Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Murong Song entered the courtyard and proactively spoke with a smile, ”Brother Hou, I have come to invite Lin Chen to the Imperial Palace.”

Compensation!

Upon hearing Murong Song mention the Imperial Palace, Hou Zhantian and Lin Chen exchanged a glance. The first thing that came to both their minds was the compensation from the Yan Country Royal Family.

However, Hou Zhantian hesitated, wondering if it was necessary to go to the Imperial Palace just for compensation.

The Yan Country Royal Family could completely send the compensation directly to their doorstep.

At this critical moment, Hou Zhantian couldn’t afford not to be cautious.

”Brother Hou, our Yan Country Royal Family specializes in Divine Soul cultivation, but some things can only be provided in the Imperial Palace. I assure you that Lin Chen will not encounter any danger at the palace.”

Murong Song could also guess what Hou Zhantian was worried about, so he used the Royal Family’s reputation as a guarantee.

”I am willing to follow Senior to the Imperial Palace,”

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen finally made the decision to make a trip to the Imperial Palace.

Since he arrived in the Yan Country, the Royal Family’s attitude has always been fair, without showing favoritism to the Han Country, which could be seen from the scores in the first round of the points competition.

”Alright, then I’ll trouble Junior Brother Chen to accompany you,”

Hou Zhantian nodded. Since Murong Song had spoken so clearly, it was evident that the compensation this time was not ordinary. He wouldn’t obstruct Lin Chen from obtaining benefits, and having Chen Shan accompany him could ensure safety along the way.

...

...

Yan Country’s Imperial Palace.

”Junior Brother Chen, please rest and wait in this side hall,”

Murong Song took Lin Chen and Chen Shan into the Imperial Palace, heading straight for the palace’s rear courtyard, eventually stopping in front of a grand hall.

”Alright,”

Chen Shan gave Lin Chen a cautious look before following the palace maid to a side hall, while Murong Song, with a smile, led Lin Chen into the main hall.

At the top of the main hall, the elderly figure from earlier stood prominently on the steps, hands behind his back, observing a mural in front of him.

”Third Uncle, Lin Chen has arrived.”

”Junior Lin Chen greets Elder Murong.”

Lin Chen spoke and bowed, as Dean Hou had already informed him of the old man’s identity present at the scene then.

One of the three First-Grade Martial Artists of the Yan Country Royal Family, and the current Emperor of Yan’s third uncle, close to a century old and has been in the First Grade for nearly thirty years.

”The Celestial Pride of Liang, indeed lives up to the name.”

Murong Zheng turned around, his elderly eyes smiling at Lin Chen, ”When I heard about a prodigy from Liang surpassing Pei Qingming in talent, I was skeptical. Pei Qingming’s Martial Path talent is already rare in this world, and yet, another prodigy emerges in such a short time. The heavens are truly favorable to your Liang. It seems I was narrow-minded.”

”Senior overpraises,” Lin Chen answered modestly.

”No need for modesty. To be able to separate your Divine Soul into Divine Thought at such a realm, you are the first in the Nine Kingdoms. At least, I have never heard of anyone accomplishing that just after Entering the Grade.”

Lin Chen squinted slightly, refraining from responding.

”The Soul Testing Stele is our Yan Country treasure, and its mysteries are well-known to our Royal Family. But since Young Master Lin chooses not to disclose, we will not divulge it either, rest assured,”

Murong Zheng noticed Lin Chen’s silence and chuckled, ”This compensation for you also relates to your Divine Thought.”

”Thank you, senior. It was by mere chance that I could separate my Divine Soul,”

Upon hearing the compensation related to Divine Thought, Lin Chen no longer remained silent and admitted it openly.

Murong Song, standing nearby, twitched slightly at Lin Chen’s words, finding him quite a pragmatic young fellow indeed.

”In the Thousand Illusion Secret Realm, I believe you obtained a red fruit...”

Murong Zheng, having understood Lin Chen’s disposition, continued before Lin Chen could respond, ”That red fruit is called the Divine Tempering Fruit; it tempers the Divine Soul and refines Divine Thought. I will give you ten Divine Tempering Fruits as compensation this time.”

Ten?

Lin Chen’s eyes contracted abruptly. Having experienced the effects of the Divine Tempering Fruit, even if subsequent ones weren’t as effective as the first, their sheer number might allow him to break through to the Fourth Tier of the Spirit Tier.

The Fourth Tier, equivalent to the Divine Soul strength of Seventh-Grade Martial Artists, and if used alongside his Thousand Mechanisms Divine Refining Technique, could instantly eliminate Martial Artists below the Middle Grade.

”Is there anything senior requires of me?”

Upon hearing Lin Chen’s inquiry, Murong Zheng’s eyes held a hint of appreciation. Faced with such a great temptation, Lin Chen could still remain calm, a rare state of mind indeed.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Lin Chen was well aware of this. Today, the person who acted against him was Lu Qiguang, unrelated to Yan Country. Even if Yan Country were to compensate, there would be no need to offer such a significant gift.

As for his relationship with Murong Yan, that was even more unlikely.

Not to mention that nothing was settled, even if it were, he was just a junior, not enough for a First-Grade Powerhouse to personally summon him and offer such significant benefits.

If gifts are given, there must be a request.

Is there something the Yan Country Royal Family needs from him?

”I need you to help with a task, but rest assured, it poses no danger to you, and regardless of the outcome, all ten Divine Tempering Fruits will be given to you.”

”If that’s the case, I am willing to give it a try,”

”Good, come with me,”

Murong Zheng didn’t delay. Tomorrow was the start of the ranking competition, and time was pressing.

Lin Chen followed Murong Zheng through the corridor behind the screen and ended up in front of a pavilion.

Two middle-aged men stood guard in front of the pavilion, but at Murong Zheng’s wave, they turned and left.

Seeing these two middle-aged guards, Lin Chen contemplated. This is the Imperial Palace, already guarded by the Forbidden Guard, and this area should be the palace’s rear, heavily guarded. Yet, despite the tight security, additional Middle-Grade Martial Artists were stationed in front of this pavilion, indicating its importance to the Yan Country Royal Family.