Lin Yi focused his mind, channeling the recently acquired Violent Points into his cultivation.
[Violent Points -150, Advanced Bone Forging Level 2 achieved!][Owner: Lin Yi][Cultivation: Advanced Bone Forging Level 2 (0/200)][Martial Skills: None][Violent Points: 160]
"Just 40 more Violent Points to break through again," Lin Yi thought, feeling the surging power within him and nodding in satisfaction.
He then approached the staircase leading to the second floor, stepping up deliberately.
"I wonder how strong a martial skill could become with the remaining Violent Points," he mused.
At that moment, a figure appeared at the top of the stairs.
The man was around fifty, wearing a gray long robe, his expression stern and rigid.
Seeing Lin Yi, he said flatly:
"Eldest Young Master, I truly didn't expect that your cultivation has partially recovered. I'm… somewhat surprised."
This was Wang, the steward in charge of the Martial Arts Pavilion.
He had served the Lin family for over thirty years, holding considerable authority, second only to a few of the family's true leaders.
Lin Yi's steps did not falter as he said coolly:
"You're blocking my way."
Wang stood still, hands clasped behind his back, looking down at Lin Yi calmly:
"The second floor stores only Level 2 martial skills. By clan rules, anyone below the Advanced Bone Forging realm is forbidden to enter."
"As it is my duty, I cannot allow you to proceed, Eldest Young Master."
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow.
"You think I'm not at Advanced Bone Forging?"
A faint smirk crept onto Wang's lips, eyes glinting with condescension and mockery.
"Eldest Young Master, you jest. You were crippled barely over two months ago, and in just that short time, you have advanced from a wreck to Advanced Bone Forging? Impossible!"
"Even looking at all of Qingfeng City, I doubt anyone could be such a prodigy."
He paused, then his tone turned icy:
"Moreover, private fights are forbidden in the Martial Arts Pavilion. You just engaged in one, which is a serious violation of clan rules."
"Today, I must not only prevent you from ascending to the second floor, but also revoke your right to enter the Pavilion and ask you to leave immediately."
Hearing this, Lin Yi chuckled lightly.
"Rules are nothing but restraints for the weak. If the real powers of the Lin family were to act here, would you dare speak of rules?"
Wang shook his head.
"Facing the Lin family head and the leaders, I indeed dare not mention rules. But you…You are not them."
"My fists are hard enough," Lin Yi said calmly.
Wang was slightly taken aback, then smiled again.
"The Eldest Young Master's confidence is impressive. Though my cultivation talent isn't great, I barely reached Advanced Bone Forging yesterday."
He raised his head, arrogance clear:
"Do you really think your fists are stronger than mine?"
At those words, the aura of an Advanced Bone Forging cultivator emanated from Wang.
Everyone in the Pavilion was shocked.
Advanced Bone Forging cultivators in the Lin family were few; the strongest in Lin City was only Level 4 Advanced Bone Forging.
Yet Wang had reached this level!
Lin Yi, however, remained calm.
"You old man, you really overestimate yourself."
In the past, he might have been somewhat surprised; after all, Advanced Bone Forging cultivators in Qingshan County were rare.
But now? Advanced Bone Forging was nothing in his eyes.
His words left everyone in the Pavilion stunned, while some sneered in disdain.
Even though Lin Yi had defeated Lin Xi and Lin Dong—Level 6 Body Tempering—had already died at his hands, those were only Body Tempering cultivators.
The gap between Advanced Bone Forging and Body Tempering was like that of a grown man versus a child.
How could Lin Yi possibly be a match for Wang?
This looked like asking for trouble.
Just after Lin Mo pulled her head from the floor and saw this, she couldn't help but sneer.
This idiot had only regained a fraction of his cultivation, yet dared to provoke Wang, the Advanced Bone Forging steward.
It seemed Wang would be able to vent his anger properly now!
Lin Xi, still sprawled on the ground, felt his spirits lift as well, hoping Wang would strike hard and finally cripple this "waste" named Lin Yi.
At the top of the second-floor stairs, Wang's expression darkened instantly.
"It seems the Eldest Young Master wants to test me," he muttered.
"Since you don't understand rules, today I'll use my fists to teach you!"
"What are the rules of the Lin family?!"
With that, Wang's aura surged violently, his Advanced Bone Forging power fully released as he prepared to strike.
But Lin Yi's movement was even faster!
With his legs slightly bent, he erupted with tremendous force, lunging at Wang like a beast.
At the same time, a voice wrapped in endless coldness rang in Wang's ears:
"I told you, old man, don't overestimate yourself!"
Wang's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
How could this kid's speed be so fast?
But he didn't panic. Speed alone cannot compensate for the gap in cultivation!
He raised his arm, and his fist glowed faintly with yellow light, exuding a heavy, oppressive aura as he struck at Lin Yi.
A Level 1 martial skill—Desert Fist!
Lin Yi's eyes showed no fear. He raised his fists to meet it.
If Wang had cultivated a Level 2 martial skill, Lin Yi would have been doomed.
But Wang's Desert Fist was only Level 1, and judging by its aura, far from perfected.
How could Lin Yi be afraid?
"Bang!"
The two fists collided with a thunderous impact.
Lin Yi felt an immense force; his arm tingled from the impact, and his body slightly staggered.
But Wang fared worse.
He was unable to hold his ground, staggering backward several steps, his arm nearly fracturing under the shock.
Pain pierced his heart.
His face changed drastically as his mind reeled.
A full-powered punch from a Level 1 Advanced Bone Forging cultivator only caused a brief pause in this boy's stance?
Impossible! Could this kid really possess Advanced Bone Forging cultivation?
Seizing the advantage, Lin Yi ignored the tingling in his arm and launched another attack.
Before Wang could regain his footing, Lin Yi appeared in front of him like flowing light, his fist surging with unstoppable momentum toward Wang's wrinkled face.
Wang panicked, hastily raising his other arm to block.
But a hurried, uncharged block could never withstand Lin Yi's punch.
"Boom!"
Wang was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the floor several meters away.
The onlookers in the Martial Arts Pavilion were stunned into silence, their previous expressions of disdain completely gone.
No one had expected that even Wang, an Advanced Bone Forging cultivator, would be no match for Lin Yi!
And he had been defeated in just two punches!
Amid countless shocked, frozen eyes, Lin Yi leapt into the air.
Moments after Wang hit the floor, Lin Yi appeared before him again.
Hands clasped together, raised high above his head, he swung them down like a massive axe toward Wang's head.
"Boom!"
The wooden floor splintered, forming a huge dent, and Wang's head sank deeply into it.
Pride had vanished from his face, replaced by panic and terror.
This boy… was simply a monster!