Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 301 Divine Soul Enhanced Again
"One eighteen-zhang-long pillar of light earns one hundred points; six pillars of light earn six hundred points!"

Murong Song's voice echoed throughout the venue, causing an uproar.

Six hundred points!

If Bian Xinjie is equivalent to the total points of an entire martial arts academy, then Lin Chen is equivalent to the total points of an entire nation, or even several nations.

"Brother Murong, isn't there something wrong with this calculation method?"

Lu Qiguang frowned and looked at Murong Song. The points rules originally discussed by the countries did not take into account the appearance of multiple beams of light. Faced with this situation outside the rules, the decision-making power was in the hands of the Yan Kingdom.

After all, the Soul Verification Stele belongs to the Yan Kingdom.

Only the Yan Kingdom truly understood what the multiple beams of light meant.

But when he heard the score given by Murong Song, Lu Qiguang's face darkened. In his opinion, Murong Song had to take into account the feelings of the other countries, especially their Han country, when giving Lin Chen a score.

Even if Lin Chen really gets 600 points, it can be calculated based on just one beam of light.

The decision rests with Murong Song. As long as he doesn't want to give Lin Chen a high score, Liang Guo's opposition is useless.

“Brother Lu, that’s how the Soul Testing Tablet works. Each additional pillar of light represents twice the strength of the soul. It’s not unreasonable for Lin Chen to get 600 points.”

Murong Song did not change his mind. He knew Lu Qiguang's purpose in asking the question, but he had his own thoughts.

In this matter, we are willing to offend South Korea.

Lu Qiguang was surprised that Murong Song did not intend to change his mind, and his face turned gloomy, but he smiled again the next moment: "In that case, congratulations to Liang Kingdom, congratulations to Junior Brother Hou."

Hou Zhantian glanced at Murong Song with some surprise, wondering why Murong Song would insist on giving Lin Chen 600 points.

In this situation outside the rules, Murong Song held the final scoring power. He originally thought that Murong Song would calculate Lin Chen's score based on the highest height of a single beam of light, or compromise by only counting three beams of light.

Unexpectedly, under Lu Qiguang's suggestion, Murong Song still insisted on giving Lin Chen the highest score.

Regardless of why Murong Song was willing to offend Han Kingdom to give Lin Chen a high score, it was a good thing for Liang Kingdom.

"Thank you for your fairness, Brother Murong. My Liang Kingdom has no objection."

As soon as Hou Zhantian said this, the strongmen from the other countries all curled their lips. Of course, Liang Kingdom had no objection. Lin Chen's score alone crushed the rest of their countries. Even if he didn't participate in the next round of the points competition, Canglan Martial Academy would definitely be ranked in the top five.

hiss!
As Murong Song announced Lin Chen's score, the temperature in the room suddenly rose, and everyone seemed to breathe away the chill.

Six hundred points!
This is a number that is as insurmountable as a chasm.

Lin Chen did not wait in front of the stone tablet, but instead walked back to the Canglan Martial Academy and received praise from his fellow disciples.

Next, more disciples stepped forward to take the test, but most failed. In half an hour, all six hundred disciples had finished the test, but only seventy-six of them passed.

Only 10% of the disciples met the standard!

"Those who meet the requirements may enter the Thousand Illusions Secret Realm. Inside the secret realm, you will encounter soul creatures that attack your soul. If you cannot withstand them, you should withdraw voluntarily. Do not be reckless, lest you damage your soul."

After all the disciples had finished their tests, Murong Song continued to speak, and his words made Li Yuan and the others' expressions turn serious again. There was a saying circulating in the Nine Kingdoms: Physical injuries can be healed, but injuries to the soul are hard to cure.

Even if the body is injured, there are still pills that can heal it. Even if it is a broken arm, some precious pills can restore the injury.

But once the soul is injured, it is very difficult to recover.

All nine kingdoms lack elixirs that can heal the soul. When a few such elixirs occasionally appear, they are inevitably hyped up to exorbitant prices.

"Entering the secret realm requires a hundred breaths as the standard; for every extra breath you hold, you gain one more point."

Murong Song issued the rules for gaining points by entering the Thousand Illusions Secret Realm, and soon all the qualified disciples from various martial arts academies headed toward the stone gate of the Thousand Illusions Secret Realm.

This time, Bian Xinjie and his group did not wait until the end, but instead headed towards the stone gate. However, before entering the stone gate, Bian Xinjie glanced at Lin Chen with an ambiguous look in his eyes.

"I'm afraid the Han Kingdom has ulterior motives, so Junior Brother Lin, you'd better be careful later."

Li Yuan and the others also saw Bian Xinjie's last look, and at that moment they whispered a reminder to Lin Chen.

"Well, I'll pay attention."

Lin Chen nodded. He wasn't afraid that Bian Xinjie would harm him in the secret realm, as Murong Yan had already told him everything about the secret realm.

