62: Chapter 62 Senior Sister's Request

As Lin Tian stepped through the gates of the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, before he could even clearly see the scene inside the courtyard, he was surrounded by a wave of enthusiastic noise.

"Senior Brother Lin is back!"

The Disciples remaining at the martial arts hall, whether new or experienced, stopped what they were doing and swarmed forward. Their faces were filled with undisguised excitement, admiration, and even a hint of timidity as they crowded around Lin Tian, offering greetings all at once.

When their gazes landed on the dark black, light Imperial Guard uniform he wore, with the small flying fish emblem embroidered on the chest, their awe and envy grew even more.

Lin Tian nodded slightly to the crowd, scanned the group, saw Liu Yunfeng and Wang Yu squeezed at the front, and smiled at them.

Liu Yunfeng waved excitedly, while Wang Yu smiled and nodded.

Just then, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure on the edge of the crowd—Du Fei.

The other party seemed to have been looking this way as well, but the moment his gaze met Lin Tian's, his face instantly turned pale. Like a startled rabbit, he abruptly lowered his head, turned, and squeezed out of the crowd, hurrying away with a stumbling gait, as if afraid of being too slow.

Lin Tian watched his retreating figure, which looked almost like a flight in defeat, and simply shook his head, not taking it to heart.

A defeated general, what is there to fear? As long as the other party did not come to provoke him again, he could not be bothered to pay him any mind.

"Senior Brother Lin, now that you are an official of the Imperial Guard, could you guide us in a few fist techniques?" a slightly bolder senior Disciple pleaded with a face full of anticipation, immediately drawing a chorus of agreement.

"Yes, Senior Brother Lin, please guide us!"

"Let us open our eyes as well!"

Looking at the pair after pair of eager eyes, Lin Tian pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Very well. In martial arts cultivation, mutual validation is also beneficial."

Right in the center of the training ground, he casually set his stance and demonstrated the basic variations of the Metal Element Fist and Wood Element Fist, focusing on explaining the key points of force connection and energy conversion.

He did not display any profound combined strike techniques, but instead explained the most basic fist principles in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Combined with his own insights at the Perfection Realm, often just a few words were enough to make many Disciples stuck at a Bottleneck suddenly enlightened, their faces filled with joy.

After guiding them for about an hour, seeing that everyone had gained something, Lin Tian stopped and withdrew his stance.

Amidst the grateful and reluctant gazes of the crowd, he first went to the martial arts hall's internal affairs office to collect the monthly ration of qi-blood powder—a small jade box, just like the one issued by the Imperial Guard.

Afterward, he headed straight to the rear courtyard study where Hall Master Chen Qingfeng was located.

Inside the study, sandalwood incense curled in the air.

After listening to Lin Tian explain his purpose—to seek instruction on the "Three Element Combination Attack" technique—Hall Master Chen Qingfeng's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and a flicker of hard-to-conceal astonishment flashed in his eyes.

"You... are you already capable of using the Water Element Fist?" he put down the teacup, his tone filled with incredulous inquiry.

He knew about the Metal and Wood fists reaching Major Achievement, but how long had he been practicing the Water Element Fist? This child's progress was simply inconceivable.

"I have achieved Minor Achievement, I can barely give it a try," Lin Tian said truthfully.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng stared at him for a moment, then suddenly shook his head and laughed, sighing: "A Prodigy, truly a Prodigy! Very well, since you have touched the threshold, I will pass on the preliminary essentials of this 'Three Element Cycle, Endless Vitality' to you!"

He no longer hesitated and immediately began to explain and demonstrate in detail for Lin Tian.

Unlike the Metal-Wood combined strike, which focuses on the transition between hard and soft and the superposition of power, the Three Element Combination Attack is more complex. It requires using the principle of the Five Elements mutual generation to build an initial cycle of energy circulation and amplification.

The sharpness of the Metal Element Fist can stimulate the soft energy of the Water Element Fist to accelerate circulation and penetration; the penetration of the Water Element Fist can nourish and strengthen the vitality and resilience of the Wood Element Fist; and the endless vitality of the Wood Element Fist can nourish and stabilize the sharpness of the Metal Element Fist, making it more condensed and durable.

This involves extremely subtle control of qi-blood, conversion of Fist Intent, and an understanding of the Dao of "generation and restriction."

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng taught in great detail, almost breaking down his own years of insights into pieces.

Lin Tian listened with full concentration, and the Proficiency System in his mind was also running at high speed, imprinting, analyzing, and deducing every detail.

After a full hour or so, Lin Tian finally let out a long breath, his eyes bright with realization, and he had understood the cultivation path and key points of the Three Element Combination Attack.

Next, it would be a matter of persistent practice and realization.

"Thank you, Revered Master, for the instruction!" Lin Tian bowed solemnly.

"Mm, since you have understood, follow this method and proceed step by step. Remember not to be greedy for quick success. The unification of the three elements is extraordinary; any slight mistake could damage your Meridians."

