An Inner Disciple's Place Secured

"Hmph, don't celebrate too soon. I've reached full mastery in skin refining too."

A vicious gleam flashed in Li Shun's eyes as he charged at Su Yan at tremendous speed, swinging a punch with immense force.

He was skilled at fishing and could catch Treasure Fish year after year to nourish his body. Though his physique and blood vitality fell short of Su Yan's, he still possessed considerable strength.

His attack now had some momentum behind it.

Su Yan met him with a cold smile, thinking, With an aura like that, he's only on par with a Bear.

He strode forward and turned his body aside, letting Li Shun's punch pass him by.

Li Shun reacted swiftly, turning his punch into a downward chop, like the move Old Ape Strikes the Crown.

"Minor mastery of Monkey Fist."

Su Yan's gaze flickered. He extended his left arm and caught the strike with one hand, his grip as secure as an iron shackle.

Li Shun's expression changed drastically. Unable to pull free, he immediately thrust his other hand low, striking at Su Yan's heart like a venomous snake.

He moved swiftly, attacking to break the hold, but the slight movements of his arm, shoulder, and the rest of his body could not escape Su Yan's eyes.

A fist technique at minor mastery was practiced, but its movements generally still left traces to read.

Moreover, although Li Shun had attained minor mastery of Monkey Fist, he had little experience fighting for his life. His attacks were vicious, but lacked decisiveness.

"Take this!"

Su Yan wrenched the arm he had used to strike downward, then stepped forward, driving his blood vitality to the front of his body. His strength rose from the ground, his momentum turned with his waist, and he slammed heavily into Li Shun before the latter's attack could land.

His shoulder was as heavy and terrifying as a battering ram. Li Shun flew backward at once, a dull thud mingling with the crack of breaking bone.

"The fifth..."

Their exchange had been over in a flash, lasting no more than two moves.

Yet one stood with his back straight as a pine, while the other lay on the ground with a broken arm, veins bulging from the pain.

The difference between them was clear at a glance.

"Such ruthless methods. Such decisive fighting."

Li Chuan and the others were inwardly startled by the way Su Yan fought.

Su Yan swept his gaze over the remaining disciples, as though asking a question.

But at this point, who would provoke this walking calamity?

Li Shun had reached full mastery in skin refining and still lasted only two moves. Even if they went up and managed a few more, what difference would it make?

If their arms or legs were broken, or if they performed too poorly...

For a moment, the courtyard fell silent. Li Jinshan was the first to react. "Junior Brother Su, come down for now. You've won this bout."

Only after he said that did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

Without having to face Su Yan in the ring, they would have more opportunities to show what they could do. That benefited everyone.

"Yes. Thank you, Senior Brother."

Su Yan stepped down from the ring and stood among the crowd.

At Li Jinshan's direction, a new defender took over for the remaining bouts.

This time, however, no one got to win and then be replaced the way Su Yan had.

Dian Jing became the defender first. He fought three to five rounds, trading blows with his opponents, and defeated Ma Xiaodong when he came up later.

Afterward, he lost to Liu Yinglong.

Liu Yinglong defended the ring for several rounds, then fought Li Ying when he came up, losing by a single move.

His strength exhausted, Li Ying defended for one more round before losing to a disciple who had only attained minor mastery in skin refining but full mastery of his fist technique.

It took over an hour before the bouts finally ended.

With the assessment over, the disciples stood straight and waited for the results.

Some looked dispirited. With Su Yan's pearl and jade already on display, even a good performance from them would likely leave their chances greatly diminished.

"One month of martial training, and full mastery of Stance Training, his fist technique, and skin refining."

Bai Changlin smiled and looked to either side. "Elder Li, Elder Yi, Su Yan should take first place in this assessment. What do you think?"

"He rightfully deserves first place. With ability like this, blood moving and origin nurturing may well be within his reach someday. He belongs among the disciples of our Golden Ape Martial Arts Hall."

Li Chuan nodded immediately, his words full of praise.

Yi Feng nodded. "Indeed, his ability deserves first place. As for second and third, Li Ying and Liu Yinglong are good choices."

