Xie Yuan didn’t notice Hodar paying him special attention. Recalling his progress from the previous night, he meticulously performed all six sets of the Pile Skill—three still, three moving—from start to finish.

’I’m still not proficient enough. I’m just avoiding major mistakes, but I’m a long way from true mastery.’

Xie Yuan was completely immersed, practicing the Pile Skill while concentrating on his own movements.

When he finished his routine and stood still, he realized the other four had already been done for a while and were now staring at him from the side, completely dumbfounded.

A thought flashed through Xie Yuan’s mind, and he guessed they probably couldn’t even complete a single full routine yet.

Looking up, he saw Hodar and Cao Shan watching him with considerable appreciation, nodding repeatedly.

"Not bad! Junior Brother Xie, you’ve clearly put in the effort. To be able to perform all six sets of the Pile Skill on just the second day, even if your movements are a bit slow, is exceptionally rare. Of course, the rest of you shouldn’t be discouraged. This is all normal. Now, I’ll break down the movements for you again."

Hodar’s voice was a couple of notches higher. He seemed to be in a good mood.

He performed the Pile Skill from start to finish once more, then focused on explaining the difficult points regarding power generation and posture.

Listening to his detailed breakdown, the other disciples nodded repeatedly, looks of sudden realization on their faces. They instantly understood many of the key points.

Among them, Xie Yuan gained the most.

He couldn’t help but feel that Hodar was using him as a case study, picking out and explaining nearly every mistake in his own performance.

’Is this... considered getting private lessons in public?’

After Hodar’s detailed explanation, Xie Yuan’s understanding of the Pile Skill deepened. When he performed it again, his movements were much more fluid.

[Iron Cloth Shirt - Novice: (31/100)]

In just that short time, his progress had actually increased by another 13 points!

After teaching for a good while, Hodar prepared to leave, signaling for the disciples to continue practicing under Cao Shan’s supervision.

As he passed by Xie Yuan, he paused and gave a slight nod.

"Keep up the good work."

"Yes, Senior Brother Huo."

Xie Yuan straightened his back, puffed out his chest, and cupped his fist in a salute.

’It feels pretty good to be valued.’

The other four disciples looked on with envy.

’We’ve all only been learning for one day, and we can’t even get through a single set smoothly. How can Xie Yuan perform the whole thing from start to finish without a mistake? He has two arms and two legs, just like the rest of us. It’s not like he has any extra parts.’

As Cao Shan saw Hodar off, he heard him add another instruction.

"Keep an eye on the junior brothers. And that Junior Brother Xie... he looks like he has real potential. Pay close attention to him. When the Sect Leader comes to inspect the day after tomorrow, he might just be accepted as a Core Disciple."

"I understand, Senior Brother Huo."

Cao Shan replied respectfully.

After another good while, Cao Shan had the disciples finish their practice. He offered a few more words of advice before telling Xie Yuan and the other four to go home, rest, and return the next day.

Just as Xie Yuan was about to leave, one of the other four—a young man who was slightly better dressed and had a faint smell of fish about him—walked up and clapped him on the shoulder with easy familiarity.

"Brother Xie, how do you learn so fast? You have to teach me."

This was Tao Jelin, a local from Panlong Town. His family ran a fish stall, so they could be considered modestly well-off.

He was certainly better off than Xie Yuan, but not by much—just an ordinary family.

After two days of training together, he was the only one who had really exchanged more than a few words with Xie Yuan, so they knew a bit about each other’s backgrounds.

The other three seemed to be in even worse circumstances and were more reserved. They also wanted to go talk to Xie Yuan but were too shy. Seeing Tao Jelin take the initiative and beat them to it, they walked away with a tinge of regret.

Xie Yuan replied humbly,

"I just made sure to remember the key points Senior Brother Huo taught us and spent some time mulling them over at home. It’s nothing special."

Tao Jelin knew, of course, that there was no secret manual to speak of after just one day. It was purely a matter of talent.

But that didn’t matter; he had really just come over to strike up a conversation.

He clicked his tongue in admiration.

"Looks like Brother Xie is a true martial arts talent. When the Sect Leader arrives the day after tomorrow, he might just take you on as a Core Disciple, or even a Direct Disciple! When that happens, don’t forget to look out for your little brother here."

"The Sect Leader is coming?"

