Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Zhaoran City.

City Lord’s Mansion.

”Honorable sirs, this is the situation of all martial artists entering and leaving the city recently.”

The City Lord of Zhaoran City, an Innate Second Realm martial artist, showed none of the resolution of a City Lord when faced with the two middle-aged men standing before him.

Only because both these middle-aged men were of the Innate Third Realm.

The City Lord of Zhaoran City handed over a ledger, recording the information of all martial artists entering the city in the past three days.

The two middle-aged men took the ledger and, after looking through it briefly, exchanged glances and asked, ”Why are there no records of Innate martial artists entering or leaving the city?”

”Honorable sirs, Innate martial artists, whether entering the city or passing through, fly directly overhead. The guards at the city gates dare not stop them and cannot know where they go, especially if they conceal their aura. If they do, the guards won’t notice them.”

The City Lord explained with a bitter smile, noting that Zhaoran City was merely a small city, with a total of only nine Innate martial artists across all major family forces in the city, himself included, seven of whom were merely Innate First Realm.

”From today onwards, pay attention to martial artists entering the city, whether Innate or ordinary. Keep an eye on anyone with a young girl immediately.”

”Rest assured, I will notify the guards right away and inform you both immediately upon discovery.”

”Alright, if you find a lead, you won’t be short of rewards.”

Having said this, the two middle-aged men did not linger at the City Lord’s Mansion and left straight away.

The City Lord of Zhaoran City smiled and watched the two middle-aged men leave, while an old man emerged from behind a screen.

”City Lord, I haven’t heard of any major incidents in the Red Dust Domain recently. Where do these two come from?”

”Strong individuals from the Hidden Moon Sect.”

”The Hidden Moon Sect, the sect with a powerhouse of the Innate Fifth Realm?”

The Hidden Moon Sect is a second-rate peak sect in the Red Dust Domain, just below first-class sects. No wonder the City Lord is so courteous; Zhaoran City cannot afford to offend Hidden Moon Sect.

”Yes, the Hidden Moon Sect is incredibly strong. Since they instructed as such, just relay the orders downwards.”

”Do you want to carry it out properly or just go through the motions?”

The old man asked the crucial question, to which the City Lord of Zhaoran City smiled slightly and said, ”Although they said that as long as we find the girl, there would be rewards, the Hidden Moon Sect has not openly searched, which suggests the girl is likely not ordinary. It’s best not to aim for merit, but simply avoid errors.”

Hearing this from his City Lord, the old man knew how to proceed.

On the surface, they would carry out the orders, but even if something suspicious was found, there was no need to investigate too deeply. Unremarkable handling would suffice.

...

...

In a courtyard to the south of Zhaoran City.

Lin Chen sat cross-legged in the courtyard, holding a golden Innate Stone in his hand. As he activated the Azure Wave Technique within his body, the golden energy within the Innate Stone gradually diminished, its color slowly fading, and in less than a quarter of an hour, the entire Innate Stone turned gray.

”Why does it consume so quickly?”

Lin Chen looked at the gray Innate Stone in his hand, now devoid of energy, and gently crushed it with his right hand, turning it to powder scattered on the ground.

He was puzzled as to why the Innate Stone’s energy was so limited.

His second senior brother once said that the energy of an Innate Stone is enough for an Innate Second Realm martial artist to absorb for one two-hour period.

Lin Chen looked up at Yin Yue, who was also sitting in the courtyard at the moment.

Feeling Lin Chen’s gaze, Yin Yue raised her eyes and said, ”There’s nothing wrong with the Innate Stone. It’s just that your cultivation technique is much stronger than average, which makes you absorb the energy of the Innate Stone much faster. Additionally, your body is also stronger than the typical martial artist, a result of the Innate Fire tempering your body. Other martial artists need only thirty Innate Stones to condense an Innate Crystal at one acupoint, but you might need sixty or even more...”

”Is there really such a saying?”

”Martial artists from a super sect are generally much stronger than others of the same realm; not only because of the power of their cultivation techniques but also because the techniques are so strong, the resources required for breakthroughs are more. This is a principle known to disciples of super sects.”

Yin Yue, mature beyond her years, observed Lin Chen for a moment, ”Unless you just joined the sect and are not a martial artist born in the Flame Dynasty, you wouldn’t know this.”

”You said you want to take me to the seas overseas in the Eastern Sea, which means you should be from there. The Eastern Sea overseas and being in the Innate Second Realm, Gu Fei indeed isn’t your real name, you are Lin Chen!”

Having his identity discovered by Yin Yue, Lin Chen heeded a warning to himself, realizing he must be more careful about the small details in the future. Yin Yue had deduced his identity just from a single question he asked.

”Aren’t your ancient remnant races supposed to avoid contact with the outside world? How do you know me?” Upon having his identity revealed, Lin Chen didn’t deny it but instead curiously asked.

”Our people outside bring back important issues from the Flame Dynasty to us. We aren’t interested in who is number one on the Martial Arts Mountain, but the war between the Canglan Sect and the Eight Desolates Sect is a major event, and that news did get back.”

”The clansman who conveyed the message gave detailed information about when your two sects started the war, any new grievances, the strength of your two sects, and you were mentioned, which I happened to see.”

