Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Within the array.

After Zhuang Xianrong entered, flames immediately attacked, but were quickly dispersed by the strong wind around him.

”It’s turned into a sea of flames!”

Whoosh!

Zhuang Xianrong’s form transformed into a stream of light, moving through the sea of flames, but after three two-hours, he stopped. With his strength, he could not proceed any further.

”Li Fire has actually started to awaken, what’s happening here?”

Zhuang Xianrong’s face was very grim. Although Lin Chen was ranked first on the Hidden Dragon Celestial List, comparable to Seventh-Grade Martial Artists, he was not qualified in the face of Li Fire. The fact that Lord Duke agreed to let Lin Chen enter was because he knew that with Lin Chen’s strength, no mistake would occur.

In plain terms, Lin Chen couldn’t even get close to the magma river, let alone wake the Li Fire beneath the abyss.

But now the magma in the river has surged, forming a sea of flames. This is a sign of Li Fire’s awakening. He really couldn’t fathom how Lin Chen could have disturbed Li Fire to awaken it.

Unless Lin Chen jumped into the abyss!

If Lin Chen was really foolish enough to jump into the abyss, he couldn’t have reached the Seventh-Grade Realm and become ranked first on the Celestial List.

...

Three two-hours later, Zhuang Xianrong emerged from the fissure.

”How is it?”

Fang Funan saw Zhuang Xianrong return alone, his face was somewhat grim but there was still a hint of hope in his eyes.

”My lord, it’s a sea of flames inside, with no sign of any person. Li Fire should have awoken, and Lin Chen is likely in danger.”

This outcome was something no one wanted to accept, but Zhuang Xianrong still truthfully stated his judgment.

Even as a Second-Grade Martial Artist, he couldn’t withstand the flames, let alone Lin Chen.

”I must go down personally.”

Fang Funan trembled, and several men nearby quickly spoke up: ”Lord Duke, you mustn’t!”

”My lord, Li Fire wouldn’t awaken without cause. Have you considered that there might be a conspiracy involved? If you go down now, what if something happens at the border?”

Zhuang Xianrong’s words sparked a gleam of insight in Fang Funan’s old eyes: ”Do you mean this is related to the Nansha Three Islands?”

”The array has two entrances, and I don’t believe Lin Chen alone could awaken Li Fire. The issue is very likely on the Nansha Three Islands side.”

Hearing Zhuang Xianrong’s analysis, Fang Funan also calmed down: ”The Nansha Three Islands don’t have the nerve, and with Li Fire awakened, they would suffer too... But if there’s involvement from the Han Kingdom, it’s uncertain.”

”If there’s involvement from the Han Kingdom, then my lord, you mustn’t go down. The military camp needs you to hold the fort.”

A camp with the Lord Duke in command and one without him is entirely different in morale; without the Lord Duke, the camp lacks a backbone.

Fang Funan’s expression kept changing, with Lin Chen’s life uncertain inside, but considering the involvement of the Han Kingdom, and the south border of Liang...

”I understand, but I just need to go down once; it won’t be a major issue. Do not try to dissuade me; Xianrong, return to the camp immediately and watch every move on the Nansha Three Islands side.”

Fang Funan’s demeanor was resolute; he ultimately decided to go down personally, seeing the determination on the Duke’s face, Zhuang Xianrong knew he couldn’t convince him otherwise.

...

...

Nansha Three Islands.

Four elders stood before a jade stele, three of them looking very grim.

”Lord Qi, didn’t you say this matter was foolproof? Why is it out of control inside now?”

”Do not worry, Island Masters; this is merely a precursor to Li Fire’s awakening. If anyone should worry, it should be me, as we still have four warriors from the Han Kingdom inside who haven’t come out.”

At these words, the three Island Masters of Nansha Three Islands internally sneered. One Sixth-Grade Martial Artist and three Seventh-Grade Martial Artists meant nothing to the Han Kingdom. Qi Tai would hardly consider them; they likely never intended for these four to return alive.

”Lord Qi, do not forget, you promised that once Li Fire awakened, it would only spread towards the Liang Kingdom border and not towards Nansha Three Islands.”

Qi Tai stroked his beard with a smile: ”Do the two Island Masters not trust my country? Even if the worst-case scenario occurs, our State Preceptor has already promised a piece of land to host you and your people to move to once the Liang Kingdom is destroyed. At that time, you will govern the place. Compared to the small Nansha Three Islands, wouldn’t the vast Liang Kingdom satisfy the Island Masters?”

The three Island Masters exchanged glances. Their cooperation with the Han Kingdom was based on the promise made by the State Preceptor of Han.

In their view, Liang Kingdom was no match for Han, especially with Zheng Kingdom also allied with Han. By assisting Han in disrupting the southern regions of Liang Kingdom, once Han annihilated Liang, the entire territory of Liang would belong to them.

Even if Li Fire burned several pathways in the southern regions of Liang Kingdom to ashes, making them uninhabitable, the remaining land would still be hundreds of times larger than Nansha Three Islands.

”It better be so.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Tai knew the Island Masters’ stance had softened and slightly smiled: ”To be safe, you three may arrange for some kin to move to Han for the time being, with my kingdom providing escort along the way.”

Nansha Three Islands were on board and couldn’t turn back. At this moment, even if he suggested disregarding the safety of Nansha Three Islands and letting Li Fire wreak havoc, would the Island Masters still refuse?

This phrase ”to be safe” was merely to preserve a sliver of their dignity, to not tear down the facade.

The three Island Masters departed, while Qi Tai surveyed the rift beneath the jade stele, feeling the heat waves continuously surging from within, his face losing its previous smile.

According to the State Preceptor’s plan, Zang Qing and the others couldn’t all perish inside; at least Zang Qing should be able to return with information.

Did something unexpected occur inside?

Or did the State Preceptor underestimate the power of Li Fire’s awakening?

Let’s hope it’s the latter.

...

...

The next day.

Demon-Suppressing City, Northern Border of Liang

Having just eradicated the Demon Race, the Northern Garrison Army was methodically setting up camp.

Suddenly, smoke signals arose from the high point of the city wall.

”Enemy attack!”

”Enemy attack!”

In the next moment, the drums in the camp sounded, and all soldiers gathered immediately.

One hundred thousand troops from Han Kingdom marched southward to besiege the city.

Xiao Yaojin stood beside his father, gripping a long spear, coldly eyeing the distant icy plains horizon and the massive advancing army.

Northern Garrison, guarding not only against demons but also against Han.

...

Lingxiao City.

Thousands of ships appeared in the sea outside Lingxiao City.

Each ship bore different flags, each flag displaying a totem of a demon beast.

Zheng Kingdom, its nobility colluding with the Demon Race.

Fifty thousand warriors with demon beast bloodline charged from the sea towards Lingxiao City.

...

In Liang, within days, the third round of twelve bell tolls echoed throughout the nation.

An hour after the bell tolled, all citizens of Liang received an edict from the current Emperor: ”A Notice to the Citizens of the Nation.”

The national war has officially begun.