This martial saint is too cautious.

Chapter 73 Three Punches (Please Subscribe)

three days later.

Having finished the Bone Tempering Pills, Lin Yan prepared to go to the armory to buy some more.

This time he plans to buy more so he won't have to make a trip every ten days.

Upon arriving at the armory, they spent five thousand taels of silver to buy five bottles of Bone Tempering Pills, fifty pills in total, enough for a month and a half.

He set a goal to achieve four skin smoothing sessions within a month and a half.

Lin Yan tucked the pill into his robes and turned to leave.

As they were about to return to the disciples' quarters, four people approached them.

They were all dressed in uniform blue robes with yellow belts around their waists. Among them was Lin Wang, an acquaintance of Lin Yan.

The four people's eyes swept over the white belt around Lin Yan's waist, and their steps slowed down in unison.

The leader was a tall, thin young man with prominent cheekbones, a sharp chin, and a pair of triangular eyes that gleamed with a sharp light, his gaze fixed on Lin Yan.

Lin Wang, standing beside the man, had an arrogant look in his eyes. When he saw Lin Yan, he paused and stopped.

When Lin Kang saw the belt on Lin Yan's waist, his triangular eyes narrowed with a smile. After wandering around the disciples' quarters for three days in a row, he finally ran into someone from the third branch of the family.

Three days ago, Shufeng and his two companions won all three matches on the fighting stage, defeating the fool from the third branch of the family. When the news reached the head of the fourth branch, the head of the family immediately rewarded Shufeng and his two companions.

Each person received a bottle of Bone Tempering Pills, and Shufeng, who had undergone four skin retouching processes, also received an extra 100 contribution points.

I was there at the time, watching those three receive their reward, and I felt both envious and envious.

Shufeng was one thing, but he had four skin-smoothing rounds. The other two were just lucky. If it were me, I could still win.

These past few days he's been loitering around the disciples' quarters, waiting for the third branch of the family to be alone.

Unfortunately, the third branch of the family seemed to have noticed this as well, and they all stayed in the courtyard and didn't go out.

I thought I'd be disappointed again today, but I actually caught one.

"I'm in luck today, so don't you three try to take it from me."

After saying this, Lin Kang stepped to the side, blocking Lin Yan's path.

"Oh, from the third wife's family?"

He drew out his words, his gaze sweeping back and forth across Lin Yan's face. "Going out alone, without even a companion? Are you three families breaking up?"

Behind him, the other two laughed along with him. Lin Wang didn't laugh, but just looked coldly at Lin Yan, his chin slightly raised, as if he were looking at a stranger.

Lin Yan paused, glanced at Lin Kang, said nothing, and walked around him half a step before continuing on his way.

Lin Kang stepped forward again, tilting his head and laughing, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? We're all members of a branch of the Lin family, there's no rush to chat for a bit. I'm curious, those three good-for-nothings from your third branch were beaten to a pulp on the fighting stage a few days ago, and then kicked out of the manor in the blink of an eye. Are the rest of you just going to stay in the courtyard like cowards?"

Clan rules forbid unauthorized action; Lin Kang's task is to provoke Lin Yan's anger and force him onto the fighting stage.

Therefore, in addition to verbal mockery, he deliberately raised his voice to make others around him aware of the commotion. He wanted to see if this person would still have the nerve to be a coward in front of so many people.

People around had already noticed the commotion. Several members of the second branch of the clan who had just come out of the disciples' quarters stopped and stood at a distance to watch the excitement.

"The fourth branch is starting again," a round-faced young man from the second branch chuckled softly.

"It's normal. After winning those three matches a few days ago, the fourth branch of the family rewarded us with a lot of things. These people are envious and want to get a reward too. These days, the people from the fourth branch have been loitering outside the disciples' quarters, hoping to run into the people from the third branch. However, the people from the third branch haven't come out at all these days. I heard that they even paid silver to have their meals delivered to their door by their servants."

"Can the third wife really tolerate this?"

"So what if we can't tolerate it? Lin Qi, the only martial artist who has achieved four skin-grinding feats, was defeated and expelled from the Lin family. The remaining strength is probably even more pathetic."

The round-faced youth shook his head, his gaze falling on Lin Yan with a hint of sympathy.

Two young men from the other direction also stopped talking, crossed their arms, and looked this way.

"Tsk tsk tsk, the fourth branch is really going to crush the third branch to death, not even letting go of a lone member of the third branch's clan."

.

"What, Brother Xiu can't stand by and watch, and wants to help this one from the third branch of the family?"

"I dare not interfere in the feud between the third and fourth branches of the family. Although I do not know what the feud is between the two branches, the head of the family has instructed us not to interfere in the affairs between the two branches."

