"Master, that brat isn't dead. He'll surely cause you trouble in the future!" Wan Hai said, "We absolutely cannot be careless about this!"
"Hmph, it's all your good deeds. If it weren't for you, why would I have made an enemy of that brat!"
The Seventh Elder spoke coldly, "As an academy elder, chasing down a student. If this were to spread, what would become of my reputation!"
Wan Hai's expression was unsightly. He had not known Lu Fan possessed such capability. Had he known Lu Fan was an alchemist, he naturally wouldn't have crossed Lu Fan.
But given the current situation, staying in the North Sea Academy indefinitely would not be good for him.
"You don't need to worry about it!"
The Seventh Elder said coldly, "As long as your master is here, I will never let that brat run amok!"
"Thank you, Master!"
Wan Hai nodded slightly, his expression solemn. With the Seventh Elder's words, he felt much relieved.
However, he was very clear that to truly escape danger, he still needed to improve himself.
Returning to the courtyard, Lu Fan remained silent and walked directly towards his room. He seemed to have transformed entirely.
"What's wrong?"
Han Feng spoke out, "Is something wrong?"
"Don't worry, it'll be fine!"
Long Yi waved his hand, "After barely surviving this tribulation, everyone should rest individually!"
The others nodded. Although they should have been joyful, Lu Fan's expression made them feel that something was not right.
"Senior Sister Bi Yao, has the Sect Master been stimulated?"
Li Ziming spoke, "If that's truly the case, the Sect Master's cultivation might stop here, and he might develop inner demons!"
"It shouldn't be!"
Bi Yao shook her head, "He wouldn't be so fragile. If that were the case, I would have misjudged him!
Hearing these words, the others nodded slightly, thinking it made some sense.
Lu Fan had always been strong. Although he had faced a shock this time, he would not lose his fighting spirit.
Returning to his room, Lu Fan looked at the old man within the Tai Xu Sword and felt deeply guilty, "Old man, I really owe you today. If you hadn't made a move, I would probably have died miserably!"
"Why are you so wishy-washy, kid!"
Hong Meng the old man chuckled, "If I didn't make a move, would I just watch you get into trouble!"
"That's true!
Lu Fan couldn't help but smile, "But don't worry, I'll cultivate properly in the future, and I'll definitely avenge you then!"
"I've been waiting for you to say that!"
Hong Meng the old man nodded, "Improve your strength as soon as possible, and you won't have to worry your old man anymore!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly and began to enter a state of cultivation.
When it was deep into the night, Lu Fan entered a meditative state. Swirling air currents continuously revolved around his body, as if he had reached a tipping point.
"Senior Hong Meng, what's wrong with Xiao Fan?" Lin Ke asked.
"He should have reached the Half-step Spirit King realm!"
Hong Meng the old man nodded with satisfaction, "After today's ordeal, this kid has gained some understanding!"
"So that's how it is!"
Lin Ke nodded slightly, her joy growing. Lu Fan reaching such a realm was naturally great news for him.
After retracting his spiritual energy, Lu Fan turned his gaze outwards, as if sensing something.
Not long after, Lu Fan arrived at the back mountain of the academy. On the peak of the back mountain, an old man stood, his expression exceptionally indifferent.
"Dean?"
Lu Fan spoke, his voice devoid of emotion.
"You're quite impressive, kid!"
Lin Beixuan smiled, "You're much stronger than I was at your age!"
"Thank you for your praise, Dean. However, you shouldn't have come here today just to praise me, right?" Lu Fan spoke directly.
"You are correct. I have come today to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?" Lin Beixuan's expression was serious.
"No!"
Lu Fan said indifferently, "I don't want to take anyone as my master. The reason I came to North Sea Academy is merely to utilize its resources!"
"You rejected me?"
Lin Beixuan looked at Lu Fan, utterly incredulous. If it were any other student, they would have agreed long ago, but he was refused by Lu Fan.
"What, does becoming a North Sea student mean one must become the Dean's disciple?" Lu Fan chuckled.
"Becoming the Dean's disciple means you can at least obtain more resources and not be threatened by elders," the Dean said frankly.
Lu Fan smiled, "While that may be true, it also reflects the academy's imperfections. However, if that old man dares to act recklessly, I don't mind giving him a swift end!"
The Dean was slightly taken aback. He had never expected Lu Fan to say such a thing.
"It's getting late, Dean. Shouldn't you be going back?" the Dean said softly.
Lin Beixuan nodded slightly and could only leave in frustration. He highly valued a talented student like Lu Fan, but given today's events, Lu Fan must have been displeased, which led to his attitude.
In the following days, Lu Fan remained in closed-door cultivation, while others also intensified their training. The North Sea Academy's Peak Tournament was fast approaching, and they did not want to miss this opportunity.
The academy's Peak Tournament was a stepping stone for students. As long as they could achieve a ranking, they could become direct disciples of elders, and even some exceptionally powerful individuals could be promoted from students to elders. This was an invaluable opportunity.
During the Peak Tournament, experts from all walks of life would gather, and all the prodigies of the North Sea Academy would come out in full force. For the North Sea Academy, this was also a grand event.
After several days of cultivation, Lu Fan had stabilized his realm. He then went out to move about. Seeing everyone cultivating, he didn't want to disturb them and proceeded to refine pills.
Not long after, Bi Yao arrived in the courtyard. Seeing Lu Fan refining pills, she hurried over, "The Peak Tournament is about to begin, and you're still leisurely refining pills here."
"It's not easy to improve one's cultivation in such a short time!" Lu Fan said with a wry smile, "I can only refine pills here. This way, I can stabilize my state of mind."
Following these words, Bi Yao nodded slightly, "That's true. I see you've reached Half-step Spirit King, only one step away from Spirit King. You will definitely enter the top 10 in this Peak Tournament."
"Enter the top 10?" Lu Fan was slightly stunned and surprised at the same time.
In fact, for him, entering the top 10 was nothing, or at least that's what Lu Fan believed in his heart.
"By the way, did the Dean look for you recently?" Bi Yao asked, "And planned to take you as a disciple."
"He did look for me!" Lu Fan nodded slightly, "But I refused."
"Becoming the Dean's disciple means you'll receive more resources, and you won't have to fear the Seventh Elder. Why did you refuse?" Bi Yao quickly said.
"I don't need to take anyone as my master, because I have the best mentor!" Lu Fan smiled faintly, "I don't want to make him sad, and I will never take anyone as my master."
Bi Yao was instantly exasperated. Such a thing was rare.