After his all-night conversation with Zhong Lin, Lin Yun had a much clearer vision for his future path. The Green Talent List of the Southeast Domain was still two years away, and Lin Yun knew he couldn’t spend all that time cooped up in the Academy.

He had to go out to train and temper himself, to seek his own fortuitous encounters. No one ever became a true expert by working in isolation. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Meanwhile, a young man in ornate robes arrived at the courtyard where Tang Wushuang and his master were staying. He was about the same age as Lin Yun, but his Cultivation had already reached the Fifth Layer of the Qi Sea Realm.

Such a cultivation speed spoke to the young man’s immense talent. In his presence, Tang Wushuang and his master were extremely cautious, not daring to show the slightest hint of disrespect.

"Third Prince..." Addressing the young man seated in the place of honor, Tang Wushuang started to speak, but the young man immediately cut him off.

"Tang Wushuang, don’t even think about it. My master has spoken. You and your master are not to use any more underhanded methods against Lin Shan. Otherwise, not even I will be able to protect you."

The Third Prince’s master was none other than the Dean himself. His words now made it clear to Tang Wushuang and his master: if they wanted to deal with Lin Shan, their only option was to openly apply for a life-and-death battle.

"Zhong Lin may not have a powerful background, but he is the Academy’s vice-dean, and he has his own personal strength to back it up. Consider this your warning from him. In the future, you must not act so wantonly. If he catches you creating an opportunity like this again, no one will be able to save you." With that stern warning, the Third Prince left the room.

With the Third Prince gone, Tang Wushuang knew it was no longer possible to assassinate Lin Shan. Even mobilizing the power of the Prince’s Mansion was out of the question; if they were discovered, Zhong Lin would surely not let the matter rest.

"Wushuang, let the matter with Lin Shan go for now. The Green Talent List competition is in two years. You should spend these two years out training," said Tang Wushuang’s master.

Hearing this, Tang Wushuang nodded in silent agreement. Things having come to this, it was his only option. For the next two years, his focus truly had to be on the Green Talent List, the grandest event for the entire younger generation of the Southeast Domain.

It wasn’t just about personal fame; the allocation of resources among the various powers was also at stake.

Among the countless members of the Southeast Domain’s younger generation, only fifty could make it onto the Green Talent List. The requirements were exceptionally strict: one had to be under thirty years old and have a Cultivation at the Qi Sea Realm.

’Lin Shan, I’ll let you live for two more years. But mark my words, I will kill you with my own hands one day.’ Tang Wushuang suppressed the hatred in his heart. After Zhong Lin’s interference, he had no choice but to abandon his plan to assassinate Lin Shan.

As the Green Talent List drew ever closer, everyone had their own plans. And so, early one morning, Lu Bingning, Qin Feng, Li Tian, and Lan Xi all came to the Bamboo Courtyard.

Seeing everyone arrive, Lin Yun smiled and asked, "What brings you all here today?"

"We wanted to ask about your plans. The Green Talent List is getting closer, and many disciples from the Genius Class have chosen to go out and train," Lu Bingning said.

"I... I suppose I’ll be going out to train as well." After a moment of thought, Lin Yun answered honestly, as he was planning to set out in a few days anyway.

At his answer, Lu Bingning’s expression grew visibly downcast. A training journey like that would last at least six months, if not a year. Traveling alone was fraught with peril, and his status as an Academy disciple would not always be enough to protect him.

Lu Bingning said nothing, her expression downcast. Lan Xi, however, watched Lin Yun with a calm face. Like Lu Bingning, she felt a strong sense of familiarity from him now. Her intuition told her that he had to be someone very important to her—and that he even shared the same name as that person.

If their appearances weren’t so drastically different, Lan Xi might have already confirmed her suspicions.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. So many people have wanted to kill me, but haven’t I survived just fine?" Lin Yun said with a comforting smile.

"What about you all? What are your plans?" After a pause, Lin Yun asked the group.

As students of the Genius Class, they were all slated to represent the Academy at the Green Talent List in two years. Naturally, each of them had their own plans as well.

Lan Xi had been cultivating for a very short time. Despite possessing an Extreme Yin Body, which granted her a rapid cultivation speed, her foundation was still a bit lacking. Therefore, she didn’t plan on going out to train. Instead, she would remain at the Academy to focus on fully consolidating her Cultivation before breaking through to the Qi Sea Realm.

The same was true for Lu Bingning. The Cultivation Technique she currently practiced had been passed down from her master. Training out in the world would be of little use to her; she could only progress rapidly in her master’s unique training chamber. Thus, a training journey held no real benefit for her either.

With both women choosing to stay at the Academy, Lin Yun breathed a sigh of relief. ’They’re women, after all—especially *my* women. What man wants to see them go out and risk their lives every day?’

As for Li Tian, his plan was even more clear-cut. His master was one of the most peculiar experts in the Academy, and according to Li Tian, he was going to take him traveling far and wide for the next two years.

"Qin Feng, what about you?" Everyone else had their own plans. Finally, Lin Yun turned to ask Qin Feng, who had been silent all this time.

"Me? Of course I’m following Brother Lin. Wherever Brother Lin goes, I’ll go," Qin Feng replied.

Qin Feng held a blind admiration for Lin Yun and was devoted to following him. But it was undeniable that, up to this point, Qin Feng was the person Lin Yun trusted most.

"The path of Martial Arts is one you must walk yourself. Following Lin Shan on his training journey will bring you no benefit." Just as Qin Feng finished speaking, two figures slowly descended—it was Zhong Lin and Elder Bai. The one who spoke was Elder Bai.

Hearing this, the group looked at Elder Bai in confusion, forgetting even to salute. With a faint smile, Elder Bai continued to speak.

"You’re Qin Feng, I presume? The reason your teacher chose you was because you are like a piece of uncarved jade. Once polished, you will be second to none. But you have your own path to walk. Blindly following in Lin Yun’s shadow will do your own development no good."

"But... but I just want to follow Brother Lin and help him with anything," Qin Feng said.

Gently stroking his white beard, Elder Bai maintained his faint smile. "Qin Feng, if you truly want to always remain by Lin Shan’s side and be a great asset to him, then that is all the more reason not to abandon your own path. The moment you give up on your own journey, the gap between you two will only grow wider. Eventually, you may not even be worthy of looking up at Lin Shan."

At Elder Bai’s words, the group fell silent. It was undeniable that what he said made a great deal of sense.

"Qin Feng, I have come this time at the request of your teacher. For the next two years, there is a path laid out for you. Whether you take it or not is your own choice," Elder Bai continued.

Hearing this, Qin Feng looked at Lin Yun, clearly unable to make up his mind.

"Go," Lin Yun said without hesitation. "We’ll meet back at the Academy in two years." He gave Qin Feng his wholehearted support. Since the benefits clearly outweighed the drawbacks, and it would be immensely beneficial for Qin Feng’s future, Lin Yun naturally encouraged him to go.

And so, everyone had their own plans, and the time for them to part ways was close at hand. The next moment, Li Tian, true to form, took out a jug of fine wine from his Space Ring. Before they separated, they would share one last proper drink together.