The young man shook his head. Although he felt that the actions of the fourth branch were a bit excessive, he could only feel indignant on behalf of the third branch and other members of the clan. It was impossible for him to intervene.

Lin Yan looked at the guy jumping around in front of him and felt a little helpless. Why did such an idiot always appear in front of him?

I don't like fighting in front of others and I don't want to expose my strength too much, but that doesn't mean I can let others attack me head-on.

"Stop trying to be clever with your words. I know exactly what you're after. Fine, I'll accompany you to the fighting arena."

There was a moment of silence after he said that.

The members of the fourth branch looked at each other, not expecting that the third branch would actually dare to take the initiative to fight.

Lin Kang was stunned for a moment, then laughed, his eyes narrowing into slits.

"Good, you've got guts!"

Just as Lin Kang was gloating over achieving his goal, Lin Wang, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Brother Kang, let me have this man."

Lin Kang envied the three who received the reward from their master, and he longed for it as well; otherwise, he wouldn't have been wandering around outside with them today.

"Lin Wang, I'm afraid this is inappropriate."

Lin Kang frowned. He had agreed that if he encountered someone from the third branch of the family, he would be the first to approach them.

"Brother Kang, I know him. I didn't know he was from the third branch of the family. We even crossed paths before I entered the Lin family. I'm asking you to deal with him so that people won't gossip about me later. I hope you'll give me a chance to prove my innocence."

Lin Wang's explanation caused Lin Kang's brows to furrow deeply.

He didn't want to give in, but Lin Wang was only nineteen years old and had more potential than him, so he didn't want to offend him.

Pooh!

Lin Kang suddenly realized this and cursed inwardly. It was precisely because Lin Wang had more potential than him that he needed to seize every opportunity, otherwise he would be left behind little by little.

"Lin Wang, I believe no one will gossip about you. Let's stick to our agreement."

Hearing Lin Kang refuse, Lin Wang's expression turned cold. However, in terms of strength, he was indeed inferior to Lin Kang. Moreover, the four of them had made an agreement when they came out that if they encountered the third branch of the family, Lin Kang would be the first to deal with them.

But he didn't want to miss this opportunity, considering the situation of the branches of the third family; it was unlikely that he would encounter it again in the short term.

"Lin Yan, if you choose me, you might be able to spend fewer days in bed."

Since Lin Kang wouldn't allow it, he could only look to Lin Yan. As long as Lin Yan chose to go to the fighting stage with him, Lin Kang couldn't stop him.

Lin Yan's expression remained unchanged as his gaze passed over Lin Kang and landed on Lin Wang.

"Lin Wang, for the sake of your brother Lin Rong, I'll let you off this time, just this once."

Lin Yan spoke calmly, as if stating a fact.

Lin Wang's face flushed red instantly.

My brother?

He wasn't even qualified to stay in the Lin family; all he did was nag on and on every day, and he was thoroughly fed up with him.

"I see you're scared. Let me tell you—"

"Shut up!"

Lin Yan interrupted him directly, turning his gaze to Lin Kang and saying calmly, "Didn't you want to fight? Let's go."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked towards the fighting arena.

"Haha, okay, let's go now. Since you're so agreeable, I'll go easy on you and let you stay in bed a few days less."

Lin Kang laughed heartily, then looked at Lin Wang and said, "Lin Wang, it's not that I'm not giving you a chance, it's just that they want to choose me."

The onlookers suddenly perked up.

"They actually dared to accept?"

"Could it be that the third wife doesn't know Lin Kang's background? Lin Kang has been in the third round of skin retouching for three years, and he ranks among the top five in the fourth wife's third round of skin retouching."

"Who cares? As long as there's excitement to watch."

"Let's go, let's go. Cultivating all day is too boring. Let's relax by watching a good show. I hope Lin Yan has some skill and won't be defeated in just a few moves."

"Qiheng loves excitement, I'll go back and let him know."

Lin Yan and Lin Kang walked towards the fighting arena. Many of the onlookers followed them, while others went to call their friends to join in the excitement.

A courtyard within the disciples' quarters.

"Lin Yan actually invited the people from the fourth branch of the family to the dueling arena. Has he lost his mind?"

"Foolish! He can't stand being mocked. Just wait and see. Once he loses, he'll be expelled from the manor by the third branch of the family."

Lin Zhaowu and the others from the third branch of the family also heard the commotion and are now discussing it in the courtyard.

However, no one had high hopes for Lin Yan.

If Lin Yan was truly strong, why didn't he go to the fighting stage with Lin Qi back then?

