Chapter 284

Sanshan Prefecture.

Martial Academy.

"Elder, the Zhao Kingdom has suddenly sealed the border, cutting off all contact with the Liang Kingdom."

"The Zhao Kingdom sealing the border with the Liang Kingdom? Why is this?"

Bai Bai Zhenghong frowned as he listened to his subordinate's report. As the junction between the Zhao Kingdom and the Liang Kingdom, Sanshan Prefecture carried much of the Liang Kingdom's trade. Whether it was daily necessities for ordinary people or cultivation resources needed by martial artists, the Liang Kingdom conducted trade through Sanshan Prefecture in a steady stream.

And because the Liang Kingdom was vast and rich in resources, many resources needed by the Zhao Kingdom were bought from the Liang Kingdom. Wouldn't sealing the border cut off these resources?

"It's not clear yet. We only know it was an order issued by the Zhao Kingdom's imperial family, and the Prefect of Sanshan Prefecture is just executing the imperial family's order."

"An order from the imperial family."

Bai Bai Zhenghong had a thoughtful look on his face. If it was an order from the Zhao Kingdom's imperial family, then there might be some unknown inside story involved.

"Has anything major happened in the Zhao Kingdom recently?"

"If there is anything that has had a certain impact, it would be the four-family competition in Lin Hai Prefecture that happens every ten years. Several Earth Ranking geniuses entered this competition, but in the end, three of them fell inside."

"Three?"

"Yes, they are Gao Gao Yongsi, who is eighth on the Earth Ranking, as well as Cao Shan and Shen Tao."

Bai Bai Zhenghong narrowed his eyes slightly. Gao Gao Yongsi was considered the highest-ranked genius from the Zhao Kingdom on the Earth Ranking; it was truly unbelievable that he would fall in the four-family competition in Lin Hai Prefecture.

"Elder, according to the news sent back from the Martial Academy, Gao Gao Yongsi died at the hands of Miss Liu Yue of the Liu family of Zexi, while Cao Shan and Shen Tao were defeated by a man named Lin Fei. Moreover, that Lin Fei defeated the combined efforts of Cao Shan and Zhuang Zhuang Qiang. Zhuang Zhuang Qiang is the first person of the third generation of the Zhuang family in Lin Hai Prefecture; he has been a Ranked practitioner for a year and uses a Second-Rank spirit weapon."

"Miss Liu of Zexi, it is normal for her to defeat Gao Gao Yongsi."

Bai Bai Zhenghong nodded. The Liu family of Zexi was one of the top spirit-weapon-forging families in the Nine Kingdoms. Relying on the power of spirit weapons, they could fight across ranks, which did not surprise him.

But who was this genius Lin Fei?

To be able to defeat the combined efforts of Shen Tao and Zhuang Zhuang Qiang.

He had also heard of the ruins competition of the four great families in Lin Hai Prefecture; only those under twenty years old could enter. Such a genius should logically have been selected for the Heaven Ranking.

Unless, he was another super genius who voluntarily requested not to be on the list?

"Elder, a Martial Academy member is requesting an audience."

Just as Bai Bai Zhenghong was thinking, a deacon came in to report.

"A member? Let him in."

The Martial Academy had many members; almost every young genius with a bit of potential would choose to join the Martial Academy and become a member.

As an Elder of the Martial Academy, not all members were qualified to see him. But Bai Bai Zhenghong knew clearly that if his subordinate was passing this message to him, it meant the other party was not an ordinary member.

The Martial Academy did not have an explicit ranking for members, but secretly, according to the strength and potential of these members, they were also given levels. Only members who reached the key-attention level were qualified to receive his audience.

The tokens of these members would have subtle differences from those of ordinary members, but only Martial Academy deacons and Elders like them could distinguish them.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

Bai Bai Zhenghong looked at the strange young figure walking in, with a look of surprise on his face. Not a member from around Sanshan Prefecture?

If it were a key-attention member from Sanshan Prefecture or the two nearby prefectures, he would have met them; it was impossible for him to be a stranger.

"This junior greets Elder Bai."

Lin Chen had already learned the surname of this Martial Academy Elder in Sanshan Prefecture from the deacon who led the way.

And the reason he wanted to see this Martial Academy Elder was that he had learned that Sanshan Prefecture had sealed the border, and he could not return to the Liang Kingdom through the border, so he finally decided to seek help from the Martial Academy.

"Hmm, who are you?"

Lin Chen glanced at a deacon on the side. Seeing Lin Chen's gaze, Bai Bai Zhenghong showed an interested look on his face. Not even saying his own name—could this kid have some heaven-shaking background?

"I guarantee that what you say here will not reach anyone else's ears."

Hearing Bai Bai Zhenghong's guarantee, Lin Chen also chuckled: "This junior is Lin Chen."

"Lin Chen?"

Swish!

Bai Bai Zhenghong, who had originally been leaning on his grand chair, suddenly sat up straight, his eyes staring tightly at Lin Chen. The two deacons on the side had the same expression at this moment.

"Are you Lin Chen, the first on the Human Ranking?"

Although the possibility of a genius with the same name and surname was very small, Bai Bai Zhenghong still asked again; he wanted to confirm whether the other party was the Lin Chen he had in mind.

"Yes."

Hearing Lin Chen admit it, Bai Bai Zhenghong instantly showed a smile on his face, overflowing with enthusiasm: "I have long heard that the Liang Kingdom produced a super genius who hasn't appeared in three hundred years. I have always wanted to meet you, but unfortunately, I have been too busy to get away. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation."

The two deacons on the side were also curiously observing Lin Chen at this moment. They had heard Lin Chen's name many times, not only because he broke the record of the Liang Kingdom's Martial Way Mountain, but also because of his two battles in Lord Lingxiao City.

