Unexpected Visit

This probationary disciple took up the stance.

He raised himself into the opening form.

Mm, it hurt!

The probationary disciple endured it, beads of sweat the size of beans pouring out.

He thought of that young man's speed and slowed down as well.

Once he slowed down, the pain truly eased. It was as though he had found the method.

He was overjoyed inside, and even a smug look appeared on his face.

The probationary disciples below had watched him the entire time. Seeing this, every one of them steadied their hearts, nearly cheering.

But those cheering expressions had only just surfaced and had not yet spread when their smiles froze.

Then a scream rang out.

"Ah... it hurts!"

Bang!

The heavy crash of a body hitting the ground sounded like a slap directly across the probationary disciples' faces.

"Th-this, even slowing down failed." The voice trembled slightly.

Their fantasies had shattered.

"Hmph! How could there be such a good thing under heaven? Otherwise, the Huang Family Martial Hall would have long since been overflowing with people. Would there still be room for you?"

Senior Brother Tao's words drifted over like an invisible finishing blow, forcing them to face the reality before them.

Lin Xiaotian watched the entire time, his expression calm.

From the moment that probationary disciple took up the stance, the outcome had already been decided, unless he truly possessed talent for the Martial Dao;

or possessed special Blood Qi like Lin Xiaotian's.

Otherwise, how could he possibly succeed?

Lin Xiaotian silently felt the Blood Qi nourish his muscles and bones. Though his injuries had become extremely minor, they would still need half a day to fully heal.

If he returned to that world within the crack and absorbed that mist again, could he make his Blood Qi stronger still?

For some reason, he actually began looking forward to it.

However, he knew that even if he went, his Blood Qi probably would not improve any further.

Unless there was something of higher quality than that mist.

Senior Brother Tao took the opportunity to launch into another long lecture. One by one, the youths shook off their embarrassment and became fired up with fighting spirit again.

At the end of the day, most of those who came here were from ordinary households, all seeking to turn their lives around.

In the end, reality still drove them onward. They stepped forward bravely and continued practicing atop the stances.

More than half a day later, screams rang out without end. Yet only one person had barely succeeded.

But when he came down, his legs and feet were injured as well, and he could only barely walk.

By comparison, they felt even more strongly that this brother named Lin Xiaotian possessed terrifying talent on the path of martial cultivation.

Mixed within those people's gazes and flattery was a faint trace of jealousy.

Naturally, he did not take it to heart.

He only secretly rejoiced for a moment before returning to normal.

If I didn't have this Blood Qi, I'd be worse than these people! I definitely wouldn't have passed.

Lin Xiaotian knew himself well.

Today's training was considered over. The setting sun cast down its light, scattering a swath of golden afterglow.

Could it be that among the several dozen people trying out, only he and that barely qualified person would remain? This elimination rate was far too outrageous.

At this moment, Senior Brother Tao stepped out again:

"Alright. You have more or less learned this stance method on your first day, but why have we given you three days?"

The listless probationary disciples all raised their heads, hope appearing in their eyes.

"To be honest, I am very surprised that two people passed on their first attempt. Under normal circumstances, failing the first time is the norm."

Now there was light in the probationary disciples' eyes.

"This Stake Skill is extremely difficult, but the process of practicing it itself removes your impurities, allowing your body's true potential to surface."

"For those who truly possess the qualifications for the Martial Dao, these three days are your best period of tempering. Once the impurities fade and your talent reveals itself, you may enter Initiation."

After those words, everyone saw hope.

Over the next two days, they practiced even more diligently.

Of course, the price was severe as well.

Many suffered serious injuries and could no longer continue practicing.

Some, however, suffered lighter injuries. Their bones were unharmed; only their muscles had been injured.

If these people gritted their teeth and endured, then so long as they persisted, there was a high chance they could complete the entire set of Stake Skill forms.

Senior Brother Tao watched throughout.

For those too seriously injured to continue, he could only express regret.

Before the results came out, no one knew whether forcing themselves to continue would result in broken bones or severe muscle damage.

