Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 62: Chapter 58: Unrecognized Genius, Only Because You’re Not Genius Enough

Jingshui Martial Arts Hall Master, Zeng Qingyao’s courtyard.

Kong Yinglei led Lin Chen inside, seeing the senior sister standing in the courtyard holding a horizontal saber, she immediately gave Lin Chen a signal to keep quiet.

Lin Chen looked at this Hall Master Zeng, standing motionless in the courtyard with the saber, eyes filled with curiosity.

”Senior sister is comprehending the Blade Spirit, this is entering the grade...”

Bam!

Kong Yinglei’s words were not finished when it happened.

Zeng Qingyao slashed out with the saber, a silver light swept across, plunging into the pond in the courtyard.

In an instant!

The entire pond burst like a silver bottle, countless water droplets shot out like sharp arrows across the courtyard.

Special effects!

Lin Chen’s pupils constricted, he actually saw martial path special effects.

How is this different from the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms in TV dramas from his previous life?

So, grade-entering martial artists can create special effects?

...

...

Then what about the stronger martial artists?

Those seventh grade, sixth grade, fifth grade ones, won’t they have background music playing when they make a move?

Thinking about it carefully, Lin Chen felt that it might really be possible.

The Clear Wind Palm he practiced, with gusty winds howling when striking, and the Water Cloud Palm with the sound of waves, not even at great success or perfection yet...

The water droplets dispersed, Zeng Qingyao sheathed her saber.

”Junior sister, what is the matter?”

Zeng Qingyao looked at Lin Chen following her junior sister, raising her eyebrow, knowing her junior sister, bringing Lin Chen here must have a special reason.

Today is the day for the internal ranking competition for new students, the allocation of top-grade quota benefits, Junior Sister Kong isn’t the type to procrastinate, the results of the competition must already be out.

But even if Lin Chen was given a top-grade quota, there was no need to bring him to her, Junior Sister could decide on many things in the martial arts hall on her own.

”Senior sister, Lin Chen has mastered the Water Cloud Palm!”

”Mastered the Water Cloud Palm?” Zeng Qingyao looked at Lin Chen in surprise, if she remembered correctly, last time Junior Sister Kong mentioned Lin Chen had also mastered the Clear Wind Palm.

So, dual mastery of the grade-entering cultivation techniques?

Such high martial path comprehension?

”Indeed.”

Zeng Qingyao was also quite satisfied with Lin Chen, even slightly surprised, but not enough to lose her composure.

”Senior sister, Lin Chen took only seventeen days to master the Water Cloud Palm.” Kong Yinglei continued.

”Hmm... very good.”

Zeng Qingyao’s gaze towards her junior sister carried a hint of doubt, has her junior sister changed her nature today?

With her junior sister’s character, she should have explained Lin Chen’s situation all at once, why was she saying it bit by bit today?

Seventeen days to master the Water Cloud Palm should also be due to experience from practicing the Clear Wind Palm.

The Clear Wind Palm and Water Cloud Palm have similar styles, they can be referred to before great success.

”Besides practicing the Water Cloud Palm, Lin Chen also learned the ’Flying Swallow Technique’, and has learned the first five moves of it.”

Zeng Qingyao’s eyes narrowed, her petite face showing a trace of shock, but quickly composed herself.

”Ahem... not bad, such martial path comprehension, ranking close to the top ten among martial arts hall disciples in Poyang County in the past ten years.”

Listening to Hall Master Zeng’s praise, Lin Chen’s expression was a bit odd, not because he was surprised by the praise, but surprised by Hall Master Kong’s way of speaking...

”Alas, it’s a pity Lin Chen should focus on the ’Flying Swallow Technique’, yet this boy said he also diverted his attention to practice the Clear Wind Palm.”

Kong Yinglei spoke again, shaking her head with a look of regret.

