Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 553 - 81: The Four Academies Unite, Journey to the Yan Kingdom

The Life Chart [Natural Progress] possesses a formidable trait where, during the later stages of cultivation, breakthroughs happen at an astonishing pace.

From Qi Cultivation to Opening the Acupoints to Refining the Viscera, all are the same.

As for the Refining Viscera Realm, the reason for being stuck at the Sixth Transformation is not because the Life Chart is ineffective, but because the Nine Revolutions True Blood Viscera Cultivation Method requires diverse energies for refining the viscera.

Now, after Entering the Grade, the Life Chart indicates the [Ninth-Grade Martial Path], which means that in the Life Chart, Ninth to First Grade belongs to the same realm.

"The Ninth-Grade Martial Path, the further it goes, the more difficult it becomes. However, if my guess is correct, the change in the Life Chart means that after entering the Fourth Grade, the progress will instead accelerate."

A gleam flickered in Lin Chen’s eyes, and the increase in progress after the Fourth Grade, this change in the Life Chart, is astonishingly extraordinary.

It was worth taking the path of Extreme Martial Arts, walking the extremely challenging path of the Nine Revolutions True Blood Refining the Viscera.

"Achieving the [Light of Liang] and the Life Chart just perfectly complement each other. The Life Chart can only play its role in the latter part; if one wishes to accelerate cultivation speed in the early stages, it’s necessary to maximize the role of the [Light of Liang]."

"Currently, I have a certain prestige among the new generation in Liang, but it’s only within the new generation. Those like Senior Brother Li Yuan, who entered the Grade earlier than me, may not necessarily admire me, but this upcoming Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament is an opportunity."

In terms of his influence in the Liang martial artist circle, Lin Chen had a clear judgment.

In the eyes of those Middle-Grade Martial Artists, he could only be considered a junior, and for those like Senior Brother Li Yuan, who had long entered the Grade, the potential he exhibited, though surprising them, was not enough to reach the level of admiration.

Unless his strength surpassed theirs.

The upcoming Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament will be an opportunity, and so will the ranking in the Hidden Dragon List.

"There are a few days left before departure, so I will continue to challenge in Martial Arts Mountain, accumulate combat experience, and prepare for the upcoming ranking tournament."

After copying the "Joyful Ascension Scroll" several times, Lin Chen once again headed to Martial Arts Mountain, but this time, he didn’t choose to challenge across ranks but opted to challenge the rank directly above.

He aims to achieve a thousand victories, and thus he cannot challenge across ranks anymore.

With no more cross-rank challenges, the attention of the sects on Martial Arts Mountain gradually diminished.

...

...

Seven days later.

Lin Chen, upon waking, did not go to Martial Arts Mountain but instead left the courtyard to head for the main hall of the Martial Arts Academy.

The Nine Countries Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament will start in ten days, and all the martial artists from Liang will first gather in Lingxiao City before heading to the Yan Kingdom.

When he arrived at the main hall, eleven disciples had already gathered; they were all senior disciples of the Martial Arts Academy, and the only one Lin Chen knew among them was the academy’s Senior Brother, Li Yuan.

In the ranking tournament, each martial arts academy is allowed to field only ten disciples, but this time Canglan Martial Arts Academy had arranged twelve, with two acting as backups in case of emergencies.

"Junior Brother Lin has arrived."

Upon seeing Lin Chen enter, Li Yuan greeted him with a smile, and the other disciples followed suit in greeting.

Although Junior Brother Lin was two grades behind them, they did not underestimate him. Ranked eighth on the Hidden Dragon List, the Martial Arts Garden had already proven Junior Brother Lin’s strength.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Li, on breaking through to the Eighth Grade!"

Noticing the change in Li Yuan’s aura, Lin Chen realized that Senior Brother Li had probably broken through to the Eighth Grade.

"Junior Brother Lin also entered the Grade."

Li Yuan beamed, and this breakthrough to the Eighth Grade gave him even more confidence for the ranking tournament.

"I’m only at Ninth Grade, not comparable to Senior Brother."

"Junior Brother Lin, don’t be modest. Before entering the Grade, you were able to defeat Ninth-Grade martial artists. Now that you’ve reached Ninth Grade, you even have the prowess to contend against Eighth-Grade martial artists."

The nearby disciples listened to the conversation between these two geniuses of Canglan Martial Arts Academy, unable to interject.

"Are all present?"

At this moment, Hua Qianwu and several vice deans entered, and seeing Lin Chen and the ten others, smiled and said, "I won’t say much more. For this Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament, I hope you will bring glory to our Canglan Martial Arts Academy and pride to Liang."

"Yes!"

Lin Chen and the others responded in unison.

"Alright, Vice Director Chen will now lead you to Lingxiao City; other academy disciples are already waiting for you at the gate."

At the gate of the academy, along the plaza on both sides, two hundred disciples in blue robes stood like pine trees.

Except few in seclusion, the academy’s three cohorts of over two hundred disciples were present.

"They’re coming, Senior Brother Li and the others are here."

"Even Senior Brother Lin is here."

Seeing Lin Chen and the twelve others emerge from the gate, the disciples’ eyes were full of fervor and anticipation.

Until today, the academy hadn’t announced the list, so the disciples present didn’t know exactly which ten would represent the academy in the ranking tournament.

Lin Chen and the ten stopped, and the disciples present spoke in unison, "Wishing our senior brothers the best in the ranking tournament in the Yan Kingdom, and may you bring honor to Canglan!"

The collective voice of over two hundred disciples raised the atmosphere to a climax.

