Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Jiang Mansion’s rear garden.

Lin Chen respectfully bowed to his future mother-in-law and then took out the jade pendant.

”Back then, I was afflicted by Li Fire Body Burning, and this jade pendant released energy, protecting my meridians. If it weren’t for this jade pendant, I would have been completely consumed by the Li Fire.”

”Oh, is that so?”

Zhuang Min’s eyes widened in surprise, ”This jade pendant was given to me by a senior who also loved flowers; I didn’t expect it could save your life. It seems giving it to you was the right decision.”

Lin Chen closely watched his mother-in-law’s expression. From the moment he mentioned the jade pendant saving his life, her surprise seemed genuine. If her reaction was an act, Lin Chen thought the Oscars owed her a Best Actress award.

Could it be that he misjudged?

”Do you know the background of that elder, Aunt?”

”I do not.”

Zhuang Min shook her head slightly, ”I happened to meet that elder by chance, and because we both loved flowers, he gave me this jade pendant. It has the ability to sense and record any unique flowers and plants within its range. If it senses something new, it emits a glow.”

”So that’s how it is.”

Lin Chen came to a realization, ”It seems the elder you met must have been a remarkable person.”

”I wouldn’t know about that. I don’t have much interest in the Martial Path, unlike Qing’Er who takes after her father in this respect.”

As she said this, a hint of bitterness appeared on Zhuang Min’s face, ”Both father and daughter are obsessed with the Martial Path, and no one appreciates the exotic flowers in my garden.”

Hearing the slightly reproachful words of his mother-in-law, Lin Chen smiled wryly, knowing it was best not to comment.

After all, Senior Sister Jiang doesn’t like makeup but loves martial adornments.

”Aunt, this jade pendant is no ordinary item. I...”

Zhuang Min raised her hand to stop Lin Chen from speaking further and said with a smile, ”Since this jade pendant has saved your life and was given to you, it proves it’s destined to be yours. Besides, you’re out in the world more often than I am; you’ll make better use of it, so keep it.”

”Thank you, Aunt.”

Lin Chen didn’t refuse. The jade pendant contained innate wood attribute energy similar to Zhao Kingdom’s Mother Tree Essence, which could indeed be useful in dire situations.

”Madam, Young Master Lin, the kitchen has prepared the meal.”

At the doorway of the rear garden, a servant approached to report. Zhuang Min nodded and lifted her long skirt, ”You go ahead; I’ll return to my room and change.”

”Okay.”

...

...

Two hours later.

Lin Chen accompanied Jiang Duanchao in seeing off the guests, and after saying goodbye at the door, Jiang Duanchao’s face turned stern.

”Boy, being the top on the Hidden Dragon List’s Celestial List, do you feel very proud?”

”Uh...”

His father-in-law truly changed demeanors quickly. When he needed to satisfy his vanity, he would affectionately call him ”Nephew,” but now that he didn’t need him, it was just ”boy.”

”The path of the Martial Path is long; I know I’m still not significant in the grand scheme.”

Hearing Lin Chen’s response, Jiang Duanchao nodded approvingly, ”Not being blinded by honor and being aware of your limitations shows some self-awareness. With your current strength, no one will regard you as a junior. In future battles, no one will consider your age or that you’ve been cultivating in the Martial Path for only a few years. Once you encounter an opponent, it could be a life-or-death situation.”

A tree that stands above the others in the forest must bear the wind.

Jiang Duanchao did not advise Lin Chen to keep a low profile because he himself was not a low-profile person. Martial artists should have an indomitable spirit, although being fearless and being cautious are not contradictory.

”Currently, experts in the Han Kingdom and Zheng Kingdom see you as someone they must eliminate. If the other kingdoms have the opportunity to kill you, they will not show mercy. You will face opponents who have practiced for years, or even decades, longer than you, middle-grade martial artists.”

After speaking, Jiang Duanchao looked at Lin Chen, ”I’m telling you all this because I don’t want Qing’Er to become a widow prematurely.”

Even though his own daughter was going to fall into another man’s arms, Jiang Duanchao felt a twinge of jealousy and reluctance. However, he had to admit Lin Chen was indeed the right match for Qing’Er. Many might think it was the Jiang Family that was reaching upward.

”Uncle, middle-grade martial artists can’t do anything to me.”

His father-in-law spoke openly, and for the first time expressed no opposition to him being with Senior Sister Jiang. Lin Chen considered this and said truthfully about his current strength.

”Middle-grade martial artists can’t do anything to you?”

Jiang Duanchao gave Lin Chen a once-over and laughed, ”Could it be that you think, just because you’re the first on the Celestial List and at the peak of the Seventh Grade, that you can hold your own against middle-grade martial artists?”

”I...”

”I’m just at the Fourth Grade Realm. If I can’t beat you, not only will I not object to you and Qing’Er, but I won’t even accept a bride price.”

”Uncle, there’s no need to...”

”Come to the Martial Arts Arena with me.”

Without giving Lin Chen a chance to speak, Jiang Duanchao saw an opportunity. Although he accepted Lin Chen as his future son-in-law, Lin Chen’s bold words had given him a chance. He could give him a beating to let off some steam. This was his way of making Lin Chen learn humility, and his wife wouldn’t be upset about it.

Seeing his father-in-law eagerly heading towards the Martial Arts Arena, Lin Chen knew what he had in mind.