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng warned, then sighed: "As for Tie Gang's injuries, thanks to the detoxification method you provided, the fire poison has been mostly removed. After resting for some time, he should be fine. This time, it was you who saved him."

"Senior Brother Zhao was implicated because of me, and I feel uneasy. Being able to help is my duty," Lin Tian shook his head.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng's expression darkened slightly, and he said in a low voice: "As for the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, it is said they have also hired a famous doctor. Although Constable Lie Ming's arms were broken, with Spirit Medicine to reconnect them, I fear... they will not let this rest. Your status is different now, and they dare not do anything openly, but you must be extremely wary of their underhanded tactics."

"Disciple understands." Lin Tian's eyes were calm but carried a hint of coldness. "If they are sensible, this matter will end here. If they still want to tangle... I will let them know what regret is."

After chatting a few more sentences, Lin Tian prepared to take his leave and return to Cultivate.

"Wait a moment." Hall Master Chen Qingfeng called him back, pondered for a moment, then rose and walked into the inner room.

Before long, he returned carrying an ancient wooden box about a foot long and placed it in front of Lin Tian.

"Your cultivation speed far exceeds that of ordinary people. As your Revered Master, I sometimes go into seclusion or go out, and may not be able to guide you at any time. What is hidden in this box is one of the true core Legacies of our Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall—a remnant of the 'True Explanation of Five Elements Combined Strike.' It records the many variations and essential meanings of the Five Elements Fist combining in pairs, in threes, and even the final 'Five Qi Asamoto.' Although it is not the Complete Manual, it is also extremely precious."

He opened the wooden box, and inside lay a thread-bound book with only a dozen pages, the paper yellowed and brittle. The cover was wordless, exuding an aura of accumulated time.

"Today, I entrust it to you." Hall Master Chen Qingfeng pushed the wooden box toward Lin Tian, his expression extremely solemn. "This is the foundation of the martial arts hall, a top-secret of top secrets! You must keep it safe, never lose it, and never pass it on to others in private! Even in the future... even if passing it to descendants, you must be extremely cautious! Can you do this?"

Lin Tian's heart was shaken. He took the wooden box with both hands, feeling it was as heavy as a thousand jun. He took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Revered Master's deep kindness, I will keep in mind! I will surely protect it with my life and will never leak it!"

"Good!" Hall Master Chen Qingfeng nodded with gratification. "Go, Cultivate well. If you encounter any points you do not understand, come and ask at any time."

Lin Tian carried the wooden box, carefully put it away, and exited the study. Just as he stepped out of the inner courtyard area and reached the corridor connecting to the front courtyard, he heard a cold voice that carried a hint of imperceptible fluctuation from behind: "Lin Tian."

Lin Tian stopped and turned around.

He saw Senior Sister Chen Yu in a goose-yellow martial outfit, leaning against a corridor pillar, as if she had been waiting for a while. Moonlight and the lantern light from the corridor intertwined, making her face look even more beautiful and clear, especially those straight, long legs with breathtaking curves.

"Senior Sister Chen Yu." Lin Tian nodded in acknowledgment.

"You came at the right time." Senior Sister Chen Yu stepped forward, holding that standard long blade in her hand. "I just finished today's lessons and am lacking an opponent to spar and validate with. Will you accompany me to practice the Basic Blade Technique?"

She had not been slack in these ten-plus days, repeatedly tempering the seven basic Moves, having reached the Peak of the "Entry" stage, and vaguely touching the threshold of "Minor Achievement." But practicing alone, she always felt something was missing, making it hard to break through.

Seeing Lin Tian, she naturally did not want to miss this "sparring partner" who also cultivated the Imperial Guard blade techniques and was strong.

Lin Tian pondered for a moment; he also wanted to test the practical application of his Minor Achievement level Basic Blade Technique, so he nodded and agreed: "Very well."

The two arrived at an empty side courtyard, stood their ground, and drew their blades.

"Please."

"Please."

Without too much politeness, Senior Sister Chen Yu attacked first, using a standard "Chop" Move. The blade light was fierce, aiming directly at Lin Tian's left shoulder.

Her Moves were swift, the force was not weak, and she had already grasped the essence of "fast and ruthless" in the Basic Blade Technique.

Lin Tian did not retreat or dodge, but met it with the same "Chop," striking after but arriving first!

"Clang!"

As the two blades collided, Senior Sister Chen Yu felt a condensed and heavy force coming from the blade, shaking her wrist slightly numb, and her blade momentum instinctively deviated by half a point.

She was slightly startled, but changed her Move extremely quickly. The blade edge followed the momentum with an "Upward Slash," aiming for Lin Tian's ribs.

Lin Tian shifted his footwork slightly, the long blade in his hand moving like an extension of his arm. A "Intercept" Move perfectly blocked the upward slash, and then the blade spun, turning into a "Sweep" Move, attacking Senior Sister Chen Yu's lower stance.