"You don’t know? After the first three days of training, the Sect Leader comes to inspect everyone and give his first pointers. They call it ’pointers,’ but really, if there’s anyone with the potential to be a Core Disciple, this is when he’ll sound you out. Nine times out of ten, the new Core Disciples are decided right then and there."

Tao Jelin explained.

Xie Yuan had known nothing about this.

He glanced at him and smiled.

"Brother Tao, you’re certainly well-informed. I’m grateful for the lesson."

"Not at all. I only know because I have a buddy who trains here too. He started before me, that’s the only reason I know."

Tao Jelin leaned in closer and said,

"I also happen to know that while Senior Brother Huo seems stern and by-the-book, he’s actually kind-hearted and patient, or he wouldn’t be teaching us newcomers. The Second Senior Brother is in charge of the pharmacy; he’s got a foul temper, so don’t mess with him. Senior Brother Cao is humorous and easy to get along with... But the one you absolutely cannot afford to offend is that so-called ’Senior Brother’ over there."

He discreetly jutted his chin, indicating a young man standing under a tree.

Xie Yuan looked over and recognized him as a disciple he had noticed earlier.

This disciple was dressed in brocade; even his training uniform was an exquisite set made of satin. He appeared to be an outer disciple like them, yet he occupied the best, largest spot on the training grounds under a tree all by himself. He was also surrounded by a crowd of people, fawning over him like stars around the moon.

The guy had glanced in their direction a few times, whether intentionally or not. Xie Yuan had also noticed that both Hodar and Cao Shan were particularly courteous to him.

"That’s Xu Yang, the son of the Panlong Restaurant’s owner. He’s from one of the wealthiest families in town. I heard when he first joined, he donated a hundred taels of silver to the school in one go! A hundred taels!"

Tao Jelin held up an index finger emphatically, waving it in front of Xie Yuan’s face.

Xie Yuan sucked in a sharp breath.

"No wonder an outer disciple is treated like a Direct Disciple."

"Right? But here’s the thing. His actual aptitude is pretty average. When he first joined, the Sect Leader didn’t make him a Core Disciple. The official excuse was that a young master with his own family business wasn’t a suitable candidate, but you just have to watch him train to see he’s nothing special."

"But he doesn’t see it that way and is actually quite diligent in his training. Slow progress doesn’t matter when you’re rich! He chugs medicinal soups like tea and soaks in medicinal baths as if they were plain water. Now his progress is already nearing the 2nd Layer, almost on par with the Core Disciples."

"He’s quite smug about it, thinking it’s all thanks to his own talent. Then one time, another disciple called him a ’walking medicine jar,’ which set him off, and he beat the guy half to death. The school gave him a stern reprimand and he paid some money, but in the end, it was the other disciple who left. Xu Yang is still here."

"That’s why I say, in this school, you can get away with offending a Direct Disciple, but you can’t get away with offending Xu Yang. He especially loves to ’spar’ with others, as if he’s desperate to prove his martial arts accomplishments. You’d best steer clear of him."

Xie Yuan nodded repeatedly as he listened. If it weren’t for a little birdy like Tao Jelin telling him these inside stories, it might have been a long time before he figured them out himself—and he might have run into trouble in the meantime.

He said with genuine gratitude,

"Thank you for the warning, Brother Tao. But surely, Xu Yang wouldn’t go out of his way to make trouble for us newcomers, would he?"

"Probably not. But you’re progressing so quickly. In a few months, you might be at his level. What’s to stop him from coming after you then? That’s why I wanted to give you a heads-up."

"Brother Tao, thank you so much."

Tao Jelin waved his hand dismissively.

"Brother Xie, we’re bros now, don’t mention it. I’m heading out. Hey, if you ever need fish, come by my family’s stall. It’s as fresh as it gets, and I’ll give you a twenty percent discount."

"Uh... sure."

As Xie Yuan walked along the path back to his village, he tapped his sore arms.

’It must be nice to be rich...’

’Especially when it comes to martial arts. Even someone with mediocre talent can burn through enough money to achieve a decent level of success.’

’My future training is going to require plenty of money, too. A pity I don’t have a rich father like some people. I’ll have to earn it myself, one swing of my axe at a time...’

Xie Yuan rubbed his chin, and his thoughts suddenly turned to the trees over at Tiger Hunt.