Although the Lin family has a rich foundation, for a family to develop in the long term, it must concentrate its financial resources. Family businesses can only be passed down through the direct line of descent; otherwise, the business will become increasingly dispersed and fragmented, and within a few generations, it will be divided into seven or eight parts, leaving the family with nothing but an empty name.

  Lin Mings branch was a cadet branch, and it had been several generations since they had split from the main family, so they wouldnt be able to inherit any property, only manage the small business. Lin Ming had little contact with the direct descendants of the Lin family since he was young, so he didnt know these two siblings at all.

  Lin Wudao: "Just a few days ago, I found out that the first place in this Wu Fu assessment was actually one of my Lin family disciples. All of us Lin family disciples were shocked and couldnt believe it. And whats even more amazing is that Lin Ming, youre from a branch family, yet without any resources or support, you achieved such an accomplishment. It really makes me feel ashamed."

  At this time, Lin Fengyuan also interjected: "The news that you, my younger brother, got the first place in the assessment has already been passed back to the family, and even the head of the household was shocked. This is an extraordinary achievement. The head of the household has met with your parents, and the wine tower has also been given to your parents as a thank you for cultivating a talent for the Lin family. When you return, Im afraid that everyone in the Lin family will be eager to welcome you back."

  After listening to Lin Wus two siblings, Lin Ming was stunned and didnt expect this series of events to happen. As for the Lin family, Lin Ming didnt have much sense of belonging, let alone interest in receiving guests.

  But Lin Ming knew that his parents absolutely hoped to get this honor, as parents, who didnt hope their children would be glorious and return home with success?

  Moreover, the parents traditional ideas are strong, and they have always hoped to bring glory to their ancestors and prosperity to their descendants. The honor of being ranked first in the Seven Mystical Martial Arts Academy is indeed something that the Lin familys ancestors can be proud of for generations to come. In a country with a population of 70-80 million, being ranked first in the Seven Mystical Martial Arts Academy is equivalent to being the top scholar in the imperial examination, and even erecting an archway to commemorate this achievement would not be an exaggeration.

  Realizing this, Lin Ming felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart. Being able to make his parents happy was what he had always hoped for as their child.

  Lin Ming said: "I just arrived at the Seven Xuanwu Mansion, unfamiliar with the place, and I met two brothers and a sister from my clan. It feels especially warm to me, and I will still have to rely on your care in the future."

  "Haha, younger brother is being polite. In the future, if theres anything difficult, just speak up. Although my martial power is limited, our familys resources in Tianyun City can still be mobilized."

  "Then thank you."

  The two exchanged a knowing glance, and just then, the classroom suddenly fell silent. A voice said, "The teaching elder has arrived."

  Lin Ming looked up and saw an old man wearing a white robe, holding a thick book, walking slowly into the lecture hall. The old mans true yuan fluctuations were obviously weaker than Mu Yi and others, probably at the Condensation Period.

  In Qing Sang City, cultivators in the Condensing Pulse stage were already quite rare, but upon entering the Seventh Xuanwu Academy, cultivators in the Condensing Pulse stage were everywhere. Lin Ming found that all the teachers at the Seventh Xuanwu Academy were above the Condensing Pulse stage.

  The old man placed the book in his hand on the case table and said slowly: "From today on, I will be responsible for teaching you all kinds of knowledge, including physical skills, swordsmanship, attacking techniques, cultivation techniques, defensive techniques, escape techniques, true yuan and the foundation of martial arts. Now lets start class."

  The old mans opening remarks were brief, and then he began to talk about the body technique. The old mans basic knowledge was very rich, and some originally simple movements could be summarized into many practical skills, such as how to dodge attacks when the old force is exhausted and the new force has not been born, temporarily avoiding the sharp edge, such as how to forcibly twist the body in mid-air, such as how to counterattack when being pressed down by the opponent.

  These techniques are not gong fa, but if used well, they can greatly enhance a martial artists combat effectiveness, which is the difference between an experienced martial artist and a novice in actual combat. Of course, to truly integrate these techniques into combat requires a great deal of actual combat experience.

  The class lasted for a whole hour, and the old man finally put away his book and said: "Todays lesson is here. New students who passed the assessment this time, please stay behind and receive your True Origin Stones."

  "True Origin Stone?" Lin Ming was slightly taken aback. He had heard of this thing, a stone that naturally contained True Origin and could be used to drive an array.

  At this time, Lin Wu said: "Younger brother of the same clan, this Zhenyuan stone is a good thing. Absorbing the true yuan inside can speed up cultivation. Moreover, the true yuan in the Zhenyuan stone is purer than that in spiritual medicine, and its much easier to refine."

  "Yes, as the first place in the tribal brothers assessment, I can get ten true yuan stones." Lin Fengyuan also echoed, with a hint of envy in his words.

  "Oh? Is this True Yuan Stone very precious?"

  "Uh, actually, our Tianyun Country also has a deposit of True Origin Stones, but they all have to be handed over to the Seven Mysteries Valley. True Origin Stones are actually quite common in the Grand Sect, its just that very few of them circulate out, so you can hardly buy any True Origin Stones in Tianyun Country."

  In this area of tens of thousands of miles, imperial power must yield to the Seven Mystical Valleys. Strength decides everything, which is not surprising.

  "Quickly go and receive it, brother. From now on, you will be in charge of setting the ranking stones rankings, and every month you can receive at least one more."

  Lin Ming arrived at the True Yuan Stone collection point and indeed received ten True Yuan Stones. These True Yuan Stones looked like water crystals with many impurities, not transparent at all.

  The weight of a genuine yuan stone is one liang, after standard weighing and cutting, Lin Ming immersed his soul force in it, and indeed felt the pure yuan inside.

