Chapter 198

By the lakeside.

The lake water rippled, very rhythmically, and as Lin Chen performed the Wind-Cloud Palm, the rhythm of the lake water slapping the shore also constantly accelerated.

Kong Qifeng watched Lin Chen perform the Wind-Cloud Palm quietly, his old eyes thoughtful.

Lin Chen performed the first six moves of the Wind-Cloud Palm and didn't stop there because Minister Kong hadn't called for a stop.

Once, twice, three times...

When he performed it for the fifth time, Kong Qifeng's right hand suddenly raised. In an instant, the wind stopped and the water became still, the lake surface calm and undisturbed.

Lin Chen only felt an irresistible force that caused the Qi and blood around his body to solidify at this moment. But the next moment, this force disappeared, and the Qi and blood within his body were like the originally rushing river water suddenly being intercepted by a dam falling from the sky. And the next moment, as this dam dissipated, the river water roared and poured down.

Palm Seven!

Lin Chen's Qi and blood reached a peak at this moment, and a faint blood light appeared on his body surface again. With one palm strike, the air was torn apart, emitting a roar.

The air even exploded.

Retracting the palm.

Lin Chen looked at his slightly trembling right hand, with brilliance in his eyes. His hand was trembling because the terrifying power released by this palm was something he couldn't currently master.

If that force hadn't just solidified the Qi and blood around his body and then ignited it in an instant, he definitely wouldn't have been able to perform this seventh move.

This move was worth his slow comprehension.

"Thank you, my lord, for your guidance."

Lin Chen bowed to Kong Qifeng. Kong Qifeng had brilliance in his eyes: "The thickness of your internal Qi and blood is rare in a hundred years. Even some Organ Cultivation martial artists find it difficult to have such Qi and blood. It stands to reason that only youths from a few other countries could achieve this step."

Watching Lin Chen's Wind-Cloud Palm, Kong Qifeng could judge that the thickness of Lin Chen's internal Qi and blood far exceeded that of other youths in Daliang.

As the Minister of the Martial Administration Department, he had seen many geniuses in Daliang, but even Pei Qingming back then, in terms of Qi and blood, was less than half of Lin Chen's.

"Only youths from other countries can?"

Regarding Minister Kong's words, Lin Chen was also curious. Why could only youths from other countries do it? Was Daliang not capable?

"Daliang's attitude toward demon clans is to kill one whenever we see one. But some countries don't. Take Zheng, for example. The imperial family itself is allied with the demon clans, and the families below follow suit, selecting family youths with potential to fuse with demon clan bloodlines. And in terms of Qi and blood, demon clans far exceed our human race."

Seeing Lin Chen's confusion, Kong Qifeng explained, which was also why Daliang, although martial arts were prosperous, was slightly inferior to the other eight countries in top-tier combat power.

"So that's how it is."

Lin Chen nodded. He could understand Minister Kong's words, which meant those countries let some youths fuse and absorb the bloodlines of demon clans. And some demon clans were born with infinite strength or swift speed, which was the advantage of demon clans compared to the human race.

Under the fusion of bloodlines, these youths were also equivalent to being born with divine strength or amazing speed, and the Qi and blood within their bodies were naturally thicker.

"This disciple's thick Qi and blood should be related to the technique this disciple cultivates. When this disciple went to the special training ground, I met Senior Zhao..."

Lin Chen briefly recounted his experience in the special training ground, following Senior Zhao for medicinal baths.

Kong Qifeng nodded: "This old man has read this experience of yours. This kind of cultivation method is too extreme, and the requirements for the person cultivating are very high. In other words, except for you, I'm afraid no one else could do it."

Extreme martial artist, amazing enlightenment, amazing perseverance, and being able to endure that pain...

For children from poor families to bring glory to Daliang, the hardship they pay is several times more than ordinary people.

"With your current Qi and blood, after stepping into the Organ Cultivation Stage, ordinary Organ Cultivation cultivation methods are not suitable for you. This old man will select a suitable Organ Cultivation method for you..."

Hearing that Minister Kong wanted to select an Organ Cultivation method for him, Lin Chen hesitated for a moment, but still answered truthfully: "My lord, this disciple once obtained an Organ Cultivation method on Mount Wudao, named Nine-Turn True Blood Organ Cultivation."

"Nine-Turn True Blood Organ Cultivation?"

Kong Qifeng pondered. He knew all the martial arts techniques of Daliang, but he had never heard of any Nine-Turn True Blood Organ Cultivation method. Could it be... a technique from that place?