However, his father-in-law would be disappointed.

Martial Arts Arena.

”Master, Madame wants you to go over.”

”Understood, tell her I’ll go after instructing Lin Chen in the Martial Path.”

The old woman heard her master’s words and her expression was a bit strange. She was giving the master face by finding an excuse.

Oh well, since the master insists, then let him go.

This son-in-law... is quite cunning, refusing to reveal his strength. Madame was right; these two are destined to clash, unable to see eye to eye.

...

Jiang Duanchao clasped his hands behind his back, looking at Lin Chen in the distance: ”Make your move, I want to gauge your Martial Path strength.”

”Uncle, please be careful, my apologies.”

Lin Chen spoke politely, but he couldn’t control the upward curve of his lips.

”I should be careful? That’s simply laughable...”

Before the words finished, Jiang Duanchao’s pupils contracted suddenly, watching as Lin Chen’s aura climbed steadily—Seventh Grade, Sixth Grade, Fifth Grade... Finally stopping at just about Fourth Grade.

F-Fourth Grade?

Jiang Duanchao almost doubted his eyes and perception were playing tricks on him.

But it wasn’t over yet. At this moment, the air around Lin Chen exploded as waves of heat surged from his body, like a blazing furnace.

”You’ve reached the Fourth Grade?”

Jiang Duanchao’s throat moved, and his fingertip pressed into his palm.

The Martial Path Will flowing around this kid was clearly three parts more profound than his own, vaguely possessing the mysterious essence of the Upper Three Grades. Connecting this to the kid’s earlier warning to be careful while he couldn’t hide his smirk, Jiang Duanchao immediately understood he’d been tricked by Lin Chen.

”Yes, young nephew recently broke through to the Fourth Grade. It’s just that you didn’t give me a chance to speak, Uncle.”

”Good, really impressive, no wonder they say that Middle Grade Martial Artists can’t do anything to you.”

Jiang Duanchao ground his back teeth audibly, thinking he hadn’t given opportunity?

I interrupted you, yes, but you insisted on speaking out. Was I supposed to stop you? I just interrupted but didn’t block your mouth.

”Kid, I’ll let you know that being a Martial Artist isn’t just about reaching a realm; it’s also about the application of Martial Path Will and combat skills.”

Lin Chen didn’t respond to this. Combat skills... he had fought in tens of thousands of battles on the Martial Arts Mountain. In terms of combat experience and frequency, even lifetime Upper-Grade Martial Artists probably hadn’t fought this many battles.

This is where the martial artists of the Nine Kingdoms can’t compare to those of the Flame Dynasty. The Flame Dynasty has Martial Arts Mountain, where any martial artist under twenty, as long as they’re strong enough, can have ample opportunities to hone their combat skills in numerous battles.

Whereas in the Nine Kingdoms, without holding back in battle it’s likely someone would end up seriously injured. Unless they were enemies, no one would go all out in such practice duels.

Whoosh!

Lin Chen’s figure moved like lightning, making the first move.

The Celestial Derivation Myriad Phenomena Destruction Palm blasted out; Jiang Duanchao only saw a shadow appear overhead, a massive palm descending from the sky with a destructive aura.

”Good kid, that’s not holding back.”

Jiang Duanchao muttered inwardly, with a loud shout, clenched his right hand into a fist, and struck back at the massive overhead palm.

Boom!

The terrifying energy discharged in all directions, shattering the bluestone on the ground and sending dust swirling into the air.

The dust settled, the enormous palm disappeared, sweat beaded Jiang Duanchao’s temples, and for the first time his gaze at Lin Chen turned serious.

The power of Lin Chen’s palm had exceeded his expectations.

Despite giving his all, he ended up a bit at a disadvantage.

With such strength, no wonder he dared to claim that Middle Grade Martial Artists couldn’t touch him.

”Looks like my father-in-law’s strength is about the same as Li Yuan’s; this duel is solidified.”

Lin Chen also formed an assessment of Jiang Duanchao’s strength. Earlier he hadn’t gone all out, and now with a blink, he struck with both palms, no longer using the Celestial Derivation Myriad Phenomena Destruction Palm but the Wind and Cloud Palm.

Both palms moved, and the sound of wind and thunder roared, with countless palm shadows instantly engulfing Jiang Duanchao.

One palm, two palms, three palms...

At this moment, Jiang Duanchao felt incredibly stifled. He found himself overwhelmed by this kid, only able to defend, unable to land a blow or cause any harm.

How had this kid tempered his body to be even harder than a Fourth Grade Spirit Soldier!

After fifty breaths.

The boundless palm shadows dissipated. Lin Chen stepped back to the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, clasped his fists: ”Uncle, young nephew has exhausted his strength, I admit defeat.”

No matter the outcome, his father-in-law was an elder. Lin Chen couldn’t actually injure him, he still needed to give him some face.

Jiang Duanchao cast a complex glance at Lin Chen, his hands once again folding behind his back: ”Hmm, at your age, achieving such strength isn’t bad at all. Since your aunt is looking for me, I won’t keep you at the mansion.”

Turning around, Jiang Duanchao swiftly tucked his hands into his sleeves, avoiding showing the redness of the backs of his hands.

Aunt is looking, what does that have to do with not keeping him at the mansion?