Chapter 218

Bafang City wharf.

The disciples who came from the Canglan Wu Yuan were not just Zhu Xing and Qu Feng; many other disciples from the academy had also come.

The disciples of the Canglan Wu Yuan came from all the various regions of Daliang.

Every year during the academy's recruitment assessment, these martial academy disciples would receive news sent by the Martial Administration Office of their hometowns. If there were Junior Brothers from the same prefecture coming to participate in the assessment, they would all come to the wharf to pick them up.

The concept of hometown and clan was very prevalent in Daliang.

These disciples from the martial academy also saw Qu Feng and came forward one after another to greet him.

Qu Feng's fame in the Canglan Wu Yuan was quite significant; he was one of the top ten disciples of this year's academy.

On the wharf, boat after boat docked, and martial artist after martial artist walked off the boats, with both Open-Acupuncture martial artists and Organ Cultivation martial artists.

Suddenly, a luxurious pleasure boat docked, and five youths came down from the boat—four men and one woman, all of whom were in the Organ Cultivation Stage.

"Is this Bafang City?"

"It looks alright. To have such a city in the south is already quite good."

The five people got off the boat with an unconcealable look of arrogance. Qu Feng's eyes narrowed slightly; listening to the accent, they were from the capital.

Every year when the Canglan Wu Yuan recruited students, there were very few martial artists from the capital. Young martial artists from the capital who met the requirements for the academy's assessment were given priority by the two martial academies in the capital, followed by the Lingxiao Wu Yuan. As for the Canglan Wu Yuan, it was never among their targets.

Unless they failed the assessments of all three martial academies, they would choose to come to the Canglan Wu Yuan.

Because its ranking was weaker than the other three martial academies, the Canglan Wu Yuan was at a disadvantage in recruitment. For this reason, the Canglan Wu Yuan's assessment time was always after the assessments of the other three martial academies ended, just so those who chose the other three martial academies but were not admitted could still make it in time to participate in the Canglan Wu Yuan's assessment.

It's not that the Canglan Wu Yuan specifically picked up what the three martial academies didn't want; the assessment contained a certain element of luck. Some geniuses had enough strength, but because their on-the-spot performance was a bit poor, they failed the assessment. When they arrived at the Canglan Wu Yuan, their mindset was actually more leveled, and they passed the assessment.

But precisely because the Canglan Wu Yuan placed its assessment time after the other three martial academies, it was instead disdained by many geniuses.

In their view, the Canglan Wu Yuan just picked up the disciples that the other three martial academies didn't want.

Among the children of powerful families in the capital, whoever went to the Canglan Wu Yuan would be mocked in their circles.

"Are you Junior Brothers here to participate in our Bafang City martial academy assessment?"

Qu Feng thought for a moment and took the initiative to walk up and ask. If he guessed correctly, these five people should be the geniuses from the capital mentioned by the instructor, the kind that were bound to enter the martial academy.

"Hmm, is Lin Lin Shixiong a disciple of the martial academy?"

Ye Feng looked at the clothing on Qu Feng and explained, "I am from Guixi Dao, and these few are from the capital. We are all here to participate in the martial academy assessment."

Ye Feng reported his identity. Beside him, Shen Ze and the others put away the look of arrogance on their faces when facing Qu Feng. Although they were from the capital, the person before them also put significant pressure on them; he must not be an ordinary disciple in the Canglan Wu Yuan.

"You Junior Brothers choosing our Canglan Wu Yuan is absolutely the right choice."

On the side, another disciple of the Canglan Wu Yuan followed up with a smile, but his words made Shen Ze and the others curl their lips. They chose the Canglan Wu Yuan not because of the academy, but more accurately, they were here for a certain person.

"Lin Lin Shixiong Qu, curious to ask, has Senior Lin Lin Shidi arrived?"

Ye Feng lowered his voice to ask. He had met Lin Chen once, and although Lin Chen was a month younger than him, martial arts strength came first. Once they entered the martial academy, he would definitely have to call him Lin Lin Shixiong.

In order to catch up with the Canglan Wu Yuan's recruitment assessment, after giving up on leaving his name on Mount Wudao, they had cultivated desperately. Especially since he had suppressed his stage the most initially, he had cultivated with his life on the line to reach Organ Cultivation, and finally broke through to Organ Cultivation five days ago.

Thinking back to when Lin Chen and he were at the same stage, but he was still at twenty-one acupoints, Lin Chen had already broken through to twenty-three acupoints. When he was still at twenty-two acupoints, he had gone straight to twenty-four acupoints. He didn't even know how Lin Chen had cultivated.