"Since it is a technique passed to you by Mount Wudao, it is naturally the most suitable technique for you. However, don't spread the name of this technique. Even if someone asks, just say it is a Daliang Organ Cultivation secret method, rewarded to you by the Martial Administration Department."

"My lord, is this technique special?"

Lin Chen saw Kong Qifeng's serious eyes and was also a bit surprised in his heart. It was just an Organ Cultivation technique; for Minister Kong, it shouldn't count as anything.

"Remember this old man's words."

Kong Qifeng didn't explain to Lin Chen because it involved some matters of the founding emperor back then, and except for a few people in the imperial family, only these First-Rank martial artists knew the inside story.

Seeming to be afraid that his serious expression would make Lin Chen have concerns, Kong Qifeng revealed a smile again and said: "This old man heard that you are imitating Pei Qingming, wanting to wait until you break through to Organ Cultivation before choosing a Wu Yuan?"

"This disciple is not imitating Senior Pei. Senior Pei's heavenly talent is not something this disciple can compare to. This disciple just wants to fight for the best treatment for myself. The more times I leave my name on Mount Wudao, the better the treatment the Wu Yuan will give."

Lin Chen scratched his head, with some embarrassment on his face.

"You are honest."

Kong Qifeng was very satisfied with Lin Chen's answer: "In terms of martial talent, you are still a bit behind Pei Qingming now, but your strength lies in your Qi and blood advantage. If we talk about this, the Canglan Wu Yuan is the most suitable for you. It is close to the East Sea region, where there are many sea demons, and it has advantages in Qi and blood nourishment."

"My lord, are you recommending me to go to the Canglan Wu Yuan?"

"It's not a recommendation. If it were a recommendation, this old man originally wanted you to go to the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan, but now that I think about it, forget it."

"Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan?"

Lin Chen thought of the five Martial Academies of Daliang. Only this Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan had never contacted him. He had also had this doubt in his heart these days. It stood to reason that with the talent he had shown, the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan shouldn't have had no reaction at all.

"Could it be..."

Swish!

A thought flashed through Lin Chen's mind, and he looked at Kong Qifeng with shock.

"Have you figured it out?"

Kong Qifeng saw Lin Chen's shocked eyes and stroked his beard and smiled: "That's right, the recruitment instructor of the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan is this old man."

"This... this disciple truly didn't expect it."

The dignified Minister of the Martial Administration Department, a First-Rank martial artist, would actually come representing the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan.

How could the other Martial Academies compare?

"This old man originally wanted you to go to the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan because although the resources of the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan are not as good as the other four Martial Academies, and it is even excluded by the other eight countries, the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan is at the forefront of the battle against the demon clans in the Northern Frontier. Entering the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan, as long as you don't die, your growth speed will be the fastest."

Kong Qifeng looked at Lin Chen: "However, after seeing you, this old man changed his mind. The Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan is actually not suitable for you. On the contrary, the Canglan Wu Yuan is more suitable for you."

"The Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan is not suitable for this disciple?"

"The reason why the Nine Countries built Martial Academies is that there is no saying that one country dominates all martial arts resources. Each country has its own unique features. But once you enter the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan, you won't be able to go to the other few countries in the future. Students of the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan are forbidden from entering four countries."

"Forbidden from entering?"

Lin Chen's expression became strange. The Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan enjoys the resources of the Nine Countries on one hand, and is forbidden from entering by four countries on the other?

"When the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan was first established, it joined the Nine Countries Wu Yuan system together with the Canglan Wu Yuan. At that time, the other eight countries didn't find anything different about the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan. It was only later that other countries discovered that the students of the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan didn't leave Daliang, and every student of the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan entered the imperial court and joined the military department. Four of the countries used this as an excuse to blockade the students of the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan."

Hearing Minister Kong's words, Lin Chen's mouth also twitched. The reason for this blockade was truly absurd enough.

"The concept of the Nine Countries Joint Wu Yuan is not to distinguish between countries and to cultivate martial arts geniuses. Naturally, there cannot be too obvious signs of imperial court intervention. At least on the surface, it must be so."

With this explanation from Kong Qifeng, Lin Chen instantly understood.

This is just the so-called martial arts having no national boundaries.

However, martial artists have national boundaries.

"This old man was originally afraid that you would enter other Martial Academies and finally be poached by other countries. But hearing your words today, I don't have to worry about this point. Since that's the case, the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan is not as good as the other four Martial Academies."

"Are there people being poached after entering the Wu Yuan?"

"Yes, and it's been getting more and more frequent in recent years."

Mentioning this matter, Kong Qifeng's face also turned cold. Lin Chen was confused: "Now that Daliang's martial arts are prosperous, will there still be people being poached?"

