Showing Goodwill

[Heaven rewards diligence, Will achieve something]

[Cloud Settling Stake Technique: Initiated (8/100)]

A glint of golden light seemed to gather in Lin Yin's eyes. When he stopped moving, a shout rang out from the previously silent crowd.

"Fine work!"

Following the voice, Lin Yin saw Xu Chang, looking radiant, with a group of amiable-faced disciples behind him.

With an easy leap, he jumped down from the towering wooden stake.

Lin Yin's steps were steady. When he landed, his body didn't waver in the slightest. The sight brought a glimmer of admiration to Xu Chang's eyes.

The smallest details revealed the truth.

Even those disciples with no eye for such things could now see his absolute control over his body—a clear first sign that he had begun to develop Inner Strength!

"Junior Brother Lin, you've recently mastered the Stance Skill, haven't you? The precision of your final Sinking Cloud Falling Goose was truly astonishing."

A thin, unfamiliar young man stepped forward and praised him.

Lin Yin nodded but didn't reply. Instead, he looked at Xu Chang.

In fact, he had mastered the Cloud Settling Stake Technique several days ago. After all, his Vajra Stake Technique had already reached Minor Accomplishment, so mastering the Cloud Settling Stake Technique had come naturally.

Lin Yin had long intended to tell Xu Chang that he had mastered the Stance Skill.

He didn't want to waste time serving as a Living Stake. It would be better to show some of his strength and officially join the martial arts school.

Lin Yin had never forgotten why he had come to Fist Manor.

He wanted to join the martial arts school and secure a foothold in this troubled world.

Xu Chang gave Lin Yin's shoulder a hearty pat. Though Lin Yin was slender, he stood as firm as a stubborn rock. Xu Chang couldn't help laughing aloud and praising him again and again.

"Junior Brother Lin, I'll go ask Martial Uncle for permission on your behalf right away. You've mastered the Stance Skill in barely half a month. That kind of talent is among the very best."

At his words, the crowd erupted.

"Really? In just half a month..."

Li Qianjiang's expression shifted again and again.

The surrounding disciples were full of praise, and made no effort to hide their desire to befriend Lin Yin.

Some even asked Xu Chang to introduce them. Xu Chang smiled, but declined them one by one.

After all, Xu Chang had been the one to recommend Lin Yin. Anyone who wanted to befriend him would naturally have to go through his benefactor.

Xu Chang, who had been "held in check" by Li Qianjiang, was now basking in good fortune.

The dead end had opened up, and even brought a huge surprise. How could Xu Chang not be delighted?

Watching the disciples whisper among themselves and seeing their eager gazes turn toward him, Lin Yin wore an uncertain expression. He didn't understand what was going on.

After weighing things over, Xu Chang politely turned down the disciples' tentative overtures.

"Once Junior Brother Lin officially joins, you can decide for yourselves whether you want to approach him."

Xu Chang said only that, then led Lin Yin away from the enthusiastic disciples.

"You all stay here and choose your Living Stakes. I'll take Junior Brother Lin to see Martial Uncle."

Without giving them a chance to respond, he led Lin Yin toward the Inner Court, protecting him like a mother hen guarding her chicks.

The Living Stake selection didn't grow any quieter after Lin Yin left. If anything, it became livelier. Apart from a few particularly outstanding candidates like Shi Zhong, even some who'd had little hope were successfully chosen.

Once Lin Yin had followed Xu Chang to the Inner Court, he couldn't help asking what was puzzling him.

Lin Yin didn't understand why the Inner Court disciples had been so friendly toward him. Even after joining, he'd only be an ordinary disciple.

Xu Chang shook his head and smiled as he explained.

"Junior Brother, you don't understand. Even the most ordinary beginner disciple is worth paying attention to."

Xu Chang's usual mild expression had given way to a cheerful smile.

He had turned his fortunes around thanks entirely to Lin Yin's sudden display of skill, and he was grateful he'd looked after him all this time.

What could compare to sending charcoal in a snowstorm? Adding flowers to brocade could never be so heartfelt.

"Senior Brother, what do you mean?"

Lin Yin pressed him for an explanation.

Xu Chang explained as they walked.

"Once you master the Stance Skill, you're no longer an ordinary person. I'm sure you've felt it yourself. Unless someone has exceptional talent, even a few strong men can't get close to you. That alone shows the difference."

"More importantly, now that you've mastered it, the true gates of martial arts have swung wide open for you."

Xu Chang's expression turned solemn.

"People all say that martial arts schools have strict selection standards, but they don't know why.

"First, they test your bone structure. Those with poor bone structure will only learn flashy moves with no substance from the Stance Skill, and may never break through the great barrier in their entire lives!"

As he spoke, Xu Chang's expression grew somber, and his words carried a hint of cruelty.

"There are three realms at the beginning of the martial path, as you probably know: Bright Strength, Hidden Strength, and Transforming Strength.

"People know there are three barriers, each harder than the last, but they don't realize there are actually four!"

"Four..."

Lin Yin's eyes flickered. He had a vague guess.

"Exactly. The first is mastering the Stance Skill!

"Mastering the Stance Skill requires your Essence, Qi, and Spirit to unite and blend without flaw. Only then can you break through. Many people get stuck at this stage and end up achieving nothing, with nothing but flashy moves!"

"Flashy moves..."

For some reason, Lin Yin suddenly thought of the decline of Chinese Martial Arts in his previous life.

"That's also why martial arts schools insist on testing bone structure.

"If your bone structure is poor, forget about following the martial path—you won't even be able to cross the first threshold!"

Xu Chang's voice carried a note of grim certainty.

So even mastering the basics is a barrier. No wonder Lin Lin was so smug...

Lin Yin had thought mastering the Stance Skill came naturally to everyone.

"Senior Brother, then why don't people know about this barrier? Why let them think the schools only care about bone structure...?"

"Heh. That's because the three barriers that follow are several times harder than the first. Each is harder than the last. Just how difficult are they...?"

"It took me three months to go from mastering the Stance Skill to Condensing Strength. I nearly failed to break through during that time, and my Qi and blood almost scattered."

As he spoke, Xu Chang's face showed a trace of regret and lingering fear. He spoke of the dangers of Condensing Strength with deep reverence.

"Three months..."

Lin Yin's gaze flickered as he thought about how long he'd spent learning martial arts.

About a month and a half. As for the danger of supposedly having to break through a second time, he didn't seem to have felt much at all...

"Do you know why their attitude toward you changed so dramatically?"

Xu Chang smiled mysteriously, leaving a little suspense.

"Please explain, Senior Brother."

Lin Yin followed up.

"Ha! Of course it's because you mastered the Stance Skill in less than a month!

"Everyone knows that the shorter it takes to master the Stance Skill, the more likely it is that you'll reach Condensing Strength far faster than ordinary people."

"Now you should understand why you've suddenly become so popular. Some of them genuinely want to befriend you, while others are even hoping to recruit you..."

As he spoke, Xu Chang raised his brows, his meaning clear.

Lin Yin wanted to ask what he meant, but Xu Chang brushed him off.

"You'll understand once you join the Inner Court."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Chang stopped. Lin Yin came back to himself and realized they had reached their destination.

The room before them wasn't unfamiliar. It was the very room Zhang Da Niu had once visited!