Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 543 - 73: The Upcoming Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament

Canglan Martial Arts Academy.

Lin Chen stood at the academy’s gate.

Even though he had traveled continuously, changing from water to land, it still took ten days from the Zhao Kingdom’s border to reach Canglan Prefecture.

His heart longed to return.

Just as Lin Chen was about to step through the academy gate, he stopped in his tracks.

A figure in white appeared in his line of sight, first walking slowly, then breaking into a run.

A fragrant breeze in his arms, a beauty in his thoughts.

Lin Chen did not ask his senior sister how she knew he would be back today and did not speak words that might spoil the mood. He reckoned that with the Hidden Dragon List updated, she knew he was safe and had been waiting at the academy gate for him every day.

"I’m sorry to have worried you, Senior Sister."

"It’s okay as long as you’re alright."

Regaining her composure, Jiang Qing blushed as she stepped out of Lin Chen’s embrace.

"Go see the director; I’m sure he has many things to discuss with you."

Jiang Qing didn’t cling to Lin Chen because she knew his disappearance saddened not only her but also the instructors and the director. Now that he was back, the director would have a lot to catch up on with him.

Especially now, with tensions rising between Liang and the Han Kingdom, many matters would be affected, including the United Martial Arts Academy.

"Alright, I’ll find you after seeing the director."

Lin Chen nodded and followed Jiang Qing into the academy, encountering few disciples along the way.

"The academy’s disciples have been in the Canglan Mountains lately. Ever since the Han Kingdom and a few others began pressuring Liang, everyone’s focus has shifted to training," Jiang Qing explained to Lin Chen.

"Sometimes, pressure can be a motivation. The Han Kingdom wants to make us yield, but they don’t realize it’s made the martial artists of Liang more united," Lin Chen smiled slightly. In the past, Liang’s martial artists, especially the junior brothers in the academy, came from decent families. For them, practicing martial arts could enhance their status and strength, but they lacked motivation.

They only needed to follow their training routines, without the need to train desperately.

They were past the stage where martial arts changed their family’s fate.

But now, the oppression from the Han Kingdom, coupled with the border blockade by other countries, had roused their anger and humiliation, converting these feelings into a driving force for diligent practice.

Lin Chen headed to the main hall, where Hua Qianwu was already waiting, along with several deputy directors.

Everyone was curious about how Lin Chen had disappeared at Canglan Lake and then suddenly appeared in the Zhao Kingdom.

"Disciple greets the director and deputy directors."

"It’s good you’re back."

Hua Qianwu spoke with a smile. The news of Lin Chen’s disappearance at Canglan Lake had weighed heavily on him. Although there was no blame in Lord Kong’s reply, Hua could sense Lord Kong’s disappointment between the lines.

In contrast, the letter from Junior Brother Jia of Linhu Village, though straightforwardly scolding, strangely brought him some comfort.

"Lin Chen, you disappeared at Canglan Martial Arts Academy; why did you appear in Zhao Kingdom?"

A deputy director asked, and Lin Chen replied after a moment of thought: "I appeared in Zhao Kingdom because I left from the direction of Canglan Sea. To avoid being discovered by the Canglan Sea Race, I had to choose the opposite direction..."

Lin Chen briefly recounted the incidents with the people from Wu Kingdom in Canglan Prefecture, including the final confrontation and destruction of the Canglan Sea Race’s stronghold treasures, and his subsequent escape in the opposite direction.

"I see, no wonder the Canglan Sea Race, who held the upper hand back then, chose to retreat hurriedly; it turns out you destroyed their lair."

The deputy directors were enlightened, having initially thought it was part of the Canglan Sea Race’s scheme.

Now it was clear that the Canglan Sea Race withdrew to protect their descendants when they discovered their lair had been attacked.

"It seems our academy overcame a crisis thanks to you, Lin Chen," Hua Qianwu smiled and proceeded to inform Lin Chen of events in the academy.

Only then did Lin Chen realize how fierce the battle between the academy and the Canglan Sea Race had been; had they not retreated, the academy might have been destroyed.

"Regarding the interference you mentioned by Wu Kingdom, the deputy directors encountered strongmen from Wu Kingdom blocking reinforcements routes after the Canglan Sea Race withdrew."

"What happened to those strongmen from Wu Kingdom?"