Yin Yue’s reply made Lin Chen’s mouth twitch slightly. He initially thought it was because he became number one on the Martial Arts Mountain, drawing the attention of these ancient remnant races, but it turned out it was due to the war between the Canglan Sect and the Eight Desolates Sect, which led them to learn about both sects and incidentally mention him.

”I’m going to see how many Innate Stones it takes to condense one Innate Crystal at an acupoint.”

Lin Chen took out another Innate Stone from the Hundred Objects Box, absorbing it even faster than before.

One piece, two pieces, three pieces...

Ten pieces, twenty pieces, thirty pieces...

When Lin Chen had absorbed more than seventy pieces and still hadn’t stopped, Yin Yue’s long eyelashes fluttered, her lips parted slightly, and her delicate face rarely showed a surprised expression.

Normally, thirty Innate Stones can condense one Innate Crystal in the acupoint, while disciples from super sects take about fifty pieces.

Seventy pieces, it’s almost catching up with those few races.

And it seems Lin Chen is far from finished. Canglan Sect’s martial artists mainly rely on the power of Canglan energy, with no significant advantage over other sects in terms of physical prowess.

His physical strength far exceeds others, and then there is that Divine Soul... Lin Chen is truly an anomaly of the Canglan Sect.

When the hundredth Innate Stone turned to ash, Lin Chen’s right shoulder acupoint suddenly shone with ice-blue light.

Torrential energy was kneaded by an invisible hand, collapsing and vibrating a hundred times until an Innate Crystal abruptly condensed!

As the Crystal Core formed, a surge of Innate Power rose like a torrent, and the newborn Innate Power began to flow through Lin Chen’s limbs and body, merging with the existing Innate Power within him, tearing and restructuring his meridians under the rush of Innate Power.

After fifteen breaths, the Innate Power within Lin Chen finally calmed down, and the Innate Crystal that condensed at the acupoint no longer gushed out Innate Power like a flood but instead flowed gently, matching the frequency of the other twenty-four Innate Crystals throughout Lin Chen’s body.

Lin Chen could feel that the Innate Power within himself had increased by about half a percent, which also meant that his strength had once again advanced.

Although it was less than one percent, one must understand that the Innate Second Realm requires the formation of three hundred sixty-five Innate Crystals, even if each only grows by half a percent... after cultivating three hundred sixty-five, one’s strength would multiply several times over.

The disparity of strength within the Innate Second Realm is even more exaggerated than the Ninth Grade.

Lin Chen suppressed his emotions, turning his gaze to Yin Yue.

His deal with Yin Yue was that she would provide all the Innate Stones needed for Lin Chen’s cultivation for a year.

Each acupoint forming an Innate Crystal requires one hundred pieces, and from the Innate Second Realm to the Innate Third Realm, the number of Innate Crystals within the body must increase from twenty-four to three hundred sixty-five, calculating at this rate, he needs thirty-six thousand five hundred pieces.

”Innate Stones aren’t endlessly absorbable; after condensing an Innate Crystal, you must at least wait three days before you can continue absorbing. Moreover, the further acupoints you focus on, the more Innate Stones you’ll need to condense each Innate Crystal. Your situation, aiming for three hundred sixty-five acupoints, conservatively estimates needing one hundred thousand Innate Stones.”

Yin Yue saw Lin Chen’s eyes and knew what he wanted to say, yet she didn’t hide anything, honestly informing him of the situation.

”I don’t have that many Innate Stones, but there’s enough for your year’s cultivation needs. You needn’t worry.”

A little rich loli!

Having received Yin Yue’s confirmation, Lin Chen felt at ease.

He’s already experimented with Innate Stones; next, it’s all about the Void Stone.

”All there’s to it for the Void Stone is to hold it in the hand and run the cultivation technique, right?”

”Yes.”

”Do you think I should use it to enhance the Azure Wave Technique or the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique?”

Lin Chen asked Yin Yue, despite her being only nine, her knowledge of the Martial Path far exceeded his, almost being used as half a mentor.

Racing Against Time suggested upgrading the Azure Wave Technique and the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique, but provided no clear recommendation.

”The Azure Wave Technique.”

”Why the Azure Wave Technique?”

”The Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique relies more on Innate Fire; using the Void Stone now would be somewhat wasteful. Consider using the Void Stone to adjust the technique only when you can’t absorb Innate Fire further.”

”Do you still have a Void Stone?”

Yin Yue’s face, rare with emotions showing, had a hint of speechlessness.

”I was just asking, if it’s inconvenient to say, let’s not mention it.”

Seeing a little girl with a speechless expression, Lin Chen’s old face rarely showed a bit of embarrassment.

”Void Stones are extraordinary items; even my race has only one after so many years. A single Void Stone placed within the Flame Dynasty is enough to prompt action from Myriad Phenomena Realm experts.”

Yin Yue’s words expressed clearly that if it hadn’t been for facing a chase, amid a critical situation, Ying Po would not have promised the Void Stone.

If had known early on about being pursued, to promise away the Void Stone, she could have negotiated with a Myriad Phenomena Realm expert instead.

Lin Chen: ...

So, I got a bargain.

PS: Thanks to the cosmic Qin Shi Huang for the reward of ten thousand currency notes. It’s the 20th; requesting votes for next month.