Officially Becoming a Still Water Martial Arts Academy Disciple

Still Water Martial Arts Academy!

After finishing his meal in the cafeteria, Lin Chen returned to his dormitory. As he stepped into the dormitory area, he saw a handyman pacing outside his door.

"Young Master Lin, Hall Master Kong asked me to invite you over."

Seeing Lin Chen appear, the handyman quickly jogged over.

"Hall Master Kong wants to see me? Please lead the way, young man."

Following behind the handyman, Lin Chen was curious why Hall Master Kong wanted to see him at this time.

It wasn't that Lin Chen was overthinking; it was just that the timing was too coincidental.

Hall Master Kong hadn't summoned him for so many days, and now, right after he returned from Clearwind Martial Arts Hall, Hall Master Kong wanted to see him.

Could it be that Instructor Chen had informed Hall Master Kong about his situation, wanting him to return to Clearwind Martial Arts Hall, and had already contacted Hall Master Kong?

With doubts in his heart, Lin Chen was led by the handyman to Hall Master Kong's courtyard.

The courtyard gate was open. Lin Chen stepped inside and saw Hall Master Kong standing in the courtyard.

"Disciple Lin Chen greets Hall Master Kong."

Kong Yinglei looked at Lin Chen as he walked in, and remembering what Senior Sister had instructed, a hint of complexity flashed in her eyes. She said in a deep voice, "Lin Chen, the reason I called you here is to inform you that Clearwind Martial Arts Hall has revoked your Grade A Student status."

Lin Chen's pupils contracted, and a look of shock appeared on his face.

His Grade A Student status had been revoked?

He could clearly feel Instructor Chen's enthusiasm and high regard for him.

"Hall Master Kong, is there a misunderstanding? This disciple went to Clearwind Martial Arts Hall today and explained the situation to Instructor Chen."

Lin Chen thought of a possibility: a misunderstanding due to a time difference between the two sides.

It was highly likely that Clearwind Martial Arts Hall had decided to revoke his Grade A Student status before he met Instructor Chen and had already notified Still Water Martial Arts Academy. However, after he met Instructor Chen, Still Water Martial Arts Academy was not yet aware of Instructor Chen's change in attitude towards him.

"What do you mean?" Kong Yinglei asked curiously.

"This disciple went to Clearwind Martial Arts Hall today because I had cultivated Clear Wind Palm to the Proficient realm, and I also met Instructor Chen..."

After briefly recounting his experience at Clearwind Martial Arts Hall, Lin Chen specifically mentioned Instructor Chen's change in attitude towards him.

"You've cultivated Clear Wind Palm to the Proficient realm?"

Kong Yinglei's attention was drawn to Lin Chen's first sentence. She kept examining Lin Chen while also deeply admiring her Senior Sister.

As expected of her Senior Sister Disciple, her guess about Qi He's intentions was spot on.

Qi He was even revoking the Grade A status of a student like Lin Chen, who had such high comprehension in Clear Wind Palm. This was short-sighted, focusing only on the few martial arts hall competitions this year.

"What a shame."

Kong Yinglei sighed softly, "There is no misunderstanding as you said. Clearwind Martial Arts Hall sent someone with the message about a quarter of an hour ago. By then, you had already met Instructor Chen."

A quarter of an hour ago?

Lin Chen furrowed his brow. The distance between Clearwind Martial Arts Hall and Still Water Martial Arts Academy was about half an hour, and he had also lingered in the cafeteria for a while. Calculating this way, Clearwind Martial Arts Hall did indeed send someone with the message after he left.

But he still couldn't believe it. If his spot was still going to be revoked, why would Instructor Chen be so attentive towards him, even personally demonstrating the Flying Swallow Art for him?

"This year's martial arts halls are different from previous years. In previous years, if you had such aptitude in Clear Wind Palm, Clearwind Martial Arts Hall would definitely give you a Grade A Student status. But this year, the eight major martial arts halls have quarterly competitions which affect their rankings. Aptitude is not as important."

Kong Yinglei directly explained Clearwind Martial Arts Hall's intentions to Lin Chen. Lin Chen's eyes flickered with understanding. He grasped Hall Master Kong's meaning.

Aptitude lost to Silver Coins!

Unless he could demonstrate heaven-defying aptitude, his current level of comprehension wasn't enough!

