Chapter 94: First hearing of the Ranked Tier theory, the youth chooses the extreme path (extra update)

Stepping into the Ranked Tier with one foot!

Lin Chen's pupils contracted, but based on this point alone, the attraction to him wasn't enough.

He had the 【Water to Channel Completion】 fate, so there was no such thing as a bottleneck, and entering the Ranked Tier was just a matter of time.

Unless, entering the Ranked Tier wasn't as simple as he imagined, and wasn't just a simple bottleneck in the realm.

"In the past ten years, there have been no fewer than a hundred martial artists in Poyang County who have perfected Organ Cultivation, but in the end, fewer than one in ten could enter the Ranked Tier."

Su Lingchuan's eyes had a bright light, and he continued: "The three major realms of Body Forging—Nurturing Qi, Open-Acupuncture, and Organ Cultivation—have already excavated the limits of human potential. Without special circumstances, after reaching Organ Cultivation perfection, the physical body has no possibility of improvement. And to want to go from Organ Cultivation to the Ranked Tier is no longer a breakthrough in physical strength."

"In the past ten years in Poyang County, a full hundred martial artists who have perfected Organ Cultivation have been born, but fewer than one in ten could enter the Ranked Tier. This is because from Organ Cultivation to the Ranked Tier, any rare birds or elixirs that supplement Qi and blood are useless. To take this step, one must condense martial arts will."

Martial arts will?

Lin Chen's eyelids drooped. He thought of that scroll.

"The eight major Martial Halls each have a set of Ranked Tier techniques. The difference between Ranked Tier techniques and ordinary techniques, this official doesn't need to say, you should know. And Ranked Tier techniques can erupt with power far exceeding one's own several times over, which is because they have a 'Rank' character, and the technique itself contains martial arts will."

"There are many ways for a martial artist to condense martial arts will. The most common is to use a 'weapon' as an embryo, to make one's own spirit and the weapon's spirit fit together, and by using the spirituality of the weapon, to stimulate martial arts will in one fell swoop. This is the path to the Ranked Tier that most martial artists take, including this official."

Hearing this from Lord Su, Lin Chen thought of when Hall Kong Kong Guanzhu took him to see Kong Kong Guanzhu Ceng back then, and Kong Kong Guanzhu Ceng was holding a horizontal blade, and at that time Hall Kong Kong Guanzhu also said that Kong Kong Guanzhu Ceng was comprehending the blade spirit.

After pondering for a moment, Lin Chen asked again: "Lord, are martial artists on this path extremely rare?"

Su Lingchuan looked at Lin Chen with a bright gaze: "This official can only tell you that 130 years ago, Poyang County only had one Martial Hall, and all students had to cultivate three techniques. The number of Organ Cultivation martial artists was extremely rare, but as long as one stepped into Organ Cultivation, one foot was already in the Ranked Tier."

Such a high proportion of entering the Ranked Tier?

Lin Chen had a look of surprise on his face, so this so-called extreme cultivation path was the path that martial artists a hundred years ago had to walk.

"135 years ago, Grandmaster Su of the Martial Way Department created another path to the Ranked Tier, which is to condense martial arts will with weapons. Since then, the Martial Halls of each county began to change, and the Martial Halls of Poyang County were also divided into eight, having the current pattern."

"Since the change, the number of Organ Cultivation martial artists in my Daliang has surged, but the proportion of Organ Cultivation martial artists who can enter the Ranked Tier has declined."

Hearing this, Lin Chen already had a count in his heart.

That path to the Ranked Tier created by Grandmaster Su lowered the difficulty for martial artists to open acupoints and cultivate organs in the early stages, leading to a large increase in the number of Organ Cultivation martial artists. Even if the proportion decreased, as long as the base number was large enough, the final number of Ranked Tier martial artists was still higher than the original.

"Lord, is there a difference between the two different cultivation routes after entering the Ranked Tier?"

"Those who condense martial arts will with weapons, if they want to continue to improve on the path of the Martial Way, need to constantly improve the tier of the weapon and collect many precious materials. For martial artists who enter the Ranked Tier through the extreme of techniques, the subsequent path of martial arts does not need to collect weapon materials."

Su Lingchuan knew what Lin Chen was concerned about, because he had also asked his teacher this question back then, and continued: "The difference in strength depends on the individual. If the weapon of a Ranked Tier martial artist is nurtured strongly enough, they can also be invincible in the same realm."

