[1] "小賊", apparently the thief's meaning here didn't restricted to those specialized in robbing money, but robbing 'body' as well.

[2] "聖姑", temporarily translated as Holy Maiden, since Holy Aunt sounds weird.

[3] "旱地拔蔥，如大鳥一般", a metaphor for lightweight and neat, commonly used in martial arts to describe one's leaping posture.

[4] "華山" Huashan means Mt.Hua as well.

Chapter 7 - Learning Martial Arts in Huashan

Looking at the active quest which appeared on system notification, Lin Yi was shocked.

In the game of Great Pugilistic World, quests were divided into two categories.

The first one was called pa.s.sive quests. These kind of quests wouldn't be shown directly. Once the player finished the requirements, the rewards would be given out directly. Also, rewards from these kind of quests were extremely small. Players called these kind of quests as achievement quests. Only by achieving something to a certain degree, you would be rewarded. The previous action of annihilating Black Wind Stockade was an achievement, capable of influencing pugilistic world slightly.

The second one was known as active quests. These kind of quests were given by system, extremely rarely seen. Lin Yi who had grown from an ordinary player to G.o.d-ranked player, where he had spent decades of time in game, had only happened upon a few active quests. These kind of quests were difficult to complete, but once they were completed, they would result in rich combat experience rewards. There were a lot of players who had completed active quest and rose in reputation. They changed from being unknown players to experts whose reputation spread widely.

Two hundred thousand combat experience points!

Lin Yi almost drooled. If he were to have two hundred thousand combat experience points now, he would be able to upgrade a skill to perfection stage, his basic attributes would also reach dozens of points!

He was feeling delightedly. He just thought of competing for the position the head disciple, completing the wish of tens of thousands of player, and the system prompted him right away. Seems like the position of head disciple would surely become his!

Regardless of the wish of tens of thousands of player, just this two hundred combat experience points was enough reason for Lin Yi to take down the position of head disciple!

However the position of head disciple could not be obtained that easily. One had to go through various tests beforehand. The most important thing for him now was, with the fastest speed, to increase his strength, enter the field of vision of the higher-ups in Huashan, become one of the core disciple and learn Huashan's martial arts of higher grade!

With regards to Violet Mist Divine Skill and Nine Swordplays of Dugu, these two masterpieces, Lin Yi couldn't help but be greedy.

Everything must be prepared and planned beforehand!

Settling down his heart, he bade Lin Zhihu farewell.

"Yi'er, since you are at Huashan now, learn martial arts well. Uncle is very optimistic towards you! After Uncle go back, I hope I can hear the news that you moved up to upper courtyard or became a core disciple!" Lin Zhihu stared at the youth in front of him with mixed feelings. He had thousands of words but didn't know how to express them. In the end, he could only say what the majority of parents present had said.

After coming back from Black Wind Stockade, Lin Zhihu had a feeling that this youth in front of him would surely become someone extraordinary in the future!

"Uncle Hu, just rest a.s.sured. I will learn martial arts well here in Huashan and definitely won't let you down! As for Father and Mother at home, I will have to trouble you then." Lin Yi waved his hand, shouted facing the back of Lin Zhihu.

"Leave the matters at home to me!" Lin Zhihu's voice came from far away, mounted on his horse, his silhouette gradually got further till it couldn't be seen anymore.

Lin Yi rubbed his slightly red, swelled eyes, settled down his mood, and walked into the gate of Huashan. Endless sound of parting between new recruits and their parents didn't seem to faze him. He gazed towards the peak of Mt.Hua with a look of filled with fighting spirit.

"I believe, in the near future, I will also become a member of those on the peak of Mt.Hua."

The lower courtyard was located at the foot of Mt.Hua. The dense buildings here were the dormitory of lower courtyard's disciples. To most of the disciples of lower courtyard, their memories they had towards Huashan probably would be this place.

Slightly higher than these groups of buildings, near the middle part of Mt.Hua, was a group of independent courtyards, totalling two hundred of them.

At the lower half parts consisted one hundred independent courtyards, which were specially prepared for new recruits. The remaining one hundred which were located on the upper half parts where one could see the entire lower courtyard, were prepared for disciples on their second, third, and fourth years.

These one hundred independent courtyards could only be housed by the top one hundred disciples of lower courtyard!

Everyone could challenged those who housed the independent courtyard. If the challenger won, then they would be able to move into there!

Those who could keep their independent courtyard for a long time were few and far between. Each of them far outshone the other disciples of lower courtyard!

To obtain the eligibilty to own an independent courtyard, the compet.i.tion was extremely fierce!

