After a dozen or so breaths, the man finally found the name in the register. He picked up his brush and wrote in the left-hand ledger: Lin Yan, age twenty, Third-Time Skin Smoothing Realm, from the Third Branch.
"Your ancestral line is from the Third Branch. Take this Identity Token, head left from here, and keep walking. The clan has provided Disciple’s Quarters for you to live in."
Lin Yan took the Token and thanked him, but he didn’t move from his spot.
Seeing that Lin Yan hadn’t moved, the man looked up and asked, "Do you have any other questions?"
"Senior, does the clan only register these three things? What I mean is, regarding Cultivation Techniques, including how long one has been cultivating, does the clan not need to register that?"
The reason Lin Yan didn’t leave was because of a conclusion he and his master had reached: the Qing State Lin Family was summoning talented disciples from the various branches because they were facing a shortage of new talent.
Logically, that meant they should be even more thorough in understanding the circumstances of branch family members like them.
Even among those at the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing, there was a difference between someone who had just reached it and someone at its peak. When everyone was around the same age, the gap in their strength represented a gap in their potential.
’In terms of Realm, I don’t have much of an advantage, but I do have an edge when it comes to my Cultivation Technique.’
’Developing Fist Momentum with the Mountain-Splitting Fist, and the Silk Binding Sword Intent from the Jinghong Sword Technique.’
’Until I understand why the Lin Family suddenly summoned us branch family members, I won’t be hasty in revealing my Silk Binding Sword Intent. But my Fist Momentum can be registered.’
The young man didn’t grow impatient with Lin Yan’s questions. After all, these were disciples from the branch families, and as a member of the main family, he had to maintain a certain bearing. In fact, he and the others had been assigned this registration duty by the clan precisely because they were good-natured and relatively patient.
"Is there something special?"
The young man sized up Lin Yan, having heard the hidden meaning in his words.
"I began my journey into Martial Arts at eighteen. Cultivating the Mountain-Splitting Fist, I developed Fist Momentum within two years."
"Developing Fist Momentum with the Mountain-Splitting Fist... Good. I’ll note it down for you."
This took Lin Yan by surprise. ’The people from the main family are this easygoing? He’s just going to believe me without asking for proof?’
"Are you wondering why I’m not asking you to verify it with a demonstration?"
Lin Mingsheng saw what Lin Yan was thinking and explained with a smile, "Fist Momentum isn’t considered a big deal in the clan. Whether it’s true or not will become clear in due time. If you’ve fabricated a lie, you’ll be the one to bear the consequences."
"I understand. Everything I’ve said is the truth, and I’m willing to take responsibility for it."
Lin Mingsheng picked up his brush and wrote: Two years of martial training...
His brush tip paused. "You’re cultivating a Top-grade Fist Technique?"
"Mid-grade. The Mountain-Splitting Fist."
[Lin Yan, age twenty, Third-Time Skin Smoothing Realm, less than two and a half years of martial training, from the Third Branch, cultivates a Mid-grade Fist Technique, has developed Fist Momentum.]
"Anything else to register?"
"That’s all. Thank you, Senior. I’ll take my leave now."
Lin Yan left, satisfied. Just then, the two Lin Rong brothers also finished registering. He walked over to them, and only when he got closer did he notice that Lin Wang wore a gloomy expression.
"Brother Lin Rong, your brother...?"
"Don’t mind him. He’s cultivated a Saber Technique and wanted the main family to register it, but the clan member in charge of registration ignored him. Now he’s sulking."
Lin Rong’s explanation sparked doubt in Lin Yan’s mind. He couldn’t help but look back at the young man who had just registered him. ’The attitude of these main family clan members is actually quite good.’
’I managed to register so many details, so there’s no reason Lin Wang should be refused for just a Saber Technique.’
"Brother, if you ask me, it’s because that guy wasn’t from our Fourth Branch. If he was from the Fourth Branch, it wouldn’t have—"
"Little brother, quiet!"
Lin Rong quickly cut his younger brother off. Seeing the resentment on his brother’s face, he put on a stern expression. "Are the main family’s methods for you to question?"
Seeing his older brother’s serious expression, Lin Wang pouted, his face still full of defiance, but he ultimately didn’t complain again.
Listening to the brothers’ conversation, a flash of insight struck Lin Yan. He understood.
’The attitude of these main family members wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t so good that they’d be that meticulous in questioning me. The answer was just as Lin Wang had said.’
’The one I met was from the Third Branch. He was so friendly to me because we belong to the same lineage.’
’That has to be it!’
Seeing the defiant look on his younger brother’s face, Lin Rong sighed internally and changed the subject, asking, "Brother Lin, which branch are you from?"
"The Third Branch."
As soon as he said this, the defiant look on Lin Wang’s face vanished, replaced by a trace of disgust in his eyes as he looked at Lin Yan.
Lin Rong’s expression also stiffened for a moment, but it quickly returned to normal. He said with regret, "I was just thinking that if Brother Lin was also from the Fourth Branch, it would have been quite a coincidence."
"No matter the branch, we all share the same ancestors," Lin Yan said with a smile.
"What Brother Lin says is reasonable. When we were registering just now, we happened to run into a few other clan members from the Fourth Branch’s offshoots. We’re planning to stroll around the city for a bit first. Is Brother Lin interested in joining us?"
Lin Rong gestured with his eyes toward one side of the square, where three young men were gathered and chatting.
"I’m a bit tired from traveling for days on end. I think I’ll head to the Disciple’s Quarters to rest first."
The expressions on the Lin Rong brothers’ faces just now had not escaped Lin Yan’s notice. Lin Rong was fine; upon hearing he was from the Third Branch, his expression had only stiffened for a moment. Lin Wang’s eyes, however, held open hostility.
Recalling what Lin Rong had said on the way here about the competition within the Lin Family’s five branches, Lin Yan now had a clear picture of the situation.
’The relationship between the Third Branch and the Fourth Branch is likely more than just simple competition. If I were to impose on a gathering of clan members from the Fourth Branch’s offshoots, it would show a real lack of tact.’

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