23: Instructor Wu Song

Bai Sheng, who noticed the change in Lin Shu's expression, waved his hand.

He said in an exaggerated tone,

"Oh, why that expression? It's a bit too sappy."

"It's all small stuff, we're friends."

"Friends should help each other, shouldn't they?"

Lin Shu nodded. Help isn't just talked about; it's acted upon.

He kept this matter in his heart.

Although he didn't have much now, Lin Shu believed his future would be vast and boundless.

He had that confidence.

"Have you decided? Are you going?"

"Of course!"

Lin Shu affirmed that he would fight for anything that could make him stronger.

Upon receiving an affirmative reply, Bai Sheng sent the address via Feixin.

"Here, the address has been sent. Take a look."

"Okay."

He took out his phone and searched for the address.

He found that Praying Mantis Martial Hall was quite close to the Central District city center.

It was only 5 kilometers from White Cloud Dojo.

Bai Sheng glanced at the time on his wrist-watch.

"Alright, it's around one o'clock now, the timing is perfect."

"You can go and check it out."

Hearing this, Lin Shu thought about it and also felt it was acceptable.

"Alright, I'll head over shortly."

"What are you waiting for?"

"Still want to beat me a few more times, huh?"

Bai Sheng showed a very sad expression.

"Haha, how could I?"

"I'm just a little stronger than you now; you'll definitely catch up later."

"Hmm, I like hearing that."

"You finally said something true."

Bai Sheng had an expression that suggested it was only natural.

After a brief five-minute rest,

"Then I'll head over."

"Go."

After greeting Bai Sheng, Lin Shu didn't hesitate.

He left White Cloud Arena with Hei Ye and Tu Yao.

He headed to Praying Mantis Martial Hall.

The journey was very smooth.

At 1:30 PM, Lin Shu arrived at the entrance of Praying Mantis Martial Hall.

The martial hall's exterior was grand and imposing, with a sense of solemnity that struck him.

The surrounding wall was built of bluestone, tall and ancient.

Above the open gate was a painting.

In the painting, a mantis had its arms crossed, forming an "X."

It had a unique feel to it.

Stepping through the martial hall's gate, he walked onto the bluestone paved ground.

The ground was flat and clean.

He arrived at a spacious courtyard.

Before Lin Shu could even start looking for staff within Praying Mantis Martial Hall,

a loud voice rang out.

"Little brother, are you here to learn saber techniques with your imperial beast?"

Immediately after, a middle-aged man, about thirty-something, walked out.

The man stared at Hei Ye, as if trying to see through him.

This made Hei Ye a bit uneasy; this strange person seemed very strong.

However, he still met his gaze despite his fear.

"Yes, I was introduced by a friend."

"So I came to take a look."

Hearing this, the middle-aged man nodded.

"I am Instructor Wu, an instructor at Praying Mantis Martial Hall."

"Your little mantis is good, it has guts."

Many mantises before him would scatter in fear upon seeing him,

let alone meet his gaze.

Lin Shu stroked Hei Ye's back armor, which slightly reassured Hei Ye and gave him confidence.

"Then Instructor Wu, how do I sign up?"

"Follow me first."

He then waved his hand and walked forward with large strides.

On the way, they passed a training ground.

Various mantises were training saber techniques there.

Such as Demon Mantis, Azure Jade Mantis, Great Saber Mantis, and so on.

There were many types, like a mantis encyclopedia.

This scene was quite novel.

It seemed like everyone in the field was a beginner.

Each mantis's execution of the techniques was somewhat clumsy.

Their postures, while not fluid, could be described as a complete mess.

They could barely complete a full sequence.

"These are all new students, just starting to practice saber techniques."

Seeing this scene, Instructor Wu also explained.

In that case, it was normal.

Then he led Lin Shu to the outside of a white building.

Three large characters were written above the white building.

Registration Office.

Inside, the furnishings were very simple.

Only a table and a few stools were placed there.

After inviting Lin Shu to sit down, Instructor Wu began to explain.

"The registration fee is 20,000 daxia currency."

"But it only teaches one saber form."

"As long as your mantis masters this saber form within fourteen days,"

"you can continue to learn, and all previous fees will be refunded."

Then he changed his tone, saying with a serious expression,

"If the condition is not met within fourteen days,"

"then there's nothing more to it; you will have noedge with Praying Mantis Martial Hall."

"No fees will be refunded either."

"I've said what I needed to say, so think it over carefully."

Instructor Wu sat on the small stool, waiting for Lin Shu's answer.

After hearing this, Lin Shu was a bit puzzled.

"Wasn't it within ten days before?"

"How did it become fourteen days?"

His expression showed some confusion.

Instructor Wu sighed.

He seemed to be very troubled by this question as well.

"Mainly because there are fewer and fewer students recently."

"And the pass rate is getting lower and lower."

"That's why the Hall Master lowered the threshold."

Instructor Wu's expression showed indignation and a hint of helplessness.

Many people are no longer interested in saber techniques now, after all, imperial beasts have many skills.

Why focus on saber techniques when the difficulty of learning is not proportional to the reward?

That's why it gradually became like this.

So that's it, Lin Shu understood the reason.

It was evident that Praying Mantis Martial Hall was starting to decline.

Lin Shu didn't think much about it; after all, he was there to learn.

It had no impact on him.

"I'm signing up. How do I pay?"

Instructor Wu pointed to a few QR codes on the wall.

Then he took out two contracts from a drawer.

It seemed quite formal.

"Take a look first. If there are no issues, just sign."

Lin Shu picked up the contract and read it.

The content was very little and very simple.

After carefully checking that there were no problems, he quickly signed and handed it over.

He put away the contracts and gave one to Lin Shu.

"Those few over there, and cash, are all fine."

Without hesitation, he paid directly.

"Ding."

Payment successful, a message popped up from his mobile bank.

-20000, balance remaining 44352.08.

Instructor Wu checked to confirm if the money had been received.

"Okay, it's arrived on my end."

Hearing this, Lin Shu immediately said,

"Then when does the teaching start, Instructor Wu?"

Instructor Wu lowered his head and thought for a moment; he had something to do in the afternoon.

It seemed he wouldn't have time to teach today.

The other teachers in Praying Mantis Martial Hall were also off today.

Only tomorrow then.

"I'm sorry, I have something to take care of today."

"How about tomorrow noon? Does that work for you?"

Instructor Wu also showed an apologetic expression.

He discussed it with Lin Shu.

"Okay, then Instructor Wu, I'll come tomorrow noon."

It didn't really matter to Lin Shu.

Tomorrow it is, he wasn't in such a hurry anyway.

"Thank you, I'll personally teach you tomorrow!"

"Alright, then I'll head back first."

Ending the conversation, Lin Shu walked out of Praying Mantis Martial Hall.

He prepared to return to White Cloud Dojo.

Around four o'clock, he returned to the dojo...