NOVPUB"Right, you don't have to trade with the Silent Monk and the Little Arhats Temple for the Demon-suppressing Vajra Skill.
Since your master is Elder Yu, people from the Little Arhats Temple will naturally give you the Cultivation Technique. And you don't need to worry about this cause and effect; your master will naturally bear it."
Tian Lin was stunned and couldn't help but ask Elder Xue, "I am merely a registered disciple of my master, how could I possibly cause trouble for him on my own?"
Elder Xue said:
"He hasn't come to teach you Divine Skills personally, nor has he stated in letters that he would pass on specific Divine Skills to you, which shows he wants you to walk your own 'path.'
As you seek your own path, your master has a responsibility to provide you with convenience and dispel your doubts.
Rest assured, with the face of your master, many from the various immortal gates are hoping he owes them a favor."
Tian Lin was speechless for a moment. He felt that being a registered disciple of Elder Yu seemed to be even better than the treatment of an Inner Sect Disciple of the Wendaos Sect.
"Then, can I ask for whatever Divine Skills I need in the future, regardless of whether it's from our sect or the Outer Sects?"
Elder Xue gave Tian Lin a look, seemingly worried that Tian Lin would make an excessive request, and said, "As long as it does not involve the fundamental secrets of the sects, there shouldn't be any great trouble."
Capturing the Silent Monk seemed like a useless effort.
But learning that he could enter Class B and having the source of the Demon-suppressing Vajra Skill resolved, as well as not worrying about the other Divine Skills for the future—
At this moment, Tian Lin truly felt the importance of having a good mentor.
He returned to his cave mansion with a rather pleasant mood, and Yu'er quickly had Cui'er fetch some hot water.
As she helped Tian Lin take off his coat, she also told him, "Just now, Mr. Zhou and several gentlemen from Class C sent over sword holders to ask if the young master would join them for breakfast tomorrow morning."
Tian Lin suddenly thought of Elder Yu again.
Now his identity could no longer be concealed. Before, Zhou Jin didn't know he was a disciple of Elder Yu, but he sought friendship with Tian Lin multiple times after 'noticing' Tian Lin's 'extraordinary' qualities.
Now that the entire sect knows he's Elder Yu's disciple, the number of people wanting to befriend him is certainly not limited to Zhou Jin.
Tian Lin flipped through the name cards and invitation cards in his hand and in the end, only kept Zhou Jin's name card:
"Yu'er, no—go to each cave mansion yourself to return the visits and tell them I've already made plans with Senior Brother Zhou, so I won't be able to go."
Among the sisters, Yu'er was more patient, and she was better suited to dealing with people than Cui'er.
Tian Lin was worried about Cui'er's temper possibly messing things up, so he decided it was enough for Yu'er to go alone.
"Master, why have these young masters suddenly changed their attitude towards the young master?"
Tian Lin shook his head and said:
"These people are courteous to me on the surface because of my master. But who can say for sure what they speak of me behind closed doors? We need not pay attention to them, as long as we cultivate well, in the future we won't have to rely on my master's reputation to live."
Yu'er had guessed that Tian Lin's status was no longer what it used to be, but she saw that Tian Lin had no intention of showing off.
Fortunately, she was not one to show off either, so even though she was happy inside, she still properly took the coat and left the stone room.
After bathing, Tian Lin hesitated and took out the few Cold Fragrance Leaves he had left. He originally did not intend to use Cold Fragrance Leaves to enhance his proficiency in Heterodox skills.
But with the upcoming entry to Class B, without Heterodox Divine Skills, it might be hard to stand firm.
After some deliberation, he still put the Cold Fragrance Leaves back into the Storage Bag.
The next morning, when Tian Lin arrived at Zhou Jin's cave mansion, not only were Zhou Jin and his siblings there, but also Ju Yunhai, who had just returned midway through the month.
