Chapter 71

The next day!

Still Jing Jing Shui Wuguan.

Lin Chen, Jiang Qing, Fu Jingya, and ten others were all gathered in the courtyard where Kong Yinglei was.

Except for Jiang Qing, who was still as calm as ever, even Lin Chen had a serious expression at this moment.

Just now, Director Kong showed them the stage information of students from other martial halls.

In this batch of the Eight Martial Halls, there are four students who have opened eight acupoints and twelve who have opened seven acupoints.

Lin Chen looked at Jiang Qing. According to what Jiang Jiang Shijie said herself, she could reach nine acupoints before the competition. If someone from another martial hall could be like Jiang Jiang Shijie and break through again in the last two days, he would still be at risk if he wanted to compete for the top ten.

It's really competitive!

"You have already understood the situation of the students in the major martial halls. Another thing I want to tell you is that even now, Lord Su hasn't announced the rules for this competition. I'm afraid this competition will be different from previous years. You must be mentally prepared."

Kong Yinglei's expression was serious. Besides Jiang Qing, there were three others in the martial hall who had a chance to compete for the top ten. Fu Jingya and Gu Qingqing had both opened seven acupoints. Although Lin Chen was at six acupoints, his Breeze Palm was at Small Success, so he was not inferior to those at seven acupoints.

"Kong Lingyun, Li Xue... you guys go back and think about it carefully, and strive to get a good ranking."

Kong Lingyun, who failed to break through to seven acupoints, had a trace of disappointment on her face. She knew what Director Kong meant—they didn't have a chance to compete for the top ten and could leave first.

As for Lin Lin Shidi, although he was also at six acupoints, he could be kept behind. She could understand that Lin Lin Shidi had long since mastered the Breeze Palm. Even if it hadn't reached Small Success, he was much stronger than herself and had a chance to compete with those at seven acupoints.

Kong Yinglei took in the disappointment on Kong Lingyun's face. She could have used a gentler way to let everyone leave first and then notify Jiang Qing and the other three to come over.

But she didn't intend to do so. The Martial Way is so cruel. The Still Jing Jing Shui Wuguan doesn't want to cultivate weak flowers. If you want to be valued, then keep climbing in the Martial Way.

After Kong Lingyun and Li Xue and the other six left, only Lin Chen and the other three were left in the courtyard.

"Your... the goal of you three seems to be competing for the top ten, but in reality, you only have four spots."

Kong Yinglei scanned Jiang Qing and changed the four people to three.

"Shao Hong of the Breeze Martial Hall has already opened eight acupoints, Song Yu of the Seven Stars Martial Hall has also opened eight acupoints, and Zhang Qing of the Gale Martial Hall plus Jiang Qing—these four spots are gone."

"Besides that, Fei Hong of the Iron Tie Tie Xue Wuguan is only at seven acupoints, but his Iron Collapse Fist has reached Mastery, and Gu Ming of the Zhenyue Martial Hall is the same. The strength of these two is not worse than those at eight acupoints."

"You three can only compete with students from other martial halls for these last four spots. Among them, there are a few you need to pay special attention to..."

Lin Chen listened carefully to Director Kong's words. When he heard Director Kong mention Fu Ang, he was also a bit surprised. Fu Ang had actually opened another acupoint and reached six acupoints just like him.

His Small Success Breeze Palm progress bonus couldn't shake the other off?

Zhenyue Martial Hall.

"Junior brothers, besides the one at seven acupoints in the Breeze Martial Hall, pay extra attention to the three disciples at six acupoints. Among those three—Lü Shuyu, You Pengtao, and Xu Xin—it's very likely that one of them has already reached Small Success in the Breeze Palm."

When the deputy director announced the stages of students from other martial halls, Fu Ang paid special attention to the situation of the Breeze Martial Hall.

The Breeze Martial Hall had one at eight acupoints and one at seven acupoints. Neither of these two stages matched the person who fought him in the Martial Hall. In such a short time, that person had just opened the fifth acupoint and couldn't possibly have opened two more.

That person's identity was very likely one of the three at six acupoints in the Breeze Martial Hall.

Hearing Fu Ang's words, the other two in the Zhenyue Martial Hall also nodded with serious expressions. Although they were also at six acupoints, their Iron Bone Art hadn't reached Mastery. If they encountered the person who defeated Senior Brother Ang, they were afraid they wouldn't have a chance of winning.

Breeze Martial Hall, Seven Stars Martial Hall, Iron Tie Tie Xue Wuguan...

The same scene was playing out everywhere.

All martial hall students were searching for potential opponents based on their goals.

Leaving Director Kong's courtyard, Lin Chen was originally planning to return to the dormitory for the final two-day sprint, but was called out by Jiang Qing.

"Lin Lin Shidi, wait a moment."

Fu Jingya and Gu Qingqing on the side saw Jiang Qing call out to Lin Chen, and there was gossip in their eyes, their gazes shifting back and forth between the two.

Is there something going on between Jiang Jiang Shijie and Lin Lin Shidi?

That shouldn't be possible.

If it were any other time, the two would definitely stay to watch this gossip, but now the competition was imminent, and neither of them had the heart for it. After greeting Jiang Qing and Lin Chen, they left.

"Jiang Jiang Shijie, is there something?"

Lin Chen was also a bit confused in his heart. Why would Jiang Jiang Shijie call him?

"Lin Lin Shidi, would you like to spar?"

"Jiang Jiang Shijie, aren't you joking with me?"

Lin Chen's mouth twitched. Jiang Jiang Shijie had already opened eight acupoints and was close to nine.

However, he was indeed a bit moved.

"Since Jiang Jiang Shijie wants to give Lin Lin Shidi some pointers, Lin Lin Shidi is extremely grateful."

Hearing Lin Chen agree, Jiang Qing smiled: "I will limit my strength to the same stage as Lin Lin Shidi."

Lin Chen understood a bit. Jiang Jiang Shijie didn't want to fight him; she wanted to spar on the Water Cloud Palm.

His Water Cloud Palm was at Small Success, and Jiang Jiang Shijie was also at Small Success. If Jiang Jiang Shijie controlled her stage at six acupoints, it would be a comparison of who had higher attainments in the Water Cloud Palm.

Just as the two were walking toward the drill ground, a servant suddenly ran over in a hurry.

"Young Lin Shi, someone is looking for you in front of the martial hall. It seems to be someone from your village, and there is also someone claiming to be your older brother. I also see people from the government office."

Hearing the servant's words, Lin Chen's eyes narrowed. His older brother came to find him, and there were people from the government office?

"Jiang Jiang Shijie, Lin Lin Shidi has something to do. I'm afraid this sparring won't happen."

Lin Chen saluted Jiang Qing and apologized before leaving.

"I'll go with you, Lin Lin Shidi."

Jiang Qing's words made Lin Chen a bit surprised. Jiang Jiang Shijie should have heard the servant's words just now. This was his family business.

However, since Jiang Jiang Shijie wanted to go, Lin Chen thought about it and didn't refuse. There was nothing shameful about his family.

The two walked quickly toward the front gate of the martial hall. Lin Chen walked out of the gate. When he saw his older brother, Gu Fei, the village chief, two people from the village, and the government soldier he seemed to have met once, there was a look of doubt in his eyes.

"Village Chief, Brother!"

When Lin Chen appeared at the door, his older brother Lin Liang, Village Chief Zhao Canghu, and the others also saw Lin Chen.

Among the few, a woman with messy hair saw Lin Chen come out, rushed over first, and when she was three feet away from Lin Chen, she suddenly knelt down with a "bang."

"Lin Chen, please save my Qianqian!"

(End of chapter)