14: Chapter 14 Genius

He first cupped his fists to salute Huang Yuanshan, then scanned the crowd with his gaze, lingering on Lin Tian for a moment longer than necessary, a smirk curling on his lips.

The meaning was clear: "Country bumpkin, watch closely; this is what practicing martial arts is all about."

He took his stance, starting the Five Elements Stance.

The Diamond Stance was heavy and solid, the Green Wood Stance was full of vitality, the Flowing Water Stance was soft and fluid, the Raging Fire Stance was explosive, and the Thick Earth Stance was firm.

The five movements flowed like clouds and water, with breathing coordinated perfectly.

Although still a bit raw, he had indeed reached the entry level.

The wealthy young masters around him cheered one after another:

"Young Master Liu is amazing!"

"He's already reached the entry level in just one month!"

"As expected of the young master of the Liu Family!"

Huang Yuanshan also nodded slightly, a rare trace of approval appearing on his face:

"Not bad. You have reached the entry level of the Five Elements Stance, and your breathing technique is coordinated quite well. To achieve this in a month is not bad at all."

Hearing this, Liu Yunfeng lifted his chin even higher.

He finished the set and stood still, his gaze sweeping toward Lin Tian again, the provocation in his eyes even stronger.

"Did you see that? This is what a Genius is."

Lin Tian looked at his smug expression and just smiled indifferently.

"A Genius?"

Once he stepped onto the field, Liu Yunfeng would know what a real Genius was.

Next, the other Disciples took their turns.

There were those who performed well, executing the Five Elements Stance in a standard manner, with a solid entry-level Realm.

There were also those who performed poorly, with distorted movements and chaotic breathing, clearly not having fully mastered it yet.

But regardless, they were all much better than Lin Tian had been in those first few days.

After one round, out of more than twenty people, fifteen or sixteen had reached the entry-level Realm, though their proficiency varied.

The remaining few hadn't fully entered the Realm, but they weren't far off.

And currently, the best performer was still Liu Yunfeng.

Not only were his movements standard and his breathing well-coordinated, but there was also a faint rumbling sound when his Qi and blood circulated, clearly showing he was already touching the edge of Minor Achievement.

"This kid from the Liu Family has quite good talent." Senior Brother Wang said in a low voice from the side.

Huang Yuanshan was noncommittal, just scanning the field with his gaze before it finally landed on Lin Tian.

It was this kid's turn.

He remembered that a month ago, Lin Tian couldn't even remember all five movements. Now... reaching the entry level would be considered decent.

"Next, Lin Tian." Huang Yuanshan said indifferently.

Lin Tian walked out of the crowd.

A wave of discussion immediately erupted in the field.

"This kid is finally stepping up."

"I heard he practices the most diligently. I wonder how he is now."

"What's the use of being diligent? If your talent is lacking, no amount of diligence will help."

"I reckon he hasn't even fully reached the entry level yet."

Liu Yunfeng sneered out loud: "A country bumpkin is just a country bumpkin. I bet he'll be at the bottom this time. He might even get kicked out for performing too poorly."

His voice wasn't quiet, and everyone around heard him.

A few young masters who were close to him also laughed along:

"Young Master Liu is right. This kind of country bumpkin shouldn't have been standing with us in the first place."

"It would be best to kick him out; out of sight, out of mind."

Lin Tian turned a deaf ear, simply walking to the center of the field and cupping his fists to Huang Yuanshan:

"Master Huang."

Huang Yuanshan nodded, expressionless:

"Begin."

Lin Tian took a deep breath and took his stance.

Diamond Stance, start.

He spread his feet, bent his knees slightly, and kept his waist and back straight like a pine tree.

The movement looked simple, but Huang Yuanshan's eyes suddenly widened.

It was different.

It was completely different from a month ago!

If Lin Tian a month ago was stiff in his movements and weak in his breath, like an infant learning to walk...

Then the current Lin Tian was like a mountain, like a tree—steady, heavy, and possessing a solid Foundation.

Moreover, as his breathing circulated, a low, rumbling sound came from within his body—that was the sound of Qi and blood surging!

When practicing the Five Elements Stance at the entry-level Realm, although Qi and blood circulate quickly, they would never make such an obvious sound.

Only at the Minor Achievement Realm, when Qi and blood are like mercury and surge like a river, would such a sound be produced.

Huang Yuanshan stood up with a "whoosh," his eyes wide open.

