Lin Yu looked at the drunken group of influential figures with a strange expression.
Some were teasing a white tiger, others were playing with fire, some were flexing their muscles, and some were fiddling with a compass. None of them looked like the dignified masters they were supposed to be.
The Charioteer, seeing Lin Yu's projection, let out a burp and chuckled, "You must be Lin Yu, right? Your senior brother talks about you constantly whenever we have a meal together, saying you're the most talented student he's ever found, possessing the bearing of the Sword God in his prime."
Although he knew it was just polite talk, Lin Yu couldn't help but feel pleased. The Sword God had transformed from B-grade talent to SS-grade in the crucible of life-and-death battles on the battlefield. Lin Yu, on the other hand, had achieved his transformation just by hunting outside the city. The ease with which he transformed indicated his immense potential.
Yan Jun retracted the flames dancing on his fingertips and said, "Lin Yu, are you interested in joining my Chaos Elemental Academy?"
As soon as he spoke, Lin Yu felt a flood of unspoken thoughts.
*Do these academies always engage in such poaching? First Professor Wang, now your dean. Is this a tradition for your academy?* Lin Yu mused inwardly.
Not only Lin Yu, but the others also looked at Yan Jun with a peculiar gaze, making him feel rather uncomfortable.
At this moment, the Sword God spoke, "Your habit of poaching hasn't changed one bit. However, my student won't be transferring. Lin Yu, you tell him."
*Asking me to reject a prominent figure. What an idea, esteemed elder.*
Lin Yu looked at the two influential figures, pondered for a moment, and finally said with a sigh, "Uncle Yan Jun, Professor Wang from your academy has already invited me. Senior Brother even fought him over it."
To Lin Yu's surprise, his words erupted into a wave of laughter.
Lin Yu looked at them strangely, wondering what was so amusing. Even his senior brother looked bewildered. What was so funny about a fight?
The Charioteer hugged the tiger's head, leaning on the white tiger, and roared with laughter. Lin Yu half-expected him to laugh himself to death.
"Hahaha, you two are just too alike!"
The others were also infected, recalling past events, and joined in the laughter.
The Divine Monk couldn't hold back either, but he managed to suppress it, though his lips were stretched almost to his ears. This, in turn, caused others to laugh even harder. He tried to stifle his amusement, saying, "Amitabha, this monk is too attached." With a chuckle, he burst into laughter again.
*What are you guys laughing at? Is it that funny? Your sense of humor is too low,* Lin Yu and his senior brother thought in unison.
But seeing everyone else laughing, it would be awkward for them not to. Their lips curved upwards, forcing a stiff smile to accompany the laughter of the influential figures.
Fuyao Zi slapped the table and roared with laughter, "Lin Yu, who won?"
Lin Yu caught a glimpse of Yan Jun's displeased expression and felt a pang of dilemma. He was in a difficult spot. It seemed he couldn't answer. There was clearly a story behind this, and speaking up might cause trouble. He felt he shouldn't answer this question, especially with Yan Jun's face turning red.
At this moment, the senior brother quickly intervened, "Of course, I won. He's still a far cry from beating me."
Hearing this, the others erupted in laughter again. "Yan Jun, you must really nurture Professor Wang! He's learned your ways perfectly!"
Yan Jun's face was grim. The senior brother, confused, asked, "Uncles, what happened back then?"
Fuyao Zi chuckled, "Back then, Yan Jun, just like Professor Wang, tried to poach someone from the Supreme Academy. Unexpectedly, he ended up getting beaten up by your master. It's just like what you're doing now."
Yan Jun was about to explode. Seeing this, Fuyao Zi quickly fell silent.
The Sword God coughed twice and said, "Alright, alright, look at Yan Jun's expression. Be careful, after dinner, he might come to your academy to poach people, and then you'll be in trouble. After all, besides me, none of you can beat him."
Uh oh.
The Charioteer held down the white tiger, which was still eating with its head down, and squeezed the skin on its neck, whispering, "Work hard on your cultivation, understand?"
The white tiger nodded helplessly, but inwardly grumbled, *Work hard again? You Beast Tamers just sleep all day. How miserable am I!*
Just then, Yan Jun finally spoke, "I was just joking earlier to liven things up. Actually, what Fuyao Zi said is inaccurate. Don't listen to him!"
The Sword God smiled, "Yes, just livening things up. What happened back then is in the past. No need to mention it."
The others chimed in, "Yes, livening things up. We all understand."
*You understand a thing!* Yan Jun cursed inwardly.
Suddenly, the senior brother exclaimed, "Hey, Lin Yu, are you in the wilderness?"
"Yes, I'm doing a mission in Hundred Flowers Valley," Lin Yu replied honestly.
The senior brother chuckled, "Is it dangerous?"
Lin Yu said, "I'm outside the valley. I've assigned the mission to my clone."
A silence fell over the room.
"From now on, don't call me 'Big Sly' anymore. This kid is a hundred times slyer than me. At least when I go hunting, I'm accompanied by my beast companions," the Charioteer complained bitterly. He was also unhappy about being called "Big Sly." Now that someone had surpassed him, he intended to pass on the glorious title to Lin Yu.
Yan Jun teased, "Clone talent is quite suited for the Beast Tamer Academy. Why don't you switch to the Beast Tamer Academy?"
The Charioteer's face froze. His academy didn't lack people; one more or one less didn't matter. But Yan Jun was stirring up trouble again.
With a *slap*, the Sword God's hand landed on Yan Jun's head.
The Charioteer immediately said, "Unlike some people, I never poach."
Yan Jun dodged the Sword God's hand and smiled, "It was just a joke. Let's drop this matter. I've eaten my fill, so I should go to sleep. Fuyao Zi, arrange a top-grade room for me."
With that, he got up and left.
Seeing this, the others shook their heads, exchanged a few pleasantries, and also departed one by one.
In the end, only the Sword God, the senior brother, and Lin Yu remained.
The Sword God said, "Lin Yu, you have great potential. You're welcome to join the Supreme Academy. I'll host a welcoming banquet for you when you arrive. There are too many changes in the Ruins, so I can't stay too long. Zhou Yang, on your way back, pick up Lin Yu and head to the academy together. No need to wait for the college entrance examination to end; you can come early!"
Zhou Yang nodded, "Yes, Master!"
The Sword God said, "Alright, I shall depart first!"
After the Sword God left, the senior brother said, "Master is like this; he spends nine out of ten days fighting monsters in the Ruins. However, if you go to the academy, perhaps this title of 'most enthusiastic monster fighter' will fall upon you. Haha!"
"Wait for me in Ji City. I'll rest tonight and take the Void Train to pick you up tomorrow. Remember to keep your phone on at all times."
Lin Yu's heart filled with excitement, and he nodded repeatedly. He could finally leave Ji City and head to a more advanced region.
The Ruins, here I come!