Chapter 168: Refining the Dragon Blood (Ally Bonus Update)

Poyang County.

A burst of cheer!

Before the gates of Jingshui Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan, Zhenyue Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan, and Kuangfeng Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan, banners had been hung.

"Celebrating our disciple's name inscribed on Mount Dengwudao, breaking the thirty-year record long sealed in Jiangnan Province!"

The actions of these three halls filled the other four with envy.

Yet Qingfeng Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan remained utterly silent.

"Vice-Head Qihe is a traitor to Qingfeng Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan!"

The elders, current head, and instructors of Qingfeng Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan were filled with deep frustration.

This honor had originally belonged solely to Qingfeng Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan—at least, it had nothing to do with Jingshui Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan.

Now, when people mentioned Lin Chen, they thought of Qingfeng Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan—but as the place that had disdained Lin Chen.

The head and instructors of Qingfeng Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan could foresee that next year's student quality would plummet, and as Lin Chen's cultivation continued to rise, Qingfeng Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan would be dragged out again and again, nailed to the shame pillar.

Qingfeng Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan was nailed to the shame pillar of Poyang County's Eight Martial Arts Halls; Qihe and Zhao Ce would be nailed to Qingfeng Qingfeng Qingfeng Wuguan's shame pillar.

…

Poyang County Wuzheng Office.

Su Su Lingchuan and He He Ruyun were currently sipping tea and chatting, both with smiles on their faces.

"Congratulations, Su Qin."

"And congratulations to Brother He."

They exchanged a knowing smile; this time, both the Wuzheng Office and Donghai Xingdao Prefecture had issued joint announcements. As director of Poyang County's Wuzheng Office, Su Su Lingchuan's achievements spoke for themselves, and He He Ruyun had also benefited by association.

Lin Chen was not only a student of Poyang County's martial arts halls—he was also a native of Poyang County.

"Su Qin, since there are no outsiders here, I'll speak plainly. When that official Xing first arrived and targeted Lin Chen, I did hesitate—after all, Director Xing is the head of the Wuzheng Force, while I am merely the County Magistrate of Poyang." He He Ruyun recalled the intimidating presence of Xing Huai Feng and sighed: "My final decision to oppose Director Xing stemmed less from any regard for Lin Chen, and more from the office I hold."

"If an official does not stand up for the people, he might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes."

He He Ruyun's expression turned solemn. From a personal standpoint, he should have avoided the matter entirely—no matter the outcome, it would not have touched him.

"But I am the County Magistrate of Poyang. Lin Chen is my people. If I, as County Magistrate, chose self-preservation, I could never pass this moral barrier."

"I understand, Brother."

Su Su Lingchuan deeply agreed. Like He He Ruyun, he came from a decent family. Serving as an official of Da Liang was not merely for contribution points or the court's treasure resources—it was also driven by lofty ambition.

"I never expected Lin Chen to be this impressive. Recently, Raozhou Prefecture has sent me a message, instructing me to compile a detailed report on Lin Chen and submit it to Raozhou."

He He Ruyun smiled. He had merely held to his principles—and yet had gained such a reward.

Raozhou Prefecture wanted Lin Chen's detailed record to prepare for inscribing his name on the Lìwǔ Stele.

…

…

Training Ground.

Jia Jia Nanzhu, gazing at the Wuzheng Office's announcement, frowned with confusion in his old eyes.

He hadn't expected Director Shao to release it so openly—he had assumed Shao would conceal Lin Chen's identity for now, waiting until things calmed down before announcing it.

Since Director Shao had chosen to go public, and the Jiangnan Province Donghai Xingdao Prefecture had followed suit, there must be good reason behind their decision.

In the bamboo grove.

Jia Jia Nanzhu watched Lin Chen emerge from the tub and tossed him the two announcements, smiling: "Take a good look. You're the first person in over a decade to prompt both the Wuzheng Office and Donghai Xingdao Prefecture to issue joint notices. At the Opening Meridian stage, you're the first in thirty years."

Twenty years ago, a martial artist from Jiangnan Province placed third in the martial examination; the Wuzheng Office and Donghai Xingdao Prefecture had issued announcements then too—but that man was already at the Entry Grade, already well-known in Jiangnan's martial circles.

Lin Chen took the two notices, glanced curiously, then, after reading their contents, scratched his head sheepishly: "I'm not nearly as outstanding as they claim."

Jia Jia Nanzhu chuckled: "No need for modesty. Simply having your name inscribed on Mount Dengwudao proves your martial talent. The deeper you go on Mount Dengwudao, the harder it becomes to leave your name."

Mount Dengwudao has existed for over two hundred years. At first, names changed frequently—almost every few months, a new name appeared. Then it became once a year, then every few years. In the last fifty years, the rate of change has slowed drastically, now occurring roughly once every decade.

The reason is simple: each successive challenger is stronger than the last, making it harder and harder to leave a name. Many martial masters have declared that within thirty years, no new names will ever appear on Mount Dengwudao.

Lin Chen understood Jia's words—it was like breaking a game's record. Each time the bar is raised, the gap widens. The closer you get to the limit, the less likely a newcomer is to catch up—until, eventually, the limit becomes absolute, impossible to surpass.

"Raozhou Prefecture and Poyang County have already prepared a grand ceremony to welcome you, their martial prodigy, back home. Have you considered returning to Poyang County now? Will the Training Ground permit it?"

Jia Jia Nanzhu smiled as he asked. Lin Chen shook his head: "The three months aren't over. I won't return yet. Opening Meridian is merely a small realm on the martial path. For me, the path ahead remains long and arduous."

