Chapter 316: The Number One on the Tian List Appears, First Battle Against Canglan Sect

The arena floor, scattered with blue stone fragments, held the lifeless body of Bian Bian Xinjie, crushed beneath it.

In midair, that youthful figure, radiating blood qi like a furnace, stood proudly.

The disciples of every nation's martial academy stared in silence at this figure—a figure that would imprint itself in their minds for years, even decades, to come.

Some senior disciples of the martial academies wore complex expressions; this battle had proven Lin Chen's strength.

If Bian Bian Xinjie could be defeated so easily, they knew they were no match for Lin Chen.

Unless they chose to fight as a group—but the other disciples of Canglan Wu Yuan were no slouches either, merely overshadowed by geniuses like Lin Chen and Bian Bian Xinjie.

This year's ranking tournament, it seems, will see Canglan Wu Yuan take first place.

And Lin Chen is merely a first-year student this year—he can still compete in next year's ranking tournament.

In two years' time, will any young prodigy be able to stand against him?

The senior disciples of each academy glanced at the few first-year disciples beside them, saw the shock in their eyes, and already knew the answer.

Canglan Wu Yuan is about to rise.

Two consecutive ranking tournament champions—across all past tournaments, only Tianque Wu Yuan had ever achieved this. None of the other martial academies in Han State had. Now, besides Tianque, another would join them.

While the disciples of each academy pondered the ranking tournament, the powerful figures seated at the front of the stands—representatives of each nation—were thinking far deeper.

Before this, Liang State had never ranked highly in the martial academy rankings, never even making the top three; yet its four academies held positions nine through twelve, making them impossible to ignore.

In the past, Liang State's strength lay in balanced overall power.

But now, as Liang State clashed with Han State, Canglan Wu Yuan had broken through—forcing them to wonder: had Liang State been concealing its true strength all along?

The purpose? To lull Han State into complacency.

Now, Liang State's court felt its reserves were sufficient to challenge Han State—and so it revealed its true power.

The more they thought, the more these powerful figures believed this possibility likely.

Otherwise, how could Liang State dare station troops along its northern border, facing Han State—and even risk open war?

It was no wonder these nations thought this way; they could not comprehend Liang State's absolute resolve to secure its northern frontier and eradicate the northern barbarian tribes entirely.

They had never experienced the devastation wrought by the barbarian tribes; they did not understand how Liang State's martial practitioners stood united, willing to return to the hardship of a century—or even several centuries—ago, if necessary, to exterminate the northern barbarians.

How could they face the ancestors who had sacrificed themselves for this cause?

"Canglan Wu Yuan wins!"

The referee glanced at Lin Chen with a complex expression, then announced the end of the match.

The referee was not the only one with a complex heart—every soul present shared the same turmoil; the clash between Canglan and Tianque had surpassed all expectations.

Before the match began, no one had imagined Canglan Wu Yuan could win.

Even though Lin Chen had shone brilliantly yesterday, Tianque Wu Yuan still held overwhelming strength with Bian Bian Xinjie, Ling Ling Tianhao, and several eighth-rank disciples.

They had even considered Lin Chen might win one match—but no one imagined he would carry Canglan Wu Yuan to victory alone.

Canglan's victory was, in essence, Lin Chen's personal triumph.

He had lifted Canglan Wu Yuan to a height it had never reached—but no one could say it was undeserved, for Lin Chen was indeed a disciple of Canglan Wu Yuan.

The remaining matches were unnecessary; Tianque's disciples, if not fools, would not dare challenge Lin Chen again.

After this level of combat, everyone could see Lin Chen would not hold back out of fear of Han State—anyone who stepped onto the arena risked broken limbs.

True enough, Tianque's remaining disciples all chose to forfeit.

"We won! Our academy won!"

"Congratulations, Canglan Wu Yuan, on winning the first match."

"From today on, Lin Lin Shixiong's name will resound across the nine nations."

On Liang State's side, all three academies rejoiced for Canglan Wu Yuan; as fellow Liang State academies, they shared in its glory.

Lin Chen descended the arena, returned to Canglan's side, and accepted congratulations from his senior disciples with a quiet, smiling nod.

Then, the second match began.

Again, it was Xuan Shuang Wu Yuan of Han State versus Yan Yang Wu Yuan of Wu State.

Perhaps due to Tianque's crushing defeat, Xuan Shuang's disciples were seething with rage; their attacks were brutal. In ten matches, Yan Yang won only two, losing the other eight.

Yet beyond Han and Wu, the attention of all other nations remained fixed on the previous match—even the spectators on the stands.

After witnessing Lin Chen's battles against Ling Ling Tianhao and Bian Bian Xinjie, the following matches felt dull, as if something vital was missing—even though they were fiercely contested.

