Exceptional Promotion, Every Benefit

On the third morning, just as dawn was breaking, Li Bufan woke on time. Unlike the previous two days, which had been devoted solely to martial training, today he had another important matter on his mind—reporting for duty at Lin Manor.

He gently nudged his younger brother, who was still fast asleep beside him. "Little brother, get up. It's time for Academy."

Li Ping'an rubbed his eyes groggily and muttered as he crawled out from beneath the warm covers. The two brothers washed up together, and the icy water thoroughly woke Ping'an.

"Big Brother, what are we having for breakfast today?"

"Come on, I'll take you out for noodles." Li Bufan smiled and took his brother's hand. Life was gradually getting better, and he was willing to make his brother happier in these little ways.

The noodle stall was steaming in the early morning. The brothers each ordered a bowl of Yangchun Noodles. The hot noodles drove away the morning chill, warming them from the inside out.

After they finished eating, Li Bufan held Ping'an's hand and headed toward the Academy again. Along the way, he thought for a moment, counted out fifteen copper coins from his pocket, and placed them in Ping'an's little hand.

Holding the coins, Ping'an looked at his brother in confusion. "Big Brother, this is...?"

Li Bufan crouched down and earnestly instructed him, "Ping'an, I'm going to Lin Manor to report for duty today. I might be busy until late. If... if I can't pick you up on time tonight, take this money and find Teacher Wang at the Academy. Ask him to help you buy something to eat, or buy yourself a couple of flatbreads on the street to fill your stomach. Then go home by yourself. Be careful on the way, go straight home, and don't run around. Understand?"

He tried to keep his tone calm so his brother would not worry, but the necessary instructions had to be given. Li Ping'an was still young and could not distinguish many things as good or bad.

As Ping'an listened, a trace of maturity flashed across his little face. He nodded hard and carefully tucked the copper coins into his inner pocket. "I understand, Big Brother. Don't worry. Ping'an will take care of himself. Go do what you need to do!"

Seeing how obedient and sensible his brother was, Li Bufan felt both gratified and a little sour inside. He rubbed his brother's head. "Good. Little brother is the best. Go on in now, and listen carefully to Teacher's lessons."

After seeing Ping'an into the Academy and watching him settle into his seat, Li Bufan finally turned around. Taking a deep breath, he headed toward Lin Manor.

His steps were steady, but his heart could not help stirring with excitement.

The training ground was still filled with shouts and battle cries. Coach Qin stood in the middle like an iron tower, his gaze sharp as lightning. When he saw Li Bufan arrive, a smile appeared on his rugged face. "Kid, you came pretty early! Not bad!"

"Coach!" Li Bufan stepped forward and saluted respectfully.

"Enough with those empty formalities." Coach Qin waved a large hand, clearly in an excellent mood. "Come, follow me to see the eldest miss! Your luck has arrived, kid. The eldest miss personally asked about your matter. That's a heaven-sized honor!"

With that, he led Li Bufan through several courtyards and arrived once again outside the elegant Tingxue Pavilion.

After a maid announced them, the two entered. Lin Zhiyan was still seated behind her desk. Today, she wore a pale blue ruqun dress beneath a snow fox fur vest, her black hair simply pinned up. She possessed an aloof and noble bearing that made others hesitate to look directly at her.

"Eldest Miss, Li Bufan has arrived," Coach Qin said respectfully.

Lin Zhiyan raised her eyes, her cool gaze falling on Li Bufan as she examined him from head to toe. Her eyes seemed able to pierce through clothing and discern one's blood and vitality. Li Bufan immediately felt an invisible pressure and quickly lowered his head and eyes, standing respectfully.

"Mm. His aura is calm and condensed, his blood and vitality vigorous. He is indeed in the Muscle Tempering Realm." Her voice was indifferent, like jade beads falling onto a plate. "Coach Qin said that you gained quite a harvest during this trip into the mountains and even hunted a Silver-Crowned Snow Fox?"

