In the quiet of Lin's modest dwelling, the unexpected visit from Bai Shen, a figure of legendary status, filled the air with an unspoken gravitas. Lin, with the simplicity that marked his life, offered water to his distinguished guests, a humble gesture that spoke volumes of his upbringing.
Lu Yun, ever the intermediary, felt compelled to explain the austerity, "Sir, please excuse our simplicity. Lin's sister ventured to Xia Jing Academy last year, leaving Lin to fend for himself."
Bai Yiyuan's observant eyes swept the room, noting the spartan conditions that belied the extraordinary talent it housed. "So, both siblings have graced Xia Jing Academy," he mused, marking a mental note of Lin's lineage.
Their conversation meandered from familial ties to the heart of Lin's prowess — his command over the dead. Bai Yiyuan's curiosity was piqued. "Might I witness your skeletal summons?" he requested.
Lin complied without hesitation, summoning his spectral guardians. Bai Yiyuan scrutinized them, puzzled by the disparity between their apparent attributes and Lin's battlefield feats. "How did you achieve such feats with these?" he inquired, his expertise allowing him a deeper insight than most.
Lin understood then — his innate talent masked the true might of his summons, a revelation he shared with Bai Yiyuan. "Amplification," Lin revealed, his talent augmenting his skills beyond the ordinary scope.
Bai Yiyuan, piecing together the threads of Lin's success, shifted the conversation to matters of immediate interest. "I've come with dual purposes," he began. "First, to bestow upon you a reward due to the national topper, a recognition we'd ordinarily reserve for your arrival at the academy."
"And second," Bai Yiyuan continued, "to invite you to an exclusive trial at Xia Jing Academy. It's a rare opportunity, extended personally by me."
Lin, ever cautious, sought clarity, "What entails this trial?"
Bai Yiyuan's response was cloaked in mystery. "An internal affair of the academy, open only to its students. Your decision to partake is yours alone."
Lin weighed Bai Yiyuan's words carefully, understanding the significance of his personal invitation. "I'll participate," he decided, respecting Bai Yiyuan's gesture and the potential doors it could open.
Bai Yiyuan then unveiled Lin's rewards — a bounty of 100,000 points, on top of his examination tally, a wealth in the economy of Xia Jing Academy; skill scrolls to enhance his arsenal; and an exclusive invitation to Shenxia Tower, a privilege underscored with a note of caution for preparation.
Lin, acknowledging Bai Yiyuan's counsel, felt the weight of expectation upon him. "I understand," he replied, standing at the threshold of a new chapter, one that promised to test his mettle and spirit in ways yet unknown.