Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 551 - 79: The Long Road of the Martial Path, My Relentless Pursuit

Yan Kingdom.

Imperial Capital.

"Princess, the disciples of the martial arts academies from various countries have already started to arrive."

Su Qin reported the situation she had gathered to Murong Yan. The Nine Countries Martial Arts Academy ranking tournament held by the United Martial Arts Academy is hosted by each country in turn, but this year, due to special circumstances, the Elder Council decided to host it in the Yan Kingdom.

Murong Yan was well aware that as of now, the Han Kingdom had not exerted pressure on the Yan Kingdom. It was not only because of the presence of several aunts but also because the Han Kingdom wanted the academy contest to continue.

Countries like the Xiang Kingdom and Zheng Kingdom, which border Liang, had closed their borders, preventing the Liang Academy disciples from coming. Although several other countries had not expressed their stance, they did not border Liang, and due to the obstruction by other countries, the Liang Academy disciples were equally unable to make it.

In this way, Yan Kingdom, which shares a border with Liang without closing it, became the most suitable host.

"Have you obtained the realms of the disciples from each academy?"

"According to our investigation, the disciples currently coming from various academies to participate in the contest are all in the Grade Entry Realm, along with a few Eighth-Grade Martial Artists."

Su Qin knew what her princess was concerned about and continued, "The message from Liang is that Lin Chen should not have entered the grade yet, so Liang likely won’t let Lin Chen come to compete."

"Why?"

Murong Yan was puzzled, Lin Chen might not have entered the grade yet, but his performance in the Zhao Kingdom proved that even facing a Ninth-Grade Martial Artist, he could hold his own, qualifying him to represent the Canglan Martial Arts Academy in the ranking tournament.

"Lin Chen is not an ordinary genius to Liang."

Being in the middle of things often clouds understanding.

Her own princess wanted to see Lin Chen but overlooked one thing.

Lin Chen now holds tremendous influence over the new generation of martial artists in Liang.

Liang is under great pressure currently, and Lin Chen, who is proving himself worthy even without foreign martial resources, shows that Liang’s geniuses are not inferior to others.

This halo surrounding Lin Chen cannot dim. In this martial arts academy ranking tournament, the disciples from all academies have been training for nearly three years; among them are some who are geniuses on the Celestial List.

Compared to these geniuses, Lin Chen has two less years of training, and for these geniuses, the first two years of entering the grade are enough to create the gap of a First Grade.

"Rather than having Lin Chen come to the Yan Kingdom to be a bystander, it’s better for him to remain in the Liang Kingdom. If Lin Chen comes to the Yan Kingdom, other countries, especially the Han Kingdom, will not miss the opportunity to target him."

After listening to Su Qin’s explanation, Murong Yan also realized that she could think of these connections herself, but due to being involved in the situation, or subconsciously wishing for Lin Chen to come to the Yan Kingdom, she hadn’t considered it.

Indeed, as Aunt Qin said, if Lin Chen does not have the strength to decide the outcome of the ranking tournament, his participation would be meaningless and might even be a trap set by the Han Kingdom.

If Lin Chen comes, the youth of Liang will inevitably have expectations. Whether Lin Chen competes or not will be a dilemma.

If he doesn’t compete, and the Four Great Martial Arts Academies of Liang lose, ending up at the bottom of the ranking, it would affect his reputation among the youth in Liang.

If he competes, and the Canglan Martial Arts Academy still comes last, it similarly affects his reputation among the youth in Liang.

Some young people might remain rational, understanding that Lin Chen has only trained at the academy for a year and is not comparable to those older disciples, but Lin Chen has created too many miracles in the past. As long as he comes to the Yan Kingdom, Liang’s youths will expect him to turn the tide again.

Failing to do so would inevitably lead to criticism.

Lin Chen, with a strong mind, naturally doesn’t care about such criticism, but Liang now needs Lin Chen to unite the hearts of its young martial artists.

"Forget it, if he’s not coming, then so be it."

