Chapter 94: First Hearing of Entry into the Ranks, the Young Man Chooses the Limit Path (Bonus Chapter)

One foot across the threshold of entry into the ranks!

Lin Chen’s pupils contracted slightly, but this alone wasn’t enough to attract him.

He possessed the Destiny of “Water Flowing Naturally to the Channel,” so there was no such thing as a bottleneck—entry into the ranks was merely a matter of time.

Unless entry into the ranks wasn’t as simple as he imagined, and wasn’t merely a matter of breaking through a realm barrier.

“In Poyang County, over the past ten years, no fewer than a hundred martial artists reached the peak of Organ Cultivation, yet fewer than one in ten succeeded in entering the ranks.”

Su Lingchuan’s eyes gleamed as he continued: “The three stages of Body Strengthening—Qi Nourishment, Acupoint Opening, and Organ Cultivation—are already the absolute limit of human potential. Without special circumstances, after reaching the peak of Organ Cultivation, the body can no longer improve. To advance from Organ Cultivation to entry into the ranks is no longer a matter of physical strength.”

“Over the past ten years, Poyang County has produced a hundred martial artists who reached the peak of Organ Cultivation, yet fewer than one in ten entered the ranks—because no rare birds, elixirs, or blood-boosting substances can aid this step. The only way to cross it is to forge Martial Will.”

Martial Will?

Lin Chen lowered his eyelids, thinking of that scroll.

“Each of the eight martial academies has its own entry-to-ranks technique. The difference between entry-to-ranks techniques and ordinary ones—you already know, even if I don’t say it. The reason entry-to-ranks techniques can unleash power many times greater than one’s own is precisely because of the word ‘rank’—their very essence contains Martial Will.”

“There are many ways for martial artists to forge Martial Will. The most common is to use a ‘weapon’ as the embryo, aligning one’s soul with the weapon’s spirit, and through the weapon’s innate nature, suddenly ignite Martial Will. This is the path most martial artists take to enter the ranks—including myself.”

Hearing this, Lin Chen recalled when Master Kong had taken him to meet Master Zeng, who had been holding a broadsword, and how Master Kong had said then that Master Zeng was comprehending the Sword Spirit.

After a moment of silence, Lin Chen asked again: “Master, are martial artists who take this path extremely rare?”

Su Lingchuan stared intently at Lin Chen: “I can only tell you that one hundred and thirty years ago, Poyang County had only one martial academy. All students trained in three techniques. The number of Organ Cultivation martial artists was extremely small, but once one reached Organ Cultivation, one already had one foot in the ranks.”

Such a high entry rate?

Lin Chen’s face showed surprise—so this so-called “limit cultivation path” was the mandatory route for martial artists a century ago.

“One hundred and thirty-five years ago, Grandmaster Su of the Wudao Force created another path to entry into the ranks—forging Martial Will through weapons. Since then, martial academies across counties changed. Poyang County’s academy split into eight, forming today’s structure.”

“After the change, the number of Organ Cultivation martial artists in our Great Liang surged, but the proportion of those who could enter the ranks dropped.”

Hearing this, Lin Chen already understood.

The path Grandmaster Su created lowered the difficulty of Acupoint Opening and Organ Cultivation, causing a massive increase in Organ Cultivation martial artists. Even if the entry rate dropped, the sheer number meant the total number of those entering the ranks still exceeded the old system.

“Master, is there a difference between the two paths after entry into the ranks?”

“Those who forge Martial Will through weapons must continually upgrade their weapon’s rank and gather rare materials. Those who enter the ranks through the limit of technique need not collect weapon materials at all.”

Su Lingchuan knew what Lin Chen cared about—he’d asked the same question of his own teacher. He continued: “The difference in strength depends on the individual. If a weapon-born entry martial artist’s weapon is powerful enough, he can be invincible within his realm.”

The word “can” said it all.

Lin Chen caught the hidden meaning: martial artists who entered through weapons depended on weapon rank for strength, while those who took the technique-limit path could be invincible within their realm without any weapon at all.

“It seems the limit martial path suits me better.”

Lin Chen made his decision—not out of blind self-confidence, but precisely because of his weaknesses that led him to choose this path.

To enter through weapons requires nurturing a weapon, gathering materials, upgrading its rank—wealthy nobles have advantages in material collection, with money and connections.

My Destiny of “Water Flowing Naturally to the Channel,” and any future titles I might gain, all act upon myself alone.

It truly fits the saying: the poor rely on mutations, the rich on technology.

This truth has always held, even in this other world.

“Master, I wish to take the limit martial path.”

Lin Chen was no indecisive man. Having weighed the pros and cons, he gave his answer.

“Good!”

Su Lingchuan stroked his beard: “I’ll speak to the Zhenyue Martial Academy. Go there directly.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Su Lingchuan then offered Lin Chen a few words of encouragement. Lin Chen bowed and left the main hall, where a servant waited at the door to guide him to the Wuzhengsuo’s treasure vault.

