Master Teacher

"Developed inner strength?"

Li Pin was somewhat surprised.

He had estimated that Lin Xiaolu would develop inner strength this month, but it should have been next week, or the week after.

He had not expected that, in the blink of an eye, she had actually succeeded.

"A master teacher produces outstanding disciples."

Hearing that nothing had gone wrong, Fang Lingjue quickly relaxed. "If I'm not mistaken, these two girls aren't eighteen yet, are they?"

"She's only just developed inner strength. There's no need to make such a fuss."

Li Pin replied.

Then he looked at Lin Xiaolu, whose face was brimming with delight, as though she wanted credit from him. "Not bad, but you still need to keep working hard."

He added, "To stand out in the youth division of the Jiangzhou Tournament, inner strength must enter the hidden realm. They're still far behind those true geniuses."

"Mm."

Lin Xiaolu nodded vigorously. "Thank you, Brother."

"How are they far behind!?"

At that moment, Shanhu could no longer stand it. She glared wide-eyed. "You only see that Xiaolu isn't eighteen yet, but you've forgotten that she's been practicing martial arts for less than half a year! Developing inner strength in less than half a year—if that isn't genius, what is!?"

Li Pin remained calm upon hearing this.

But Fang Lingjue, beside him, suddenly realized this point, and his pupils abruptly contracted.

He knew this as well.

When Lin Xiaolu and Li Yunyao had begun training, they had registered at Changfeng Martial Hall. Counting the time...

They truly had been practicing martial arts for less than half a year!

To be precise, less than five months.

They had developed inner strength in just over four months...

Such talent...

Fang Lingjue sucked in a sharp breath. "Li Pin, you've found treasure! Developing inner strength in just over four months—at this rate, won't they Embrace Qi into Dan like you in three to five years!? With such comprehension, aptitude, and talent, the entire White Crane Style might not be able to find another! You've got your inheritor now!"

"Three to five years..."

Li Pin calculated briefly.

As he himself had Embraced Qi into Dan, his understanding of Dan Jin and Embrace Dan had grown ever deeper.

Barring accidents, he was indeed highly confident that he could have the two of them Embrace Dan within three years.

He nodded. "More or less. The specifics still depend on their training progress. If it deviates from what I expect, it may take longer than that."

"You really are lucky."

Fang Lingjue cast Li Pin an envious glance. "A genius like this should theoretically seek out a grandmaster, or even a Martial Saint, to maximize her talent. But you're a genius yourself, with hopes of becoming a grandmaster. Having you teach her wouldn't exactly bury her talent."

Li Pin smiled without answering.

Li Yunyao, however, could not help asking expectantly, "Brother, you said Xiaolu would break through this month, while I'd do so next month. Now Xiaolu has broken through half a month early. Does that mean I might also break through this month, develop inner strength, and become a true martial artist?"

"That depends on how hard you work and whether you can seize that fleeting flash of inspiration."

Li Pin said.

"I definitely can."

As Li Yunyao spoke, she immediately turned to Lin Xiaolu. "Xiaolu, Xiaolu, come on, quickly tell me what developing inner strength feels like. Let me absorb some of your good luck."

"I... When I was sparring with Sister Shanhu just now, my own strength collided with her inner strength, and suddenly it felt as though everything had become clear..."

Lin Xiaolu did not quite know how to explain it.

The two soon went aside to exchange experiences.

Fang Lingjue, however, looked somewhat astonished when he heard Li Yunyao say that she would develop inner strength next month.

Then he suddenly thought of something, and his expression instantly changed.

It was not just him. Shanhu, Xu Huan, Zhang Le, and the others drawn over all had their pupils constrict as an alarming speculation arose in their minds almost simultaneously.

"Li Pin... Their talent... They aren't the sort of once-in-ten-thousand martial arts prodigies, are they?"

Fang Lingjue felt his voice filled with disbelief.

"They're fairly outstanding."

Li Pin said.

Yet those words undoubtedly confirmed the speculation in the hearts of Fang Lingjue, Shanhu, Xu Huan, Zhang Le, and the others.

"So... without them being martial arts prodigies, you used less than half a year to teach two people who had never undergone martial arts Foundation Establishment before, who had never even formally encountered martial arts, into Trained Strength Martial Artists!?"

Fang Lingjue stared at Li Pin.

But Li Pin knew why his tone had changed.

In this world, becoming a top genius yourself was not true skill.

Being able to teach ordinary people, one after another, into martial arts geniuses—that was true skill.

A martial arts instructor skilled at teaching disciples held a status even more esteemed than a grandmaster.

Because...

Star Refiners!

Star Refiners also needed to turn their own power into combat strength through methods such as developing inner strength, Embracing Dan, and Qi Refining into Gang, then charge toward higher realms.

After every Star Refiner successfully completed visualization, they would often invite a Gang Refining Grandmaster to teach them.

Most people even acted like Cao Tianyou, taking the initiative to seek them out, solely to form a good bond with a Star Refiner destined to hold a high position in the future.

But...

True master teachers never lacked Star Refiner disciples.

Those top master teachers could attract Star Refiners one after another, like ducks flocking to food.

Their network was so vast that it beggared imagination.

With only a slight conversion of their connections and status, their prospects would far surpass anything martial artists of the same realm could imagine.

However...

Li Pin had no intention of taking the "master teacher" path.

It was a waste of time.

"Perhaps it's because they trust me completely. With someone else, the results might not be this good."

Li Pin offered an explanation.

"Li Pin... How about... letting Shanhu train with you for a few months?"

Fang Lingjue asked cautiously.

He secretly glanced at Lin Xiaolu and Li Yunyao.

Though neither of them was a martial arts prodigy, Li Pin had still used just over four months to teach them into Trained Strength Martial Artists...

Such efficiency already carried the bearing of a master teacher.

So long as he repeated such results a few more times, even if he had not yet achieved Qi Refining into Gang, Star Refiners who had just successfully completed visualization would still come knocking, hoping to receive his guidance.

Even Gang Refining Grandmasters, or even a future Martial Saint, could not compare with such prospects.

"I..."

Shanhu looked toward Li Pin.

She had long since stopped viewing him as a rival.

At Fang Lingjue's suggestion, longing appeared in her eyes.

Li Pin did not answer. Instead, he looked at Fang Lingjue. "Hall Master, you should know my goal. To achieve it, I won't spend too much energy on other matters."

"The sights of a grandmaster, a Martial Saint..."

Fang Lingjue said, "But if you truly have this ability... the sights on this path will be far more magnificent than those on that one."

"Everyone has their own definition of what makes scenery good or bad. Personally, I prefer that path."

Li Pin said.

Hearing this, Fang Lingjue shook his head somewhat regretfully.

Shanhu's expression also dimmed somewhat.

But at that moment, Li Pin said, "Still, if it's only Shanhu, I can spare some time to offer a little guidance."

Shanhu immediately brightened.

Fang Lingjue also gave her a meaningful look.

At once, Shanhu clasped her hands and bowed without hesitation. "Master, please accept this disciple's bow."