This was deliberately set by Huashan in order to let these disciples of lower courtyard to practise diligently under compet.i.tive atmposhere.

Usually, those who were able to enter top one hundred ranks could be called as quasi-upper courtyard disciples.

Only by entering the ranks of top one hundred, one could garner everyone's attention and enter the field of vision of the higher-ups of Huashan.

Thinking at the information flowed out from his memories, Lin Yi was sitting inside his dormitory, pondering on how to enter the field of vision of the higher-ups of Huashan.

Undoubtedly, competing for the courtyards for top one hundred rankers was something he must do.

As for how to compete for it, Lin Yi was still pondering.

"Senior Brother Lin Yi, today it is our turn to be imparted martial arts. Let's go quickly!" The source of the voice belonged to Jiang Xiaoyu.

The current dormitory of Lin Yi was a thatched hut, moreover, it was a thatched hut with two people living inside!

In order to produce compet.i.tive atmposhere, the higher-ups of Huashan were really shameless to the extreme. Making two people living inside a thatched hut would undoubtedly make anyone want to move into independent courtyards. Not to mention, there were servants who were in charge of ch.o.r.es and maids to wait upon you in independent courtyards.

Jiang Xiaoyu had talked endless time on how much he yearned to move into independent courtyard in Lin Yi's ears.

He didn't harbor any ideas towards the independent courtyards for top one hundred rankers, however he was full of ideas towards the independent courtyards for top one hundred new disciples. He always wished he could learn martial arts, practise it well and move to independent courtyard.

Thus, when it was time to impart martial arts, he jumped up excitedly.

He pulled up Lin Yi hurriedly and ran towards the training field.

It was already crowded with people at the training field. They encircled the instructors who was responsible to impart martial arts. All of them were excited, looking at the instructors with deep, red eyes, seeming as if wanted to swallow down the instructors.

Somehow, the instructors didn't find this strange as if used to this kind of gaze.

Each time new disciples enrolled, which of them weren't like this?

To all boys and girls, martial arts had a fatal attraction!

Riches, wealths, and whatnots, they were unreliable in this world!

Only martial arts was the most important thing here!

Thousands of young boys and girls encircled the instructors, with the youngest around seven or eight years old and the oldest around seventeen or eighteen. They were all looking at the instructors eagerly to the point of almost drooled.

"Since more or less have attended, I shall begin impart you martial arts!" The instructor saw no one came after the Lin Yi duo, nodded slightly and roared.

With a wave of hand, those young boys and girls retreated few steps back, leaving an open s.p.a.ce in the middle and sat down in cross-legged position neatly.

Everything proceeded in order as if it was rehea.r.s.ed before.

Yet Lin Yi knew, this was the first time for them to gather and look together. Being the first time yet orderly, it showed just how much they dreamt of becoming heroes and heroines, how much pa.s.sion they had towards martial arts.

"We, Huashan, place sword arts at the foremost! With profound sword arts, renowned throughout the pugilistic world! It is also the reason why we, Huashan, along with Songshan, Taishan, Southern Hengshan, and Northern Hengshan, the Five Sacred Mountains, are known as Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance!"

"To learn sword arts, you must learn Huashan Swordplay! Huashan Swordplay is our introductory sword arts. The essences of Huashan were all within Huashan Swordplay! Huashan Swordplay is the foundation of every Huashan's sword arts. Almost all of our sophisticated sword arts were born from Huashan Swordplay. Therefore, if you want to learn more profound sword arts, then you need to practise Huashan Swordplay well, as to lay solid foundation!"

"Huashan Swordplay consists of eleven stances: White Clouds Emerge, Phoenix in Harmony, Inverted Gentry, All-encompa.s.sing White Rainbow, Ashened Pine Welcome Its Guests, Flight of Golden Geese, Descend of Edgeless Wood, Concealed Lush Mountain, Ancient Cyper Woodlands, Exceptional Singular, Abundant Wealth"

"Having both offensive and defensive simultaneously, a renowned profound sword arts in pugilistic world. A silver grade martial arts! Compared to superficial sword arts in pugilistic world, it is far stronger! This is the foundation of Huashan, the most basic sword art. Even out at pugilistic world, it is a rarely seen profound arts!"

"Wow!"

The young boys and girls suddenly went into an uproar. Their eyes shone brightly. Their drools flowed out straightly. All of them were the children of the most basic-level echelons of Huashan in various Huashan's branch divisions so there were clear about grades of martial arts in pugilistic world. In pugilistic world, martial arts of bronze grade were already hard to obtain. Those who owned martial arts of bronze grade were capable of making a name for themselves. As for martial arts of silver grade, it was something one could only hope for yet can't seek for!

