The next day!
Lin Chen was practicing the Water Cloud Palm in the dormitory.
Since he chose to join the Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, he definitely had to practice the Water Cloud Palm. Moreover, training the Clear Wind Palm during the day was no longer suitable, so practicing the Water Cloud Palm was just perfect.
Compared to the elusive nature of the Clear Wind Palm, the Water Cloud Palm emphasizes softness, using subtlety to achieve strength, following the principle of using four ounces to move a thousand pounds.
[Water Cloud Palm +1]
[Water Cloud Palm +1]
...
...
Knock knock knock!
There was a knocking sound at the dormitory door.
Lin Chen frowned, walked out of the small courtyard, opened the door, and saw the servant who had guided him yesterday.
"Young Master Lin, Hall Master Kong wants to see you."
"Does Hall Master Kong want to see me again?"
Was it not just yesterday that they met? Could there have been a mistake with switching martial arts halls?
Thinking of this, Lin Chen felt a little tense and dared not delay. He locked the door and left with the servant.
It was still the courtyard where Hall Master Kong was yesterday.
Lin Chen stepped inside and saw another figure in the courtyard, indicating surprise.
Why is Instructor Chen here?
"You're here."
Kong Yinglei saw Lin Chen and smiled, allowing Lin Chen to relax as it seemed nothing major was wrong.
"This time, I brought you here because Instructor Chen has something to say to you."
Kong Yinglei directly explained to Lin Chen, then walked towards the gate, leaving space for private communication between Chen Chunfeng and Lin Chen.
"Lin Chen, you shouldn't have joined the Jingshui Martial Arts Hall." After Kong Yinglei left, Chen Chunfeng spoke slowly.
When Lin Chen came in, Chen Chunfeng's gaze faltered for a moment, revealing his guilt.
It was precisely this guilt that made him override Senior Brother Qi's objections after learning from him that Lin Chen wanted to transfer to Jingshui Martial Arts Hall.
Even if it would lead to ridicule from Vice Hall Master Kong at Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, he still came.
What he didn't expect was that Vice Hall Master Kong's style was more generous than anticipated, directly providing him and Lin Chen the chance to talk privately.
"Instructor Chen, I don't understand, why can't I join Jingshui Martial Arts Hall?"
Lin Chen retorted calmly, "The Opening Acupoints Pill I used was a quota from Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, and from the beginning, Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall only gave me the opportunity to train in the Clear Wind Palm. Does training in the Clear Wind Palm mean I cannot join other martial arts halls?"
Chen Chunfeng was taken aback by Lin Chen's words. He could understand Lin Chen's resentment, feeling the martial arts hall treated him unfairly.
"It is precisely because you have trained in the Clear Wind Palm and shown such high talent in it that you should stay at Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall. In terms of achievement in the Clear Wind Palm, no one can surpass Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall."
"With your talent, as long as someone guides you, it's possible to achieve perfection in the Clear Wind Palm within three years. Don't let your emotions delay your Martial Path."
If it were any other student daring to speak so boldly, Chen Chunfeng would have turned and left long ago, but he cherished talent and didn't want to see Lin Chen waste himself for a first-class quota.
"Instructor Chen, I don't understand your words, staying at Jingshui Martial Arts Hall hasn't delayed me. At least Jingshui Martial Arts Hall has given me an opportunity."
Lin Chen gave a cold smile; he finally understood that Hall Master Qi of Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall and Instructor Zhao never considered him important at all.
"The opportunity offered by Jingshui Martial Arts Hall is nothing but an illusion. Do you think you are currently a match for those students who have opened the Four Acupoints?"
Chen Chunfeng was reluctant to give up, continuing, "If you want such an opportunity, Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall can offer it to you as well."
"Thank you, Instructor Chen, for your kindness, but my mind is made up, and there is no need."
For Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall, Lin Chen had no fondness left.
Initially rejected once, then rejected again yesterday, how lowly would he have to be to shamelessly return there?
Although his family background was average, he was not without dignity.
He could shamelessly seek resources for his Martial Path, but he could not be truly shameless.
Chen Chunfeng believed Lin Chen had high comprehension of the Clear Wind Palm, but Lin Chen knew that his comprehension came from the "All the Way Black" title, and he could reach the same progress with other cultivation techniques.
Seeing Lin Chen's resolute expression, Chen Chunfeng almost spoke but ultimately held back.
"If that's the case, I hope you can travel far on your Martial Path."
Chen Chunfeng finally decided not to persuade further and, somewhat disappointed, headed for the door. As he reached the doorway, he paused: "If in the end you cannot obtain the first-class treatment quota at Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, the door of Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall is always open for you."
"Thank you, Instructor Chen, for your kindness; I do not deserve such treatment."
Regarding Instructor Chen, Lin Chen's perception remained unchanged, so he used this tactful response to express his stance.
Even if he couldn't get the first-class student treatment at Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, he wouldn't return to Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall.
...
...
After Chen Chunfeng left, not long after, Kong Yinglei appeared at the doorway.
"Among the Instructors at Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall, Chen Chunfeng is the only one I find agreeable. If you went back with him, given that he personally came to persuade you today, he would have nurtured you attentively."
Kong Yinglei looked at Lin Chen. Her words were sincere; she hadn't anticipated Chen Chunfeng's personal visit today, and because of this, she allowed him to meet privately with Lin Chen.
"Hall Master Kong, I have clearly stated to Instructor Chen that I will not return to Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall. I am not blessed enough to accept Instructor Chen's kindness."
Lin Chen shook his head, his attitude just as firm.
"Alright then, train well; there are still fifteen days left until the martial arts hall competition at the start of the month."
Kong Yinglei nodded and didn't say more, waving Lin Chen off.
...
...
Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall.
"Senior Brother Chen, I told you there was no need to persuade him. Since Lin Chen is so ungrateful, just let him go."
Zhao Ce looked at Chen Chunfeng, who had a dark expression, and leisurely sipped the fragrant tea before him: "Our Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall never treated him unfairly. He was never eligible for the first-class treatment quota, just as he wouldn't be in other halls."
Chen Chunfeng remained silent.
"Junior Brother Chen, Jingshui Martial Arts Hall merely promised Lin Chen an illusionary hope. If he can't see through even that, such a disciple isn't worth our martial arts hall's effort, just let him be."
Qi He spoke cheerfully. He was somewhat dissatisfied with Junior Brother Chen's attempt to persuade Lin Chen back from Jingshui Martial Arts Hall.
When had the dignified Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall ever had to beg a student to come back?
If word got out, it would tarnish the reputation of Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall.
However, Junior Brother Chen and Hall Master were fellow schoolmates, so it wasn't his place to speak harshly.
Chen Chunfeng, seeing the indifferent expressions of Senior Brother Qi and Junior Brother Zhao, could guess their thoughts. There was one thing he didn't say; in the courtyard, he didn't see Lin Chen's demeanor as youthful impulsiveness but rather as a firm determination with confidence.
But he couldn't figure out where Lin Chen's confidence came from.
It was precisely because he couldn't figure it out that he hadn't voiced his judgment.