With the rise of my family, I can summon the Daoist Soldiers' Nest.

Since regaining consciousness that day, Lin Ye has kept to himself, digesting the original owner's memories and practicing martial arts. He enjoys experiencing the extraordinary power within himself in his small house, and he doesn't feel lonely at all; in fact, he finds some enjoyment in it.

And so, more than half a month passed.

That day, Lin Ye practiced swordsmanship in the bamboo forest as usual. After more than half a month of practice, perhaps due to the fusion of their souls, it had an effect on the improvement of his martial arts skills.

Lin Ye felt that he was about to break through the initial stage and reach the minor mastery stage of the Thirteen Styles of Gentle Breeze and the Cloud Steps.

Especially the Cloud Step, after Lin Ye's intensive practice, perhaps due to the mindset that he could outrun Lin Ye even if he couldn't beat him, his progress was particularly rapid.

Suddenly, voices came from afar, and it sounded like there were many people.

At first, Lin Ye didn't pay much attention. This bamboo forest was a place where inner disciples often practiced martial arts, so it was normal for there to be people there. There had been several similar incidents recently.

However, the voices gradually grew louder, and a group of figures could be seen walking towards them.

Lin Ye stopped and looked into the distance. A group of inner disciples dressed in black were walking towards them. The two men and one woman in front waved to them from afar.

"I knew Brother Lin was practicing martial arts. Brother Lin is usually the most diligent, he wouldn't give up on himself just because he failed the True Inheritance Trial."

A girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old with her hair in two buns walked in front of him. When she saw Lin Ye, she grinned, revealing two small tiger teeth, showing a bit of girlish innocence. She spoke as she walked towards Lin Ye.

But Lin Ye's gaze was fixed on one spot: a toad about half the height of a person.

This toad's body shape is not as streamlined as that of a typical frog; instead, it resembles a short, stocky stone.

Its entire body was covered with a layer of bluish-gray keratinous skin, covered with natural cracks, as if it were formed from a mixture of rock and flesh. Its eyes were a murky, earthy yellow, gleaming with a dull yet resolute light.

It doesn't bounce; when it moves, it crawls more like a series of stumbling steps, landing with a steady "thud."

When it crouches down, its forelimbs support it on the ground, like a small guardian statue, giving people a great sense of security.

Lin Ye immediately recalled that this was a third-rate Taoist soldier named "Rock Toad Guard".

The Qingyuan Sword Sect has two third-rate nests, two second-rate nests, and one first-rate nest. The first-rate nest is the symbol of the sword sect, the "Sword-Winged Mantis," while the two third-rate nests are the "Rock Toad Guardian" and the "Mountain Patrol Craftsman."

Yes, Dao soldiers are not only beast-shaped, but also human-shaped. Depending on their purpose, they can be divided into combat type and production type.

This "Rock Toad Guardian" should be a product of the sect's lair, and it is a combat-type Taoist soldier.

It was only then that Lin Ye realized that this world was not just a martial arts world; it also contained legendary beings like Dao soldiers.

"This Rock Toad Guardian was a special reward from my grandfather to congratulate me on passing the True Inheritance Trial. What, Brother Lin, are you a little envious?"

Just then, a slightly teasing remark pulled Lin Ye back to reality.

At this moment, the group of people also walked up to them. There were four people in total, three men and one woman, all dressed in black, the attire of inner disciples.

The one who just spoke and is now holding Lin Ye's arm is Liu Zhenghua's daughter, Liu Yingping.

The other two, who look somewhat similar and have a rather honest appearance, are Liu Yingping's two older brothers, Liu Yingpeng and Liu Yingcheng.

Upon seeing the last person, Lin Ye's eyes narrowed; it was none other than Wang Qing, who had defeated the original owner of the body during the True Disciple Trial.

He was tall and imposing, carrying an ironwood club. The Rock Toad Guard was beside him, and it was he who had just made the teasing remark.

Liu Yingping, who was holding Lin Ye's arm, felt Lin Ye's body stiffen. She immediately wrinkled her nose, clenched her fist, waved it, and said fiercely.