Yet the most basic Huashan Swordplay was of silver grade!

What a generous hand!

The t.i.tle of one of the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance was indeed well-deserved!

"Senior Brother Lin Yi, did you hear it? Silver grade, a sword arts of silver grade! We really made it rich this time!" Jiang Xiaoyu tugged at Lin Yi's sleeves, clamored excitedly, with drools flowing out of his mouth.

Lin Yi smiled faintly. He didn't have much of a mood swing. These facts were something he had known earlier, or else he wouldn't try to join a major faction by all means.

Moreover, he understood the value of martial arts of higher grade.

Reaching initial stage of different grades would result in different effect. Martial arts of iron grade would give +3 points, while bronze grade would give +4.5 points. As for silver grade, it would give +6 points!

Higher stages of mastery would produce larger gap!

Crushed to death by a difference of one grade in martial arts, wasn't an exaggeration.

And this was just the difference in basic attributes. Not to mention, martial arts of higher grade would have more profound usage.

"Now I will demonstrate it once, remember it well and practise it well after you go back!" The instructor swept across the suprised and excited looks of the new disciples in satisfaction, then said plainly.

The sword moved out of its sheath!

White Clouds Emerge ---- Water flowed down unintentionally, white clouds emerge unconsciously. Squat down and halt, slash your sword horizontally.

Phoenix in Harmony ---- A splendor reaching ninety percent, phoenix made its appearance. Attack lower parts by feet, fall down to ground and rip one's abdomen.

Inverted Gentry ---- When the rain ceased, hang the gentry upside-down. Halt and twist your body, let your sword slash down afterwards.

All-encompa.s.sing White Rainbow ---- Rainbow covered the sky, cold wind billowed. Let sword ride on the wind, strike the enemy in the air.

Abundant Wealth!

The sword returned to its sheath!

"Have you all remembered it? Go back and practise diligently. If there's something you don't understand, come and find me tomorrow." Grasping the sword, the instructor's appearance was exceptional.

Followed up next were the instructors of Huashan's Fist Arts and Huashan's Arts of Lightness who imparted the martial arts in turns.

Chapter 8 - Surge in Strength

Suddenly, every moves of Huashan Swordplay, Huashan's Fist Arts, Huashan's Arts of Lightness were imprinted in his mind where a silhouette seemed to exist there, repeatedly performing the martial arts in a lifelike manner.

Lin Yi knew this was an effect from game system, which enabled him to remember every moves of the martial arts instantly. However, it only let him remember them. If he wanted to wield them, he would have to rely on his own efforts.

Because, as for the moment, he had not even reached initial stage mastery.

Therefore, the only effect it had was that he wouldn't forget them!

He didn't need to go and ask for guidance anymore. He only needed to practise and practise continuously!

Having learned Huashan Swordplay, Huashan's Fist Arts, and Huashan's Arts of Lightness made Lin Yi's tightened nerves loosened.

With his experience of a G.o.d-ranked player, it wasn't a hard thing for him to go back to the ranks of top experts. What the most difficult thing wasn't practising martial arts, but the lack of martial arts.

He had extremely rich combat experience as he managed to slaughter all the way from being an ordinary player to someone of G.o.d-ranked player. Therefore, he was familiar with almost all martial arts existed in Great Pugilistic World.

The features of various martial arts, he understood almost all of them.

Which faction of the martial arts displayed by someone belonged to, he could tell with a single glance.

But understanding it didn't meant he could use it!

At most, he was capable of imitating it, moreover, it was only the appearance. To imitate its essence as well was extremely difficult!

The higher grade a martial arts, the more difficult it was to imitate it.

Therefore, to instantly regain the strength of a top experts was something impossible!

The biggest restriction was martial arts!

Without martial arts to learn, his attributes wouldn't be able to increase.

Unable to increase his attributes, even having wonderful experience, facing someone several folds stronger than him, the only outcome would be to be crushed by him opponent!

With this Huashan's introductory martial arts, Lin Yi could now begin his path of martial arts. Lin Yi believed that he would surely shock the entire Huashan someday!

Without hesitation, he went back to his thatched hut. Lin Yi went into seclusion for the first time since he had arrived here at Great Pugilistic World.

He wanted to make breakthrough in the mastery of these martial arts!

Practising Huashan Swordplay, Huashan's Fist Arts, and Huashan's Arts of Lightness crazily, he even dreamt of them in his sleep. He filled his daily schedules completely, except for mealtime, he used all of his time to practise martial arts.

