Chapter 45: Inner Sect Confirmed
“Hmph, don’t celebrate too early. I am also at Skin Refining Great Accomplishment.”
Li Shun’s eyes flashed with ferocity as he charged straight at Su Yan, his speed extremely fast. With a punch, a burst of great strength came assaulting.
He had the skill to catch fish and could regularly catch treasure fish to nourish his body. Although his bone structure and qi and blood were not as good as Su Yan’s, he still possessed considerable strength.
His current assault carried a bit of aura.
Su Yan sneered as he met him, thinking to himself, “This level of aura is only comparable to the bear.”
Su Yan strode forward to meet him, shifting his body to the side, and Li Shun’s punch veered off to one side.
Li Shun reacted extremely quickly, changing his punch into a chop, like the Old Ape Strikes the Crown move.
‘Minor Accomplishment Monkey Fist.’
Su Yan’s eyes flickered slightly as his left arm reached out, grabbing it with one hand, firm like an iron hoop.
Li Shun’s expression changed drastically. Unable to break free, he immediately thrust his other hand downward, like a venomous snake heading straight for Su Yan’s heart.
His movements were extremely fast, using attack in place of defense, but the slight movements of his arm, shoulder, and other parts of his body could not escape Su Yan’s pair of eyes.
Minor Accomplishment fist techniques—although proficient, they still bore obvious traces.
Moreover, although Li Shun had practiced Monkey Fist to Minor Accomplishment, he lacked much combat experience. His strikes were vicious but lacked decisiveness.
“Got you!”
Su Yan folded the arm he had used for the strike, took a step forward, thrust his qi and blood straight ahead, drew power from the ground, momentum from the waist, and collided heavily, first striking Li Shun’s body.
His shoulder was like a siege ram, heavy and terrifying. Li Shun flew out immediately, accompanied by a muffled thud and the crack of breaking bones.
“The fifth one.”
The two exchanged blows in a flash, no more than two rounds.
The result was one standing tall and straight like a pine, the other on the ground with a broken arm, veins bulging in pain.
The victor was clear.
‘Such ruthless methods, such decisive fighting style.’
Li Chuan and the others were startled upon seeing Su Yan’s fighting style.
Su Yan’s gaze swept over the remaining disciples, as if inquiring.
But at this point, who would still provoke this evil star.
Li Shun, at Skin Refining Great Accomplishment, had only lasted two moves. What difference would it make if they went up and lasted a few more?
If they ended up with broken limbs or performed too poorly…
The courtyard fell silent for a moment. Li Jinshan reacted and said, “Junior Brother Su, come down. You have won this arena.”
Only after he spoke did the crowd breathe a sigh of relief.
Without having to fight Su Yan in the arena, they would have more chances to perform, which was beneficial for everyone.
“Yes, thank you, Senior Brother.”
Su Yan stepped down from the arena and stood among the crowd.
Under Li Jinshan’s calls, the remaining arena matches had new arena masters.
However, this time, there was no one like Su Yan who could win and still have someone replace him.
First, Dian Jing was the arena master, fought three or five rounds with back and forth, and defeated Ma Xiaodong who came up later.
Later, he lost to Liu Yinglong.
Liu Yinglong defended the arena for several rounds, then fought Li Ying who came up afterward and lost in one move.
Li Ying was exhausted and defended one more round, losing to a disciple at Skin Refining Minor Accomplishment but Fist Techniques Great Accomplishment.
It took a full hour or more before the arena matches finally ended.
The assessment ended, and the disciples stood straight, waiting for the results.
Some looked dejected. With Su Yan’s performance as the benchmark, even if they performed well, their chances were likely slim.
“Practicing martial arts for one month, Stance Training Great Accomplishment, Fist Techniques Great Accomplishment, Skin Refining Great Accomplishment.”
Bai Changlin smiled and looked to the sides. “Elder Li, Elder Yi, Su Yan should be first in this assessment. What do you think?”
“He deserves first place. With such ability, he may not be unable to reach Blood Moving and Spirit Nurturing in the future. He should be a disciple of our Golden Ape Martial Arts School.”
Li Chuan nodded immediately, his words full of praise.
