Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 302: Chapter 92: Competing for Excellence in the Military Affairs Hall (Part 2)

The martial arts academy can’t possibly rely on its founders constantly donating resources, or on generations of its growing students donating resources later on.

This kind of external donation couldn’t possibly keep the academy running for hundreds of years.

”I don’t know about this either.”

Jiang Qing shook her head. She had asked her father, but her father didn’t answer the question, only told her that she would understand one day when she joined the academy.

”I plan to go to Canglan Martial Arts Academy.”

Lin Chen was taken aback, wondering what Senior Sister Jiang meant by telling him this. Was she suggesting he also choose Canglan Martial Arts Academy?

But right now, he wasn’t very familiar with the Five Great Martial Arts Academies, and none of their instructors had approached him, so he couldn’t give Senior Sister Jiang an answer at the moment.

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Lin Chen eventually didn’t stay long on the island. He followed Jiang Qing back to the instructors. Min Huanbo and Chen Ping, along with several instructors, took him off the island, returning to their Special Training Ground.

”Back already?”

Jia Nanzhu saw Lin Chen, a satisfied smile on his old face. Xu Li was to conduct one final test on the students, and Xu Li couldn’t hide anything from him, especially concerning Lin Chen. Without Jia Nanzhu’s approval, Xu Li wouldn’t dare involve Lin Chen.

”Your performance in this trial was quite good. Although there are three days left in the training, I’ve decided to take you back to the Military Affairs Hall early to meet Lord Shao.”

”I will follow the instructor’s guidance.”

With the Martial Arts Seal on his body, he could enter Martial Arts Mountain at any time, so there was indeed no need to continue staying at the Special Training Ground.

”No rush, let’s wait for the item to arrive tomorrow before leaving.”

”Items?” Lin Chen was a bit confused; he didn’t seem to have anything to take, just a few pieces of clothing he carried with him.

Seeing Lin Chen’s confused expression, Jia Nanzhu merely smiled without explaining. The items he referred to were naturally the rewards from the competitions with Min Huanbo and others.

Although he was formerly the Deputy Hall Chief of the Military Affairs Hall, in recent years, he spent considerable resources seeking breakthroughs on the Martial Path. His silver coins weren’t abundant, reflecting the predicament of martial artists with typical family backgrounds like his.

Of course, by ’typical family background’, he meant compared to the true aristocratic heirs and noble family disciples. Even in a county, the Jia Family was considered a prestigious lineage.

”Instructor, have you heard of the Five Great Martial Arts Academies?” Lin Chen suddenly asked.

”Of course, I’m aware of the Five Great Martial Arts Academies.”

Hearing Lin Chen mention the Five Great Martial Arts Academies, Jia Nanzhu stroked his beard and smiled, ”Seems someone told you about them. Understandably so, given your current demonstration of Martial Path potential, the Five Great Martial Arts Academies will undoubtedly send someone to reach out to you. Do you have any particular academy in mind?”

”I indeed heard about the Five Great Martial Arts Academies, but I don’t understand them yet, nor do I know which academy suits me.”

Lin Chen asked Jia Nanzhu because he hoped to learn more about the Five Great Martial Arts Academies from this instructor.

”Each of the Five Great Martial Arts Academies has its advantages, but for you, the main point is to see what each academy is willing to offer. Don’t rush... At this moment, those from the academies are likely more anxious than you. Once you’ve interacted with them, I’ll analyze their pros and cons for you.”

Jia Nanzhu kept a rare secret, considering Lin Chen’s potential, he could enter any of the Five Great Martial Arts Academies. It all depended on what conditions the academies would offer Lin Chen.

”Alright.”

Since Instructor Jia said so, Lin Chen didn’t insist.

That night, he continued his cultivation without distraction.

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Early the next morning.

Lin Chen and Jia Nanzhu left the bamboo grove, and the books inside the bamboo house were moved to an open space after they departed, where they were set aflame and reduced to ashes.

”Seems you’re quite pleased with the things the instructors gave you.”

Along the way, Lin Chen’s face couldn’t hide his smile, prompting Jia Nanzhu to jokingly comment.

”I am indeed very pleased.”

Lin Chen didn’t bother to conceal his satisfaction. That morning, Instructor Min brought him two items: a silver ticket for ten thousand taels. According to Instructor Min, they won some rewards against the opposing instructors during the competition, although some items were intended for Grade-Entering Martial Artists, which he couldn’t use yet, so they converted them to cash for him based on market value.

Besides the silver ticket, there was also an Inner Armor: Reversed Scale Armor.

This armor was crafted from certain demon beast scales and special silkworm silk, impervious to water and fire, resistant to blades and spears—it could withstand several rounds of attack from Grade-Entering Martial Artists.

This armor was exceptionally thin and unnoticeable on the body, yet strangely heavy, which was why Lin Chen didn’t ride a horse; it was too heavy for ordinary horses to bear.

To Lin Chen, having his Mountain Suppressing Chart cultivated to the Second Layer, his physical defense was extremely tough, yet having an additional Reversed Scale Armor was certainly another life-saving measure. Most importantly, wearing this armor required the constant circulation of his Qi Blood to resist its weight.

This was an automatic circulation under extreme pressure, not him deliberately channeling his Qi Blood, meaning that as long as he wore the Reversed Scale Armor, it was equivalent to cultivating.

Endless cultivation!

This was the greatest surprise the Reversed Scale Armor brought him.

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Hongdu Prefecture, the largest prefecture of Jiangnan Dao, and also its hub.

Xingdao Prefecture and the Military Affairs Hall were both located in Hongdu Prefecture.

Jia Nanzhu led Lin Chen into the city, heading straight for the Military Affairs Hall.

The soldiers guarding the gate of the Military Affairs Hall recognized Jia Nanzhu, saluting without any obstruction.

”Seems Instructor Jia’s status in the Military Affairs Hall is higher than I imagined.”