This crazy act made his roommate, Jiang Xiaoyu, shocked to the extreme.

How admirable!

Jiang Xiaoyu also tried his best to help by bringing Lin Yi's food over from the canteen. With Lin Yi as an example, Jiang Xiaoyu also practised diligently.

However, he wasn't as crazy as Lin Yi. He would take a rest when he was tired. During his spare time, he would go and inquire for information.

Gradually, Jiang Xiaoyu told Lin Yi the situation of ten thousand new disciples, like whose sword arts had reached which stage, like whose arts of lightness had breakthrough to which stage.

Hence, though Lin Yi didn't step out during seclusion, he was aware of the progress of his peer disciples through Jiang Xiaoyu.

Soon, a month had pa.s.sed by.

During this month, Lin Yi tried to breakthrough the stages of all martial arts with all his might.

Apart from Huashan's introductory martial arts of silver grade, he didn't even let go of Basic Blade Arts, Basic Fist Strikes, Basic Arts of Lightness which he obtained from rummaging the room of Black Wind Stockade's Chief.

These martial arts of iron grade, regardless of the increase in attributes or its power, simply couldn't be compared to likes of Huashan's introductory martial arts of silver grade.

However, as a G.o.d-ranked player, Lin Yi clearly knew that during a battle, who had higher attributes or higher mastery in martial arts alone couldn't determine who was the strongest one.

It was a test of who had more solid foundation, who had more martial arts, who had more hidden cards.

Foundation, martial arts, hidden cards!

These were what experts emphasized the most.

The more you learn, the more you know, then you wouldn't be seen through when executing of a skill, number of flaws would decrease as well.

If one were to think that Huashan Swordplay was stronger than Basic Fist Strikes, then only specialized in Huashan Swordplay and discard away Basic Fist Strikes.

Then that was really courting death.

It was true that Huashan Swordplay was powerful, but once the others could see through your moves, then they would be able to defend.

Its might would then drop drastically!

Eventually your opponent would be able to control the pace of the battle. Once it got to that point, then death wasn't far away.

A true expert would use his/her weaker skills to face his/her opponents and use his/her exquisite skills as hidden cards. Only when it was time to determine the winner, he/she would use it. One move to determine the winner!

Because he had fought many players from Huashan in game before, Lin Yi had a quite deep understanding towards Huashan's martial arts. Now that he had learned it, his understanding towards Huashan's martial arts deepened even more.

His practise speed was faster as an outcome.

Practising the same move, if one didn't understand Huashan Swordplay and was unfamiliar with it, one would only gain two or three experience points.

If one had a good grasp of Huashan Swordplay and deep understanding towards it, completing a move would yield eight or nine experience points. By any chance, if one managed to execute the move with its essence behind it, the experience would be even more!

Obtaining tens or even hundreds of experience points wasn't impossible.

Borrowing his extensive experience in practising martial arts and his understanding of the martial arts, he was closer to grasping the essence of each moves. As such, his progress in practising martial arts was getting faster and faster!

Eventually, his progress in a day was comparable to several folds, tens of folds of when he first started!

Just in a span of one month, Lin Yi finally mastered all his martial arts to the third out of five stages of mastery, the intermediate stage!

Displaying his attributes panel, Lin Yi inspected his harvest after one month of seclusion.

Though he had attack points of 30, he was nothing compared to the experts in pugilistic world. He was still at quite a distance away from being a third-rate martial artists where the minimum was 70 points.

Nonetheless, never underestimate this 30 attack points and 30 speed points.

The attributes of ordinary people averaged at 10 points.

30 attack points meant his physical strength was the three folds of ordinary people!

Back at his previous world, a person who was stronger by three times of ordinary people could be regarded as Superman!

Moreover, this was just a comparation of attribute points. Now he had learned martial arts, his combat strength was far much higher than his attribute points.

Sword arts of iron grade would be able to unleash his attack by one hundred percent, while sword arts of bronze grade would be able to unleash his attack by one hundred and twenty percenty, and sword arts of silver grade would be able to unleash his attack by one hundred and fifty percent.

In other words, Lin Yi's attack attribute was 30 points and he had learned Huashan Swordplay of silver grade. Once he execute Huashan Swordplay, his attack power would be the same as someone with 45 attack points who used martial arts of iron grade.

The power increment by grades of martial arts goes the same for arts of lightness as well.

The current Lin Yi could have a fight with someone with 45 attack points in pugilistic world!

The harvest in this month could be said as bountiful!

"Having secluded for a month, it's time now!"

