Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Is there really a genius disciple named Lin Chen in the sect? It seems I haven’t heard of him.

”Don’t speculate, you two. Lin Chen has not yet entered the sect. I happened to come across this young lad while traveling outside, and noticed his potential isn’t bad. But whether to accept him as a disciple will depend on his future advancements in the Martial Path.”

Du Xiaofeng explained, then turned to Gao Zeming: ”If I remember correctly, Lin Chen was ranked around 40,000 in martial rankings last time. What’s his rank now?”

”Currently, it’s over 38,000.”

”Over 38,000, that’s not particularly fast progress. But considering he’s only eighteen, it’s worth observing a bit more.”

Gao Zeming listened to Elder Du, and as he observed Elder Du’s casual tone, he couldn’t help but give him a mental thumbs up.

Elder Du indeed has a way with words, spinning his tales without even revealing any flaws.

No, it’s not even a lie.

Everything Elder Du said was true. Lin Chen is indeed only eighteen and was recently ranked around 40,000. In the Flame Dynasty, such rankings and age are not particularly impressive.

But Elder Du omitted the three most crucial pieces of information.

Lin Chen was born in the Martial Arts Desolate Land.

Currently, Lin Chen has won over 60,000 consecutive matches on Martial Arts Mountain, and 38,000 isn’t the ceiling of Lin Chen’s strength.

Lin Chen mastered the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique in just one attempt.

Elder Du skillfully spoke vaguely, so even if Elder Zhao and Elder Qu came to confront him later, he wouldn’t be worried, as Elder Du indeed spoke the truth.

Zhao Yulin and Elder Qu exchanged a glance and smiled. Old Du hasn’t found any good seedlings over the years, and now he’s eager enough to take a liking to a little fellow who hasn’t even ranked in the top 10,000 on Martial Arts Mountain.

”Don’t think I’m lowering my standards for accepting disciples. Let me tell you, I haven’t provided Lin Chen with any cultivation resources. His achievements are entirely due to his own Martial Path comprehension.”

Du Xiaofeng snorted softly, a hint of dissatisfaction on his face, as Zhao Yulin laughed: ”Old Du, we’re not laughing at you. By what you say, this Lin Chen is actually quite good. Why not accept him directly as a disciple? With the treatment Canglan Sect provides to direct disciples, he should be able to break through to the Innate Realm sooner.”

”Let me think it over.”

Seeing Elder Du appearing contemplative, along with the fake smiles of Elder Zhao and Elder Qu, Gao Zeming couldn’t help but sigh, witnessing Elder Du deftly playing them both. Once Elder Zhao and the others learn the truth, they might find it hard to laugh then.

”What’s there to think about? If you believe in him, then take him in. It’s not like you’ll only accept one direct disciple.”

Zhao Yulin urged again, knowing that if Old Du took in one, there would be one less competitor among the top few disciples in this inner sect batch.

”Alright.”

After a while, Du Xiaofeng showed a resolute expression: ”In that case, I’ll take Lin Chen as a direct disciple.”

”Haha, Brother Du is decisive,” Elder Qu chimed in with praise from the side.

He and Zhao Yulin shared the same thoughts.

”Since this is such a joyous occasion, why not go to the Enrollment Hall and finalize this matter?”

Du Xiaofeng knew by Zhao Yulin’s words that he had ulterior motives, likely wanting him to register Lin Chen in the direct disciples’ name roster at the Enrollment Hall to prevent regrets later.

But who knows who has outsmarted whom. Hopefully, the old fellows will still be able to laugh once they realize Lin Chen’s true potential.

”Elder Zhao...”

Gao Zeming watched as Elder Zhao fell into Elder Du’s trap, thinking it was a gradual advancement, and sighed, anticipating that when Lin Chen arrives at the Canglan Sect, Elder Zhao will regret it deeply, and even if other Elders disagree, Elder Du can use Elder Zhao to counter.

Who says the Elders are all kind-hearted and gentle? Their minds are far more complex than those of the disciples.

...

...

Half a two-hour later, under the baffled gaze of the Enrollment Hall steward, Du Xiaofeng and the three Elders stepped out of the hall.

”Old Du, since you’ve accepted an excellent student, perhaps we should hold a banquet to celebrate?”

