C92 Eleven Tiger Kicking

On his previous visits, Chu Yan had always selected his martial skills on his own. This time, however, his standing within the Lin Clan had dramatically changed, warranting the constant company of a familiar elder throughout his visit. Such a level of attention was unprecedented for any clan member.

Access to the third floor of the Martial Skill Pavilion was strictly controlled, requiring joint approval from the Patriarch and the Elders Guild. Not just any elder, but even Lin Chongtian himself would be denied entry without the Elders Guild's consent.

Yet, Chu Yan's recent triumph as the top contender in the clan's selection tournament, coupled with Lin Xiao's strong endorsement, meant that any opposition from the elders would remain unvoiced, especially considering the cautionary tales of Lin Chongzhi and Lin Kongtong.

Ascending the iron-cast staircase to the heavily fortified third floor, Chu Yan was immediately struck by an intense aura of power. The entire level was a fortress of iron, with every surface from the ceiling to the walls and floor fashioned from neatly interlocked iron plates, the seams filled with molten iron, seemingly impregnable.

The third floor was sparsely furnished, with just a few partitioned areas. Chu Yan headed straight for the section housing the martial skills. The Lin Clan boasted only two Earth Ranked Martial Skills. Chu Yan was already familiar with one of them, the Fury Sword Technique, having witnessed Lin Ao's demonstration.

The other, he had just learned from an elder, was called the Elevenfold Tiger Kick, a leg technique-focused martial skill. Without a moment's hesitation, Chu Yan chose the Elevenfold Tiger Kick.

Although the Fury Sword Technique seemed more formidable, Chu Yan was well aware that his true strength lay not in weaponry, but in his own formidable physique. His effortless manipulation of the triplex Cong Yun Sword was a testament to that. Chu Yan was confident that with continued physical enhancement, even fourth and fifth-grade weapons would bend to his will.

By the time he executed his martial techniques, to the onlooker, it might have seemed like nothing more than punches and kicks. In reality, however, it was as if he was wielding a mid-grade weapon, delivering a crushing blow that would leave his enemies reeling, unable to withstand the surprise attack.

In the past, the elder might have advised Chu Yan to opt for the seemingly more powerful Raging Spirit Sword Technique. But after witnessing the impressive display of Chu Yan's Seven Stars Windstorm Steps in the recent selection competition, the elder was now certain not to second-guess Chu Yan's choices.

Having settled on his martial skills, Chu Yan needed to select another weapon. Despite the promise of a top-tier weapon, the Lin Family's wealth offered him a limited selection. Ultimately, Chu Yan chose a lance devoid of any inscription patterns.

Named Fierce Flame, this lance was a heptaprotic apparatus. Chu Yan, accustomed to the spear in battle and having previously mastered the Blood Yang Spear Art, naturally gravitated towards the lance once more, valuing quality over quantity in his martial arsenal.

The Inflammatory Spear exuded a more lethal aura than the silver scale spear. Its shaft was almost entirely black, save for the red patterns near the tip and where the shaft met the head—patterns that resembled fresh bloodstains, spattered as though from a fierce skirmish, adding a grim and ferocious aspect to the weapon.

Heavier than the silver scale spear, the Inflammatory Spear weighed in at a formidable five hundred and seventy kilograms—nearly triple the weight. It was superior in material, offering greater hardness, sharpness, and flexibility.

Upon taking hold of the Inflammatory Spear, Chu Yan swung it, the resulting sound of the wind creating visible whirlwinds, the blade's edge slicing through the air with a piercing screech that turned the elder's face pale with awe.

The more Chu Yan handled the Inflammatory Spear, the more he appreciated it. Its weight and feel surpassed not only the silver scale spear but also the Dragon-Breaking Spear he had previously wielded. It was, without a doubt, the perfect extension of his will in battle.

Chu Yan had only practiced a few times with the spear, but it already felt incredibly natural in his hands, as if he had been wielding it for ages.

"With that Inflammatory Spear, Young Master Chu, you're like a tiger sprouting wings—your strength has been greatly enhanced," the elder nearby commented, seizing the chance to offer some flattery.

"Thank you for your recommendation, Elder," Chu Yan replied, graciously accepting the praise. After all, everyone likes to be lifted on the flower palanquin now and then.

Truth be told, the elder had merely introduced Chu Yan to the selection of high-grade weapons on the third floor before he made his choice. But Chu Yan's words made it sound like the elder had played a significant role in his success.

The elder was visibly touched by the unexpected commendation, his face blooming into a wide smile.

When it was time for Chu Yan to depart, the elder escorted him a full ten kilometers from the Lin Family Stronghold. It was with a heavy heart that he finally bid farewell, urging Chu Yan to visit the Martial Skill Pavilion whenever he could. His tone suggested he might even pull some strings to keep the pavilion's doors open for Chu Yan all year round.

With a new technique and weapon in hand, Chu Yan dove back into his training regimen. For the next ten days, he scarcely left his small courtyard, dedicating every possible moment to rigorous practice, save for the necessary breaks for eating and drinking.

Lin Xiao and Lin Chongzhi heard of Chu Yan's intense dedication and, though they showed no outward sign of approval, they couldn't help but nod in admiration behind closed doors. They respected his work ethic and perseverance, lamenting only that he wasn't a blood member of the Lin family.

Time flew by, and another five days passed in the blink of an eye. It was now late August, and the family competition in Evergreen Town was just 30 days away.

Within the confines of the Time Space Prison, eleven stone golems stood haphazardly around Chu Yan, with no particular pattern to their arrangement.

Chu Yan inhaled deeply, his knees bending slightly before he snapped upright, his body taut like a bow at full draw. In the next instant, he shot forward like an arrow released from pent-up energy, vanishing from his original spot.

"Seven Stars Windstorm Steps!" he exclaimed.

With astonishing speed, Chu Yan darted among the stone golems, leaving a trail of afterimages in his wake. To any onlooker, it would seem as though multiple Chu Yans were present, their exact positions indiscernible amidst the blur of motion.

One star!

Two stars!

Three stars!

Four stars!

Five stars!

The Five-Star Step Technique had been mastered to perfection.

In that very moment, Chu Yan soared into the sky with a mighty leap, bellowing, "Tiger Crouch Eleven Consecutive Kicks!"

Snap, snap, snap, snap, snap!

In a flash, his legs became a blur, delivering high-speed kicks that caused explosive sounds to echo through the void, as visible air burst open around him.

Simultaneously, he darted swiftly among the eleven stone figures.

Crackling and popping!

Eleven rapid-fire kicks, each one detonating with the force of thunder, obliterated the heads of the stone figures into a fine, white dust.

Billowing clouds of this dust filled the temporal prison, spreading far and wide in the blink of an eye.