Chapter 22 Xie Wanxin

"It's nothing."

Fu Yan was stunned for a moment, then said: "This is your first time at the academy, so using them all up this time doesn't matter much."

Some things can't be explained well; only through personal experience can they be understood.

Fu Yan sighed, his mood somewhat low, and after saying this, he walked into his room.

"What does that mean?"

Lin Yuan was puzzled in his heart; he didn't understand. In the morning, when they got the Qi-Blood Powder, Fu Yan's mood was clearly high, yet now he was downcast.

Is it obviously related to that person just now?

What kind of change occurred?

All kinds of doubts kept passing by and then were constantly denied.

"Let him speak when he wants to. Everyone has their difficulties, and forcing an inquiry would be unkind."

Lin Yuan put down all kinds of doubts, no longer entangled in the reasons, and walked towards the handover place in the herb garden.

Today, there were many herbs that needed to be handed over to the disciples who came to pick them up. There were quite a few tasks, so time needed to be managed well.

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That morning, at the square of the Transmission Hall.

Lin Yuan had just stepped into the arena of the square.

"Brother Lin, good morning." A cheerful voice came.

"Good morning, Senior Brother Xie."

Lin Yuan cupped his hands and gave a slight smile towards Jie Wanxin opposite him.

This person was sturdy, with a square face, high nose, big eyes, thick eyebrows, and accompanied by well-developed limbs, at a glance it was clear he had a cheerful personality.

It was the third day of classes at the Transmission Hall when Lin Yuan met this senior brother.

At that time, sitting next to Lin Yuan, he noticed Lin Yuan's delicate features, was one of the rare handsome young men around, and couldn't help wanting to make friends.

After some exchange, Xie Wanxin gave a feeling of being upright mixed with heroic spirit, which made Lin Yuan want to make friends. After watching the martial arts performance that day, Xie Wanxin insisted on dragging Lin Yuan to the arena to try their skills.

After the fight, Xie Wanxin was amazed that Lin Yuan, who seemed slightly thin, actually harbored incredibly powerful Qi-Blood force.

If taken seriously, just in terms of Qi-Blood force, Xie Wanxin felt Lin Yuan could match up to sixty percent of his own skill.

Know that he is currently practicing the Swimming Dragon Fist, which is a rare Qi-Blood cultivation method. It is about half a level higher than ordinary Eight-step Breaking Fist, Heart-shattering Palm, and other Qi-Blood martial arts skills.

And in terms of realm, he had reached the peak of Great Achievement, close to perfection. It was not hard to guess that Lin Yuan's Qi-Blood cultivation was probably at the limit of small achievement and was about to break through to the Great Achievement realm.

Lin Yuan had just completed the selection process and had been honing himself at the academy for almost two years. The comparison immediately made him feel admiration.

During his fight with this person, Lin Yuan used almost his small achievement level of fist strength, and this person was almost evenly matched with him. It could be said to have profound skills, which shocked Lin Yuan.

After a round of competition, Lin Yuan and Xie Wanxin both felt a mutual appreciation, and they became quite familiar with each other through constant interactions.

"Today, let's switch. Brother Lin, you attack, and I defend." Xie Wanxin patted Lin Yuan on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

Then the two found a corner and stood about two meters apart.

"Senior Brother Xie, be careful." Lin Yuan reminded.

Only to see Lin Yuan's sharp gaze, the Qi-Blood force within his body suddenly shook, and in an instant, a roar like an engine sounded within his Dantian, enormous power rose from under his feet, and then transmitted through his waist and abdomen to his right fist.

"Today, just use small achievement level fist strength!" As he punched, Lin Yuan's thoughts flashed like lightning.

Bang!

Lin Yuan's right fist was steadily blocked by Xie Wanxin.

"Not bad!" Xie Wanxin couldn't help applauding, feeling the strength transmitted onto his arm. With such abundant Qi-Blood power, hitting him seemed to awaken various organs of his body, making him feel faintly excited.

Lin Yuan saw that the strike was ineffective, but this block was within his expectations; he immediately switched his fist path, with his left fist instantly coordinated with his footwork.

Once again, a barrage of punches was delivered.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Lin Yuan's changes in fist path were completely predicted by Xie Wanxin and were subsequently blocked.

Instantly, the two exchanged an unknown number of punches and kicks.

Seizing the moment to retreat, Lin Yuan pulled back a little distance, then charged again towards the slightly panting Xie Wanxin in front of him.

"Four-step Instant Water." Lin Yuan thought, shouting in his heart, once more using peak small achievement fist strength, and delivered two punches in succession.

The left fist in front, right fist behind, with footwork changes infused with Qi-Blood, like two dragons soaring into the air, entwining each other, appearing instantly on both sides of Xie Wanxin, exuding a powerful sense of oppression.

"Good coming!"

Feeling the oppressing force of the punches, Xie Wanxin was extremely excited and couldn't help but shout.

Lin Yuan's Eight-step Breaking Fist was one of the best Xie Wanxin had seen. During their previous first match, he underestimated him and suffered a small loss facing the Instant Water move, not realizing Lin Yuan's fist strength.

But today, familiar with Lin Yuan's fist strength, he was extremely confident in gauging the strength of the force.

"Swimming Dragon Stabilization!"

Xie Wanxin instantly executed the martial skill of his great accomplishment in the Swimming Dragon technique. His Swimming Dragon Fist imitated the movement technique of a swimming dragon. Punching like a playful dragon diving in and out of water.

With equal force, it was faster than ordinary martial skills.

Xie Wanxin's face showed a trace of confidence, his left fist, initiating later, reached out to meet Lin Yuan's left fist.

