Chapter 167

"Nine-Turn True Blood Organ Refining; this old man has never heard of this method."

In the valley of the special training grounds, the six instructors led by Min Huanbo had already left, leaving only the two elders, Jia Nanzhu and Li Yueshan.

Lin Chen did not hide the reward he had obtained on Mount Wudao, but to his surprise, both Yu Yu Jiaoxi Jia and the elder Li Yueshan were full of confusion upon hearing "Nine-Turn True Blood Organ Refining."

"Lin Chen, although your stage is still some distance from Organ Cultivation, your strength is already close. I will inform you about the situation of the Organ Cultivation Stage today."

Jia Nanzhu saw Lin Chen's confusion and said in a deep voice: "Qi Refining, Acupoint Opening, Organ Refining; these are the three barriers of a martial artist's physical cultivation, collectively known as the Body Forging Stage. Acupoint Opening cultivates acupoints and meridians, while Organ Refining tempers the five organs. Most Organ Refining methods temper the organs one by one, and it is considered complete once all five organs are tempered."

"Heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys—these are the five organs. Acupoints govern the exterior, while the five organs govern the interior. There are many Organ Refining techniques in Daliang, but they only differ in the order of tempering the five organs. Some techniques temper the heart first, others the liver... Techniques have no strength or weakness, only suitability."

Speaking of this, Jia Nanzhu paused: "But this is the case for most situations. There also exist some relatively special techniques where the increase in strength after cultivation far exceeds those at the same stage, but the difficulty of cultivating such special techniques is also much higher than ordinary Organ Refining techniques."

"If this old man is not mistaken, the Nine-Turn True Blood Organ Refining method you obtained should be a special Organ Refining cultivation method."

Lin Chen and Li Yueshan both agreed with Jia Nanzhu's judgment. Lin Chen agreed because he had already memorized the mental formula of the Nine-Turn True Blood Organ Refining method, and it was indeed different from what Yu Yu Jiaoxi Jia had described.

"The reward from Mount Wudao is naturally not an ordinary technique; this is beyond doubt. It must be a technique suitable for you. Go back and rest for now."

Li Yueshan spoke with a smile, and Lin Chen understood in his heart that the two elders had matters to discuss.

"This disciple takes his leave."

After Lin Chen left, Li Yueshan looked at Jia Nanzhu: "With his name left on Mount Wudao, there should be no dispute over Lin Chen being the model martial arts student of the Jiangnan Circuit, right?"

If there were still objections to Lin Chen being selected as the model martial arts student of the Jiangnan Circuit before, then now that Lin Chen had left his name on Mount Wudao, not giving this title to Lin Chen would be what causes controversy.

A model martial arts student appears every few years, but a genius capable of leaving their name on Mount Wudao only appears once every few decades.

The last time an Acupoint Opening student from the Jiangnan Circuit left their name on Mount Wudao was thirty-four years ago, and they were replaced by a genius from another circuit after only three years.

Twenty-four acupoints opened, twenty-four geniuses—the Jiangnan Circuit currently has none.

Based on this alone, Lin Chen being selected as the model student of the Jiangnan Circuit is indisputable.

Jia Nanzhu's old eyes narrowed slightly; he understood the meaning of the elder Li Yueshan. Lin Chen had succeeded in leaving his name on Mount Wudao, so the dispute between Li Zhe and Lin Chen over the title of model student of the Jiangnan Circuit had already come to an end, unless Li Zhe could also leave his name on Mount Wudao.

"Regarding this matter, Lord Shao should have a detailed plan."

Seeing Li Yueshan frown, Jia Nanzhu explained: "Lord Li, these are troubled times. The outside world only knows that a genius youth has appeared in the Jiangnan Circuit and left his name on Mount Wudao, but they don't know who it is. Once Lin Chen is announced as the model student of the Jiangnan Circuit, it is equivalent to telling the outside world that the one who left his name on Mount Wudao is Lin Chen."

Jia Nanzhu explained, and Li Yueshan, who had already retired, did not have as timely a source of information on the situation in various places as he did. If the Martial Way Hall announced Lin Chen as the model student of the Jiangnan Circuit now, everyone would know that the one who left his name on Mount Wudao was Lin Chen.

"Is it that serious?"

Li Yueshan had not expected the situation to be so serious; in his view, even if the Marquis of Zhenbei passed away, Daliang would not fall into chaos.

Over so many years, the most turbulent time for Daliang was when the founding Emperor passed away; all kinds of monsters and demons emerged. But even so, Daliang survived, and with thunderous means, they slaughtered all those who dared to show their heads.

