Initiation, Dragon-Tiger Venerable Master

At the martial arts hall entrance, Little Loudspeaker folded her arms and looked around.

Beside her, Lion-Head Buddha stood expressionless.

"Sister Buddha, didn't you say you didn't want A Wen before?" Little Loudspeaker asked.

"I didn't know his Comprehension was so good," Lion-Head Buddha said mildly. "I misjudged him."

"All right," Little Loudspeaker said.

Lion-Head Buddha patted her head. "Don't worry. A Wen becoming a Straw Sandal in Hesheng Tu and serving as your Head Instructor are two different matters. I won't interfere."

After a pause, Lion-Head Buddha asked, "What made you think of making him Head Instructor back then? He was only an ordinary Black Membrane Martial Artist."

Little Loudspeaker grinned. "I have a good eye! I knew all along A Wen was a late-blooming talent!"

Li Xiuwen came out and stopped when he saw Lion-Head Buddha's explosive hairstyle. "What brings you to the martial arts hall, boss?"

After a moment's silence, Lion-Head Buddha smiled. "You know perfectly well."

"A Wen, come be a Straw Sandal in Hesheng Tu," Little Loudspeaker said. "Sister Buddha and I will have your back!"

Li Xiuwen had known Hesheng Tu would come looking for him.

He thought for a moment. "What are the benefits?"

"Hesheng Tu's Straw Sandals have three ranks: Straw Sandal, Cloth Shoe, and Reserve Red Pole," Lion-Head Buddha said.

"Generally, Snake Muscle Martial Artists and ordinary Python Muscle Martial Artists are Straw Sandals.

"Veterans at Python Muscle Peak who have rendered great service, or people as gifted as Little Loudspeaker,

"can be initiated as Cloth Shoes as soon as they enter Python Muscle.

"By rights, someone like you, who's just entered the Second Gate, should start as a basic Straw Sandal.

"But your Comprehension is good. I spoke to the boss, and he agreed to make an exception and give