A single "also" word exhausted everything.

Lin Chen heard the subtext of Lord Su. Martial artists who enter the Ranked Tier with weapons have strength that depends on the tier of the weapon, while martial artists who walk the extreme cultivation path of techniques are invincible in the same realm without weapons.

"Looking at it this way, the extreme martial arts path is more suitable for me."

Lin Chen had a decision in his heart. Making such a decision didn't come from blind confidence in himself, but precisely because of his own weaknesses, he could decide to choose this path.

Entering the Ranked Tier with weapons requires nurturing weapons, collecting materials, and improving the tier of weapons. Those noble children have money and connections, and have an advantage over him in collecting materials.

Whether it was his 【Water to Channel Completion】 fate or the titles that might be updated later, they all acted on himself.

It really lived up to that saying: the poor rely on mutation, the rich rely on technology.

This principle is applicable through the ages, and even fits in another world.

"Lord, student wants to walk the extreme martial arts path."

Lin Chen wasn't an indecisive person. Since he had already analyzed the pros and cons, he gave the answer.

"Good!"

Su Lingchuan stroked his beard and said: "This official will greet the Zhen Yue Martial Hall, you go yourself."

"Thank you, Lord."

Su Lingchuan then encouraged Lin Chen a few more times. Lin Chen said goodbye and walked out of the main hall. There were servants waiting at the door, who led him to the treasury of the Martial Way Office.

Four hundred taels of silver notes, two Open-Acupuncture Pills!

This was the reward for his first place in this competition, among which two hundred taels, according to the people of the Wuzheng Office, was the reward given to him by the government office.

Carrying a huge sum of money!

Walking out of the Wuzheng Office, Lin Chen's mouth curled upward. He had obtained two hundred and seventy taels from Zhou San. After returning the money to Lin Lin Shidi Lu and the others, the silver he had on him now added up to six hundred and twenty taels. Added to the fact that there would definitely be rewards from the Martial Hall, and the value of these two Open-Acupuncture Pills, he was definitely a millionaire of a thousand taels.

A thousand taels of silver—what is the concept in Poyang County?

One could buy a two-entry courtyard house in any area of the city, raise a few maids, collect dozens of mu of good farmland, and live the leisurely life of a landlord.

But if it were used for practicing martial arts, a thousand taels of silver would only be enough for him to use in the Open-Acupuncture Stage.

The Martial Way is a veritable money-burning cave.

Leaving the Wuzheng Office, Lin Chen returned directly to the Jing Shui Martial Hall.

"There is also a theory of an extreme martial arts path?"

In the courtyard of Ceng Qingyao of the Jing Shui Martial Hall, Kong Yinglei heard Lin Chen's account, her eyes wide open. She didn't know at all that there was such a path for martial arts cultivation.

When she entered the Martial Hall back then, the instructor and Kong Kong Guanzhu hadn't told her either.

Ceng Qingyao looked at Lin Chen with a thoughtful expression: "Martial artists a hundred years ago did indeed walk such a path, but the reason it was changed now is because this path is too difficult. Xiao Xiao Shimei, you don't know because you have been in the Martial Hall for three years, and your Water Cloud Palm hasn't even reached perfection."

Kong Yinglei was deeply struck. So, someone like her whose martial arts comprehension wasn't good wasn't even worthy of knowing.

"If you only had the Clear Wind Palm perfected, this Kong Kong Guanzhu wouldn't approve of you walking this path, but your Clear Wind Palm is perfected, and your comprehension of the Water Cloud Palm is not bad either. It is highly likely that your comprehension of all techniques is extremely high. This path can be attempted. If you feel it's impassable, you can give it up; there is the Wuzheng Department to provide you with a safety net."

"Student thinks the same. If it's truly impassable, then I will give it up."

Lin Chen nodded. He had the panel, and his progress in the Iron Bone Technique could be seen. If the progress in the Iron Bone Technique wasn't fast, he would just give it up and focus on waiting for someone from the Wuzheng Department in three months.

"As for Lord Su wanting to post a public notice in all major Martial Halls and Martial Halls in the city about the master-disciple friendship between you and Yu Yongnian, the benefit is that once you are established as a model, no one in Poyang County will dare to have designs on you again, otherwise it would be hitting the face of the Wuzheng Office."

