45: Chapter 45 Becoming an Apprentice

In the quiet room of Sifang Pavilion, Lin Tian slowly withdrew his cultivation. The white steam rising from his body converged like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, rapidly sinking back into his pores.

On the thick blue bricks covering the floor of the quiet room, in the area where he practiced daily, the faint outlines of two footprints had already subtly sunken in.

He focused his mind, and the panel bearing the fruits of two months of arduous cultivation clearly appeared:

Name: Lin Tian

Cultivation: First-Rank Martial Artist (Peak)

Martial Arts:

Five Elements Stance (Major Achievement 800/1000)

Metal Element Fist (Major Achievement 622/1000)

Wood Element Fist (Major Achievement 206/1000)

Wind-Chasing Footwork (Major Achievement 302/1000)

Water Element Fist (Minor Achievement 203/300)

The Five Elements Stance was not far from the Realm of Perfection, and his Qi and blood were vigorous and refined, far exceeding those of the same rank.

The Metal and Wood Element Fists were progressing steadily, with impressive gains.

What pleased him most was the Wind-Chasing Footwork. Stimulated by the seemingly perfunctory yet profound demonstration by Senior Sister Chen Yu, and combined with his own hard training, he finally broke through the Bottleneck of proficiency and stepped into the Realm of "Major Achievement"!

His speed, agility, and the sensing and evasion of Qi had all achieved a qualitative leap.

The newly practiced Water Element Fist had also steadily entered the Minor Achievement stage, with a touch of flexibility and endurance in the fist strength.

Compared to two months ago, his strength had skyrocketed. He was confident in defeating an ordinary First-Rank Martial Artist at the Peak by relying on the combined technique of his Major Achievement footwork and fist techniques.

Even when facing someone who had just entered the Second Rank with a slightly unstable Foundation, he might not be without the ability to contend.

However, for these two months, he kept a low profile. Except for necessary training and consultation at the martial arts hall, he rarely left Sifang Pavilion and had not taken a single step outside Heishan City.

The red-robed old man from Liehuo Martial Arts Hall remained like a maggot on the bone, staring coldly from a distance, but he could never find an opportunity to strike.

Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, inner hall.

"Useless! You've watched him for months and haven't even touched a hair on that kid!" A middle-aged Martial Artist with a sinister face and bulging temples slammed the table and scolded.

It was Elder Yan Lie, the red-robed Elder who had met Lin Tian that day and was later stopped by Master Huang.

Several elites of the martial arts hall below lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

"The Hall Revered Master has given the order. This brat has killed two of our men in succession. This grudge must be avenged, and it must be done quickly to serve as a warning to others!"

Murderous intent surged in Elder Yan Lie's eyes. "He is hiding in the city, with Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall and Sifang Pavilion vaguely protecting him, so it is difficult for us to act openly. But he always has a weakness..."

He tapped his fingers on the table, making a dull thudding sound: "It has been verified that the kid comes from Lin Family Village, a hundred miles west of the city, an inconspicuous little village."

A lean man beside him narrowed his eyes: "Does Elder mean..."

"Moving against the people of the martial arts hall directly would give people something to hold against us. But if we are dealing with 'villagers' in a small village outside the city, who could say anything?" Elder Yan Lie sneered. "Find people from the Black Wolf Gang to do it. Let them go to Lin Family Village to 'borrow' some grain and 'collect' some road tolls. Make the actions big, preferably beating or killing a few, and let the people in the village send a message to that kid for help. As long as that kid dares to leave the city and return to the village..."

"Brilliant! Elder, this plan is brilliant!" The lean man flattered. "The Third Leader of the Black Wolf Gang, 'Wolf-Head Blade' Cao Mang, is at the Peak of the First Rank, and his Splash-Wind Blade technique is ruthless and tricky; he rarely meets an opponent of the same rank. Let him take people there, and it will surely make Lin Tian appear! Once he leaves the city, whether he is round or flat will be up to us to knead, right? Even if Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall investigates afterward, we can claim we don't know anything, and that it was all a private feud between the Black Wolf Gang and Lin Family Village."

"Hmm, go do it. Tell Cao Mang to be clean about it and leave no survivors. Afterward, Liehuo Martial Arts Hall will have a generous reward." Elder Yan Lie closed his eyes and waved his hand.

A few days later, a letter with scribbled handwriting, stained with some dirt and... suspected blood spots, was delivered to Lin Tian at Sifang Pavilion.

The letter was sent by Lin Family Village through others. The writing in the letter was incoherent, only stating that the village had encountered mountain bandits who were extremely fierce, demanding a huge amount of "road money." The village couldn't scrape it together, and several people had already been beaten and injured, and some fields had been destroyed. They begged Lin Tian to find a way, or perhaps to ask a big shot from the martial arts hall to come forward and mediate.

After reading it, Lin Tian frowned.

Mountain bandits? Although the area around Heishan City was not peaceful, Lin Family Village was not located on the main trade route, and the village was dirt poor. Where would fierce bandits come from to specifically rob it? And it happened exactly when he was being watched by Liehuo Martial Arts Hall?

"Let me leave the city?" Lin Tian instantly understood the crux of the matter.

Besides Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, he couldn't think of anyone else who would use such despicable means. Moreover, the other party was very careful, not showing their faces themselves, but using so-called "mountain bandits" as proxies.

Go back directly? That would be walking into a trap. The enemy must have set an ambush on the way. Don't go? Lin Family Village might truly face a disaster.

After a moment of thought, Lin Tian had a plan in mind. He did not leave immediately but first went to Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall to seek an audience with Hall Master Chen Qingfeng.

In the study, after listening to Lin Tian's brief explanation of the "incident" at home and his own suspicions, Hall Master Chen Qingfeng's face sank slightly: "Liehuo Martial Arts Hall... to actually use such despicable means. What do you intend to do?"

