Chapter 219: Everyone in the Jiangnan Circuit knew that Lin Chen had a sharp eye

The three people at the city gate were dressed in clothing that was noticeably different from everyone else present.

On their brocade robes were embroidered totem patterns of some kind of beast, wolf-like yet not quite a wolf, and hanging from their chests were the long, sharp fangs of some beast.

"These are people from Zheng Guo."

Seeing Qu Feng whispered in Lin Chen's ear, "In name, the Martial Academies belong to all nine nations. Any young martial artist from the nine nations can come to take the assessment if they meet the criteria. However, apart from the Lord Lingxiao Wu Yuan, the other three academies rarely see martial artists from other nations."

Hearing Lin Lin Shixiong Qu's words, Lin Chen understood in his heart that these three had come specifically for him.

As for the reason, it was because he had obtained the title of Exemplary Martial Student of Da Liang, and defeating him would be equivalent to slapping the face of every Da Liang martial artist.

"Who are you people!"

Before Lin Chen could speak, other youths from Da Liang nearby began to question them, their eyes filled with hostility as they looked at the three.

"We three are from Zheng Guo. We are merely nobodies in Zheng Guo, so you wouldn't know our names even if we told you. We are here to participate in the Canglan Wu Yuan disciple assessment. However, since Da Liang has produced a martial arts genius, would you allow the three of us to witness it? I imagine Da Liang's martial arts genius must be extraordinary."

The man on the left smiled as he spoke. After the words "Zheng Guo" were mentioned, the expressions of the Da Liang youths on the scene turned grim.

There was no shortage of open and secret struggles between the nine nations.

The conflict between Da Liang and Zheng Guo was the deepest, and there were many clashes between the martial artists of the two nations.

Before the matter of the Demon Race had been exposed, things were still relatively fine, but as the imperial court announced the Demon Race affair to the world, the hatred the Da Liang youths felt toward Zheng Guo deepened by several degrees.

This was because most of the Demon Race members who had originally been in Da Liang had fled to Zheng Guo.

"If you are unwilling to spar, that is fine. After all, the three of us are nobodies from Zheng Guo and are not worthy of the elite students of the Daliang Martial Way, which is understandable."

The man in the middle also took over the conversation, looking at Lin Chen with a smile: "We three don't mind, but I'm afraid that if word gets out, people will say that Da Liang's Exemplary Martial Student is a fame-seeking fraud who doesn't live up to his reputation."

Every word was indifferent, yet every word was barbed.

"You are right. If everyone could challenge Da Liang's Exemplary Martial Student, then Senior Lin Lin Shidi wouldn't need to cultivate at all. If you want to challenge Senior Lin Lin Shidi, you must first get past me."

Ye Feng stepped forward and said to Lin Chen, "Senior Lin Lin Shidi, let me test the background of these three."

As someone with the opportunity to leave his name on Mount Mount Wudao, Ye Feng had some confidence in his own strength. Compared to Senior Lin Lin Shidi, there might be a gap, but he was not afraid of anyone else.

Seeing Qu Feng, who was standing to the side, had intended to speak, but upon hearing Ye Feng's words, he hesitated. It was obvious that these three from Zheng Guo were here to pick a fight. If they truly ignored them, various rumors would inevitably spread, and it might even be said that Lin Lin Shidi feared the martial artists of Zheng Guo.

Since this Lin Lin Shidi Ye had only lost to Lin Lin Shidi by one move, there was no need to speak of his strength; it was most appropriate for him to step out.

"If you few wish to spar, you must state your background. If you have been cultivating in martial arts for several years, wouldn't that be taking advantage of us?"

Although he harbored the thought of letting Ye Feng test the other party, Seeing Qu Feng still asked.

"Lin Lin Shixiong Qu's words remind me. The people of Zheng Guo are used to being shameless. They might have been cultivating in the Organ Cultivation Stage for several years and ran over here to challenge Lin Lin Shidi. This is truly something the people of Zheng Guo are capable of doing."

"People from Zheng Guo—nothing they do is surprising."

Several disciples of the Canglan Wu Yuan also chimed in. Others present might not have had much contact with Zheng Guo martial artists, but as disciples of the Canglan Wu Yuan, they had dealt with the disciples of those few martial academies in Zheng Guo quite often, and they were very clear about what kind of character the people of Zheng Guo had.

