Lin Chen returned to his large villa in Demon City and found Mu Nujiao still diligently cultivating.
Upon seeing Lin Chen's arrival, Mu Nujiao looked somewhat resentful, blaming him for disturbing her cultivation.
Fortunately, Mu Nujiao's strength was more than sufficient for the National Government Competition, so she could only give up her precious cultivation time to accompany Lin Chen.
Lin Chen was also quite considerate; he didn't constantly bother Mu Nujiao.
When it was time for her to cultivate, Lin Chen would let her focus, though the essential 'lessons' during this period were certainly not to be missed.
At the same time, Lin Chen also began his own cultivation.
Lin Chen's spirit power level had already reached level 98; he only needed to condense his third Spirit core to break through to Limit Douluo.
Lin Chen was not in a hurry to condense his third Spirit core.
He began to attach the corresponding spirit rings to his Spirit.
For Lin Chen, while the age of a spirit ring was important, it wasn't the most crucial factor.
Therefore, Lin Chen only added suitable spirit rings, as their age could be completely increased through the Two-Yin Sword's swallowing ability.
Absorbing spirit rings was a tedious task.
Lin Chen balanced work and rest; besides doing 'homework' with Mu Nujiao every day, he would also go out to the Qingtian Hunter Agency to tease Lingling.
Perhaps due to cultivating the Spirit, Lingling seemed to have grown quite a bit, even taller than others her age!
Lingling also had unique feelings for Lin Chen; during their playful interactions, they often had physical contact, which Lingling didn't mind at all.
After a long period of interaction, Lingling finally understood Lin Chen's intentions and began to confront her own feelings, which led her to gradually embrace the identity of a child bride.
As the time for the competition's rendezvous drew closer, Lin Chen didn't forget to utilize the Three Step Tower at the Imperial Capital Academy, breaking through all his newly awakened magic elements to the Super-Tier.
After leaving the Three Step Tower, Lin Chen received a call from Dean Xiao, who repeatedly reminded him not to forget the competition's rendezvous time.
Lin Chen was already an internal selection member, so he didn't need to participate in the trials; he just needed to report directly.
For an 'old hand' like Lin Chen, arriving a few days late wouldn't matter, but he still decided to arrive on time for the Imperial Capital rendezvous.
In the original work, Mu Ningxue was implicated because of Mu Zhuoyun; however, the current Mu Ningxue was a Super Mage, and the strength of all other internal selection members did not surpass Mu Ningxue.
Similarly, Lin Chen was also very curious about how much effect Jiang Tianyuan had behind the scenes.
As for Mu Nujiao, Lin Chen was even less worried; with Mu Nujiao's strength, the trials would just be a formality.
After making arrangements with Mu Ningxue, Lin Chen bought a plane ticket to the Imperial Capital and flew there.
Lin Chen, who had lived in Demon City for a long time, rarely came to the Imperial Capital.
It was only when he secretly dated Mu Ningxue back in Bo City that he would come to the Imperial Capital, so Lin Chen was still somewhat familiar with the Imperial Capital.
After getting off the plane, he directly hailed a car and arrived at the apartment Mu Ningxue had rented.
Although the Mu Family had already left the Imperial Capital, Mu Ningxue's apartment had not yet been vacated.
In Mu Ningxue's words, this apartment held their beautiful memories.
Originally, Lin Chen wanted to buy this small apartment directly, but he didn't expect the landlord wouldn't sell it at all.
Lin Chen and Mu Ningxue didn't force the issue; renting was fine, as it wouldn't cost much anyway.
Mu Ningxue had been busy in Feiniao City, so Lin Chen arrived first.
It wasn't until evening that he saw Mu Ningxue.
A brief separation makes the heart grow fonder, and the two were immediately affectionate upon meeting.
On this Mid-Autumn Day, a cool breeze still swept through the Imperial Capital.
At the center of the Imperial Capital Academy was the most magnificent magic dueling arena.
The entire venue was shaped like a star, covered by a black four-arched dome that could be opened or closed.
Surrounding it were vast seating areas capable of accommodating fifty thousand people, grand and majestic.
At this moment, the dueling arena seats were empty, but in the very center of the arena, there were about ten young mages.
They stood in a line, dressed in handsome magic battle robes.
As the wind blew, their capes fluttered, truly exuding a heroic aura!
A pair of handsome man and beautiful woman walked hand in hand, slowly approaching the center of the dueling arena!
Dean Song He, who was about to speak, saw Lin Chen and Mu Ningxue arrive and did not rush to speak, but waited for them to rejoin the team.
All the teachers and students also looked towards Lin Chen.
Lin Chen didn't recognize most of these students.
At this moment, Jiang Fox was looking at Lin Chen with a fawning smile.
As Lin Chen approached, he saw one of the serious-looking teachers' faces turn dark.
He didn't care and directly nodded slightly to Dean Song He and the other leading teachers: "Sorry, teachers, we're late!"
Lin Chen was not an arrogant person.
As the saying goes, if someone respects me an inch, I respect them a foot; the world isn't just about fighting and killing, those who constantly challenge authority die quickly.
Besides the nine students, there were also five teachers in the arena.
Seeing Lin Chen's sincere attitude, the instructors didn't press the issue too much.
Especially for someone like Lin Chen, who had connections.
That's right, even before the assembly, the instructors already knew about Lin Chen and Mu Ningxue's situation; a high-ranking official from Wei Fang had even specifically called to greet them.
Song He smiled faintly and said, "The traffic in the Imperial Capital is indeed not very good, so being late is normal.
You two, go join the team first!"
Since Dean Song He had already spoken, the other teachers didn't say much more.
Someone had already given a heads-up, so as long as Lin Chen and Mu Ningxue didn't act too badly, these instructors didn't need to be too serious.
It's truly good when everyone is good.
Just as Lin Chen and Mu Ningxue were about to join the team, a girl with brown dyed hair stepped forward and provoked, "I say, Mu Ningxue, did you come to the wrong place?
This is a ceremony for the main players.
Not to mention your substitute status, it's even hard to say if you'll be considered a National Government player in the future..."
Lin Chen gave the girl a deep look.
He knew that the girl in front of him was Mu Tingying of the Mu Clan, a person strongly promoted by the Mu Clan family.
Mu Tingying intensely disliked Mu Ningxue because, despite her status within the Mu Clan, she had become Mu Ningxue's substitute.
Having been overshadowed by Mu Ningxue's reputation for so many years, she finally felt that heaven had opened its eyes and helped her this one time.
The expressions of the other students were somewhat surprised.
Internal selection students, besides having good talent, also possessed certain backgrounds.
Mu Tingying's veiled words, regarding the Ancient Capital incident, were no secret among them; most people understood what was going on.
Before Mu Ningxue could speak, Lin Chen yawned and said to Mu Tingying, "Excuse me, who are you?"
Hearing this, Mu Tingying was first stunned, then she puffed out her chest and confidently said, "I am Mu Tingying of the Mu Clan!"
Lin Chen's lips curled up, a hint of a mocking smile on his face, and he asked, "So, you're not an instructor, then?"
"I'm not..." Mu Tingying blurted out without thinking.
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