Chapter 101 – A Shocking Revelation for Coach Lin

“Black soil… Demon Mountain…”

Lu Yuan lightly drew circles on the paper with his pen, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Relying on his exceptional memory, he meticulously recreated all the information he had gleaned from the video call with Lu Jing, focusing on the background details visible behind her.

Among the details was a reference to a “Lesser-known Ancient Language” called Ancient Phoenician Language.

This ancient language, originating from the Chihe Period, which predates the baishan era, was once widely spoken.

However, it was lost in the annals of time due to the fall of a mighty empire.

The notes on the board behind Lu Jing were disorganized and seemed to have been hastily written during a discussion.

The only coherent phrase, which Lu Yuan transcribed into his notebook, was an Ancient Phoenician Language translation:

“Black soil of eternal rift, He will use blood to paint every stone of the Demon Mountain…”

In addition, there was a recurring symbolic figure.

The figure was overall a black triangle.

Within the triangle were three curved lines supporting an eye.

Lu Yuan searched online for a long time but found no clues about this symbol.

“Perhaps I should start with religion and legends…”

Lu Yuan closed his notebook and slipped it among a pile of books on ancient mythology and historical languages, then habitually rubbed his temples.

If only Lu Jing were willing to reveal everything, it would make things much simpler.

Unfortunately, Lu Yuan couldn’t persuade her.

Separated by thousands of kilometers and relying solely on mobile phone video calls, he couldn’t earn enough trust from Lu Jing.

If only she could return, and he could demonstrate his abilities in person by punching through a solid concrete block…

Maybe then she would recognize his capability.

“Luckily, she’s coming back next month. I hope nothing happens in between.”

Lu Yuan sighed softly, then stood up and tidied the wall and desk a bit.

Earlier, in a fit of emotion, he had punched a small hole in the wall, a decision he now regretted.

If his parents discovered it, he wouldn’t know how to explain.

He planned to find something to fill the hole and cover it with a poster, hoping to temporarily keep it hidden.

After dealing with all the trivial matters, Lu Yuan brought up his professional panel to check.

[Name: Lu Yuan]

[Age: 17]

[Strength Points: 14]

[Agility Points: 12]

[Constitution Points: 15]

[Intelligence Points: 14]

The level of his [Ancient Language Expert] profession remained at lv3, but his recent research added a new skill to his professional panel: “Ancient Phoenician Language lv1.”

His professional experience also increased by a dozen points, bringing him closer to lv4.

Apart from this, the only skill that could significantly enhance Lu Yuan’s strength and was also close to leveling up was the crane stance skill on his [Martial Artist] panel.

Crane Stance: lv3 (134/400)

He needed over two hundred more experience points to reach lv4.

At his current pace, he estimated it would take just a few days to gather those points.

As usual, Lu Yuan spread a mat on the floor, having moved his small bed to the wall near the door, creating a bit more space in the room.

“Now that the Rat Monster issue is resolved, it’s time to contact Lin Zhiqin. He mentioned something good last time. I wonder what it is…”

Lu Yuan stood on the mat, assuming the crane stance posture.

In the next instant, he quietly entered a state of [Absolute Concentration], a sudden feeling of immersion washing over him.

His mind quickly settled.

…

“Coach.”

“Hello, Coach Lin.”

Lin Zhiqin walked through the first floor of the martial arts gym, occasionally greeted by passing students.

He nodded slightly, his expression revealing nothing.

It wasn’t until he approached the door of a training room that his steps began to slow.

His black, hard-soled shoes stepped on the polished marble floor without making any sound, like a cat walking by.

“Boom! Bang! Boom—”

The dull sounds of strikes echoed from the training room.

Lin Zhiqin silently stepped through the door of the training room. His pupils slightly contracted as he took in the scene before him.

It was as if he had witnessed something astonishing—

In the spacious training room, a figure was repeatedly striking a black heavy boxing stance.