Lin Yi slightly squinted his eyes, tilted his head and gazed at the direction of peak of Mt.Hua, murmurred to himself. Desire to battle could be seen in his eyes!

His martial arts had reached a bottleneck. It was difficult to have a breakthrough in the near future. It was time for him to move about.

The wish and quest to become the head disciple, he didn't forget it in the slightest!

"White Clouds Emerge, Phoenix in Harmony, Inverted Gentry, All-encompa.s.sing White Rainbow, Ashened Pine Welcome Its Guests, Flight of Golden Geese, Descend of Edgeless Wood!"

Outside the thatched hut, Jiang Xiaoyu was practising Huashan Swordplay while constantly shouting out the name of the moves in succession.

Lin Yi stepped out from the thatched hut, took a look at Jiang Xiaoyu and nodded in satisfaction. In a span of one month, Jiang Xiaoyu had mastered Huashan Swordplay to the initial stage. This kind of progress was acceptable compared to their peers.

Naturally, it couldn't be compared to Lin Yi's!

Lin Yi was a top expert who had cleared twelve standard meridians and eight extraordinary meridians, the founder of internal circulation previously in game. His understanding towards martial arts was far much deeper compared to rookies who had just came in contact with martial arts like Jiang Xiaoyu.

These two simply couldn't be compared. If one were to force a comparison between them, then that would be a bit too excessive.

"Your White Clouds Emerge is still quite stiff. This move is to squat down and halt, then slash your sword horizontally. When you are squatting, the speed must be fast. Halt doesn't really mean to stop completely. You should leave some strength left in your leg. Stamp on the ground with one feet and lift the other leg slightly from the ground, so that you can maneuver and change direction freely. Slas.h.i.+ng sword horizontally must be done fast and naturally. When you are about to slash it horizontally, speed up your pace! These successive movement must be done in a blink of eye. In addition, you have to be able to wield it while able to change move instantly, so that you can be both offensive and defensive!"

"This move is suited best for group attacks!"

"And this All-encompa.s.sing White Rainbow ...."

When Jiang Xiaoyu had finished his practise, Lin Yi pointed out his flaws, and told him how to execute them better.

"Senior Brother Lin Yi, have you exited your seclusion?" Seeing Lin Yi stepped out of the thatched hut where he never came out from for one month, Jiang Xiaoyu called out happily.

"Yeah, I have exited it." Lin Yi smilingly nodded. This roommate of his, Jiang Xiaoyu, a youth of thirteen or fourteen years old, made Lin Yi felt like he was his brother, therefore he was concerned with the progress of his martial arts and gave him a helping hand, "Ponder on the points I had said just now and practise well. You will be able to reach novice stage soon!"

"En!" Jiang Xiaoyu nodded repeatedly, with a look of wors.h.i.+p he stared at Lin Yi, "Senior Brother Lin Yi, I think that you are much better than the instructor. Even the instruction from the instructor wasn't as detailed as yours. I also feel that even the instructors don't have the grasp of essence of sword arts as much as yours!"

Lin Yi just smiled without replying. though he had agreed with what Jiang Xiaoyu had said in his heart. It wasn't that he was conceited, but it was the fact. With his deep understanding towards martial arts as a top expert, naturally he was better than those instructors who were only at the ranks of third-rate experts.

With regards to understanding towards Huashan Swordplay, he was akin to someone at higher, strategic position. Naturally he could see much further and grasp the essence better compared to those instructors

"Is there any news recently?" Lin Yi put away the previous topic and asked Jiang Xiaoyu.

"En, let me think about it...." Jiang Xiaoyu tilted down his head while pondering, lifted it not much longer afterwards, with a depressed and disdain look he said, "A few days ago, the independent courtyards for new disciples were open. After days of competing, the top one hundred new disciples have emerged! Hmph, were it not for I have never come into contact with martial arts, I will surely beat them down!"

"Oh, top one hundred new disciples have emerged?" Lin Yi's eyes showed a trace of light and playful look.

Jiang Xiaoyu suddenly looked at Lin Yi, with glinting eyes, he said excitedly, "Senior Brother Lin Yi, I think that you are far stronger than them. How about you go and try? With you stepping forward, they will surely stand no chance!"

"You are that optimistic about me?" Lin Yi smiled playfully.

"Of course, to me, Senior Brother Lin Yi is even stronger than instructors!" Jiang Xiaoyu nodded heavily.

"Then let's go and have a try?" Lin Yi laughed.

"Okay!" Jiang Xiaoyu smiled like a blossomed flower, raised both hands in agreement, He thought in his heart, with this mysterious Senior Brother Lin Yi stepping forward, he would surely be able to teach a lesson to those arrogant top one hundred new disciples and teach them how to behave!