But on the path of Martial Dao, one had to undergo such cruel selection in order to achieve Initiation.

For those whose bones had been seriously injured,

Senior Brother Tao also took out yellow pills for them to swallow.

"Rest and recover properly. Aside from the path of Martial Dao, it is not as though you have no other opportunities."

That was the consolation they received after swallowing the yellow pills.

Three days quickly passed.

The final day's trial demonstration was especially cruel.

Many people suffered serious injuries once more and had no choice but to withdraw.

In the end, only two more disciples were added.

That was to say, among this batch of several dozen people, only four had passed.

Aside from Lin Xiaotian, who was uninjured, the other three were all hurt, even during their second and third demonstrations.

Lin Xiaotian also knew that his performance had been too different from the others, so afterward, he began pretending to be injured.

To make it convincing, he even deliberately injured himself.

"Damn it, they're truly injured, while I have to put on a performance every time..." Lin Xiaotian grumbled inwardly.

Senior Brother Tao looked at him with a complicated expression and gave his shoulder a heavy pat.

"Junior Brother Lin truly is... unlike the rest."

Lin Xiaotian took advantage of the opening to press his advantage.

"Senior Brother Tao, since you say I'm unlike the rest, then could the twenty taels for the official tuition perhaps..."

"Stop right there." Senior Brother Tao rejected him sternly. "Junior Brother Lin, those twenty taels are merely costs. Practicing the Martial Dao requires more than cultivation methods; there are also medicinal pills and supplements."

"Every martial hall has its secret pill formulas, which are of tremendous help to Martial Dao cultivation."

"Otherwise, why do you think those Lineage powers, who themselves have Internal Force experts, still send their own descendants to learn in martial halls?"

"Besides the Martial Dao inheritance, it is because of these precious medicinal formulas."

Lin Xiaotian nodded.

Senior Brother Tao then entered the rear courtyard. He bowed before a simple wooden cottage and waited.

A short while later, the door opened, and a voice that sounded somewhat aged but not truly old came from within.

"How was this batch?"

Senior Brother Tao bowed.

"Reporting to Master, there were four in this batch. The rest failed to achieve Initiation and were injured. I gave them all healing medicine, so there should not be any major lasting effects."

"Mm, that is good."

"However, Master, there is one rather interesting youth among this batch."

"You mean that youth called Lin Xiaotian? I observed him in secret. He has already passed the best age, yet unexpectedly, he managed to achieve Initiation."

"Yes, Master. He is quite bold. He even kept muttering about learning martial arts for free..."

Afterward, Senior Brother Tao poured out his interactions with the youth over the past few days like beans from a jar.

After hearing this, Master's voice remained calm.

"He truly is somewhat different from the other youths."

"That older sister of his, Song Wanyan, is said to have grown up here from childhood, yet my memory of her is somewhat vague. I have always felt that there is something special about that girl."

"It makes sense, then, that the younger brother she acknowledged would be so interesting as well."

"Then Master, what do you mean..."

Master's voice came from inside the room again:

"You, you. As the senior brother of this hall, you cannot always be thinking of pinching your own Household's silver. If we do not collect silver, how can this martial hall continue operating?"

Master directly cut off what he had been about to say next.

At this moment, Lin Xiaotian had returned to his residence and was feeling somewhat confused.

Ever since the first day he returned from the martial hall, his sister had hurriedly left and told him she needed to go away for a while.

At the time, he had not paid much attention to it.

But several days had already passed, and she had not returned. He could not help but grow worried.

Could Sister have gone to find a way to pay my tuition?

Once that thought emerged, it became impossible to stop, and wave after wave of worry rose in his mind.

Just as his heart was unsettled, a sudden "knock, knock" sounded from outside the courtyard.

Lin Xiaotian looked at the dark outdoors in surprise. Still, he walked over and opened the courtyard gate.

If his sister had returned at this hour, she would not knock like this. She would simply open the door herself.

But the instant he opened the courtyard gate, he became even more puzzled:

"Young Master Qin, why have you come at this hour?"