Surprise

A few shafts of daylight, filtered gray by the window paper, slanted across the dust gathered on the beams.

The incense burner set in the center of the low table was sheathed in green patina, a thin wisp of smoke rising from it.

The smoke smelled soothing, carrying a faint freshness that seemed to be mixed with a hint of mint.

"Half a month, and the Cloud Settling Stake Technique has already reached the entry level..."

Feeling the almost tangible gaze from the seat of honor, Lin Yin lowered his head, his heart pounding wildly.

Who knew entering the gate so early would stir up such a huge commotion? Lin Yin silently regretted it, blaming only himself for not knowing the secrets involved.

If he had known it would cause such a stir, he would have laid low for a while longer no matter what!

At that moment, three figures stood before the platform. Besides the Martial Uncle Xu Chang had mentioned, there were also two Bone-Feeling Masters from the martial arts school.

All three had their brows tightly furrowed as they discussed the matter without pause.

"Bone structure of middling to lower quality... How did someone with middling to lower bone structure enter the gate?"

"Those with middling to lower bone structure are not necessarily unable to enter the gate. But the Cloud Settling Stake Technique is a Superior Martial Art. Reaching the entry level in half a month is simply too shocking."

"Half a month to enter the gate... It should be superior bone structure!"

"..."

Yun Kai stood with his hands behind his back, silently watching the two Bone-Feeling Masters argue. From time to time, his gaze flicked toward the youth below the platform, whose lowered head concealed his expression.

When Xu Chang told him that Lin Yin had entered the gate in half a month, even he had been greatly surprised, and he had personally felt Lin Yin's bones.

Yet what he found was completely at odds with what he had imagined.

He had not thought much of it, not believing Lin Yin's bone structure was truly like this. He only assumed his own skill in this area was lacking, so he had specifically summoned two Bone-Feeling Masters.

The result... their conclusions were completely identical.

Middling to lower bone structure... It could not be called terribly poor, but to say that someone like this had entered the gate of a Superior Martial Art within half a month was a little too inconceivable.

Below the platform, Xu Chang stared wide-eyed at the two Bone-Feeling Masters, his face full of disbelief.

He did not believe Lin Yin's bone structure was merely middling to lower.

Seeing the two Bone-Feeling Masters confirm it again and again, Yun Kai finally spoke slowly.

"Enough. There is no need to discuss this further. Perhaps there are circumstances we do not know about...

"The world is vast, and strange things abound. I have heard of certain Special Constitutions. Their bone structure may not be exceptional, but when it comes to certain martial arts, they handle them as easily as turning their hands..."

Though he said this, the warmth had already vanished from the faces of the two Bone-Feeling Masters. They nodded, then each took their leave.

The excitement of having discovered someone with superior bone structure had disappeared without a trace.

On the other side, Xu Chang looked at Lin Yin with concern, seeming somewhat at a loss.

He had gleaned some information from Yun Kai's words. Lin Yin's bone structure had been decided.

Middling to lower...

Xu Chang's brow furrowed tightly.

"Regardless of your bone structure, now that your stake technique has entered the gate, you are an official disciple of Lingyun Martial Arts School."

Shi Kai beckoned, and Lin Yin stepped forward to receive a set of azure cloth robes and a Bronze Token from him.

"Go!"

His voice was calm, yet rather than feeling disappointed, Lin Yin let out a deep sigh of relief.

He had no desire to become the center of attention...

That was true in prosperous times, and even more so in chaotic ones.

Watching that slender figure leave directly, Xu Chang pursed his lips, wanting to say something, only for Yun Kai to stop him with a raised hand.

"You may withdraw as well..."

"Yes, Martial Uncle..."

Xu Chang clasped his hands in salute and left helplessly.

The moment Lin Yin stepped out of the courtyard, Xu Chang called out to him before he had taken more than a few steps.

"Junior Brother, wait!"

Xu Chang ran over and placed a hand on Lin Yin's shoulder.

"I'll take you to the Inner Court. Now that your stake technique has entered the gate, it is time for you to learn Combat Techniques."