Seeing Ju Yunhai's appearance, Tian Lin felt pleasantly surprised and saluted with a bow, "If I had known Senior Brother Ju was back, this meal should have been at my cave mansion, and I should have been the host."
Before Ju Yunhai could speak, Zhou Jin pretended to be angry and said:
"Brother Tian, your words are wrong. When Senior Brother Ju returns, you think of inviting him to drink, and when Senior Brother Ju is not here, have you never thought of inviting me to your mansion for a drink?"
Tian Lin hurriedly explained, "Last time it was you, Senior Brother Zhou, who held a welcome feast for Senior Brother Ju. Today, of course, I should prepare the wine to receive Senior Brother Ju. What I'm doing, Senior Brother Zhou, you should be praising me for knowing my manners."
Only then did Zhou Jin break into a smile as he said, "Among us brothers, where are there so many rules, and I'm not a person who is strict about rules.
This time arranging the wine, while it is partly to welcome Senior Brother Ju, it is also to celebrate you, Brother Tian, for your promotion to Class B."
After saying this, he slightly frowned and looked at the maid on the side, "Where is Bi'er? Why don't I see her coming over to serve tea? How can she be so ignorant of propriety?"
The maid on the side spoke pitifully, "Sister Bi'er went to change the main dish and said she would be back very soon. Otherwise, shall I serve the tea?"
At this moment, Zhou Mengjiao, who had been silent, spoke up:
"Let Wan'er serve the tea. After all, I am considered half the host of this cave mansion. If we let a maid serving the rough tasks do it, it will bring laughter."
Ju Yunhai smiled, Tian Lin also smiled.
But Tian Lin glanced at the maid who wanted to cry on the side and couldn't manage to smile in his heart.
He was born a Huahua Lang, and if not for the opportunity he concealed, his status might be the same as that rough-serving maid, even despised for serving tea to Cultivators—
No, if he did not have that opportunity, he would certainly not have fared any better than that maid.
"Senior Brother Zhou says he wants to congratulate me for entering Class B, but actually entering Class B now not only fails to make me happy, but it also makes me feel uneasy."
After thanking Zhou Mengjiao for her sword holder, Tian Lin finally drank the tea in his cup.
Upon hearing Tian Lin's words, the false enthusiasm on Zhou Jin's face faded significantly.
He could tell that Tian Lin was sincere in his words, with no intention of boasting in front of him, so he nodded earnestly:
"Indeed, although Disciple Tian has commendable talent, his foundation is ultimately insufficient. The fear is that he might fall behind in Class B's curriculum and thus become disoriented."
Tian Lin said, "It's okay if I can't keep up with the curriculum. If I fail the monthly exam and get demoted from Class B to Class C, it will become a joke to many."
Zhou Jin nodded, refraining from offering any platitudes of false comfort.
However, Ju Yunhai said, "Does Disciple Tian wish to retreat in the face of danger? If you voluntarily request to stay in Class C now, others will not laugh at you, but instead, praise you for recognizing the situation."
Everyone looked at Tian Lin, who shook his head and replied:
"Cultivators must go against the current; how could there be any rationale for retreating? If I fear others' ridicule and become overly cautious, wouldn't that be laughable too?"
Ju Yunhai and Zhou Jin held their tongues, while Zhou Mengjiao crisply commented, "Disciple Tian's words truly carry the spirit of Senior Brother Yun; they are quite commendable."
Tian Lin had heard of the reputation of Senior Brother Yun, rumored to be an Inner Sect Disciple of the sect.
Although Senior Brother Yun came from a decent background, he reached the Golden Core Realm at the mere age of thirty-something.
It was clear that his understanding, hard work, and intelligence were indispensable, hence many aspired to emulate him.
"I speak these words only in front of my fellow senior brothers and sister; please do not let them spread, lest they provoke laughter," Tian Lin modestly remarked, to which Zhou Jin chuckled and said, "Once you join Class B, it will be I who should call you Senior Brother."
