Tap tap tap!
Suddenly, footsteps sounded.
Luo Mu immediately gripped the hilt of his blade and looked in the direction of the sound.
But it wasn't the imagined Demon Path elder who came, but a... middle-aged man!
He was wearing the attire of the Academy.
"No need to be nervous, I've already taken care of the person."
The middle-aged man smiled slightly and tossed the head in his hand to the ground.
"Greetings, Elder Lin!"
Cheng Qing Man, Jiang Hai, and Lin Ru Feng, who were still bewildered, immediately showed expressions of surprise and stood up to salute.
"Lin... Elder."
Luo Mu also saluted.
He didn't expect that this training trip would have an Academy elder following them secretly.
But on second thought, it made sense.
The Academy wouldn't just send their disciples over without any consideration. What if, like today, the Demon Path had been waiting in ambush? That would definitely result in heavy casualties.
Furthermore.
There was another possibility.
The Academy elder wasn't protecting the disciples who came for training.
But——Cheng Qing Man!
Blood Valor Marquis was no ordinary noble. Whether in strength or status, he was second to none in the entire Chang Le Seven Counties.
If something happened to Cheng Qing Man.
The Academy would be held accountable.
Thinking about this, Luo Mu couldn't help but think back to the first time he met Cheng Qing Man.
Even without him, Cheng Qing Man probably wouldn't have been in any real danger back then.
It's just that he took action, causing the person who was secretly protecting her to simply choose not to appear.
"Hmm."
Elder Lin nodded slightly.
Then, with a wave of his right hand, the severed arm on the ground flew to Jiang Hai's shoulder.
Mysterious light flowed, instantly stitching it together.
"Take this medicine, it will be fine in half a month at most."
Elder Lin said.
"Thank you, Elder!"
Jiang Hai was overjoyed and quickly took the pill.
As a swordsman, losing his left arm would have a significant impact.
"Elder Lin, have you been following us all along?"
Cheng Qing Man asked.
Clearly, she was already acquainted with Elder Lin, and they even seemed to be very familiar with each other.
"Of course, if it was ordinary training, I wouldn't have bothered with you, but this is a Demon Path stronghold, so I had to come and check on you."
Elder Lin said with a smile.
Then, he turned his body and looked at Luo Mu.
He couldn't help but nod.
"I didn't expect this year's Outer Palace to produce such a prodigy."
For geniuses among geniuses, people would generally use the word "prodigy" to describe them.
"He possesses two Xuan Rank mid-grade martial arts techniques, one perfected, and one achieved minor mastery."
Elder Lin was struck by shock.
True Qi Realm Level Two, yet possessing such a foundation. Even in the Inner Palace, this was very rare.
"Minor mastery?"
Hearing this, the three were stunned.
Then they remembered that Luo Mu was also cultivating a Xuan Rank mid-grade body refinement technique, "玄阳霸体功" (Xuan Yang Ba Ti Gong)!
They didn't expect that Luo Mu had even achieved minor mastery in his technique!
How long had it been?
Luo Mu raised his eyebrows slightly.
Is this the power of an Academy Elder? He could actually see through his martial arts attainments with a single glance.
"This year's Academy Grand Ceremony is going to be exciting."
Elder Lin seemed to have a profound meaning in his words, "Alright, hurry up and leave, I have things to do."
After saying that.
Elder Lin flickered and disappeared.
"Senior Sister Cheng, you know Elder Lin best, do you know his specific strength?"
Jiang Hai asked.
"Above the Spiritual Sea Realm, I guess."
Cheng Qing Man thought for a moment and said.
Jiang Hai and Lin Ru Feng both gasped.
Above the Spiritual Sea Realm, wouldn't that be Xuan Dan?
The Academy actually sent a Xuan Dan powerhouse to follow them secretly.
But it must have been mainly to protect Cheng Qing Man.
The two quickly understood the key point.
"Xuan Dan, huh."
Luo Mu's eyes narrowed slightly.
Once upon a time, for him, Xuan Dan was an unattainable dream.
He might not even reach it in a lifetime.
But now, as long as he worked hard in cultivation, not only Xuan Dan, but even the subsequent realm of opening heaven and creating earth, wouldn't be a fantasy.
"You really kept it hidden, Junior Brother Luo!"
"I didn't expect that in such a short time, you would have cultivated your blade technique to such a high level!"
Cheng Qing Man walked in front of Luo Mu, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"It's just good fortune, I broke through while practicing."
Luo Mu smiled slightly.
Hearing this.
Cheng Qing Man rolled her eyes.
This guy, he really knew how to make people angry.
What do you mean good fortune? What do you mean I broke through while practicing?
I haven't been slacking off either.
Why haven't I broken through?
"This time we have to thank Junior Brother Luo again, if you hadn't stepped in, we would have been in danger!"
Cheng Qing Man said seriously.
"Yes."
Jiang Hai and Lin Ru Feng walked over and nodded.
At this moment, there was no longer any arrogance on their faces, only genuine admiration.
This junior brother from the Outer Palace, whether in strength or talent, was already beyond their reach!
"Senior Sister is overthinking, with Elder Lin around, how could there be any danger."
Luo Mu shook his head, "When the time comes, Elder Lin will naturally appear."
"Although that's true, but without you, this training trip would have been a failure."
Cheng Qing Man replied.
Once the Academy elder intervened and killed the Demon Path cultivator, the training would be considered a failure.
There would also be no rewards.
"Right."
Luo Mu suddenly realized.
He had almost forgotten this.
He was completely coming for the task reward, he couldn't fail.
Otherwise, his future cultivation resources would become a major problem.
"Besides, the other disciples in the Inner Palace would laugh at us."
"They would say things like, 'A small task and they can't even complete it, what a disgrace' or something."
Cheng Qing Man described vividly.
She even pinched her voice to mimic it.
Luo Mu couldn't help but laugh.
He didn't expect Cheng Qing Man to have such a cute side.
Jiang Hai and Lin Ru Feng looked at each other.
They exchanged glances of surprise.
To be honest, they had known Cheng Qing Man for so long, and had never seen her like this.
She usually held herself half-way.
She was always serious.
But now, she was completely down-to-earth.
All her expressions came from her true heart.
"This place is not far from Xun Yang Ancient City, let's go to the city and have a good rest, as the host, I'll pay for everything in the city!"
Cheng Qing Man said generously.
"Senior Sister Cheng, that's what you said!"
Jiang Hai and Lin Ru Feng instantly became excited.
"Of course, don't save me any money!"
Cheng Qing Man put her hands on her hips.
Hearing this.
Luo Mu thoughtfully looked at the blade in his hand.
It seemed like it was time to upgrade.