The Lin Residence.
Lin Zhenhai wore a smile, followed by the overjoyed and eagerly expectant Lin Ruyue, as well as the Third Young Master, Lin Du, who looked anxious and preoccupied.
Upon hearing the news from outside, his earlier frustrations vanished. He immediately rose to his feet, ready to step out the door.
Nine years.
Nine years ago.
A sensational event once occurred in the five-hundred-li Anning County.
A Qi Cultivation Grandmaster from Jiangyin Prefecture, who was traveling through the area, had stopped in the county while hunting an Outer Demon.
By chance, he had seen the Lin Family's Qilin Maiden, Lin Ruxue, who was then in the prime of her youth at sixteen and had already succeeded in Marrow Refining.
He took a liking to her at first sight.
During his three-month stay,
he specially taught Lin Ruxue a Pile Skill to cultivate her Qi and Blood and forge her muscles, testing her aptitude and comprehension.
Three months later, the Qi Cultivation Grandmaster exhaled his Qi like a sword and slew the Outer Demon. He was in high spirits, and just then, Lin Ruxue successfully completed her Marrow Refining. It was a double blessing.
And so, as a matter of course,
the Anning Lin Clan produced a disciple of a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster.
And that Qi Cultivation Grandmaster...
...hailed from a certain School in Jiangyin Prefecture, a power that stood far above the entirety of the five-hundred-li Anning County!
In the current age,
the Great Xuan Dynasty was founded on the Martial Dao, dominating this Celestial Universe and controlling the four seas. Today, it was approaching its first millennium.
And wherever there are people, there is hierarchy, there are different ranks and statuses.
A vast history spanning a thousand years
had given birth to countless great Noble Clans and master-disciple factions. Together, they formed the backbone of this dynasty and were colossal entities that the five-hundred-li Anning County wouldn't even dare to dream of.
Legend had it,
it was precisely because they stood guard
that the infiltration from other systems beyond the Celestial Universe—collectively known as the Outer Dao, which included Divine Beings, false Immortals, Pure Lands, and the like—
had not yet shaken the foundations of this Celestial Universe.
Allowing the Great Xuan Dynasty to still maintain the orthodoxy of its native Human Immortal Martial Dao!
Powers like Anning County's native Three Great Gangs and Four Great Halls, those Boxing Halls and gangs famous in their own right,
were like the light of a firefly trying to compete with the bright moon when compared to them.
The most direct and fundamental difference between the two was...
The former had Qi Cultivation Grandmasters who had passed the Qi Barrier, or even higher realms, holding the line. They possessed the true texts of the Secret Martial Dao, had long and deep-rooted histories, and could establish their own school of thought. Thus, they were called Sects or Schools, capable of being passed down for a hundred years, or even several hundred!
As for those below them...
...they were merely 'gangs' or 'local powers.' Their highest attainment was Skin Refining, their strongest skills were External Skills. They could only entrench themselves in counties and towns, lacking any True Inheritance and unable to see the vastness of the heavens above.
Perhaps in another thirty to fifty years, they would be washed away by the winds and rains, like sand sifted by great waves, replaced by newcomers and gradually forgotten.
But to be able to break free from the ranks of gangs and local powers, enter a Sect, receive the guidance of a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster, and step into a place where true geniuses gathered...
Having such a daughter was more than enough reason for Lin Zhenhai to be proud.
"Father."
Looking at Lin Ruxue—who had arrived at their door carrying a sword, her beauty and demeanor even more outstanding than nine years ago—
Lin Zhenhai's eyes filled with immense satisfaction.
"Good, good, very good!"
'Even though she hasn't been home in nine years, she still cares about her family after all.'
"Your return this time is for...?"
Seeing Lin Ruxue gently brush her younger sister's hair while completely ignoring his third son born of a concubine, Lin Zhenhai paid it no mind. He ushered them into the residence and asked with a smile.
At the mention of this, Lin Ruxue's expression, hidden beneath a light veil, turned slightly serious.
"In Jiangyin Prefecture, the Outer Dao is causing trouble, its influence radiating into the various counties and towns. Among them..."
"A disciple of a great personage within the prefecture was led astray. He failed to maintain his resolve, stole a 'great treasure,' and incurred that person's thunderous wrath. An order was issued to hunt him down, with a heavy reward posted."
"That personage is an important figure in the Martial Examination. Befriending him would bring great benefits."
"Coincidentally, my martial arts training has hit a bottleneck. My master allowed me to return home and travel on this occasion. I found a few clues and followed the trail all the way to Anning."
"Father, if you hear anyone in Anning promoting ideas like 'martial arts for all under heaven' or 'equality under divine decree,' or even anyone making sacrifices to a divine shrine, you must, absolutely must, inform me."
'Outer Dao, Martial Examination!'
Hearing the first part, Lin Zhenhai's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he had just heard a great secret. But when he heard the second part, he couldn't help but grow excited, his gaze brightening.
"You... you've already reached the point where you can contend with the Noble Families and Military Nobles of the prefecture and vie for merit and fame in the Great Xuan!"
Lin Ruxue shook her head.
"Winning first place is just a fantasy for me. I might not even be able to secure the title of Martial Scholar. I'm still too far off."
"But if I want to go higher, to even... become a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster."
"If I don't even dare to compete against the talents within a prefecture to see who is superior, then it makes no difference whether I ever leave Anning County in this lifetime."
She glanced to the side. Her figure seemed delicate, like a willow swaying in the wind.
But with a lift of her brow, a heroic spirit emerged, vibrant and sharp as a sword.
This made Lin Zhenhai clap his hands and sigh in admiration.
"Ancestors above!"
