Disciple of the Profound Silence Sect

Song Kingdom, Northern Shaolin.

Tang Xuan was transported here from the novice village, becoming a lay disciple of the Shaolin Temple.

Being the first player to join a sect was far more than just a simple announcement in the game. The game bestowed upon him a special reward, allowing him to become an inner disciple of Shaolin Temple directly.

It was much like “Qiao Feng”—though a lay disciple, he was under the tutelage of Master Xuan Ku, a senior monk of the “Xuan” generation, thus already counted among Shaolin’s inner disciples.

In other words, he was now considered one of Shaolin’s own.

Only those regarded as insiders could learn the true skills.

Tang Xuan’s master was Master Xuan Zhi, one of the high monks of the “Xuan” generation.

Though not the abbot Master Xuan Ci, nor the head of the Disciplinary Hall Master Xuan Ji, nor the head of the Dharma Hall Master Xuan Nan, he was still among the dozens of “Xuan” generation high monks of Shaolin.

These monks were proficient in one or more of Shaolin’s seventy-two legendary techniques, and were renowned experts in the martial world!

Thus, once accepted by a high monk of the “Xuan” generation, one could learn directly from them.

He now had the chance to acquire Shaolin’s seventy-two legendary techniques firsthand!

These seventy-two techniques were advanced martial arts skills of the fifth or sixth rank, akin to the secret teachings of other major sects.

In the martial world, they were already formidable, far surpassing mainstream third or fourth rank skills.

Above these were the legendary skills of the seventh, eighth, and ninth ranks.

At this moment, Tang Xuan had come to meet his master, Master Xuan Zhi.

Truthfully, he would have preferred to be under the abbot Xuan Ci, or the heads of the Disciplinary or Dharma Halls, Xuan Ji and Xuan Nan.

Xuan Ci, Xuan Ji, and Xuan Nan had all apprenticed under the same master in their youth.

Thus, when Xuan Ci became abbot, Xuan Ji and Xuan Nan assumed their positions as heads.

These old monks were the helmsmen of Northern Shaolin, wielding tremendous power.

To be under their guidance meant a greater chance to learn the seventy-two legendary techniques.

Unfortunately, though Tang Xuan received a special reward as the first player to join Shaolin, it was not enough to make him a chief disciple or a disciple of the heads.

“An inner disciple is quite good—much better than being an outer disciple!”

Tang Xuan smiled, seeing it as a pleasant surprise.

It should be known that those who entered major sects with an “entry token” could only start as outer disciples.

This was public knowledge based on the game’s announcements.

Outer disciples had to complete tasks and trials within their sects to advance to inner disciple status.

As outer disciples, they could only learn second-rank martial arts skills, at most third-rank.

For example, Shaolin’s various staff and fist techniques, Huashan’s entry sword technique, Quanzhen’s entry sword technique, Wudang’s long fist, and so on.

In terms of internal energy, outer disciples could only access the entry-level mental methods of each sect, which were second or third rank.

Only after passing the tests and becoming inner disciples could they learn higher-ranked skills and superior internal cultivation methods, starting from third or fourth rank, and reaching fifth or sixth.

Take, for example, Shaolin’s legendary techniques, Wudang’s “Cloud Ladder Leap,” “Seventy-Two Finger-Soft Sword,” “Pure Yang Infinite Skill,” “Wudang Nine Yang Skill,” or Quanzhen’s “Golden Wild Goose Skill,” “Quanzhen Superior Mental Method,” and so forth!

The phrase “fifth or sixth rank and beyond” meant that, with fortune, one might even learn the supreme martial arts of each sect.

Such as Shaolin’s “Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic,” Wudang’s “Taiji Sword,” Quanzhen’s hidden “Innate Skill,” Huashan’s hidden “Dugu Nine Swords,” and the Sun-Moon Cult’s supreme “Sunflower Manual,” among others.

In general, outer disciples could only learn second or third-rank skills.

These were a step above first-rank basic internal energy, basic agility, basic swordplay, and such.

Only as inner disciples could one start at third or fourth rank, and reach fifth or sixth and beyond!

Tang Xuan was now an inner disciple of Shaolin.

His situation was unique, having skipped the outer disciple stage; how Master Xuan Zhi would instruct him remained to be seen.

Master Xuan Zhi appeared to be in his forties or fifties, a dignified middle-aged monk; in the “Xuan” generation, he was considered young.

He looked at Tang Xuan, who had entered under his guidance, and asked calmly, “Why did you join Shaolin?”

“To pursue martial arts.”

Tang Xuan replied with absolute candor.

He knew that NPCs in “Grand Martial Hero” could not be treated as mere game characters—their realism made them seem like living people.

A master like Xuan Zhi was a major boss of level forty or fifty at minimum, with profound internal energy, keen insight, and a strong presence.

It was easy to be seen through if one tried to lie before them.

Apparently satisfied with Tang Xuan’s honesty, Master Xuan Zhi smiled slightly and asked, “Why do you pursue martial arts?”

“To strengthen myself!” Tang Xuan replied.

Master Xuan Zhi nodded, “Remember this: Shaolin’s skills must not be used to harm others.”

Tang Xuan nodded, answering frankly, “If others do not wrong me, I do not wrong them.”

“Good.”

Master Xuan Zhi nodded again, seemingly approving, then asked, “What type of martial arts or weapon do you prefer?”

Tang Xuan thought for a moment and said, “I am currently skilled in the Five Tigers Gate-Cutting Saber, which comprises sixty-four moves, though seven are lost, and I can use some hidden weapons known as the Thirteen Plum Blossom Needles.”

He did not specify his preferences, but simply stated his strengths, as if seeking guidance from this formidable master.

“Five Tigers Gate-Cutting Saber? What about internal energy methods?”

Master Xuan Zhi was slightly surprised, clearly familiar with the saber’s reputation; though not on par with Shaolin’s seventy-two legendary techniques, it was still a distinguished saber art in the martial world.

Tang Xuan replied, “I only know some rudimentary internal energy.”

“Hmm…”

Master Xuan Zhi pondered momentarily and said, “In that case, I will first teach you a superior internal energy method, a fist technique, and a hidden weapon skill. What do you think?”

“Thank you, Master,” Tang Xuan replied hastily. How could he refuse such an offer?