Lin Yin was taken aback to see that Xu Chang's enthusiasm had not diminished in the slightest.

"Thank you, Senior Brother..."

He had seen the reactions of those two Bone-Feeling Masters and Yun Kai. Lin Yin knew it was surely because of his middling to lower bone structure.

Had Xu Chang reacted the same way, Lin Yin would not have been surprised. That was simply how the world was; the warmth and coldness of human hearts went no further than that. Yet Xu Chang remained unchanged.

I was overthinking it.

To be honest, Lin Yin truly did not know what to do next. With Xu Chang there to lend him a hand, things would naturally be much more convenient.

The two chatted as they walked, their rapport as warm as ever, neither mentioning Bone Structure.

As they walked, Lin Yin suddenly grew curious.

"Senior Brother Xu... I heard that Combat Techniques are generally practiced only after one has mastered the application of force. From what you said, does that mean I can learn Combat Techniques before my Cloud Settling Stake Technique reaches Minor Accomplishment?"

Xu Chang looked at Lin Yin, utterly baffled.

"Junior Brother, why would you have such a strange idea? Most cultivation methods work this way. Some even practice their Combat Techniques and Stake Techniques together—it's nothing unusual. Don't tell me you didn't even know that?"

Lin Yin gave an embarrassed laugh and readily admitted that his knowledge was shallow.

No wonder they say Hardening Techniques are difficult to train. Even the requirements for cultivating a Hardening Technique's Combat Techniques are so harsh...

Lin Yin understood a few things now, but naturally, he could not reveal anything about the Vajra Stake Technique and the Golden Bell Shield.

This Hardening Technique was truly extraordinary. It was Lin Yin's trump card for now!

Before long, Lin Yin followed Xu Chang to the so-called Inner Court.

The moment he entered, Lin Yin was startled by the vast Training Ground.

The Training Ground, about the size of a football field from his previous life, rang continuously with shouts and cries.

Along one side of the Training Ground stood rows of even taller Wooden Stakes. Figures darted and shifted atop them, their stances and movements bearing traces of the Cloud Settling Stake Technique, yet far nimbler and more elusive.

Xu Chang led Lin Yin around and first had him change his clothes.

The Blue Short Fighting Outfit fit Lin Yin almost perfectly. Perhaps Yun Kai had already understood everything when he examined his bones earlier.

The sight of Lin Yin in a new outfit made Xu Chang's eyes light up, and he repeatedly praised his valiant bearing.

The two made a circuit around the Training Ground as Xu Chang introduced its various sections and their respective purposes.

Weapon racks, the Training Ground, the Staking Ground... the Arena.

"The Arena?"

Seeming to notice Lin Yin's curiosity, Xu Chang explained with a smile.

"Disciples inside the School often spar with one another, and the Martial Uncles specifically set up this Arena for that purpose. Of course, its main function is to deal with challenges..."

At that point, a trace of gravity appeared on Xu Chang's face.

"Challenges?"

"That's right, challenges. There are challenges between disciples within the School, and naturally, challenges from Outside the School as well!"

His expression darkened as he spoke, as though he had recalled some unpleasant experience.

Lin Yin sensibly did not press further.

Soon, another burst of commotion arose outside the Training Ground. Following the crowd's gaze, Lin Yin saw the disciples who had previously gone to select stakes at the Staking Ground.

Among them, Lin Yin spotted familiar faces such as Shi Zhong, but he did not see Wan Qing.

"What will happen to those who weren't chosen?"

Lin Yin asked.

Xu Chang sighed softly. "They have two months. If they fail to gain entry into a Stake Technique by then, they must leave on their own."

"Gain entry within two months..."

Thinking of Wan Qing's current condition, Lin Yin already knew the answer.

As they walked on, those who walked too slowly would inevitably be left behind...

The comfort that had just risen in Lin Yin's heart vanished without a trace, replaced by a renewed, surging sense of urgency.

If he did not want to be abandoned... then he had to train desperately!

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