Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Guest courtyard of Canglan Sect.

”You’re back.”

Elder Bai Qihua smiled warmly as he saw Zeng Xi enter.

”Elder, I just dueled with Lin Chen, but suffered a crushing defeat.”

Even though some time had passed, Zeng Xi’s expression was still filled with a sense of loss. He had gone to challenge Lin Chen with full confidence, but unexpectedly met with a devastating blow.

Not only did the gap not close, but it actually widened further.

”Before you went to see Lin Chen, I had already anticipated this result.”

Elder Bai Qihua stroked his beard and, seeing Zeng Xi’s puzzled look, explained, ”Lin Chen’s Divine Soul has already reached the Innate Second Realm. In the face of an overwhelming Divine Soul strength difference, even if you could exploit the power of your Divine Soul to the fullest, it would be difficult to bridge that gap.”

”Divine Soul strength at the Innate Second Realm?” Zeng Xi’s confusion only deepened. ”How did he achieve that?”

Even in the Thousand Mechanism Sect, it’s rare for a disciple’s Divine Soul to exceed their strength by one realm, and those who could exceed it were usually not far from breaking through. Once the Divine Soul breaks through, it won’t be long before one’s own realm follows suit.

But Lin Chen had just stepped into the Innate First Realm barely half a year ago. How was it possible for him to break through to the Innate Second Realm in such a short time?

”It must be a naturally Abnormal Soul.”

Elder Bai Qihua provided the answer. ”There are always a few fortunate ones who possess exceptional talents. Divine Soul strength is a kind of talent as well. Lin Chen should be a naturally Abnormal Soul, but not in the sense of being innately powerful, but rather having a very high growth ceiling.”

The Flame Dynasty is very large; this isn’t an empty phrase.

With enough martial artists, all kinds of talents will emerge.

”In the history of the Flame Dynasty, there have been others like Lin Chen. In the records of our Thousand Mechanism Sect, there are at least five individuals like Lin Chen, whose Divine Soul ceiling was extraordinarily high. The most exceptional among them could surpass their body’s limit by two realms.”

”Two realms, isn’t that...”

Zeng Xi’s pupils shrank suddenly. The Thousand Mechanism Sect has a very detailed study of Divine Souls; normally, a martial artist’s Divine Soul corresponds to the strength of their body, and the body’s strength determines the Divine Soul’s ceiling.

Comparing the body to a ship, the Divine Soul is the sail on the ship.

Cultivation is like steering the ship across water; whether it can reach the opposite shore depends on both the ship’s sturdiness and the speed the sail provides.

The sturdier the ship, the longer it can sail, and the larger the sail, the faster the speed.

But there is a balance between the two. If one is out of balance, it will lead to the ship’s capsize.

Absorbing Innate Power, refining the Innate Crystal, including the refinement of Innate Power in the late period realm, all serve to continually enhance one’s strength, just like a ship being reinforced and enlarged.

The larger the ship, the larger the sail, and the faster it can sail.

However, if the ship doesn’t get bigger and only the sail keeps increasing in size, even exceeding the ship’s capacity, it will lead to the ship’s capsize.

Two realms are the critical point.

If the Martial Arts Realm is the Innate First Realm while the Divine Soul reaches the Innate Third Realm, the body would not be able to bear the Divine Soul, resulting in the Divine Soul leaving the body, turning one into the living dead.

”For someone like Lin Chen, joining our Thousand Mechanism Sect would be the best option. Only our Thousand Mechanism Sect could properly manage Lin Chen’s Divine Soul growth and make timely adjustments. Moreover, our Thousand Mechanism Sect has cultivation techniques specifically for disciples with Abnormal Souls, but Lin Chen is in Canglan Sect, and his future is uncertain.”

Elder Bai Qihua spoke with regret. This was why he had previously told Du Xiaofeng that Lin Chen joining Canglan Sect might not have been the wisest choice.

”Elder, the Canglan Sect might try to find a solution for Lin Chen’s circumstances, right?”

”A solution?”

Elder Bai Qihua gave a slight snort. ”It’s not that I underestimate Canglan Sect, but aside from our Thousand Mechanism Sect, no one else can solve this issue. All Canglan Sect can do is suppress Lin Chen’s Divine Soul growth to prevent it from diverging too far from his realm. However, if Lin Chen were to join our Thousand Mechanism Sect, there would be no need to suppress his Divine Soul growth, as we have ways to resolve Lin Chen’s Divine Soul issue.”

”It’s unlikely Canglan Sect would allow Lin Chen to join the Thousand Mechanism Sect.”