"My Anning Lin Clan has strived for six generations, and now, my branch has finally produced a descendant with a real hope of 'Founding a Sect' and establishing an ancestral hall."
"Rest assured!"
"Whether it's keeping an eye out for news or any other matter..."
"As long as this old bag of bones of a father can be of use, I will do anything!"
Founding a Sect, establishing a shrine.
But this was not the 'Sect' of a martial school; it was the 'Clan' of a family line!
The Great Xuan had a decree.
Without becoming a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster, one could not speak of having a clan.
Therefore...
...whether it was the slightly superior Fire Kiln Lu Manor or the second-rate Lin Residence and Lin Clan,
no matter how glorious they were within the county, in the eyes of the mud-legged peasants and poor children, they were no different from Local Tyrants.
But in the eyes of the true Scholarly Clans and Noble Clan Mansions...
...they were no different from the mud-legged peasants among the villagers.
But, from this moment on, perhaps that could 'change'!
Lin Zhenhai was lost in a beautiful dream where the Lin Residence might one day be worthy of the name 'Anning Lin Clan' and rise to prominence.
Inadvertently,
he overlooked the ignored Third Young Master, Lin Du, who stood with his head bowed in his purple robes, silent and afraid to make a sound.
And when Lin Du heard the words 'equality under divine decree' and 'sacrifices to a divine shrine'...
...he suddenly buried his head even lower and quietly retreated.
Dusk fell.
In a daze, a drop of cold sweat seemed to slide down his forehead.
But no one noticed.
...
After leaving the Lin Residence, the sky gradually darkened.
Ji Xiu and Lu Yu chatted as they walked, followed closely by a few helpers from the Fire Kiln.
It was only then, through their conversation, that Ji Xiu learned why Lu Yu had been unable to hide his joyful expression the entire way.
It was because...
...he had achieved Great Success in Marrow Refining and had begun to temper his bone marrow!
According to the parlance of martial artists,
he was at the halfway point between the Bone Marrow Refining Realm and the Bone Tempering Realm.
If he could make that leap...
...from then on, he would be on par with the Hall Masters of small Boxing Halls and Martial Arts Halls. Within a gang, he could even be considered a Hall Master in charge of a district, holding a position of authority!
He could be said to have truly entered the inner circle.
As he listened, Ji Xiu couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
At the same time, he clenched his fists.
'After Entering the Realm, the next steps are Blood Nourishing and Muscle Forging!'
'According to Senior Brother Lu,'
'these two steps require Training Techniques and External Skills, supplemented with the right food, to achieve twice the results with half the effort.'
'I wonder if Master Duan will teach me...'
As he mulled over his own thoughts, he listened to Lu Yu recount various stories, broadening his own knowledge and nodding frequently.
Unconsciously,
they arrived at the entrance to a dilapidated alley where sewage flowed freely.
When he saw the thatched hut surrounded by a wicker fence,
Lu Yu frowned and stopped, seemingly worried that the filthy mud would stain his magnificent jade-like boots.
But after a moment's pause, he couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"To think that such a foul environment could nurture a disposition like yours, Junior Brother."
"It's truly... quite remarkable."
Shaking his head, his expression turned serious again as he said,
"However, while you can rely on yourself for Entering the Realm, the path afterward... continuing on like this is absolutely not an option."
"Junior Brother, go change your household registration tomorrow morning and wait for my news."
"When the time comes, I'll invite you to join my Lu Manor. I'll give you a position no less prestigious than one at the Lin Residence, one that can support your Blood Nourishing and Muscle Forging!"
At this, he seemed to remember something, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and added with a smile,
"My Lu Manor Guests all join of their own free will. Those who come are comrades, brothers."
"However, the invitations are usually extended by my father, and those invited are treated as honored guests."
"So whether you stay or leave... is entirely up to you, Junior Brother."
"There's absolutely none of that pressure that the Boss of the Lin Residence throws around with his words!"
Hearing Lu Yu's considerate words, which held no trace of discomfort,
Ji Xiu immediately felt a favorable impression and was just about to accept.
From the side, a hesitant voice suddenly called out,
"Young... Young Master!?"
The group had reached the wicker fence in front of Ji Xiu's home.
As it happened,
they ran into the Fire Kiln Steward, Qiao Jin, who was waiting there with his arm in a sling.
He was holding a money pouch in one hand.
Beside him were a stooping Uncle Shuanzhi and Zhang the Sixth, both waiting eagerly for Ji Xiu's return.
Hearing the commotion,
Qiao Jin turned his head. He first froze when he saw Lu Yu in his fine, brocaded clothes.
Then, when he heard Lu Yu inviting Ji Xiu to be hired as a Guest at the Lu Manor...
he stumbled, nearly dropping the money pouch on the ground!
He had never in his wildest dreams imagined
that in the poorest alley beneath the Fire Kiln,
there could emerge someone who had struck up a friendship with the Young Master!
And what's more,
he had, by some rotten luck, offended him!
'To think that just yesterday I was acting so arrogantly, trying to put him in his place.'
Qiao Jin's mind went numb.
'I'm just a hired thug for the Lu Manor, yet I dared to quarrel with my master's guest?!'
'Fortunately...'
Gripping the three taels of silver in his hand and thinking of his arm, which would need a hundred days to heal, Qiao Jin felt incredibly lucky.
'Thank goodness I was quick-witted.'
'Otherwise, in the future, when this Ji Family's Son rises above me, he could have made my life a living hell...'
'then I would have been truly finished!'
'I might not even have been able to keep my position as Fire Kiln Steward!'
As he thought this,
Qiao Jin's once-straight back instinctively bent as he looked at Ji Xiu.
He looked just like Uncle Shuanzhi and Zhang the Sixth at his side.
No different at all.