"The three of us have broken through to Organ Cultivation for less than three months. If you don't believe us, the three of us can swear an oath!" The lead Zheng Guo man stared at the few Canglan Wu Yuan disciples with a face full of rage.

"It has indeed been less than three months."

A voice rang out from the back of the crowd.

A youth walked out slowly. Many of the onlookers cleared a path. The youth swept a cold glance over the three from Zheng Guo:

"Gui Gui Tianlie, second son of the Gui Tian family, stepped into Organ Cultivation two months and twenty days ago."

"Gong Xing, illegitimate son of the current head of the Gong family, stepped into Organ Cultivation two months and twenty-five days ago."

"Qing Qing Dubian, youngest son of the Qing Shui family, stepped into Organ Cultivation two months and twenty-nine days ago."

Whoosh!

As soon as the youth said these words, an uproar erupted among all the Da Liang martial artists watching the scene.

"Truly shameless, no wonder they said it had been less than three months."

"If Senior Lin Lin Shidi came again tomorrow, wouldn't they just say it had been less than four months?"

"What are you thinking? Given the shamelessness of the people of Zheng Guo, they would only say, 'I, Qing Qing Dubian, have just reached three months, and the other two are under three months.'"

"Makes sense. Brother, what does your family do? You know the people of Zheng Guo so well?"

"I'm not talented; my family runs a butcher shop. I don't know the people of Zheng Guo; I know those animals."

The Da Liang youths cursed filthily, and Gui Gui Tianlie and the others were so angry their faces turned crimson. The three of them stared fixedly at the youth who had exposed their background.

"Who are you?"

"Xiao Huo!"

Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin spoke indifferently. He did not intend to use his real name this time coming to the Canglan Wu Yuan. If word got out that the Young Marquis of the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion had not gone to the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan but had come to the Canglan Wu Yuan instead, it would cause quite an impact.

"You are Lin Lin Shidi Xiao?"

Seeing Qu Feng felt a sense of surprise on his face when he heard Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin's words. He had looked at the list of disciples for this year provided by the instructors.

Apart from Lin Lin Shidi and a few others who had received disciple letters from the academy and became disciples directly, others could only become disciples after passing the assessment once their strength reached Organ Cultivation. Even if their talent and potential were extremely high, they had to follow the rules.

Yet this Lin Lin Shidi Xiao Huo was also in the Organ Cultivation Stage, but he did not need to participate in the assessment and became a disciple of the academy directly.

He had asked the instructor about this Lin Lin Shidi Xiao's background, but the instructor had ignored him, only telling him that he was an existence he could not afford to offend.

In Da Liang, the only family with the surname Xiao that he could not afford to offend was the Zhenbei Marquis Xiao family of the Northern Frontier.

But it was impossible for disciples of the Xiao family to come to the Canglan Wu Yuan. The Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan was established by the Zhenbei Marquis, and disciples of the Xiao family would only join the Demon-Slaying Wu Yuan.

"Xiao Huo?"

Gui Gui Tianlie and the others looked at each other; they had never heard this name before.

Lin Chen's gaze also turned toward this Xiao Huo at this moment. Although this person had no hostility toward him, he was the first person who, just by standing there, brought pressure upon him.

He feared this person's strength was not below his own.

"Senior Lin Lin Shidi, since Zheng Guo wants to witness the martial arts genius of our Da Liang, why not let me, as a junior brother, test them for you first."

Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin looked at Lin Chen and spoke. He naturally knew of the Ye family of the Guixi Circuit, but Ye Feng's strength was still a bit lacking compared to these three. Gui Gui Tianlie and the others had come to Bafang City prepared; they were here to target Lin Chen.

The families these three belonged to were all among the eight great families of Zheng Guo, and their strength could not be underestimated.

As a young Marquis, Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin was able to access much information from the upper echelons of the imperial court. This time, Daliang announced the matter of the demon race, and Zheng Guo's reaction was very intense, even threatening to go to war with our Daliang. The two sides have already begun a standoff at the border.

When he arrived at Bafang City the day before yesterday, he had noticed these three. Even though the three were wearing outer cloaks at the time, the pendants on their necks had exposed their identities. For this reason, he immediately had his subordinates who followed him investigate the background and purpose of these three.