By dusk, five matches had been fought; two remained, to be held the next day.

On Liang State's side, Lord Lingxiao Wu Yuan had a bye; Qingyun Wu Yuan won its match—but Jingdu Wu Yuan lost.

Even so, Liang State now held three of the top eight spots.

"Let's go."

Hou Hou Zhan Tian smiled as he approached the group; today, Liang State had finally regained its dignity, surpassing last year's results.

…

…

As disciples of each academy departed, flocks of falcons took flight in all directions.

Some carried messages from martial academies back to their home nations; others originated from the Yan royal court.

Long before Lin Chen defeated Bian Bian Xinjie, Elder Murong Yan had already left the stands, returned to her villa, and issued orders.

In just one night, as the new day dawned, tea houses, taverns, and inns across all nations buzzed once more.

In the villa.

Lin Chen did not go to the plaza today; only two matches remained, and the next round would be tomorrow.

These two matches involved no Liang State academies—there was little value for him in watching.

Instead, he wished to enhance his own strength; over these two days, he had clearly felt his power growing—this was the benefit of refining his organs with the Nine-Turn True Blood.

He needed no external aids, no upgrading of his spiritual weapons—he could strengthen himself simply through deeper martial insight.

To deepen his martial insight, the fastest way was to raise his comprehension and test his techniques against suitable opponents.

Mount Mount Wudao was the perfect place.

The steps of Mount Mount Wudao.

【Name: Lin Chen】

【Sect: Canglan Sect】

【Mount Mount Wudao Rank: 85308】

【Points: 4700】

"Begin challenge!"

One match, two matches, three matches…

He challenged one hundred and eight matches in succession.

Watching his rank rise by one hundred and eight places, Lin Chen smiled.

The opponents on Mount Mount Wudao were strong; Lin Chen studied his points and murmured, "Activate point exchange."

A strand of Heavenly Gang Thunderfire: 100 points

One strand of Heavenly Gang Thunderfire: 100 points

After flipping a page, Lin Chen's gaze was drawn to the final line.

"Those ranked within the top 60,000 may unlock soul-item exchanges."

"Those with 60,000 points may exchange for items that awaken the spiritual soul."

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed in thought; the items currently listed for exchange were mostly energy or techniques—useless to him now.

But the soul-item exchange caught his attention.

He understood well the importance of the soul to a martial practitioner; his greatest weapon was not the Zhenyue Scroll, but his own formidable soul.

Thus, Yan Emperor's Mount Mount Wudao imposed rank requirements for point exchanges—some treasures could only be claimed if your rank matched their prestige.

Thus, the Mount Wudao Mountain of the Yan Imperial Court also imposes requirements on items available for point exchange—some valuable items require a ranking that matches before one qualifies to exchange them.

He was currently ranked 85,200—fifteen thousand places away from the threshold.

Fifteen thousand places—a vast gap; he doubted he could reach it in the near term.

"Take it slow. Since soul-items can be exchanged, I must enter the top 60,000. For now, I'll keep my points saved."

Just as Lin Chen stepped down from Mount Mount Wudao, preparing to copy the "Fast Ascension to Heaven Scroll" to dispel his fatigue, footsteps sounded at the gate.

Just as Lin Chen stepped down from the Mount Wudao Mountain, preparing to trace the "Fast Ascension to Heaven Scroll" to cleanse his fatigue, footsteps arrived at the academy gate.

Meng Xing appeared at the doorway.

"Meng brother, has something happened?"

Lin Chen noticed Meng Xing's grim expression—had something gone wrong in today's matches?

"Lin Lin Shixiong, Huo Huo Ruohong of Han State's Bai Zhan Wu Yuan has arrived."

"Senior Lin, Huo Huo Ruohong from the Han Kingdom's Hundred Battles Wu Yuan has arrived."

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly; he knew that name well—every update of the Brother Qian Long List placed this man at the very top.

The number one on the Tian List of the Brother Qian Long List, disciple of Han State's Bai Zhan Wu Yuan!

"Huo Huo Ruohong is a disciple of Bai Zhan Wu Yuan. He wasn't scheduled to attend this ranking tournament—but his sudden appearance today must be because of you, Lin Lin Shixiong."

Even without Meng Xing's explanation, Lin Chen knew Huo Huo Ruohong had come for him.

Han State had originally believed Bian Bian Xinjie, Ling Ling Tianhao, and Lu Lu Ningchuan—three Tian List disciples—were enough to claim first place.

But Lin Chen had killed Lu Lu Ningchuan, defeated him, and injured Bian Bian Xinjie—shattering Han State's expectations. To prevent first place from slipping to Canglan Wu Yuan, they sent Huo Huo Ruohong.

