Chapter Three: Seven Star Fist

"Ugh..." Lin Fan struggled to open his eyes. He tried to push himself up, but collapsed heavily back onto the bed.

"You're awake!" At that moment, a maid-like girl walked over, her face alight with joy. She hurriedly gave Lin Fan another pill to swallow. As the medicine took effect, Lin Fan managed to regain some energy.

"Miss, may I ask where this place is?" Lin Fan spoke, still weak, though he felt his condition improving.

He noticed he was not in his small hut. The room before him was not luxurious, but compared to his previous accommodation, the difference was like heaven and earth.

"You’re going to be fine. The young lady brought you back. At the time, all your bones were broken and you were unconscious, but these are only minor injuries, easily healed," the maid said, curiosity written all over her face, without the slightest intention to hide anything.

"It was her," Lin Fan mused, and a celestial visage flashed in his mind, breathtakingly beautiful.

Through conversation, Lin Fan learned her name: Xiao Lan—a simple name. The young lady she referred to was Yun Xi, a true disciple of the Heavenly Capital Sect, whose strength was unfathomable. Xiao Lan chatted briefly before leaving, as Lin Fan needed rest; prolonged mental exertion would hinder his recovery.

It turned out Yun Xi had gone out to hunt wild beasts and came across the site where Lin Fan had clashed with Cheng Yu and the others, then brought the severely injured Lin Fan back.

This was Yun Xi’s Cloud Bamboo Peak, a mountain granted exclusively to true disciples by the sect. Ordinary people could never set foot here, only Yun Xi’s close associates.

"I will remember this kindness. If the opportunity arises, I shall repay it," Lin Fan murmured to himself, then laughed bitterly, "What am I, just a lowly servant, while she is a true disciple. The gap is too vast."

A wave of melancholy swept over Lin Fan. He could only keep this debt in his heart. True disciples were those above the Body Refinement realm, their power extraordinary. Some even surpassed elders and vied for the position of sect master. Lin Fan could only look up to such people, unable even to contend with many inner sect disciples, let alone true disciples.

"What about the stone fragment?"

Only then did Lin Fan notice his clothes had been changed. The stone fragment he had kept close to his chest was nowhere to be found. Still, Lin Fan didn’t mind. Though the old man had told him it might contain clues about his parents, Lin Fan had long lost any concept of "parents," so it didn’t weigh on his heart.

"No, the stone fragment wasn’t lost—it entered my body!" Suddenly, Lin Fan turned pale with shock, sensing something pulsing in his heart. A powerful energy surged out, merging into his body.

The energy was strong but not aggressive; rather, it felt gentle. Lin Fan didn’t know when his spiritual perception had become so acute, but now, as the energy dispersed, he could see the state within his body.

His bones were indeed shattered, and he couldn’t muster any strength. But within those fractured bones, a faint glow was pulling them together—likely the effect of the pills given by Yun Xi and Xiao Lan. At the center of his heart, a dazzling stone fragment shone, radiating countless rays of light. It was extraordinary. A wave of energy erupted from it, fusing into his body.

An indescribable sense of comfort surged through him, and Lin Fan nearly cried out. He felt his body slowly recovering, and more importantly, his blood and qi were strengthening—meaning his physical power was increasing.

"What terrifying power—this stone fragment is truly remarkable. It must be a treasure," Lin Fan realized he had obtained something incredible. "A man without guilt is envied for his riches." He knew possessing such a treasure was fate, but he lacked the ability to protect it. Instantly, Lin Fan resolved that, no matter what, he must never let the secret of the stone fragment be exposed.

Time flew by; a month passed in the blink of an eye. In a courtyard on Cloud Bamboo Peak—

Tiger roars echoed across the sky as fists whipped through the air, creating an aura that seemed impossible to withstand. Lin Fan was practicing his punches, embodying the dominance of the king of beasts. His mastery of the Tiger Form Fist had reached a new height, both in form and spirit.

Finally, Lin Fan withdrew his fists and stood firm, his aura soaring. Suddenly, he punched fiercely into the air, using all his strength. The piercing sound was chilling.

"A thousand pounds of force is already impressive, especially since I'm only at the second level of Body Refinement. I've heard some rare physiques and prodigies can far surpass their peers at the same stage. Having a thousand pounds of force at the second level is rare," Lin Fan muttered, delighted. While a thousand pounds might not be terrifying, it was remarkable compared to his previous strength; even third-level practitioners usually had similar power. Lin Fan was not yet at the peak of the second level, so there was still room to grow. The stone fragment in his heart continued to release energy, so his strength might soon double. That would mean two thousand pounds of force at the second level, rivaling Cheng Yu at the fifth level.

This discovery made Lin Fan realize even more how extraordinary his fate was, so he became ever more cautious.

Just then, he frowned, sensing someone approaching. Sure enough, a few moments later, Xiao Lan pushed open the courtyard door and entered.

"You’ve fully recovered—your constitution is impressive," Xiao Lan said happily. She had cared for Lin Fan throughout the month, and their relationship had become much closer. Lin Fan treated her well; she was the first person in fifteen years to truly care for him, so he was deeply grateful.

"If not for the young lady’s pills, I wouldn’t have recovered so quickly. When you return, please thank her for me, Sister Xiao Lan."

Lin Fan was not lying. While the stone fragment had aided his recovery, the pills’ effectiveness was crucial—they cut the healing time in half. His gratitude toward Yun Xi was pure; without her, Lin Fan might have died somewhere unknown.

"You’re not wrong, but this time I can’t help you—Miss wants to see you," Xiao Lan laughed. She hadn’t come merely to check on Lin Fan; after a month, Yun Xi had finally remembered him and sent Xiao Lan to summon him.

Though Lin Fan was puzzled, he didn’t think much of it. He was just a lowly servant, hardly worth a true disciple’s concern. Without overthinking, he let Xiao Lan lead the way to meet Yun Xi.

Cloud Bamboo Peak was quite expansive. After about fifteen minutes, they reached Yun Xi’s location—a pavilion beside flowing water, like a fairyland. Yun Xi herself was like a fairy, as if she’d stepped out of a painting, her temperament extraordinary.

"Do you know why I saved you?" Yun Xi spoke, her gaze piercing Lin Fan. He shivered, feeling as though she saw through everything. The power of a true disciple was undeniable. Yet Yun Xi soon withdrew her gaze, seeming surprised Lin Fan had recovered so quickly.

"I do not," Lin Fan replied succinctly. In front of someone like Yun Xi, there was no need for explanations or cleverness—any thought would be instantly seen through.

Two beams of light shot out. Lin Fan was confused but reached out to take them.

"The Seven Star Fist is something I acquired from an ancient ruin. You may try to cultivate it—it’s far superior to your current Tiger Form Fist. The other is a token for the outer disciple examination, which will take place in three months," Yun Xi said, offering no explanation for her actions. Her figure faded away, as if she had never appeared at all. Such was the power and mystery of a true disciple.

Lin Fan’s face was filled with delight he could barely conceal. To become an outer disciple required passing the examination, but the qualification was hard to obtain—one needed a recommendation. With this token, he now had the opportunity.

Moreover, the Seven Star Fist was even more remarkable. The Tiger Form Fist was merely a basic body-strengthening technique, but the Seven Star Fist, chosen by Yun Xi, must be extraordinary.

Lin Fan gazed long at the spot where Yun Xi had disappeared, then turned and left. Three months would pass in a flash—he must seize this chance. Only by becoming an outer disciple could he hope to establish himself in the Heavenly Capital Sect.