Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Moreover, this time Lin Chen made a name for himself as a disciple of the Canglan Sect. To think of poaching Lin Chen to the Ten Thousand Flames Sect now would also invite all sorts of gossip from the martial artists in the Flame Dynasty.

The Ten Thousand Flames Sect is not in the business of training its own disciples and digs up disciples from other sects, which greatly impacts the reputation of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.

Since it’s impossible to bring Lin Chen into the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, why bother meeting him?

”Really not meeting him?”

”No, just let Lin Chen take the fire attribute energy and leave quickly.”

Zhuang Lie mumbled something, and the elderly man with white hair smiled slightly, knowing that Junior Brother Zhuang holds Lin Chen in high regard; otherwise, he wouldn’t have personally gone to the Canglan Sect. And, after returning from the Canglan Sect, he couldn’t stop praising Lin Chen’s talent.

When Lin Chen successfully reached the summit of the Martial Arts Mountain, Junior Brother Zhuang’s expression was very complicated.

Lin Chen reaching the summit proved that Junior Brother Zhuang wasn’t wrong, but it also made it impossible to bring Lin Chen to the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.

Even if an ordinary disciple or a general direct disciple is willing to make a significant effort, the Canglan Sect might let them go in the end. But with Lin Chen’s summit achievement, especially in such a sensational manner, the Canglan Sect would never release him.

...

Guest House of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.

Lin Chen stayed for a day without anyone disturbing him.

The next day.

”Brother Lin, the fire attribute energy for your Canglan Sect this time is ready, totaling one hundred strands, all in this Hundred Objects Box. Brother Lin can verify it.”

One of the youths from yesterday came over early in the morning, holding the Hundred Objects Box. Lin Chen took the box, sent a wisp of divine thought into it, and confirmed that it indeed contained one hundred strands of fire attribute energy.

”Thank you, Brother Du.”

Lin Chen learned the name of the youth who brought him to stay here yesterday.

”It’s merely a mutual exchange between our two sects, no need for thanks.”

Du Shuang smiled, as the Ten Thousand Flames Sect wasn’t offering it to the Canglan Sect for free; the Canglan Sect had also provided something in return.

”Is there anything else Brother Lin needs?”

Du Shuang’s words made Lin Chen pause for a moment; it seemed like a hint to leave.

If there’s anything else you need, say it.

If not, then you can leave.

Does the Ten Thousand Flames Sect not welcome outsiders that much?

”Ahem, I once met with Elder Zhuang of your sect, and he even guided me in martial arts. Since I’m here at the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, I’d like to pay a visit to Elder Zhuang.”

Leaving without even seeing Elder Zhuang, Lin Chen was a bit unwilling.

”What a coincidence, Elder Zhuang is currently in closed-door training.”

Du Shuang shook his head, with a strange look flashing in his eyes. His words about asking Lin Chen to leave were exactly instructed by Elder Zhuang.

Elder Zhuang’s intention was to send Lin Chen away as quickly as possible.

Even though Elder Zhuang’s attitude and Lin Chen’s words seem to differ, he had to carry out Elder Zhuang’s orders.

”In closed-door training?”

Lin Chen was also a bit surprised. Elder Zhuang had just returned from the Canglan Sect not long ago and was already in closed-door training.

”That’s truly unfortunate. Since that’s the case, I won’t linger. If Elder Zhuang exits his training, I hope Brother Du will relay to him that Lin Chen visited the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.”

”Rest assured, Brother Lin. I will certainly convey it for you.”

Du Shuang, full of smiles and readily agreeing, didn’t need to pass on the message since Elder Zhuang already knew.

”I’ll escort Brother Lin out of the sect.”

”Much obliged.”

Du Shuang led Lin Chen toward the mountain gate. Just as the two of them were leaving the guest area, a young man came toward them, and the aura emanating from him made Lin Chen stop in his tracks.

At the Innate Realm, perception of the outside world is extremely sensitive. With just a glance, Lin Chen confirmed this person was coming for him and not with good intentions.

”Junior Brother Zhao?”

Seeing the newcomer, Du Shuang felt a bit surprised. Junior Brother Zhao’s posture, brimming with battle intent, was rather aggressive.

”Lin Chen, I want to challenge you to a duel!”

Zhao Haoyang got straight to the point, his gaze fixed on Lin Chen.

”Junior Brother Zhao!”

Before Lin Chen could respond, Du Shuang’s face darkened. As a visiting disciple from the Canglan Sect, Lin Chen was a guest; how could one challenge a guest? Besides, Zhao Haoyang had left Martial Arts Mountain only a few months ago, ranking eleventh upon departure, and even with a few extra months, couldn’t possibly rival Lin Chen’s strength—was he seeking humiliation?

”Senior Brother Du, Elder Zhuang commented three days ago that my talent in manipulating the Innate Fire was inferior to Lin Chen. I’m not convinced. Since Lin Chen is here, let’s have a contest.”

After speaking, Zhao Haoyang shifted his gaze to Lin Chen: ”Overall strength-wise, I’m not as good as you. I’ll only compete with you in flame manipulation ability. Do you dare to accept this challenge?”

Upon hearing Zhao Haoyang’s words, Lin Chen’s expression turned somewhat peculiar, not because Zhao Haoyang was challenging him, but because Zhao Haoyang mentioned Elder Zhuang.

If Elder Zhuang mentioned something three days ago, it implies that apart from his arrival yesterday, Elder Zhuang had only been in closed-door training for about two days. Could it be that Elder Zhuang went into training because he knew Lin Chen was coming?

The closed-door training for a practitioner in the Fifth Innate Realm progresses from shallow to deep. For the first several days or even a dozen, it hasn’t even truly begun.

So, Elder Zhuang isn’t actually in closed-door training.

Lin Chen believed that Brother Du wouldn’t dare deceive him regarding the elder, but since Elder Zhuang clearly wasn’t in closed-door training yet insisted he was, only one possibility remained.

Elder Zhuang didn’t want to see him.

It stands to reason; Elder Zhuang could have guessed his master’s intent in sending him here, hence denying Lin Chen any opportunity for advantage.

Hence, not meeting him makes sense, and no wonder Brother Du seemed eager to send him off, likely obeying Elder Zhuang’s orders.

”What’s this? Afraid?”

Seeing Lin Chen not answering, Zhao Haoyang’s face showed a mocking expression, admitting that Lin Chen’s overall strength was higher, but in terms of talent for fire manipulation, he couldn’t believe Lin Chen was superior.

He could refine two strands of Innate Fire Eerily calm.

He wished to become a disciple of Elder Zhuang, accepting it when rejected by Elder Zhuang, but couldn’t handle being told he was less talented than Lin Chen from the Canglan Sect.

Lin Chen’s arrival at the Ten Thousand Flames Sect was something Zhao Haoyang learned only today.

Luckily, Lin Chen reached the peak of the Martial Arts Mountain not long ago, so people in the sect still talked about it. The Senior Brother responsible for receiving Lin Chen yesterday mentioned it to fellow disciples, allowing Zhao Haoyang to learn and come here immediately.

”Since you wish to spar, how could I refuse?”

Sensing the battle intent in Zhao Haoyang’s eyes, Lin Chen smiled slightly and accepted.

He had just been regretting having to leave when someone conveniently presented him with a pillow.