Bai Changlin's gaze shifted slightly. He understood Yi Feng's little calculation perfectly well.

Yi Feng oversaw the Martial Arts Hall's affairs outside the mountains, managing its many shops and businesses. Inevitably, people would put in a word with him—for Li Ying and Liu Yinglong, for instance.

"Then Su Yan will take first place. Arrange his quarters in the Inner Courtyard. Jinshan, see to it."

"Yes, Master."

An unusual look flashed through Yi Feng's and Li Chuan's eyes. "The Inner Courtyard? Then the other disciples..."

"He's sixteen and has attained full mastery of Stance Training. If they have the same ability, let them enter the Inner Courtyard too. They may also enter if they reach the Blood Shifting Realm."

Bai Changlin merely answered calmly. Most Inner Gate disciples lived in the Middle Courtyard; only a select few whom he valued lived in the Inner Courtyard.

Inner Gate disciples were disciples of the Martial Arts Hall's Inner Gate, but those living in the Inner Courtyard were disciples of Bai Changlin himself.

Their regular martial instruction came from Bai Changlin. The Inner Gate disciples in the Middle Courtyard also received guidance, but the elders Li Chuan and Yi Feng could instruct them as well.

The debt of gratitude for that instruction was naturally different.

With Su Yan's position settled, the rankings of the remaining disciples were decided one after another.

Li Shun, Dian Jing, and the other three who had reached full mastery in skin refining were all accepted as inner disciples, along with the disciple who had attained full mastery of his fist technique.

The rest could only wait for the next assessment.

Of the six, three were assigned to Li Chuan's instruction and three to Yi Feng's.

Perhaps because Yi Feng managed the Martial Arts Hall's external affairs, both Li Ying and Liu Yinglong were placed under him, along with Li Shun.

Li Chuan handled affairs within the mountains. He personally chose Dian Jing, and also took Ma Xiaodong and Zhou Yan, who had attained minor mastery in skin refining, under his instruction.

"Junior Brother, come with me."

As everyone dispersed, Li Jinshan came personally to find Su Yan, a hint of a smile appearing on his stern, square face.

"Master and us True Disciples all live in the Inner Courtyard. You'll live there from now on too, Junior Brother, so Master can instruct you more easily."

They entered the Inner Courtyard. Old trees stood within it, their crowns dense with foliage, while numerous ornamental rock formations divided the space. It was a fine, spacious courtyard, somewhat larger than either the Middle Courtyard or the Outer Courtyard.

"The Inner Courtyard has a gatehouse too. I'll show you your room first. If you need anything, tell the servant at the gatehouse, and he'll arrange it. Master lives in the small courtyard furthest inside. Tomorrow, I'll take you there to learn the Golden Ape Jade Body Art and the Savage Ape Three Forms."

Li Jinshan led Su Yan to a room of his own. Its furnishings were simple, but by no means shabby.

There was a carved hardwood bed in black and red, a writing table, a chair, and a number of ornaments.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Su Yan thanked him, but Li Jinshan waved a hand. "These are all things an inner disciple is entitled to. Master doesn't personally teach many disciples, so we ought to grow closer in the days ahead. For now, though, given your situation, you should break through to the sinew and bone realm first. That will make it easier for you to enter the Great Wilderness Mountains with us."

Su Yan's gaze flickered. "Senior Brother, I heard the Great Wilderness Mountains will be opened. Is that what you mean?"

Hearing Su Yan mention it, Li Jinshan grinned. "It's no surprise you know about the Mountain-Splitting. But that isn't what I mean this time. Inner Gate disciples are expected to enter the mountains anyway."

He considered briefly, recalling that Su Yan had been admitted to the Inner Courtyard by their master and would certainly be one of their own in the future.

So he said, "If you want to advance in martial arts, life-and-death combat is indispensable. Inner disciples are expected to train in the mountains, hone their skills, and kill Savage Beasts. Besides, the Golden Source Martial Hall has holdings in the Great Wilderness Mountains that we need to look after carefully."

"What holdings?"

Su Yan merely asked out of curiosity, but Li Jinshan answered with a smile. "Not many. Two or three stockaded settlements."