This cultivation speed was faster than riding a horse.

As for how he knew Lin Chen's cultivation progress, every time the bell rang on Mount Wudao, it represented that Lin Chen had broken through another acupoint.

"Lin Lin Shidi Ye knows Lin Lin Shidi?"

Qu Feng did not answer directly but asked curiously. This Lin Lin Shidi Ye was from Guixi Dao, and Guixi Dao and Jiangnan Dao were quite far apart. Given Lin Lin Shidi's family background, he shouldn't have had any intersection with this Lin Lin Shidi Ye.

"That is natural." Ye Feng patted his chest. "I once sparred with Senior Lin Lin Shidi in Linhu Village."

"Lin Lin Shidi Ye won?" Qu Feng thought for a moment and asked in a tactful way.

"No." Ye Feng sighed, a look of regret on his face. "I lost by a move."

He was telling the truth; Lin Chen had sent him flying with one palm, so wasn't that losing by a move?

Hearing Ye Feng's answer, Qu Feng's pupils contracted slightly. To have only lost to Lin Lin Shidi by a move, this Lin Lin Shidi Ye's strength was not to be underestimated.

Ye Feng!

He remembered this name; he could tell his instructor not to miss such a good seedling.

The martial academy's method of teaching disciples was different from that in the martial halls. In a martial hall, one instructor corresponded to all the disciples, but in the martial academy, each instructor taught several disciples. The better the disciples' results in the various assessments and competitions in the academy, the higher the instructor's merit.

Beside them, Shen Ze and the others knew Ye Feng's roots well. Hearing Ye Feng's shameless words, they all twitched their mouths, but in front of outsiders, they naturally wouldn't expose Ye Feng.

Exposing Ye Feng in private was because everyone was very familiar with each other.

But exposing him in front of outsiders was creating enmity.

"Since Lin Lin Shidi Ye knows Lin Lin Shidi, why not wait here for a while?"

Qu Feng revealed a hint. Ye Feng's eyes lit up. "Lin Lin Shixiong Qu, are you saying that Senior Lin Lin Shidi is also arriving soon?"

Qu Feng did not say anything more. He had only received the news from the instructor three hours ago that Lin Chen would arrive in Bafang City in four hours. As for how the instructor knew Lin Chen's whereabouts, naturally, someone had sent a flying letter.

For a genius like Lin Chen, the Jiangnan Dao Martial Administration Office would certainly not let him go to Donghai Dao alone; they must have arranged for experts to protect him in secret.

Knowing that Lin Chen would arrive in Bafang City in four hours, he had rushed from the Canglan Wu Yuan to Bafang City. Calculating the time, it was almost four hours.

"Then I will wait for Senior Lin Lin Shidi. What about you, Shen Ze?"

Ye Feng looked at Shen Ze. Shen Ze and the other three naturally wouldn't leave; they also wanted to see this model student of Daliang martial arts, the man who had stopped their thoughts of leaving their names on Mount Wudao.

They all stayed behind, and Qu Feng didn't mind. Another disciple of the Canglan Wu Yuan on the side, listening to their conversation, had a thoughtful look on his face.

Lin Lin Shidi?

A new disciple who could make Lin Lin Shixiong Qu call him Lin Lin Shidi and even come to greet him in person?

Could it be that person?

……

……

"We've reached the shore; I see Elder Brother Zhu."

"It's Elder Brother Zhu, and he's waving at us."

On the boat, several young men and women were very excited. On one side, Lin Chen was chatting with Ji Qing.

Ji Qing was very enthusiastic, inviting him to come ashore and find an inn to stay together, and then go to see the Canglan Wu Yuan's entrance assessment together.

However, Lin Chen refused.

He did not intend to stay in Bafang City; he would go straight to Canglan Prefecture after getting off the boat.

"Lin Lin Shixiong, that person looks down on us and doesn't want to be with us, so stop sticking your hot face to his cold butt."

Beside them, Ji Qing's Lin Lin Shidi spoke gloomily. As soon as these words came out, Ji Qing's expression became a bit awkward. Lin Chen was silent for a moment. "Elder Brother Ji, I really have things to do."

"Haha, I understand. If Young Lin Lin Shidi really looked down on me, he wouldn't have said so much to me. My Lin Lin Shidi is straightforward and quick-spoken; don't mind him."

Ji Qing felt a bit helpless inside; his Lin Lin Shidi was the teacher's youngest son and had been spoiled since he was a child. This time, it was also his Lin Lin Shidi who asked him to bring him to Bafang City to watch the excitement.