"There are always some remnants stirring." Jia Nanzhu had coldness in his eyes: "Daliang is approaching three hundred years; there are always some people who feel that the fate of Daliang is coming to an end, that it will decline after reaching its peak, and they have started to harbor ulterior motives."

Three hundred years is enough for a martial artist with potential to build a family.

Human hearts change!

"This old man understands."

Li Yueshan understood and nodded: "Just make sure you discuss this matter properly."

"Leaving a name on Mount Wudao is a glorious event that boosts the morale of our Jiangnan Circuit's martial arts students. The Martial Way Hall will not hide it for long; it will be made public once the hidden dangers are cleared."

In fact, during this recent period, various prefectures in the Jiangnan Circuit have already started taking action, but to avoid alerting the enemy, they are currently acting in secret.

……

……

The next day!

An official document was issued from the Jiangnan Circuit Martial Way Hall, sent to various prefectural cities, county towns...

The martial arts circle of the Jiangnan Circuit boiled over in an instant.

"What is Mount Wudao?"

These were martial artists who did not know about Mount Wudao, their faces full of confusion.

The reason they were shocked was the wording used in this document from the Martial Way Hall to describe Lin Chen.

【Order of the Jiangnan Martial Way Hall】

【Main Recipients:

Martial Way Offices, special training grounds, Martial Way stations, and registered students of all prefectures.】

【Subject:

To manifest the ambition of Lin Chen, who left his name on Mount Wudao, and to encourage Jiangnan martial artists to forge ahead with determination.】

【Now, Lin Chen, a student of the Jing Shui Wuguan, Zhenyue Martial Hall, and Kuangfeng Martial Hall in Poyang County, Raozhou Prefecture, has left his name on Mount Wudao, becoming the first youth to ascend the monument in the Jiangnan Circuit in nearly thirty years.】

【Lin Chen, born in humble circumstances, had no surplus wealth to support his martial path. Yet his ambition is as firm as iron; he worked and studied diligently, practicing day and night. He first won first place in the Poyang County Martial Hall competition, then won first place in the Raozhou Prefecture competition. It is not a gift of heaven, but the result of diligent perseverance.】

【Hereby ordering martial artists of all prefectures, counties, and towns in the Jiangnan Circuit:】

【One should take Lin Chen as a model; the martial path is boundless, only those with firm ambition can cross it; although natural talent varies, only those who are diligent can continue forever.】

【The peak of the martial path does not belong solely to the wealthy; those from humble backgrounds can also temper their swords to cut through the blue clouds!】

【May all students inherit his sharp ambition, emulate his perseverance, keep a sincere heart, and together forge the grandeur of the Jiangnan martial path.】

Many martial artists in the Jiangnan Circuit had never encountered the Martial Way Hall issuing a document praising a martial artist in such a way in their entire lives. While shocked, they inquired about Mount Wudao and news of this Lin Chen.

Compared to the shock of martial artists who did not understand Mount Wudao, the martial arts experts and families who knew about Mount Wudao were also incomparably shocked.

The difficulty of leaving one's name on Mount Wudao is harder than ascending to heaven.

In the Jiangnan Circuit, no martial artist had been able to leave their name on Mount Wudao for thirty years!

Hongdu Prefecture Martial Way Office.

"This dispute over the model student of the Jiangnan Circuit has come to an end."

Jiang Zheng sighed softly. This document from the Martial Way Hall must have been approved by Lord Shao. If the last three sentences were not in the document, Li Zhe would still have a glimmer of opportunity. But since the Martial Way Hall has called upon all martial arts students in the Jiangnan Circuit to learn from Lin Chen, it means the title of model student already belongs to Lin Chen.

【One should take Lin Chen as a model...】

This sentence already explains everything.

Is it a pity for Li Zhe?

Facing a genius capable of leaving his name on Mount Wudao, it cannot be considered a pity.

……

……

Hongdu Prefecture, Li Residence.

Extremely lively!

Many martial arts youths from Hongdu Prefecture were gathered in the back garden of the Li Residence at this moment, including many youths from other prefectures.

These people were all invited by Li Zhe to attend the banquet hosted by him.

And inside the arched gate connected to the back garden, fierce winds roared from time to time, and waves of powerful wind sounds slapped against the walls like giant waves, drawing everyone's attention from time to time.

"Li Lin Shixiong is probably about to break through to the Organ Cultivation Stage."

"No way, didn't they say it would take three months? It's only been a little over a month."

"If it were an ordinary person, it would naturally take three months, but what is Li Lin Shixiong's status? Breaking through to Organ Cultivation in a month and a half is absolutely no problem."