The two of them brought their swords, stepped out of the thatched hut and rushed towards the area halfway up the mountain where the independent courtyards for top one hundred new disciples were located.

Chapter 9 - Consecutive Defeats of One Hundred Strongest New Disciples' Rankers

Along the way, Jiang Xiaoyu walked gallantly, with his big mouth, he circulated the news that Lin Yi was going to challenge the ranks of one hundred strongest new disciples as if he wanted all of the world to know of this news, which attracted a lot of onlookers. Soon, there were hundreds of new disciples who came and followed behind them, forming a large group.

Lin Yi didn't stop him from doing so. He had the absolute confidence that he could beat all of the one hundred strongest new disciples' rankers down.

This move by Jiang Xiaoyu had put him in advantage instead. The merrier attracted crowd, the more reputation he would be able to gain.

As for how to move up to upper courtyard, Lin Yi had come up with a detailed plan.

Which was to cause a sensation as huge as possible and become the most dazzling new recruit!

The way that Huashan chose who to promote to upper courtyard from lower courtyard was still the old way.

Firstly, they would choose someone with young age, high talent, and great potential. Simply put, if they were spotted by higher-ups from Huashan, they would be able to move up. As for this option, Lin Yi didn't hold much hope in it. His age of fifteen, almost sixteen, became his biggest flaw. No higher-ups would set their eyes upon him.

The second option would be to charge in using strength, by entering the ranks of one hundred strongest disciples in the entire lower courtyard. From these rankers, those with strength close to third-rate experts would have ninety percent probability of being chosen. Lin Yi's target was precisely this. With absolute strength, undisputed att.i.tude, he would become the strongest disciple in the entire lower courtyard and charge into upper courtyard.

The awe-inspiring crowd poured into the independent courtyards, attracting the attention of one hundred strongest new disciples' rankers. One after another either walked out of their independent courtyard or stuck out their heads to take a look.

In order to compete for the eligibility for a place in independent courtyards, they had gone through a battle to the bitter end where they emerged victorious eventually.

Initially, they had thought that they could hold onto their positions for much longer, yet such a scene had to happen today.

The appearance of such a spectacular challenger made them knitted their brows and felt anxiety in their hearts.

"Lin Yi has come to challenge!"

Lin Yi took a step forward towards the independent courtyard at the furthest end, which represented the courtyard for the hundredth ranker. He cupped his hand and spoke loudly.

A challenger had come indeed, the expression of the one hundred strongest new disciples' rankers slightly changed.

"Well, what's supposed to come has come after all!"

A youth with bitter smile walked out of the hundredth courtyard. Placed on the hundredth seat, he had prepared himself. He knew very well that he was like a bucket which could be kicked down by anyone anytime.

Sure enough, he hadn't even sat on his position comfortably yet and a challenger had appeared.

Under the gloating gazes of the other rankers placed in front of him, he walked out and cupped his hands.

"The hundredth seat of one hundred strongest new disciples' ranker, Yu Bai, accept your challenge!"

"Lin Yi!"

Lin Yi unsheated his sword then reported his name.

The challenge procedure in lower courtyard was very simple, yet formal.

Everyone only needed to report their name, issue their challenge before starting. The winner would be able to live inside the independent courtyard and enter the ranks of one hundred strongest disciples at the same time.

Having completed the challenge procedure, they didn't speak another word as the swords started clas.h.i.+ng against each other.

The skill Yu Hai executed right away was the one he was most proficient at, Huashan Swordplay!

His Huashan Swordplay had reached novice stage in the span of one month. Among the new disciples, his progress could be counted as quite fast.

Relying on novice stage mastery, he managed to enter the ranks of one hundred strongest new disciples.

Seeing Lin Yi had come prepared, he wouldn't hold back naturally.

White Clouds Emerge!

Squat down and halt, slash your sword horizontally!

Lin Yi smiled faintly. He didn't use any sword arts and only casually lifted his sword and blocked Yu Hai's White Clouds Emerge.

Yu Hai's expression changed into a serious look!

His opponent actually managed to block his skill casually and sent a force through his sword, causing Yu Hai almost lost the grasp of his sword.

He didn't dare to be negligent and executed Huashan Swordplay's moves one by one.

Phoenix in Harmony!

Inverted Gentry!

All-encompa.s.sing White Rainbow!

Each moves were connected to another perfectly.

However, Lin Yi managed to block each moves easily.