The movements were simple and smooth, and the transitions were natural, as if these seven Moves of the Basic Blade Technique had already melted into his marrow.

"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The sound of metal clashing immediately rang out continuously in the quiet side courtyard. Their figures intertwined, and blade light flickered.

Senior Sister Chen Yu displayed what she had learned over the seven days to the fullest; her attacks were continuous, her defense was rigorous, and she already had quite a bit of method.

However, she quickly discovered that no matter how she pressed the attack or changed Moves, Lin Tian could always resolve it in the simplest and most effective way, and immediately counterattack.

His blade technique seemed to be only those seven Moves, but when used, the angles were trickier, the timing was more accurate, and the force was more condensed, especially that calmness of "anticipating the enemy's Move," which made her feel immense pressure.

"Your blade technique... has it reached Minor Achievement?" Senior Sister Chen Yu parried a direct "Thrust," jumped back two steps using the force, her beautiful eyes shimmering with different colors, and asked with undisguised surprise.

She considered her talent not bad and practiced diligently, but she always felt there was a layer of window paper separating her from "Minor Achievement."

And Lin Tian's blade technique, which was so free and easy and had grasped the essence, had clearly entered that Realm!

"I was lucky to gain something." Lin Tian withdrew his blade and nodded slightly.

Senior Sister Chen Yu looked at his calm, waveless face and for a moment did not know what to say.

Lucky? This Basic Blade Technique seemed simple, but the more one practiced, the more profound it felt. The seven basic movements were all-encompassing, and it was so difficult to truly enter the hall!

This guy... was really a monster!

"Again!" Suppressing the complex emotions in her heart, Senior Sister Chen Yu's Battle Intent grew even stronger.

Being able to spar with an opponent at the Minor Achievement Realm was the perfect opportunity for her to break through her Bottleneck.

Lin Tian naturally had no objections, and the two fought together again. This time, Lin Tian was no longer just passively responding; he began to intentionally guide and feed Moves, and even occasionally, when Senior Sister Chen Yu's Move was overextended or her force was improper, he would lightly tap her weak point with the back of his blade and give a brief pointer.

This was no longer a simple spar; it was almost guidance.

The two's "sparring" soon attracted some Disciples who had not yet left nearby. They watched from afar, not daring to get close and disturb, only whispering to each other, their eyes filled with envy and amazement.

"Senior Brother Lin's blade technique is so powerful! Senior Sister Chen Yu is also very strong!"

"I feel like Senior Brother Lin is more like guiding Senior Sister Chen Yu..."

"Look, when they stand together, aren't they very... well-matched?"

"A talented man and a beautiful woman! And both are in the Imperial Guard, and their talents are so high..."

"Sigh, only a Genius like Senior Brother Lin is worthy of Senior Sister Chen Yu..."

Behind the window of the study in the distance, Hall Master Chen Qingfeng took in the situation in the side courtyard, stroking his short beard, a smile of great gratification on his face, nodding frequently.

He had originally intended to play matchmaker, but his daughter was proud and arrogant, and previously hadn't thought much of it.

Now it seemed, after fighting side-by-side on the arena, being colleagues in the Imperial Guard, and adding this sparring and guidance... it seemed, there was a chance?

"Very good, very good." He whispered to himself, his eyes full of expectation. If this could really be accomplished, his Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall would truly have a successor, and he could entrust it with peace of mind.

An hour later, the blade light in the side courtyard finally faded.

Senior Sister Chen Yu was drenched in fragrant sweat, her breath slightly short, but her beautiful eyes were amazingly bright. Her face had a healthy flush from exercise, adding a few more points of beauty.

In this hour of "sparring," she had gained a great deal. Many points she had previously struggled to understand suddenly became clear under Lin Tian's intentional or unintentional guidance and pointers. Her understanding of the Basic Blade Technique had deepened by more than one layer, and that layer of window paper leading to "Minor Achievement" had become as thin as a cicada's wing.

"Today... thank you." Senior Sister Chen Yu sheathed her blade and looked at Lin Tian. Her tone was unconsciously softer, even carrying a hint of imperceptible... shyness? She herself did not delve into this subtle change in emotion.

"Senior Sister Chen Yu, you are too polite, it was just mutual validation." Lin Tian also sheathed his blade, his breath steady.

Seeing that Lin Tian seemed to be about to take his leave again, Senior Sister Chen Yu felt a sense of urgency, and it almost blurted out: "That... in the future, if you have nothing to do, can you... come to the martial arts hall more often? Can we... spar a few more times?"

As the words left her mouth, she felt her face burning, and her heart lifted inexplicably. Her fingers subconsciously twisted the corner of her clothes, and she looked at Lin Tian with slight nervousness, fearing he would refuse.

Moonlight was like water, the corridor lanterns were dim and yellow, illuminating the young girl's slightly red cheeks and those clear eyes containing anticipation.