”Let’s wait until Lin Chen arrives at the sect first.”

Du Xiaofeng waved his hand with a serious face: ”I have matters to tend to, so I’ll take my leave first.”

Watching Du Xiaofeng’s departing figure, Elder Qu turned to Zhao Yulin: ”Senior Brother Zhao, I fear Brother Du is coming to his senses now, and is somewhat dissatisfied.”

”Hahaha, even if he realizes it now, it’s settled. Besides, Junior Brother Qu, there are several good seedlings in this inner sect batch, particularly that disciple Qiao Yuan. Don’t compete with me over him, Junior Brother Qu.”

”Senior Brother Zhao, when accepting direct disciples, we Elders must consider the disciple’s own inclinations. I can’t make the decision on this.”

Elder Qu didn’t respond directly, thinking it laughable. Qiao Yuan ranked third among the 3,000 inner sect disciples, and the top two already have mentors. Many Elders had their eyes on Qiao Yuan, and he himself was also tempted, how could he easily give up?

...

Du Xiaofeng returned to his courtyard, knowing that Gao Zeming was waiting there for him. He anticipated that Elder Du would summon him upon return, so he decided to wait.

”This Elder has taken Lin Chen as a direct disciple, but since Lin Chen is on a remote island, it’s inconvenient for me to go in person. You’ll take those two disciples to bring Lin Chen back.”

”Yes.”

Gao Zeming agreed, knowing that the two disciples were naturally Qin Yan and Gu Kong.

Elder Du was essentially exiling all three insiders from the sect, so even if other Elders knew about the acceptance, sought to investigate any mischief suspected, they would find no one to question.

Of course, Gao Zeming also realized that Elder Du wouldn’t shortchange the three of them.

”Do this well, and there will be significant rewards.”

...

On Martial Arts Mountain, Lin Chen continued to battle for three days, defeating thousands of opponents. Unfortunately, he encountered no more disciples from Canglan Sect.

In the end, he simply focused entirely on raising his ranking on Martial Arts Mountain, aiming to break into the top 10,000 as soon as possible.

Yan Kingdom.

Princess’s Mansion.

Murong Shuang looked at her two younger sisters. Among the current generation of princesses in the royal family, only her two sisters had not yet married.

”Mother received correspondence from Aunt, wanting the two of you to visit the Imperial Palace of Han Kingdom.”

”Why are we being told to visit the Han Kingdom at this time?”

Murong Xin appeared puzzled, but Murong Yan looked thoughtful and asked, ”Fourth Sister, does it have anything to do with the visitors from the Flame Dynasty?”

”Hmm, you’re right. The current visitors from the Flame Dynasty are from a sect called Nine Palaces Sect. Besides the four Elders, they also brought four young disciples.”

”Aunt mentioned in her letter that the four young disciples from the Nine Palaces Sect are all under twenty years old. One of them has reached the Fourth Grade Realm, and the other three are Fifth-Grade Martial Artists.”

Upon hearing this, Murong Xin’s eyes lit up: ”They’re under twenty and already Fifth-Grade Martial Artists, with one reaching the Fourth Grade? Isn’t this completely overwhelming for our Nine Kingdoms’ Celestial Pride?”

After saying this, Murong Xin glanced at Murong Yan: ”Wasn’t Lin Chen only Seventh Grade a few months ago?”

Murong Yan didn’t answer her fifth sister’s question. The strength Lin Chen displayed during the interrupted rankings battle a few months ago revealed him as a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist.

She already guessed Aunt’s intentions and understood why Fourth Sister looked for her and Fifth Sister.

Currently, only she and her fifth sister were unmarried, and Aunt likely wanted them to interact with the disciples from the Nine Palaces Sect.

Among the four Elders of Nine Palaces Sect, two were said to be beyond First Grade, capable of altering the entire landscape of the Nine Kingdoms.

”Fourth Sister, I won’t go.”

Murong Yan shook her head in refusal, and hearing this, Murong Shuang sighed internally, noting that her youngest sister was genuinely taken with Lin Chen—not just because of the potential he showcased, but because of who Lin Chen was himself.

”What about you, Fifth Sister?”

”I’ll go.”