Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Canglan Domain.

An ancient land of vast expanse, once home to many powerful beings.

Noble Families, Royal Dynasties, Sects...

Countless forces intertwine, but these forces will all fade with time, except for one that remains eternal.

Canglan Sect.

The everlasting sect of Canglan Domain, and its ruler.

”Canglan Domain has eight great families, thirty-six royal dynasties, each with territories larger than your Liang Kingdom. There are many sects at present...”

From the Eastern Sea to the Canglan Domain, it takes a month and a half.

Normally, journeying from the Eastern Sea to the Canglan Domain takes at least three months, but Gao Zeming borrowed two Celestial Flying Horses from the Eastern Sea and took Lin Chen ahead, while Qin Yan and Gu Kong led other disciples at a slower pace.

It wasn’t that Gao Zeming was showing favoritism, but because he received a message from Elder Du, instructing him to bring Lin Chen to the sect quickly.

Celestial Flying Horse, travels a hundred thousand miles a day.

Upon entering the territory of Canglan Domain, Gao Zeming began to introduce Lin Chen to the situation in Canglan Domain.

”The ancestors of the eight great families have ties with our Canglan Sect, with many patriarchs being past Sect Leaders of our Canglan Sect. Many of those royal dynasties’ royal families were also established by Sect Elders of our Canglan Sect...”

Listening to Gao Zeming’s introduction, Lin Chen gained an understanding of the power dynamics in Canglan Domain.

In Canglan Domain, Canglan Sect is the undisputed overlord, dominating everything in Canglan Domain. Under such circumstances, all forces in Canglan Domain have intricate relationships with Canglan Sect.

”Who goes there?”

As they passed by a massive city, a loud shout came from below, startling the Celestial Flying Horse beneath Lin Chen.

”Canglan Sect’s Steward Gao Zeming!”

Gao Zeming exuded an aura and replied in a loud voice, covering the surroundings with his presence, stabilizing the Celestial Flying Horse beneath Lin Chen’s feet.

Below, there was no response.

With a stern expression, Gao Zeming led Lin Chen over the border of the giant city, then smiled again, ”Lin Chen, we just passed the capital of the Celestial Vault Dynasty. The powerful members of the Celestial Vault Royal Family didn’t know we were disciples of Canglan Sect, which is why they questioned us.”

”Understood, Disciple knows.”

Lin Chen’s expression remained unchanged, but he understood in his heart that the situation was likely not so simple.

Innate Martial Artists can project their energy, perceiving situations hundreds to thousands of feet away, and given that he and Gao Zeming were riding Celestial Flying Horses, he didn’t believe that the forces of the Celestial Vault Dynasty couldn’t guess that the visitors might be from Canglan Sect.

However, since Gao Zeming didn’t openly mention it, he pretended to be oblivious.

...

...

Nine days later.

The vast cities around them disappeared, and a mountain range spread before them. In front of this mountain range, layers of ice-blue clouds and mist appeared in the sky.

”Canglan energy?”

Lin Chen’s pupils contracted. So much Canglan energy had transformed into clouds and mist, concealing the entire area. It was incredible.

A man on horseback finds the mountains forever distant.

Lin Chen didn’t know how large the area covered by the Canglan Clouds and Mist was, but judging solely from the size of the mountains, it was no smaller than Liang.

”Up ahead is our Canglan Sect. Canglan Sect is located in the very center of Canglan Domain, surrounded by mountains on all sides. This Canglan energy is both the foundation and the Sect Protection Array of Canglan Sect.”

Seeing the awe on Lin Chen’s face, Gao Zeming smiled. Every new disciple of Canglan Sect was shocked by the sight before them; he had been the same way.

”We cannot continue flying high here.”

Gao Zeming led Lin Chen in controlling the Celestial Flying Horse to descend. In fact, without Gao Zeming’s reminder, Lin Chen wouldn’t have continued flying high. Having ridden this Celestial Flying Horse for nearly a month, he was quite familiar with it.

As they approached the mountains, the Celestial Flying Horse no longer flew smoothly, showing signs of anxiety and unease.

The two descended quickly, and Lin Chen noticed within the mountains below, clusters of buildings—ancient and solemn, with pavilions and towers spread out in groups. At the mountain’s foot, cities and marketplaces were densely packed.

Huff!

The Celestial Flying Horse crossed over the outer mountains, descending towards the ancient and solemn halls below.

This was the location of Canglan Sect.

As soon as the horse landed, several figures appeared out of nowhere and landed around them.

”Senior Brother Gao?”

The leading middle-aged man, upon seeing Gao Zeming, relaxed his previously stern expression. In Canglan Sect, Innate Martial Artists were not allowed to fly without sect permission, but Senior Brother Gao was a sect steward and wouldn’t ignore such rules. Since he dared to do so, there must be a reason.

”Senior Brother Gao, junior’s duty is at stake.”

Gao Zeming nodded with a smile and said, ”I have brought a disciple back to the sect on the order of an elder, and the horse’s entry was permitted by the elder.”

”I see, I hope Senior Brother Gao won’t mind; junior is just doing his duty.”

The eyes of these middle-aged men all fell on Lin Chen. Being a disciple that warranted an elder arranging for Senior Brother Gao to bring, and directly riding a horse through the mountains into the sect—this was not a common occurrence.

”Then we won’t disturb Senior Brother Gao further.”

The patrol leader left these words and then took the others away.