Inside the Thousand Illusions Secret Realm is a millstone. Whenever the millstone turns, countless soul objects appear, and the martial artists who enter the secret realm must fight against these soul objects.

"Come on, let's go in too."

Dang Baixuan spoke, and Liang Guolin and the other nine also headed towards the stone gate.

"Junior Brother Lin, you're at the very back."

Li Yuan gave a reminder, and Dang Baixuan and the others nodded in agreement. Although there was no danger inside the secret realm, it was better for Bian Xinjie and the others to go in first, so that if there were any conspiracies, they could be the ones to hold them off first.

The group entered in order, and the moment Lin Chen stepped into the secret realm, he heard exclamations of surprise.

"What a huge millstone!"

The voice came from Senior Brother Li Yuan, but when Lin Chen looked to the left where the voice came from, he saw nothing but mist.

High in the sky directly in front of him stood a red millstone, emitting an eerie red glow that sent chills down one's spine at first glance.

"Senior Brother Li?"

Lin Chen withdrew his gaze and called out to his left.

"Is that Junior Brother Lin? This place is quite unique; we can hear his voice, but we can't see him."

Li Yuan's voice came through, his words tinged with doubt: "I just walked a few feet in the direction where you were, Junior Brother Lin, but I didn't find you."

“Senior brother, it must be the clouds and mist that are blocking our way. We seem to be moving forward, but in reality we are standing still. This Thousand Illusions Secret Realm has a deceptive effect on our souls and senses. Senior brother Li, there is no need to waste time looking for me.”

Lin Chen explained that Murong Yan had described in the booklet that the mist in the Thousand Illusions Secret Realm was very peculiar, capable of confusing people's perception and judgment.

In the fog, what appears to be walking may actually be standing still.

"Ghost hits the wall!"

When Lin Chen saw the description in the booklet, his first thought was, "Isn't this just a 'ghost wall'?"

"So that's the case, then I'm relieved."

Li Yuan's voice was relaxed, and Lin Chen understood what his senior brother Li meant. Since the clouds and mist could deceive everyone, he would not be ambushed by martial artists from other countries.

He no longer needed to worry about Bian Xinjie and the others who had entered first plotting to ambush him.

Rumble!
The sudden noise caught Lin Chen's attention.

The millstone high in the sky ahead began to rotate, and a red halo instantly poured out in all directions, rippling at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Lin Chen stared at the slowly rotating crimson millstone in the sky, his pores opening silently. When the first circle of red light swept over, he did not gather his qi to protect himself like other martial artists. Back in the ruins of the Qingtian Sect, he understood one thing: attacks of the soul could not be resisted by physical qi.

With hands forming a hand seal, the Thousand Machines Refining God Technique is unleashed.

The little figure in Lin Chen's dantian lit up with mysterious runes, actually drawing the crimson halo into its body.

"It's very nourishing."

Feeling the soul power contained within the halo, Lin Chen's lips curled up slightly.

He didn't know how others would deal with the aura, but after he used the Thousand Machines Refining God Technique, the red aura was like a warm and nourishing elixir in front of the little man, nourishing his soul as it flowed along his meridians.

The millstone's roar grew increasingly rapid. Although he couldn't see anyone, Lin Chen heard gasps and muffled groans. Clearly, many disciples couldn't withstand the relentless onslaught of the red light.

"I can't do it anymore, I have to quit."

A voice filled with resentment rang out. Lin Chen recognized the voice as unfamiliar and knew it must be from a martial artist from another country.

"How is Junior Brother Lin?"

Li Yuan's voice came again, and Lin Chen said in a deep voice, "It can still be endured."

Lin Chen not only could bear it, but he wished there was more of this red aura so that his soul could absorb more of it.

One lap, two laps, three laps...

Later, the density of the red halo became like waves, emerging one after another.

Lin Chen was so engrossed in absorbing the red aura that he had no time to pay attention to anything else.

boom!
After a hundred breaths, Lin Chen felt the surrounding clouds and mist suddenly surge, and the millstone, which was originally located high in the sky, suddenly cracked open with a red fissure. Countless red soul objects floated out from the fissure and surged wildly in all directions.

The moment these souls surged forward, Lin Chen immediately separated his divine sense, transforming it into nine flying knives, which he used to slash at the approaching souls.

shhhhhh!
Dozens of souls were completely dissipated under the flying knives, and the nine flying knives flew back to Lin Chen.

"Senior Brother Li, how is it?"

Having dealt with the soul object, Lin Chen looked to his left and asked, but at that moment, there was no reply from Senior Brother Li Yuan.

Has Senior Brother Li Yuan withdrawn?

Lin Chen frowned. If Senior Brother Li Yuan was withdrawing, he should have informed him first; it was impossible for him to leave without saying goodbye.

Soon, Lin Chen realized that the surroundings were completely silent, and something was wrong.

Previously, the screams and cries of other disciples could be heard, but now they can't be heard at all. There is only one possibility: the clouds and mist have changed again, blocking out even the sounds.