The surrounding Disciples were startled.

"What's wrong with Master Huang?"

"Is it because Lin Tian performed so poorly that he angered Master Huang?"

Liu Yunfeng laughed out loud: "It must be because this kid is so terrible that Master Huang can't bear to watch. Maybe he'll personally throw him out!"

Before the words fell, Huang Yuanshan suddenly turned his head and glared at him coldly:

"Shut up!"

Liu Yunfeng was startled, swallowing the rest of his words.

He shrank his neck, but in his heart, he resented Lin Tian even more—it was all this country bumpkin's fault for getting him scolded in public!

Huang Yuanshan ignored him, his gaze fixed on Lin Tian in the field.

At this moment, Lin Tian had already moved to the second movement, the Green Wood Stance.

He held his hands in a void, as if holding a green tree.

His breathing was long and steady, full of vitality.

With his breathing, the surrounding air seemed to be stirred, and a faint scent of vegetation drifted about.

The third movement, Flowing Water Stance.

His figure flowed like water, soft yet firm.

The circulation of Qi and blood was smooth and perfect, without the slightest stagnation.

The fourth movement, Raging Fire Stance.

His Aura changed abruptly, like a raging fire burning the sky.

The Qi and blood under his skin surged, faintly glowing red, and a scorching heat came from the air.

The fifth movement, Thick Earth Stance.

He ended the stance and returned to his origin, as stable as a rock.

The Qi and blood around his body slowly calmed down, but that heavy and solid feeling was deeply imprinted in everyone's heart.

He finished the set and stood still.

Lin Tian slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air; that breath actually condensed into a white arrow of Qi, flying three feet away before slowly dissipating.

The whole place was deathly silent.

Everyone looked at Lin Tian blankly, then at Huang Yuanshan, their minds blank.

Liu Yunfeng's mouth was agape, his eyes almost popping out.

What did he just say? That Lin Tian was terrible? That he would be thrown out?

This... this is called terrible?

Huang Yuanshan stared at Lin Tian, and after a long while, he spoke with a trembling voice:

"Minor... Minor Achievement Realm?"

He paused, his voice suddenly raised:

"That's right! It is the Minor Achievement Realm! Minor Achievement in the Five Elements Stance! You kid... actually cultivated the Five Elements Stance to the Minor Achievement Realm in one month!"

This remark exploded like thunder.

"Minor Achievement?"

"One month? Minor Achievement?"

"Are you kidding me!"

"We can barely reach the entry level, and he's at Minor Achievement?"

Liu Yunfeng screamed: "Impossible! I don't believe it! He must have cheated! He..."

"Smack!"

A slap landed hard on his face.

Huang Yuanshan retracted his hand and said coldly: "I told you to shut up, didn't you hear me?"

Liu Yunfeng covered his face, tears welling up in his eyes.

He had never been hit since he was born.

But the person who hit him was the martial arts instructor, so he didn't dare to even let out a fart, only gritting his teeth and glaring at Lin Tian with resentful eyes.

Huang Yuanshan didn't look at him anymore.

When he turned to look at Lin Tian, his face had changed to an amiable smile:

"Little guy, that was a decent practice, wasn't it? Hmph, the Five Elements Stance at the Minor Achievement Realm, flowing like clouds and water, with Qi and blood like mercury. If this only counts as 'decent', then what do the others count as?"

He looked Lin Tian up and down, becoming more satisfied the more he looked:

"You are that Genius the Hall Master mentioned, right? Mountain-Opening Fist at Minor Achievement in three months, and now Five Elements Stance at Minor Achievement in one month... Good! Good! Good!"

Three "good"s in a row were enough to show his inner excitement.

The wealthy young masters around were all dumbfounded.

Master Huang had always been expressionless and cold in tone toward them.

Yet, toward this country bumpkin, he smiled so amiably and praised him endlessly.

Liu Yunfeng was about to go crazy.

A Genius?

This country bumpkin he looked down upon was actually a Genius personally recruited by the martial arts hall's Hall Master?

He had even mocked the other party, provoked him, and even wanted to kick him out...

He was truly stupid to the core!

Huang Yuanshan walked up to Lin Tian and patted him on the shoulder:

"Little guy, having cultivated the Five Elements Stance to the Minor Achievement Realm, you can already start Cultivating the next stage of martial arts."

He paused, his voice gentle:

"Come to my residence early tomorrow morning. I will teach you the 'Five Elements Fist'."