Suspicion

"Junior Disciple, hold on!"

Lin Yin, who had just finished wiping off his sweat and was about to leave, stopped in his tracks and looked back at Xu Chang, who was jogging over, a puzzled expression on his face.

"You haven't formally entered the school yet. Come with me quickly."

Seeing the handsome youth with a towel draped over his shoulder, looking ready to leave with the other disciples, Xu Chang felt a bit helpless. He hadn't expected Lin Yin to just walk off like that.

"Enter the school?"

Lin Yin followed Xu Chang toward the side room inside the courtyard. When they reached the door, he saw Zhang Da Niu again.

Zhang Da Niu first respectfully greeted Xu Chang, then nodded at Lin Yin.

Lin Yin's gaze shifted to the young man standing with his hands behind his back in front of Zhang Da Niu.

"This is Yun Hai, Senior Brother Yun. He's the Second Senior Disciple Brother of our Lingyun Martial Arts School."

Beside him, Xu Chang quickly introduced.

Second Senior Disciple Brother?

Lin Yin's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained calm as he quickly cupped his fists.

"Senior Brother Yun Hai!"

"No need!"

Yun Hai waved his hand with a cheerful grin, looking quite carefree.

But Lin Yin wasn't fooled by his outwardly amiable demeanor. After spending these days with Xu Chang, he had managed to glean a thing or two about this man.

This person was narrow-minded and deeply calculating, seemingly always scheming about something. He had a strained relationship with the Senior Disciple Brother, and Wan Li was his lackey!

His face appeared friendly and easygoing, but this behavior wasn't carefree—it was more like indifference.

From the brief exchange just now, Lin Yin even felt that this guy hadn't bothered to look him straight in the eye.

His thoughts settled slightly as the main door swung open. Lin Yin quickly composed himself, steadied his breath, and followed Xu Chang into the room.

Unlike Yun Kai's side room, this one was much more spacious. Besides Yun Tian Qing, who stood in the center with his hands behind his back, there was also Yun Kai, whom Lin Yin had met once before.

"Disciple Zhang Da Niu (Lin Yin) pays respects to Master and Martial Uncle."

The two cupped their fists and addressed the pair before them.

Yun Kai's gaze swept past Lin Yin and focused on Zhang Da Niu, while School Master Yun Qing Tian nodded at Lin Yin.

Under Xu Chang's arrangement, Lin Yin and Zhang Da Niu began performing the kneeling bow ceremony for the two. In this world, the ritual of taking a master was extremely solemn; besides the kneeling bow, a tuition fee had to be presented.

Lin Yin took out the tuition fee Xu Chang had prepared for him in advance and respectfully handed it to Wan Chang Qing.

"Good. From now on, you two are disciples of our Lingyun Martial Arts School. When you act outside, you must first announce your affiliation. Conduct yourselves with integrity and never tarnish the school's reputation."

Yun Tian Qing spoke solemnly.

"Every month from now on, you both must submit your tuition fees. Beyond that, cultivate diligently and break through your bottlenecks as soon as possible. Only when your Stance Skill reaches Minor Accomplishment will you truly step into the realm of a Martial Artist." Shi Kai added from the side.

Lin Yin and the other nodded in agreement.

After a few simple instructions and some guidance on martial arts progression, Xu Chang led Lin Yin out of the side room.

Before leaving, Lin Yin glanced back at Zhang Da Niu, who was still standing inside the room.

Xu Chang's expression was complicated. Only after leaving the side room and closing the door did he sigh. "That Zhang Da Niu is exceptionally gifted. They say his family heirloom martial art, Brute Ox Strength, is also a superior skill. Master and Martial Uncle will probably keep him close and teach him carefully."

"Brute Ox Strength..."

A superior skill...

Lin Yin grew curious.

"Senior Brother, if he enters the gate with Brute Ox Strength and keeps cultivating it, can he still learn the school's combat techniques?"

From the start, Lin Yin had been taught that each Stance Skill matched a corresponding combat technique, and pairing them brought out remarkable effects. But it seemed Zhang Da Niu was still training in Brute Ox Strength.

That made him wonder whether the other would practice Lingyun Martial Arts School's techniques at all.

"Even though he doesn't train in Cloud Stance, he can still learn Cloud Palm. The Stance Skill is just a method to temper Qi and Blood and forge the bones and tendons.

Combat techniques can be adapted over time... But you've given me something to think about. I suspect Master is keeping him here to teach him some special martial art."

Xu Chang's words cleared Lin Yin's doubts, but also sparked new curiosity.

"Other martial arts..."

"Of course... Our school's main technique is Cloud Palm, but that doesn't mean it's all we have. Forget the distant examples—just look at the Senior Disciple Brother.

Rumor has it that he possesses a skill which, at Grand Accomplishment, allows him to travel a Thousand Miles a Day, stepping through clouds even on rugged terrain, unafraid of steep mountains or dangerous ground."

As he spoke, Xu Chang's face filled with reverence, and Lin Yin's expression mirrored a hint of longing.

Ignoring terrain, stepping through clouds... Isn't that just lightness skill?

At that thought, Lin Yin's eyes burned with enthusiasm. For someone like him, who prioritized caution above all, such a technique was a perfect match.

"Alright, now that you're officially a disciple of Lingyun Martial Arts School, there are many benefits beyond just the monthly tuition fee. But you'll have to wait until your Stance Skill reaches Minor Accomplishment."

Xu Chang suddenly winked, his expression both coaxing and encouraging.

"Benefits?" Lin Yin mused inwardly, his steps never faltering.

Inside the side room.

After Yun Qing Tian gave meticulous guidance and personally verified Zhang Da Niu's current martial arts progress, he let him leave.

Yun Kai suddenly spoke up.

"Senior Brother, Zhang Da Niu is an unexpected joy. He might just help us secure first place in next year's Spring Hunt. This is a tremendous blessing for our Lingyun Martial Arts School."

"Mm, Brute Ox Strength... I heard of it many years ago. I never expected it to be in the hands of a mere hunter. This technique requires a Great Medicine to reach full mastery. I only hope the lad lives up to the school's trust."

"Once those Great Schools take notice, our school will surely ride the wind and rise, reclaiming our former glory." As he said this, Shi Kai's face showed some excitement, but he failed to notice the indescribable hesitation on his senior brother's face.

Great Schools...

Not until Yun Kai had left did a long, drawn-out sigh echo through the dim side room.

"In this day and age, how could those Great Schools, let alone the higher sects, have the energy to come here? Tiger Head Mountain's problems grow worse by the day, yet not a single person has come in person..."

Outside Lingyun Martial Arts School.

Lin Yin and Xu Chang walked together. Interestingly, Xu Chang's home was also near Fist Manor, though compared to Lin Yin's house at the secluded corner near the outer edge, Xu Chang's was practically right against the manor.

Watching disciples pass by from time to time, Lin Yin's eyes held envy.

Those tall, imposing disciples strode past now and then, each one radiating a sense of security.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lin Yin turned and headed home.

The setting sun cast its afterglow over the dirt road like a layer of golden gauze, the fierce dying light seeming to drive away the last chill of late winter.

Lin Yin's expression was relaxed, his steps light, as if in good spirits. He entered his home and closed the door tightly.

Seeing her son return, Wang He, who had just set down her work, was about to greet him when she noticed his smile fade. He turned and leaned against the window, craning his neck to peer outside.

"Mother, have any strangers been lurking around our place lately?"

The previously relaxed atmosphere seemed to freeze in an instant.

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