"It is precisely because Daliang's martial arts are prosperous that many martial arts families have been born. Some people always feel that Daliang's cultivation of geniuses is not enough, at least compared to other countries, the resources given are not enough. But these people have forgotten that if Daliang only cultivated geniuses from the beginning, whether their fathers and even grandfathers could become Ranked martial artists would be hard to say."

Kong Qifeng gave a light huff. Daliang's prosperity also hides many hidden dangers, and the biggest hidden danger is these martial arts families that have grown up in the last hundred years. These people were grateful to Daliang when their ancestors hadn't yet prospered, grateful to Daliang for giving them the opportunity to learn martial arts. But now that they have become martial arts families, they want the same treatment as the other eight countries.

They want Daliang to invest more martial arts resources in geniuses, and the so-called geniuses are those youths in their families, reducing the supply of martial arts resources to ordinary commoners.

"Lin Chen, this old man wants you to do one thing."

"My lord, please speak!" Lin Chen said immediately.

"Leave your name on Mount Wudao six times, let some people see what a true genius is, and also let them know that poor families can also produce geniuses."

Lin Chen only hesitated for a few breaths and answered: "This disciple will do my best!"

"Don't you ask, why does this old man want you to do this? What will you encounter by doing this?"

"I will be hated by those martial arts families and powerful children."

Lin Chen answered very quickly. From the moment Minister Kong's words were spoken, he understood what Minister Kong wanted to do.

These martial arts families have gradually grown and cannot be denied to have become a huge force in Daliang. Even someone as strong as Minister Kong cannot act arbitrarily and deny the suggestions of these people. Among these people, there are even those who hold high positions in the imperial court.

Minister Kong wants to push him out, to tell these martial arts families: You want Daliang to tilt more martial arts resources toward martial arts geniuses.

You can!

Then you have to prove that you are true geniuses!

Only someone like him who can leave his name on Mount Wudao can be considered a true genius.

That Senior Pei also came from a martial arts family, so his status wasn't suitable. But he came from a humble background, which just happened to verify that the Martial Administration Department's teaching path for so many years was correct.

"Aren't you afraid?"

Kong Qifeng's eyes stared tightly at Lin Chen. Lin Chen gave a bitter smile: "How could this disciple not be afraid? But this disciple was able to walk to this step today because Daliang gave youths from ordinary families a chance. This disciple also hopes that later youths can have such an opportunity."

The two looked at each other. Kong Qifeng saw that Lin Chen wasn't saying this to please him.

"Remember your words today."

Kong Qifeng patted Lin Chen on the shoulder. From this moment on, Lin Chen was listed as a seed student of the Daliang Martial Administration Department. And in the three hundred years since the founding of Daliang, there had only been six seed students.

Linhu Village. Kong Qifeng came quickly and left quickly, staying in Linhu Village for only one hour in total.

Accompanied by Kong Qifeng's departure, the entire large team also left. Linhu Village returned to quietness.

Nine days later!

Lin Chen opened twenty-two acupoints and left his name on Mount Wudao again.

Thus, he had left his name five times!

Three hundred years since the founding of Daliang, he was the second genius to leave his name on Mount Wudao five times.

Lin Chen's name began to appear in other paths for the first time.

It was no longer limited to the Open-Acupuncture Stage; even some Organ Cultivation and Ranked martial artists had heard Lin Chen's name.

The next day!

The Vice Deans of the three major Martial Academies arrived in Jiangnan Dao almost at the same time and appeared in Linhu Village.

This time, Jia Nanzhu didn't block the three again. Vice Deans of the Martial Academies were all existences of Upper-Rank martial artists.

Liu Ru looked at the Vice Deans of the other three Martial Academies, but felt anxious in his heart. Why hadn't his own Wu Yuan's Vice Dean come yet?

Facing these three Vice Deans, his confidence was insufficient.

Although Lin Chen had a better impression of the Canglan Wu Yuan, what ultimately decided which Wu Yuan Lin Chen chose was the conditions offered by the Wu Yuan.

He was just a recruitment instructor and naturally couldn't have the same authority as these three Vice Deans.

"Jia Lin Shidi, where is Lin Chen?"

The three Vice Deans saw only Jia Nanzhu and didn't see Lin Chen, frowning. The three of them had come in person; it stood to reason that Lin Chen should have met them.

Even Pei Qingming back then only left the recruitment instructor hanging, and when the Vice Dean came, he also took time to meet him.

"Three Senior Brothers, it's not that I'm stopping you from seeing Lin Chen, but when Minister Kong left, he once instructed that Lin Chen should focus on cultivation and not be distracted. As for the Wu Yuan matter, it can wait until he breaks through to Organ Cultivation."