Yu Hai's forehead was covered with beads of sweat, seemingly very tired, which was in contrast with Lin Yi's relaxed look, apparently that the eleven moves of Huashan Swordplay had no pressure on him.

Seeing this, how could Yu Hai don't understand the gap between them. He was simply an opponent on another level.

This opponent in front of him didn't even execute a single move. He blocked casually relying just on his eyesight. It was obvious how much higher the sword arts mastery the opponent had compared to himself.

"Stop!"

Yu Hai asked to stop instantly, then continued with a bitter smile, "Senior Brother Lin Yi is powerful indeed, I[1] admit defeat."

He glanced the independent courtyard behind him, a reluctant look flashed by then he turned serious, "I will move my things right away and hand over this courtyard to Senior Brother Lin Yi!"

Being able to take up something, one must be able to put it down as well.

An appreciation look flashed by in Lin Yi's eyes, then he stopped Yu Hai's notion to move out of the courtyard, "Junior Brother Yu don't need to move, you will still live in this courtyard!"

Yu Hai was startled.

"Junior Brother Yu, I have noticed that your Huashan Swordplay has reached novice stage but your usage isn't fine enough. Every moves in Huashan Swordplay are incomparable powerful and don't need to be used orderly. Instead you should try to bring out the essence of each moves and adapt to the situation. You ought to learn some basic sword arts and basic arts of lightness. It will help you greatly. Otherwise, once your repeatedly use the same moves, your flaws will increase greatly!"

Lin Yi gave out some reviews and suggestions.

If it came out from the mouth of others, Yu Hai might not believe it. But Lin Yi had shown him how huge was the gap between them, he couldn't help but listened humbly.

After pondered for a moment, with his talent that was able to reach novice stage in Huashan Swordplay in the span of one month, he quickly understood the meaning behind Lin Yi's words.

Having figured out a lot of difficulties he had encountered during practise, he was suddenly enlightened.

With a solemn face, he cupped his hands towards Lin Yi, "Many thanks for Senior Brother Lin Yi's guidance."

"I will vacate the courtyard for Senior Brother Lin immediately" Yu Hai said with a resolute look, without even glancing back at the courtyard.

Seeing how resolute Yu Hai was, Lin Yi shook his head and smiled, not concerning himself with Yu Hai anymore, he gazed at the system panel.

Looking at the notification, Lin Yi was slightly surprised.

He didn't thought that defeating someone would let him obtain combat experience points as well, which was a pleasant surprise for him! Initially the reason to challenge the ranks of one hundred strongest new disciples was to spread his reputation, yet he didn't thought of defeating someone from the ranks of one hundred strongest disciples would yield combat experience.

After thinking carefully, he understood something.

Defeating Yu Hai was counted on challenge. Defeating someone from the ranks of one hundred strongest new disciples would produce some influence so it could be said as achievement. This could be counted as pa.s.sive quest.

What if this was the case?

Then he needed to alter his plan slightly!

Within Lin Yi's plain eyes, it looked like he was lost in thought which then revealed a trace of joy.

Without waiting for the reaction by others, he went straight to the ninety-ninth courtyard, cupped his hands.

"Lin Yi requests a challenge!"

Everyone was stunned, then one by one became excited. A ruthless person had come, now there would be a good show!

Among them, Jiang Xiaoyu was the most excited one, feeling ecstatic in his heart.

Senior Brother Lin Yi was Senior Brother Lin Yi indeed, what a tough guy!

"What is he planning to do? Don't tell me he want to challenge one by one all the way to the top?"

Each of the one hundred strongest new disciples' rankers were shocked. Their expressions turned ugly. Lin Yi apparently didn't even use any sword arts and he had managed to block the moves of Huashan Swordplay by Yu Hai who had reached novice stage.

His sword arts mastery must be very high!

If he didn't have deep understanding towards sword arts, there was no way he could do something like this.

Everyone in the ranks of one hundred strongest new disciples were stronger than Yu Bai, but there still a limit to it. When they thought of whether they could block Yu Hai's Huashan Swordplay without using any sword arts and arts of lightness, most of them shook their head as they couldn't accomplish this.

With this kind of thought, their pressure increased!

They only felt their b.u.t.t was burning hot right now. They were surely be unable to sit down stably on the seat under them!

Among the ranks of one hundred strongest new disciples, the only one who didn't felt this pressure and could watch the show comfortably was the one placed in the first courtyard, the first seat, Han Bai.

His family had always been the one in charge of certain large divisions of Huashan. He had started practising martial arts since he was small, even before joining Huashan he had already owned a set of good martial arts. After he had joined Huashan and learned Huashan Swordplay, Huashan's Arts of Lightness, Huashan's Fist Arts, these martial arts of silver grade, his strength had increased by leaps and bounds!

