Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Zhao Canghe wandered around the entire village with his hands behind his back, especially in the back hills and some open spaces.

”Village Chief, are you thinking about selling some more land in our village? This time we can definitely get a high price.”

Some villagers saw Zhao Canghe strolling and spoke with a smile.

”Nonsense, all you see is money, selling the village’s land without fearing to anger the ancestors.”

Zhao Canghe gave a glare, and his rebuke left several villagers stunned. Anyone else could say those words, but coming from the village chief, it seemed too out of place.

In the past, every time Lin Chen had good news, the village chief would arrange a ceremony to honor the ancestors, regardless of whether Lin Chen was present or not. First, the ancestral tablets were sold, then the land; why the sudden change now?

”I’m telling you, our Linhu Village is a treasured land; it must not be sold. I remember when I was young, a certain esteemed person once said that our Linhu Village is a Feng Shui treasure ground, a place to breed a true dragon. No amount of money can buy this land.”

Zhao Canghe now felt uncertain too, having been flipping through some notes left by the elders in the village lately, fearing he might miss any vital records.

Before, he touted Linhu Village as a Feng Shui treasure ground merely to sell the land at a high price.

Yet Lin Chen has now reached such heights; just a few days ago, he heard from some authorities that Lin Chen is now the number one in the Nine Kingdoms.

The number one in the Nine Kingdoms.

What kind of concept is that?

A status even more esteemed than that of Your Majesty.

Of course, Zhao Canghe bore no disrespect to the current emperor; the Liang Emperor still held a high position in the hearts of the people.

He simply never expected Lin Chen to reach such heights.

It’s only been a few years, and the former fisherman’s son has become the number one in the Nine Kingdoms.

Could Linhu Village truly be a Feng Shui treasure ground?

Now, he began somewhat to believe it; how else to explain Lin Chen’s situation?

In any case, the land of Linhu Village must no longer be sold. He was even considering whether to reclaim the already sold land and return the money to those who bought it initially.

Recently, a few authorities arrived, and the new County Magistrate of Poyang County specifically mentioned to him privately that should Linhu Village have any needs, they could contact the County Government Office, and they would assist.

If money was inadequate, just ask for it from the County Government Office.

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Eastern Sea Territory.

Coastal Sea Region of the Great Yan Dynasty.

At this moment, a giant ship sailed out from the dock, rushing towards the vast sea with terrifying speed.

”Why has the Dragon King Ship been mobilized?”

”The Annihilation Storm has dissipated; it should be heading to search those desolate islands.”

”Are those desolate islands worth deploying the Dragon King Ship? Aren’t they only of interest to scavenging sects and martial artists?”

On the sea, many who saw this nearly thirty-zhang high giant ship wore expressions of surprise.

In the entire Eastern Sea Territory, there are only ten Dragon King Ships, and they might not be deployed even once in decades.

”Who knows? This time the Annihilation Storm has lasted for over a thousand years. After a millennium of sedimentation, those sea islands should contain many treasures, possibly even tempting to the powerhouses of the East Sea Divine Palace.”

The East Sea Divine Palace is the premier sect in the Eastern Sea, and the ten Dragon King Ships also belong to the East Sea Divine Palace.

”Ladies and gentlemen, this time the Annihilation Storm has lasted considerably longer than usual, leading to more sects venturing out to sea.” On the deck stood several middle-aged men, and the one in the center pointed at the passing ships, smiling as he explained.

As Stewards of the East Sea Divine Palace, they looked down on those sea islands. The reason they ventured out this time was the arrival of Stewards from top-tier sects from other regions on the sea.

The Canglan Sect has a method called the Canglan Order to recruit disciples, and other sects have similar means. However, even if a lucky person from the islands is favored by these sects, they usually have to go to each sect’s location themselves.

But this time, there were actually five top-tier sects coming to the Eastern Sea Territory to welcome the disciples they have chosen.

This situation had never occurred before; Hu Yunhua understood that the prolonged duration of this Annihilation Storm probably gave rise to several talented individuals.

