Quota

The third day, early morning.

Before dawn, Third Uncle Lin De arrived, dust-covered, and knocked on Lin Yin's door.

"Third Uncle!"

At this moment, Lin Yin was already dressed and had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Lin Yin, Lin De's eyes clearly lit up.

He wore a neat, black, tight-fitting martial arts uniform. Though his frame was still slender, he stood exceptionally straight.

What drew the most attention were Lin Yin's eyes, like washed obsidian, deep and revealing a resilience that couldn't be ignored.

Having shed his coarse linen clothes, Lin Yin's aura immediately elevated. The previous effeminate impression was gone, replaced by the heroic spirit of a young man that swept over them.

"He has the same aura as his father back then."

Lin De heavily patted Lin Yin's shoulder. The slender body stood firm in place like a stubborn rock.

"Good, you look more energetic too."

Lin De was increasingly satisfied the more he looked. He nodded, then glanced at Madam Wang, who stood by the side, hesitating to speak.

"Sister-in-law, don't worry. Even if he fails, I'll find other paths for Lin Yin."

He said to comfort her.

Madam Wang nodded without speaking, only stepping forward to tidy the hem of Lin Yin's clothes.

After a brief exchange with his mother, Madam Wang, Lin Yin followed his Third Uncle Lin De towards the Fist Manor not far away.

On the way, they saw several youths hurrying along, also accompanied by others, their situations seemingly identical to Lin Yin's.

"It's fortunate, really. Lingyun Martial Arts School has recruited many talented apprentices recently, so their demand for Living Stakes has increased."

Lin De looked at the calm-faced, somewhat silent Lin Yin. "This might be an opportunity for you."

"An expanded recruitment means a lowered threshold."

Lin Yin's fist, hidden beneath his robe, clenched slightly. A flicker of anticipation flashed in his eyes.

Lingyun Fist Manor.

On the bluestone-paved training ground, a middle-aged man in a grey martial arts uniform swung his arms, sometimes striking out with his palm, sometimes standing firm, his movements alternating between rapid and gentle.

Suddenly, a disciple rushed over, followed by a middle-aged man bent slightly, his face full of smiles.

"Master Yun, the quota for Living Stakes today has been finalized."

This middle-aged man was Shi Quan, the intermediary responsible for recruitment and spreading information for Lingyun Martial Arts School.

Hearing this, Yun Kai's movements paused slightly, but he slowly retracted his arms.

Shi Quan, who was near Yun Kai, felt as if a gentle breeze had passed through the surroundings. His eyes inadvertently swept over the scattered stones rolling on the ground, and his pupils contracted slightly.

"Master Yun's martial arts are truly getting better and better."

He couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"Just some minor strength, not worth mentioning."

Facing Shi Quan's flattery, Yun Kai appeared extremely indifferent, as if it were truly just minor strength as he claimed.

Shi Quan said nothing to this, merely smiling. He quickly picked up the thin ledger beside him and handed it to the man before him.

"These are the newly compiled individuals. Please review them, Master Yun. Before coming, I investigated their backgrounds. Those with poor foundations have already been eliminated."

"Thank you for your trouble!"

Yun Kai nodded and took the ledger.

"Shi Zhong, sixteen years old, over seven feet tall, weighing 180 jin, from a hunter family."

"Li Da Gou, seventeen years old, eight feet tall, weighing 97 jin, from a farming family."

"Lin Yin, sixteen years old, seven feet tall, weighing 90 jin, his father was originally a Martial Master at Pine Wind Martial Arts School... Lin Shan..."

Seeing this, Yun Kai's brow twitched. Shi Quan keenly noticed this subtle change but said nothing, only watching Yun Kai continue to flip through the ledger.

"Zhang Da Niu, sixteen years old, eight feet tall, weighing 180 jin, from a hunter family, practices the family's inherited Stance Practice, 'Savage Bull Strength'... this one is quite good."

"..."

After about two minutes, Yun Kai slowly closed the ledger and said lightly.

"Shi Zhong's physique and sturdy body are good. Qualified."

"Li Da Gou... Hmph, such a large fellow, yet his weight is less than 100 jin. I fear if he were a Living Stake, he'd suffer internal injuries within three days, or even end up crippled! Unqualified!"

"Li Yin, physical condition is poor. With his father's background in a martial arts school, coming to this Fist Manor, I suspect his Bone structure is either lacking or his body is weak... Unqualified!"

"..."

"Finally, this Zhang Da Niu is quite interesting. Inherited Inner Strength 'Savage Bull Strength'. Although it's highly unlikely to be a top-tier martial art, being able to learn the Entry Level on his own is remarkable.

He didn't join a Martial Arts School directly, perhaps he missed the opportunity. It seems he has found a good prospect this time."

With the ledger returning to the teeth-man Shi Quan's hands, the Living Stake positions seemed to have been finalized.

However, just then, Shi Quan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke again.

"Master Yun, after hiring these people, we're still a few spots short of the quota required by the manor. I think you could relax the conditions a bit and open up two more spots."

"Hmm?"

Yun Kai frowned.

"There should be others coming later, right?"

"Ah, you wouldn't know, but recently Pine Wind Martial Arts School has also been recruiting Living Stakes, so fewer and fewer people are coming to Lingyun Fist Stake. Of course, I'm just offering a suggestion."

Shi Quan thought for a moment and added a few more words.

"Lately, there have been frequent conflicts between the Black Scorpion Gang and the Hungry Wolf Gang, causing many qualified hunters to move their families.

It's estimated that fewer and fewer people will meet the requirements in the future. I actually think... it would be better to release two more spots today."

"..."

Yun Kai's gaze flickered slightly as he seemed to stare blankly at the disciples running in the training grounds in the distance.

The air grew still.

Bead-like sweat dripped from the corners of Shi Quan's temples, and the smile on his face grew increasingly stiff with the passing silence.

"Alright... Since you've asked, it seems the environment really hasn't been good lately. If that's the case..."

Shi Quan said casually.

"Lin Yin... and that Wan Qing, let's take those two."

"Understood, Master Yun!"

Only then did Shi Quan tuck the ledger into his robes and bow before leaving.

After Shi Quan's figure disappeared, the disciple standing to the side, who had previously brought him to Yun Kai, suddenly spoke.

"Master, this guy obviously took a bribe. There were quite a few people who came from outside today, but he kicked them all out, leaving only these few.

Now that he's made you add two spots, he..."

"Enough!"

Yun Kai glared at his somewhat indignant disciple with a frown.

"Focus on your martial arts and enter Ming Jin as soon as possible. Don't spend your days thinking about these trivial matters. Your martial path is the only thing you need to consider right now."

"Master is right to scold me..."

The disciple's face flushed with embarrassment. He cupped his hands hastily and then fled towards the training grounds below as if running away.

After the disciple's figure disappeared, Yun Kai's gaze calmly returned to the high walls of the Fist Manor.

"Black Scorpion... Hungry Wolf..."

He murmured, a trace of worry and apprehension flashing in his eyes.

The Black Scorpion Gang was not weak, the Hungry Wolf Gang had a mysterious origin, and the martial arts school was hardly a peaceful place.