It was also because several months ago, the Martial Academy headquarters issued a document selecting ten members as super geniuses. Among them, four were on the Heaven Ranking, and five were from the imperial families of various countries. Only Lin Chen was the only one who was not on the Heaven Ranking and came from a humble background.

"High-spirited and vigorous, not bad."

Bai Bai Zhenghong praised Lin Chen, but then seemed to think of something, his eyes flashing as he asked, "I have a question for you."

"Elder Bai, please ask."

"In the Lin Hai Prefecture competition a few days ago, were you the mysterious youth Lin Fei?"

The two deacons on the side had originally been observing Lin Chen, but upon hearing their Elder's words, they were stunned.

That Lin Fei was Lin Chen?

Impossible, right? Their Elder was overthinking it. To be able to defeat the combined efforts of Zhuang Zhuang Qiang and Shen Tao, one could at least enter the top five of the Earth Ranking. Even if Lin Chen's potential was high, he wouldn't climb from first on the Human Ranking to the top five of the Earth Ranking in just a few months.

"I couldn't hide it from the Elder; it was indeed this junior."

Lin Chen was also a bit surprised. He didn't expect this Elder Bai to be able to deduce that he was Lin Fei; this discernment was truly sharp.

Compared to Lin Chen's surprise at Bai Bai Zhenghong's discernment, the two deacons were now open-mouthed, shocked by Lin Chen's admission.

Lin Chen was actually Lin Fei.

If this news were to spread, it would likely cause an uproar.

Hearing Lin Chen admit it, Bai Bai Zhenghong was also a bit shocked in his heart. He had only asked casually with a slim possibility in mind; he didn't expect that he would actually be right.

At this moment, Bai Bai Zhenghong was incredibly envious of Zhao Zhao Qianqiu. Just because he discovered a genius like Lin Chen, Zhao Zhao Qianqiu had become a Gold Academy Elder, and with the potential Lin Chen had shown, Zhao Zhao Qianqiu no longer needed to manage the Martial Academy.

As long as Lin Chen's strength continued to improve, he could reap a large amount of rewards from the Martial Academy while lying down.

"Lin Chen, are you looking for me because you want to return to the Liang Kingdom?"

After recovering his emotions, Bai Bai Zhenghong directly asked about Lin Chen's background. Since Lin Chen chose to use a fake name in the Zhao Kingdom, he wouldn't have exposed his identity to see him unless he needed his help with something.

Lin Chen appeared in Sanshan Prefecture and came to see him; there was only one reason, and it had to do with the border blockade of Sanshan Prefecture.

"Yes, this junior wants to return to the Liang Kingdom, but learned that the border was sealed. I want to seek Elder Bai's help to send this junior back to the Liang Kingdom."

"No problem."

Bai Bai Zhenghong agreed very readily.

The Zhao Kingdom imperial family's blockade order was useful against others, but it had no binding force on the Martial Academy. Sanshan Prefecture would not stop him from taking someone across the border.

"Do you want to stay in Sanshan Prefecture for a few days before leaving?"

"This junior has been out for a long time. If I don't go back, I'm afraid my teachers will worry about my safety."

Lin Chen politely declined. Bai Bai Zhenghong didn't mind; he had just asked casually: "Fine, this Elder will take you across the border now."

Bai Bai Zhenghong was also a decisive person. Since Lin Chen was eager to return home, forcing Lin Chen to stay here would not only fail to bring him closer to Lin Chen, but would instead make Lin Chen dissatisfied.

"Thank you, Elder Bai."

……

……

At the border of Sanshan Prefecture, Bai Bai Zhenghong stood with Lin Chen at the junction of the two countries. The journey had been smooth and unobstructed; the martial artists guarding the border on the Zhao Kingdom side acted as if they hadn't seen them.

"Lin Chen, past this hillside ahead is the territory of the Liang Kingdom."

"Yes, this junior thanks Elder Bai for the escort."

"You are a member of the Martial Academy; how could I not help you with such a small matter? If you come to the Zhao Kingdom again in the future, you can come to my residence for a visit."

After Lin Chen expressed his gratitude to Bai Bai Zhenghong, he stepped toward the hillside ahead. However, just as Lin Chen had walked a few steps, a sound of breaking air came from behind him.

"Brother Bai, wait a moment!"

Listening to the voice behind him, Bai Bai Zhenghong frowned and said to Lin Chen: "Just keep walking; I will block them for you."

"Good."

Lin Chen did not hesitate. Elder Bai's words meant that something had changed. He immediately exerted his full speed and galloped toward the hillside.

A few breaths later, he heard the sound of energy being unleashed behind him.

Elder Bai was fighting with the newcomers?

Lin Chen did not look back. Elder Bai said he would block them for him, which meant the newcomers were not weak.

Once he hesitated or delayed, it was very likely he wouldn't be able to leave.

After running wildly for more than ten breaths, he reached the top of the hillside. Only then did Lin Chen look back and see Elder Bai fighting two middle-aged men alone. Dust was constantly being kicked up into the sky, and he could only vaguely see some of the battle scene.

After a long while, one of them flew out from the flying dust and whistled toward his side.

Lin Chen did not hesitate at all, turned around directly, and continued toward the bottom of the hillside.

Ten breaths!

In just ten breaths, before Lin Chen had even reached the bottom of the hillside, he felt the sound of breaking air approaching from behind.

The speed of a Middle-Rank martial artist was far from what he could compare to now; he had already been caught up.

"Those who trespass on the border, die!"

Behind him came a cold voice. However, at this very moment, on the plain below the hillside, a sword light cut through the sky and slashed toward the space behind Lin Chen.

"That's right, those who trespass on the border, die!"

(End of chapter)