Chapter 624:  Black Potion

Chen Dao nodded. Even though he was a bit unhappy, he still readily admitted his defeat, saying, “I understand. In truth, I never had enough strength to use it, and today was the first time I tried. The duration really is too short, but I have to thank you. I’ll be looking for you next time as well!”

Xiao Lin nodded with a bitter smile, casting an annoyed glance at Yu Mei, who was not far away. Yu Mei had let out a laugh in response to his glance.

Bai Ning did not understand, so she slowly voiced her assessment, “Xiao Lin’s overall skill is definitely better than everyone else’s level, but it’s obvious that he hasn’t used his full strength. It’s really hard to imagine that a first-year student is so strong. Chen Dao is not bad either. I’m a bit jealous of his S-rank Fire God talent. As long as he manages to survive, he will at least make Epic rank in the future, but I’m a little doubtful.”

Yu Mei smiled as she looked at Bai Ning before throwing down another shield. Looking at it in detail, it was a sound formation of restriction.

Bai Ning said thoughtfully, “Being able to neutralize Chen Dao in his Fire God state, it’s hard to imagine if they are in the same rank. Does Xiao Lin have a talent? I do not remember seeing anything like that in his documents. If that was the case, wouldn’t that mean that his talent would be… Oh.”

Bai Ning stopped her words as if she realized something, and then she saw that she was surrounded by a sound cancellation array. She looked at Yu Mei awkwardly, not knowing what to say, but Yu Mei waved at her plainly.

The two of them had already adopted their usual expressions when they went back to the other monitors. Yu Mei clapped as she summoned them over before declaring, “Alright, you don’t have to stare at Xiao Lin. Everyone should go spar and train. I know that you all accumulated a lot of combat experience in your monthly examinations, but you still lack experience in fighting talent holders, and more than ninety percent of your opponents in the tournament will be talent holders.

“I will leave all of you to perform individual training this week, and from next week onward, we will start with team training. Today’s training will be taken care of by Bai Ning. Xiao Lin will be leaving with me first. The rest of you can continue!” After delivering a series of commands and leaving no room for discussion, Yu Mei brought Xiao Lin away.

Even though the others might not be able to tell, Yu Mei could accurately see that Xiao Lin was practically at his physical limit. He had used Ruin and Absolute Defense, which were both very taxing. He even blocked Chen Dao’s Fire God state. Unless Xiao Lin used Myth, there was not much else he could do, so Yu Mei did not ask Xiao Lin to continue practicing.

…

“Is that actually your main goal? You say it’s sparring, but you actually just wanted to see the level of their talents!” When no one else was around, Xiao Lin could not help but voice out his observations.

“It’s half of it. The other half is to determine the name list for the team events,” Yu Mei admitted.

“You’re leaving now, so does that mean you’ve already decided on the list?” Xiao Lin asked.

Yu Mei stopped in her tracks before smiling strangely. “Hey, I know what you’re thinking. You want me to exclude Gu Xiaoyue.”

Xiao Lin nodded in admittance.

“That’s going to be Impossible.” Yu Mei rejected it clearly. “You should know how important she is. Among all of you, only she is a true support caster. The difference in our chances of winning is astronomical without her.”

“Is the tournament so important? Do you know how much Gu Xiaoyue has left in her lifespan? She can’t take the risk of losing!” Xiao Lin could not help but raise his voice. He knew Gu Xiaoyue’s decision clearly, and knew he could not change it. So, he had hoped to gain some sort of promise from Yu Mei.

Yu Mei looked at Xiao Lin sternly, and slowly said, “First of all, I know about Gu Xiaoyue’s lifespan. Secondly, she volunteered herself to go, and I don’t think anyone forced her. Thirdly, don’t forget, I’m the seventh regiment’s captain first and foremost. I don’t have any right to abandon the tournament, which is very important for Dawn Academy — not for you or Gu Xiaoyue’s sake!”

Yu Mei’s meaning was simple. Even if Gu Xiaoyue really died because of this, Dawn Academy would just give her some posthumous award, and give her only remaining relative various compensations. However, that would only occur if she died. Before she died, Dawn Academy would definitely not do anything that shocking. When they entered the academy, everyone definitely knew that death and sacrifice was required, and Yu Mei would not change anything because of that.

Xiao Lin understood that Yu Mei’s words might have been cruel, but they were true, and was definitely not something he could change. Furthermore, this was all done under the consent of Gu Xiaoyue herself.

The matter was definitely sad, and obviously Xiao Lin’s own lifespan meant he could not afford to die as well. However, he was confident in Song Junlang. Compared to Gu Xiaoyue’s genetic issues, his own problem was far simpler.

Song Junlang might be odd at times, but he definitely took Xiao Lin’s lifespan seriously. The third day after the training started, Xiao Lin received a call from Department Head Song to go over.

Song Junlang’s Logistics Department was practically a research room at that point. There were various bottles filled with colorful liquids, and in the middle of the table was a lone test tube that contained a sticky and bubbling black liquid.

Xiao Lin could more or less guess what was happening from the look Song Junlang was giving the liquid, so he asked, “Is this the potion that will remove the side effect of my using Myth? Can I just drink it?”

Xiao Lin’s words had been too direct, and Song Junlang said curiously in amusement, “What, aren’t you afraid of being tricked by me this time?”

Xiao Lin asked, “Then are you tricking me?”

Song Junlang muttered, “Oh, well that’s not completely false.”

Xiao Lin’s lips twitched. That man admitted it so easily…

Song Junlang did not seem to care about Xiao Lin’s expression, continuing to explain, “Actually, you should thank that guy outside. This potion was made with him as the base material.”

“The guy outside? Oh, you’re referring to the guardian of the sea? It was strange that I didn’t see him just now.” Xiao Lin remembered the guardian that Song Junlang had grown from its genetic material, which was that gigantic squid.

“Because that guy is all in here.” Song Junlang pointed at the black potion.

Xiao Lin’s mouth twitched again.