Lin Fan knew nothing of the schemes and plots targeting him. Even if he had known, he would only have smiled in disdain. With his current strength, he could run rampant through the outer court without restraint. All schemes and plots were paper tigers.
He was immersed in the joy of his rapid progress in the Body Tempering Art.
Body Tempering Art (perfection 5010/9000)...5500...6000...6500.
By noon, his Body Tempering Art had reached 6,500 progress points. Just another 2,500 would bring him to body tempering perfection-the realm of Dragon Roar and Tiger Howl.
Feeling the seemingly boundless strength within his body, Lin Fan's lips curved into a confident smile.
After eating, Lin Fan went to Young Master Tang's training room to wait for him. He did not know whether Young Master Tang would come, but Young Master Tang was worth an afternoon's wait.
His current strength was inseparable from Young Master Tang. Had Young Master Tang not chosen him as a human stake, he could not have secretly learned the Body Tempering Art here, nor learned the Gang-Breaking Fist and Gale Leg, and he would not have been able to turn the tables and kill the bandits.
Lin Fan was someone who repaid kindness. He would repay Young Master Tang's kindness a hundredfold.
Of course, waiting did not waste Lin Fan's time. Even seated, he could circulate his Qi and blood to temper his body, and his progress in the Body Tempering Art continued to rise rapidly.
An hour passed, then two hours, then three, yet there was still no sign of Young Master Tang.
Meanwhile, Lin Fan's progress in the Body Tempering Art had reached 7,400 points, just 1,600 short of perfection.
Just as Lin Fan thought he would not see Young Master Tang today, a familiar figure appeared in the doorway. It was none other than Young Master Tang.
Lin Fan smiled and stood up. "Young Master Tang, you're here."
Young Master Tang motioned for Lin Fan to sit, looking at him in surprise. "Sit. I thought you wouldn't make it back. To think you were the only survivor among the outer court disciples. You're really lucky."
"My luck has always been good since I met you, Young Master Tang," Lin Fan replied. He meant every word.
Young Master Tang shook his head and chuckled. "You certainly know what to say. Have a cup of tea, then we'll begin."
In the training room, two figures chased and fled. Young Master Tang pursued, and Lin Fan evaded.
Although Young Master Tang held the absolute initiative, he found it incredibly difficult to defeat Lin Fan. Lin Fan's punches and kicks always interrupted his Gale Leg and Gang-Breaking Fist from unexpected angles, right where his openings lay.
He found it extraordinary. How could a martial apprentice who had barely reached entry level in the Gang-Breaking Fist and Gale Leg spot his openings so easily?
He had tried asking Lin Fan how he did it, but Lin Fan had answered with just one word: "Instinct."
Young Master Tang did not doubt him. He could think of no other explanation. Surely it could not be because Lin Fan was an expert far stronger than him, looking down from a lofty vantage point and thus easily seeing through his openings?
Prodigies under heaven were as numerous as carp crossing a river. Some were born with powerful combat instincts and were called combat geniuses. He had never expected to encounter one among the human stakes.
This was an enormous blessing for him. Only by discovering openings could he eliminate them, and constantly reducing one's openings was precisely the path toward perfection in martial arts.
He kept adjusting, eliminating his openings one by one, until at a certain moment, he finally felt the bottleneck to major accomplishment in the Gang-Breaking Fist shatter completely.
"Hahaha..." He laughed excitedly, his face flushed. "My Gang-Breaking Fist has reached major accomplishment! Wonderful!"
"Congratulations, Young Master Tang," Lin Fan promptly offered.
"Lin Fan, you really are my lucky star. Say no more-I'm rewarding you with ten taels of silver today." Young Master Tang waved his hand, generous with his money.
"Thank you, Young Master Tang!"
Lin Fan's voice rose several notches. He did not look down on ten taels of silver just because he was now wealthy. Someone who had been poor would treasure every copper coin.
Lin Fan looked at the Fate Panel, his smile widening.
Fate owner: Lin Fan Fate trait: Heaven Rewards Diligence (persevere without fail, and success is certain; no realm barriers of any kind) Aptitude: ordinary Cultivation arts: Iron Cloth Shirt (perfection) Gang-Breaking Fist (major accomplishment 580/1400), progress +1 with each practice. Gale Leg (Intent Realm). Body Tempering Art (perfection 7400/9000), progress +1 with each practice.
His Gang-Breaking Fist was drawing ever closer to major accomplishment. Now that Young Master Tang's Gang-Breaking Fist had reached major accomplishment, further sparring would triple his progress. He would take flight.
Young Master Tang did not stop sparring. With his Gang-Breaking Fist at major accomplishment, he naturally wanted to experience it properly. Lin Fan resisted with even greater "difficulty," yet remained standing throughout.
Young Master Tang had thought he would swiftly knock Lin Fan down after reaching major accomplishment, but Lin Fan could still strike his openings.
Young Master Tang was shocked by how terrifying Lin Fan's combat instincts were, yet was also exceptionally delighted, because his Gang-Breaking Fist could still improve rapidly.
Lin Fan was delighted too, because his progress in the Gang-Breaking Fist had doubled, shooting upward like a rocket.
About half an hour later, Young Master Tang's Gale Leg also broke through to major accomplishment. His laughter nearly shook a hole through the roof.
"Hahaha...what a thrill! What a thrill!" Young Master Tang cheered and leaped for joy.
"Lin Fan, two blessings at once! Another ten taels of silver for you!"
"Thank you, Young Master Tang!"
Both were delighted. Young Master Tang was so immersed in his rapid improvement that he could not tear himself away. Instead of leaving early as usual, he trained until dusk before reluctantly departing.
Lin Fan headed toward the dining hall. Just then, a series of shouts caught his attention.
"Junior Brother Li Feng's Iron Cloth Shirt has reached major accomplishment! He will soon go to the inner court to become Hall Master Ma's disciple. All outer court disciples, assemble to see him off!"
Zhang Yu's lackeys ran throughout the outer court spreading the news. Lin Fan had not intended to pay any attention, but Han Feng specifically sought him out and brought him to the assembly point.
Once all the outer court disciples had lined up, Lin Fan was placed in the middle of the front row. Zhang Yu led Li Feng over and stood directly in front of Lin Fan.
Li Feng's gaze landed on Lin Fan, making no effort to conceal his contempt and mockery. Zhang Yu was the same.
Lin Fan curled his lip. Two ants. You'd better not leave the grounds. The moment you do will be the hour of your deaths. He secretly disdained them. Crushing these two to death now would be no harder than crushing an ant.
"Today is a day of great celebration! Junior Brother Li Feng's Iron Cloth Shirt has reached major accomplishment, and shortly, he will become Hall Master Ma's final disciple. Let us offer Junior Brother Li our congratulations."
Zhang Yu spoke in a booming voice, looking as though he shared in the honor, and led the applause. Whatever the other outer court disciples thought, they could only clap along.
Lin Fan, standing completely motionless, abruptly stood out.
Zhang Yu's expression turned cold, and Li Feng narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Lin Fan, why aren't you clapping? A genius disciple has emerged from the outer court. That is an honor for all of us outer court disciples. Where is your sense of collective pride?" Zhang Yu pointed at Lin Fan and berated him.
"Heh..." Lin Fan gave a mocking smile. "What kind of senior brother are you? You don't even know my shoulder bone is cracked? How am I supposed to clap-with my two ass cheeks? Then I might as well just fart and call it setting off firecrackers."
Hearing this, the others wanted to laugh but dared not. Their faces turned red from holding it in.
Zhang Yu and Li Feng's faces were red too, but theirs were red with anger.