Lu Yuan described the appearance of the middle-aged man with slicked-back hair he had just seen.

The ponytailed middle-aged man nodded. "Yes, that's Tang. The one who just brought you here is Wang Su, the candidate Tang recommended this time."

No wonder. Lu Yuan nodded and then asked, "What should I call you?"

"You can call me Liu Si."

The ponytailed middle-aged man smiled at Lu Yuan and then continued to lead him inside.

The interior of this house seemed even larger than the courtyard outside.

The furnishings were all antique: folding screens, calligraphy scrolls, curios... each one looking like something Lu Yuan couldn't afford to replace.

Liu Si led Lu Yuan all the way to the innermost part, stopping at a room near a corridor.

Nearby was an old-fashioned skywell courtyard. Pine and bamboo were planted around it, and a stone table with stone benches sat in the middle, creating a rather pleasant environment.

"Please make do with these accommodations for the next few days."

Liu Si pushed open the room door and handed Lu Yuan a key.

The room inside was also elegantly furnished. A quick glance revealed it had all the modern amenities, comparable to a hotel.

"Three meals a day will be delivered to you. You can also go to the dining hall to eat; it's the second to last hall we passed on the way in. Call me anytime if you need anything," Liu Si told Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan pondered for a moment, then asked, "Can I walk around when I'm free?"

Liu Si hesitated, then replied, "You can wander around the entrance and nearby, but it's best not to go too far. The Head of the House prefers quiet and dislikes people loitering in his presence. It wouldn't be good if you happened to bump into him..."

"Oh." Lu Yuan nodded, indicating he understood.

Liu Si left quickly.

Lu Yuan entered his room, checked the lights and the faucet in the bathroom, and found no issues. He then sat down on the bed.

He was quite satisfied with his living conditions.

He picked up his phone to call his parents and reassure them, saying he'd checked into a hotel. He had told them he was on a trip to Weishan, which was a lie.

He then called Lin Zhiquin, but no one answered.

So he sent a text message instead.

I'm not allowed to wander around, and there isn't even a TV in this room.

Feeling a bit bored, Lu Yuan closed his eyes and entered the Consciousness Space.

「...」

Deep within a quiet bamboo forest.

A small stream meandered by, its waters gurgling softly.

Combined with the soft rustling of wind through the bamboo leaves, it created an atmosphere of serene tranquility.

At the stone table by the stream, Lin Zhiquin and a middle-aged woman with neat short hair sat facing each other.

"...You defied our Master's orders and secretly let him escape. Now that he's back, he'll most likely come looking for you, or at least try to meet you. It's unclear what the Master's attitude is. But it seems he still hasn't gotten over it..."

The short-haired woman—who had long eyebrows, slender eyes, and a fair, unlined face—spoke softly as she poured Lin Zhiquin a cup of tea from the clay teapot on the table.

Lin Zhiquin's expression was grave, his brows tightly furrowed.

The short-haired woman sighed softly, then urged, "This is such a good opportunity, Lin. If you grasp it, the Master might forgive you..."

Lin Zhiquin was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "If he returns to find me, I will certainly report it to the Master..."

The short-haired woman's brow smoothed slightly, but then she heard him continue.

"...But not to beg for the Master's forgiveness. I did nothing wrong in that matter. Even if it were today, I would do the same."

"Lin!" the short-haired woman exclaimed, a hint of anger rising on her face.

Lin Zhiquin kept his head down and said nothing.

A look of helplessness suddenly crossed the short-haired woman's face. She waved her hand and said, "Forget it. Do as you wish..."

Changing the subject, she asked, "How is Mo Mo?"

Lin Zhiquin's shoulders twitched slightly. This time, he spoke.

"Her surgery is scheduled for next month."

"As long as the surgery is scheduled, that's good." The short-haired woman nodded and said, "I've sent some money to Xin Lan. You don't need to worry about the surgical fees."

"I....."

Lin Zhiquin pursed his lips, just about to say something, when his phone suddenly vibrated.

He took out his phone, glanced at it, then quickly put it down.

"The disciple I recommended has arrived."

The short-haired woman's expression shifted slightly. "Is that the one who cost twenty million?"

Lin Zhiquin glanced at the woman and nodded. "Yes. But even without those twenty million, I would have brought him."

The woman's eyes flickered. She picked up the teacup before her and took a light sip, moistening her lips.

"I heard from Qin Feng that you have high hopes for him?"

"Yes." Lin Zhiquin nodded, a faint light seeming to appear on his face. "His physical aptitude is excellent, and his comprehension is also outstanding. A month ago, I only taught him Pile Skill, yet he managed to grasp the framework of a True Skill from it..."

"How many times did you meet?"

"Once... officially. But that's not to say there wasn't a second time, in private."

"Perhaps he stumbled upon it by chance."

"Even so, that's remarkable enough. Aside from... that person, I have never seen such an outstanding martial arts prospect..."

"That's merely what you think." The short-haired woman said calmly, "Perhaps this boy's talent is as impressive as you say. But you can forget about it this time. The position of direct disciple is practically decided."

"What do you mean?" Lin Zhiquin frowned.

The short-haired woman looked at the purple clay teapot in front of her and said flatly, "Second Brother accepted a disciple on the Master's behalf. He's young, already in PracticeOrgans, has comprehended a True Skill, and... has even developed Crane Strength. This so-called assessment is merely a formality."

"In every apparent aspect, he's leagues ahead of your candidate." The short-haired woman turned to Lin Zhiquin. "Tell me, on what grounds would the Master choose your candidate over his?"

As Lin Zhiquin listened to her words, he was stunned.

Suddenly, a wave of dejection washed over him. He leaned his hands on the stone table, saying nothing more.

The stream gurgled softly.

The short-haired woman picked up Lin Zhiquin's teacup and casually poured the now-cold tea into the stream flowing past their feet.

「...」

Consciousness Space.

HUFF... HISS... HUFF...

Lu Yuan breathed steadily. Veins bulged on his skin, and the corded muscles of his chest, taut as steel wires, rose and fell rhythmically.

His large, dark hand, like a python's coil, tightly gripped a human figure, suspending it in mid-air.

The figure's body swung powerlessly, his fists and feet flailing against Lu Yuan's arm to no avail.

Instead, he looked like a fish desperately struggling at death's door.

His fair face was already flushed crimson, and the piercing in his left earlobe stood out, engorged with blood.

CRACK—

With a casual twist, Lu Yuan snapped the young man's neck, then tossed the body aside like garbage.

His strength is pretty average... I don't know what he found so amusing.

CRICK! CRACK!

With a series of bone-popping sounds, Lu Yuan's body returned to its normal size.

Let's try that Tang fellow next.

Lu Yuan thought, then exited the Consciousness Space.

After briefly collecting himself, he closed his eyes again.

This time, however, his "Imaginary Enemy" was Tang—the middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a ruddy complexion whom he had encountered upon first entering.

I heard... he's supposedly one of the direct disciples of the Crane Sect.

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