Jia Nanzhu brought up Minister Kong. This wasn't said by Minister Kong, but he thought that borrowing Minister Kong's name wouldn't matter to Minister Kong.

The reason he stopped these three Vice Deans from seeing Lin Chen was only one: Jiang Duanchao had come to Linhu Village a day ago and only brought one sentence: before the Canglan Wu Yuan came, no matter what conditions other Martial Academies offered, don't agree to them.

The Canglan Wu Yuan was extremely sincere to Lin Chen!

Extremely sincere, yet it hadn't appeared for a long time. Jia Nanzhu naturally knew that the Canglan Wu Yuan wasn't trying to delay time, waiting for these three Martial Academies to lose patience before coming to pick up the bargain.

There was only one explanation: the conditions the Canglan Wu Yuan prepared for Lin Chen needed time to prepare.

Hearing Jia Nanzhu's words, the three Vice Deans were also a bit helpless. Minister Kong had been brought up; even if they were dissatisfied, they could only accept it.

"Jia Lin Shidi, this time our Qingyun Wu Yuan is very sincere. Why not talk about it privately first."

The Vice Dean of the Qingyun Wu Yuan looked at Jia Nanzhu. In his view, Lin Chen was born to a fisherman and didn't know much about martial arts. Which Wu Yuan he ultimately chose still had to be decided by Jia Nanzhu.

As long as Jia Nanzhu agreed, Lin Chen wouldn't be able to run.

"Let's wait together. There's no rush for a moment. I'll invite the three Senior Brothers to drink tea."

Jia Nanzhu made a gesture of invitation. The three Vice Deans looked at each other and saw the helplessness in each other's eyes. No way, now they were the weaker side.

Ordinary martial arts geniuses, the Wu Yuan held the initiative, but for geniuses like Lin Chen, the Wu Yuan was instead very passive.

Just as the three Vice Deans were moving, an old man walked over slowly not far away. His pace seemed slow, but in just a few breaths, he was in front of the few.

"The tea Jia Lin Shidi brewed naturally has to be drunk. But before drinking, why not listen to the conditions our Canglan Wu Yuan has offered for Lin Chen."

The person who came was none other than He Jingren, the Vice Dean of the Canglan Wu Yuan.

"Dean He, you've finally come!"

Liu Ru, who was standing on the side and didn't dare to speak, saw his own Dean finally arrive, and even as a Ranked powerhouse, his emotions were very excited.

In front of these three Upper-Rank martial artists, he, a small Lower-Rank martial artist, didn't even have a part in the conversation.

"It seems Lin Lin Shixiong He has full confidence that Lin Chen will choose your Canglan Wu Yuan. Since that's the case, let's each show our conditions."

The Vice Deans of the other three Martial Academies saw He Jingren appear, and there was a look of vigilance in their eyes, but they had their own thoughts in their hearts.

No matter what conditions your Canglan Wu Yuan offers, just add some more on top of your conditions.

"Hehe, then the three Junior Brothers listen well. As long as Lin Chen nods to join our Canglan Wu Yuan, our Canglan Wu Yuan will give Lin Chen thirty drops of millennium Flood Dragon True Blood. The resources Lin Chen needs for cultivation in the Wu Yuan will be supplied by our Canglan Wu Yuan. Except for the rewards that need to be achieved through assessment, Lin Chen will have a share of all other Wu Yuan rewards."

He Jingren finished speaking and looked at the three: "These are the conditions of our Canglan Wu Yuan. Three Junior Brothers, please."

Please my ass!

The faces of the Vice Deans of the three Martial Academies were incomparably ugly.

Other things were fine to say, but thirty drops of millennium Flood Dragon True Blood—what could they take out to compare?

Didn't they see that the mouth of this old man Jia Nanzhu was wide open?

"Lin Lin Shixiong He, is your Canglan Wu Yuan trying to empty out your family foundation?"

"That's right."

He Jingren directly admitted it generously and turned his gaze to Jia Nanzhu: "Jia Lin Shidi, is this condition of our Canglan Wu Yuan sincere enough?"

"Enough!" Jia Nanzhu responded almost without any thought: "From now on, Lin Chen is a student of the Canglan Wu Yuan. I will make the decision for Lin Chen!"

Thirty drops of millennium Flood Dragon True Blood, don't even think about considering it; only a fool wouldn't agree.

Regardless of whether the Canglan Wu Yuan was emptying out its family foundation, Lin Chen was earning it anyway.

(End of chapter)