Chapter 95: Even the Humble-Born May Harbor the Ambition of a Great Bird

The main hall of Zhenyue Martial Arts Hall.

“Senior brother, are you really letting Lin Chen cultivate the Iron Bones Art?”

Hong Qianhai looked at his senior brother, puzzled.

Just now, Fu Ang had brought Lin Chen into the martial arts hall, and he had been confused, unable to fathom why Lin Chen had come to Zhenyue Martial Arts Hall.

But when Lin Chen openly stated he wanted to learn the Iron Bones Art—and his senior brother immediately agreed—it left his mind completely scrambled.

“Senior brother, this may violate Wuzhengsuo regulations.”

Tai Rupai raised his eyes to his junior brother and asked in return: “Does Wuzhengsuo have a rule forbidding students from cultivating two arts?”

Hong Qianhai froze, trying to recall—the many rules issued by Wuzhengsuo to martial arts halls never mentioned this.

“Even without the Iron Bones Art, isn’t Lin Chen already cultivating both the Clear Wind Palm and the Water Cloud Palm?”

“That… that’s a special case. It was Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall’s Qihe who was blind, underestimating Lin Chen, forcing him to join Jingshui Martial Arts Hall. If other students copied him, chaos would follow.”

“Copy him?”

Tai Rupai sneered: “They’d need the ability to master a single art to perfection in such a short time. Not even mentioning that—anyone who achieves it within six months can learn as many arts as Lin Chen does.”

Seeing his junior brother’s confused expression, Tai Rupai explained: “Junior brother, you don’t know—centuries ago, martial artists in the Body Tempering realm routinely cultivated at least two arts, some even three. Only later did they shift to cultivating one art alone; the original path became known as the Limitless Cultivation Method.”

“Cultivating two or three arts?”

Hong Qianhai was truly stunned. Mastering one art to perfection within three years was already considered exceptional talent—he couldn’t imagine how long it would take to perfect two or three simultaneously.

“Precisely because this path is so difficult, a powerful figure created a new cultivation method a century ago. As for which method is stronger, I needn’t elaborate.”

“Limitless Cultivation Method…”

Hong Qianhai nodded. From the name alone, he could tell which was superior.

“The Limitless Cultivation Method was abandoned precisely because it was too hard—but Lin Chen has now revealed a Dao-comprehension talent that gives him a chance to walk this path. This was approved by Elder Su.”

Three days ago, he received a message from Elder Su. To be honest, he was stunned himself—he never expected Lin Chen to have such ambition.

Not just ambition, but absolute self-confidence.

With Lin Chen’s current martial talent, he already qualifies under Wuzhengsuo’s genius criteria. Following the official path for geniuses, entry into the ranks is certain—only a matter of time.

This boy is extraordinary.

He chose the hardest path.

“Senior brother, how should our martial arts hall treat Lin Chen?”

Having accepted Lin Chen’s cultivation of the Iron Bones Art, Hong Qianhai asked his next pressing question.

“In Lin Chen’s mind, we can’t compare to Jingshui Martial Arts Hall—but we must at least cultivate goodwill. Treat him as a regular student.”

Tai Rupai stroked his beard and smiled: “We must not repeat Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall’s mistake.”

…

…

Huizhou Prefecture, at the foot of Huangshan.

Yu Yongnian stared at the envelope in his hand, his expression shifting constantly, mouth slightly open, then standing frozen like a clay statue, the letter clutched in his hand.

Nearby, Shu Suwan watched her junior brother’s state, her face filled with curiosity—she wondered what Lin Chen had written to make him react like this.

“Senior sister, take a look.”

After a long silence, Yu Yongnian came to his senses and handed the envelope to his senior sister, his expression strange.

“Let me see.”

Shu Suwan took the letter, glanced at it, and her eyes widened in surprise.

[To the Instructor:]

[After the martial arts hall competition, I narrowly won first place…]

Seeing these opening words, Shu Suwan nearly thought she’d misread them—she checked several times before confirming it was true.

Now she understood why her junior brother looked so stunned.

First place in the martial arts hall competition!

Overwhelming all new students from the Eight Martial Arts Halls!

Had she not been certain Lin Chen wouldn’t joke in his letter, and hadn’t seen the contents with her own eyes, even if her junior brother told her outright, she’d have thought he was teasing her.

“Senior brother, you saw Lin Chen’s great potential, so that’s why you helped him back then?”

Shu Suwan looked up at her junior brother. Yu Yongnian shook his head: “If I had foreseen Lin Chen reaching this point, why would I have written those two letters?”

“Besides, do you think my eye for talent is better than yours?”

“True.”

Shu Suwan nodded slightly. She knew Lin Chen’s background and his situation in the martial hall—her junior brother had helped Lin Chen purely out of sympathy from an instructor to a student.

“I simply thought: a youth with ambition shouldn’t be wasted. A boy who speaks of working to support his studies, who dares to set aside his dignity before fellow students—I, as his instructor, should lend a hand.”

Yu Yongnian explained again—Lin Chen hadn’t disappointed him; having achieved something on the martial path, he continued helping him.