”Junior sister, you are too greedy, though the ’Flying Swallow Technique’ is an ordinary technique, its difficulty is second only to grade-entering techniques. Being able to learn five moves in such short time and also mastering the Water Cloud Palm is already very impressive, how much time could Lin Chen spare even if he practiced the Clear Wind Palm?”

Zeng Qingyao smiled slightly, looking at Lin Chen: ”Am I right?”

Faced with the confident smile of his hall master, Lin Chen felt a little uneasy. If he couldn’t see what Hall Master Kong intended by now, he might as well have lived his past life in vain.

In the battles of the big shots, it’s best for a small fry like him not to get involved.

So, he chose to respond with a silent silly smile.

”Senior Sister is right!”

Kong Yinglei immediately picked up the conversation, smiling as she said: ”I also think since Lin Chen has joined our Jingshui Martial Arts Hall and mastered the Water Cloud Palm, there’s no need to waste time on the Clear Wind Palm, it’s most important to first practice one technique to small success.”

”Yes, that’s the reason.” Zeng Qingyao nodded slightly, looking seriously at Lin Chen: ”Lin Chen, being able to master both the Clear Wind Palm and Water Cloud Palm proves your high comprehension in the martial path, yet the higher the comprehension, the less you should waste it.”

”A martial arts genius with comprehension like yours is not unheard of in Poyang County, but no one has ever simultaneously cultivated two Grade-Entering Techniques. The reason is simple: cultivating two such techniques at the same time is too challenging. It’s better to focus on mastering one technique first, achieving Small Success, before considering anything else.”

Lin Chen continued to maintain an awkward smile...

”Senior Sister, you said Lin Chen hasn’t devoted much time to practicing the Clear Wind Palm, and should focus on mastering one technique first. But Lin Chen’s Clear Wind Palm has already reached Small Success.”

The knifepoint appears as the map is exhausted!

Kong Yinglei finally revealed her sharp fangs.

Zeng Qingyao was taken aback, her expression frozen, but as they say, the older ginger is spicier.

The next moment, Zeng Qingyao’s eyes were fixed on Lin Chen, her entire being emanating a fierce aura: ”Lin Chen, you’ve achieved Small Success in the Clear Wind Palm?”

”Senior Sister, I personally verified it. I had Lin Chen demonstrate the Clear Wind Palm in front of me. Do you think I could be so mistaken as to miss it being Small Success?”

Kong Yinglei was overjoyed at heart. All these years, only her Senior Sister’s words could keep her in suspense and show off mysteries. Today, she finally managed to reclaim the stage once.

Seeing Hall Master Zeng’s stern face and fierce gaze, Lin Chen didn’t dare to continue showing off like Hall Master Kong. Instead, he replied, ”Disciple has indeed achieved Small Success in the Clear Wind Palm.”

”Good, it seems Heaven blesses our Jingshui Martial Arts Hall.”

Receiving Lin Chen’s confirmed answer, Zeng Qingyao suddenly let out a loud shout, looking up to the sky with a serious expression.

First there was Jiang Qing, now there is Lin Chen!

Heaven blesses Jingshui Martial Arts Hall.

Zeng Qingyao’s serious demeanor made Kong Yinglei lose her desire to tease her Senior Sister in an instant.

Seeing her Junior Sister’s teasing expression fade, a sly light flashed in Zeng Qingyao’s eyes; Junior Sister is still too young.

”Lin Chen, you’ve reached Small Success in the Clear Wind Palm, and have also mastered the Water Cloud Palm. You have a chance to meet the criteria for genius students set by the Military Affairs Department.”

Upon hearing her Senior Sister’s words, Kong Yinglei was also reminded, and her expression became serious as she murmured, ”Could my Senior Sister be referring to the second criterion for the genius students of the Military Affairs Department?”

”On the Martial Path, comprehension is extraordinary, understanding ten from hearing one, grasping its true meaning!”

