Assessment

At a glance, the vast manor looked to be about the size of a small soccer field.

The first things that caught the eye were two rows of weapon racks and the wooden stakes set in the very center of the courtyard.

When Zhang Da Niu and the others followed the Fist Manor Disciple into the courtyard and saw the various weapons on the racks, their hearts raced with longing, their eyes burning with excitement.

At that moment, nearly all of them were imagining themselves dashing across the Training Ground with a long staff or saber in hand.

"Stop staring. These things aren't meant for you."

Noticing the boys' yearning expressions, the Leading Disciple let out a scornful laugh.

Even if they entered Fist Manor, they would only become Living Stakes, not formal disciples.

With only a cursory glance, he could tell that nine out of ten of them would remain obscure and unremarkable.

Only a rare few might stand out and officially join Lingyun Martial Arts School.

His gaze paused on Zhang Da Niu. He stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.

"Senior Brother?"

Zhang Da Niu looked puzzled, not understanding what was going on.

"Come with me. Martial Uncle is very curious about you. You managed to train an Inner Strength Technique to the introductory level without a master's guidance. The upcoming assessment no longer concerns you."

"What? He's mastered the basics of an Inner Strength Technique? Doesn't that mean he's practically crossed the threshold to becoming a Martial Artist?"

Someone in the crowd cried out in surprise, his face full of astonishment. The other boys also wore envious expressions.

Lin Yin's heart stirred.

He knew that mastering an Inner Strength Technique meant one already had the qualifications to become a Martial Artist, and he had made some guesses about it himself.

After all, if Zhang Da Niu could draw a Two-stone bow without Natural Divine Strength, then he must have something to back it up.

He must have reached the introductory level of Inner Strength in recent days.

Lin Yin speculated silently.

On the other side, Zhang Da Niu froze for a moment, then broke into a delighted smile and hurriedly clasped his hands in a salute.

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Though he appeared steady and simple-minded, he couldn't help showing a hint of excitement at the news.

In a sense, he was now worlds apart from the people behind him.

A disciple led Zhang Da Niu to a side room in the courtyard, while Lin Yin, Wan Qing, and the rest stood respectfully in the yard, not daring to move.

Fist Manor disciples passed by from time to time. Some looked curious, some indifferent, and others amused.

"Well, would you look at that. How did these guys even get in? Their bodies are all soft and slack. Did they all sneak in?"

A youth dressed in dark, fitted clothes stopped as he passed and looked at Shi Zhong and the others with ridicule.

When he noticed Lin Yin and Wan Qing, whose face was red from the swelling in his head, he shook his head and sighed, sounding half mocking and half exasperated.

"Senior Brother Wan, they're just some newly arrived Living Stakes. I heard Pine Wind Martial Arts School has been recruiting Living Stakes lately too, and it's taken quite a share of the recruits. That's why they made adjustments this time."

"Adjustments? And all they came up with was this bunch of trash? Could they even withstand a few of my punches?"

The youth called Senior Brother Wan wore a look of disdain. The disciple beside him didn't object; instead, he wore an ingratiating smile.

"Exactly. Senior Brother has reached Minor Accomplishment in Cloud Stance and is already a Bright Strength expert. Not one of these junior brothers could withstand your Cloud Palm."

Hearing the flattery, Senior Brother Wan couldn't help looking smug. He glanced at the silent Wan Qing and Lin Yin, found them uninteresting, pursed his lips, and strode off.

Only after he disappeared from view did Shi Zhong and the others, whose spirits had been dampened, finally show some indignation.

"That guy... He's gone too far!"

"What gives him the right? He only entered the martial school a little earlier than us!"

"Minor Accomplishment in Cloud Stance... Tsk. That Senior Brother is a true Bright Strength Martial Artist. Keep your voices down."

Some were indignant, some timid, and others filled with yearning.

Bright Strength: only by reaching Bright Strength could one truly be considered a Martial Artist. Without developing strength, one was still a mere commoner.

"..."

Lin Yin, who had long since realized just how far he fell short, had somehow slipped to the back of the group. His expression was difficult to read.

In just a few days, my Vajra Stake Technique should reach Minor Accomplishment too... When that happens, will I be able to withstand your palm?

Lin Yin had never been particularly broad-minded. Even though he had retreated behind the others, that guy had still spotted him and even mocked him aloud.

Even someone as "steady" as Lin Yin couldn't help feeling a trace of anger now.

While Lin Yin and the others were caught up in their own thoughts, the door to the side room finally opened.

Zhang Da Niu came out again with a hint of excitement on his face, following behind a middle-aged man.

As for the disciple from earlier, he came straight over to Lin Yin and the others.

"The assessment is about to begin. Follow me."

At his words, Shi Zhong and the others hurried after him.

As they left, quite a few people glanced back at Zhang Da Niu, who was following the middle-aged man toward another courtyard.

Someone couldn't contain his curiosity and cautiously asked the Fist Manor Disciple walking ahead of them.

"Senior Brother, where's Da Niu going? Isn't he coming with us?"

"He... He's been accepted outside the usual process. Lingyun Martial Arts School has struck gold this time. Junior Brother Da Niu has excellent Bone structure; he's an exceptionally rare talent."

When he spoke of Zhang Da Niu, the disciple's face was tinged with complicated feelings and envy.

He had originally thought Zhang Da Niu was merely talented at his Family Heirloom martial arts, but he hadn't expected the other's Bone structure to be even better than his own.

It was simply unbelievable.

Who could have imagined that Fist Manor, a place that selected Living Stakes, would one day suddenly recruit a disciple with such excellent Bone structure?

It was like panning for gold in a raging river.

"What... He has good Bone structure!"

In that moment, the envy and jealousy in Shi Zhong and the others' eyes vanished, replaced by utter shock.

What did Bone structure mean? It meant whether their future path in martial arts would be smooth.

They had all come to Fist Manor to be selected as Living Stakes. If they had good Bone structure, why would they need to become some kind of Living Stake? They could go straight to a martial school.

So the news that Zhang Da Niu had excellent Bone structure shocked them far more than the fact that he had mastered a Stance Skill.

Bone structure...

Lin Yin's expression shifted slightly. From his memories, he knew his own Bone structure didn't seem to be very good.

But... with the Heaven Rewards Diligence Destiny, why would he need good Bone structure?

At that thought, Lin Yin's expression returned to calm.

While everyone chattered among themselves, they finally arrived at their destination.

Before them, wooden stakes stood scattered through the center of the courtyard, their arrangement strikingly unusual. A young man stood before the rows of stakes, his hands behind his back and his eyes half-closed.

Only when Lin Yin and the others came up to him did the man slowly open his eyes.

"Senior Brother Li, all the Living Stakes for today have arrived. Sorry to trouble you."

The Fist Manor Disciple who had led the way looked at the young man before him with deep respect, reverence in his expression.

The Young man surnamed Li nodded slowly, then turned to Lin Yin and the others. His face was expressionless, and though his voice was soft, it carried with remarkable force.

"Ascend Stake!"