Chapter Seventeen: Combat Skill Talent—Terrifyingly Powerful

The outcome was decided!

The astonished gazes surrounding him made Lin Yintao stagger as if he had lost his soul.

At twenty-seven, with a cultivation level of Bone Condensation Stage Three... he had been defeated by an eighteen-year-old at the Qi and Blood Stage Four.

Applause erupted. Yang Baihu, the base director, was the first to clap. “Master Jiang, would you be interested in registering your beloved disciple here? I guarantee the highest-level treatment—S-class!”

S-class treatment was the highest official status a martial artist could receive, providing substantial monthly training funds, free pills, training sessions, and guidance from renowned masters to help the warrior make the greatest progress.

Clearly, although Lin Yin showed no innate martial talent, his formidable blade control had already captivated the highest authority in the Tianhe City Martial Arts Base.

Master Jiang looked at Lin Yin. “It depends on my disciple’s own wishes.”

After the evaluation, Master Jiang took the complete report and found a quiet office with Lin Yin.

“Well done,” Master Jiang said, eyes full of warmth. “Tell me, how long have you been practicing the blade?”

Lin Yin thought for a moment. “About five years.”

In his past life, he indeed only practiced the blade for five years.

“Incredible talent, truly incredible! You may lack aptitude in martial cultivation of Qi and Blood, but your battle skills are astonishing.” Master Jiang glanced at Lin Yin’s scarred palms with some pity. “Five years of blade practice, your hands are barely recognizable.”

Lin Yin lowered his gaze to his hands and smiled silently. His hands were less the result of training and more the punishment he endured for three years at the Lin family.

“Alright! Since that’s the case, I’ll teach you my blade technique!”

Master Jiang took out an electronic manual. The blade technique recorded inside was none other than the “Three Thousand Stranger Blade Slash”!

However, this technique was incomplete.

In his past life, Master Jiang had never managed to fully comprehend the complete “Three Thousand Stranger Blade Slash” before his death in battle.

It was Lin Yin who, after Master Jiang’s death, took up his robe and day after day, through fierce combat, grasped the full essence of the technique.

“This blade technique is my pride, and it is my final goal in life. If mastered, it will surely benefit all humanity.”

Master Jiang’s eyes shone with pride, as if gazing upon his own child.

But then, a deep worry and helplessness flashed across his eyes.

“Unfortunately, I have only reached the seventh level of this blade technique. I sense there must be an eighth and ninth level, but despite three years of intense study, I have found no direction.”

Listening to Master Jiang’s sigh, Lin Yin silently accepted the electronic “Three Thousand Stranger Blade Slash” manual.

“Master, I have an idea,” he said.

Master Jiang was surprised, then laughed heartily. After three years of fruitless research, Lin Yin claimed to grasp the direction just by glancing at the manual?

He dismissed it as youthful arrogance and said, “If I were as young and strong as you, I’d be confident too.”

“Alright, I’ll now explain the first level of this blade technique and its training method.”

“If you master the first level within three months, this old man will reward you.”

The moment Master Jiang finished speaking, Lin Yin put down the electronic manual, raised his hand, and slashed. The blade’s edge spun like a ghostly dance in the air, then struck downward, forming a complete set of blade techniques...

Master Jiang fell silent, quietly watching Lin Yin’s movements, his eyes filled with amazement and joy.

Perfect! Every strike and every move was flawless!

Every single motion fully conformed to the blade technique’s requirements!

This—this was a peerless genius who could master a move at a glance!

When Lin Yin sheathed the blade, Master Jiang was almost mad with delight, laughing uncontrollably.

Never had he imagined that at the end of his life, he would encounter such a prodigious disciple.

A powerful sense of fate surged wildly.

One was a withered old man nearing his end.

One was a tortured, pitiful child.

One was the formidable, unmatched tyrant of Jixia with no successors.

One was a peerless prodigy who could perform heavenly-level battle skills at a glance.

At this moment, fate crashed upon Master Jiang, who suddenly stood up, pushed open the door, and loudly proclaimed to the entire martial arts base: “My disciple, Jiang Shang’s apprentice, will surely astonish the world!!!”

The martial artists turned in surprise at the sound.

Not far away, Yang Baihu, who had been waiting for news, smiled helplessly.

Do all old men, when they find a good disciple, become this excited and boastful?

Lin Yintao clenched his pale hand tightly, his eyes full of unwillingness, yet he helplessly lowered his head.

Lin Yin looked at Master Jiang, confident and joyful like a lion, and smiled quietly behind him.

Yes, the teacher should be happy every day now, no longer like in the past life, burdened by the broken family he constantly lamented.

“Are you willing to register at the Tianhe City Martial Arts Base?” Yang Baihu could no longer contain himself and asked at the door.

“Sure,” Lin Yin replied casually, indifferent. As long as it was not in the imperial capital of Daxia, anywhere was fine.

Yang Baihu laughed heartily, joining Master Jiang with his hands on his hips, looking thoroughly satisfied.

Soon, Yang Baihu, the honorable base director, completed all the formalities for Lin Yin.

A clean, neat black battle suit and weapon equipment, along with a bronze-colored Tianhe City Martial Arts badge, were presented before Lin Yin.

“With this badge, you can claim monthly benefits. Rest assured, your benefits are all S-class, and you won’t need to complete monthly task quotas—only assist when the base issues a special alert.”

A special alert usually meant the city faced the risk of annihilation.

For a frontier city like Tianhe City, well-armed, to be destroyed, at least a powerful demon lord-level expert would need to appear. So Yang Baihu’s words meant Lin Yin’s usual duties at the base would be minimal, allowing him freedom and ample benefits.

“All right, let’s go!”

Master Jiang cheerfully led Lin Yin away. Today’s greatest gain was discovering Lin Yin’s battle skill talent.

“You’re just next door, great! This old man can find you anytime!” Master Jiang stood at the martial arts base entrance, waving to Lin Yin. “Rest well and develop your battle skill talent. On your college entrance exam day, I’ll personally cheer for you!”

At Villa No. 18, Lin Yin smiled and waved before turning into the house.

“Back so soon? The famous little genius?”

Jiang Zixun lounged on Lin Yin’s sofa, her jade feet raised.

“How did you get in?” Lin Yin glanced back; the door lock was fine.

“That’s not important!” Jiang Zixun sprang up, eyes shining as she stared at Lin Yin.

“Can I join Tianhe Academy?”

“Fight alongside your sister?”