Chapter 122: Lin Chen: I ask all Senior Brothers for your guidance (Please subscribe)

On the martial arts arena.

Zhang Qi was extremely arrogant, and the attitudes of the martial artists watching from the viewing platform were also at two extremes.

"It's just a county competition; Yanshan County doesn't need to be like this."

"The Martial Way is inherently a struggle of the strong; if your strength is weak, you should admit defeat. Besides, I heard that before the county competition, Poyang County and Yanshan County had already clashed. A student from Poyang County injured a student from Yanshan County, and now they are taking revenge."

"If that's the case, then it makes sense."

In the Yanshan County student area, the other students were also boiling with excitement. Lin Lin Shixiong Zhang's arrogance was not only directed at Poyang County but also at Degao County and Yudong County from yesterday.

Because the county competition was postponed, the students of Degao County and Yudong County had mocked them quite a bit. A struggle between two bottom-tier counties—what was the point of postponing it?

Now, Lin Lin Shixiong Zhang Qi was using his strength to tell them: just because Yanshan County has been at the bottom in previous years doesn't mean we are at the bottom this year.

The students of Degao County and Yudong County, especially Degao County, as the winning side yesterday, no longer had their high-and-mighty attitude. The strength Zhang Qi displayed shocked them.

"Yanshan County has risen this year. Zhang Qi's strength is already this formidable, and there is still Shen Ge who hasn't made a move. I'm afraid that apart from Guangxin County and Yongfeng County, no other county would dare say they can steadily defeat Yanshan County."

In the past, Poyang County and Yanshan County were at the bottom because they lacked top-tier students; the students' strength was very average. This was the shortcoming of both counties.

Yanshan County produced Zhang Qi and Shen Ge this year, filling this shortcoming. Even facing the top five counties from the previous prefecture examination, they had the strength to fight.

By comparison, Poyang County...

"One can only say Poyang County is quite unlucky this year to have encountered the rising Yanshan County. Even if they had faced Degao County and Yudong County yesterday, they wouldn't have lost as miserably as they did today."

Many Ranked practitioners looked toward Su Lingchuan. This Lord Su could only be described as having bad luck.

Just as the crowd was watching, Shen Ge had already selected his opponents.

Apart from Fu Jingya, the remaining eight people, including Fei Hong, were all chosen by him.

Leaving Fu Jingya alone was not out of chivalry, but merely to leave a shred of dignity for Poyang County.

The eight Hall Masters of Poyang County had extremely gloomy expressions. Eighteen disciples had been swept away by two people from the opposite side; this was a great humiliation.

"If Lin Lin Shixiong were here, how could Yanshan County be so arrogant?"

Fu Ang muttered. He had just lost to Zhang Qi on the arena. After finishing his sentence, his gaze subconsciously swept around, and upon this sweep, his gaze froze.

"Lin Lin Shixiong!"

At Fu Ang's shout, all the students of Poyang County looked toward the entrance of the martial arts arena, including Hall Masters like Ceng Qingyao.

At the entrance of the martial arts arena.

Lin Chen was explaining his identity to the Martial Way Office guards: "My lord, this is my Lin Lin Shidi. I am indeed from Poyang County."

The guarding Organ Cultivation martial artist turned back to look at Fu Ang before letting them pass.

"Lin Lin Shixiong, you've finally come."

Fu Ang was very excited. He had just lost to Zhang Qi on the stage and was filled with anger. Seeing Lin Chen now was like seeing a savior.

The other students looked at Lin Chen with the same gaze.

By now, the students of Poyang County's current batch had long since recognized Lin Chen's strength.

Right now, apart from Lin Lin Shixiong, there was no one else who could regain dignity for Poyang County.

"Apologies, this disciple was delayed by matters and arrived late."

Lin Chen apologized to the eight Hall Masters, including Ceng Qingyao and Tai Rubai. He hadn't expected that going out with Senior Sister Jiang would almost cause him to miss the county competition.