"Senior Brother Wang, we're already here, why aren't you apologizing? Do you want to go back and get beaten by Elder Wang?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Qing's handsome face showed a pained expression, which made Liu Yingping burst into laughter, and even his two older brothers couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Junior sister, please stop making fun of me. It was my fault this time. I didn't stop during the competition and hurt Brother Lin."

I apologize to Brother Lin here. If there's anything I can do to help you in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm not alone now.

As he spoke, he cupped his hands in apology to Lin Ye, but when he said, "I'm not alone now," he glanced at the Rock Toad Guard beside him.

"Brother Wang, you're too kind. It's not your fault, it's just that I'm not as skilled as you."

"Besides, when Senior Brother Wang struck my chest with his staff at the end, he held back his strength. Otherwise, I wouldn't be standing here like this now; I would at least have broken a bone," Lin Ye said, waving his hand at Wang Qing in front of him.

Lin Ye wasn't just being polite. He had been sorting through his memories recently and discovered that the original owner had indeed only suffered minor injuries, at most a bone fracture.

The original owner's death was probably more due to the frustration of not being able to revitalize the family, and possibly even a bit of demonic possession. So it can be said that Wang Qing did hold back at the time.

When I first learned about it, I was quite taken aback. Shouldn't it be a story of deep suffering and revenge, a tale of someone seeking bloodshed? Instead, it's a harmonious sect...

"He wouldn't dare? If Brother Lin really had a broken bone and was still lying there, would his fellow disciples who practice martial arts with him really hurt him? Elder Wang would at least break his bones too," Liu Yingping said bluntly.

"I've been beaten pretty badly," Wang Qing said with a bitter face.

Seeing the pained expression return to his handsome face, everyone present burst into laughter.

Lin Ye's resentment gradually dissipated in this atmosphere. Indeed, Wang Qing was not to blame for this. The True Inheritance Trial always eliminates people. Everyone relies on their own martial arts skills. If someone is eliminated, they can only blame themselves for not being skilled enough.

"Actually, I know that Brother Lin will definitely not blame Senior Brother Wang, but Brother Lin failed the true disciple trial."

According to the sect rules, I'm going to the family headquarters to serve as an outer sect steward. We won't be able to practice martial arts together anymore, and things aren't peaceful outside. What will Brother Lin do in the future?

"That's why I've come. Considering that Brother Lin is going to the family's headquarters to serve as an outer sect steward, there might be problems with his early development. My father promised to give Brother Lin a gift as compensation when he departs," Wang Qing said, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect.

After a pause, Wang Qing continued, "I heard recently that Elder Liu, my father, and several other elders discussed improving the treatment of outer sect stewards, so Brother Lin should have no problem returning to the family to develop in the early stages."

Besides, Brother Lin is still an outer sect steward of the Sword Sect, so he shouldn't be in any danger. In a few years, when we, the true disciples, can go down the mountain, Brother Lin can ask for anything we need."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yingping's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed inch by inch, and she smiled, a smile that dispelled the sorrow between her brows and brightened her delicate face.

Lin Ye stared at her lively smile, momentarily lost in thought, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of her stunning beauty.

However, Liu Yingping, who was very perceptive, noticed this absent-minded gaze and immediately realized how much her smile had affected him.

An indescribable feeling of shyness welled up in her heart, and her cheeks instantly flushed with a beautiful blush.

"My father also asked me to remind Brother Lin that, considering the difficulty of developing as an outer sect steward, he could choose five third-rate low-grade martial arts from the Hidden Martial Pavilion and bring them back to his own family."

Although it restricts cultivation to members of one's own family, it can still contribute to the development of the family.

Just then, Liu Yingpeng spoke, interrupting Lin Ye and Liu Yingping's wandering thoughts.

"Then why not today? Since everyone's here, let's go together and choose some martial arts manuals. I'd also appreciate it if Senior Brother Wang and Junior Sister Wang could give me their opinions," Lin Ye said.

"Alright, I was just thinking of going to check out the Hidden Martial Arts Pavilion. Before becoming a true disciple, to prevent us from being distracted, the sect only allowed us to learn three martial arts. The last time I went to the Hidden Martial Arts Pavilion was five years ago. This time, I can take advantage of Brother Lin's opportunity to go in and have a good look."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yingcheng, who was always obsessed with martial arts, immediately spoke up.