Four hundred taels in silver notes, two Tongqiao Pills!

These were his rewards for winning first place in the contest—two hundred taels, according to Wuzhengsuo officials, were a bonus from the government office.

He was carrying a fortune!

Leaving the Wuzhengsuo, Lin Chen smiled. From Zhou San, he’d received two hundred and seventy taels; after repaying Lu Shidi and the others, he now had six hundred and twenty taels in total. Add the academy’s likely reward and the value of the two Tongqiao Pills—he was solidly a thousand-tael millionaire.

What did a thousand taels of silver mean in Poyang County?

He could buy a two-court mansion anywhere in the city, keep several maidservants, acquire dozens of acres of fertile land, and live the leisurely life of a wealthy landlord.

But if spent on cultivation, a thousand taels would barely cover his Acupoint Opening stage.

The martial path was truly a bottomless pit for silver.

…

…

After leaving the Wuzhengsuo, Lin Chen returned directly to Jingshui Martial Academy.

“There’s also a limit martial path?”

In Zeng Qingyao’s courtyard at Jingshui Martial Academy, Kong Yinglei’s eyes widened in shock—she had never heard of such a path in martial cultivation.

When she first joined the academy, neither the instructors nor the masters had mentioned it.

Zeng Qingyao regarded Lin Chen thoughtfully: “A century ago, martial artists did follow this path. But it was changed precisely because it’s too difficult. You didn’t know because in three years here, you still haven’t perfected Water Cloud Palm.”

Kong Yinglei was deeply shaken—so someone with her lack of martial insight wasn’t even worthy to know.

“If you’d only perfected Clear Wind Palm, I’d advise against this path. But since you’ve perfected Clear Wind Palm and show decent aptitude for Water Cloud Palm, you may have exceptionally high overall technique comprehension. You may try it—if you find it impassable, you can abandon it. The Wuzheng Office will back you.”

“That’s exactly what I think—if I truly can’t make it, I’ll give up.”

Lin Chen nodded. He had his panel—he could see his progress in Iron Bone Art. If progress stalled, he could simply abandon it and wait for the Wuzheng Office’s inspectors in three months.

“As for Master Su’s plan to publicly announce your master-disciple bond with Yu Yongnian across all academies and halls in the city—the benefit is that once established as a model, no one in Poyang County will dare trouble you again, or they’ll be slapping the Wuzhengsuo’s face.”

“The downside is obvious: every move you make will be watched. In a sense, you’ll represent the image of Poyang County’s students. If you’re willing to accept this, leave the arrangements to your instructor—they’ll negotiate with the Wuzhengsuo for your maximum benefit.”

Hearing Zeng Master mention his instructor negotiating for benefits, Lin Chen’s expression turned odd—his instructor’s temperament made it unlikely he’d lower himself to beg.

But after meeting his master’s gaze, Lin Chen suddenly understood—Zeng Master didn’t mean his instructor. She meant his mistress.

His mistress had once been a Wuzhengsuo Inspector, deeply versed in court politics, and knew exactly how much benefit to extract.

Seeing Lin Chen grasp her meaning, Zeng Qingyao smiled: “You won first place in the contest, bringing glory to Water Cloud Martial Academy. Your reward: one hundred taels of silver, three vials of Zikou Pills.”

The academy's policy prohibited private rewards to students unless the student achieved the academy's assessment goal.

But Lin Chen had won first place—this reward was perfectly legitimate. Zeng Qingyao knew the Wuzhengsuo would approve it.

After all, Master Su needed Lin Chen’s cooperation to boost his own political achievements.

…

…

After bidding farewell to the two masters, Lin Chen left the academy and headed straight to the eastern district—to his mistress’s residence.

Shu Residence.

In the study, Hua ground ink as Lin Chen wrote a reply to his instructor.

In the letter, he mentioned his first-place finish in the contest, his dealings with Qingfeng Martial Academy, and his decision to pursue the limit martial path.

He had nothing to hide from Instructor Yu—he wrote down precisely why he chose the limit path.

He omitted mention of his Destiny and titles, instead analyzing his weaknesses and strengths before arriving at his decision.

Finally, he included Zeng Master’s implication.

【I do not fully understand the pros and cons of this matter. Mistress, you once served in the Wuzhengsuo—could you please advise Instructor Yu on what would be best for me?】

He finished writing, sealed the letter, and stamped it with clay.

“Sister Hua, where is Instructor Yu now?”

Lin Chen was curious—Li Dynasty letters had no return address, so he couldn’t tell from the envelope where his instructor was.

“Master Yu and Miss are currently in Huizhou Prefecture.”

“Huizhou Prefecture?”

The prefecture next to Rao Prefecture?