"He came just in time," Lin Chen murmured, eyes narrowing.

"You're arriving just in time," Lin Chen said, his eyes slightly narrowing.

Meng Xing also smiled: "Han State borders Yan State, but it still takes a day to travel from the border to Yan's capital. Huo Huo Ruohong must have set out yesterday to arrive today."

Lin Chen nodded. Huo Huo Ruohong must have departed the day after Lin Chen's standout performance in the Thousand Illusions Secret Realm—on the very day the elimination rounds began.

It seems Han State is truly cautious.

Han State's caution precisely shows how much they value first place in this ranking contest. This is no longer just a contest among young geniuses—it's a preliminary clash between Liang State and Han State.

Han State cannot afford to lose as much as Liang State can.

A loss would mean Han State's long-standing dominance in martial arts—among both its top warriors and its younger generation—is beginning to wane.

In contrast, Liang State faces far less pressure.

Meng Xing came only to deliver this news and didn't stay long. After Meng Xing left, Chen Shan, vice-dean of Canglan Wu Academy, also came to the courtyard, mentioning Huo Huo Ruohong—but mostly urged Lin Chen to keep a calm mind, not to care about winning or losing; Canglan Wu Academy had already done well enough to reach this point.

After Chen Shan left, no one else came. Hou Hou Zhan Tian did not visit the guest courtyard.

Lin Chen understood: Headmaster Hou didn't come because he didn't want to pressure him. But from Vice-Dean Chen's words, he sensed deep wariness toward Huo Huo Ruohong.

He's still a month shy of twenty, not yet seventh rank—but three months ago, he fought a seventh-rank martial artist and held his own.

In the past three months, rumors have spread widely: Huo Huo Ruohong has likely broken through to seventh rank.

Today, Huo Huo Ruohong appeared, yet gave no outward sign—his aura tightly restrained—even Vice-Dean Chen couldn't discern his exact realm.

"A seventh-rank martial artist?"

Lin Chen pulled out his Martial Dao Seal. He was currently facing seventh-rank martial artists on Mount Dengwudao.

With a thought, Lin Chen entered Mount Dengwudao again.

"Challenge."

…

…

Yan Emperor Dynasty.

Canglan Region, Canglan Sect.

"Did Brother Chen break through to seventh rank?"

"Yes."

A boy nodded: "He broke through the day before yesterday."

"Good. To advance from entry-rank to seventh rank in just two years—this cultivation pace ranks among the top ten."

Hearing this, the boy showed no joy, for he knew the "top ten" the senior brother meant was the top ten of the Outer Sect.

Canglan Sect was divided into Inner and Outer Sects: one thousand Inner Sect disciples, thirty thousand Outer Sect disciples. His goal wasn't the Outer Sect—it was the Inner Sect.

To enter the Inner Sect, one either had to be personally selected by an Inner Sect Elder and taken as a direct disciple, or first become an Outer Sect disciple, then rank in the top ten of the Outer Sect Grand Competition—or enter the top sixty thousand on Mount Dengwudao.

The Outer Sect Grand Competition occurred every three years; the last one had just ended. He didn't want to wait another three years.

For him, the only chance was to break into the top sixty thousand on Mount Dengwudao.

"Senior brother, I'll return to continue my cultivation."

"Go."

Watching the boy's retreating back, the young man's face twisted with mockery. A man from the barren lands, still dreaming of joining the Inner Sect? Did he truly think the top sixty thousand on Mount Dengwudao was so easy to reach?

Back in his own courtyard, Gu Kong opened the vial of pills he had received, swallowed one, and began meditating to absorb its energy.

Fifteen minutes later, as his surging aura stabilized, Gu Kong held in his hand a new seal—different from before, engraved with the silhouette of a mountain peak.

…

Mount Dengwudao.

Vast plain.

Lin Chen looked at the opponent before him; by appearance, the man seemed even younger than himself.

But Lin Chen was used to it—the higher his rank climbed, the younger his opponents became.

He wasn't surprised by this.

The martial artists ranked lower on Mount Dengwudao were average geniuses; they made the list through years of cultivation, nearly all approaching the mountain's age limit.

These opponents he now faced were true geniuses.

Further ahead, Lin Chen guessed he'd meet slightly older warriors—everyone was a top-tier genius, and when talent gaps narrowed, cultivation time became the advantage.

Following past rules, Lin Chen was about to strike—but when he saw his opponent's opening stance, he froze.

That hand gesture… it was familiar.

Canglan Finger!

Though he couldn't hear the man's voice, seeing his lip movements combined with the familiar hand seal, Lin Chen instantly knew: the man was saying "Canglan Finger."

He'd encountered a disciple of the Canglan Sect?

(End of Chapter)