C39 Nine Shadow Palms Versus the Claw Condensation Technique

"Sister Mu, your students truly live up to your teaching. I must admit, my own students' performance pales in comparison to yours."

Instructor Mu offered a slight smile. "Lin Yue, you're just too lenient. If you were a bit tougher, the students you've trained would surely rise a notch in ability."

Han Lin and the others couldn't help but be taken aback. They had always thought Instructor Lin was quite strict, yet Instructor Mu suggested he was too soft-hearted.

Just how stern was Instructor Mu?

"Han Lin, over here."

Han Gaang beckoned with a wave of his hand.

On the other side, Han Rou made her way toward Han Gaang at a measured pace.

The rest of the group mingled in small clusters, familiar faces sticking together.

Neither Instructor Lin nor Instructor Mu paid much mind to the socializing; after all, they were all part of the Han family, where strict formalities weren't necessary.

Han Lin glanced at Han Feng. "Come on, Han Feng, let's join them."

Han Feng gave a slight shake of his head. "You go ahead. Han Gaang might not take too kindly to my presence."

Han Lin seemed about to protest but ended up sighing deeply. "Han Feng, I'm sure they'll come around to accepting you eventually. They're just envious right now. Once you demonstrate strength they can't match, they'll stop acting this way."

Han Feng looked amused. "You have that much faith in me?"

Han Lin rolled his eyes. "In just a month and a half, you've caught up to me in Internal Strength, and you've even surpassed me in overall combat ability. What's there to doubt? If you told me tomorrow that you've advanced to the Late Period of Mortal Rank, I'd take it in stride."

Han Feng responded with a resigned tone, "Alright then, off you go."

Once Han Lin had departed, Han Rong approached with Han Zheng in tow.

Han Rong and Han Zheng were close, and Han Zheng was particularly grateful to Han Feng for saving Han Rong.

Seeing Han Feng standing alone, the two made their way to his sides. Han Feng greeted them with a warm smile and struck up a conversation.

Upon Han Lin's arrival, Han Rou frowned involuntarily. "You used to dislike Han Feng too, didn't you? How come you're all smiles with him now?"

Han Lin scratched his head. "Sister Rou, do you really need to hold such a grudge against Han Feng? He's proven himself to be far from worthless now."

Han Rou let out a soft huff. "If it weren't for his father, our Han family could very well have been the preeminent family in Renzhong City by now, and we wouldn't be facing the hardships we are today."

Han Lin gave a wry smile. "That's not realistic. Even without the incident involving our Fourth Uncle, the Han family wouldn't have risen to the top in Renzhong City."

"Why not?" Han Rou frowned, clearly not convinced.

Han Lin remained silent. The details about the Chang family were known only to the involved parties and the Han family's senior members. Now was not the time for such information to be disclosed.

Seeing Han Lin's reluctance to elaborate, Han Rou's annoyance flared. "I can't fathom what Han Feng has done to earn such staunch defense from you."

Han Gaang, taken aback, murmured, "Little sister, this isn't the place for such words."

Han Lin's expression turned stern as he replied, "Sister Rou, your thinking is misguided."

Han Rou pouted. "Don't tell me you two are without your own secrets?"

She then gave Han Lin a once-over and added, "You're quite handsome yourself, you know."

Through gritted teeth, Han Lin responded, "Sister Rou, that's not my inclination. My closeness to Han Feng is because he saved my life in the Jade Peak Mountain Range. Otherwise, you'd be mourning over my bones right now."

This revelation was news to Han Gaang and Han Rou; the Han family's leadership had kept Han Lin's ordeal under wraps, shared only among a select few.

Han Gaang's face turned serious. "What exactly happened? How did you come to be in danger?"

Left with no alternative, Han Lin recounted the events that had transpired in the Jade Peak Mountain Range. Han Rou, fists clenched in anger, declared, "The Chang family has gone too far. Once the Family Trials begin, I'll make sure they get what's coming to them!"

Han Gaang, equally incensed, cautioned her, "Little sister, try to maintain some decorum. Refrain from cursing all the time. Do you really want the Han family to see the true colors of their idolized goddess?"

He then turned to Han Lin and said, "I've aged out of the Family Trials and lost my chance for retribution. But rest assured, if I ever cross paths with someone from the Chang family who's my age, I'll make them pay for what they've done to you."

Instructor Lin and Instructor Mu had nearly finished exchanging courtesies when Instructor Mu glanced at the time and declared, "Time's about right. Let's get started."

Instructor Lin nodded in agreement. "The usual way?"

"Exactly," confirmed Instructor Mu.

With that, Instructor Lin stepped forward and commanded, "Everyone, line up here."

Once all were assembled, Instructor Lin continued, "You twenty will be split into ten pairs to compete. The victor must be ready to face a challenge from the defeated. The loser has the opportunity to take the winner's place."

"I will now announce the competitors."

The selection of these competitors was a joint decision made by Instructor Lin and Instructor Mu.

Both instructors had a keen insight into their trainees' abilities, knowing who was likely to triumph and who was prone to defeat.

Thus, in these ten bouts, the victors were expected to be the ten participants in the Family Trials. The outcomes seldom strayed from their forecasts.

Yet, the twenty contenders were unaware of this arrangement. Some with a modest cultivation foundation still clung to hopes of good fortune.

The sole point of contention between the two instructors was Han Feng.

Instructor Lin was convinced of Han Feng's top-ten potential, but Instructor Mu, having not witnessed Han Feng's prowess, remained unmoved by Lin's descriptions.

Instructor Mu had chosen for Han Feng an opponent slightly superior to Han Lin and Yinyin—a formidable expert with five Main Bloodlines opened and a stable realm as a Martial Cultivator.

"I've heard that Han Feng can hold his own against a Martial Cultivator with four Main Bloodlines using just his three," Instructor Mu remarked. "His strength is advancing rapidly; he might have already reached four Main Bloodlines by now. It would be an insult not to match him with a worthy opponent."

Instructor Lin realized that Instructor Mu still doubted Han Feng's capabilities, and ultimately, he acquiesced.

Gradually, Han Feng's enigma had deepened in Instructor Lin's mind. Han Feng's cultivation and combat prowess consistently astonished everyone, and for reasons Lin couldn't fathom, he believed Han Feng was unbeatable.

"The first match will be Han Rou versus Han Zheng!"

Han Rou stepped forward with composure, while Han Zheng wore a look of turmoil.

For him, it was a chance to be near the woman he admired, yet he knew that facing Han Rou in combat meant his chances of victory were virtually nonexistent.

"Begin the battle!" Instructor Lin bellowed, prompting Han Zheng to instantly go on alert. As he was about to respond, Han Rou swiftly positioned herself before him. Before he could react to her impending strike, Han Zheng was already hurtling through the air.

Nine Shadow Palms, a Basic Upper-grade Martial Skill, had been imparted to Han Rou and her fellow female trainees by Instructor Mu. At its Perfection Stage, this technique could manifest nine deceptive afterimages. Within these illusions, only a single shadow carried the true attack. Without the ability to discern the vulnerability of Nine Shadow Palms quickly, one would end up like Han Zheng—overwhelmed and defeated.