Chapter 150: Heart of Sincerity

After returning to Yuan Yu’s house and having breakfast, Lin Xiao parted ways with her and made his way directly to Chen’s Martial Arts Hall.

He had received a call from Chen Tianxing of the martial arts school the previous afternoon, prompting him to take a day off. He had no time to work if he wanted to participate in the school’s exchange meeting.

Despite Wan Caixuan being in a foul mood and not engaging much with him the previous evening, his request for a day off was approved.

Arriving at the gate of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, he found it crowded with students, despite it being just past seven o’clock. They were all dressed in uniforms with ‘Chen’s Martial Arts Hall’ emblazoned in black on a white background.

The students halted their activities and greeted him in unison, “Hello, Master!”

Their coordinated actions and respectful voices were a complete turnaround from their initial encounter with Lin Xiao.

The formidable strength Lin Xiao had demonstrated in his battle with Chen Lingxin had thoroughly impressed and stunned these proud students, eradicating any hint of disrespect toward him.

The students were still puzzled about how Lin Xiao, roughly their age or even younger, had mastered such extraordinary martial arts, outclassing even their senior sister.

Lin Xiao acknowledged the students with a nod and proceeded into the martial arts school.

As he entered the gate, before he could fully take in the interior, a sharp gust of wind struck at him. It was fierce, aimed directly at his chest, but lacked any intent to kill.

Lin Xiao caught a glimpse of a white shadow from the corner of his eye. His previously tensed hand instantly relaxed, allowing the gust to hit his chest without making any attempt to block or evade.

When the wind reached Lin Xiao, its force dissipated as if it had never been. Chen Lingxin, dressed in her white training uniform, then appeared before him. The white shadow that had attacked him was in fact her sleeve.

Chen Lingxin, hands on hips and glaring at Lin Xiao, demanded, “Why didn’t you fight back just now?”

“Why should I?”

“I attacked you. Weren’t you afraid of getting hit?”

“Your attack lacked any lethal intent; it wouldn’t have injured me even if it connected,” Lin Xiao said as he walked past Chen Lingxin. “However, your execution is much more fluid now. It seems you’ve made significant progress lately.”

Chen Lingxin, basking in Lin Xiao’s praise, replied with a touch of arrogance, “Since my defeat to you, I’ve deeply reflected and dedicated myself to rigorous training. I’m far from the naive girl I once was. Impressive, isn’t it? My natural talent?”

“Indeed, it’s quite impressive,” Lin Xiao affirmed with a nod.

Chen Lingxin’s talent truly stood out among the martial artists he had encountered. Her skills had noticeably improved within just a few days, a testament to her top-notch talent and diligence. It was no wonder she had achieved so much at such a young age.

Chen Lingxin snorted softly, then, lowering her voice, asked, “Since my talent is so good, have you thought about the thing I mentioned last time?”

Lin Xiao paused, puzzled, “What thing?”

“The one about me becoming your disciple. You haven’t forgotten, have you?” Chen Lingxin couldn’t hide her annoyance at Lin Xiao’s casual demeanor. She would have lost her patience and taught him a lesson if she believed she could match his skills.

“That matter…” Lin Xiao’s expression shifted slightly. “I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. I can’t accept your request. I never intended to take on any disciples. I don’t even know how to teach martial arts properly.”

Had Chen Lingxin not mentioned it, Lin Xiao would have completely forgotten her request.

“If you don’t wish to take me as a disciple, I won’t insist,” Chen Lingxin said, her tone resigned but not overly disappointed. She had sensed Lin Xiao’s reluctance to take on disciples earlier and had merely asked out of a fleeting hope.

Chen Lingxin then revealed her actual intention, her eyes shining as she looked at Lin Xiao, “All I ask is that you agree to spar with me regularly. It’s far more beneficial than sparring with those incompetents. They can’t even beat a single hand of mine. Absolutely useless!”

Although she was well aware that she would inevitably lose in a spar with Lin Xiao, Chen Lingxin, ever the persistent fighter, believed that one day she would undoubtedly defeat him.

While speaking, Chen Lingxin cast a disdainful glance around. She hadn’t lowered her voice, so the surrounding students heard her clearly.

The students exchanged looks, their faces flushing with resentment.

“Senior Sister, do you think we all have the same talent as you? And so crazed about martial arts?” a student muttered under their breath.

“Exactly, Senior Sister, you’re being too harsh. We haven’t been practicing martial arts as long as you have. It’s only normal that we can’t beat you,” another added.

“Master Lin, why don’t you have a match with Senior Sister? Like last time, it’d be an eye-opener for her,” one student suggested to Lin Xiao, his tone somewhat mischievous.

“Yes, yes, Master Lin! Spar with Senior Sister and let her have a taste of her own medicine. She always bullies us,” other students quickly echoed the proposal, clamoring in agreement.

Before Lin Xiao could respond, Chen Lingxin reacted first. She glared at the speaking students with a menacing look, then sneered, “Getting a bit too bold, aren’t you? Who asked for your opinion when I’m talking to Lin Xiao? It seems my last lesson wasn’t memorable enough. Do you need a refresher?”

“Ah, no, no need, Senior Sister. I just remembered I have a stomach ache, I’ll be going now.”

“Yeah, me too, Senior Sister. My mom just called me home for dinner.”

“Senior Sister, I think the coach was calling me. I’d better go.”

The students visibly shivered, recalling some unpleasant memories. With twisted expressions of discomfort, they hurriedly excused themselves and fled the scene.

Watching their hasty retreat, the remaining students dared not linger and dispersed quickly, leaving Lin Xiao and Chen Lingxin alone.

Having scared off all the students with a single sentence, Chen Lingxin appeared unfazed and even somewhat pleased with herself.

She turned to Lin Xiao, “It’s still early. The academy’s exchange meeting won’t start until ten. How about we have a spar first?”

Lin Xiao noted Chen Lingxin’s genuine passion for martial arts. She knew she was no match for him, yet her desire for progress in martial arts led her to repeatedly challenge him.

Appreciating her earnest devotion to martial arts, Lin Xiao’s gaze sharpened, ready to accept Chen Lingxin’s challenge. He too was eager to see her progress over the past few days.