Without being able to hear the sounds, Lin Chen couldn't judge the results of others, so he could only do his best and persevere.

The cracks in the millstone allowed wave after wave of spirit creatures to appear, but these spirit creatures were destroyed by the nine flying knives when they were still three zhang away from Lin Chen.

Nine flying knives darted back and forth in front of Lin Chen like needles through flowers. At this moment, Lin Chen was also immersed in manipulating these divine senses, especially in controlling the divine sense flying knives to fight against the soul objects, which made his experience in manipulating divine senses constantly improve.

call out!
After a long while, Lin Chen's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and another throwing knife materialized in front of him.

The tenth divine thought was successfully separated.

"panel!"

Lin Chen whispered.

[Host: Lin Chen]

[Realm Level: Ninth Rank]

[Spirit Rank: 3.3]

[Body Tempering: 4.3]

Seeing that his Spirit Rank had changed from the original Rank 3 to Rank 3.3, Lin Chen knew that his divine soul had increased by about 10%.

No wonder I was able to differentiate into a tenth divine thought.

It seems that after the souls in this Thousand Illusions Secret Realm are killed, they will be absorbed by my divine sense.

With this realization, Lin Chen's eyes gradually brightened. This meant that the longer he stayed in this illusion, the more points he would accumulate, and his divine soul would also grow.

……

……

Outside the stone gate.

The clouds and mist have now dissipated, and the stone gate is now clearly visible.

One by one, figures emerged with resentment on their faces; these were the ones who hadn't been able to hold out for even a hundred breaths inside.

"So many people couldn't even hold out for a hundred breaths?"

When it was seen that more than half of the martial artists had emerged a hundred breaths earlier, the scene erupted in uproar.

This means that at most only half of the participants will receive points in this round.

This attrition rate is too high.

"Only 10% remained after the first round, and now half have been eliminated in the second round. Now only warriors from Han and Liang remain."

The martial artists from the other countries discovered a fact that was hard for them to accept: so far, the disciples from Han and Liang countries had already taken up half of the remaining people inside.

"If we didn't neglect cultivating our spiritual souls, how could we have let the Liang Kingdom have all the glory?"

On the Zheng Kingdom's side, a disciple snorted softly. Their Zheng Kingdom followed the path of demon bloodline, which put them at a disadvantage in terms of spiritual power.

After a hundred breaths, the speed at which the figures emerged from inside the stone gate slowed down, with a disciple appearing only every few or even a dozen breaths.

Two hundred and fifty breaths later.

Li Yuan emerged from the stone gate, his gaze sweeping around immediately. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that two martial artists from the Han Kingdom had also come out. However, when he saw that four people from the Liang Kingdom had already emerged, his expression darkened again.

The only thing that comforted him was that his junior brother Lin had not yet come out.

Three hundred breaths later.

Ling Tianhao's figure emerged from the stone gate.

The moment Ling Tianhao came out, he, like Li Yuan, immediately scanned the entire scene. When he saw that Lin Chen was not present on the Liang side, his expression darkened instantly. When he looked towards his own country and did not see Senior Brother Bian, he was not surprised. However, when he saw that Junior Brother Lu was also absent, his expression became even more unpleasant.

Although he and Lu Chuanning both belong to the Han Kingdom, he ranks higher than Lu Chuanning. However, he came out before Lu Chuanning this time, which may cause some controversy.

Five hundred breaths later!

The moment Bian Xinjie stepped out of the stone gate, disbelief appeared on the faces of everyone present.

The remaining three are Lin Chen, Lu Chuanning, and Bian Xinjie. Because of the previous round, everyone has accepted the fact that Lin Chen has been here for so long. However, in their opinion, the first one to come out should be either Lin Chen or Lu Chuanning, and it is impossible for it to be Bian Xinjie.

Upon hearing the uproar at the scene, Bian Xinjie immediately looked towards Daliang. When he saw that Lin Chen was not at the Canglan Martial Academy, his expression instantly darkened.

As for why Junior Brother Lu didn't come out, he knew very well why.

As the third-ranked figure on the Heavenly Ranking, he was completely crushed by Lin Chen in terms of spiritual power. As proud as he was, he could not accept this result.

"This time, the first place will either go to Tianque Martial Academy or Canglan Martial Academy."

"It was expected that Tianque Martial Academy would be number one, but who would have thought that Canglan Martial Academy would be able to compete with Tianque Martial Academy this time!"

The disciples from various martial arts academies looked at Canglan Martial Arts Academy with somewhat complicated expressions.

Of the four martial arts academies in Liang Kingdom, Canglan Martial Arts Academy has always been ranked at the bottom. Who would have thought that this academy, which was at the bottom in Liang Kingdom in previous years, would soar to the top this time?

Vice Dean Chen Shan had an undisguised smile on his face. The dean's decision to recruit Lin Chen into the Martial Academy at all costs was the wisest choice Canglan Martial Academy had made in the last hundred years.

(End of this chapter)