Yi Feng nodded. “Indeed, his ability deserves first place. As for second and third, Li Ying and Liu Yinglong are not bad.”
Bai Changlin’s eyes flickered slightly. He understood Yi Feng’s intentions.
Yi Feng managed the martial arts school’s affairs outside the mountain, including many shops and industries under his control. Inevitably, people would pull strings with him, such as Li Ying and Liu Yinglong.
“Then Su Yan is first, and his residence will be arranged in the Inner Courtyard. Jin Shan, you arrange it.”
“Yes, Master.”
Yi Feng and Li Chuan’s eyes flashed with surprise. “Inner Courtyard? Then the other disciples…”
Bai Changlin responded indifferently, “At sixteen years old, Stance Training Great Accomplishment. If they have such ability, let them enter the Inner Courtyard too. If at Blood Moving Realm, they can enter as well.”
Inner Sect disciples mostly lived in the Middle Courtyard, with only a few whom he favored living in the Inner Courtyard.
Inner Sect disciples were the martial arts school’s Inner Sect disciples, but the Inner Courtyard’s Inner Sect disciples were his, Bai Changlin’s, disciples.
Normally, guidance on martial arts was given by him, Bai Changlin. As for the Middle Courtyard’s Inner Sect disciples, although there was guidance, Elders Li Chuan and Yi Feng could also provide it.
The kindness of teaching was naturally different.
With Su Yan’s matter settled, rankings were gradually assigned among the rest.
Li Shun, Dian Jing, and five others at Skin Refining Great Accomplishment were all admitted as Inner Sect disciples. One disciple at Fist Techniques Great Accomplishment was also admitted as Inner Sect.
The rest could only wait for the next examination.
Among the six, three were assigned to Li Chuan for guidance, and three to Yi Feng.
Perhaps because Yi Feng managed the martial arts school’s external affairs, Li Ying and Liu Yinglong were under him, along with Li Shun.
Li Chuan managed internal mountain affairs and personally selected Dian Jing. He also took Ma Xiaodong and the Skin Refining Minor Accomplishment Zhou Yan under his guidance.
“Junior Brother, follow me.”
The crowd dispersed, and Li Jinshan personally came to find Su Yan, a smile appearing on his stern square face.
“Master and us True Disciples all live in the Inner Courtyard. Junior Brother will live there too from now on, convenient for Master’s guidance.”
The two entered the Inner Courtyard. An old tree stood in the courtyard, its canopy dense, with many rockeries dividing the space—a fine large courtyard, larger than the Middle Courtyard and Outer Courtyard outside.
“The Inner Courtyard also has a gatehouse. I’ll take Junior Brother to identify the room first. If you need anything, tell the gatehouse servant, and he will arrange it. Master lives in the innermost small courtyard. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to learn Golden Ape Jade Body Skill and Fierce Ape Three Forms.”
Li Jinshan brought Su Yan to a room, a single room with simple yet not shabby furnishings inside.
A black-red hardwood carved bed, a desk, a chair, and many ornaments.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Su Yan thanked him. Li Jinshan waved his hand. “This is what Inner Sect disciples deserve. Master has few personally taught disciples. Get closer in the future. However, given Junior Brother’s situation recently, it’s best to break through to Muscle and Bone Realm first. It will also be easier for you to join us in Great Desolate Mountain.”
Su Yan’s eyes flickered slightly as he said, “Senior Brother, I heard that Great Desolate Mountain involves mountain splitting. Is that what you mean?”
Seeing Su Yan mention it, Li Jinshan grinned. “It’s not surprising you know about mountain splitting. But this time, it’s not that. Inner Sect disciples are meant to enter the mountain anyway.”
He thought for a moment, realizing that since Master had taken Su Yan into the Inner Courtyard, he would surely be one of their own in the future.
Thus, he said, “To advance in martial arts, combat is essential. Inner Sect disciples are meant to enter the mountain for training, to hone their skills and kill feral beasts. Moreover, Golden Ape Martial Arts School has industries in Great Desolate Mountain that we must carefully look after.”
“What industries?”
Su Yan asked out of curiosity, and Li Jinshan smiled. “Not many, just two or three villages.”