……

……

"I think I see Lin Lin Shidi."

On the wharf, Ye Feng scanned the many boats, his eyes suddenly narrowing and fixing in a certain direction.

"Where?"

Hearing Ye Feng's words, Shen Ze and the others also quickly scanned the dozen or so boats that were docking, mainly the more luxurious ones.

"The one in the cyan clothes?"

"Probably not; he looks a bit old. Could it be the one in the red clothes?"

Just as Shen Ze and the others were still guessing which boat Lin Chen was on, Qu Feng, under Ye Feng's reminder, also discovered Lin Chen's figure. Although it was only a side profile, it definitely couldn't be wrong.

Lin Lin Shidi's side profile was second only to the readers who were following the updates.

"Let's go, let's go welcome Lin Lin Shidi."

Qu Feng walked toward the position where the boat was docking. As he moved, Ye Feng naturally followed. Shen Ze and the others looked in the direction of Ye Feng's gaze and also saw the boat. Looking at the dozen or so figures on the deck, they were also guessing which one was Lin Chen.

"It should be the one at the very front; he looks like he's being surrounded."

"It can't be wrong; besides that person, who would dare to stand at the very front?"

Shen Ze and the others judged based on their experience: in a group, the strongest person is always the one standing at the front, surrounded by others like stars around the moon.

Zhu Xing also led the few people from the same prefecture toward the boat. He also saw his younger brother, but when he walked to the docking place and saw Lin Lin Shixiong Qu walking toward them, he was stunned.

What's going on?

Lin Lin Shixiong Qu also came to this side?

"Elder Brother Ji, I have friends here to pick me up; we'll meet again later."

Lin Chen also turned his head to look at the deck at this moment and saw Qu Feng and Ye Feng walking toward him. If it were only Qu Feng, he wouldn't be sure the other party was here to pick him up, but he also saw Ye Feng.

Then these two must be here to pick him up; it couldn't be wrong.

"So Young Lin Lin Shidi has acquaintances in Bafang City."

Ji Qing realized. If it were him, if he had acquaintances in Bafang City, he naturally wouldn't stay with someone on the same boat who he had only chatted with a few times.

At this moment, other disciples of the Canglan Wu Yuan who were picking people up at the wharf saw Qu Feng move and all followed over. They were truly curious about who was worth Lin Lin Shixiong Qu coming to pick up in person.

Someone from Lin Lin Shixiong Qu's hometown?

Impossible!

Everyone knew that Lin Lin Shixiong Qu had a lazy nature, for which he had been scolded many times by Yu Yu Jiaoxi Liu. There was a saying circulating in the instructor circle: if Qu Feng could put away this lazy nature, he would definitely be able to enter the top three of his class.

Lin Lin Shixiong Qu, who was even too lazy to cultivate, couldn't have run all the way from the Canglan Wu Yuan to pick up a fellow townsman.

"Lin Lin Shixiong Zhu, I see many people wearing the same clothes as your elder brother. These must be disciples of the Canglan Wu Yuan, right? Elder Brother Zhu really has wide connections in the martial academy."

The few young men and women standing on the boat's deck saw several people wearing martial academy clothes walking toward this side and all became excited.

They didn't think these disciples of the Canglan Wu Yuan were here to pick up other people on the boat.

If they hadn't arrived late and there were no boats left, and they couldn't choose to charter a boat, they wouldn't have shared a boat with others at all.

As for the others on the boat, who weren't even willing to spend ten taels of silver and only willing to spend five taels to stay in the cabin below, it was impossible for them to have disciples of the Canglan Wu Yuan come to pick them up.

Martial artists have their own circles. Every disciple of the Canglan Wu Yuan had a good family background, and those they knew were naturally of the same family background.

"Elder Brother Ji, farewell."

The boat stopped, and Lin Chen cupped his hands toward Ji Qing before walking toward the exit.

"Hey, what's the rush? Wait for us to get off the boat first. Don't you see someone is welcoming us on the shore? Do you understand the rules? The strong go down first."

But Lin Chen hadn't walked a few steps when a young girl in front turned her head and blocked Lin Chen's path with her body, not waiting for Lin Chen to reply.

Looking at the many people on the shore, Lin Chen thought for a moment and didn't walk forward anymore. Letting the other party go down first was fine; it would only delay things by a dozen or so breaths.

"Do you Junior Brothers also have acquaintances on this boat?"

Qu Feng looked at the few Junior Brothers who had gathered around, full of confusion.