Their background had been investigated, but their purpose had not been found. After these three arrived in Bafang City and checked into an inn, they had not come out until just now when his men said Lin Chen had entered the wharf, and he realized that Gui Gui Tianlie and the others were targeting Lin Chen.

"Since this junior brother also wishes to, then the two of us will pick one each. If they want to challenge Lin Chen, they must first get past the two of us."

Ye Feng saw that Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin looked relatively young, likely younger than himself, so he addressed him as junior brother. Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin frowned. He called Lin Chen "Lin Lin Shixiong" because he did not want to give Gui Gui Tianlie and the others a chance to slap Da Liang's face, but that did not mean he truly recognized Lin Chen.

Even if Lin Chen had left his name on Mount Mount Wudao seven times and was invincible in the Open-Acupuncture Stage, it did not mean he could do the same after stepping into the Organ Cultivation Stage. Gui Gui Tianlie and the others had come prepared; if Lin Chen lost, Da Liang would lose all face.

Unless Lin Chen could defeat him, he would not truly recognize Lin Chen's status as a senior brother.

As for Ye Feng...

"No need. They must get past me first."

Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin's attitude was very firm, directly refusing Ye Feng.

Ye Feng was stunned. Lin Chen patted Ye Feng's shoulder: "This Lin Lin Shidi Xiao's strength is not below mine."

"Really?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Feng looked at Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin with an expression of inquiry and disbelief. He knew very well what Lin Chen's strength was—he could slap him away with one palm. If this person's strength was on par with Lin Chen's, wouldn't that make him another freak?

"Could it be that the academy made an exception to let this Lin Lin Shidi Xiao become a disciple because he is a genius on the same level as Lin Lin Shidi?"

Seeing Qu Feng's eyes also flashed with brilliance as he looked at Lin Chen: "Lin Lin Shidi knows Lin Lin Shidi Xiao?"

"I don't know him, but I can feel that this Lin Lin Shidi Xiao's strength is definitely not below mine."

Lin Chen answered very seriously. The crowd present looked at Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin with inquiry. Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin, with his back to the few, had the corners of his mouth slightly raised, carrying a hint of a curve.

He had heard Lin Chen's words. Although he did not yet recognize Lin Chen's status as a senior brother, his favorability toward Lin Chen had increased a little; he did have some discernment.

Among the onlookers, one youth was muttering softly at this moment: "Lin Chen's words, why do they sound so familiar?"

Jiang Guang was also from the Jiangnan Circuit and had come out of the Raozhou Prefecture. The difference was that he was one year ahead of Lin Chen. However, after Lin Chen became the Exemplary Martial Student of the Jiangnan Circuit, he had gone to ask some junior brothers about Lin Chen's deeds.

It seemed that some junior brother had mentioned this sentence back then, and it was also related to Lin Chen. It was just that he had been shocked by the achievements Lin Chen had attained at the time, so he hadn't remembered some of the things the junior brothers had said, only vaguely feeling that the junior brother back then had also said such words.

As for why he said it, he didn't know.

"I understand!"

Jiang Guang suddenly slapped his thigh. This action immediately aroused the curiosity of several martial artists around him: "Brother, what do you understand?"

"I am also from the Jiangnan Circuit. After Lin Chen took the title of Exemplary Martial Student of the Jiangnan Circuit, I went to inquire about Lin Chen's situation. According to what I know, Lin Chen is not only extremely strong, but his eye for talent is also very good. He can tell if the other party's strength is not below his own after just a few glances."

"So amazing?"

"Of course."

Jiang Guang looked certain. He felt that his guess was not wrong, especially since so many people were staring at him at this moment, so he could not show any weakness.

"This is common knowledge in the Jiangnan Circuit. You just need to go to the Jiangnan Circuit and inquire casually, and you will know."

In order to show that his words were true, Jiang Guang added another sentence, looking completely certain.

"Looking at it this way, this Xiao Huo's strength is also extraordinary."

"This time, the Canglan Wu Yuan is going to take off."

Those who could come to Bafang City were either from the East Sea Circuit or from the circuit next to the East Sea Circuit. Their favorability toward the Canglan Wu Yuan was higher than that of the other three academies. This time, the Canglan Wu Yuan had recruited Lin Chen, and now another person whose strength was not below Lin Chen's had come. The Canglan Wu Yuan's ranking was likely going to rise again.

