Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 72: Chapter 68: I Truly Believe This Person’s Strength Is Not Inferior to Mine

Numb!

On the arena, Fu Ang only felt a coldness in his heart.

I just wanted to regain face, I didn’t really want to fight you.

The pain of the knife cutting flesh, he didn’t want to experience it a second time.

Lin Chen couldn’t see Fu Ang’s facial expression, not knowing Fu Ang’s inner thoughts at this moment. He just seemed to see a confusion in the other’s eyes.

Was it an illusion?

Or was he deliberately trying to confuse me?

Lin Chen focused and stayed alert. The last time his opponent lost to him, he should have known that his Clear Wind Palm had reached Small Success stage, yet he still wanted to challenge him again. It was possible that besides having a breakthrough in realm, he might also have made progress in his cultivation technique.

Clear Wind Palm and Water Cloud Palm could both deal later strikes to take control, and the Iron Bone Skill’s fighting style was very rough and fierce, so he wasn’t afraid to let his opponent make the first move.

The Iron Bone Skill didn’t have the rhythm of a violent storm, so Lin Chen wasn’t afraid of being caught in the rhythm of his opponent’s technique if they attacked first.

Lin Chen remained still, and Fu Ang was even less willing to move.

On the arena, both stood quietly.

But below the arena, the watching martial artists were not having it.

Are you two putting on a show of horse stance?

Showing off your solid stances?

”Senior Brother Lin has fought Fu Ang before?”

Lu Yongfeng had already returned to Zhao Jingchuan and Cheng Ying’s side at this moment, curiously asking as he watched the two still figures on stage.

”We didn’t know Senior Brother Lin had defeated Fu Ang before, but just before Fu Ang issued the challenge, Senior Brother Lin said that Fu Ang’s strength was not below his own.”

Zhao Jingchuan repeated Lin Chen’s words.

”The disciples from the Mountain Shaking Martial Arts Hall are indeed not easy to deal with. It’s said that Fu Ang has already mastered the Iron Bone Skill. Whether Senior Brother Lin can win this battle is really hard to say.” Lu Yongfeng’s eyes showed some concern.

”I still believe Senior Brother Lin will win.” Zhao Jingchuan looked determined. For some reason, ever since the Martial Arts Hall, he has always had confidence in Senior Brother Lin.

On the arena.

Fu Ang looked at Lin Chen and asked in a deep voice, ”Are you a veteran student or a new batch?”

Lin Chen pondered for a moment: ”New student.”

After honestly answering, Lin Chen noticed Fu Ang’s gaze changed, with confusion replaced by fighting spirit.

”Then let’s do it.”

Having gotten the answer, a trace of fear in Fu Ang’s heart dissipated.

The ”dull knife cutting flesh” pain indeed made him fearful, but that premise was based on the opponent being a veteran student.

As a new student fighting a veteran, he wouldn’t have that kind of masochistic mentality.

But since the opponent was a new student, this meant he was a competitor. If he were afraid of pain and feared his competitor, then why practice martial arts at all?

Feeling the opponent’s fighting spirit, Lin Chen didn’t delay anymore. Since the opponent wasn’t going to make the first move, then he would.

Swish!

With his foot stepping forward, Lin Chen’s figure traced a fleeting shadow, reaching Fu Ang instantly, while his right palm fiercely struck out, slicing through the air like a blade, making a ”sizzle” sound.

Fu Ang’s eyelid twitched, he didn’t choose to block with his arm, but instead, his robust body made a nimble turn, stomping down fiercely, causing the arena to tremble.

Using the rebound force from underfoot, Fu Ang, with a gust of wind around him, crashed into Lin Chen like a moving mountain.

Unlike the last time, this time Fu Ang used his back to ram.

The hardest part of the Iron Bone Skill is the back.

Fu Ang’s speed was swift, but for Lin Chen, it wasn’t a big deal.

Faced with Fu Ang’s charge, he could choose to evade, but in this fleeting moment, Lin Chen ultimately decided to take it head-on.

He wanted to test how strong the Iron Bone Skill’s defense was.

Seeing Lin Chen decide to take the hit, several masked martial artists below the arena had mocking expressions in their eyes.

What an arrogant fool!

The mastery level Iron Bone Skill’s back, unless surpassing two acupoints, was difficult to breach its defense, even with Iron Blood Martial Arts Hall’s Iron Collapse Fist.

The Clear Wind Palm landed on Fu Ang’s back with a loud ”bang,” akin to the clashing of metal, causing Fu Ang’s body to pause, but joy appeared on his face.

Blocked it!

Feeling the recoil through his palm, Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. The Iron Bone Skill’s defense indeed was astonishingly strong, but it wasn’t enough!

Bam!

Lin Chen struck out with another palm, this time the power of his Clear Wind Palm increased a bit more.

Bam bam bam!

Three consecutive palms!

The audience was dead silent.

Everyone watched as Fu Ang’s high-raised back slowly bent.

Several martial artists had intense shock in their eyes, their gazes fixed on Lin Chen’s palm.

Hiss!

Fu Ang, being the one involved, grimaced beneath his mask.

Pain!

It hurts so much!

The first palm was fine, but the second one almost knocked him down.

Has this person improved since last time?

However, this time, Fu Ang does not plan to concede. Knowing that the opponent is a new student, as long as he doesn’t fall, he won’t give up, let alone flee the arena.

Bang!

Fu Ang fell down.

After Lin Chen’s fourth Clear Wind Palm, he was completely down on the arena floor.

The scene was silent.