"The disadvantage is also very obvious. From then on, your every move will be under the attention of others. To some extent, you will represent the style of students in Poyang County. If you can accept this, leave this matter to your instructor to handle, and strive for enough benefits for you from the Wuzheng Office."

Hearing Kong Kong Guanzhu Ceng mention that his instructor would go to strive for benefits, Lin Chen's expression was somewhat strange. With the instructor's temperament, he really might not be able to lower his face.

However, after meeting eyes with his Kong Kong Guanzhu, Lin Chen suddenly realized that Kong Kong Guanzhu Ceng wasn't talking about the instructor, but the Master's Wife.

Kong Guanzhu's Wife was originally an Inspector of the Wuzheng Office, well-versed in officialdom, and also knew how many benefits she should strive for him.

Seeing that Lin Chen understood her meaning, Ceng Qingyao smiled and said: "This time you took first place in the competition, winning fame for our Water Cloud Martial Hall, the reward is one hundred taels of silver and three bottles of Nourishing Acupoint Pills."

Qingfeng Wuguan is not allowed to privately give rewards to students. The premise of this red line is that the student hasn't met the Martial Hall's assessment goals.

But Lin Chen took first place, so the Martial Hall giving rewards is reasonable and compliant, and Ceng Qingyao believes that if the Martial Hall reports it up, Lord Su will definitely approve it.

After all, Lord Su also needs Lin Chen to cooperate to increase his political achievements.

Bidding farewell to the two Hall Masters, Lin Chen left the Martial Hall directly and headed toward the area east of the city, the Master's Wife's residence.

Shu Mansion.

In the study, Hua'er was grinding ink, and Lin Chen was writing a reply to the instructor.

In the letter, he mentioned his first-place ranking in this competition, also mentioned his matter with the Clear Qing Qing Feng Wuguan, and his current intention to walk the extreme path of the Martial Way.

Toward Yu Yu Jiaoxi Yu, Lin Chen had nothing to hide, including the reasons why he chose the extreme path of the Martial Way, all of which were written down.

It was just that he didn't mention the fate and title, but analyzed it based on his own weaknesses and strengths, and finally chose this path.

Finally, Lin Chen also wrote down Kong Kong Guanzhu Ceng's hint.

【Student doesn't know the pros and cons of this matter. Kong Guanzhu's Wife once served in the Wuzheng Office. Yu Yu Jiaoxi might as well help student ask the Master's Wife what good suggestions she has...】

Finishing the writing, he put it into the envelope and applied the mud seal.

"Sister Hua'er, where is the instructor now?"

Lin Chen was somewhat curious. Daliang's letters had one bad point: there was no sender's address on them, so he couldn't judge where the instructor was now from the envelope.

"Mr. Yu and the Young Lady are currently in Huizhou Prefecture."

"Huizhou Prefecture?"

The Huizhou Prefecture next to Rao Prefecture?

Lin Chen hadn't expected that the instructor would actually go to Huizhou Prefecture. Was it because there were materials in Huizhou Prefecture suitable for the instructor to nurture the spirituality of his weapon?

Handing the letter to Hua'er and asking her to help mail it, Lin Chen left the Shu Mansion and returned to the Jing Shui Martial Hall.

Returning to his dormitory, Lin Chen gathered all his focus and began to continue practicing the Clear Wind Palm and Water Cloud Palm.

Even if he was going to walk the extreme path of the Martial Way, he had to open the eighth acupoint first. The progress bonus from the Clear Wind Palm being perfected couldn't be wasted.

Three days later!

【Host: Lin Chen】

【Realm: Open-Acupuncture Stage (8/24): (1/100)】

【Clear Wind Palm: Perfected】

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

Eight acupoints opened!

Looking at the data on the panel, Lin Chen was very satisfied.

Three days to open an acupoint—this speed should shock a large group of people.

The pity was that the cultivation progress bonus from the Clear Wind Palm being perfected would end today, and for the remaining acupoints to be opened, the Clear Wind Palm could no longer bring much help.

"It's time to go to the Zhen Yue Martial Hall to take a look."

Just as he left the dormitory, before Lin Chen had even walked out of the dormitory area, he encountered Jiang Jiang Shijie head-on.