Even if these people didn't know how the academy rankings were actually calculated or how they could rise, it didn't prevent them from looking forward to it.

"I want to see how much ability you have to stand up for others!"

Gui Gui Tianlie and the others looked at each other. Finally, Gong Xing stepped out, his eyes fixed on Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin.

The three of them had come prepared this time, breaking through to Organ Cultivation more than two months early. They had thought that no matter how strong Lin Chen was, he had only broken through to Organ Cultivation a few days ago and would definitely not be their match. They just hadn't expected to encounter a spoiler.

But this was also fine. After defeating this person in front of them and then defeating Lin Chen, Da Liang would have nothing more to say.

Whoosh!

Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin did not have any superfluous nonsense. Just as Gong Xing met his eyes, he moved. His figure was like lightning, and Gong Xing was not slow either. The two figures collided rapidly.

Many Open-Acupuncture martial artists couldn't even see the figures of these two clearly; they only saw two figures constantly colliding and separating, while the Zheng Guo man was retreating step by step. Just this scene alone made them excited.

Their Da Liang side had the upper hand.

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. This Lin Lin Shidi Xiao was using his fists, but he felt a sense of spear intent from the other party's fists. He had felt this sensation when he faced Senior Pei on Mount Mount Wudao, only Senior Pei had transformed it into sword intent.

Lin Lin Shidi Xiao, his whole person was like a long spear, his figure like a dragon, sharp and unparalleled.

On the third floor of an inn not far from the wharf, a young girl looked through the window and took in the entire battle.

"Fists carrying spear intent—could it be a disciple of the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion of Da Liang? But the Xiao family has been a single-line inheritance for three generations..."

The next moment, seemingly thinking of something, the young girl's beautiful eyes revealed a hint of interest: "I didn't expect that the dignified Young Marquis of Zhenbei would also come to the Canglan Wu Yuan under an alias."

Gui Gui Tianlie and Qing Qing Dubian saw Gong Xing retreating constantly, and their expressions also became very ugly. This person was actually suppressing Gong Xing to the point where he could only defend. Since when did Da Liang have such an unfamiliar martial arts genius?

"Gong Xing, don't hold back anymore."

If he held back any longer, he would be defeated.

Gui Gui Tianlie spoke to remind him. The next moment, everyone on the scene heard an inhuman roar emitted from Gong Xing's mouth. The clothing on Gong Xing's upper body shattered, and blood threads seeped out from his exposed skin.

"Not good, this person has Demon Race bloodline in his body!" Seeing Qu Feng's expression turned serious when he saw this scene.

"Go to hell!"

Gong Xing's roar spread out, his speed surged, and he pounced toward Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin like a ferocious beast.

"Borrowing the power of an animal, you are still just an animal."

Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin's expression did not change, as if he had expected this long ago. His right fist swung out without any flair. At the moment Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin's fist swung out, Lin Chen's pupils shrank—this punch was so strong!

The fist was like a spear tip, invincible!

Bang!

Gong Xing's figure was directly smashed down several zhang away.

All the young martial artists watching, after being shocked for a breath, erupted into cheers.

"Trash!"

"This Lin Lin Shixiong Xiao is right; a beast is a beast, no matter how it changes, it's useless."

Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin withdrew his right hand under his sleeve. No one noticed that there was a blood mark on the surface of his fist at this moment.

Gui Gui Tianlie and Qing Qing Dubian had gloomy faces. They hadn't expected that even after Gong Xing used his Demon Race bloodline and his strength surged by 30%, he would still be defeated.

"Fine, let me come and meet you!"

Gui Gui Tianlie stepped out, his eyes staring fiercely at Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin. Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin said indifferently: "At your service anytime."

Although his hand was slightly injured, he naturally would not show weakness.

Lin Chen, however, noticed Xiao Seeing Xiao Yaojin withdrawing his hand into his sleeve, and a look of contemplation appeared on his face. After a long while, he said: "Lin Lin Shidi Xiao, you have already defeated one. It is time to give your senior brother a chance to show off; you can't let all the limelight be taken by you alone."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 220 =====