He predicted that once Lin Yuan's Instant Water was executed, the left fist would be in front, and the right would follow.

After clashing with it, he would use his speed advantage to punch again. It would strike just when his right fist had accumulated power, breaking through both fists, and Lin Yuan would be wide open, welcoming his torrential attack.

"You Long An Kun!"

Before the fists even touched, Xie Wanxin's confidence grew. He had already initiated the next step of the attack, his right fist brought up an ominous force like a fierce dragon poking its head out in a storm.

Bang!

The fists clashed.

"Not right!" His left fist lacked the required force and was repelled by Lin Yuan's punch strength.

"Fist strength is right, An Kun won't do, must change!" Xie Wanxin was shaken; An Kun was still accumulating power, and due to the left fist's constraint, he had to retract this move.

"I must use a movement technique, or I cannot properly respond to this move." A thought struck Xie Wanxin, and his movement technique abruptly became agile, retreating backwards.

"Hmm? Senior Brother Xie's force wasn't enough!" Lin Yuan was surprised, as usually, the opponent could steadily receive small achievement level force, but now was unable to withstand it.

"It's the improvement from using the Qi-Blood Powder yesterday!" Lin Yuan had an epiphany and immediately understood the reason.

However, in martial arts competitions, a momentary loss is a flaw.

If you can seize it, it's an opportunity to win.

Without a doubt, to Lin Yuan, who had a profound understanding of martial arts, it was clear. His right fist resolutely attacked, roaring towards the retreating Xie Wanxin, accompanied by a gale.

"No, he's too fast; I have to escape!"

Before the punch's full strength was unleashed, in Lin Yuan's eyes, Xie Wanxin's body suddenly accelerated, retreating backwards.

"Serpent Dragon's Movement!"

Lin Yuan's body suddenly accelerated, taking advantage of the punch's force yet to peak, he immediately struck towards Xie Wanxin. If Xie Wanxin continued to retreat at this speed, he would inevitably end up hit by his punch, almost solidifying the winning stance in this contest.

"This Brother Lin is deeply hidden; his movement technique has already reached mastery. Thus, neither movement technique nor fist strength can be kept!" Seeing Lin Yuan's speed increase dramatically, Xie Wanxin made a firm decision in his heart.

"Spiritual Tiger Chasing Wind!" In an instant, Xie Wanxin's movement technique speed increased by another notch.

The punch from Lin Yuan had already peaked, yet there was no feedback on the fist.

"Can't catch up. Defend!" Lin Yuan saw Xie Wanxin's figure darting far away like a line breaking through, pouncing on him.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Too fast. Can't keep up!" Lin Yuan realized in his heart, seeing Xie Wanxin burst with full speed.

On the left!

This time it's the right!

Middle!

No, not the middle, still the right!

"Really can't keep up!"

A flash of fist shadow swept across Lin Yuan's eyes, an enormous force striking his right shoulder.

Under the massive force blow, Lin Yuan could no longer maintain his stance, falling to the right. Finally, after rolling a few times on the ground, dissipating the force, he barely stopped.

Dust clung to his robes, making Lin Yuan appear somewhat awkward.

"Brother Lin, haha, you broke through?" Xie Wanxin happily said.

A large hand extended, helping Lin Yuan up.

"Senior Brother Xie's strength is astounding, Lin Yuan is no match!" Lin Yuan couldn't help but sigh. Although he felt his Qi-Blood was higher than Xie Wanxin's, his movement technique was far inferior.

Xie Wanxin at full force meant that Lin Yuan had power but no way to use it, leading to defeat.

"Brother Lin, you are too modest. Your Qi-Blood broke through; you must have reached the Great Achievement Realm. Forcing me to exert full strength to counter, that's the only way I triumphed. It was my complacency!" Xie Wanxin felt a bit embarrassed.

"What are you saying, Senior Brother!" The two then exchanged a smile, afterwards walked together towards the academy's shrine to pay respects to the tall bronze statue.

Visiting the shrine was required for all disciples daily. According to others, practicing martial arts required paying respects to the Martial Emperor; only with a sincere heart could one gain more enlightenment.

Lin Yuan and Xie Wanxin together, entered the hall akin to an ancient temple, where the sight of a bronze statue resembling a colossal figure holding up the sky immediately caught their eyes. Its hands supported the heavens, feet stepping on the earth, with eyes reflecting the sun and moon, and its mouth inhaling and exhaling all directions, exuding extraordinary might.

Lin Yuan, following Xie Wanxin, bowed in respect to the statue.

He was not fond of the ceremony, so after a perfunctory gesture, he bid farewell to Xie Wanxin and headed back home.

On the way back to the herb garden.

"Xie Wanxin's movement technique far surpasses mine, even using a first stage status, it would be an exceptionally difficult victory. The movement technique needs improvement, and the skeletal structure needs enhancement as well."

It's still the Qi-Blood Powder that works!

Lin Yuan sighed again in his heart, hurrying towards the herb garden.

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Unknowingly, a month passed.

"This month's task is completed. Let's see what task is arranged this time."

This month, Lin Yuan became completely familiar with the work in the herb garden, but the month-long task period had ended. He needed to return to the Pill Hall to receive new task points.

Through everyday interactions with Fu Yan, Lin Yuan already understood.

Generally, new chores disciples are allowed to become familiar with three to four jobs, and then assigned long-term work to one task. For example, Fu Yan had been in the academy for six years, except for the first year, he spent all other time in this herb garden.

If there's no special circumstance and the term isn't completed with a breakthrough, it would be considered as losing potential and would likely be expelled from the academy.

Lin Yuan walked out of the herb garden, hurrying towards the Pill Hall.