Chapter 57

Whenever anyone mentioned Guo Youdao's initial slogan of surpassing the four major academies when he first established the Zhaifeng Academy, they would take it as a joke, including the mentors and students of the Zhaifeng Academy, and even Xifan and Molin at the moment. However, Chu Min did not. When she mentioned "surpassing the four major academies," she was very calm, without any ridicule or mockery, as if she were simply stating a fact. The slight regret in her tone was not because of "surpassing the four major academies," but because Guo Youdao's goal had become the Zhi Ling District's Dianpo Conference. Compared to the four major academies, the Zhi Ling District's Dianpo Conference was, of course, nothing much. Some even said that such a regional Dianpo Conference was not even as good as a random test within the four major academies, let alone the Doupodai Conference, which was held every four years by the four major academies together. This was one of the most prestigious gatherings of top-tier experts in the entire continent, comparable to the talent selection of the three major empires. The talent selection of the three major empires was held every three years. Since it was a talent election, a more detailed understanding and evaluation of abilities were required, so the six types of soul forces were assessed separately, known as the Pujue. The Doupodai Conference and the Pujue were the most renowned and prestigious events on the continent, capable of making a name for a strong individual. Besides these, there were many other conferences of similar scale and nature, such as the Dianpo Conference in the Zhi Ling District. A large district, a town, or even a reason could lead to a conference. The Dianpo Conference in the Zhi Ling District was relatively influential among the many conferences on the continent, especially in the southeastern region, where it could be considered the top event. Within the Xuanjun Empire, it was also one of the conferences that the imperial authorities valued highly, aside from the Pujue. Even the Changfeng and Qingfeng Empires would send secret agents during this period to observe the strength of the participants and recruit talents. Being able to participate in the Zhi Ling District's Dianpo Conference was already a proof of strength in the minds of many cultivators, but Chu Min seemed to think little of the Dianpo Conference. Xifan and Molin exchanged glances again; they didn't know what to say. Perhaps Chu Min's strength qualified her to look down on the Dianpo Conference, but for them, the Dianpo Conference was still a goal beyond their reach. "Let's settle in first!" Chu Min said, "The two rooms on either side of the door, choose any." "How are they doing?" Xifan asked. "The girl's Force Soul is too strong, and the burden it brings is also beyond ordinary people. She has reached her limit," Chu Min said. Then, she looked at Lu Ping, who was half-buried in books in the corner. "This one is just a fool," Chu Min said bluntly, but her eyes revealed a glimmer of something she had never shown before, perhaps satisfaction or perhaps anticipation. Xifan saw it but couldn't tell what it was. "Go back and rest for now," Chu Min instructed. "Yes..." The two went to the rooms on either side of the door. Both rooms were similar, filled with many books and covered in dust. But at the moment, neither of them cared about these details. Even Xifan, who usually had someone to carry him, was extremely tired mentally and soon fell into a deep sleep. Early morning. As soon as Lu Ping regained consciousness, he suddenly stood up. Whoosh! More books fell, and Lu Ping stood in a sea of books, surrounded by them. Lu Ping didn't pay attention to this; his first thought was of Su Tang, but there was no one in the room. The library, surrounded by towering trees, was always dim, but in this room, there was a spot that was unusually bright. Without finding anyone, Lu Ping couldn't help but walk towards the light. It was a window, and from this window to the sky, the trees left a path. The window faced east, and the rising sun was also in the east. At this moment, it was the brightest time of the day for this window, with the sunlight unobstructed and completely shining in. Lu Ping stood by the window, his shadow stretching long and slanted in the room. He suddenly felt that this window was like an exit. Then he heard voices and saw people outside the window. Su Tang and the drunk woman were on a clearing in the forest outside the window. Lu Ping jumped out of the window, and Su Tang quickly saw him, waving, "Lu Ping." Lu Ping walked up quickly. He certainly hadn't forgotten what had happened before he lost consciousness. What was going on with this woman? "This is Teacher Chu Min," Su Tang introduced him as he got closer. She is Chu Min? Lu Ping looked at Chu Min, and she looked no different from when they first met at the porridge shop. She was still reeking of alcohol and holding a bottle of wine in one hand. Seeing Lu Ping's slightly wary gaze, Chu Min suddenly took a step, and in a flash, she was already behind Su Tang, her hand on Su Tang's shoulder. At this point, she, being such a strong individual, could easily take Su Tang's life. Lu Ping instantly clenched his fists, staring intently at Chu Min's actions. He didn't move, but he felt extremely disappointed. He could already tell that Chu Min had no ill intentions, but what if she did? If she had taken Su Tang's life directly, would he have had a chance to stop her? The answer made Lu Ping feel fear. Chu Min, however, smiled. "Did you feel it?" Chu Min said. "Having determination means you can definitely do it? That's just a childish and naive thought. You need strength. The strongest strength that can completely prevent any opponent, no matter how treacherous, calm, cunning, or desperate, from gaining any advantage over you. Only then can you possibly protect what you want to protect without any regrets." Chu Min said. "Teacher Chu Min..." Su Tang, who was being held hostage by Chu Min, spoke at this moment. "I'm not just someone to be protected..." As she said this, her head suddenly slammed backward. Using her head as a weapon was undoubtedly dangerous, but Chu Min could see that Su Tang was not being bold just because it was a fake hostage situation. She had said she was not just someone to be protected; she was also working hard to protect Lu Ping. Chu Min quickly dodged the headbutt, but in that instant, Lu Ping had already rushed forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Su Tang. No one backed down, and no one was just the one to be protected. These two, if one was in the fire, the other would certainly be in the fire as well, because they supported each other, relied on each other, and protected each other. They would only choose to advance and retreat together. For them, protecting themselves meant protecting the other, and protecting the other meant protecting themselves. There was no division of roles based on strength between them. Chu Min could have continued her attack; she could still defeat the two of them without much effort. But she stopped, a genuine smile on her face. "So that's how it is," she said. "You are good, you are good, you are both good."