enough to light the crystal. As for how he had snatched it away, he must have cultivated a Profound Tier Movement Fighting Skill. That only made him more jealous. He was already a Six Stars Dou Zhe and still used a Yellow Tier High-grade Dou Technique, yet this boy had a Profound Tier Dou Technique while still in the Dou Qi stage. He had to make him stand as punishment, since the academy allowed it.

Lin Ming glanced in the direction the man pointed. There were indeed several people standing there, but he had no intention of joining them. This was an entirely optional matter, which was why he had shown a little of his skill just now. He had intended to intimidate the man, but unexpectedly, the fellow was an idiot who could not even see the gap between them.

If he could snatch the crystal from the man's hand before he even reacted, then place it back before his eyes, didn't that clearly mean his cultivation was higher? Lin Ming found this speechless. But standing there was impossible. Lin Ming released his aura, directly shaking the man away, then walked forward.

"You boy, you dared to make a move first. Let this senior teach you what it means to respect your elders, so you won't get bullied for not knowing the rules after entering the academy." With that, he charged at Lin Ming.

Seeing the person rushing at him, Lin Ming truly felt that the man's brain was filled with cement. He could not even sense a Dou Master's aura, yet he still dared to rush over and seek a beating. Lin Ming grabbed the man's fist and, while he was still shocked, flung him aside. The man staggered back several steps before steadying himself, and that had only been a casual toss from Lin Ming.

"What's going on over there? Why is it so noisy?" A reproachful yet gentle voice drifted over. Then Lin Ming saw a woman around thirty years old, her beautiful hair tied behind her. Her mature yet delicate face, coupled with the red cheongsam that perfectly accentuated her fiery figure, made her a complete killer of young men, Lin Ming inwardly sighed.

As the woman approached, everyone nearby respectfully called out, "Instructor Zhang Man." As for the man who had caused trouble for Lin Ming, he ran over to complain about Lin Ming. He portrayed Lin Ming as arrogant, disrespectful toward elders, and a spoiled young master, while portraying himself as a kind-hearted senior who could not bear to harm his Junior Brother.

Instructor Zhang Man glanced at Lin Ming, then looked at the people nearby. She snapped, "You actually started fighting over a test? You're quite capable, aren't you? All of you, get inside. If you can't give me a satisfactory explanation, then all of you will stand as punishment." With that, she walked into the tent.