"Reporting to Eldest Miss, I merely had a bit of luck. It was all thanks to Lin Manor's blessings and Coach's guidance," Li Bufan replied cautiously, neither servile nor overbearing.

Lin Zhiyan nodded slightly, seemingly fairly satisfied with his attitude. "You have been in the manor for barely over two months, yet you have broken through to Muscle Tempering and rendered meritorious service. By precedent, you should be rewarded. Coach Qin has recommended that you be promoted to a Second-Class Guard. Are you willing?"

"This subordinate is willing! I will certainly give my all in service to the manor!" Li Bufan immediately clasped his fists in reply, his heart surging with excitement.

"Good." Lin Zhiyan apparently disliked idle talk and directly instructed the maid beside her, "Bring the Second-Class Guard token, uniform, and the standard reward for the fox pelts he hunted."

"Yes." The maid answered and withdrew.

Lin Zhiyan looked at Li Bufan again, her gaze seeming to sharpen slightly. "Now that you have entered the second class, you must fulfill your duties faithfully. Coach Qin will explain the manor's rules to you in detail. Each month, you must complete the corresponding duties. You may also exchange money and merit for cultivation resources. Conduct yourself well, cultivate diligently, and do not betray Coach Qin's kindness in recommending you."

"This subordinate will remember Eldest Miss's instruction! I will not fail Coach's guidance or Eldest Miss's expectations!" Li Bufan answered solemnly.

Before long, the maid returned carrying a tray. On it lay a brand-new wooden token engraved with "Lin Thirty-One"; two sets of dark blue-black guard uniforms, obviously of far better material than those issued to new guards; and a money pouch containing roughly five taels of silver, the reward for Li Bufan retrieving five snow fox pelts.

"Thank you, Eldest Miss, for the reward!" Li Bufan accepted the tray with both hands. Feeling its weight, he felt much more secure inside. From this day on, he had truly gained a foothold in Lin Manor, with a stable income and a means of acquiring resources.

"You may go. Coach Qin, take him to familiarize himself with his duties and the rules." Lin Zhiyan waved a hand and lowered her head to the account books again, as though this were merely a trivial matter.

"Yes!" Coach Qin and Li Bufan answered in unison, then respectfully withdrew from Tingxue Pavilion.

Once outside, Coach Qin gave Li Bufan's shoulder a hard slap and laughed heartily. "Good kid! You're officially a Lin Family Guard now! Come, I'll take you to collect your weapon, then explain the rules and benefits of being a Second-Class Guard!"

As he stepped out of Tingxue Pavilion, the cold outdoor air struck him, and Li Bufan finally seemed to fully recover from that brief yet momentous meeting. The weighty Second-Class Guard token in his palm reminded him that his status had changed.

Coach Qin's fan-sized hand landed heavily on his shoulder, and he grinned broadly. "Good kid! You're officially a Lin Family Guard now! How does it feel?"

Li Bufan took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. "It is all thanks to Coach's cultivation and support. This one is endlessly grateful!"

"Cut the empty nonsense!" Coach Qin said, though his expression showed that he rather enjoyed hearing it. "Come on, I'll take you to the storeroom to collect your gear first! Then I'll properly explain the rules and benefits of being a Second-Class Guard, so you won't be left with both eyes smeared black and not know you've suffered a loss!"

With that, he led Li Bufan toward the storeroom behind the West Courtyard. Along the way, Coach Qin began explaining at length.

"First, the most practical thing—monthly pay!" Coach Qin held up three fingers. "Unlike new guards, who don't get much of a stipend, you'll receive three taels of snowflake silver every month, paid on time without delay. That's enough for you and that little kid at home to live quite comfortably."

Three taels! Li Bufan's heart stirred. This was indeed no small fixed income, enough to support his and his brother's basic needs with some left over.