Lin Chen hadn’t expected his instructor to go to Huizhou—was there some material there suitable for nurturing a weapon’s spirit?

He handed the letter to Hua to send off, then left the Shu Residence and returned to Jingshui Martial Academy.

Back in his dormitory, Lin Chen gathered all his focus and resumed practicing Clear Wind Palm and Water Cloud Palm.

Even if he would pursue the limit martial path, he must first open the eighth acupoint—his Clear Wind Palm’s cultivation bonus couldn’t be wasted.

Three days later!

【Host: Lin Chen】

【Realm: Acupoint Opening (8/24): (1/100)】

【Clear Wind Palm: Perfected】

【Water Cloud Palm: Great Accomplishment (0/1)】

Eight acupoints opened!

Looking at the panel’s data, Lin Chen was satisfied.

In three days, he opened one acupoint—this pace would shock many.

Unfortunately, the cultivation bonus from his perfected Clear Wind Palm ended today. The remaining acupoints would no longer benefit from it.

“It’s time to visit Zhenyue Martial Academy.”

As soon as he left his dormitory, before even exiting the dorm area, he met Jiang Shijie face-to-face.

Jiang Shijie carried a pack, emerging from another stone-paved path in the dormitory.

Their eyes met. Lin Chen frowned: “Jiang Shijie, what are you doing?”

“Lin Shidi, I’m leaving the academy for Rao Prefecture.”

Facing Lin Chen, Jiang Qing made no secret—she had already decided to leave Jingshui Martial Academy.

When she joined the Jing Shui Martial Arts Hall, it was because she wanted the Water Cloud Palm, and she had made an agreement with the hall’s master: the master would teach her the Water Cloud Palm, and in return, she would help the Jing Shui Martial Arts Hall win first place in the competition.

“With you here, Lin Shi-di, Sister doesn’t need to step in—the three-month competition has no one who can compete with you for first place.”

Jiang Qing spoke these words after careful thought, not as idle flattery.

Three months is neither short nor long; it’s unlikely that others like Fei Hong from other martial halls can perfect their arts within that time.

As for cultivation realm, Lin Shi-di received plenty of rewards this time, so he won’t lack cultivation resources for at least the next half-year, and his realm won’t fall behind.

Lin Chen didn’t know what to say—he and this Jiang Shi-jie were familiar enough, but he couldn’t say their bond was especially close.

Since that Wednesday incident, Jiang Shi-jie has treated him no differently than the other junior sisters.

Having lived two lives, Lin Chen would never assume that Jiang Shi-jie helping him against Zhou San meant she had any special feelings for him.

She’s looking at me—she’s interested in me!

Such delusions of romantic significance would never occur to him.

“Brother wishes you well on your journey to the Rao family—may you achieve great success and find your martial path smooth and unobstructed,” Lin Chen said, bowing his fists.

“Lin Shi-di, we’ll meet again at the Rao family soon.”

Jiang Qing blinked a few times—Lin Shi-di had now met the Wuzheng Office’s genius criteria and would be heading to the Rao family’s Wuzheng Office in a few months.

“I’ll count on your care then.”

“Of course!”

Jiang Qing was effortlessly composed; her stray hairs fluttered lightly. Without further words, she turned and walked away with a proud, upright posture.

Watching Jiang Shi-jie depart, Lin Chen soon stepped out the martial hall’s main gate and headed toward the Zhen Yue Martial Arts Hall.

Zhen Yue Martial Arts Hall!

When Lin Chen appeared at the Zhen Yue Martial Arts Hall, he happened to meet Fu Ang and several of its students walking from the opposite side of the street.

Their eyes met, each filled with surprise.

“Lin… Lin Shi-xiong!”

Fu Ang’s expression twisted with complexity—three parts sorrow, three parts fear, and one part trembling body.

“Fu Shi-di!”

Seeing a familiar face, Lin Chen smiled—he wouldn’t need to wait or announce himself if he had someone to guide him.

……

……

Fifteen minutes later, Fu Ang stepped out from his master’s courtyard, looking beside him at Lin Chen, feeling his mind couldn’t keep up.

Lin Chen had come to learn Iron Bone Art—but wasn’t Lin Chen a disciple of the Jing Shui Martial Arts Hall?

And the master had agreed?

Had Lin Shi-xiong switched to their martial hall?

From Qing Feng Martial Arts Hall to Jing Shui Martial Arts Hall to Zhen Yue Martial Arts Hall—this was clearly a case of…

No, this was water flowing downward, people climbing upward.

Lin Shi-xiong must have realized one truth: hardening arts were the most powerful.

He abandoned darkness and embraced the light—joining their Zhen Yue Martial Arts Hall.

PS: After the climax, a few chapters of transition are needed—necessary details must be explained. Don’t chase only thrills at the cost of logic. Please don’t abandon this story—keep reading, and if you can, give a monthly vote. Thank you, thank you.

(End of Chapter)