"It's not too late!"

Ceng Qingyao spoke in a deep voice, and a smile finally appeared on Tai Rubai's face: "Junior Sister Ceng is right; it's not too late. The dignity Poyang County just lost, we will take it back in a moment."

"This disciple will certainly give it his all." Lin Chen nodded in agreement.

On the side, the other six Hall Masters had doubts in their eyes. Lin Chen's strength was indeed in a league of its own among Poyang County's current batch, but Zhang Qi and Shen Ge of Yanshan County were not weak. Even Lin Chen might not necessarily be able to defeat them.

"Lin Lin Shixiong, this Lin Lin Shidi just wants to ask one thing: how does Zhang Qi's strength compare to yours?"

Fu Ang looked at Lin Chen with anticipation. Lin Chen pondered for a moment: "I haven't seen Zhang Qi make a move. With sixteen acupoints opened, his strength should not be below mine."

It's settled!

Hearing Lin Chen's answer, the heavy stone in Fu Ang's heart landed.

The other students had looks of disappointment in their eyes. They hoped Lin Lin Shixiong would give a confident answer that defeating Zhang Qi was no problem, but upon reflection, this answer from Lin Lin Shixiong was reasonable.

Zhang Qi had sixteen acupoints opened, and his Tiger Roar Fist was already at the Mastery stage. One must know that the power of the Tiger Roar Fist was not below the Iron Collapse Fist. Lin Lin Shixiong only had fourteen acupoints; being able to fight Zhang Qi to a draw was already very good.

They didn't ask for anything else; as long as Lin Lin Shixiong went up later and also defeated ten Yanshan County students, or even just one or two more, it would count as preserving Poyang County's face.

"What's the situation over at Poyang County? I see there's one more person."

"The Poyang County students can still laugh? Who is this person?"

Lin Chen walked toward the Poyang County area and was discovered by sharp-eyed people. Su Lingchuan, sitting on the viewing platform, saw Lin Chen at the very first moment and finally stopped keeping a straight face.

However, the attention of these spectators was quickly drawn away by the battle on the arena.

Shen Ge, although he had only opened fifteen acupoints, faced opponents like Fei Hong who had opened fourteen acupoints as if he were in an empty land, his palms waving out a sky full of red light.

"Cloud-Licking Palm at the Perfected stage!"

Among the watching martial artists, someone exclaimed.

The top experts from other counties also stared fixedly at Shen Ge, with wariness in their eyes. On the Yanshan County side, the corners of Zhang Qi's mouth curled into a look of pride. He could feel the shock of the other Junior Brothers around him and the martial artists watching from behind.

Lin Lin Shixiong Shen was the person he admired most.

If it weren't for Lin Lin Shixiong Shen having perfected the Cloud-Scorching Palm, he would not have voluntarily conceded first place.

Poyang County was just a stepping stone for him and Lin Lin Shixiong Shen; it wasn't worth mentioning at all.

"Lin Lin Shidi Zhang, your Yanshan County has produced a remarkable genius this time."

"The Cloud-Licking Palm is not easy to cultivate. Being able to cultivate it to the Perfected stage in such a short time, this Shen Ge's comprehension of the Dao is truly astonishing."

Zhang Wangshan listened to the praise of the Ranked martial artists around him, and a smile appeared on his face, but he said modestly: "Haha, this bit of comprehension of Shen Ge's is nothing."

"It is indeed nothing. My Poyang County's Lin Chen already had his Breeze Palm at the Perfected stage three months ago."

Su Lingchuan couldn't stand Zhang Wangshan's hypocritical face. As soon as he said this, the smile on Zhang Wangshan's face stiffened.

In terms of Martial Way comprehension, Poyang County's Lin Chen was indeed the strongest in the entire Raozhou Prefecture this year. Three months to reach the Perfected stage in Breeze Palm—even Guangxin County had no students who could do that.

