Even the usually reserved Yang Qingfeng had an undisguised smile on his face. He paused, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly as he announced, word by word, "Linyuan has completed the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing. He has succeeded."
The main hall fell silent for a moment.
Then, cheers erupted.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Zhao! Congratulations!"
"Junior Brother Zhao really broke through!"
"The Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing at seventeen... My heavens..."
"Our Martial Arts Hall can now be called the best in the county town!"
Lin Yan stood in the crowd, watching the fervent gazes his fellow disciples directed at Junior Brother Zhao, and shook his head slightly.
’Being revered by the crowd like this... that sense of glory is certainly intoxicating.’
’Unfortunately, because of the Martial Arts Tree and Martial Arts Fruit, I can’t walk this path. If I were to reveal all my trump cards, it would make it harder to acquire Martial Arts Fruits later on.’
"Quiet."
Yang Qingfeng raised his hand and gently pushed it down.
The noise in the main hall gradually subsided, but the excitement in the disciples’ eyes could not be concealed.
Yang Qingfeng turned to the side, looked at Zhao Linyuan, and nodded slightly.
Zhao Linyuan took a step forward, faced the crowd, and cupped his fist in a salute.
His movements were natural; he wasn’t putting on airs or feigning modesty. A faint smile graced his young face, and his eyes were clear and steady.
"I was only able to succeed in this breakthrough thanks to Master’s dedicated tutelage. I’m also grateful to all my senior brothers for their past guidance and support."
The disciples in the main hall returned the salute one after another, saying things like "Congratulations, Junior Brother Zhao," and "You’re too kind, Junior Brother Zhao."
Lin Yan also cupped his fist, his gaze falling on Zhao Linyuan. ’Junior Brother Zhao really has a certain charisma. He’s talented and has a strong background, yet he isn’t arrogant.’
’Even now that he’s broken through to the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing and stands at the very top of all the disciples in the Martial Arts Hall, he still maintains that humility. That kind of disposition is even rarer than his talent.’
"Alright, let’s not all stand around flattering each other."
Yang Qingfeng smiled and waved his hand. "Today is a joyous day. I’ve had someone prepare a feast with wine. Everyone will stay at the Martial Arts Hall today. Linyuan, you’ll come with me on an errand."
「Half an hour later.」
Seeing Senior Brother Hao and Junior Brother Zhuang following their master, Lin Yan suddenly understood. ’So that’s what Master’s trip was for. He used Junior Brother Zhao’s breakthrough to the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing to make the Zheng Family release Senior Brother Hao and Junior Brother Zhuang. Just as I expected, the Zheng Family didn’t want to offend Junior Brother Zhao, so they granted him this favor.’
Hao Jingnian and Zhuang Zheng both looked somewhat haggard. After greeting everyone, they headed to the Disciple’s Quarters to wash up and change their clothes.
「Evening.」
In the Martial Arts Hall’s rear courtyard, four tables were set for a banquet, stretching from the main hall all the way to the covered corridor.
There were no outside guests, only the martial brothers of the hall.
The Martial Arts Hall’s cook had pulled out all the stops today. The aroma of wine mixed with the scent of food, filling the courtyard.
"Come, everyone sit. We’ll dispense with the formalities today."
Yang Qingfeng sat down in the host’s seat and, with a smile, gestured for everyone to take their places.
He was wearing a rare set of new clothes today, and even the wrinkles on his face seemed to have smoothed out, making him look several years younger than usual.
"The first cup of wine is a toast to Master."
Zhao Linyuan stood up, raised his cup with both hands, and faced Yang Qingfeng. "Without Master’s wholehearted tutelage, this disciple would not be where he is today."
Hearing this, the other disciples also rose in unison, raising their cups towards Yang Qingfeng.
Yang Qingfeng smiled and waved his hand. "You’re toasting me, so I’ll accept."
He raised his cup and drained it in one gulp, his gaze sweeping over all the disciples present. "As your master, what makes me happiest isn’t teaching a genius, but seeing every single one of you progressing and moving upward."
When the drinking was well underway, Yang Qingfeng left with a smile.
He knew that with him around, the disciples would still be somewhat reserved.
"Come on, come on! Today is a banquet to celebrate Junior Brother Zhao’s Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing, and it’s also a rare gathering for all of us martial brothers. Let’s all drink to our hearts’ content today!"
Hao Jingnian’s words drew a collective cheer from the crowd, and the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.
At first, the target of everyone’s "assault" was naturally Zhao Linyuan, but as the drinking went on, everyone loosened up, grabbing each other in pairs for drinking battles.
Lin Yan also drank quite a bit, but fortunately, with his level of strength, he didn’t get tipsy. He listened to his senior brothers talk while savoring the dishes.
"Junior Brother Lin, I’d like to toast you."
Lü Qianfan, his face flushed red, walked over holding a wine cup, his expression somewhat solemn. "Back when you first entered the rear courtyard, I looked down on you a bit because of your background. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Junior Brother Lin."
Lin Yan was slightly taken aback, then raised his cup in response. "Senior Brother Lü, you’re being too serious. It’s only human nature. I understand."
’Senior Brother Lü has had too much to drink. If he weren’t drunk, he never would have said that to my face.’
Watching his many senior brothers drinking heartily, Lin Yan knew that they had been filled with dread these past few days. It wasn’t until today, with Junior Brother Zhao’s breakthrough to the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing, that they could finally see the clouds part and the moon appear.
’Out of respect for Junior Brother Zhao, the Zheng Family would also go a little easier on the families of these senior brothers.’
’With that weight off their minds, they could finally let loose and get thoroughly drunk.’
「The next day, early morning.」
At the Guangping County City Pier, Yang Qingfeng stood on the shore with Lin Yan and Zhuang Zheng. Not far away, Zhao Linyuan was saying goodbye to his family.
As Lin Yan watched Zhao Linyuan bid farewell to his family, he was filled with emotion.
’The greater the genius, the greater the pressure on the path of Martial Arts.’
’Junior Brother Zhao just broke through to the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing yesterday, and today he’s already leaving for the Profound Celestial Sect in Deng State Prefecture.’
’It’s all for the sake of staying one step ahead.’
’Entering the Sect one day earlier means enjoying the Sect’s Martial Arts Resources one day sooner.’
Zhao Linyuan said his goodbyes to his parents and his four older sisters one by one.
Madam Zhao’s eyes were red-rimmed as she held her son’s hand, unwilling to let go. Father Zhao, however, remained calm. He simply patted his son’s shoulder and said, "Your master and martial brothers are waiting. Don’t keep them long."

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