Despite their vocal opposition to Lin Zichen being named the young master, the group, who had all gained some renown in Qingfeng City by reaching the Ninth Stage of Body Refinement before turning eighteen, were far from foolish. On the contrary, their intelligence and emotional acuity were above average.
Coupled with their parents' attitudes, they understood that they couldn't change the reality of Lin Zichen becoming the young master of the Lin family.
It was only youthful impulsiveness that made them want to prove themselves, resulting in this morning's commotion.
"Hmph, I want to see what makes Lin Zichen so special," Lin Zitao and the others said, crossing their arms as they watched the scene unfold coldly.
It wasn't just this group of teenagers. On the martial training grounds, many other members of the Lin family—those of the "Zi" and "Shou" generations, aged eighteen to thirty—were also watching intently.
They, too, were curious about why the family elders had made such a decision.
When Lin Ziqing stepped onto the stage, he was greeted by Lin Zichen, who was lazily chewing on a blade of wild grass he'd picked up from somewhere. Lin Zichen's nonchalant gaze only served to infuriate Lin Ziqing, who immediately launched an attack.
"Wave Palm!"
In the Tianwu Continent, Martial Skills and cultivation techniques, like pills, are classified into four grades: low, medium, high, and supreme. Each grade is further divided into lower, middle, and upper Stages.
Low-grade techniques are also referred to as Postnatal Martial Skills. Most Body Refinement and Postnatal Realm cultivators practice skills at this Stage.
Lin Ziqing's Wave Palm was a lower-level low-grade martial skill, suitable for Body Refinement cultivators and usable up to the third Stage of the Postnatal Realm.
Coincidentally, Lin Zichen was also familiar with this skill.
Although he hadn't mastered it completely, he had reached the level of proficiency known as "Major Mastery." With his true cultivation level at the eighth Stage of the Postnatal Realm, Lin Ziqing's attack seemed riddled with flaws in his eyes.
The Wave Palm technique involves layering palm strikes, up to nine layers at most.
Three layers signify the No Mastery, five layers denote Minor Mastery, seven layers indicate Major Mastery, and nine layers represent Complete Mastery.
"You're using the Wave Palm all wrong. Watch carefully."
With that, Lin Zichen displayed the same cultivation Stage as Lin Ziqing and also executed the Wave Palm.
However, with his actual Eighth-Stage Postnatal Realm cultivation backing him, the Wave Palm, though only at the Major Mastery level in his hands, unleashed power comparable to Complete Mastery. Not only did he effortlessly neutralize Lin Ziqing's attack, but he also offered pointers to improve Lin Ziqing's technique in real combat.
This left the spectators stunned.
As expected, someone capable of earning the unanimous approval of the elders to become the young master couldn't be a mediocre talent.
"So effortless and casual—he must be holding back."
"What do you think the young master's actual cultivation realm is? Ninth Stage of Body Refinement, or has he already entered the Postnatal Realm?"
"The Postnatal Realm? That's impossible—he's only sixteen!"
"Regardless of whether the young master has reached the Postnatal Realm, his mastery of martial skills is undeniably at the Complete Mastery level. Achieving Complete Mastery in a Postnatal level martial skill at just sixteen years old is talent that ranks among the best in the Lin family's 200-year history."
"Agreed."
"…"
The Lin family members watching couldn't help but discuss the scene fervently. Many began to accept Lin Zichen as the young master, even addressing him differently.
After all, based solely on Lin Zichen's performance, most of those present couldn't hold a candle to him.
Even Lin Zitao, who was considered a rising talent in Qingfeng City, couldn't help but feel a trace of seriousness in his gaze.
A Complete Mastery lower-level Postnatal Martial Skill paired with what was likely Ninth-Stage Body Refinement cultivation—such a combination, as long as his combat instincts weren't lacking, was enough to rank him just below the top three young masters in Qingfeng City.
"No wonder the family elders chose to appoint Lin Zichen as the young master. With such talent, no one among the younger generation of the Lin family can rival him," Lin Zitao thought to himself, the resentment in his heart dissipating significantly in that moment.
However, he hadn't given up on challenging Lin Zichen.
He was less than a month away from turning eighteen, two years older than Lin Zichen, who had just turned sixteen.
For geniuses, even one extra year of cultivation can make a noticeable difference. Two years could create an insurmountable gap.
"As of now, this is probably the closest our cultivation realm will ever be," Lin Zitao thought.
"I want to see how much of a gap there is between the eighteen-year-old me and the sixteen-year-old you."
Lin Zitao's eyes burned with fighting spirit.
At this moment, Lin Ziqing was forced off the stage by a single palm strike from Lin Zichen, losing the match.
When their eyes met, both sensed the intense battle intent in the other. Lin Zichen was briefly stunned but then couldn't help but chuckle.
His display of a similar cultivation realm to Lin Ziqing had clearly led to some misunderstandings.
But with his actual realm at the eighth stage of the Postnatal Realm, he felt no excitement in battling Body Refinement cultivators. Were it not for solidifying his position as the Lin family's young master, he wouldn't have bothered to attend at all.
Thinking about it now, Lin Zichen felt a sense of boredom creeping in.
Without further delay, he turned his gaze to the front of the stage, where several of the family's most talented youths stood. He called them out by name.
"Lin Zitao, Lin Ziquan, Lin Ziman... Forget it, let's just have the top ten talents of the younger generation all come up at once. I'm in a hurry."
Before anyone could react, Lin Zichen's aura began to rise dramatically.
From the Ninth Stage of Body Refinement to the first Stage of the Postnatal Realm... then to the peak of the first Stage...
In the astonished gazes of the crowd, Lin Zichen's cultivation finally settled at the second Stage of the Postnatal Realm.
"Se... se... second Stage of the Postnatal Realm? The young master is already at the second Stage of the Postnatal Realm?"
"Holy crap, and here I thought he hadn't even broken into the Postnatal Realm yet."
"All this time, the clown turned out to be me!"
"Wait... A sixteen-year-old at the second Stage of the Postnatal Realm? Doesn't that mean, barring any misfortune, the young master is destined to become at least a Master Realm powerhouse in the future?"
"Hiss..."
This remark drew collective gasps from the Lin family members present.
Soon, their faces were filled with delight.
A Master—a Master!
In the entire Qingfeng City, there were only a handful of Master Realm experts, and each of them held an extraordinary position. If the Lin family were to have a Master of their own...
As this thought crossed their minds, the eyes of everyone present gleamed with hope.
Family—what is a family?
Bound by shared fate, honor, and disgrace.
Their bonds are tight, and their fortunes and misfortunes intertwined.
Though there may be quarrels and disagreements at times, when faced with external threats, they stand united.
And all of it is for the betterment of the family's future.
Thus, rather than feeling envious of Lin Zichen's exceptional talent, they felt genuine joy and pride in him.
After all, when a family is protected by a Master Realm powerhouse, every Lin family member and even the household servants, directly or indirectly, stand to benefit.
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