C57 Seven Stars Chaotic Wind Step

As the young miss narrowed her eyes like a tiny tiger on the brink of fury, Fu Rui quickly interjected, "Everyone's saying the Young Master is like a wolf in sheep's clothing!"

"A wolf in sheep's clothing?" Lin Miaoran blinked, nodding in agreement, "Given the current circumstances, that seems quite fitting. Still, it's not quite the whole picture."

"What's missing?" Fu Rui pressed eagerly.

Lin Miaoran indulged the question, "Merely showcasing martial prowess isn't enough. There's a saying on the Immortal Spirit Continent: 'A genius who hasn't come into their own is no genius at all.'"

"I've heard that before," Fu Rui affirmed with a vigorous nod.

Her interest in the young miss's assessment of Chu Yan was palpable.

"Regarding Inscription," Lin Miaoran pondered briefly before shaking her head, "At the lower echelons of cultivation, it's revered by many, but ultimately, it's a minor art."

"A minor art?" Fu Rui's eyes widened in surprise, having never heard her young miss express such a sentiment before.

The revelation left her somewhat tongue-tied, "But, Miss, Master Li He of the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce is so esteemed that even our Patriarch struggles to secure an audience..."

"That's only in Evergreen Town," Lin Miaoran sighed softly. "Fu Rui, the world is much larger than we imagine. You might not grasp this now, but once we join the Profound Moon Sect, you'll see that what seems monumental is merely a leaf in the forest. At higher realms, the benefits of Inscription are almost inconsequential."

"Oh—" Fu Rui nodded, half-understanding, then shook her head and leaned in closer to Lin Miaoran, whispering, "Regardless, I will always stand by you, Miss. But about Young Master—no, Chu Yan, is Inscription truly of no value?"

"You only catch half of what I say," Lin Miaoran said with a smile, gently pinching Fu Rui's chubby cheek, "I meant that at higher levels, Inscription has limited utility. But here in Evergreen Town, or even in the grander scheme of the Yun Ao Kingdom, with his status, Chu Yan certainly merits attention."

"The boundary of his cultivation is so high," Fu Rui blinked, "like the Patriarch or the Old Master?"

Lin Miaoran chuckled and shook her head. Her gaze was distant, as if lost in thought, and she murmured, "It's much more than that. The Pulse Condensation Stage is merely the initial step for a cultivator. The world is vast, and throughout history, there have been those who attained sainthood through their physique, and those who did so through their magical prowess. But with Inscription, there has never been such a possibility for sainthood."

The room fell into a contemplative silence, each lost in their own musings.

After some time, Fu Rui spoke up gently, "Miss, aren't you even a little curious about Chu Yan?"

Lin Miaoran closed her eyes, pondering for a moment before replying, "If the opportunity arises, I'll observe from a distance. I just hope I won't be too disappointed."

"Eh—" Fu Rui seemed poised to add something, but ultimately, she simply leaned against her young miss's shoulder and fell silent. Moments later, she drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, within the confines of the temporal prison.

Chu Yan, bare-chested, wielded his silver scale spear like a dragon bursting from its cave, each movement creating a blur of light and sound. Every thrust and sweep churned the air like boiling water.

He had mastered the first two techniques of the Blood Yang Spear Art, Crippling Sun and Blood Chain Across the Sky, to perfection. His sweeping strikes carried an unstoppable momentum, as though he could bring the sky crashing down.

After a period of intense training, Chu Yan took a brief rest, quieting his mind, and crafted several Heavy Equipment Inscription Patterns, intending to sell them at the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce in exchange for Spirit Money in the coming days.

Additionally, Chu Yan examined the Lotus Leaf Double Wood Slash he had acquired from the Ye Family's servant.

The Blood Yang Spear Art he had learned from the Lin Family, including the martial techniques Lin Chongtian had allowed him to select, were all of mid-tier human rank. In contrast, the Lotus Leaf Double Wood Slash was a superior human-rank blade technique.

Yet Chu Yan was aware that even if he mastered it now, he mustn't display it carelessly in front of others.

If the Ye Family were to discover what had happened, they would undoubtedly suspect me of being responsible for Ye Chen's and the other servants' deaths. However, once I leave Evergreen Town in the future, such concerns will no longer plague me.

After a grueling night of training, I emerged from the time-space cage at dawn to find the Ye Family's servants had already prepared breakfast and were waiting outside the Little Courtyard with the utmost respect. It was the same servant who had always brought me my meals, but today, his gaze held a sycophantic quality that had never been there before.

Previously, his deliveries felt like mere obligations, tasks assigned by the Lin Clan. Now, he seemed eager and even pleased to serve me, his words hinting at a readiness to be at my beck and call. However, I didn't trust this servant; for all I knew, he could be a spy sent by the Lin Family. So, I feigned ignorance to his insinuations. After breakfast, I had a horse brought to me, and I set off for the Ye Family Castle.

Lin Chongtian had promised I could select another martial skill, and I was keen to make the most of the opportunity. Although Feng Ru wasn't with me this time, my arrival at the Lin Family Stronghold was met without any trouble. Clearly, word of the previous day's events had reached the stronghold.

My age and talent alone, being a sixteen-year-old at the fourth level of the Genuine Force Realm, were impressive. But mastering the art of Inscription was enough to make others seek my favor. Even the Lin Family elder who oversaw the Martial Skill Pavilion had warmed up to me considerably. Last time, he had been indifferent, but now he greeted me with a smile and a look of affection, as if he were a doting elder.

This time, he didn't even mention the usual time restrictions for selecting martial skills in the pavilion, suggesting I could take as long as I wanted. Regrettably, I was bound to disappoint the elder today. I had already decided on the martial skill I would choose.

"Seven Stars Windstorm Steps?" The elder's voice was tinged with surprise upon seeing the martial skill Chu Yan had selected.

"Yes, that's right," Chu Yan confirmed with a nod. "Could you please register it for me, Elder?"

"Registering it is no issue, but—" The elder paused thoughtfully before continuing, "Are you certain you don't want to reconsider? While there's a rule against casually swapping chosen martial skills, your case is somewhat exceptional. This particular skill wasn't originally part of the Lin Clan's repertoire; it was brought back by a clan member from his travels, and the records are incomplete—it's a fragmented skill."

The elder's implication was clear, stopping just short of outright offering Chu Yan a loophole to select a different skill.

Yet, Chu Yan simply smiled and shook his head. "I appreciate your concern, Elder, but I have no need to switch. I'll stick with the Seven Stars Windstorm Steps."