The figure was tall and well-built.

The loose white martial arts uniform he wore fit snugly against his frame.

The muscles on his neck and arms, revealed when he punched, showcased smooth and full curves, exuding a strong sense of power.

From the back, he appeared to be an adult man, but a glimpse of his face revealed a hint of youthful innocence.

He wasn’t very old, just a teenager.

The force with which the teenager punched and kicked was immense, occasionally producing a whistling sound in the air.

Every hit he landed on the boxing stance made it shake uncontrollably.

Lin Zhiqin watched quietly, the surprise in his eyes growing more intense…

“Coach!”

The teenager suddenly noticed Lin Zhiqin’s presence, immediately stopping his movements and greeting him with a hint of excitement.

“When did you get here?”

Lin Zhiqin didn’t answer. He stepped forward and scrutinized the teenager from head to toe.

“You’ve changed a lot.”

“Yeah.”

The teenager was, of course, Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan reached up and roughly pushed back the sweat-soaked strands of hair from his forehead, a bit embarrassed. “I’ve been eating a lot lately, and my body has been growing fast. As my mom says—every morning I wake up, I look different.”

“At your age, that’s normal.”

Lin Zhiqin said, then suddenly let out a light hum and reached directly for Lu Yuan’s shoulder.

Lu Yuan’s expression changed slightly, and he reacted quickly.

Without even looking at Lin Zhiqin’s hand, he raised his own and punched straight at Lin Zhiqin’s temple.

Both changed their moves in an instant and then struck out simultaneously. The room filled with the crisp sounds of fists and feet colliding.

However, within just a few seconds, one figure was flung from the fray, flying seven or eight meters away and landing heavily on a mat.

“Hiss—”

Lu Yuan inhaled sharply, rubbing his arm as he climbed up from the ground with a pained expression.

“Coach, you went a bit hard on me today…”

Lin Zhiqin didn’t respond, just stared at him intently, as if trying to see through him completely.

A few seconds later, he suddenly returned to normal.

“Go change your clothes first. I’ll wait for you in the hall.”

With that, he turned and left.

“Looks like Coach Lin needs some time to digest this…”

Watching Lin Zhiqin’s figure quickly disappear, the expression on Lu Yuan’s face gradually calmed.

Lin Zhiqin’s probing just now had left him with little room to hold back, except for a few trump cards.

With 14 strength points, 15 constitution points, and… 13 agility points—

He had specifically waited until he advanced his crane stance to lv4, gaining 1 agility point and achieving a more balanced physique, before coming to find Lin Zhiqin.

The significant increase in his attributes probably gave Lin Zhiqin quite a shock, akin to witnessing a “martial arts prodigy.”

Previously, Lu Yuan’s rapid improvement had made him wary, fearing that Lin Zhiqin might notice something, so he kept a low profile.

Now, he had completely come to terms with it.

After encountering Yellow Bear, Lu Yuan realized that his previous thinking was entirely wrong.

Excelling in certain areas wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

If he hadn’t shown some talent, would Zhou Ling have specially sent him an entrapment device?

As long as the biggest secret, his professional panel, remained undisclosed, he was safe.

“Displaying some traits of a martial arts prodigy might actually benefit me more.”

Lu Yuan thought as he walked to the changing room and took a quick shower.

When he changed and arrived at the hall, he found Lin Zhiqin already sitting on a chair by the hall’s entrance, quietly smoking, seemingly deep in thought.

“Coach.”

Lu Yuan called out as he approached.

Lin Zhiqin looked up at the sound, snapping out of his daze, and immediately stubbed out his cigarette.

“Let’s go. I’ve arranged a match for you today.”

He stood up from the chair and beckoned to Lu Yuan, his gaze carrying a hint of complex emotions.

Lu Yuan glanced outside where the sun was still high in the sky. It was only the afternoon.

Ordinarily, it would be too early to go to Mosa.