In a span of one month, he had mastered Huashan Swordplay and Huashan's Arts of Lightness to intermediate stage, an undisputed martial arts genius!

Seeing Lin Yi's action, he only smiled faintly, "This Lin Yi sure is interesting!"

In his eyes, Lin Yi wasn't his opponent, but merely someone without adversaries among his peers. In his solitary life akin to snow, Lin Yi was just a side dish to him.

Just at the moment when everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts, Lin Yi clashed against the ninety-ninth strongest ranker.

This time, he also didn't use any sword arts or arts of lightness and managed to defeat the ninety-ninth strongest ranker!

"Lin Yi requests challenge!"

Standing in front of the ninety-eight courtyard, Lin Yi spoke loudly while cupping his hands.

Challenging the ninety-eighth strongest ranker!

Soon, the ninety-eighth strongest ranker was defeated!

The ninety-seventh strongest ranker was defeated!

The ninety-sixth strongest ranker was defeated!

The ninetieth strongest ranker was defeated!

The eighty-eighth strongest ranker was defeated!

The eighty-third strongest ranker was defeated!

The eighty-first strongest ranker was defeated!

Having consecutively defeated the last twenty out of one hundred strongest new disciples' rankers, it caused an uproar!

"Too strong, Senior Brother Lin Yi is too strong!" Jiang Xiaoyu cried out crazily in his heart and jumped up excitedly.

"Senior Brother Lin is powerful indeed. My loss wasn't an injustice!" Holding his package, Yu Hai was about to vacant his courtyard for Lin Yi, he saw Lin Yi continued his challenges instead. When he saw Lin Yi had even defeated the eighty-first strongest ranker, his body went stiff for a moment and involuntarily let out a sigh. However, after a while, when he thought back that he had some enlightment towards sword arts, his eyes lit up with a firm look. He gazed towards Lin Yi's back, clenched his fist, and muttered, "Senior Brother Lin, I will surely catch up to you. And once I do, I will defeat you!"

"Stimulating, this is too stimulating! Let these conceited one hundred strongest new disciples' rankers taste the feeling of being defeated!"

"Haha, now I am really curious as to whether he would continue his challenges and defeat all the one hundred strongest new disciples' rankers?"

"If he can defeat Han Bai as well, I will surely clap my hands while laughing!"

The news disciples onlookers were excited, their blood were boiling, as if it was them who defeated the one hundred strongest new disciples' rankers.

"Hmph!" Even Han Bai who was indifferent as the wind and clouds, after seeing Lin Yi defeated one after another individuals from the ranks of one hundred strongest new disciples, changed his expression and let out a sneer.

More people were attracted by this scene, those who were more excited even shouted, "Defeat them! Defeat them all!"

Lin Yi only smiled faintly and looked at his system panel.

Having obtained enormous 20,000 combat experience points all of a sudden made Lin Yi very happy. If it went on like this, he would be able to reach advanced stage mastery soon in Huashan Swordplay.

Displaying the skills panel, he quickly found Huashan Swordplay.

If it weren't for the purpose of causing an uproar, Lin Yi could not wait to challenge all the top one hundred rankers. However, for the position of Huashan's head disciple, Lin Yi held down his impulses and progressed step by step according to his plan.

Each time he defeated an opponent, he would give out his reviews and suggestions afterwards.

With his status as G.o.d-ranker player, comprehension akin to a top expert, a casually few words of his would be able to enlighten anyone, not to mention these one hundred rankers who were the cream of the crops among his peers. With one sentence from Lin Yi, one after another had further insight.

In this way, it dissipated the grievances they had against Lin Yi. Furthermore, it also let Lin Yi gain their goodwills.

The reason why Lin Yi did all this was preparing to compete for the seat of head disicple naturally. For one to become head disciple, other than having good martial arts, another most important point was to be loved by other disciples.

Lower courtyard was his starting point, Lin Yi naturally would have to lay firm foundation here. He believed, at that time, these groups of lower courtyard's disciples wouldn't disappoint him.

He sheated his sword!

Lin Yi glanced around in a circular manner, then he looked at the independent courtyards, shouted, "Tomorrow Lin Yi shall come again to challenge another twenty ranks of one hundred strongest new disciples!"

"Wow!"

The crowd went into an uproar, each of them called out excitedly, "He really wanted to defeat all one hundred strongest new disciples' rankers!"

"Hmph, how arrogant!" The remaining one hundred strongest disciples' rankers revealed an ugly look.