”Each area of the Canglan Sect has patrols, led by an Innate Martial Artist. If a disciple violates sect rules, the patrol can directly apprehend them and take them to the Law Enforcement Hall for punishment, even we stewards cannot be exempted.”

Gao Zeming noticed Lin Chen’s thoughtful look and explained with a smile. In the entire Canglan Sect, those with special privileges, besides the elders, were perhaps only those few Celestial Pride disciples.

”Let’s go, we’ll head directly to the Elder Hall.”

Although Elder Du had instructed him to bring Lin Chen over, knowing that other elders were also interested in Lin Chen, Gao Zeming dared not do so.

If Lin Chen were really accepted as a direct disciple by Elder Du, those elders might not have an issue with Lin Chen, but they would definitely be dissatisfied with him. His tiny arms and legs couldn’t withstand the wrath of several elders.

However, he still needed to give Elder Du a heads-up. Before going to the Elder Hall, Gao Zeming made a special trip to the Task Hall, asking a disciple there to find Elder Du and tell him that Gao Zeming had completed the task given by the elders.

He imagined that once Elder Du got the news, he would rush to the Elder Hall immediately.

...

...

The Elder Hall.

At this moment, Qu Guanfu, along with Du Xiaofeng, Zhao Yulin, Zhou Zhifeng, and Mei Jingfeng, were all present in the hall.

”I have already registered Lin Chen’s name in the sect, so everyone, there’s no need to compete for him.”

”Senior Brother Du, that’s not right. Lin Chen hasn’t even arrived at the sect yet, and you’ve already registered him under your name. This seems against the rules, doesn’t it?”

”Who’s saying I’m against the rules now? If I recall correctly, Zhao Yulin, you agreed to this back then, even accompanied me to register it personally. So, why are you going back on your word now?”

At Elder Du’s words, Zhao Yulin’s face turned beet red. He couldn’t believe the old fox had cunningly set him up like this.

Though Lin Chen was lost to him, he couldn’t let the old man get his way easily either.

”Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Now that I think back, that decision was indeed against the rules, and it can’t be counted. As for Senior Brother Du claiming I’m going back on my word, for the sect’s rules, I must be the bad guy and let you misunderstand.”

Understanding Zhao Yulin’s thoughts, Du Xiaofeng realized he intended for a mutual downfall.

Fortunately, ever since Lin Chen’s matter was exposed, he’d already prepared a backup plan.

”I was the first to discover Lin Chen, and if it weren’t for me, Lin Chen would have died in the Li Fire long ago. It’s only right for him to become my direct disciple.”

Du Xiaofeng glanced at the other three: ”If I can’t take Lin Chen as my disciple, then he’s ungrateful for not remembering a life-saving favor. How could such an ungrateful person join our Canglan Sect?”

Trying to flip the table, then let no one play.

Shameless old man!

Moral coercion!

The old man truly has no shame.

Qu Guanfu and the other three were momentarily stunned by Du Xiaofeng’s words, then mentally cursed him.

The old guy was using the life-saving favor as leverage, and knowing his style, it was indeed possible.

”Lin Chen is a disciple of our Canglan Sect. As a sect elder, it’s your duty to help a disciple in need. If it were any of us aware of the situation, we also wouldn’t stand by idly. How can this be used to make Lin Chen your disciple? This is coercion for repayment.”

”Yes, I’m coercing for repayment.”

With Du Xiaofeng’s words, the entire hall fell silent.

The old man’s shamelessness knew no bounds.

Stop arguing with him, wait for Lin Chen’s arrival.

On the way to the Elder Hall, Gao Zeming continued to introduce the sect to Lin Chen, particularly about the elders.

Through Gao Zeming’s introduction, Lin Chen gained a general understanding of the elders in the Canglan Sect.

The sect had a total of fifteen elders. The Great Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder were all Innate Sixth Realm experts and usually focused on closed-door cultivation, seldom involving themselves in sect affairs, while the other elders were all Innate Fifth Realm.

The elder who helped him, Elder Du, ranked seventh and was considered a veteran elder in the sect.

The rule of the Canglan Sect was that once one reached the Innate Fifth Realm, they were automatically promoted to elder. At the sect’s peak, it was said to have thirty-three elders.

A two-hour period later.

The two of them arrived at the Canglan Sect’s Elder Hall.

As soon as Lin Chen stepped across the threshold, he felt four gazes fall upon him and saw the four elders seated above in the hall.

”You must be Lin Chen. Good lad, this old man worried about you for quite some time.”

Just as Lin Chen was about to salute, one of the elders spoke with a smile, his face benevolent, flickering before appearing directly in front of Lin Chen, taking his right hand.

”I’m relieved to see you’re safe, and I sent Gao Zeming to fetch you right away.”

Seeing the elder’s affectionate demeanor akin to a family elder’s concern, Lin Chen felt grateful, realizing this must be Elder Du.

To him, Elder Du truly had a life-saving grace.

”The disciple thanks the elder for your care. Without your rescue, I would have perished in the Li Fire,” Lin Chen earnestly expressed his gratitude.

”Still calling me elder?” Du Xiaofeng’s face showed displeasure: ”Foolish boy, you should be calling me...”

”Senior Brother Du!”

”Elder Du.”

Originally, Qu Guanfu and the others were speechless at Du Xiaofeng’s shamelessly taking the initiative to get closer, but seeing him trying to provoke Lin Chen to call him ”Master,” they could no longer sit still and stepped in to stop him.