C10 Fallen Leaf Flying Flower Steps!

Chapter Ten: Fallen Leaves and Flying Flowers

"You have to promise me that one day, when you've caught up to my level of cultivation, we'll have a proper fight. Consider it my fee for acting as a witness!"

Lin Xi looked at Lin Bei, feeling a surge of pride and emotion.

For over a decade, Lin Bei, the martial arts fanatic, had never paid him any mind, let alone humiliated him.

Lin Bei was deeply devoted to the martial arts. Though two years Lin Xi's junior, at only thirteen, he not only stood as tall as a full-grown man but was also fierce and combative. He would challenge any formidable opponent to a duel, unable to resist the urge to fight.

Even Lin Huan, known for his ferocity and ruthlessness, held a measure of caution towards Lin Bei.

Now, Lin Bei seemed to see potential in Lin Xi, preemptively issuing a challenge. Lin Xi's blood ran hot, and his desire to battle surged.

His eyes held warmth, his heart swelled with valor.

"No problem. As soon as I've caught up, we'll have our battle right here!"

Lin Bei, sparing with his words, nodded and turned to leave.

Lin Xi watched Lin Bei vanish, casting a glance at the still-stunned Lin family members. With a smile, he staggered off.

Boom!

Once Lin Xi was out of sight of the martial arts field, the Lin family disciples were in an uproar.

"Oh my god! The underdog has made a comeback. What am I going to do? I spat on him once. Is he going to crush me like Lin Fan did?"

"You're lucky. I... you know how many times I've slapped him. If he decides to settle scores, I'm afraid he'll be out for my blood..."

"Mother of mine, I'm shivering inside. Why did I have to foolishly join in with the others, throwing punches at Lin Xi? He couldn't possibly remember me, could he?"

"Hey, hey, hey, did you just wet your pants? No way... But I get it. You nearly broke Lin Xi's arm last year. It makes sense that you're scared..."

...

At that moment, Lin Xi, riddled with bloody wounds and drenched in blood, stumbled out of the Lin family's ancestral home.

A middle-aged man had been waiting at the gate. Upon seeing Lin Xi emerge, his eyes sparkled with surprise. He bowed and greeted Lin Xi in a hushed tone.

"Young Master, are you alright?"

Lin Xi shuddered, somewhat in disbelief. The man before him was the Lin family's chief steward, Lin Buqing. Not everyone in the Lin family had dared to mistreat him. Lin Buqing, for instance, had never spoken a word to him, nor had he ever shown him any disrespect. At most, he simply acted as if Lin Xi were invisible.

Now, Lin Buqing not only bowed before him but also addressed him as Young Master. This acknowledgment touched Lin Xi, yet it also irked him. At least someone in the Lin family was willing to recognize his lineage and accept his identity.

Deep down, Lin Xi harbored a towering resentment towards his biological father, Lin Batian. Nevertheless, from the standpoint of familial ties, he couldn't help but wish for a place in his father's heart. These feelings were complex and contradictory, often manifesting as a fierce defiance.

"What are you talking about, Butler? I'm no young master. My dad is the esteemed chef, Lin Xi."

Lin Buqing bowed once more, keeping pace with Lin Xi and murmuring softly, "Indeed, Chef Lin is a man deserving of great respect... But young master, don't you think you should clean up and change your clothes? Perhaps apply some healing medicine?"

While speaking, Lin Buqing produced a jade bottle from his storage bag, containing ten top-tier yellow level healing pills—a rarity in the Lin family, not commonly administered to their members.

Currently, Lin Xi was consciously preventing his muscles from healing his wounds. Having survived a lightning strike the day before and appearing unscathed today would have caused quite a stir. Now, with his injuries visibly healing so quickly, the implications were clear.

In need of a diversion, Lin Xi had no intention of declining the offer. He accepted the jade bottle from Lin Buqing, uncorked it, and tossed a pill into his mouth.

With a surge, the potent medicine took effect, and Lin Xi let go of his muscular restraint. The cuts on his face and body visibly writhed as they began to close.

In just a matter of moments, Lin Bufan witnessed Lin Xi's wounds miraculously seal up, leaving no trace except for the dried blood. He was internally astounded, yet his expression remained unchanged.

Lin Xi approached the street corner fountain and stood beneath its cascading waters, washing away the blood that stained his skin. Lin Bufan observed that not a single scar remained where Lin Xi's injuries had been, his skin as smooth and unblemished as a peeled, hard-boiled egg—pure and delicate. The revelation sent waves of shock through Lin Bufan's mind.

The area near the Lin family's ancestral home was deserted, with no pedestrians in sight and no vendors allowed to hawk their wares. The quiet of the street was palpable.

After cleaning himself, Lin Xi extended a hand from beneath the fountain's spray. "Lord Butler, might I borrow some clothes?"

Without hesitation, Lin Bufan produced a fresh green robe and socks from his storage bag. Unashamed, Lin Xi discarded his tattered garments and stepped out from the fountain, swiftly dressing in the new clothes. He turned to Lin Bufan with a grin, "Lord Butler, do I look presentable?"

Lin Bufan chuckled, though a pang of pain and nostalgia lingered in his heart. "He's growing to resemble his mother more and more..."

As Lin Xi was about to make his way to the Lucky Mug, Lin Bufan called out to him. "Young Master..."

Lin Xi frowned. "Lord Butler, I'm not the Young Master. My dad's a cook, and I'm nothing but a failure. Calling me that just doesn't feel right..."