"Second, and most importantly, cultivation resources!" Coach Qin lowered his voice, wearing an expression that said you know what I mean. "That Intermediate Medicinal Cuisine and medicinal bath the eldest miss just mentioned—that's the real big prize! Every day, the manor provides a fixed amount of medicinal cuisine to Second-Class Guards and above. It greatly benefits replenishing blood and vitality and tempering the body.

There is also a fixed monthly medicinal bath quota, and you can exchange merit for more. If you tried to buy something this good outside, even your monthly pay would be nothing more than a drop in the bucket. You just broke through, kid. You need these things to stabilize your realm and charge toward higher levels. You'd better seize this opportunity!"

Li Bufan's heart burned with excitement. Medicinal baths! He had only just experienced the wonders of Doctor Liu's medicinal bath, coupled with the lingering effects of the Cinnabar Fruit. He was even more filled with anticipation for the proper, sustainable medicinal bath resources of Lin Manor. This would undoubtedly greatly accelerate his cultivation speed!

"Third, your duties and assignments." Coach Qin continued, "Once you become a Second-Class Guard, you won't train mixed in with those new guards anymore. You have your own martial training ground. Your usual duties mainly involve rotating every seven days to guard important areas of the manor or accompanying manor stewards on outside business. It's more respectable than the odd jobs the new guards do, and you'll see more of the world. Of course, when trouble comes, you'll have to truly step up. There are naturally risks as well."

Li Bufan listened carefully and silently committed everything to memory.

"Finally, the rules and assessment." Coach Qin's tone became more serious. "The Lin Family does not keep idle people. At the end of every year, there is a major examination, mainly a contest between guards to determine their rankings. The bottom five," he held up five fingers for emphasis, "must compete against the best among the new guards, or reserve guards who were eliminated before. If they lose..."

Coach Qin snorted. "Then sorry, but your token and uniform will be taken back, and you'll go back where you came from! The Lin Family's resources are only given to people with value and potential."

Li Bufan's expression tightened as he felt the invisible pressure. Competition was everywhere. If he wanted resources, he had to demonstrate corresponding value and strength.

Coach Qin glanced at him, then added in a somewhat playful tone, "Also, kid, you should be mentally prepared. By the rules, Lin Manor only has thirty Second-Class Guard positions. You, the thirty-first, were personally approved by the eldest miss and promoted by exception. That is certainly a heaven-sized honor, but it will inevitably leave some people dissatisfied. They'll think you simply got lucky and took up a position. Open and covert targeting will probably be unavoidable in the future. Whether you are a dragon or a worm will depend on your own ability. Whether you can stand firm and establish your authority is entirely in your own hands!"

The words were like a basin of cold water poured over his head, instantly calming Li Bufan. As his joy faded, he felt the challenges hidden behind this status. When a tree stands above the forest, the wind is bound to topple it. He understood that principle.

He drew a deep breath, his gaze turning resolute. Clasping his fists, he solemnly said, "Thank you, Coach, for your frank guidance! This one understands. I will certainly cultivate diligently and fulfill my duties faithfully. I will not fail your kindness in recommending me or the eldest miss's high expectations! If challenges come, I will take them head-on!"

"Good! That's the spirit I want!" Coach Qin nodded in satisfaction. "I didn't misjudge you! Come, let's collect your weapon! I'll pick out a good saber for you!"

As they spoke, they had already reached the storeroom. The old steward guarding it inspected Li Bufan's token and entered him into the records. Coach Qin personally chose a finely made Hundred Refinements Steel Saber for Li Bufan, then collected two sets of clothing, wrist guards, leg wraps, and other common equipment.

After collecting the equipment, Li Bufan held the brand-new wooden token and rubbed the clearly carved number "Thirty-One" with his thumb, countless thoughts racing through his mind.

"Uncle Fu's assessment must have referred to this Year-End Tournament for the guards." He recalled the words of Lin Manor's chief steward from a month ago, a kind-looking man with shrewd eyes. At the time, Li Bufan had needed to risk his life hunting in the mountains for even a sliver of opportunity. Yet in just one short month, life's fortunes had shifted unpredictably. Not only had he broken through to the Muscle Tempering Realm, but through the merit of hunting the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox and Coach Qin's recommendation, he had directly skipped that threshold and become an official Second-Class Guard. Only he himself knew the dangers and opportunities involved.

