After all, not everyone can pass the Martial Examination.

After all, it was not as if just anyone could pass the Martial Examination. Of course, Lin Tian knew perfectly well what the reason was.

Back when he had first entered the Inner Academy, he had been treated this way by everyone.

He understood these things better than anyone.

Lin Tian did not pay it too much mind. After bidding farewell to his Younger Aunt, Lin Ci, he immediately left the Lin Family Old Residence.

As Lin Tian departed, Zhang Cui and Lin Tiansheng behind him immediately stepped forward.

"Grandfather, Cousin, he..."

Lin Tiansheng sounded somewhat hesitant as he spoke.

"Sigh, Lin Tian, that child, is actually not bad. It is just that his aptitude is indeed a little poor."

The Old Master naturally knew what Lin Tiansheng and Zhang Cui had come over intending to do.

It was nothing more than fearing that, after seeing Lin Tian break through to Bright Force, he would also divide out some of the family's money to support Lin Tian.

"Father, there are not many months left before the Martial Examination. You must not get muddleheaded!"

"That Lin Tian spent a full two months before breaking through to Bright Force."

"Someone like him only managed it because his luck was good."

"From now on, he definitely won't have such good luck again!"

Hearing Zhang Cui's words, a trace of consideration flashed through the Old Master's eyes.

But very quickly, he still arrived at an answer.

After all, just now, he had not kept Lin Tian behind.

Even if it had only been saying something like asking him to stay for a meal, it was enough to show the Old Master's attitude toward Lin Tian.

As for Lin Tian breaking through to Bright Force, he was naturally happy.

But if one wanted him to value Lin Tian from this point on, that was impossible.

After all, Lin Tiansheng behind him had only used a month and a half to break through to Bright Force.

This clearly meant he was more talented than Lin Tian.

Of course, at this moment, the other party had overlooked some things.

For example, the resources Lin Tiansheng possessed were simply not something Lin Tian could compare to.

After all, Lin Tiansheng was in the Inner City, with a dedicated master personally guiding him.

Moreover, Blood-Qi Powder, meat, and the like had never been lacking.

Only with all that had he been half a month faster than Lin Tian.

If he had not had those things, the time Lin Tiansheng took to break through would definitely not have been as fast as it was now.

He might even have been far inferior to Lin Tian.

Of course, the old man might also have already realized this.

But what could be done about it?

He had already cultivated Lin Tiansheng for so long now.

And now, Lin Tiansheng had even told him that he was about to break through to Dark Force!

If he pushed a little harder, perhaps he would break through directly before the Martial Examination began.

At that time, if he performed a little better and could place high in the Martial Examination, the Old Master would be able to fulfill his lifelong wish and move into the Inner City.

After that, he would even become the grandfather of a scholar, bringing glory to his ancestors!

As for supporting Lin Tian...

That could wait until after the Martial Examination.

What support ought to be given, he would still make a show of giving.

After all, if Lin Tiansheng placed high in the future, he would also need some helpers, would he not?

Clearly, Lin Tian just happened to be suitable.

As for now... forget it.

For now, it was better to put all his thoughts on Lin Tiansheng.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. Lin Tian... there's no rush."

The Old Master once again spoke to Zhang Cui and Lin Tiansheng before him.

After the two of them received these words from the Old Master, the great stone in their hearts finally dropped to the ground.

They really had been afraid the Old Master would lose his head at a time like this

and give the money that originally belonged to them to Lin Tian's family.

But in the next moment, Lin Tiansheng once again said to the Old Master before him, "Old Master, the martial hall has gotten another occasional batch of new Blood-Qi Pills recently."

"You want to buy more? Didn't you already buy Blood-Qi Pills three times this month?"

"In the past, buying them twice was enough. Why do you need to buy them four times this month?"

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When Lin Tiansheng heard this, his eyes immediately began to dodge somewhat.

But right after, he still said, "grandfather, I've been training rather hard recently, so my pills are being used up a little quickly. Look..."

Seeing his manner, the Old Master could not help frowning as well. "How much do you need this time?"

"Five taels!"

After hearing the Old Master relent, Lin Tiansheng immediately said excitedly.

"Five taels! That much?!"

When the Old Master heard this number, he could not help crying out in shock at once.

The Old Master had a shop behind him as support.

But the speed at which money came in simply could not keep up with the speed at which it went out!

Especially Lin Tiansheng's recent expenses.

By now, they were already about to touch his nest egg.

Seeing this from the side, Zhang Cui hurriedly echoed as well, "Father, this is the final moment before the Martial Examination. It's a good thing that Tiansheng is using up pills quickly. It shows that he's improving!"

"And what you're putting in now isn't money tossed into the waves. Once Tiansheng passes the examination and becomes a xiucai, are you still afraid this money can't be earned back?"

Hearing these words, for some reason, although the Old Master liked hearing them, for some reason, a feeling of bone-deep weariness rose from within his heart.

But in the end, the Old Master still relented and took out the money.

After getting the money, Lin Tiansheng immediately headed toward the Inner City.

Naturally, buying pills would not cost this much.

After all, he was only a Bright Force martial artist.

So of course this money was to be used for other expenses.

After all, he could not very well come out at night to buy pills, could he?

As for the Martial Examination afterward?

Heh, he did not need to worry at all.

If this year did not work, then next year. If not next year, then the year after.

In any case, if he failed, he would just keep taking it.

And then there was that Lin Tian.

He needed to worry about him even less.

After all, even he could not pass. Could someone who had taken two whole months just to break through to Bright Force possibly pass?

Heh, that was simply impossible.

Buzz!!

As a sensation like a warm current spread through his body, another surge of force appeared within Lin Tian's body.

This force was different from the staunch, domineering power of Bright Force.

Instead, it was even more soft, sinister, and unpredictable.

Dark Force—achieved!

Lin Tian opened his eyes.

He sensed for himself that strand of force within his body.

"So this is Dark Force? It really is very different from Bright Force."

Lin Tian then rose to his feet.

At once, he began to circulate that Dark Force.

He threw a punch at a large tree in front of him.

A muffled thud rang out.

On the barely holding tree trunk, a hollow almost perfectly matching Lin Tian's fist appeared at once.

There was not the slightest sign of power leaking outward, nor did it have that ostentatious quality of Bright Force.

Yet the power was even stronger.

Of course, this was not the full extent of Dark Force's applications.

But Lin Tian already had a rough idea of what was going on.

The next day, Lin Tian came to the Martial Academy once more.

As Lin Tian entered, the surrounding disciples greeted Lin Tian just as they had before.

Only, amid those voices, Lin Tian again heard discussions similar to the ones from before.

"Hey, have you heard? Yesterday I heard that after Senior Brother Lin Tian entered the Inner Academy, Master didn't seem to make him offer tea again."

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Are you crazy? Senior Brother Lin Tian is Bright Force now! And you still dare say that!"

"Have you forgotten what happened to Cao Wei before? Senior Brother Lin Tian injured him with one punch, and then he was expelled from the Martial Academy. I heard Senior Brother Cao Wei is still lying in bed even now!"