"Senior Brother, I'm only in the Skin Refining realm. How can I help you become a True Disciple?"
Although Su Yan was asking, his tone was more investigative. Gao Zheng was the one who had introduced Su Yan to the academy, knowing his talent was excellent and that he had the Hundred Herb Hall background. Now, after barely a month, Su Yan was likely at Great Accomplishment in Skin Refining, suggesting the Hundred Herb Hall had provided significant resources. Such a talent naturally needed to be recruited.
"Junior Brother, you may not know this," Gao Zheng explained, "the True Disciples are Master Bai's confidants and are among those who manage the academy's resources. Both strength and influence are necessary. Your ability to trek the mountains and your background with the Hundred Herb Hall give you a significant advantage over many others if you choose to support me."
Su Yan now understood: 'The Inner Door is for the academy's true members, and True Disciples are likely the equivalent of managers or proprietors, only with a more personal relationship. Senior Brother Gao Zheng thinks I have the talent and backing to help him in the Desolate Mountain.' With help and merit, and if his skills improved, Gao Zheng would naturally have a chance to become a True Disciple. Gao Zheng was simply preparing his future.
'I might as well agree. I have nothing to lose, and I might need his help in the Desolate Mountain.'
Su Yan said: "Senior Brother has helped me greatly. If there is anything I can do, I will certainly assist you."
Gao Zheng was overjoyed and nodded: "Thank you, Junior Brother. Once you enter the Inner Door and the Desolate Mountain expedition begins, come find me. Don't worry about Zhou Hui causing you trouble."
Su Yan raised an eyebrow: "I was just about to ask you, Senior Brother. Zhou Hui usually looks down on the mountain-folk and lake-dwellers but generally ignores them. Why did he step forward and interfere today?"
Gao Zheng scoffed: "Zhou Hui is allied with the Small Mountain Association. He likely knew about your conflict with them and decided to do them a favor." He added, "Don't worry, Junior Brother. The academy is the academy, and individuals are individuals. No matter how close he is to them, he wouldn't dare directly break the rules."
"I see." Gao Zheng gave Su Yan a few more warnings about the internal dynamics of the academy. It confirmed the saying that where there are people, there is conflict. Even in the martial academy, those with ambitions were plentiful. Zhou Hui's alliance with the Small Mountain Association meant their interests were intertwined. To him, Su Yan was an easy target. But what the final outcome would be was still uncertain.
For the next two days, no one dared to seek trouble with Su Yan. Even Li Shun and his group merely snorted and walked past him, attempting no further tricks. Firstly, Su Yan's strength was undeniable; the average person couldn't handle him. Secondly, though Li Shun wanted to deal with Su Yan, he didn't want his own upcoming assessment to be compromised.
"All Outer Door Disciples gather! Master Bai has arrived!"
All Outer Door Disciples were assembled early, over a hundred of them, standing rigidly in the middle courtyard, their eyes eager with anticipation. The Inner Door Disciples stood in the front row, only a dozen or so present. Leading them was the tall, imposing Gao Zheng.
"They're here." Someone whispered. A few figures slowly emerged from the inner courtyard, entering the middle courtyard.
In the center was a man in his fifties. He was well-built, his eyes deep, and his aura as profound as a mountain. His hair was streaked with gray, and he wore a white robe embroidered with a tiger pattern and an indigo leather belt and boots with beast motifs. As he entered the courtyard, his gaze swept over everyone; no one dared to meet his eyes.
'What a powerful presence.' Su Yan was in the crowd, seeing Bai Changlin (Master Bai) for the first time. He had heard the Master had established his entire foundation in Yun Cang Town with his own iron fists, testament to his formidable skill.
Beside Master Bai were two other elders: one was a short, pale-faced, beardless old man in a light gray robe whose hands were hidden in his wide sleeves; the other was a man of average build with a short, cropped beard, his eyes fierce like a tiger, wearing a look of solemn authority. These were the academy's Elders, of the same generation as Master Bai, though not his direct disciples, they held significant influence.
The remaining two were younger: the slightly older one, about thirty, was the Chief True Disciple, Li Jinshan, a man with a square face and thick eyebrows whose fists looked like iron towers. The other, dressed in white and looking slightly leaner, was the Second True Disciple, Zhao Tianwen. Both were True Disciples, holding status not much lower than the Elders.
"All junior brothers know that today's summer examination is unusual. I won't mince words. The rules for today's assessment must be changed." Li Jinshan stepped forward, his voice steady. His words caused the faces of all the Outer Door Disciples to change slightly.
"Those whose Stance Skill or Fist Art has not reached Minor Accomplishment step out! Your training today will be guided by Junior Brother Gao Zheng and Uncle Master Li." Since today was the examination for the Inner Door, and spirits were high, further instruction was pointless. It was better to separate them immediately.
Upon hearing this, many disciples' faces fell. Though they knew their chances were slim, being singled out still brought a sense of loss. Those who didn't meet the requirement slowly retreated to the outer courtyard. Only thirty-seven people remained in the middle courtyard. Out of over a hundred people, only thirty-seven had achieved Minor Accomplishment in either their Stance Skill or Fist Art. This was not a high ratio, and not all of them had even reached Minor Accomplishment in Skin Refining.
Li Jinshan's gaze swept over the remaining group, and he spoke solemnly: "The Golden Ape Martial Academy has stood for thirty years. Since its founding, it has opened its doors, recruited many disciples, and grown powerful. Although you junior brothers paid silver to learn martial arts, you also carry the bond of instruction." Paying money for skills was a transaction, but years of training together created a bond that couldn't be denied. Even after leaving the academy, meeting fellow practitioners carried a sense of brotherhood.
"The academy is not heartless; there is a path to advancement. Those who pass the assessment become Inner Door Disciples. Inner Door Disciples receive a monthly allowance of two taels of silver, can hold positions in the academy's businesses, and receive additional rewards for performing well. They can also study Supplementary Art and a Fist Art. There are even greater benefits if their martial path progresses." Li Jinshan's words were direct, matching his demeanor: "Inner Door Disciples—the Golden Ape Martial Academy is your protector, and you are the academy's future. Before the assessment begins, I have one question: Do all of you here wish to join the Golden Ape Martial Academy?"
The Outer Door Discipleship was merely a transaction, using silver and the bond of shared training to gather popularity and earn money. While some might be hired by the academy's businesses, that was merely employment. Being an Inner Door Disciple was different.
Everyone knew this. Li Jinshan finished speaking. Seeing no hesitation, he nodded: "Master, shall we begin with the Golden Ape Stance?"
"Begin the stance." Bai Changlin nodded.
Li Jinshan announced loudly: "Adopt the Golden Ape Stance!"
As the command fell, all the remaining disciples, including Su Yan, moved, adopting the Golden Ape Stance. Those who had reached Minor Accomplishment were familiar with the stance and stood like seasoned old apes. Li Jinshan and Master Bai swept their gaze over them and nodded. No one dared to fake Minor Accomplishment here.
Suddenly, the two masters looked toward Su Yan in the corner. He stood like a fierce mountain ape, his form and intent unified. Though merely standing in a stance, he seemed to conceal a ferocious beast.
"Someone has achieved Great Accomplishment in the Stance Skill!"