"Hmph, don't celebrate too early! I am also at Great Accomplishment in Skin Refining."
Li Shun's eyes were fierce. He rushed at Su Yan with great speed; his punch delivered with immense force. He was a capable fisherman, having long nurtured his body with Treasure Fish. Though his innate Root Bone and blood energy were inferior to Su Yan's, he possessed considerable strength. His attack carried a notable momentum.
Su Yan met him with a cold smile, thinking: 'This aura is barely stronger than the bear's.' He strode forward and shifted his body, causing Li Shun's punch to miss. Li Shun reacted instantly, turning his punch into a chop, like the Old Ape Striking the Crown move.
'A Minor Accomplishment Level Ape Fist.' Su Yan's eyes moved slightly. He extended his left arm and grabbed the attack, holding it firm like an iron clamp.
Li Shun's face turned pale. Unable to break free, he immediately thrust his other hand out, like a viper striking at Su Yan's heart. His movement was swift, using the strike to break the grapple, but the subtle shift in his arms and shoulders did not escape Su Yan's trained eyes. The Minor Accomplishment fist technique, while proficient, still left traces. Furthermore, Li Shun lacked real combat experience; his move was vicious but lacked decisiveness.
"Got you."
Su Yan twisted the arm that delivered the chop, stepped forward, planted his blood energy, and, with force rising from the ground and momentum from his waist, delivered a heavy shoulder charge, striking Li Shun's body first. The shoulder struck like a massive battering ram. Li Shun instantly flew backward, a dull thump followed by the sound of breaking bones.
"The fifth."
The exchange between the two was swift, lasting no more than two rounds. The result was one man standing straight as a pine, and the other on the ground with a broken arm, veins bulging from the pain. The superiority was instantly clear.
'What a ruthless method, what decisive fighting.' Elder Li Chuan and the others were astonished by Su Yan's technique.
Su Yan's gaze swept over the remaining disciples, as if inviting them to challenge him. But by now, no one dared to provoke this figure of misfortune. Li Shun, a Great Accomplishment in Skin Refining practitioner, only lasted two rounds. What difference would a few more moves make for them? They risked broken limbs or a humiliating defeat.
The courtyard fell silent. Li Jinshan finally reacted: "Junior Brother Su, you may step down. You have won this platform." His words brought a collective sigh of relief from the crowd. Not having to fight Su Yan meant they had more opportunities to demonstrate their own skills, which was beneficial for everyone.
"Yes, thank you, Senior Brother." Su Yan stepped off the platform and stood among the crowd.
The remaining platform challenges proceeded under Li Jinshan's direction, with different disciples defending the stage. However, unlike Su Yan, none of them could win and hold the stage multiple times.
First, Dian Jing defended the stage, fighting three to five rounds. He eventually lost to Liu Yinglong. Liu Yinglong defended the stage for a few rounds, then lost to Li Ying. Li Ying, exhausted, defended one rounder and more lost to a disciple who had only Minor Accomplishment in Skin Refining but had Great Accomplishment in Fist Art.
The platform challenges took over an hour to conclude. The assessment ended, and the disciples stood straight, waiting for the results. Some looked dejected. With Su Yan's dazzling performance, their own chances seemed slim.
"He trained for one month, achieved Great Accomplishment in Stance Skill, Great Accomplishment in Fist Art, and Great Accomplishment in Skin Refining." Master Bai smiled, looking at the elders: "Elder Li Chuan, Elder Yi Feng, my assessment is that Su Yan is first. What are your opinions?"
"He should absolutely be first. With such capability, advancing to Blood Circulation and Vitality Nurturing is not impossible. He must be a disciple of our Golden Ape Martial Academy." Elder Li Chuan immediately nodded, his words full of praise.
Elder Yi Feng nodded: "Agreed. His ability warrants first place. As for second and third, Li Ying and Liu Yinglong are excellent." Master Bai's eyes subtly shifted. He understood Yi Feng's intent. Yi Feng oversaw the academy's external businesses, and many merchants naturally sought favors with him, such as those related to Li Ying and Liu Yinglong.
"Then Su Yan will be first. His accommodation will be arranged in the Inner Courtyard. Jinshan, you handle the arrangements."
"Yes, Master."
Elder Yi Feng and Elder Li Chuan exchanged a look of surprise: "The Inner Courtyard? What about the other disciples?"
"At the age of sixteen, with Great Accomplishment in Stance Skill, if they possessed similar talent, they too would live in the Inner Courtyard. If someone reaches the Blood Circulation stage, they may also move in." Master Bai replied calmly. Most Inner Door Disciples lived in the middle courtyard. Only a few who were highly valued by Master Bai lived in the Inner Courtyard. While all Inner Door Disciples belonged to the academy, those in the Inner Courtyard were direct disciples of Master Bai himself. Master Bai personally guided their martial arts, whereas the disciples in the middle courtyard were also guided by Elder Li Chuan and Elder Yi Feng. The bond of tutelage was naturally different.
Su Yan's position was settled, and the remaining ranks were decided. Li Shun, Dian Jing, and three other Great Accomplishment in Skin Refining disciples were admitted to the Inner Door, along with one disciple who had Great Accomplishment in Fist Art.
Of the six new Inner Door Disciples, three were assigned to Elder Li Chuan's guidance, and three to Elder Yi Feng's guidance. Elder Yi Feng, who managed the academy's external affairs, received Li Ying, Liu Yinglong, and Li Shun. Elder Li Chuan, who managed the mountain affairs, was assigned Dian Jing, Ma Xiaodong, and Zhou Yan (the Minor Accomplishment in Skin Refining disciple).
"Junior Brother, follow me." The crowd dispersed. Li Jinshan personally came for Su Yan, a slight smile on his serious face. "Master and we True Disciples live in the Inner Courtyard. You will also live there, making it convenient for the Master to guide you."
The two entered the Inner Courtyard. Old trees stood in the courtyard, their crowns dense, separated by rock formations—a large, impressive compound, bigger than both the middle and outer courtyards.
"The Inner Courtyard also has a gatehouse. I'll show you your room first. If you need anything, tell the gatehouse servant, and they will arrange it. The master lives in the innermost small courtyard. Tomorrow, I will take you to him to learn the Golden Ape Jade Body Art and the Ferocious Ape Three Styles."
Li Jinshan led Su Yan to a room. It was a single, private room, simply furnished but not shabby. It had a black and red carved hardwood bed, a desk, a chair, and various decorations.
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Su Yan thanked him. Li Jinshan waved his hand: "It's what an Inner Door Disciple deserves. The master has few direct disciples. We should be close going forward. However, given your situation, it would be best for you to break through to the Tendon-Bone stage first, as that will facilitate you joining us on the Great Desolate Mountain expedition."
Su Yan's eyes flickered: "Senior Brother, I heard the Great Desolate Mountain is opening. Is that what you're referring to?"
Li Jinshan smiled at the mention of it: "It's no surprise you heard about the opening. But this time, it's different. Inner Door Disciples are required to enter the mountains." He pondered for a moment, thinking that Su Yan was now his Master's direct disciple and part of their inner circle. He said, "For martial arts to advance, combat is indispensable. Inner Door Disciples must enter the mountains to train their skills and hunt Desolate Beasts. Furthermore, the Golden Ape Martial Academy has businesses in the Great Desolate Mountain that we must carefully look after."
"What kind of businesses?" Su Yan asked out of curiosity.
Li Jinshan smiled: "Not much. Just two or three fortified villages."