Points Tournament

"There's a Points Tournament in the Outer Academy. You should have heard about it, right?"

Qin Yu nodded. Ruo Lin had already told him about it before he came.

The Outer Academy's Points Tournament was a regular competition held by Canaan Academy's Outer Academy, much like the Strong List in the Inner Academy.

Students could earn points through challenges, completing coursework, and other means. The higher their rank, the more conveniences they enjoyed within the academy.

"As long as you enter the top fifty of the Points Tournament rankings within two years, I'll grant you permission to freely enter and leave the Scripture Repository."

Hu Gan raised one finger and spoke with a smile.

"Top fifty?"

Qin Yu frowned slightly.

There were at least a thousand students in the Outer Academy. To rank among the top fifty, one would need to be at least close to the level of a Great Dou Master.

Two years. This vice dean certainly thought highly of him.

"What? Think that's too high?"

Hu Gan assumed Qin Yu had been frightened by his demand and chuckled.

"If you think it's too high, then start with a smaller goal. Top one hundred?"

"But the top one hundred can only freely borrow cultivation methods and Dou Skills below Mystic Tier Middle-Rank. Only the top fifty can borrow Mystic Tier High-Rank ones."

"As for Earth Tier..."

He deliberately drew out his words, a shrewd glint flashing through his eyes.

"We'll talk about it once you've reached the previous goal."

Qin Yu fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright, then top fifty."

"Ambitious."

Hu Gan praised him and patted Qin Yu on the shoulder.

"But let me make this clear first. I won't give you special treatment just because you're unusual."

"If you want to enter the top fifty, you'll have to rely on your own abilities."

"Of course."

Qin Yu answered calmly.

Seeing his demeanor, Hu Gan's opinion of him rose another notch.

However, there was still one question in his mind that remained unanswered.

"Qin Yu, what cultivation method do you practice? If it's convenient, could you circulate it and let me have a look?"

Qin Yu hesitated for a moment, but ultimately nodded.

Although the Earth Origin Formula had been improved by himself, it had ultimately evolved from the Yellow Tier Middle-Rank Thick Earth Formula. It was hardly some closely guarded secret.

He drew a deep breath, and the Dou Qi within his body began to circulate slowly.

A dense, steady stream of brown Dou Qi surged from his dantian and flowed gradually through his meridians.

Unlike ordinary Earth-Attribute Battle Qi, Qin Yu's Dou Qi possessed a unique vitality, as though it resonated in rhythm with the pulse of the earth.

Hu Gan had initially given it only a casual glance, but his expression quickly changed.

"This is..."

He closed his eyes and sensed it for a moment. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes.

"Your cultivation method... is rather strange."

Hu Gan could tell that this cultivation method had already reached Mystic Tier Middle-Rank.

Moreover, judging from the route of its Dou Qi circulation, as long as its practitioner stood upon the earth, their cultivation speed would not be slow.

Seen this way, it was reasonable that Qin Yu had risen three levels in succession while traveling.

Yet the foundation of such a cultivation method carried a... strangely low-tier feeling?

Hu Gan dared say with certainty that if the foundation of this cultivation method were further improved, it could even be worthy of Mystic Tier High-Rank!

"This student practices the family-inherited Thick Earth Formula, Yellow Tier Middle-Rank."

"Impossible. Absolutely impossible."

Hu Gan shook his head, his tone resolute.

"The Dou Qi condensed by a Yellow Tier Middle-Rank cultivation method could never be this dense."

"And when you circulate your cultivation method, I can sense a power from deep underground responding to you. That is not something a Yellow Tier cultivation method can achieve."

Qin Yu pondered for a moment before deciding to tell him the truth.

"Your perception is correct. During my cultivation, I made some... improvements to the Thick Earth Formula."

"Improvements?"

Hu Gan froze. If Qin Yu was telling the truth, then being able to improve a Yellow Tier cultivation method to such a degree by himself meant he was truly a damn genius.

He circled Qin Yu twice, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"To be honest, if you can further optimize the foundation of this cultivation method, its grade will definitely reach Mystic Tier High-Rank."

Qin Yu's heart stirred slightly. Receiving personal recognition from a Battle Emperor expert proved that his direction for improvement was indeed correct.

"Oh, I think I understand why you want to enter the Scripture Repository."

Hu Gan narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Qin Yu with an amused half-smile.

"You want to merge other cultivation methods into it and improve it further?"

Qin Yu did not deny it and nodded openly.

"If I want to reach higher realms, then naturally I must use the best cultivation method."

"You've got ambition. I like that."

Hu Gan laughed heartily and patted Qin Yu on the shoulder.

"Fine, then do as you see fit."

"Before you formally participate in the Points Tournament, you may go to the Scripture Repository and choose two suitable Dou Skills or cultivation methods. Pick whatever you like. Consider it an extra benefit from me."

As he spoke, Hu Gan stuffed another uniquely shaped token into Qin Yu's hand.

"You can keep the token for the library yourself. As for this one, remember to return it to me after you've used it."

"Thank you, Vice Dean."

Qin Yu cupped his hands in thanks and turned to leave the pavilion.

The moment he walked out the door, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. Two free Dou Skills or cultivation methods—this trip had not been in vain.

As for the Points Tournament rankings...

Qin Yu raised his head and looked into the distance, a trace of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes.

Top fifty? There was no need to rush.

First, he would raise his cultivation, then sort out his cultivation method and Dou Skills. When the time came, he could fight his way up step by step.

After all, he still had time.

After Qin Yu left, the pavilion fell quiet once more.

Hu Gan sat back down in his chair, lifted his teacup for a sip, and his gaze flickered slightly.

"What an interesting little fellow. He can actually improve cultivation methods on his own."

He set down the teacup and lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers, as though considering something.

"Forget it. Let's first see how far he can go. If he truly is a genius, it wouldn't hurt to give him more opportunities."

After leaving Hu Gan's place, Qin Yu did not head straight to the library. Instead, he returned to the dormitory area first.

The logistics office worked efficiently. Just as Qin Yu reached the foot of the dormitory building, someone delivered him a new key.

"Student Qin Yu, this is the single dormitory the Vice Dean instructed us to arrange for you. It's the easternmost room on the third floor, and the environment is rather quiet."

"Thank you."

Qin Yu accepted the key and thanked him.

Carrying his few belongings, he went up to the third floor. After opening the door and taking a look, he nodded in satisfaction.

The room was not large, but it was clean and tidy. Its location was also secluded, with no passing traffic at the end of the corridor. It was indeed peaceful.

For someone like him, who often needed to enter a state of deep thought, such an environment could not have been more suitable.

Qin Yu put away his things, flopped onto the bed, and slowly closed his eyes.

Next, it was time to properly plan out his cultivation schedule.

The next day, with two days remaining before classes officially began, Qin Yu took the token Hu Gan had given him and headed straight to the Scripture Repository.

Upon seeing Hu Gan's token, the guards immediately let Qin Yu inside.

"Whoa, this place is huge."

Since Hu Gan had said he could choose freely, he needed to consider his choices carefully.