Jiang Jiang Shijie, carrying a bundle, also walked out from another bluestone path of the dormitory.

Their eyes met, and Lin Chen had a look of doubt on his face: "Jiang Jiang Shijie, what is this?"

"Lin Lin Shidi, I am preparing to leave the Martial Hall and head to Rao Prefecture."

Facing Lin Chen, Jiang Qing didn't hide it; she was already prepared to leave the Jing Shui Martial Hall.

When she joined the Jing Shui Martial Hall, it was for the Water Cloud Palm, and she had an agreement with the Kong Kong Guanzhu: the Kong Kong Guanzhu would pass on the Water Cloud Palm to her, and she would help the Jing Shui Martial Hall take first place in the competition.

"With you here, Lin Lin Shidi, the Martial Hall doesn't need me to take the field. In the competition three months later, no one will be able to compete with you for first place."

Jiang Qing said this after thinking; it wasn't casual praise.

Three months wasn't short, but it wasn't long either. The possibility of others like Fei Hong of the other Martial Halls perfecting their techniques in three months wasn't high.

As for the martial arts realm, Lin Lin Shidi had received quite a few rewards this time, so at least the cultivation resources for the next half year wouldn't be lacking, and his realm wouldn't be left behind.

Lin Chen didn't know what to say. He and this Jiang Jiang Shijie—if you say they are familiar, they are familiar, but if you say their relationship is particularly good, it doesn't seem so.

Since that Zhou San incident, Jiang Jiang Shijie hadn't treated him any differently than the other few Junior Sisters.

Having lived two lives, Lin Chen naturally wouldn't flatter himself that Jiang Jiang Shijie helping him deal with Zhou San back then meant she had any thoughts toward him.

She is looking at me, she has feelings for me!

This kind of cognitive error of the three major illusions of life wouldn't happen to him.

"Lin Lin Shidi wishes Jiang Jiang Shijie great success in Rao Prefecture and a smooth path in the Martial Way." Thinking for a moment, Lin Chen bowed and saluted.

"Lin Lin Shidi, it won't be long before we meet again in Rao Prefecture."

Jiang Qing blinked her beautiful eyes a few times. Lin Lin Shidi had already reached the genius regulations of the Wuzheng Department and would head to the Rao Prefecture Wuzheng Department in a few months.

"At that time, I will need Jiang Jiang Shijie to take care of me more."

"Easy to say!"

Jiang Qing was very free and easy, her broken hair fluttering lightly. She didn't say much more to Lin Chen, and after throwing down those words, she left with a tall and straight posture.

Watching Jiang Jiang Shijie leave, Lin Chen also followed out of the Martial Hall gate and headed toward the direction of the Zhen Yue Martial Hall.

Zhen Yue Martial Hall!

When Lin Chen appeared at the Zhen Yue Martial Hall, he happened to encounter Fu Ang and a few students of the Zhen Yue Martial Hall walking from the other side of the street.

The few of them met eyes, and there was a look of surprise in their eyes.

"Senior... Senior Lin Lin Shidi!"

Seeing Lin Chen, Fu Ang's expression was extremely complex: three parts resentment, three parts fear, plus one part physical trembling.

"Lin Lin Shidi Fu!"

Seeing a familiar person, a smile appeared on Lin Chen's face. Having a familiar person to lead the way would save him from having to report and wait.

A quarter of an hour later, Fu Ang walked out of his Kong Kong Guanzhu's courtyard, looking at Lin Chen beside him, only feeling that his brain wasn't enough.

Lin Chen was actually here to learn the Iron Bone Technique, but wasn't Lin Chen a student of the Jing Shui Martial Hall?

The Kong Kong Guanzhu actually agreed?

Lin Chen transferred to their Martial Hall?

From the Clear Qing Qing Feng Wuguan to the Jing Shui Martial Hall and then to the Zhen Yue Martial Hall, this wasn't a standard three-surname...

No, this is called water flowing to low places, people moving to high places.

Senior Lin Lin Shidi must have understood a principle: horizontal training techniques are the most powerful.

Abandoning darkness for light, joining their Zhen Yue Martial Hall.

PS: After the climax, there need to be a few transition chapters. What needs to be explained must be explained. I can't just pursue coolness and ignore logic. I beg everyone not to "raise" the book; continue to follow and read. Please give me a monthly ticket, please, please.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 95 =====