Lin Tian lifted his robes, knelt on one knee, cupped his fists, and said in a clear voice: "Disciple Lin Tian implores the Hall Revered Master to accept me as an inner-chamber Disciple!"

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng was stunned for a moment, and then a light of surprise burst forth in his eyes. He had long regarded Lin Tian as the best candidate to inherit his legacy and even had the intention of taking him as a son-in-law. However, hindered by the fact that Lin Tian seemed focused on competing for a spot in the Imperial Guard and his daughter's unclear attitude, he had not brought it up. He did not expect that Lin Tian would take the initiative to ask for apprenticeship at this moment!

"Good! Good! Good!" Hall Master Chen Qingfeng said the word "good" three times, stepped forward to personally help Lin Tian up, patted his shoulder vigorously, and laughed, "I, Chen Qingfeng, will accept you as my closing Disciple today! From now on, you are the core true-transmitting Disciple of our Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall!"

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng had taken a new closing Disciple, and it was the recently famous Lin Tian, whose talent was rumored to be god-like! The news spread like the wind throughout the entire Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall and even the relevant circles of Heishan City, causing an uproar.

"The Hall Revered Master's closing Disciple? This status... he has ascended to the sky in one step!"

"Future martial arts hall resources will definitely be tilted toward him!"

"I heard the Hall Revered Master's daughter is not yet married, could it be..."

The Disciples of the martial arts hall discussed it endlessly, with envy, jealousy, and admiration all present.

Liu Yunfeng, Wang Yu, and others were naturally happy for Lin Tian, but they couldn't help but lament the difference in people's fortunes. Wang Yu was even more conflicted in his heart; thinking of the thirty-some shops at home, he suddenly felt that it didn't seem so "helpless" anymore.

When Du Fei heard the news, he was practicing fist techniques in the courtyard. Upon hearing it, he just snorted coldly, his fist momentum becoming three points fiercer, shattering a foot-thick blue stone with one punch.

"Hall Revered Master's Disciple? Hmph, just an empty name." He withdrew his fist and stood, his face full of disdain. "When I enter the Imperial Guard, let alone the Hall Revered Master's Disciple, even the Hall Revered Master himself will have to be polite when he sees me. This pond of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall is, after all, too small."

He did not take Lin Tian's status as the "newly appointed beloved Disciple of the Hall Revered Master" seriously at all. His gaze had long been cast toward that broader world and authority.

The apprenticeship ceremony was completed, and the status was settled.

Lin Tian again reported to Hall Master Chen Qingfeng that he needed to return to Lin Family Village immediately to deal with an urgent matter and feared the journey would not be peaceful.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng pondered and said: "Since you are now my Disciple, your safety must be taken care of. It is inconvenient for me to move lightly, but you can take my token and seek Master Huang, asking him to accompany you for a trip. With him there, ordinary petty thieves will not dare to act presumptuously. If it is truly an ambush by Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, Master Huang is sufficient to deal with their Elder. As for the bandit trouble in the village... it will depend on your own means. Remember, since you are a Disciple of me, Chen Qingfeng, your actions must have order; do not cause trouble, but also do not fear trouble."

"Thank you, Revered Master!" Lin Tian solemnly took a warm, cyan token.

After finding Master Huang to explain the reason and showing the Hall Revered Master's token, Master Huang readily agreed. He had always appreciated Lin Tian, and now that Lin Tian had become the Hall Revered Master's closing Disciple, for both public and private reasons, this escort mission was his duty.

The two did not delay; after a little preparation, they left the martial arts hall and exited Heishan City.

Sure enough, less than thirty miles from the city, while passing through a desolate hill that was a necessary path, a dark red figure stood with his hands behind his back in the middle of the road ahead. It was indeed Elder Yan Lie of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall.

His Aura billowed, and the scorching force roasted the surrounding air until it slightly distorted. His eyes coldly locked onto Lin Tian.

"Lin Tian, you were finally willing to come out." Elder Yan Lie's voice was hoarse, carrying undisguised murderous intent. "Today, this place shall be your burial ground!"

Master Huang stepped forward, blocking in front of Lin Tian, his Aura heavy and steady like a mountain, contending with Elder Yan Lie's scorching Aura. He said indifferently: "Elder Yan Lie, to strike at a junior, do you still have any shame? If you want to touch the true-transmitting Disciple of our Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, you must first pass me."

Elder Yan Lie's pupils constricted slightly, obviously not expecting that Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall would send a senior Elder like Master Huang to personally escort him. But he did not seem too surprised, just sneered coldly: "Old Ghost Huang, you can stop me, but can you stop others?"

Before the words fell, he had turned into a red shadow, carrying rolling heat waves as he lunged at Master Huang!

Master Huang let out a low shout, his figure unmoving, his palms glowing with a yellowish-brown luster, and he pushed them out steadily.

"Boom!" The two Revered Masters instantly clashed, energy overflowing, sand and stones flying, and the momentum was astonishing.

"Lin Tian, go quickly! Act according to the plan!" Master Huang transmitted his voice in the midst of the battle.

Lin Tian took a deep look at the two fighting, no longer hesitated, and fully unleashed his Major Achievement Realm Wind-Chasing Footwork. His whole body was like a pale gray wisp of smoke, bypassing the battlefield and speeding toward the direction of Lin Family Village, his speed so fast that he only left a faint afterimage in place.

Although Elder Yan Lie was tightly entangled by Master Huang and could not escape, he caught a glimpse of Lin Tian's figure moving away, and a cold, sinister arc curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Leave? Can you really leave? In the village, that bastard Cao Mang's 'Wolf Blade' is waiting to collect your corpse... Kid, for killing two men of my Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, I will definitely make you pay with blood!"