25: Chapter 25 Fiery Martial Arts School

Lin Dashan could barely breathe under the pressure of that Qi and blood, his shirt soaked with cold sweat on his back.

But he did not retreat.

"Second-in-Command, please bear witness!" He clasped his fists and lowered his head, his voice trembling but clear. "This matter is absolutely true; I would not dare utter a single falsehood. Lin Tian's parents are right here. If Second-in-Command does not believe me, you can ask them yourself."

Zhao was pushed out, her face deathly pale and her legs trembling. But she still gathered her courage and nodded vigorously:

"It... it's true! My son Lin Tian has indeed become a First-Rank Martial Artist and is a formal Disciple at Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall!"

Lin Dashan also stepped forward and nodded silently.

The Second-in-Command narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping across their faces as if judging the truth.

Just then, two men walked out from the gang members, approached the Second-in-Command, and whispered:

"Second-in-Command, yesterday we met someone on the road carrying bags, claiming to be a Disciple of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall named Lin Tian. At the time, he produced his waist token and showed off a bit; his burst of Qi and blood cracked the ground. He is indeed a First-Rank Martial Artist."

The Second-in-Command raised an eyebrow.

Lin Tian, Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, Lin Family Village.

It all matched.

He remained silent for a moment before slowly withdrawing the pressure of his Qi and blood. The suffocating pressure vanished instantly, and Lin Dashan and the others felt their bodies lighten, nearly losing their footing.

"It is surprising that Lin Family Village has produced such a Genius." The Second-in-Command's tone softened, and he even clasped his fists. "Congratulations."

He paused and continued:

"Since your village has someone who entered the Martial Arts Hall, the rules will change. From now on, the grain collection will remain at two percent. The extra one percent demanded this time is waived."

After speaking, he mounted his horse and waved a hand:

"Let's go!"

The sound of horse hooves rang out, and the Black Wolf Gang members galloped away.

On the threshing floor, the people of Lin Family Village were stunned for a long while before bursting into thunderous cheers.

"Waived! The extra one percent is waived!"

"Still collecting at two percent!"

"That's great! That's great!"

Everyone was moved to tears and hugged each other. Several old men knelt on the spot and kowtowed in the direction of Lin Tian's house.

Lin Dashan and Zhao were surrounded by the crowd, with everyone offering thanks and expressing gratitude, leaving them at a loss.

Lin Dashan stood there, looking in the direction his son had left, his lips trembling. It took a long time for him to squeeze out a sentence:

"Good boy... truly a good boy..."

Zhao wiped her tears, crying and laughing at the same time.

Lin Xiaohe held her snacks; although she didn't quite understand what had happened, seeing everyone so happy, she started grinning too.

The Black Wolf Gang left Lin Family Village and headed straight for the next village—Chen Family Village.

On the way, the Second-in-Command suddenly reined in his horse.

"A few of you, go and investigate that Lin Tian from Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall," he said in a deep voice. "Find out his background, whether he is truly from Lin Family Village, what his level is among First-Rank Martial Artists, and how much the Martial Arts Hall values him."

Several gang members clasped their fists to acknowledge the order and rode off.

The Second-in-Command narrowed his eyes, looking into the distance, wondering what he was thinking.

A confidant next to him leaned over and whispered, "Second-in-Command, is a kid who just entered the First-Rank worth such attention?"

The Second-in-Command glanced at him:

"Just entering the First-Rank doesn't count for much. But a few months ago, that kid was nothing. To go from zero to First-Rank in a few months, have you ever seen such talent..."

The confidant was stunned and shook his head.

"That settles it." The Second-in-Command snorted. "Find out clearly first. If it is as incredible as Lin Family Village claimed, we will have to change our attitude towards them in the future. If they were bragging..."

He didn't finish, but the meaning was obvious.

The confidant nodded and didn't dare to ask again.

Lin Tian knew nothing about this.

He returned to Sifang Pavilion smoothly and continued his daily life of Cultivate.

Early morning, practice Five Elements Stance.

Morning, practice Metal Element Fist.

Afternoon, practice Wood Element Fist.

Evening, continue to practice Five Elements Stance.

Day after day, without interruption.