"What should we do? Pretend we don't know anything about this?" Lin Zhaowu asked.

"no."

A young man shook his head: "With so many people watching the excitement, how could we not know? If we stay in the courtyard and don't go out, the host will say we're not united. So—we'll wait until Lin Yan goes up to the fighting platform before we show up. That way, if the host really asks, we can say we couldn't stop him in time."

"I agree with what Brother Yuan said."

"Hehe, then let's do it this way. Lin Yan has always been so independent; even if he loses and is expelled from the Lin family, he deserves it."

There are three martial arts arenas in the Lin family mansion. Lin Yan and his group went to the smallest one, which was also the closest to the disciples' quarters.

It was called a platform, but it was actually just an open space. However, instead of bluestone bricks, it was paved with large, solid stones. It was square, about twenty feet long and wide.

In martial arts battles, especially among martial artists at the third or fourth level of the Skin-Refining Realm, ordinary bluestone bricks can easily be shattered with a single stomp. The Lin family cannot possibly re-lay the ground every time a clansman finishes sparring.

Lin Yan and Lin Kang arrived at the front of the stage. Seemingly afraid that Lin Yan might change his mind, Lin Kang stepped directly into the center of the stage and looked at Lin Yan: "Come on up. Don't tell me you're going to change your mind at this point. There are quite a few people watching."

Lin Yan didn't reply, stepped into Taichung, but instead of walking towards Lin Kang, she walked towards Lin Kang instead.

The crowd that followed him looked puzzled when they saw the direction Lin Yan was walking.

Why did he walk over there? Why didn't he keep his distance?

"I don't know. It can't be that they're planning to just walk over and attack, it doesn't look like it."

Lin Kang frowned slightly, but did not back down; he simply stared coldly at Lin Yan.

"In our hometown, it's customary to shake hands as a greeting before going on stage to compete."

Lin Yan stopped an arm's length away from Lin Kang and extended his right hand.

Lin Kang was taken aback, then scoffed, "What kind of ridiculous rule is this?"

However, when he saw that Lin Yan was still holding out his hand, Lin Kang was silent for a moment, but finally extended his hand.

Lin Yan clasped his hands together, then released them and calmly stepped back.

He was only three feet eight inches tall, which was still a bit shorter than his current height. He also practiced a fist technique: Iron Wire Fist.

An opponent from the realm of ants!

Lin Kang shook his hand and snorted disdainfully, "Just shake hands then. Why are you dragging your feet? What, are you trying to figure something out from my hand?"

He stretched his shoulders and neck, his bones cracking, his feet slightly shifted apart, his center of gravity lowered, and his fists slowly rose.

"Iron Wire Fist emphasizes both hardness and softness, with the fist moving along a single line." Lin Kang grinned. "Today, I'll show you something new."

Below the stage, a large crowd had already gathered, their faces showing expressions of anticipation for a good show.

"Iron Wire Fist, I've heard of this fist technique. It's considered one of the best among mid-grade fist techniques."

"It's in the library. It costs forty contribution points to exchange for, which is double the price of other mid-grade cultivation techniques."

"Isn't it a bit too much of a gamble for Lin Kang to use a newly learned boxing technique against Lin Yan?"

"The presence of Iron Wire Fist in the library does not mean that Lin Kang has only recently begun practicing it. Most of our branches have little connection with the main family, but that does not mean that none of our branches have any connection—or perhaps Lin Kang's ancestors had already learned Iron Wire Fist when they left the main family and it has been passed down from generation to generation."

"That makes sense. I was thinking the wrong way. It seems that Lin Kang from the fourth branch has a better chance of winning this time."

While everyone was discussing, Lin Zhaowu and others arrived, and their arrival attracted the attention of the onlookers, especially the members of the fourth branch of the clan who had rushed over after hearing the news.

"Lin Kang, don't rush into action. Since the third branch of the family is all here, how about we arrange a few more matches?"

"Haha, Chengyu is afraid that if Kang defeats Lin Yan, the remaining members of the three branches will be too scared to accept the challenge, so he made the challenge in advance."

"There's nothing we can do about it. The third branch of the family has been hiding in the yard like cowards lately, too afraid to come out."

The fourth branch of the family mocked them relentlessly, making Lin Zhaowu and the others look extremely embarrassed. Especially since there were other members from other branches watching, they not only resented the fourth branch but also began to resent Lin Yan.

If it weren't for Lin Yan, they wouldn't have had to show up today, nor would they have been humiliated in public by the fourth branch of the family.

"Chengyu, the third branch of the family are all formidable individuals. Even if I defeat one of their clansmen, I won't be scared out of my wits. Let me go first."