His gaze fell on the number on the token again, and his thoughts inevitably drifted back to that life-and-death battle amid ice and snow. Wu Jiang had just entered Muscle Tempering; Wu Hai was at the Peak Minor Mastery of Muscle Tempering, close to Great Mastery!

"Twenty-nine... eleven..." Li Bufan's eyes narrowed slightly as a guess formed in his heart. Wu Hai had said that he and his brother were guards of Wu Manor. "These numbers are probably not arranged at random. Every ten numbers may represent a rough range of strength. The lower the number, the stronger the person is likely to be!"

Wu Jiang was ranked twenty-ninth and had just entered Muscle Tempering. Wu Hai was ranked eleventh and already at Peak Minor Mastery. What level of strength did those in the top ten possess? Major Muscle Tempering? Or even... the Tendon Tempering Realm?

At that thought, a powerful sense of urgency rose within him.

Lin Manor provided medicinal cuisine and Medicinal Baths, which were heaven-sized benefits that could greatly speed up cultivation. But that also meant the higher-ranked guards, already strong to begin with, could obtain more and better resources, improve even faster, and thus create a Matthew effect where the strong remained strong.

As for Li Bufan, though he was now at the Initial Muscle Tempering stage and his foundation was fairly solid, his number of thirty-one made him unquestionably the lowest-ranked among the Second-Class Guards. At the Year-End Tournament, the bottom five would face challenges. His position was hanging by a thread!

"My Initial Muscle Tempering cultivation might let me dominate among the new guards, but among the Second-Class Guards, I'm probably not even worth looking at!" Li Bufan quickly calmed down. The joy of his promotion was replaced by an intense sense of crisis.

"I must raise my strength as quickly as possible! At the very least, I need to break through to Minor Mastery in Muscle Tempering before the end of the year. Only then will I have some ability to protect myself, perhaps even fight for a better ranking and gain more resources!"

How could he break through quickly? Resources were the key!

He currently had five taels of silver as a standard reward, but that amount was undoubtedly a drop in the bucket if he wanted to buy large quantities of precious medicinal herbs. His greatest hope lay in the daily medicinal cuisine provided by Lin Manor and his monthly medicinal bath quota!

"I must make full use of these benefits!" Li Bufan secretly resolved. "Starting tomorrow, I won't miss a single meal of medicinal cuisine! I also need to calculate my medicinal bath quota carefully and strive to exchange merit for several more sessions!"

In addition, he thought of the two remaining Cinnabar Fruits. Their medicinal power was domineering, and he vividly remembered the effect of the first one he had consumed. Perhaps he could wait for an appropriate time—during a medicinal bath, for instance—then take another one and use the double medicinal power to charge straight into Minor Mastery in Muscle Tempering?

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind as he mapped out his path of cultivation ahead.

At the side, Coach Qin watched Li Bufan's expression change from initial excitement to calm contemplation, even revealing a faintly sharp, enterprising edge. He could not help nodding inwardly. This kid truly was no creature meant to remain in a small pond. He understood at the slightest prompting and possessed an exceptionally strong drive to improve.

"Kid, what are you thinking about? Feeling the pressure already?" Coach Qin asked gruffly.

Li Bufan came back to himself and nodded frankly. "Coach sees clearly. This one has only just arrived and my cultivation is shallow. I will need to cultivate even more diligently in the future, lest I disgrace you."

"Good that you know there's pressure!" Coach Qin said with satisfaction. "Pressure gives rise to motivation! Come on, I'll show you the territory of your Second-Class Guards and tell you how to earn merit."

Li Bufan put away his token, burying that urgency deep in his heart and turning it into unwavering motivation. Following Coach Qin, he strode toward the core area of the Lin Manor Guard district.