But he said nothing, simply responding with a clear “Okay” and obediently choosing to follow Lin Zhiqin’s arrangement.

Twenty minutes later, the two of them arrived at the entrance of the Mosa club in their car.

As they walked through the club’s hall and into the descending elevator, Lu Yuan suddenly turned his head sharply to look behind him.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Zhiqin frowned at him.

“Nothing…” Lu Yuan shook his head, but his eyes remained fixed on a Goat Head statue mounted on the wall facing the elevator.

It wasn’t until the elevator doors slowly closed that he somewhat regained his composure, though his eyes continued to flicker with unease.

They descended to the second basement level and stepped into the competition venue.

Facing the numerous Goat Head statues scattered throughout the place, a certain feeling within Lu Yuan grew even stronger.

These Goat Heads…

It felt as if they were constantly watching him!

From above, behind, the sides, directly in front…

From all directions, they silently observed him.

“There’s something wrong here. This Mosa club definitely has an issue!” Lu Yuan thought, his expression somber, thoughts swirling in his mind.

With his intelligence points reaching 14, his perception had become incredibly sharp.

The Goat Head statues in the Mosa club were unlike ordinary decorative statues.

They…

Felt alive!

“Is this related to the extraordinary again?” Lu Yuan didn’t feel the impulse to turn around and leave.

He carefully sensed everything around him and gradually realized that this inexplicable feeling of being watched wasn’t directed at him alone.

Everyone who entered Mosa and passed by the Goat Head statues experienced this kind of… “scrutiny.”

They were like a silent group of guards.

Quietly observing every newcomer.

“As a legitimate institution that openly presents itself to the public, receives official recognition, and holds the authority to host formal martial arts competitions, Mosa shouldn’t be a cult like the Crow Deity sect…”

“Otherwise, the Yellow Bear organization would have eradicated them several times over by now.”

“So it seems… Mosa is an extraordinary organization sanctioned by the authorities?”

Thoughts surged in Lu Yuan’s mind as he instinctively looked at Lin Zhiqin’s back, who was walking ahead.

He didn’t know whether Lin Zhiqin was aware of this.

Lu Yuan continued to think about the Mosa club as he walked to the lounge.

He had assumed that coming here in the afternoon meant he would have to wait until the evening to get into the ring.

Unexpectedly, the second stage of the competition had more flexible rules, entirely based on the availability of the participants.

Any competitor could arrive at the arena at any time, and as long as a suitable opponent was available, Mosa would immediately arrange the match.

What a carefree set of rules.

“…In the second stage, the opponents will be stronger. You might face professional-level fighters…” Lin Zhiqin started to give Lu Yuan some pre-match guidance. But as he spoke, he glanced at Lu Yuan, then waved his hand dismissively, saying, “Forget it, just go up there.”

With that, he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, looking disinterested.

Lu Yuan knew why.

He felt a bit helpless.

Lin Zhiqin clearly hadn’t recovered from the shock of Lu Yuan’s rapid strength improvement.

It seemed that this little bit of shock was quite overwhelming.

Lu Yuan didn’t say anything, silently putting on his Goat Head mask and gradually stepping up to the elevated battle arena.

Standing in this position, the feeling of being watched and scrutinized became even more intense.

The enormous Goat Head statue overhead hung silently, its hollow eyes gazing down at the arena.

Lu Yuan looked at it for a moment, then shifted his attention to his opponent in front of him.

With a quick glance, he roughly assessed his opponent’s strength.

Then, the second the referee announced the start of the match…

Lu Yuan dashed forward with a sudden burst… throwing a right punch.

He didn’t use [special exertion].

But with 14 strength points, his pale, muscular arm still tore through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

Like a fierce snake suddenly thrusting its head out of a hole.

The eyes beneath the comical monkey mask widened abruptly.

Just as a look of horror began to appear, it was quickly overshadowed by a massive fist crashing down…