Lin Kang chuckled. It would be a fool not to take action. What if Lin Yan got scared and regretted it if Lin Chengyu actually made a move?

Their duel wasn't based on any signed contract; once Lin Yan withdrew from the fighting arena, he couldn't attack him.

"bring it on!"

With a soft shout, Lin Kang moved.

He slammed his right foot into the ground, the solid stone surface thudding with a dull thud. He moved like a cheetah pouncing on its prey, twisting his waist and abdomen as his right fist shot out from his waist.

The punch moves in a straight line!

The punch was as straight as an arrow, without any curve, and made a sharp "whoosh" sound as it pierced the air, heading straight for Lin Yan's chest.

The essence of Iron Wire Fist is that the shortest distance is the straightest path, and the purest power is achieved through the straightest path. There are no fancy moves; it's all about speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness.

Lin Kang's lips even curled up slightly. He used ninety percent of his strength in this punch. Even if Lin Yan could dodge it, he would still be caught in the trap of his next punch.

However, Lin Yan did not dodge.

He not only didn't dodge, but even took a step forward.

To deal with Lin Kang, Lin Yan did not intend to use the Stone Waist Thunder Spine. After adjusting his internal energy and stimulating his blood and qi with the Thunder Sound Technique, he started with the Mountain-Splitting Fist: Mountain Collapse!

Enveloped in the thunderous energy refined by the Thunder Sound Technique, this punch caused a series of explosions as the fist passed through the air.

Many of the spectators watching the show below the stage showed slight changes in expression the moment Lin Yan threw his punch.

Those present were all martial artists who had undergone three levels of skin-grinding. Just from the momentum of Lin Yan's punch, they could tell that the power of this punch was in no way weaker than that of Lin Kang.

"I misjudged them. No wonder they dared to accept the challenge. I thought they were just easily provoked, but it turns out they have real strength."

Someone whispered in the crowd.

"Perhaps this time, the fourth branch will lose more than they gain by trying to steal a chicken."

"6

Amidst the murmurs from the audience, the two men on stage suddenly clashed fists.

boom!

The instant their fists collided, a visible shockwave exploded from between their fists, spreading outwards.

Lin Kang felt as if his fist had smashed into an iron mountain. His punching force was shattered and crushed. His entire arm, from his fingertips to his shoulder, went numb instantly, his tiger's mouth burst open, and blood splattered everywhere.

"impossible!"

His pupils contracted sharply. How could Lin Yan be so strong?

With this kind of strength, how could the third branch of the family have failed to win a single game when they represented the third branch in the last competition?

However, Lin Yan gave him no chance to catch his breath.

He stepped forward with his right foot and threw two punches in quick succession, each one heavier and faster than the last.

The first punch landed on Lin Kang's right shoulder, making a cracking sound.

The second punch landed on Lin Kang's chest, tearing his robes and causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood.

The third punch —

Before the third punch could land, Lin Kang's feet left the ground, and he flew backward, crashing heavily onto the hard stone floor of the fighting platform. He rolled twice and lay there motionless.

From the moment Lin Kang threw his punch to the moment Lin Yan sent him flying, only two breaths had passed.

Just three punches.

The audience was completely silent.

Several breaths passed before someone gasped sharply.

"How...how can he be so strong?"

"Three punches! Just three punches! Lin Kang didn't even have a chance to fight back!"

"Did you hear thunder? What kind of martial art is that?"

"This thunderous sound doesn't come from fist techniques; it's the Thunderous Sound Technique. This person has mastered the Thunderous Sound Technique."

Among the crowd, several young people who had looked relaxed from the beginning now had serious expressions.

They didn't care that Lin Yan defeated Lin Kang, because they could do it too.

However, the fact that they have mastered the Thunder Sound Technique is something they should take seriously.

"Brother Yao, Lin Yan has also cultivated the Thunder Sound Technique?"

"There's no mistake, this is the thunder sound produced by the Thunder Sound Technique. I only just learned the basics yesterday, and I'm far from being able to do it to this extent."

Lin Yao looked at Lin Yan on the stage with a look of apprehension in his eyes. It was impossible for the branch clansmen to have been exposed to the Thunder Sound Technique before coming to the main family. This meant that Lin Yan, like himself, had only started cultivating after coming to the main family. While he had only just begun to explore the basics, Lin Yan had already mastered it.

"Thunder Sound Technique, and that punch just now clearly carried the force of a punch. I originally thought that the clansmen who came from the branch of the third branch this time were not worth paying attention to, but I did not expect that there was such a character hidden in the back.