“Elder Su calling me a model instructor is humbling—I’m not without self-interest. Had Lin Chen failed to make progress, I likely wouldn’t have kept paying attention.”

Shu Suwan smiled faintly: “Judge by deeds, not intentions—that’s not reality. If Lin Chen had failed to make a name on the martial path, your attention would’ve been useless. As for Elder Su calling you a model instructor, half of it stems from his own agenda.”

Seeing her junior brother’s puzzled look, Shu Suwan explained Elder Su’s motives.

“Then, according to you, should I accept? More importantly, what are the pros and cons for Lin Chen?”

Yu Yongnian humbly sought advice—not for himself, but for Lin Chen’s benefit.

“Of course accept. But Elder Su wants to use you two as political achievements—he must offer something in return. I’ll draft the reply on that point; you needn’t worry.”

“Then I’m grateful for your attention.”

Shu Suwan’s gaze grew soft: “Even for the word ‘Mother’ in Lin Chen’s letter, I should care.”

Yu Yongnian chuckled awkwardly, a flush rising on his face.

“I’ll reply to Elder Su—but did you never consider stopping Lin Chen from pursuing the Limitless Cultivation Method mentioned in his letter?”

In comparison, Shu Suwan was far more concerned about Lin Chen’s plan to walk the Limitless Cultivation Path—she saw it as far from ideal.

“What do you mean?”

“Lin Chen has already perfected the Clear Wind Palm. Wuzhengsuo will surely nurture him. Within two years at the fastest, five at the latest, he’ll enter the ranks. Given his background, his goal should be entry into the ranks—not chasing the Limitless Path.”

Shu Suwan had heard of the Limitless Cultivation Method—but across the entire Rao Prefecture, few walked it.

It was an extremely difficult path. Only noble youths, seeking to transcend themselves, could afford to try—because they had the cost of failure.

Yu Yongnian smiled: “My view differs from yours. If Lin Chen wants to walk this path, let him walk it.”

“Didn’t you say you hoped Lin Chen wouldn’t reach too high?” Shu Suwan pressed.

“Times change. Since Lin Chen perfected the Clear Wind Palm so quickly—creating a miracle—perhaps he can create a second.”

“If miracles were so easy to create, they wouldn’t be miracles. With Lin Chen’s background, aiming for entry into the ranks within five years, then striving for seventh rank afterward—this would make the Lin family a respected clan in Rao Prefecture. That’s the truly safe path. To soar too high… often ends in a fall.”

The two clashed, words sharp.

“This path is extremely hard.”

“Even a humble-born youth may harbor the ambition of a great bird.”

Yu Yongnian’s expression was resolute, his gaze unwavering, chin slightly raised as he met Shu Suwan’s eyes, speaking slowly and clearly: “Lin Chen didn’t mention the hardships of his training in the martial hall—but being looked down upon by Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall and still winning first place—was that easy?”

Shu Suwan frowned, a trace of helplessness on her face: “I know the hardship Lin Chen endured to reach this point—but precisely because of that, he should seek stability. A humble-born youth reaching this far is hard enough; if he falters now and delays his future progress, it would be such a waste.”

“You’re right, senior sister,” Yu Yongnian nodded slightly. “But you still don’t understand Lin Chen. Every step he takes on the martial path is firm. Choosing the Limitless Cultivation Method means he has the will and confidence to walk it.”

“Fine. Since it’s between you two, I, as your mother-in-law, won’t interfere—lest I be seen as the villain.”

“What do you mean by that? If Lin Chen were here, he’d hear your words as genuine concern. Only those without true care would urge him on—never pour cold water.”

Yu Yongnian knew his senior sister meant well—this was sincere advice for Lin Chen.

But as he said, she still didn’t understand Lin Chen. From the moment Lin Chen wrote this letter to ask, he knew his disciple had made up his mind.

If so, as his instructor, he could only support him.

…

…

Tiexue Martial Arts Hall.

Lin Chen followed Fu Ang to the dormitory area.

“Senior Lin, you’ll stay in this dorm. I’m right next door.”

“Thank you, Junior Fu.”

Lin Chen entered the dorm. Bedding, toiletries—all present. Outside the small courtyard stood a large wooden tub for bathing.

“Senior Lin, our disciples need medicinal baths to temper the body, so every dorm has a tub.”

Fu Ang noticed Lin Chen staring at the tub and explained with a smile, then added: “Senior Lin, rest early tonight. Tomorrow I’ll take you to the Martial Arts Hall to collect the Iron Bones Art manual.”

“Tomorrow?”

Lin Chen shook his head. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.

“Now. Please take me now.”

“Senior Lin, you want to cultivate tonight? But it’s already late…”

“No matter. I’m used to cultivating at night. Under the moon, the clear wind is cool.”

Hearing this, Fu Ang’s eyes filled with admiration. He finally understood why Lin Chen had mastered the Clear Wind Palm so quickly.

Beyond talent—there was diligence.

Cultivating under the moon, the clear wind cool…

Easy to say—but how many could truly do it?

At this moment, his admiration for Lin Chen was genuine—not merely respect for his strength.

(End of chapter)