Zeng Xi shook his head. If he were the sect leader of Canglan Sect, he would never allow Lin Chen to transfer to another sect.

Lin Chen is no longer an unknown figure; being the top of Martial Arts Mountain, transferring to another sect would be a huge blow to Canglan Sect’s reputation, especially in the eyes of young disciples.

If Canglan Sect can’t even retain a genius like Lin Chen, it must mean their disciple training is inferior to other sects. Otherwise, why would Lin Chen leave for another sect?

Even if Canglan Sect attempted to explain, stating it was due to Lin Chen’s abnormal Divine Soul necessitating a move to the Thousand Mechanism Sect, it would still expose Canglan Sect’s shortcomings in Divine Soul cultivation.

As a result, those geniuses, when choosing a sect, might not even consider Canglan Sect.

”When the opportunity arises, I must meet with Lin Chen and have a thorough discussion. Such a promising talent should not be wasted.”

Elder Bai Qihua made up his mind. The Thousand Mechanism Sect, unlike other sects, doesn’t focus on territorial expansion but rather purely pursues breakthroughs in Artifact Refining. If Lin Chen, with his Abnormal Soul, were in the Thousand Mechanism Sect, he might chart a unique path in Artifact Refining.

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While Bai Qihua and Zeng Xi were discussing Lin Chen, Du Xiaofeng and his disciple Lin Chen were also talking about the Thousand Mechanism Sect.

”Disciple, make sure to visit Zeng Xi and meet Elder Bai when you have the chance.”

Du Xiaofeng winked at Lin Chen, leaving Lin Chen somewhat perplexed, not understanding what his master meant by it.

”Among the entire Flame Dynasty, the Ten Thousand Flames Sect and the Thousand Mechanism Sect are quite unique. The Ten Thousand Flames Sect consists of people who play with fire, seeking extreme breakthroughs in Innate Fire, and they are not overly concerned with sect territories. The Thousand Mechanism Sect is similar in that regard.”

Upon hearing his master say this, Lin Chen suddenly understood. Was this a hint for him to take advantage of the Thousand Mechanism Sect?

”I’m not going to beat around the bush. In terms of playing with fire, the Ten Thousand Flames Sect is the strongest, and in the realm of Divine Souls, the Thousand Mechanism Sect is undoubtedly number one. The Thousand Mechanism Sect has the Divine Soul Trial Pavilion, a place coveted by all sects, but unfortunately, it is not open to others.”

”Disciple... will give it a try.”

Lin Chen nodded, and Du Xiaofeng, fearing Lin Chen might not be thick-skinned enough, explained, ”Don’t feel too pressured. If you feel embarrassed, just work hard in your cultivation. Once you reach the Myriad Phenomena Realm, the value of that favor will be enough to repay both sects’ help.”

The favor of a Myriad Phenomena Realm expert is priceless.

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Three days later.

The back mountain of Canglan Sect.

The clouds in the sky appeared to be torn open by an invisible hand, revealing a streak of ice-blue light.

At that moment, the surrounding mountains seemed draped in a layer of blue gauze as the ice-blue light descended.

Waves of Canglan energy surged out from the tear, constantly tearing it wider.

At the mountain’s foot.

Lin Chen, along with Qiao Yuan and ten other Canglan Sect disciples, stood prominently in the lineup, while to their right stood another group of ten youths.

In the span of a hundred breaths, the tear in the sky had already been expanded to thirty feet long by the Canglan energy. The energy then stopped flowing out and began to concentrate in front of the tear, ultimately forming an ice-blue light gate that stabilized the tear.

”The Canglan Secret Realm is now officially open. Enter in sequence.”

The authoritative voice of Sect Leader Ji Cangtian resonated, his figure also appearing above the crowd.

”Whatever opportunities you acquire will depend on your abilities.”

”Fellow martial brothers, let’s go.”

The man from Canglan Sect on the far left smiled as he spoke. Being the eldest among the ten Canglan Sect disciples, referring to the others as junior brothers was appropriate.

Everything that needed to be said or advised had already been conveyed by their mentors before the Canglan Secret Realm opened.

Lin Chen gave a slight nod in the direction of his mentor and followed the footsteps of the senior brother in front, heading towards the light gate.

As his body stepped into the light gate, the Canglan energy immediately wrapped around him, pulling him swiftly forward with immense suction.

Lin Chen tried to release his Divine Thought for detection, but it was impossible to penetrate the encasing Canglan energy.

Ultimately, Lin Chen chose to simply wait, allowing the Canglan energy to guide him to his destination.

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