Master Yan

Flame City was only half a day's journey from Qingyang Town, but Ironwood Village was also half a day away from Flame City.

The group of three rode on horseback and did not arrive at Flame City until dusk.

They first found an inn and rented two rooms, then had the waiter feed the horses.

After enjoying a hearty meal, they finally headed out onto the streets.

Although Flame City at night was not as bustling as it was during the day, there were still quite a lot of people around.

After wandering about for a while, Lin Fan led the two of them to the Rare Goods Pavilion.

"Wow! There are so many things here!"

"Yeah, there are really quite a few good things!"

The moment they entered the main hall, Qing Tan and Lin Dong were stunned by the dazzling array of goods on display.

At one of the counters, Lin Dong even spotted several fourth-grade martial arts techniques.

Qing Tan said with some emotion, "The entire Lin Family only has one fourth-grade martial arts technique, yet there are several here."

"If the Lei Family and Xie Family hadn't fled so quickly, the Lin Family would have four fourth-grade martial arts techniques by now."

Lin Dong shook his head and said regretfully, "Now, if we want to obtain martial arts techniques, we can only buy them ourselves."

It turned out that on the very day the Hunting Competition ended, the Lei Family and Xie Family had hurriedly left with their important belongings.

Before leaving, they destroyed everything they could not take with them, including places like Ironwood Village.

From then on, of Qingyang Town's Four Great Powers, only the Lin Family and Mad Blade Martial Hall remained.

As for the Lei Family's and Xie Family's residences and businesses in Qingyang Town, they had not had time to destroy them, and all of them were taken over by the Lin Family.

"Fourth-grade martial arts techniques aren't worth much. They're easy enough to obtain."

Lin Fan shook his head. Compared with the Lei Family's and Xie Family's assets, the Yang Yuan Stone Vein was the most valuable.

Now that the Lin Family possessed the Yang Yuan Stone Vein, let alone fourth-grade martial arts techniques, they could even afford sixth-grade ones.

As they wandered around, they suddenly arrived at the weapons section, where the counters displayed all sorts of weapons.

Lin Dong glanced over the weapons and discovered that each of them had runes engraved upon it.

"Esteemed guests, what do you need?"

At that moment, an attendant walked over and introduced, "The weapons here are all refined by the Symbol Masters of the Symbol Master Association. Once infused with Yuan Power, they can further enhance one's strength."

Hearing the attendant's words, Lin Dong secretly thought, I wonder whether I can become a Symbol Master.

As far as he knew, the path of martial arts had many branches, and Symbol Master was one of them.

Besides requiring a certain level of strength, this profession also imposed extremely strict requirements on Spiritual Power.

However, most people did not possess particularly strong Spiritual Power, which was why there were so few Symbol Masters.

But because Lin Dong had soaked in Spiritual Liquid since childhood, his Spiritual Power was somewhat stronger than that of ordinary people.

And after refining the Fire Ancestor Demon Flower this time, his Spiritual Power had reached a terrifying level.

Though he had never met a Symbol Master, he felt that he should be able to become one.

With that thought in mind, Lin Dong looked toward the runes on a weapon, and his mind involuntarily focused.

As Lin Dong stared at them, he found that his vision suddenly began to blur.

Just as everything around him grew hazy, the runes engraved on the weapon became clearer and clearer.

At that moment, Lin Fan, standing beside Lin Dong, immediately sensed a wave of Spiritual Fluctuation coming from him.

The instant that Spiritual Fluctuation appeared, a drowsy gray-robed old man seated in a corner of the hall abruptly opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on Lin Dong.

A strange glint flashed through his eyes as he muttered, "What powerful spiritual talent!"

In an instant, his figure flashed, and he appeared beside Lin Dong.

"Master Yan!"

When the gray-robed old man appeared, everyone hurriedly bowed in greeting.

The old man ignored the others and suddenly extended a withered finger, lightly touching Lin Dong's forehead.

The gray-robed old man's action startled Lin Dong. He tried to dodge, only to discover in horror that he had lost control of his body.

"Sir, you cannot casually probe another person's soul!"

As Lin Fan spoke, the Divine Sense in his mind surged toward Master Yan in attack.

"Oh?"

Master Yan gave a soft cry of surprise. I didn't expect this brat's Spiritual Power to be even stronger. I've truly found a treasure.

With a thought, his vast Spiritual Power transformed into a protective shield, blocking Lin Fan's attack.

Then, looking at the two of them with delight, he asked, "You two little fellows, do you wish to become Symbol Masters?"

The moment the old man's words fell, the entire area fell silent.

Everyone stared at the two of them in stunned disbelief, their eyes filled with intense envy and jealousy.

They knew all too well just how esteemed Master Yan's status was.

Master Yan was the president of the Symbol Master Association and a Four Seal Talisman Master. In terms of strength, he was no weaker than an Essence Core Realm Great Perfection expert.

For such a major figure, even when powerful families eagerly sent their juniors to his doorstep, he had refused to accept them. Yet now, he was actually taking the initiative to accept a disciple.

"A Symbol Master?"

Although Lin Dong dearly wanted to agree, his naturally cautious nature kept him on guard.

"Lin Fan Bro."

Lin Dong leaned closer to Lin Fan and asked in a low voice, "Should we agree?"

Lin Fan pondered briefly before transmitting his voice to Lin Dong. "I think you should accept him. With his status, he can at least offer the Lin Family some protection for the time being!"

Having read the original novel, he knew that Master Yan was a decent man.

In the original story, even though Lin Dong had not become his disciple, the man had still given Lin Dong an incomplete Spiritual Power cultivation method. Later, he had helped Lin Dong and the Lin Family on several occasions.

If Lin Dong took him as his master, he could directly ask him about anything he did not understand, saving himself quite a bit of trouble.

Moreover, as a Four Seal Talisman Master, Master Yan possessed quite a few Spiritual Secret Techniques. If Lin Dong became his disciple, he would not need to spend money buying Spiritual Secret Techniques himself.

Lin Dong asked again, "Lin Fan Bro, what about you?"

"I won't become his disciple."

Lin Fan shook his head.

With Chen Beixuan's inheritance, he naturally had no need for such a master.

Of course, if there was a chance to freeload off Lin Dong, he was still willing.

Lin Dong nodded and said to Master Yan, "Master Yan, I'm willing."

Seeing that only Lin Dong had agreed while Lin Fan, whose Spiritual Power talent was even better, had declined, Master Yan could not help feeling somewhat disappointed.

Still, he forced out a smile and said to Lin Dong, "Don't worry. Once you become my disciple, I can protect you throughout Flame City. From now on, I will also do my utmost to guide you in the path of a Symbol Master."

As he spoke, he glanced at Lin Fan, seemingly waiting for him to change his mind.

Yet Lin Fan remained unmoved.

In the end, Master Yan could only shake his head helplessly. He then took out two Talisman Tokens and a dry, thin booklet from his robes.

He handed the three items to Lin Dong and said, "Although your brother hasn't become my disciple, you can still share these with him. It's getting late today. Tomorrow, bring the Talisman Tokens to the Symbol Master Association to find me, and I'll hold your apprenticeship ceremony."

"Yes, Master!"

Lin Dong nodded.