"Martial Way comprehension is certainly important, but martial arts duels don't rely solely on comprehension. The stage determines the final strength, and having one technique at the Perfected stage only means one is more compatible with that technique; it doesn't mean one can have such progress in cultivating other techniques."

Zhang Wangshan retorted. Su Lingchuan subconsciously wanted to counterattack and reveal that Lin Chen's Iron Bone Art was also at the Perfected stage, but upon reflection, he held back.

Let Zhang Wangshan be arrogant for a while longer. After Lin Chen goes up, let's see if he can still keep smiling like that.

In the area where the Guangxin County students were located, two youths looked at each other, both seeing excitement in the other's eyes.

If the level of each county were like Yudong County and Degao County yesterday, the two would only feel bored.

The strength Shen Ge displayed made the two excited. Shen Ge was worth treating seriously.

"Cloud-Licking Palm at the Perfected stage?"

Fu Ang's mouth opened slightly, and he subconsciously looked at Lin Chen beside him, asking: "Lin Lin Shixiong, how does Shen Ge's strength compare to yours?"

"Not below mine."

Lin Chen's answer—others didn't feel anything wrong with it, but Fu Ang scratched his head, stunned. Still this answer?

Could it be that what Lin Lin Shixiong said earlier really wasn't modesty, and he really thought so?

Lin Chen didn't know Fu Ang had such rich psychological activity. The reason he answered this way was simply out of his own cautious nature.

Before having fought, never underestimate any opponent. Who could guarantee the other side didn't have hidden cards?

After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the battle on the arena ended.

Fei Hong and the others, even with a strategy of mutual destruction, still lost.

Throughout the scene, everyone's gaze fell on Shen Ge.

No one would think that because Shen Ge took longer to defeat Fei Hong and the others, his strength was inferior to Zhang Qi's.

Zhang Qi defeated those with thirteen acupoints opened, while Shen Ge's opponents had fourteen acupoints opened, and Shen Ge, unlike Zhang Qi, didn't have any injuries on him.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that there was still a significant gap between Zhang Qi and Shen Ge.

"Poyang County is finished."

"The students of an entire county lost to two people. After this competition, Poyang County's name as the bottom-tier will be completely solidified."

The martial artists on the viewing platform sighed in low voices, while the martial artists from Poyang County remained silent.

They wanted to refute, but couldn't find words to do so.

The facts were before them; martial arts duels are all about strength.

"Eh, why does Poyang County still have a male disciple?"

"What is the meaning of this person walking up? Could it be he still wants to throw an egg against a rock and challenge Shen Ge?"

The Poyang County martial artists who were preparing to leave early saw the figure walking onto the arena. Several who had watched the duel three months ago had excited expressions on their faces.

"It's Lin Chen!"

"Poyang County hasn't lost yet!"

Lin Chen?

"Could it be that Poyang County Martial Way genius who cultivated Breeze Palm to the Perfected stage in three months?"

"Three months to cultivate Breeze Palm to the Perfected stage; his Martial Way comprehension is this terrifying."

"There's a good show to watch."

"It's useless. This Lin Chen is lacking in stage; even if he's amazing, could he possibly defeat all the Yanshan County students by himself? At most, it's just regaining some face for Poyang County."

Lin Chen's identity was recognized, attracting the attention of students from various counties.

"Pity, the stage is lacking; he can't change the outcome." On the Guangxin County side, Sheng Tao gave his judgment.

Other counties were much the same.

No one questioned Lin Chen's Martial Way comprehension, but in the current situation, Lin Chen couldn't change the outcome.

"Junior Brothers, you've worked hard. Leave the rest to me."

Lin Chen comforted Fei Hong and the others who had failed, stepped onto the center of the martial arts arena, and finally, looked toward the Yanshan County side, the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "Lin Chen, disciple of Poyang County's Jing Shui Martial Hall and Zhen Yue Martial Hall, asks all Senior Brothers of Yanshan County for guidance."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 123 =====