"Lin Lin Shixiong Qu, my younger brother is on the boat." Zhu Xing answered truthfully, but he knew in his heart that Lin Lin Shixiong Qu naturally wouldn't come to pick up his younger brother. However, he scanned the boat and recognized the few people beside his younger brother; they all had good relationships with his family, but not enough to make Lin Lin Shixiong Qu come to pick them up.

"Lin Lin Shixiong Qu, we were just curious about who could make you come to welcome them, so we came to join the fun."

"Yes, Lin Lin Shixiong Qu, reveal it to us. Which Lin Lin Shidi came that could make you, Lin Lin Shixiong Qu, come to pick them up in person?"

Qu Feng was not the kind of cold person in the martial academy, and the few disciples of the Canglan Wu Yuan also spoke with smiles.

"Haha, can't you Junior Brothers guess which genius Lin Lin Shidi has come to our Canglan Wu Yuan this year?"

Seeing the curious gazes of his Junior Brothers, Qu Feng thought for a moment and decided not to hide it. The matter of Lin Chen joining the Canglan Wu Yuan was originally only known to the high-level officials of the martial academy and some instructors, but after Lin Chen obtained the title of Daliang martial arts model student, the martial academy also issued an official document, and all the martial academy disciples knew about this matter.

"Could it be that Lin Lin Shidi Chen?"

A disciple of the Canglan Wu Yuan realized, and when he saw Qu Feng nod, it caused a slight sound of surprise.

The next moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on the boat's deck.

"That must be Lin Lin Shidi, right? He really is a talent."

"He is worthy of being the one who left his name on Mount Wudao seven times. Look at this momentum; it's extraordinary. That mole on his chin reminds me of a saying from my hometown: a mole on the chin means you will definitely accomplish great things."

Zhu Xing, who was on the side, heard the words of the several Senior and Junior Brothers, and his expression was very strange. He thought for a moment and still spoke: "Ahem... that is my younger brother."

The scene instantly fell into silence.

After a long while, a disciple of the Canglan Wu Yuan said unhappily: "Lin Lin Shidi Zhu, why is your younger brother still standing at the very front? Isn't this breaking the rules?"

Martial artists speak with strength.

Since Lin Chen is on the boat, Lin Chen should be the first to get off the boat.

This is an unspoken rule in the martial arts circle, and they also guessed who Lin Chen was according to this unspoken rule.

"I don't know what's going on either."

Zhu Xing smiled bitterly; he also didn't know why his younger brother was standing at the very front.

Qu Feng saw this and said: "It should be that Lin Lin Shidi is relatively low-key and did not reveal his identity, so others on the boat don't know Lin Lin Shidi's identity."

He had stayed in Linhu Village for a period of time and still understood Lin Chen's nature.

Lin Lin Shidi belonged to the martial arts fanatic type, focused entirely on martial arts cultivation, and didn't care about face or pomp.

"Elder Brother!"

On the boat, Zhu Chen spoke, preparing to come down from the boat.

"Stop!"

Zhu Xing gave a sharp shout. Even though Lin Lin Shixiong Qu said that Lin Chen might not have exposed his identity, if he really let his younger brother be the first to come down from the boat, if this matter spread, it would also have a bad influence on his younger brother.

No way, Lin Chen's reputation was too great.

This matter would definitely spread, and if many people spread it, then it would be unknown what it would be spread into.

A dog died at the head of the village, and by the time it reached the end of the village, it was a mother who died.

"Move to the side."

Zhu Xing glared at his younger brother. Zhu Chen was startled, but seeing the seriousness on his elder brother's face, although he didn't know what had happened, he still obediently stood to the side and didn't dare to get off the boat.

This sudden change also stunned the young men and women behind Zhu Chen.

"Lin Lin Shidi, you are too low-key."

On the shore, Qu Feng spoke loudly, his gaze falling on Lin Chen, and the people on the boat also reacted, looking over one after another.

Lin Chen looked at the gazes of the people on the boat looking at him with strangeness, surprise, and disbelief, and felt a bit helpless.

It was not his intention to show off.

"I didn't expect Lin Lin Shixiong Qu to come."

Lin Chen walked toward the front, and this time the young girl hurriedly gave way.

Behind him, Ji Qing and his two Junior Brothers all opened their mouths wide. Ji Qing even muttered: "Young Lin Lin Shidi's friend is actually a martial academy disciple. Could Young Lin Lin Shidi be here to participate in the martial academy assessment?"