"It seems we really came to the right place this time. Not only can we enjoy the monster meat provided by the Li Residence, but we can also witness Li Lin Shixiong's breakthrough."

The youths in the garden did not have poor family backgrounds, but these people all centered around Li Zhe, and their words were full of flattery for him.

"That Lin Chen still wants to compete with Li Lin Shixiong for the title of model student of the Jiangnan Circuit; he really doesn't know his own strength."

"Lin Chen is just a clown!"

……

In a corner of the crowd, Li Qi listened to these people flattering Li Zhe in one breath and belittling Lin Chen in the next, her pretty face full of dissatisfaction.

"If it's a wheel battle, then forget it."

Li Qi couldn't help it and retorted to the three people talking on the left.

"Sister Qi, don't talk nonsense."

Wang Yuyao hurriedly stopped Li Qi. Li Qi was brought by her, and several people were already looking at Li Qi with unkind eyes.

"Sister Wang, I'm not wrong. The competition arranged by the Martial Way Hall is at the end of the year. The competition hasn't even started, yet everyone is talking as if Lin Chen has already lost. If that's the case, the Martial Way Hall might as well just give the title of model student to Li Zhe now."

Ever since she was scolded by her grandfather last time, Li Qi had reflected on herself, especially after learning about Lin Chen's past from her grandfather's mouth. She not only had no resentment toward Lin Chen in her heart, but was instead very admiring.

Anyway, she felt that if she had Lin Chen's family background, she probably wouldn't even be able to open her acupoints.

If she couldn't do it, but someone else could, then she admired that person.

"Yuyao, who is this person?" A woman on the side asked Wang Yuyao about Li Qi's background.

"Sister Qi is the eldest daughter of the Quzhou Li Residence." Wang Yuyao did not hide Li Qi's identity.

And just as she finished speaking about Li Qi's identity, many boys and girls at the scene laughed wantonly.

"I was wondering who was speaking up for Lin Chen; so it's the daughter of the Quzhou Li Residence. That certainly requires defending Lin Chen. After all, as a woman, if you don't stand up for your fiancé, wouldn't you be losing your feminine virtue?"

"Rumors from the outside world say that Lin Chen is the future son-in-law of the Li Residence; I didn't believe it at first, but now I really do."

"Li Fu can even look up to someone like Lin Chen; it seems they are really declining."

After knowing Li Qi's identity, these boys and girls started to mock her one after another. Li Qi's cheeks were flushed with anger. She just looked down on these people for slandering Lin Chen behind his back; when did Lin Chen become her fiancé?

"Sister Li, let me ask, what is it about Lin Chen that your Li family, or perhaps you, like?"

"Maybe it's the fishy smell on Lin Chen's body."

These boys and girls laughed wantonly. Everyone knew Lin Chen was the son of a fisherman. Fishermen, after all, are full of fishy smells.

"You... you all..."

Li Qi was so angry that tears were swirling in her eyes. She wanted to say something harsh, but the family backgrounds of these people present were no worse than hers. As for strength, she had only entered the Martial Hall this year and had just opened her acupoints; even if she wanted to take action, she couldn't beat these people.

"Sister Wang, I'm leaving!"

She couldn't stay any longer, so Li Qi decided to leave.

"Sister Qi..."

Wang Yuyao wanted to pull Li Qi back, but after thinking about it, she didn't. Li Qi had provoked public anger, and staying here would only lead to more mockery.

And deep in her heart, she also felt that Lin Chen couldn't compete with Li Zhe.

From her perspective, she still supported Li Zhe; after all, Li Zhe had the same background. Just as Li Qi lifted her foot, footsteps came hurriedly from the direction of the courtyard gate.

"It's bad!"

A youth holding a notice ran in with a panicked face.

"The Martial Way Hall has issued a notice; Lin... Lin Chen has left his name on Mount Wudao."

The originally noisy back garden fell into silence following the youth's words.

Lin Chen... left his name on Mount Wudao?

Li Qi, with tears swirling in her eyes, looked at the stunned crowd, took a few steps forward, and snatched the notice from the youth's hands.

Although the youth was confused, he thought about it and let go.