Countless fiery gazes fell on Lin Chen. Some were shocked, some were wary, and some couldn’t believe it...

”Is this... what Senior Brother Lin meant, that the opponent’s strength was not below his?”

Cheng Ying slightly opened his mouth, recalling the tone of Senior Brother Lin when he said this earlier.

Was Senior Brother Lin serious?

”Clear Wind Palm Small Success, Five Acupoints Realm, it seems the information the Instructor gathered was wrong.”

”A disciple from Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall was concealing their strength, now with the competition approaching, they don’t need to hide anymore?”

Below the stage, many students aiming to compete in this Eight Great Martial Arts Halls ranking, had their expressions turn serious, and they whispered to each other.

It seems necessary to reassess the conditions of all the students in different martial arts halls.

Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall is hiding something, but perhaps so are the others, and deep down in their hearts, they know their own halls may have hidden strengths too.

The fortunate thing is that this person is at Five Acupoints, which is relatively low, so there’s not much to worry about.

”Thank you for letting me win.”

As Lin Chen walked down from the stage, Lu Yongfeng whispered to Zhao Jingchuan and Cheng Ying, ”Don’t approach Senior Brother Lin yet. You two didn’t wear masks, it might expose Senior Brother Lin’s identity, and I see many people here are watching him closely.”

Lu Yongfeng surveyed the crowd; since Senior Brother Lin used the Clear Wind Palm, without revealing his identity, people would only suspect that he is a disciple of the Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall, which would be advantageous for him in future battles, likely making opponents underestimate him.

Fu Ang stood up from the stage, took a deep look at Lin Chen’s departing back, then jumped down from the stage, heading straight towards the exit, without stopping, and no one was foolish enough to block or mock him.

Lin Chen, after leaving the stage, noticed Lu Yongfeng and the others also heading for the courtyard gate. A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes, but the next moment he understood their thoughts.

They avoid contact with him to not expose his identity.

Lu Yongfeng and the others are from Kaohe Town together, standing with him would make it easy for those with intent to discover his identity.

Lin Chen could feel the wary and speculative gazes of the martial artists around him, but he didn’t care; he followed Fu Ang and left the arena.

At Zhao Jingchuan’s elder’s residence, as Lin Chen stepped into the courtyard, he saw Lu Yongfeng and the others.

”Senior Brother Lin, you’ve been so overly modest.”

As soon as Lin Chen entered, Cheng Ying shook his head and said, ”When you took the stage to face Fu Ang, we were worried for a long time.”

Modest?

Lin Chen explained, ”I wasn’t being modest, I truly felt Fu Ang’s strength was not below mine, maybe he was deliberately hiding his prowess.”

Lin Chen wasn’t overly proud of defeating Fu Ang.

Listening to Lin Chen’s words, Lu Yongfeng’s pupils shrank; he was pleased earlier for defeating a disciple from Mantis Martial Arts Hall, but now he calmed down instantly.

Senior Brother Lin was right, winning in the ring doesn’t mean much, perhaps the opponent didn’t give their all, or underestimated him.

Zhao Jingchuan smiled faintly, still thinking Senior Brother Lin was too modest.

”Senior Brother Lin, you’re already at Five Acupoints, there’s a good chance of making it into the top ten this competition.”

”Hard to say, Fu Ang is ranked second among the new batch in Mountain Shaking Martial Arts Hall, and there’s one above him, not to mention each hall has their top-ranked student, taking up eight spots.”

Upon hearing Lin Chen’s reply, Lu Yongfeng and the others fell silent, he was indeed right.

The top of each martial arts hall this batch is exceptionally strong, already stepping into Seven Acupoints, with high proficiency in cultivation techniques.

And there are quite a few at Six Acupoints, with thirteen days remaining, some might reach Seven Acupoints.

A moment later, Lu Yongfeng raised his eyes and said, ”If Senior Brother Lin reaches Six Acupoints, the top ten would be certain.”

”Right, Senior Brother Lin, if you reach Six Acupoints, it would be secured. If you’re short on money, I can provide some more.”

Zhao Jingchuan agreed and looked at Lin Chen, ”Senior Brother Lin, besides the Nourishing Acupoints Pill, you can buy some Rare Bird Meat.”

”I have enough money for now,” Lin Chen waved his hand, seriously saying, ”The martial arts hall just gave me some silver coins.”

”Isn’t it against the rules for the martial arts hall to give you money?”

Cheng Ying spoke, then quickly covered his mouth, nervously glancing around, worried someone might have overheard.

The martial arts hall doesn’t secretly provide resources and money just because they value a martial artist, they all know this iron rule.

”It’s not against the rules, it’s a reward set by the martial arts hall, approved by the Martial Affairs Office.”

Lin Chen didn’t elaborate, but upon hearing this, Lu Yongfeng and the others were even more astounded.

Cheng Ying and Zhao Jingchuan knew there were rewards, but they never concerned themselves with this since they wouldn’t qualify, only knowing those who could receive rewards weren’t ordinary people.

Lu Yongfeng looked incredulous, as he remembered the information he noted when joining the martial arts hall.

The reward for martial arts realms wasn’t applicable, so it was likely due to the proficiency in cultivation techniques.

Martial Arts Techniques reach Small Success within three months; the reward is twenty taels.

So, Senior Brother Lin had already achieved Small Success in the Clear Wind Palm?

After the initial shock, Lu Yongfeng realized this made sense. Without achieving Small Success in Clear Wind Palm, how could Senior Brother Lin have defeated Fu Ang?