However, Tian Lin replied, "There's an order to seniority, and besides, I'm only at the early stages of Foundation Establishment; how dare I presume the title of Senior Brother? Senior Brother Zhou, please don't put me in a difficult position."
Ju Yunhai said, "Disciple Tian and I follow different paths in cultivation, but since the teaching methods in Class B also differ, we will most likely be assigned to the same class. If there's anything you don't understand by then, you can certainly ask me."
Tian Lin bowed in gratitude, which was one of the reasons why he was particularly courteous towards Ju Yunhai.
At that moment, Bi'er returned from outside the cave mansion, first apologizing for her absence, then expressing gratitude to Wan'er, before having the food box brought up.
"The sect's signature dishes are not something a servant like me could prepare. These dishes, due to their elaborate and time-consuming cooking requirements, have been prepared since yesterday, from cutting to a whole night of simmering, just to be plated today."
Tian Lin's heart stirred, filled with some anticipation.
The last time he dined at Zhou Jin's cave mansion, he received a Demon-suppressing Vajra Pill; what about now?
The serving girls took out dish after dish from the food box, including dried fruits and pastries, and naturally, fine wine.
But the most savory was undoubtedly the first main dish.
That dish was not placed in a food box, but instead carried in from outside the cave mansion by several maids.
The dish was clearly presented in a flat-bottomed pot, with a lid made of colored glaze.
As Bi'er lifted the lid, the aroma of meat filled the cave in an instant.
Ju Yunhai was momentarily stunned, Zhou Jin appeared intoxicated, and only Zhou Mengjiao remained composed.
In the midst of the cave mansion, a maid suddenly 'pfft' let out a sound.
That flatulent noise abruptly pulled several people out of their indulgence.
This time Zhou Jin was genuinely furious, standing up and pointing at the young girl, "You, do you have a death wish?"
Just as he was about to scold her, Tian Lin quickly raised his hand and intervened, "Senior Brother Zhou, please calm down. We all eat grains and even after achieving Foundation Establishment, you and I can't fully abstain from grains. Why get angry over such a trivial matter?"
Zhou Jin's face turned green. He had spent half a year's spending money on this meal, nearly a thousand top-grade Spirit Stones.
These nearly thousand top-grade Spirit Stones were almost completely wasted by a single fart from a maid.
"Disciple Tian, this, this meal is ruined," exclaimed Zhou Jin while flicking his sleeve, the kneeling maid on the ground begging for forgiveness.
Tian Lin knew that these noble scions typically appeared well-read and reasonable, but their mannerisms were mostly shaped by the rules described in books.
Yet in this world, the least rule-abiding people were often these noble scions themselves.
"What's wrong with the dish? I see nothing bad about it," Tian Lin remarked and grabbed a piece of meat and put it in his mouth.
A surge of lightning power instantly ran through his body, causing the jade chopsticks in Tian Lin's hand to snap with a 'crack'.
Tian Lin heartily applauded, "Such strong beast meat."
Zhou Jin's face finally showed a hint of a smile, saying:
"Disciple Tian might not know this, but this Weight-bearing Beast is a descendant of the Dragon Turtle. Once it reaches the Golden Core Realm, it could grow as large as a mountain.
Its meat is not only beneficial for cultivating the Five Elements Dharma Body but also increases the chances of Core Formation for those who have already achieved a Five Elements Dharma Body."
Tian Lin said, "Senior Brother Zhou has gone to great expense; surely this meal must have cost quite a bit?"
Ju Yunhai commented, "This meal might have cost a thousand Spirit Stones, plus a favor. After all, the Wendaos Sect does have Weight-bearing Beasts, but they aren't for Outer Disciples to dine on."
As he spoke, Ju Yunhai also took a couple of bites.
Faced with such an extravagant meal, how could one's appetite be ruined by a mere sound or two?
Moreover, when it could increase Core Formation chances and benefit the Dharma Body, what matter if one heard or even inhaled a couple of farts?