"According to you, that Chen Chunfeng values you so much, yet couldn't give you Grade A status. He probably feels guilty towards you and will likely guide you diligently in your Clear Wind Palm cultivation as compensation."

Lin Chen's brows were still tightly furrowed. Cultivating Clear Wind Palm to the Proficient realm relied more on his own comprehension, and the manual that Instructor Yu had left him contained detailed descriptions of the subsequent realms.

Compared to that, what he needed more was the Grade A disciple status.

"Hall Master Kong, may I be so bold as to ask if there are any Grade A spots left at Still Water Martial Arts Academy?"

After a long silence, Lin Chen's sudden question startled Kong Yinglei. Her beautiful eyes gleamed. "Still Water Martial Arts Academy currently only has one Grade A spot, held by Jiang Qing. However, you are not an official disciple of my Still Water Martial Arts Academy."

"This disciple is willing to join Still Water Martial Arts Academy!"

This time, it was Kong Yinglei who hesitated. Although she greatly admired Lin Chen's diligence and hard work on the Martial Path, as the Deputy Hall Master of Still Water Martial Arts Academy, she also had to consider the pros and cons from the academy's perspective.

The Grade A status was extremely coveted, even by those from families like Fu Jingya's. It saved twenty-five silver coins a month, totaling nearly a thousand silver coins over three years.

If one's pursuit of the Martial Path only reached the Aperture Opening Realm, it might not matter much. However, there was also Organ Refining later, which was even more expensive. Although one could find ways to earn silver coins in the later stages of Aperture Opening, most Martial Artists didn't earn enough to cover their expenses on the Martial Path.

Taking herself as an example, although she was also an Organ Refining expert, she only had over two hundred silver coins on her. Staying at the martial arts hall as Deputy Hall Master was partly out of a sense of belonging to the academy and partly for the Martial Path resources provided by the Martial Arts Administration.

"You should know that while you have aptitude in Clear Wind Palm, you may not necessarily have it in Water Cloud Palm. While I value talent, as Deputy Hall Master, my decisions must be convincing to others!"

Kong Yinglei stared intently at Lin Chen and continued, "If you are saying this on a whim, then let's not discuss it further."

Hearing Hall Master Kong's words, hope rose in Lin Chen's heart. Hall Master Kong hadn't completely shut the door, so he had a chance.

"Hall Master Kong, this disciple is absolutely not saying this on a whim. This disciple is not welcomed at Clearwind Martial Arts Hall. I believe Hall Master Kong is aware of this internal situation."

Kong Yinglei was well aware of Lin Chen's claim of being unwelcome at Clearwind Martial Arts Hall. Lin Chen was initially rejected by Clearwind Martial Arts Hall and later joined it only because Qi He was giving face to Inspector Shu.

Naturally, a student like that wouldn't be taken too seriously by Clearwind Martial Arts Hall.

"Even if you join the Still Water Martial Arts Academy, I can't guarantee you Grade A treatment right away. But I can give you a chance. Early next month, your cohort of students will have an internal competition. The top five will receive Grade A student spots."

"So, are you still willing to join the Still Water Martial Arts Academy?"

"This disciple is willing!"

Lin Chen agreed almost without a second thought.

This was the chance he needed. At least the Still Water Martial Arts Academy wasn't like the Clearwind Martial Arts Hall, which hadn't even given him a chance and had directly revoked his Grade A spot.

"Good. Then tomorrow I will communicate with Clearwind Martial Arts Hall to make you an official disciple of my Still Water Martial Arts Academy."

Kong Yinglei was quite pleased with Lin Chen's response. Finally, her beautiful eyes shifted, and she said softly, "For others, switching martial arts halls can be a bit difficult, requiring approval from the Martial Arts Administration. But you won't need it."

"Is it because of Inspector Shu?"

Lin Chen subconsciously guessed. Although Inspector Shu had left, he probably still had some connections at the Martial Arts Administration.

"Because Clearwind Martial Arts Hall hasn't reported your disciple status to the Martial Arts Administration. You shouldn't have an Identity Token from Clearwind Martial Arts Hall yet."

Lin Chen: ...

PS: My daughter suddenly had an allergic reaction, so Jiudeng is taking her to the hospital now. I've posted today's chapter early so I don't forget if I'm busy during the day!