  After Lin Ming, Wang Yanfeng also received the True Origin Stones, but the number was halved, with only five stones. The ordinary disciples of the Earth Sect who came later only got two stones, and those from the Human Sect only got one stone. Moreover, after receiving this time, if they couldnt enter the Earth Sect in the future, they would never have this treatment again.

  Lin Wudao said: "Younger brother of the same clan, we rarely meet each other. Lets go have a drink together, shall we?"

  Lin Ming hesitated slightly, apologetically saying: "I want to improve my strength as much as possible before the Ranking Stones assessment begins. As for drinking, Ill invite you another day, Brother and Sister." Cultivating the Lin Scripture required a lot of time, plus martial arts training and attending classes, Lin Ming was indeed busy to the point of exhaustion, even his sleep time was spent on regulating his breath and circulating his internal energy.

  "Haha, my younger brother is really diligent, no wonder he has achieved so much at this age. Alright, lets meet again another day."

  Lin Ming bid farewell to Lin Wu and his sister, leaving the Lecture Hall alone. When he reached the fork in the road, he found Wang Yanfeng standing with two unfamiliar men, their brows furrowed, clearly not on good terms.

  "Hey! Isnt this Wang Jias genius, Wang Yanfeng? Ah, the champion of Yue Lu Citys Elite Tournament, and hes already mastered the Nine True Words sword technique. Heh heh, I thought you were quite something, but how did you lose to a mere Body Tempering Second Realm kid? Youre really bringing shame to our Yue Lu City!" A young man with an air of sarcasm spoke up, looking around 20 years old, with a cultivation level at the peak of Body Tempering Third Realm. He was holding a long sword and had an arrogant expression on his face.

  Wang Yanfengs face suddenly sank, "Liu Mingshang, you wretched son of the Liu family, how dare you shout in front of me! After eating so many rare and precious medicines, your assessment didnt even make it into the top ten. Even a pig raised by the Liu family is better than you!"

  "Hey! You say Im a pig, fine. Then lets see how it goes. See if you can trample me under your feet." Liu Mingxiang said disdainfully, with a hint of playful smile on his face.

  Wang Yanfengs voice paused, his fist clenched tightly. The opponent was at the peak of the third level of physical training, and had been cultivating in the Seven Mysterious Martial Arts Academy for two years. In comparison, he really didnt have any confidence.

  However, despite this, Wang Yanfeng did not want to back down. He knew that if he didnt accept the challenge today, Liu Mingshang would spread it everywhere, saying that he was timid and cowardly, and that the "Nine True Words" were all in vain. "Liu Mingshang, you really dont know what shame is! Your talent is not as good as mine, yet youre using your age to pressure me? Eighteen years old against my fifteen years, isnt that great?"

  "Ridiculous! On the battlefield, youre killed by others and still care about whos older? Stop talking nonsense, do you dare to compete or not?"

  "Whats there to be afraid of!" Wang Chenfeng coldly snorted, although he clearly knew that the other was provoking him. However, due to his proud nature, he still accepted the challenge. He couldnt dampen his spirit or break his will as a martial artist.

  "Alright, lets follow the rules of the Martial Manor and make a bet. Since were going to compete, there should be some stakes involved. Youve just received five True Origin Stones, why dont you use them as the wager?"

  Bet!

  Wang Yanfeng gritted his teeth, he wasnt stupid either, and immediately understood that Liu Mingshang had deliberately provoked him today just for these five True Origin Stones!

  This is well-planned!

  But even if he understood all this, Wang Chenfeng would not retreat. Five true yuan stones, even if he lost, he could afford to lose, let alone, he didnt necessarily have to lose!

  "Go all in!"

  Lin Ming watched from a distance, shaking his head slightly. The other party had clearly calculated Wang Yanfengs character, but on the other hand, since they had provoked him to his doorstep, if Wang Yanfeng really became timid in this situation, his losses would likely be even greater. Avoiding battle and swallowing ones anger was a great taboo for a cultivator.

  Xiū wǔ bù dàn liàn tǐ, yě shì xiū xīn, xiū xīn jiǎng jiū de shì suí xìng ér wèi, kuài yì rén shēng, yào shì chù chù yǐn rěn, xiū liàn dū huì shòu zǔ.

  Translation:

  Practicing martial arts is not only about training the body, but also about cultivating the mind. Cultivating the mind emphasizes being natural and carefree, enjoying life. If one always holds back and endures, their practice will be hindered.

  Wang Chenfeng is probably going to lose, those two are both top-notch experts, their physical cultivation has reached the third peak, and they have been training in the Seven Mysterious Martial Arts Academy for so long, their combat strength is likely to surpass that of ordinary fourth-level martial artists by a large margin. With such strength, even Lin Ming would not have any confidence in winning.

  "This Liu Mingxiang is indeed a high-handed person, but he is indeed a master. And the young man beside him seems even more unfathomable. Either of them, I wouldnt have a chance to win if I were to fight against them. The Seventh Xuanwu Sect really has hidden dragons and crouching tigers." Lin Ming thought to himself, this was quite normal, who among those who entered the Seventh Xuanwu Sect wasnt a genius? With such talent, being older than them, and having access to so many resources in the sect, cultivating for so long, if they couldnt even beat newcomers, then it would be a waste of their cultivation.

  This has nothing to do with Lin Ming, he turned around and left, just a few steps away, a voice suddenly sounded from behind: "Hey! Isnt this the first place in this assessment? Lin Ming, right? Nice to meet you."

  Although it was a polite phrase, the provocative meaning in his voice was too obvious. Lin Mings eyebrows furrowed slightly as he turned to look, and saw that the speaker was the young man with unfathomable strength who had provoked Wang Chenfeng together with Liu Ming.