Many of the top-tier members of the clan at the third level of the Skin Refining Realm, who had initially only been watching with a spectator's mindset, now began to take Lin Yan seriously.

Among the onlookers, two groups remained completely silent.

On the fourth branch's side, everyone who came had their mouths slightly agape. They never expected Lin Kang to lose, and to lose so quickly.

Lin Wang stood still, staring intently at Lin Yan, who stood on the stage with his fist clenched, his lips pressed together until they turned white.

If I had been the one standing on that stage just now—

He dared not think any further. At that moment, he felt a sense of relief, but then anger surged within him.

fraud!

Lin Yan, that liar, deceived himself.

After entering the city, Lin Yan recounted his family history, how his family had declined, and how they no longer had even one elder who had undergone three rounds of skin resurrection. At that time, his elder brother comforted Lin Yan with a few words.

In retrospect, this person was a complete liar, and he had been wary of his older brother and himself ever since.

The eldest brother also told him not to harbor any hostility towards Lin Yan because of the feud between the fourth and third branches of the family.

That's ridiculously stupid!

On the third side, Lin Zhaowu and the others stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were seeing.

They were waiting for Lin Yan to be defeated and expelled from the Lin family mansion by the main family, so that they could vent their resentment at being publicly ridiculed by the fourth branch of the family.

Unexpectedly, Lin Yan ended up knocking Lin Kang away with three punches.

For a moment, they even forgot to pretend to cheer loudly.

On the platform, Lin Yan slowly withdrew his fist, his breathing steady. Without even glancing at Lin Kang again, he turned around and walked unhurriedly off the fighting platform towards the disciples' quarters.

The crowd automatically parted to make way for Lin Yan as he left.

Three-bedroom area, lakeside pavilion.

Lin Minghai sat in the pavilion with the two young men, chatting about the recent situation of the clan.

"Brother Song and you guys have it so easy, traveling around and having a good time. I've been suffering a lot of mistreatment lately while staying in the clan."

"Minghai, stop making sarcastic remarks. We were out on a mission, but you've made it sound like we were living a carefree life. With your personality, who in the clan can put up with your bad temper?"

"Naturally, it's a matter for the branch clans. My uncle entrusted this matter to me, but unfortunately, this time, our third branch has the fewest members, and they are all a bunch of good-for-nothings."

Lin Minghai briefly recounted what had happened a few days ago. Lin Mingsong, leaning against the railing, smiled and said, "Minghai, the clan is gathering branch members just to fill the vacancies in each branch, not to send them to compete against other branches."

"Brother Song, that's true, but Lin Mingtang has been taking advantage of the branch issue to get too cocky lately, which infuriates me. Plus, there's what happened three years ago—"

'

"Minghai, be careful what you say."

Lin Mingsong interrupted Lin Minghai and looked toward the approach bridge, where servants were walking quickly.

"Young Master Hai, news has come from the disciples' quarters that Lin Yan from the third branch and Lin Kang from the fourth branch are fighting on the fighting arena." Upon hearing the servant's report, Lin Minghai's face showed anger. He slammed his hand on the stone table, startling the servant who reported the news so much that he couldn't finish his sentence.

"The servants from the disciples' quarters reported that Lin Yan spends all his time practicing martial arts in the courtyard. I thought he was easy to manage, but it turns out he's a fool. Brother Song, I'll go and take care of it."

"Go ahead, but don't be too harsh. According to what you said, it might be people from the fourth branch of the family making sarcastic remarks. Few hot-blooded young people can tolerate that," Lin Mingsong advised.

"Even if he's ridiculed, he's still a fool!"

Lin Mingsong: ————

The servant, who hadn't had a chance to interject, saw that Lin Minghai had already stood up and couldn't hold back any longer: "Young Master Hai, Lin Yan won this fight, and he even knocked Lin Kang away with just three punches."

Lin Minghai paused, glaring at the servant: "Why didn't you just finish what you were saying?"

That's because I was scared by you.

The servant muttered something to himself and was about to explain when Lin Mingsong laughed and said, "It's all your fault for scaring them. Alright, you can go now."

"

"Thank you, Young Master Song."

The servant breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to the hot-tempered Young Master Hai, the gentle Young Master Song was much easier to get along with.

"Minghai, what do you say now? Do you still think he's an idiot?"

Inside the pavilion, another young man looked at Lin Minghai with a mocking expression.

"He's just as stupid. Since he has the ability, why not scheme against his opponent, bet some money or contribution points? Does he think I'll be like Lin Mingtang, who was rewarded for defeating the fourth branch of the clan?"

Lin Mingcheng: ————

Lin Mingsong: ————

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