[Five Elements Stance proficiency +1]

[Metal Element Fist proficiency +1]

[Wood Element Fist proficiency +1]

The System's prompt sound was the most familiar melody in his life.

Half a month later.

Lin Tian stood in the courtyard and called up the System panel:

[Name: Lin Tian]

[Realm: First-Rank Martial Artist]

[Martial Arts: Five Elements Stance (Proficient) 399/500]

[Metal Element Fist (Proficient) 325/500]

[Wood Element Fist (Proficient) 6/500]

Wood Element Fist had finally broken through to the Proficient Realm.

He clenched his fist, feeling the surging Qi and blood in his body.

The recovery ability of the Proficient Realm Wood Element Fist was even stronger than when it was at Minor Achievement. Now, after practicing for a day, he could recover most of it by sleeping at night, without needing to rely on body strengthening soup like before.

He was preparing to continue to Cultivate when he suddenly heard a commotion coming from the front hall.

"Why? Liuli Pavilion is willing to pay ninety taels, why does your Sifang Pavilion only give seventy taels? Hurry up and return my medicinal herbs!"

A rough voice, laced with anger.

Lin Tian frowned.

Was someone making trouble?

He put away his fist stance and strode towards the front hall.

In the front hall, a circle of people had already gathered.

There were customers watching the spectacle, clerks from Sifang Pavilion, and a few people who had followed from the street. In the center of the crowd, a middle-aged man in black was slapping the counter, shouting with a red face and a thick neck.

Manager Zhou stood behind the counter, his expression grim, but he was still suppressing his anger and explaining:

"This guest, three days ago you came to sell medicinal herbs. We discussed the price face-to-face—seventy taels of silver. You nodded, accepted the money, and signed the contract."

"Now that three days have passed, you say you regret it. Where is the logic in that?"

"What logic? There's no logic here!" The man in black slapped the counter. "I sold it at a loss! That Ganoderma is worth at least ninety taels. Your Sifang Pavilion bullied me for not knowing the trade and suppressed the price!"

"Today, either compensate me twenty taels or return the medicinal herbs to me, and I will go sell them at Liuli Pavilion!"

The people around were whispering.

"Is this guy here to make trouble?"

"Who knows? Maybe he really did sell it at a loss."

"Can you back out after signing a contract? There's no such thing."

Lin Tian squeezed through the crowd and arrived at the counter.

"What's going on?" he asked Manager Zhou.

Manager Zhou saw him arrive and breathed a sigh of relief, whispering, "Young Master Lin, this man brought a Ganoderma to sell three days ago. We gave him a price of seventy taels after identification. He was quite satisfied at the time and left after receiving the money."

"Who knew he would run back today, claiming he sold it at a loss and insisting that we pay another twenty taels, otherwise he would take the medicinal herbs back."

He paused and lowered his voice:

"He said Liuli Pavilion is willing to pay ninety taels. But Liuli Pavilion is an industry under Liehuo Martial Arts Hall; that price... is obviously intentional."

Lin Tian raised an eyebrow.

Liehuo Martial Arts Hall?

One of the three major Martial Arts Halls in Heishan City, as famous as Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall. The two have always been at odds.

"What is this person's background?" Lin Tian asked.

"A Loose Cultivator, no background," Manager Zhou said. "But judging by his posture, he is likely being used as a pawn by the people from Liehuo Martial Arts Hall. They want to use this incident to probe our Sifang Pavilion."

Lin Tian nodded, understanding.

This was someone coming to stir up trouble.

He turned around and looked at the man in black, his voice calm:

"My friend, if you have any business, tell me."

The man in black looked him over. Seeing he was young and dressed normally, he curled his lips in disdain:

"Tell you? Do you have any say in this?"

"I have a say," Lin Tian nodded.

The man in black snorted and shouted again:

"All right! Your Sifang Pavilion suppressed the price, and I sold it at a loss! Today, either compensate me twenty taels or return the medicinal herbs to me! Otherwise, I'm not leaving!"

Lin Tian looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Compensate you twenty taels? Return the medicinal herbs to you?"

He took a step forward, his tone still calm:

"What do you think Sifang Pavilion is?"