”Brother Hu, how many overseas islands have been discovered so far?”

”So far, 1,372 have been discovered, and usually, after each retreat of the Annihilation Storm, about a hundred more islands are found. Given the prolonged duration of this storm, it’s estimated that perhaps two hundred islands might be discovered.”

Hu Yunhua introduced the situation to everyone. The so-called dispersion of the Annihilation Storm doesn’t mean it truly disappears but rather retreats into the depths of the sea.

Since the establishment of the Flame Dynasty, the Annihilation Storm has always existed, initially appearing directly on the coast. But like tides, every disappearance results in a ten-thousand-li retreat. The next time it appears, no Annihilation Storm will occur within this several ten-thousand-li.

Over the years, with multiple retreats of the Annihilation Storm, the sea depth of the Eastern Sea Territory has reached a terrifying level.

”The reason out-sea sects are called scavengers is quite similar to fishermen picking their catches on the shore after the tide goes out. The only difference is that after the tide goes out, it will rise again, but the Annihilation Storm, after retreating, won’t return to this area.”

Hu Yunhua explained the Annihilation Storm to several Stewards from other sects.

”So does that mean no one knows the actual depth of the entire sea?”

Hu Yunhua nodded, ”Even innate sixth-realm practitioners wouldn’t dare to rashly enter the most concentrated area of the Annihilation Storm. As for those who venture to these desolate islands hoping to try their luck and inherit the Martial Path, they all stay in the outer region of the Annihilation Storm.”

”The outer region of the Annihilation Storm spans ten thousand li in depth. As long as innate realm powerhouses are cautious, they can enter. Just like now, with the retreat of the Annihilation Storm at its weakest, besides the islands that have been exposed, some innate martial artists will risk entering the outer region. However, they can only stay there for up to thirty years. After thirty years, the Annihilation Storm will strike again, and all the outer region’s Annihilation Energy will be several times its original intensity.”

After listening to Hu Yunhua’s explanation, the Stewards of each sect present nodded. They had heard of the oversea islands and the Annihilation Storm of the Eastern Sea Territory but never understood them in such detail.

Given the location of their sects, they wouldn’t come to this East Sea Territory unless by accident.

”Brother Gao, your Canglan Sect is so far from the Eastern Sea Territory; it must be for a truly extraordinary talent that you, a Steward, came personally.”

Gao Zeming listened to the man beside him and smiled, ”Not extraordinarily; I just happened to be near the Eastern Sea Territory and thought I’d pick up these disciples along the way.”

Gao Zeming didn’t want to reveal Lin Chen’s situation. All those present belonged to top-tier sects that competed with each other in the Flame Dynasty.

Before coming to the Eastern Sea Territory, he specifically visited the hall storing the Canglan Orders at the sect, learning there were seven Canglan Orders showing locations at sea.

This means besides Lin Chen, there are six others who mastered the Canglan Finger and are eligible to participate in the Canglan Sect’s entry examination.

The others on the deck smiled knowingly upon hearing Gao Zeming’s words—how could it be just a coincidence?

As an innate martial artist, even if Gao Zeming truly was near the Eastern Sea Territory, he wouldn’t typically fetch these people in person, as eligibility for the entry examination doesn’t guarantee becoming a sect disciple. How could a dignified innate powerhouse lower his status to do that?

”Brother Gao, you truly are reserved. My Celestial Yang Hall actually discovered a few excellent seeds this time, not to hide anything from you all. At just nineteen, they’ve already reached the Second Grade Realm.”

The Steward of Celestial Yang Hall, one of the twenty-four super sects, spoke, immediately sparking astonishment among the others.

Only nineteen and having reached the Second Grade Realm, this already fits the standard for inner sect disciples of various sects. Moreover, considering they come from desolate islands without the Martial Path resources found in the Flame Dynasty, their talent in the Martial Path is even more remarkable.

Having one meet the inner sect disciple standard wouldn’t warrant a Steward coming personally to fetch them, but having three or more certainly would.

PS: Had some urgent matters today, so just one Chapter. I’ll provide two big Chapters tomorrow.