Lin Chen could imagine that the village chief was already ordering Xu Shu to clean the ancestral hall, waiting for him to return for ancestral rites.

If he had to perform ancestral rites again, he'd know every name on the spirit tablets by heart—could recite them backward.

"I originally planned—if you failed your challenge on Mount Dengwudao—to have you consume the Dragon Blood for one final push. But since you succeeded, there's no need to worry. Whether or not you can absorb the Dragon Blood, it's no longer critical."

All the auxiliary herbs needed to accompany the Dragon Blood absorption have been gathered.

Hearing this, Lin Chen's eyes lit up. He had experienced firsthand the effects of the Snake Demon Blood—the Dragon Blood's effects would surely far surpass it.

"Prepare well. I'll begin mixing the medicine now."

…………

For Lin Chen, "preparation" meant not overtraining today and avoiding any physical injury.

Watching Jia Jia Nanzhu begin blending the medicinal brew, Lin Chen slung his quiver and left the bamboo grove.

The Zhenyue Scripture could no longer be practiced—the third level involved the internal organs and required him to enter the Organ Refining realm. What he could still train now were the Kuangfeng Legs and the Greed-For-Life Arrow technique.

Lin Chen's figure darted wildly through the valley and forest, gripping the Snake Shadow Bow, beginning another round of intense training.

"Lin Lin Shidi never stops training."

Xue Yun, Du Yong, and the others watched Lin Chen moving through the forest, their faces filled with admiration.

"No wonder Lin Lin Shidi's name is on Mount Dengwudao. His composure is something I can't match."

Du Yong sighed. If he had inscribed his name on Mount Dengwudao, he'd already be throwing a grand banquet, inviting friends and fellow disciples to book the finest brothel in Fucheng.

He wouldn't stop indulging for a month.

Who could train nonstop every single day?

"Lin Lin Shidi was born for the martial path. Such people are beyond our reach," Xue Yun murmured, watching Lin Chen's retreating figure. "A rare few find their only joy in climbing higher on the martial path. They care nothing for anything else. Lin Lin Shidi is one of them."

Lin Chen's figure moved swiftly through various locations in the valley; his unwavering dedication inspired admiration not only from Xue Yun and the others, but from all the other trainees in this cohort, who watched him with fiery eyes.

If Yu Fei and the others had once harbored thoughts of catching up to Lin Chen, those thoughts were now gone.

Chase him with their lives?

In over two months at the Training Ground, Yu Fei and the others had visited Mount Dengwudao. They knew how terrifying the strength of those who had left their names there.

Before experiencing it firsthand, they had grand ambitions to inscribe their names on Mount Dengwudao.

Reality shattered those dreams with three punches—they shouted, "I'm just an ordinary person!"

Inscribing their names on Mount Dengwudao was no longer a dream. Their goal now was to succeed in a challenge six Meridians ahead.

If they could advance even one small step further, they'd be overjoyed.

Xue Yun and the others admired him; Yu Fei and the others revered him. Meanwhile, Min Min Huanbo and the others calmly exchanged words with Zhang Jiang and the trainees from the neighboring Training Ground.

"Inter-ground duels are the established tradition. Why refuse now?"

"Tradition? If it's tradition, why did you all abandon it in past years? Why can't we abandon it now?"

"Brothers, your side has trainees with perfected techniques and fully reached realms. To say you're giving up—won't that invite ridicule?"

"Chen Ping, we won't waste words with you. This duel is canceled!"

"Brother Zhang, I have a suggestion: if you think Lin Chen is too strong, let him fight all your trainees at once."

As soon as Min Min Huanbo spoke, Zhang Jiang and the others fell silent. The suggestion was dangerously tempting.

They knew well how powerful a name on Mount Dengwudao was. Lin Chen was virtually invincible below the Organ Refining stage. Yet their side had two trainees at Twenty-Four Opening Meridians and fourteen at Twenty Opening Meridians. If Lin Chen fought sixteen at once, they still had a chance.

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

In a wheel battle, they still had no chance.

"How could it be a wheel battle? Pick one arena. All enter at once. No rules."

Min Min Huanbo smiled cheerfully. Zhang Jiang and the others, seeing him so agreeable, grew suspicious.

"Brother Zhang, to be honest, I proposed this only out of curiosity. How many years has it been since a trainee inscribed his name on Mount Dengwudao? I'm simply curious—what kind of strength does a genius who leaves his name on Mount Dengwudao truly possess?"

Sensing their suspicion, Min Min Huanbo added: "Don't you want to know?"

Yes!

Zhang Jiang and the others silently agreed in their hearts.

"Fine. It's settled." In the end, Zhang Jiang and the others couldn't resist the temptation and agreed.

"Since you've agreed, let's discuss the stakes."

"No need for stakes."

"If there are no stakes, what's the point of the duel?"

"Brother Min is right. Some stakes are necessary."

…

…

As Min Min Huanbo and Zhang Jiang finalized the duel stakes, Lin Chen returned to the bamboo grove. Jia Jia Nanzhu had already prepared the medicinal brew.

"The Dragon Blood is extremely fierce. Prepare your mind."

"I understand."

Lin Chen nodded. He had endured the agony of reversed qi during his True Blood Meridian Opening path. He had withstood the extreme physical pressure to train the Zhenyue Scripture. As long as he didn't die, he feared nothing.

As long as I live, I fear nothing.

ps: This chapter counts as the second ally's bonus update. I'll write the full 10,000 characters during the day. Today's update may be delayed—I'm attending two meetings today, so daytime is busy—but the 10,000-character update is guaranteed!

(End of chapter)