Murong Yan lazily clapped her hands, realizing that Lin Chen’s absence meant less anticipation for her in this martial arts ranking tournament.

Even though this time, there would be Celestial List martial artists present.

Su Qin nodded, understanding that Lin Chen not coming was the best decision for both Liang and Lin Chen.

By the next martial arts ranking tournament, it would be Lin Chen’s stage.

After Su Qin left, Murong Yan intended to visit the imperial palace, but in the next moment, her eyes blinked, and she stood still for a moment before hastily heading towards the bedchamber.

...

...

Two hours later.

Murong Yan walked out of the bedchamber, having changed her attire: "Please invite Aunt Qin over."

After a tea’s time, Su Qin, who had returned, noticed an inexplicable change in her princess’s demeanor, as if she had become more alluring.

"Aunt Qin, I need you to collect detailed information on the disciples from each country’s martial arts academy, the more detailed, the better."

Su Qin was even more puzzled, knowing that the princess had settled on Lin Chen, and since Lin Chen wouldn’t be attending this ranking tournament, there seemed no reason for the princess to understand the strength of the academy disciples.

When the tournament begins, the strength of these disciples would naturally be evident.

"Aunt Qin, Lin Chen should represent the Canglan Martial Arts Academy in this ranking tournament."

Murong Yan didn’t hide it from Su Qin. The matters between herself and Lin Chen were known only to Aunt Qin, telling her this news was a sign that she didn’t regard Aunt Qin as an outsider.

"Lin Chen is going to attend the ranking tournament?"

Su Qin was startled, but her face revealed a sudden understanding. No wonder the princess wanted to gather information on the disciples from each academy; this was to prepare to assess their strength once Lin Chen arrived in the Yan Kingdom.

"Alright, I’ll arrange it immediately."

Although in Su Qin’s mind, Lin Chen participating in the ranking tournament was not wise, she would carry out whatever the princess arranged without question.

"Lin Chen has entered the grade."

Murong Yan waited for Su Qin to turn away before revealing another piece of news.

The secret techniques of the Murong Royal Family were very sensitive to the Divine Soul. She could sense the change in Lin Chen’s Divine Soul, a sign of entering the grade.

Given that Lin Chen could battle Ninth-Grade Martial Artists even before entering the grade, now with her understanding of him post his entry, it was inconceivable for him to miss the martial arts ranking tournament.

"Understood."

A gleam appeared in Su Qin’s eyes. Lin Chen had entered the grade at this moment, indicating that Liang also had its strategies for the upcoming martial arts ranking tournament.

...

...

Canglan Martial Arts Academy.

Lin Chen glanced at the [Currently Settling] message on his panel, eyes filled with anticipation.

Since he broke through to the Ninth Grade three days ago, the panel had changed, and now it had yet to complete settlement, stirring hopes in him for a significant update.

"Now that I’ve entered the grade, it’s time to continue facing challenges on Martial Arts Mountain to boost my ranking and points."

For martial artists, the transition from Viscera Refining to Entering the Grade is a qualitative leap, a substantial elevation in status and position.

Viscera-Refining Martial Artists are simply called Master Wu by ordinary folks, but Grade-Entering Martial Artists, be it in Liang or the other Eight Kingdoms, are titled "Sir."

To some extent, the status difference between Viscera Refining and Entering the Grade is akin to that between a youth and an adult.

Once entered into the grade, no one would see him as a junior anymore.

According to Liang’s custom, a martial artist’s entry into the grade should be celebrated with a banquet, inviting teachers and friends, but Lin Chen did not do so. In fact, only Senior Sister Jiang and Junior Brother Fang among the disciples knew of his progression.

With Liang facing a multinational blockade now, this martial arts ranking tournament is crucial; if he can conceal his strength, he should conceal it.

"Only ten days before setting off, so I should make good use of Martial Arts Mountain to gain post-grade battle experience."

...

...

When Lin Chen chose to engage in the hundred-member battle again on Martial Arts Mountain,

in the Yanhuang Dynasty, the Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Waters Sect had an exceedingly grim expression on his face.