Li Yuan took a deep breath and said with clasped fists, "Thank you, instructors, and Junior Brothers for seeing us off. We ten will strive not to disappoint your expectations."

Lin Chen and the others followed Li Yuan in clasping their fists in salute.

Turning around, stepping away.

The aura of the ten from Lin Chen’s group spread out, the fierce wind billowing their clothes as they transformed into streaks of light and departed.

Eventually, they disappeared from the view of the numerous disciples who had come to send them off.

"So many junior brothers sending us off, the pressure has doubled."

"Exactly, if we don’t achieve a good ranking this time, we won’t have the face to return and see our junior brothers."

Amidst the leaving procession, there were low murmurs. Listening to the whispers of the two senior brothers beside him, Lin Chen had a faint smile on his lips. The send-off from the whole academy is both motivation and pressure.

...

...

Three days later, when Lin Chen and his group arrived at Lingxiao City, they also saw disciples from the other three Martial Arts Academies at Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy.

The other three academies had arranged quite a few disciples, each sending fifteen. Lin Chen saw several old acquaintances.

Among them were Meng Xing, Kong Qing, and Zhang Ming, all of whom were fellow academy disciples from the same cohort.

"Senior Brother Lin, I’m just going to the Yan Kingdom to join in the excitement."

Upon seeing Lin Chen, Meng Xing was the first to approach, explaining with a smile. Although his strength was not bad, he couldn’t compare with the veteran disciples. This trip to the Yan Kingdom was more to observe the competitions and to accumulate some experience for the next ranking tournament.

"Meng Xing, we are all in the same boat."

Kong Qing and Zhang Ming also came over, both of them holding great respect for Lin Chen. Back when Senior Brother Lin fought against Sihe Martial Arts Academy and Pilgrim Martial Arts Academy in Lingxiao City, they had already been thoroughly convinced of his prowess.

Among this cohort of the Four Great Martial Arts Academies, Senior Brother Lin was unanimously recognized as the strongest.

"We three are the same, but don’t include Senior Brother Lin. Senior Brother Lin is already eighth on the Earth List; he will definitely compete this time."

Meng Xing pouted, but Kong Qing shook his head upon hearing this: "Senior Brother Lin shouldn’t compete."

"Kong Qing, what do you mean by that?"

Meng Xing glared at Kong Qing, who hurriedly explained to Lin Chen: "Senior Brother Lin, I don’t mean that you’re not qualified to compete, but that it might be better not to compete."

"I agree with Senior Brother Kong on this, Senior Brother Lin shouldn’t compete in this ranking tournament."

Beside them, Zhang Ming chimed in, suggesting that while Canglan Martial Arts Academy’s ranking might not matter much, if Senior Brother Lin competes and the academy still doesn’t secure a good position, it might negatively impact Lin Chen.

"I understand your concerns, but whether I compete or not is up to the instructor to decide."

Lin Chen replied with a smile, knowing that Kong Qing and Zhang Ming meant well. This ranking tournament would undoubtedly be filled with strong contenders from many countries, and Liang’s younger generation had already come to rely on him to turn the tide. If he couldn’t meet expectations this time, it would surely disappoint some and affect his reputation.

"Indeed, we are overthinking it; the instructors will certainly consider everything more thoroughly than we can."

Kong Qing smiled apologetically; Senior Brother Lin was now an indispensable figure among Liang’s younger generation, and the Military Affairs Department would certainly take good care of him. This time, it was likely that Senior Brother Lin would simply observe, like them.

While Lin Chen was conversing with Zhang Qing and the others, the veteran disciples from the Four Great Martial Arts Academies were also exchanging greetings. Although they had competed before, during this ranking tournament, they united against common enemies.

"Absurd! How can you send Lin Chen to the Yan Kingdom!"

In the main hall of Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, Hou Zhantian was glaring at Vice Director Chen from Canglan Martial Arts Academy.

"Dean Hou, this decision was made by the academy’s dean, and Lord Kong also agreed to it."

Vice Director Chen spread his hands, and upon hearing that Lord Kong agreed, Hou Zhantian’s expression softened slightly.

"Lord Kong must have deeper reasoning for this arrangement, but once in the Yan Kingdom, sending any disciples from Canglan Martial Arts Academy requires my approval."

Hou Zhantian’s tone improved. He would be leading disciples from the Four Great Martial Arts Academies to the Yan Kingdom, with each of the other three academies assigning a vice director.

This had always been the protocol during past academy ranking tournaments. Last year, it was the dean of Qingyun Martial Arts Academy who led, and this year, it was Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy’s turn.

"Since the academies have finalized their lists, I will submit them to the United Martial Arts Academy, and we will depart for the Yan Kingdom tomorrow."

Seven days before each ranking tournament, all major academies were required to submit the list of participating disciples, and this year was no exception.

...

...

Yan Kingdom.

"Princess, this is the list submitted by Liang of the disciples from the Four Great Martial Arts Academies."

Su Qin hurriedly approached Murong Yan with a list in hand: "Lin Chen is on it."

"Hmm."

Murong Yan was not surprised; it was within her expectations.

"Have you gathered information on the disciples from the other countries?"

"I’ve already collected it, but our Yan Kingdom’s..."

"Give it all to me."

Hearing Murong Yan’s words, Su Qin had a peculiar expression. The princess seemed to be so focused on Lin Chen that she disregarded her own academy.

"Every time our Yan Kingdom participates in a ranking tournament, we only rank in the middle. Liang and our Yan Kingdom have little chance of encountering each other."

Seeing Su Qin’s peculiar expression, Murong Yan offered an explanation, but only she knew what she truly thought.