Li Qi's beautiful eyes quickly scanned the content of the notice. The next moment, she burst into laughter through her tears, raised her eyes to scan the youths in the courtyard, and with a sense of satisfaction in her eyes, read aloud:

【Now, Lin Chen, a student of the Jing Shui Wuguan, Zhenyue Martial Hall, and Kuangfeng Martial Hall in Poyang County, Raozhou Prefecture, has left his name on Mount Wudao, becoming the first youth to ascend the monument in the Jiangnan Circuit in nearly thirty years, raising the prestige of Jiangnan martial artists and strengthening the voice of the martial path in our province.】

【Lin Chen, born in humble circumstances, had no surplus wealth to support his martial path. Yet his ambition is as firm as iron; he worked and studied diligently, practicing day and night. He first won first place in the Poyang County Martial Hall competition, then won first place in the Raozhou Prefecture competition. It is not a gift of heaven, but the result of diligent perseverance.】

【Hereby ordering martial artists of all prefectures, counties, and towns in the Jiangnan Circuit:】

【One should take Lin Chen as a model; the martial path is boundless, only those with firm ambition can cross it; although natural talent varies, only those who are diligent can continue forever.】

……

In the courtyard, there was only Li Qi's satisfied voice; there was no other sound.

More than half of the youths had their mouths slightly open...

"I've finished reading. This young lady won't accompany you all anymore; I still have to rush back to celebrate for Lin Chen."

Li Qi stuffed the notice back into the arms of the youth on the side, held her head high like a general who had won a battle, and strode away.

"Let me see."

After Li Qi's figure disappeared for more than ten breaths, a youth finally couldn't help it, took the notice, and fell into complete silence after reading it.

The notice was passed silently among these youths.

……

……

Until a cup of tea's time had passed.

Li Zhe's figure walked out from the main room, a look of disdain in his eyes.

"Breaking through to the Organ Cultivation Stage a month early; I am determined to win this model student title of the Jiangnan Circuit!"

Lin Chen, what do you have to compete with me!

Li Zhe was confident about his breakthrough to the Organ Cultivation Stage today; otherwise, he wouldn't have specially invited so many children of the powerful and wealthy, only to leave in a hurry to go into seclusion and break through after claiming to have had an epiphany.

He wanted the news of his Organ Cultivation to spread; he wanted Lin Chen to feel despair.

There can be a model student of the Jiangnan Circuit, but it can only be him!

Seeing the many youths in the back garden after passing through the arched gate connecting to the back courtyard, a smile appeared on Li Zhe's face.

"I've kept all you junior brothers and sisters waiting. I didn't expect to have a sudden whim today. I apologize to everyone here."

Li Zhe bowed, but as he bent down, his brow furrowed. According to his expectations, just after he finished saying this, there would inevitably be junior brothers and sisters speaking up to stop him.

But he insisted on bowing and apologizing to shape his humble image.

But now, no one spoke, which made him feel a bit surprised.

After bowing and saluting, Li Zhe looked at the silent crowd, his brow furrowing slightly.

The youths in the courtyard, seeing Li Zhe appear, had expressions that became somewhat strange. They knew Li Lin Shixiong was in seclusion to break through to the Acupoint Opening Stage, and now that he had come out, he must have succeeded.

If it were in the past, they would inevitably offer congratulations, but now...

"What's wrong with everyone?"

Li Zhe saw several people silent and asked with a smile.

"Senior... Li Lin Shixiong, that Lin Chen has left his name on Mount Wudao." Finally, someone spoke up. This matter couldn't be hidden; Li Lin Shixiong would know sooner or later.

"Left his name on Mount Wudao?" Li Zhe's pupils shrank. His gaze swept to a document held in the hand of the man who spoke. With a movement of his body, he appeared beside the man the next moment, and the document was already in his hands.

【One should take Lin Chen as a model...】

Seeing this sentence, Li Zhe's entire face stiffened completely.

The man on the side saw that the atmosphere was a bit silent, thought for a moment, and said: "Li Lin Shixiong said he would come out to compete for the model student title of the Jiangnan Circuit, not because he cared about this title, but because he was afraid that the title would fall on Lin Chen, which would then attract provocation and mockery from people in other circuits. Now that Lin Chen has left his name on Mount Wudao, people from other circuits won't provoke or mock him. I suppose Li Lin Shixiong doesn't want this model student title anymore."

The man had no other purpose in saying this; he just wanted to ease the atmosphere and give Li Zhe a way out.

But his words made Li Zhe's expression turn completely gloomy. After a full few breaths, Li Zhe spoke: "Junior brother is right. I don't care about the name of the model student of the Jiangnan Circuit. Since Lin Chen has proven himself, then let it be given to him."

A smile reappeared on Li Zhe's face, looking calm and composed, but the knuckles of the hands gripping the document were turning white from the force.

"Li Lin Shixiong, I just remembered I have something to do at home, so I'll go first."

"Me too; my grandmother is about to give birth, so I have to go back and see."

……

……

The youths in the courtyard found excuses to leave one after another. Even those who had a good relationship with Li Zhe had no intention of staying here at this moment.

Dozens of figures left in just a few dozen breaths, leaving only one young girl.

