Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 284: Chapter 85: Second Trial at Martial Arts Mountain—Jiangnan Dao Can’t Steal the Spotlight (Part 3)

”Martial arts resources should naturally be sought by oneself. This old man feels a sense of emotion from the deeds of Lin Chen. If the youth of Liang were allowed free entry into the Martial Arts Hall, might it be possible for more geniuses like Lin Chen to emerge?”

”Old Zhuang, I disagree with your statement. Those descendants from noble families have not even left their names on Martial Arts Mountain. Lin Chen has been able to leave his name, meaning he has great fortune within himself, which has nothing to do with his humble origins.”

Another elder spoke: ”We have been in the Military Affairs Department for so many years, and those genius youths almost always have fortuitous encounters. Lin Chen most likely has one as well, just undisclosed.”

”I agree with this statement.”

The white-haired elder sitting at the head had only been smiling as he listened to the others’ discussions. Seeing that the discussion was about done, he spoke: ”Lin Chen’s deeds indeed have their bright spots. The work-study program is worth researching by our Military Affairs Department. Junior Brother Zhuang, you will be responsible for this. Develop an effective work-study program to promote across all provinces.”

The purple-clad elder’s expression became solemn upon hearing this: ”Understood!”

”It’s been a long time since we have had a talented youth leaving a name on Martial Arts Mountain. Do any of you have a good reward suggestion for this Lin Chen?”

The elders exchanged glances. The Military Affairs Department has had a reward system for youth who leave their names on Martial Arts Mountain, a system that has been in use for over a hundred years. But given that Senior Brother Kong had asked, he clearly does not intend to use the original reward system.

So, is the intention to increase the reward for Lin Chen?

Seeing the smile on Senior Brother Kong’s face and thinking about Lin Chen’s family background, the elders understood Senior Brother Kong’s intention.

The rules of the Military Affairs Department cannot be broken. For all provincial students, the genius provision is already the highest reward. Beyond that, only the year-end county and prefectural competitions offer rewards; there are no others.

As for leaving a name on Martial Arts Mountain, this is a special situation handled specially.

Certainly, Lin Chen couldn’t leave his name on Martial Arts Mountain again?

This thought only briefly appeared in the minds of a few before being dismissed.

Since Senior Brother Kong intends to increase the reward for Lin Chen, they contemplated, and after a moment, one of the elders chuckled: ”Indeed, it’s been a long time since a genius left a name on Martial Arts Mountain in Liang. To motivate other provincial youths, why not increase Lin Chen’s reward this time?”

”Senior Brother Kong, I suggest...”

Dong!

The elder hadn’t finished speaking when a bell rang out; the present elders all showed signs of surprise.

Is there another talented youth?

For a moment, the speaking elder’s mouth twitched. It’s good that Liang has another youth leaving a name on Martial Arts Mountain, but to have it happen just at this moment — isn’t this a slap in the face?

Just moments ago, he had asserted that Liang had not produced a youth genius leaving a name on Martial Arts Mountain for years, only to be proven wrong before finishing his statement.

Had it been one of those young people he knew, he would have certainly given them a good talking to.

”Let’s go and take a look. It seems our Liang has a flourishing martial fortune!”

With a smile, the leading elder stood up, followed by the other four, heading out the door together.

In the courtyard outside, new characters appeared on the massive stone wall.

”I must see who it is. Jiangnan Dao... again with Jiangnan Dao? Raozhou Prefecture... hmm? ...?”

An unimaginable notion flashed in the elders’ minds, their eyes fixated on the stone wall, waiting for the final characters to appear.

”Lin Chen!”

Upon seeing these words, even the five who were used to seeing geniuses displayed strange expressions.

It really is this youngster!

”How did this youngster achieve it?”

”In just a few days, he left his name on Martial Arts Mountain again. This... has broken the record in Liang for the shortest time between leaving names twice on Martial Arts Mountain.”

Martial Arts Mountain has been around for over two hundred years, with some geniuses having left their names multiple times. But the shortest interval was two months — never as brief as Lin Chen’s few days.

The reason being that every name left on each step of Martial Arts Mountain belongs to the strongest in that realm. Challengers always reached the pinnacle of cultivation for that acupoint, just one step from breakthrough, before challenging.

After succeeding, they would break through to the next acupoint, spending another one or two months reaching that realm’s limit before continuing the challenge on Martial Arts Mountain.

Three breaths later, Kong Qifeng’s old eyes sparkled: ”I have decided to delay Lin Chen’s reward. If he can leave his name three times, I will personally visit Jiangnan Dao to meet him.”

...

...

Guixi Dao Military Affairs Hall.

A young man entered a courtyard with confidence, bowing respectfully before an elder in the yard, saying, ”Teacher, I am now confident I can defeat Senior Liang Bo.”

The young man had opened nineteen acupoints. To leave his name on Martial Arts Mountain, he could have opened one more, but he held back for a month. A month ago, during a bout on Martial Arts Mountain with Senior Liang Bo, he managed to endure over a thousand breaths.

This month, he has grown significantly and his teacher also provided him with the cultivation technique Senior Liang Bo once practiced.

With increased strength and knowledge of Senior Liang Bo’s cultivation technique, Ye Feng was confident he could defeat Senior Liang Bo this time and leave his name on Martial Arts Mountain.

”If you succeed in the challenge, it will be a double blessing, and with the recent event in Jiangnan Dao, our Liang Martial Path will have a triple celebration.”

”Teacher, did you say someone left a name on Martial Arts Mountain recently?”

”Just a quarter of an hour ago, a new name appeared on the Martial Arts register, and it’s from Jiangnan Dao. The Hall Chief personally informed me of it. Clearly, Jiangnan Dao’s martial fortune is thriving recently.”

Neither the elder nor the Guixi Dao Military Affairs Hall considered the possibility that the two geniuses leaving names in Jiangnan Dao were the same person — the time was simply too short.

If it was two months apart or even one month, they might suspect, but with such a brief interval, they were certain it must be two individuals.

”Two people from Jiangnan Dao?”

Ye Feng was surprised, but soon his eyes gleamed with battle intent. Since Jiangnan Dao already had two who left their names successfully, he was even more determined not to give up this time.

”Go now, and bring back good news for your teacher.”

The elder stroked his beard as he watched his disciple. This disciple had matured over the past month and had a great chance of leaving his name this time.

They cannot let Jiangnan Dao have all the glory.

PS: Returning from a five o’clock meeting, I’m starting work immediately. Here’s 5,000 words first, with another 5,000 still to write. Vote for the monthly ticket!