"They remain in Liang forever," Hua Qianwu’s eyes revealed coldness; a Second Grade martial artist was a top existence for Wu Kingdom, but this time, in collaboration with deputy directors and reinforced martial artists, they killed the two Second Grade martial artists from Wu Kingdom.

Wu Kingdom could only accept the loss without even daring to reclaim the bodies from Liang.

"Due to this incident, we also closed the border with Wu Kingdom. However, the imperial court was fully engaged in exterminating the Northern Border Demon Race, so this matter wasn’t made public. But the account is noted," Hua Qianwu explained, and Lin Chen nodded in understanding.

Liang and Wu Kingdom were separated by the sea; even if they wanted to fight, it wasn’t feasible, especially with the Northern Border Demon Race and the vigilant Han Kingdom.

Meals should be eaten one bite at a time, and accounts settled incrementally.

"Now that you’ve returned safely, I’m relieved. Come to the backyard with me; let’s see if you’ve neglected your training lately," Hua Qianwu said, prompting the other deputy directors to understand the director wanted to speak with Lin Chen privately. Lin Chen’s recounting of entering Canglan Lake had some ambiguous parts.

What was Wu Kingdom seeking beneath Canglan Lake, even to the extent of collaborating with the Canglan Sea Race?

Lin Chen hadn’t mentioned it, implying the matter held significant gravity.

The deputy directors soon excused themselves, leaving only Hua Qianwu and Lin Chen in the main hall.

"Now that it’s just us, tell me, what did you find at the bottom of Canglan Lake?"

"Director, there’s a legacy of True Monarch Canglan beneath Canglan Lake..."

Lin Chen didn’t withhold this from the director, knowing he was aware of matters involving the Flame Dynasty and wanted to explore whether the director knew more about the Canglan Sect.

"The Canglan Sect of the Flame Dynasty?"

Hua Qianwu pondered; his knowledge of the Flame Dynasty was limited, and he had never heard of the Canglan Sect.

"I’ll write to Lord Kong about this. If there’s information on the Canglan Sect, Lord Kong will reply,"

Hua Qianwu remarked, contemplating the hidden legacy beneath their academy, which had gone undiscovered despite their long history.

Of course, it wasn’t the academy’s fault; Canglan Lake’s mysterious energies enhanced a martial artist’s Martial Path Will upon entering the grade but were ineffective for middle-grade martial artists. It was impossible for them to even approach the lakebed region.

Since the academy’s founding, no directors have reached the lakebed’s center region, thus the transmission from True Monarch Canglan remained undiscovered.

Lin Chen’s opportunity to acquire the legacy was thanks to Wu Kingdom’s interruptions. If not for their breaking of the seal, causing fractures allowing entry to the lakebed, he would have never encountered the chance, regardless of potential.

"Let’s put the Canglan Sect matter aside. Are you aware of the pressure exerted by the Han Kingdom in collaboration with other countries on Liang?"

"I heard about it on my way here."

"You probably can’t go on the Earth List expedition to Ze Kingdom from the Martial Arts Garden."

"Why?"

"Yesterday, Ze Kingdom also imposed a blockade on Liang, prohibiting our martial artists from entering their borders."

Lin Chen was taken aback, realizing Ze Kingdom had also succumbed to the Han Kingdom’s influence.

"Will the Martial Arts Garden accept this?"

"The Martial Arts Garden is a neutral entity and won’t intervene in conflicts between nations," Hua Qianwu shook his head. Ze Kingdom’s decision couldn’t be overridden by force.

"The only good news is that the Nine Kingdoms United Martial Arts Academy remains unaffected by the blockade."

"Why is that?"

Lin Chen frowned, wondering why the academy remained despite countries cooperating to isolate Liang from the Han Kingdom.

"It’s because retaining the academy allows them to extract resources from Liang while expending less effort,"

Hua Qianwu sneered, enlightening Lin Chen about the pragmatic nature of these choices.

When profits arise, the pretense of blockade is put aside.

"Director, what about our Liang Martial Arts Academy then...?"

"Liang will not withdraw from the United Martial Arts Academy,"

Hua Qianwu’s eyes shone, "Those countries aim to exploit us, but we also need their martial resources, especially for you all."

"Lin Chen, for the next three months, Liang will provide academy disciples unprecedented resources."