Obtaining the Heavenly Gate Method

In the eyes of onlookers like Hou Guang, Lin Le retracted his fist to his abdomen, then abruptly lifted his left leg, striking Zhu Gaoyuan's lower body three times in quick succession as he charged forward.

With his lower body attacked, Zhu Gaoyuan naturally froze on the spot.

Song Shanhai knew the outcome was decided. He turned to Hu Zigui, his tone laced with dissatisfaction, "Is this the good combat talent you spoke of? Falling for such an obvious bait?"

Hu Zigui lowered his head, a faint sheen of sweat appearing on his forehead. "My apologies, Master Song. I think Junior Brother Zhu is just having an off day. He's usually not like this."

"Is that so?" Song Shanhai turned back. "It doesn't matter. Take your man back. If there's a next time, don't bring anyone to my manor again."

"Yes." Hu Zigui nodded, but his gaze was venomous as he glanced at Lin Le and Hou Guang. In his opinion, if Hou Guang and Lin Le hadn't provoked Zhu Gaoyuan beforehand, Zhu Gaoyuan wouldn't have lost his mind like this.

Zhu Gaoyuan left, limping. As he was about to leave, he turned to look at Lin Le, killing intent practically radiating from his eyes.

Lin Le watched calmly, unsurprised. Given human selfishness, grudges only deepen. Forgiveness comes only when one party is willing to repay kindness with resentment.

Unfortunately, he only repaid resentment with resentment and kindness with kindness.

Returning to the reception hall, Song Shanhai sat in the main seat. "Your performance in that spar just now showed good combat talent, but Little Hou mentioned your comprehension is even better. So, I need to test you further."

"I will do as Master Song commands," Lin Le said.

Song Shanhai pondered for a moment, then said, "Old Ma, bring me that painting."

"Yes."

A voice responded, and an old servant left Song Shanhai's side.

Lin Le's pupils contracted because he hadn't seen the old man at all just moments before.

A Cultivator!

No matter how much a martial artist suppressed their breathing and concealed their presence, they couldn't achieve complete invisibility. Only a Cultivator who had learned spells could do that.

It was indeed befitting a wealthy family to have Cultivators as servants.

Soon, the old servant returned with a scroll. Song Shanhai unrolled it and held it up to Lin Le. "Young man, what do you see on it?"

Hou Guang also couldn't help but look at the painting. It appeared completely blank, with only a few wisps of lines.

But Lin Le saw something different. He didn't answer Song Shanhai's question, his mind completely immersed in the painting.

The painting depicted dark clouds, lightning, and the faint appearance of thunderstorms. It was nothing like the expressive power of traditional ink wash paintings; it was more like animation.

However, Lin Le didn't pay attention to this strange phenomenon for the moment. His focus was entirely on the characters formed by the lightning.

Seeing Lin Le remain silent, with an expression of fascination, Song Shanhai didn't speak further. He knew Lin Le had completely entered the world of the painting.

He was somewhat surprised, not expecting Lin Le to actually see something.

After only a few breaths, Lin Le said, "I see dark clouds, Master Song."

"You only see dark clouds?" Song Shanhai said in a deep voice.

"Yes." Lin Le nodded, his expression as impassive as a mask.

Song Shanhai nodded. "Seeing dark clouds is quite good. I didn't expect you to have the aptitude for the Heavenly Gate path. It's a pity the Heavenly Gate is difficult; the Spiritual Platform path is much easier."

After a brief sigh, Song Shanhai continued, "You've passed this test. The next one will be for your talent. Little Hou mentioned your arithmetic skills are excellent and your mental calculation is astonishing. How about this: I'll pose a question, and if you answer within three breaths, I'll consider you passed. What do you say?"

"I will do as Master Song commands," Lin Le nodded.

"Then I shall pose the question." Song Shanhai thought for a moment. "There are beasts with six heads and four legs; and birds with four heads and two legs. Above, there are seventy-six heads, and below, there are forty-six legs. How many birds and beasts are there?"

A system of two linear equations? Lin Le calculated it and answered in less than a breath, "Eight beasts and seven birds."

Song Shanhai couldn't help but clap his hands. "Indeed, your mental calculation is astonishing. You solved it in less than a breath. If my daughter doesn't pass, would you be willing to work in my shop as an accountant, perhaps even a manager?"

"If my martial arts studies are successful, I am willing to serve Master Song," Lin Le politely declined.

Successful studies? Becoming the foremost in the world would be considered successful studies.

Song Shanhai knew Lin Le was declining and didn't press the matter. "Old Ma, take this young man to see my daughter."

"Yes." The old servant walked up to Lin Le. "Young Master, please follow me."

"Alright." Lin Le nodded and followed the old servant.

Watching Lin Le leave, Song Shanhai leisurely said, "Little Hou, your junior brother has quite high aspirations. Is it just for the tea money?"

Hou Guang wanted to lie, but facing Song Shanhai's calm gaze, cold sweat broke out on his back. He smiled wryly. "I can't escape your discerning eye, Master Song. I hope you won't blame me."

"I don't blame you, I don't blame you," Song Shanhai picked up his tea and took a sip. "Spending a few taels to form a connection with a young genius is a good deal for me."

"It's just my poor daughter," Song Shanhai sighed, a hint of worry on his face. "I wonder when she'll meet a suitable husband!"

Hou Guang kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, offering no reply.

Meanwhile, Lin Le followed the old servant, reading the Heavenly Gate Method he had forcibly memorized.

The Qi Guiding Realm was a foundation. Only upon entering the first stage, the Qi Refining Realm, could one be considered a true Cultivator.

Cultivators were also divided into three paths.

The Spiritual Platform path: Martial artists refine blood into Qi, opening the Spiritual Platform, focusing on physical combat.

The Huangting path: Using spiritual roots to refine Qi into Qi, opening the Huangting, focusing on spell combat.

The Heavenly Gate path often involves dual cultivation with other paths, opening the Heavenly Gate and focusing on soul attacks.

The Heavenly Gate Method, also known as the Meditation Method, has the effect of strengthening the divine soul. For example, Lin Le's "Thunderfire Soul Refining Diagram" involves meditating on the thunder and lightning of heaven and earth to temper the divine soul.

After a glance, Lin Le decided to go back and practice. Anyway, Tongbei Fist was almost at its peak; from now on, he just needed to steadily increase his strength.

It was better to use the free time to practice the Meditation Method.

Soon, the old servant led Lin Le to a room and then said, "Miss, is this the candidate for this time?"

A slender woman inside the room couldn't help but sigh, stopping her sword dance.

Just by looking at her posture, one could tell she was definitely a peerlessly beautiful lady. Looking at her face shape, it was also exquisite. Unfortunately, her pretty face was covered in crisscrossing gray lines, making it look like a spiderweb stuck to her face.

She opened the door and glanced at Lin Le. Lin Le also glanced at her, but without much reaction.

How to put it? In his past life, he had been fed too much by his friends who posted gross things, so he already had strong psychological resistance to some ugly things.

The birthmark on Miss Song's face was indeed somewhat hideous, but it wasn't as jarring as those "blue elves."

Seeing Lin Le's calm gaze, Miss Song couldn't help but feel a hint of favor, but she still shook her head, "No connection, next one."

"Yes." The old servant didn't try to persuade her; he was already used to it.

He led Lin Le away, and Miss Song returned to her room.