"Haha, Lin Lin Shidi really gave me a surprise. If I had known Lin Lin Shidi could leave his name on Mount Wudao seven times so quickly, I shouldn't have returned early back then, and should have stayed in Jiangnan Dao to see Lin Lin Shidi's style of leaving his name seven times."

After Lin Chen got off the boat, Qu Feng greeted him with a smile. Lin Chen's mouth twitched; this Lin Lin Shixiong Qu was also good at gilding his own face. Was that him returning early? That was what Yu Yu Jiaoxi Liu required.

And as soon as Qu Feng said this, the crowd on the boat who hadn't come down yet instantly erupted into an uproar.

If there was only one genius who was most famous in their Open-Acupuncture and Organ Cultivation stages this year, it was only one person: Lin Chen from Raozhou Prefecture, Jiangnan Dao.

"I... how did I not think in that direction? Young Lin Lin Shidi is from Jiangnan Dao and is also in the Organ Cultivation Stage..."

"Lin Lin Shixiong, who could have thought that the dignified model student of Daliang martial arts would spend one tael of silver to stand on the deck for four hours." The Lin Lin Shidi beside him also spoke gloomily.

As soon as these words came out, they were instantly agreed with by everyone present.

Zhu Chen and the others had the same thoughts in their hearts. Isn't this pitting people?

If it weren't for this martial academy Lin Lin Shixiong saying it himself, or if this person himself revealed his identity, they wouldn't have believed it.

Lin Chen didn't know the thoughts of the others on the boat. At this moment, after getting on the boat, under Qu Feng's introduction, he also greeted the other Senior Brothers of the martial academy.

"Lin Lin Shidi, let's enter the city first; today I will hold a banquet to welcome you."

"I've troubled you, Lin Lin Shixiong."

Since his whereabouts were exposed, Lin Chen knew that this welcome banquet was unavoidable.

And the liveliness here also attracted the attention of others. Under the circumstances that Qu Feng didn't deliberately hide it, the entire wharf knew the news of Lin Chen's appearance in a short time.

Everyone's gaze looked toward this side, and many Open-Acupuncture youths ran over frantically.

Lin Chen was no longer just a person's name.

In the eyes of the youths in the Open-Acupuncture Stage, this was the person they admired.

"Which one is Senior Lin Lin Shidi?"

"Is it Senior Lin Lin Shidi Chen who left his name on Mount Wudao seven times?"

"Where is Senior Lin Lin Shidi? I came to the Canglan Wu Yuan this time specifically for Senior Lin Lin Shidi."

The commotion at the wharf also attracted the attention of many people.

In a restaurant not far from the wharf, a young girl asked: "The wharf is so lively; is something happening?"

"Princess, I will go down..."

The young girl's cold eyes swept over. The maid beside her realized she had said the wrong thing and hurriedly said: "Miss, I will go down and see."

"There will not be a next time."

The young girl's voice came out, and the maid trembled all over, but she breathed a sigh of relief.

A dozen or so breaths later, the maid returned: "That Lin Chen from Daliang has appeared at the wharf."

"Lin Chen? The model student of Daliang martial arts?"

The young girl's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly: "Pass the news to those few from the Zheng State."

……

……

On the wharf, several figures, having obtained the news they wanted, also headed toward the city at the first opportunity.

In a courtyard.

Xiao Yaojin stood in the courtyard holding a spear, a murderous look in his eyes.

"Young Marquis... Young Master, that Lin Chen has appeared on the wharf."

Xiao Yaojin's eyes narrowed, and he put away his spear: "Where did he go?"

"He was picked up by disciples of the Canglan Wu Yuan; he should be entering the city to go to some restaurant."

Hearing the report from his subordinate, Xiao Yaojin frowned: "Keep a close eye on those three from the Zheng State; if they make any moves, tell me immediately."

……

……

One person came, and dozens entered the city.

There were still many Open-Acupuncture youths around shouting and greeting him, and Lin Chen also nodded with a smile all the way.

It took a full quarter of an hour to reach the city gate.

This is the disadvantage of having a big reputation; although he could keep a cold face, there was no need for it.

After all, his title 【Peerless Among Peers】 could acquire the martial arts talent of Junior Brothers who sincerely recognized him as their Lin Lin Shixiong.

Sincere recognition is not just about making the other party convinced by strength, but also about behavior and conduct.

And just as Lin Chen was about to step into the city gate, inside the city gate, three figures walked over slowly.

"I heard that Daliang has produced a genius. I wonder if the three of us can see it for ourselves; I hope it's not a case of a reputation that exceeds the reality."

(End of Chapter)