Kong Yinglei originally hadn’t thought of the criteria set by the Military Affairs Department for genius students, not because she didn’t know it, but because she simply hadn’t thought in that direction. In the past twenty years since this criterion was established, only one person has achieved it.

Scholar Jiang!

Back then, Scholar Jiang met the first criterion for genius students set by the Military Affairs Department: on the Martial Path, like a dragon leaping over clouds, a phoenix singing at dawn, progressing at an incredible speed.

”Senior Sister, do you think Lin Chen has a chance to meet the second criterion for genius students?”

Kong Yinglei was a little excited, and Zeng Qingyao softly said, ”The second criterion for genius students targets comprehension. If a student can cultivate one Grade-Entering Technique to Perfection within half a year, or cultivate two techniques to Great Success, they have a chance to be selected as a genius student.”

Listening to the two Hall Masters’ conversation from the side, Lin Chen also fell into contemplation.

From their conversation, it seems the Military Affairs Department has criteria for determining genius students. Regarding comprehension, one must cultivate a technique to Perfection within half a year, or two techniques to Great Success.

The conditions are indeed stringent.

But there is still a chance. He didn’t dare claim Perfection, but based on his current progress in the Clear Wind Palm and Water Cloud Palm, he might just have the chance to cultivate both to Great Success in the remaining over three months and give it a shot.

”May I ask the Hall Master, what incentives are there for genius students?”

”What incentives there are, the Military Affairs Department does not disclose publicly. But back then, Lord Jiang was selected as a genius student, and soared to great heights thereafter.”

Zeng Qingyao shook her head. The Military Affairs Department hadn’t clearly informed them of the rewards for genius students. In the entire Poyang County, only Lord Jiang was selected in the past twenty years.

”What can be confirmed is that once selected for the genius list, entering the Grade is within reach.”

In Zeng Qingyao’s view, although Scholar Jiang was exceptionally talented back then, breaking through over a dozen acupoints within a few months, it would still be impossible to enter the Grade in just two years.

The main reason Scholar Jiang was able to enter the Grade so quickly was due to being selected for the genius list of the Military Affairs Department, receiving their special training.

”So that’s how it is!”

Lin Chen suddenly realized. Initially, he had thought that in a country with a complete martial arts cultivation system, there would be no reason not to have special treatment for geniuses.

It was due to not meeting the standard for geniuses.

It’s like asking an elementary student to understand plans like Strong Foundation or the IMO gold medal; it would be too far-fetched.

”As for the genius criteria of the Military Affairs Department, now that you’re aware, it’s enough. Compared to this matter, what’s more important for you now is the first round of competition at the Eight Great Martial Arts Halls next month.”

Zeng Qingyao looked at Lin Chen seriously. If Lin Chen had mastery of the Clear Wind Palm or Water Cloud Palm, or even mastery of both, she wouldn’t have brought up next month’s internal competition.

When next month arrives, there will inevitably be students at the various martial arts halls who’ve cultivated their techniques to mastery. Those who haven’t yet reached mastery will likely be close.

Lin Chen’s advantage in techniques would be completely lost.

However, having reached Small Success in the Clear Wind Palm, Zeng Qingyao saw an opportunity.

”This time, the rule set by Lord Su for the martial arts hall is to focus on the top fifty. For you students, this holds minimal direct benefits, but it significantly impacts the interests of us instructors at the martial arts hall.

”However, Lord Su will reward the top ten of the competition, with each person receiving an Acupoint Opening Pill and a reward of one hundred taels of silver.”

”The first place will receive an additional Acupoint Opening Pill.”

Hiss!

Lin Chen’s eyes lit up; these rewards were extremely generous.

Although he could open one acupoint each month using the Nourishing Acupoints Pill, the difficulty and cost of opening acupoints would significantly increase after the Ten Acupoints.

”Don’t even think about the first place. If in the remaining one month, you can open five acupoints, you might have a chance to fight for a top ten spot.”