After a brief pause, Lin Bufan smiled. "Very well, Lin Xi. Here is the Lin family's yellow-level martial arts technique that the master left for you..." He then swiftly pulled Lin Huan's storage bag from Lin Xi's waist and slipped some items inside, glancing around furtively as if worried about prying eyes.

Lin Xi, taken aback, accepted the storage bag and peeked inside. Since the lightning strike the previous night, he'd gained a new mental clarity and night vision. Despite the darkness within the bag, Lin Xi could make out several slim volumes.

Upon recognizing the titles, Lin Xi felt as though fortune had unexpectedly graced him. He looked up at Lin Bufan in amazement. "All of these?"

Lin Bufan simply smiled in response.

"All of them!"

Lin Xi was aware that his strength could be augmented through voracious eating and drinking, which would allow him to accumulate the Green Dew. However, to fully harness his power, he required a variety of combat skills, including the Body Lightening Technique. Without these skills, even with the might of nine pythons, he stood no chance against a peak late-stage Warrior.

The Lin family's yellow-level cultivation techniques included the Green Horn Fist, Fallen Leaf Finger, Flying Flower Blade, and Fallen Leaf Flying Flower Steps. These techniques were considered the most basic within the Azure Expanse, but in Rosehaven, they were the most formidable, envied by the other three major families.

Not even Lin Dong, the most gifted among the Lin family's younger generation, could access all the cultivation techniques and martial skills simultaneously. The cultivation techniques granted to a member of the Lin family were based on their current level of achievement.

Take Lin Fan, for instance, a Warrior at the early peak stage; he wouldn't have access to the Fallen Leaf Finger, a technique reserved for those at the middle stage. Even Lin Dong, as the Young Patriarch, had only mastered the Fallen Leaf Finger and the Fallen Leaf Flying Flower Steps by the time he reached the late stage of a Warrior. One was not permitted to learn other techniques like the Green Horn Fist and the Flying Flower Blade until they had perfected the initial skills.

The Fallen Leaf Flying Flower Steps, a mandatory movement technique for all Lin family disciples, was the exception to this restriction. Yet, even with no restrictions, an early-stage Warrior could not hope to learn the techniques of the middle or late stages until they had made a breakthrough, at which point the family would provide them with the next tier of cultivation secrets.

But now, Lin Xi had in his possession the complete sets of all four techniques: fist, finger, blade, and movement.

Gazing intently at Lin Buji, Lin Xi was momentarily lost in thought, whispering to himself, "Why..."

Lin Buji felt a pang of sorrow, yet his expression remained composed. "The Master instructed me to give them to you..."

The memory of the maid who had met a tragic end surfaced in his mind, her beautiful image haunting him, causing Lin Buji's heart to ache.

"Master..."

Lin Xi was momentarily paralyzed with shock, his thoughts a complete void.

Who could recall or acknowledge that he was the offspring of the clan leader, Lin Batian? Even Lin Batian himself, aside from bestowing upon him the name Lin Xi, had scarcely glanced his way.

As for his mother, Lin Xi retained not a single memory of her. She had died at his birth, leaving him without even a consistent recollection of her name, let alone her face.

It wasn't that he was inherently unfeeling; he simply had no memories to cling to.

A mother was something others had; it was a role absent in his life.

From a young age, he knew he was Lin Batian's progeny. Despite the lack of explanation from others, the truth was laid bare to him amidst the countless instances of abuse and humiliation he endured.

Motherless, his father resided within the secluded expanse of the family estate, rarely seen.

He had loitered at the gates of the old house time and again, yearning for a glimpse of Lin Batian, aching for a father's acknowledging gaze.

What he encountered instead was his father's cold indifference, even outright neglect.

It was only in the company of the family chef that he experienced any semblance of care and affection, a sentiment he treasured. Yet, even as he relished this kindness, thoughts of Lin Batian would inevitably surface.

The conflicting emotions of yearning and indifference toward Lin Batian tangled within him.

He longed for recognition but simultaneously resisted it, leading to a deep-seated resentment that grew over time.

But now, Lin Buji had revealed that Lin Batian had entrusted him with the complete set of the Lin family's yellow level martial arts techniques, a turn of events beyond his wildest dreams.

Even Lin Dong had not been afforded such privilege!

A single tear formed, the sourness and warmth rendering him speechless for a long moment.

Regaining his composure, Lin Xi couldn't resist reaching out to open the topmost booklet.

The Fallen Leaves and Flying Flowers Step!

With a gentle flick of his finger, he turned to the first page and read the overview of the Light-body Technique.

Rise like scattering blossoms, fall like drifting leaves, dodge and weave like fleeting shadows.

Each flower, each leaf, a tier of heaven; nine blossoms, nine leaves ascend to the Mysterious Heavens.

With a thunderous roar, a brilliant purple light surged within Lin Xi's mind.

Lin Xi was taken aback, his attention sharply focused, and he felt an inexplicable shock.

The purple glow that had gathered around the Green Dew still lingered, with an incomplete drop of Green Dew quietly nestled within, motionless.

The highest flying eave was dull, weathered, and eerily silent, devoid of any light.

It was the flying eave to the lower right that was now flickering with a mysterious purple light.

As he silently recited the principles of the Fallen Leaves and Flying Flowers Steps, the purple light from the flying eave burst forth with intensity, rich and enigmatic, as though something within was on the verge of taking form.

"Could it be a drop of Green Dew?"