"Li Lin Shixiong."

"Get out!"

Li Zhe roared. If it weren't for your Huo family's incompetence in failing to smear Lin Chen's name, Lin Chen wouldn't even have the qualifications to continue staying in the special training grounds, let alone leave his name on Mount Wudao?

Huo Shu's face turned pale: "Li Lin Shixiong, Lin Chen only left his name on Mount Wudao, but his stage is still not as good as yours."

"The agreement between your Huo family and my Li family was to help me win the model student title of the Jiangnan Circuit. Now that it has failed, the marriage contract between our two families is no longer valid."

A wicked look appeared on Li Zhe's face as he looked coldly at Huo Shu: "The Huo family has no value to my Li family anymore. If you want to keep this marriage contract, let me see what abilities you have."

Whoosh!

Li Zhe appeared beside Huo Shu, his palm pressing against Huo Shu's collar, and he pulled it down without any courtesy.

Feeling the coolness on her chest, Huo Shu hurriedly reached out to cover it.

"If you dare to block, then get out!"

Hearing Li Zhe's threatening words, Huo Shu's pretty face changed, carrying a trace of desolation. Two breaths later, her hands trembled and she lowered them.

She knew her grandfather very well; if the Li family didn't want her and ruined her grandfather's plan, her days wouldn't be easy either.

In her grandfather's eyes, only her brother Huo Tong was the future of the Huo family.

"Can... can we go into the room?"

Huo Shu asked with a hint of pleading, her voice humble, but Li Zhe directly covered her with his palm: "Isn't it better in this courtyard!"

……

(Everyone has spent money, so I can't pad it; I won't write these three thousand words)

……

Just as the notice from the Martial Way Hall spread throughout the Jiangnan Circuit, in the next hour, a notice from the Jiangnan Circuit Circuit Office was issued again to all prefectural and county government offices in the Jiangnan Circuit.

【Order of the Jiangnan Circuit】

【Main Recipients:

All prefectural government offices, county government offices, and town halls】

【Subject: To manifest the merit of Lin Chen, who left his name on Mount Wudao in the Jiangnan Circuit】

【Now, Lin Chen, sixteen years old, from Linhu Village, Kaohe Town, Poyang County, Raozhou Prefecture, Jiangnan Circuit, left his name on Mount Wudao in the year 299 of the Daliang calendar...】

【……】

【……】

【Raising the prestige of Jiangnan martial artists and strengthening the voice of the Jiangnan martial path, he is truly a rare genius in a hundred years, setting a flag and manifesting ambition for the thousands of martial artists in the Jiangnan Circuit.】

【Ordering Raozhou Prefecture to carve his deeds on the "Liwu Monument" to announce them to the world】

The two official documents were largely the same in content.

But to be able to receive documents from both the Martial Way Hall and the Circuit Office on the same day, looking at the entire Jiangnan Circuit, only the top five in the Martial Examination had received such treatment in the past.

Even if one did not understand the difficulty of leaving a name on Mount Wudao, after seeing these two official documents, one could guess that Lin Chen must have achieved a shocking accomplishment.

"Village Chief, what is Mount Wudao?"

"Why are you asking about this, you coward? Is this something we can know?"

Zhao Canghu looked at the curious eyes of the villagers and slapped one of them on the head in annoyance: "Go, sweep the ancestral hall clean. We have to offer sacrifices to the ancestors as soon as Lin Chen returns."

Zhao Canghu was very excited. Two official documents! And from the Martial Way Hall and the Jiangnan Circuit Office! When Scholar Jiang passed the imperial examination, he didn't have this kind of honor.

It seems a monument is also to be erected. Although he didn't understand what this Liwu Monument was, it must be a good thing.

He must strive to have this monument erected in Linhu Village.

With a stone monument, who would dare to bully their Linhu Village in the future?

"I reckon those big shots from the county will be coming to our village soon. Pay attention to your appearance. I'm going to the Lin family."

Where the stone monument is erected, the one who can make the decision is naturally Lin Chen, but he understood Lin Chen; Lin Chen didn't care about these things, so he had to talk to Lin Chen's mother.

After the stone monument is erected, he won't have to chat with the village women under the big camphor tree anymore. Wouldn't it be more prestigious to stand next to a stone monument engraved with his own son's glorious deeds?

Whoever sees it will have to praise him a few times, and the topic will come naturally.

……

……

Next door, at the special training grounds!

"Damn it!"

"Chen Ping, this is going too far!"

"Min Huanbo, you are not a man!"

Zhang Jiang and the others, after seeing the notice from the Martial Way Hall, were shocked and then suddenly started cursing loudly.

(End of chapter)