Hogg's Inquiry

After lunch, Lin Qin followed Steward Hiri to the study of Hogg.

The study was filled with the scent of old books and leather. Hogg Baruch sat behind the desk, wearing a simple gray robe. His expression was stern and his gaze sharp, carrying the unique temperament of a noble, even though the Baruch Clan had long since declined.

"Patriarch." Lin Qin bowed respectfully.

Hogg scrutinized the boy before him. He was only eight years old, yet his physique was much sturdier than his peers. His palms were covered in calluses, his stance was steady, and his eyes were clear and resolute. He remembered Lin Qin; his parents were unremarkable members of a branch family who had passed away during a Magic Beast riot.

"Lin Qin," Hogg began, his voice steady, "I heard from Hillman that your progress in Battle Qi cultivation is very fast."

"Yes, Patriarch." Lin Qin replied. He knew that concealment was meaningless; his progress was plain for all to see.

"To what extent, exactly?" Hogg pressed.

"I just broke through yesterday; I am now a Level 3 Warrior." Lin Qin did not hesitate. On the Yulan Continent, strength was the foundation, and showing it appropriately could earn him more resources.

The study fell silent for a moment. Hogg's fingertips tapped lightly against the desktop. An eight-year-old Level 3 Warrior? Even during the glorious days of the Baruch Clan, this would be considered excellent.

"How have you been training?" Hogg's voice carried a hint of scrutiny.

"One thousand basic sword swings every day, a twenty-kilometer run with weights, and four hours of meditation." Lin Qin stated his daily routine, "Other than that, nothing else."

Hogg looked at him, trying to find traces of a lie, but Lin Qin's gaze was frank. This training volume was terrifying for an eight-year-old, but it was not impossible to complete, especially when combined with some basic Battle Qi manuals and a tenacious will. Even so, this speed was still too fast.

"Are you practicing the basic Battle Qi manual provided by the clan?"

"Yes."

Hogg was silent for a moment. He thought of the shame of the clan's heritage, and he thought of the Dragon Blood Secret Manual that required a high concentration of dragon blood to activate. The boy before him carried the surname Lin, a name belonging to a branch of the Baruch Clan, but he was not of the direct line; the dragon bloodline in his body was likely so thin it could be considered negligible.

What a pity. If only he had enough dragon blood concentration... Hogg suppressed the regret in his heart.

"Your perseverance is excellent." Hogg finally said, "The Baruch Clan prides itself on its warrior heritage. Your hard work is worthy of this honor. Keep going, and do not slack off. If you have any questions about your cultivation, you can ask me or Hillman."

He did not delve deeper. The Yulan Continent was vast and boundless, and there were always exceptions. Perhaps this child was simply one of those born for battle.

"Thank you, Patriarch." Lin Qin bowed again. Hogg's attitude was within his expectations; a fast-growing junior, as long as their background was clean, was always beneficial to the clan.

"Mm, go on." Hogg waved his hand.

Lin Qin exited the study and gently closed the door.

Hogg sat alone in the study, his gaze falling on the massive relief carving of a dragon on the wall, the symbol of the Baruch Clan. He whispered to himself, "Is the Baruch Clan truly about to see a turning point?"

In his heart, a faint spark of hope seemed to have been fanned slightly brighter by the performance of these two children.

Leaving the mansion, Lin Qin did not go back to rest, but instead walked straight toward the woods outside the town. There was a clearing there where he often trained.

Hogg's questioning had not brought him pressure; instead, it had made his own path even clearer. Strength was the only pass.

He drew the broadsword from his back and began to swing it once more.

The Battle Qi of a Level 3 Warrior surged within his body, several times more potent than before. He controlled the Battle Qi, attempting to adhere it to the blade with greater precision.

"Whoosh!" The sword wind was sharp.

He recalled the black shadow he had seen that day, recalling the trajectory of the wind as it swept past. He adjusted the angle of his swings, trying to make the blade conform better to the flow of the air, reducing resistance and increasing speed.

One thousand times, two thousand times...

Sweat soaked his clothes, and his arms began to ache, but the Battle Qi within him became more refined through each cycle of exhaustion and recovery. His understanding of force transmission and his vague perception of "momentum" were also slowly and firmly deepening with each repetition.

He did not know what "Weight as Lightness" was, nor did he know what "momentum" was. He only knew that doing this was effective and could make him stronger.

That was enough.

Deep in the woods, only the sound of the boy's sword cutting through the air and his terrifyingly steady breathing echoed for a long time.