Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 365 A Word to My Martial Arts Junior Brother from Great Liang
Canglan Mountains.

The sea area behind the mountain.

The Canglan Sea area was once occupied, but now the Canglan Sea monsters have consciously withdrawn from the Canglan Sea area.

Dean Hua Qianwu of Canglan Martial Academy, along with the vice deans and all the disciples of the academy, were on the shore at this moment.

Gao Zeming, Qin Yan, and Gu Kong were already on a ship at the seaside. They were going to sail from the Canglan Sea to the southern sea area of ​​Daliang, and then transfer to the Dragon King ship to return to the East Sea.

Lin Chen didn't linger on the topic; he had already said what needed to be said and explained everything beforehand.

"Master Kong, Dean Hua, this teacher, senior brother, junior brother... Lin Chen takes his leave."

This time when Lin Chen left, only Kong Qifeng from Daliang came to Canglan Martial Academy to see him off. Daliang's arrangement was not because they did not value Lin Chen, but simply because they did not want to put too much burden on him.

The more elaborate the send-off, the greater the pressure on Lin Chen.

"Bon Voyage."

Kong Qifeng waved his hand, offering no instructions, his smile natural, and in his hand was a letter.

This letter was given to him by Lin Chen today.

Only after the ship disappeared into the vast sea did Kong Qifeng turn his gaze away and open the letter in his hand.

A message to my fellow martial arts disciples from the Great Liang Dynasty

In the autumn of the 301st year of the Great Liang Dynasty, as I was about to travel to the Yan Dynasty, my elders invited me to write an article to inspire them. However, given my meager achievements in martial arts, what merit do I possess to be a role model?

[After several invitations from my elders, and mindful of the importance of passing on the torch of martial arts, I humbly take up my pen to briefly describe the hardships of learning martial arts, hoping to encourage you all:]

"I came from a humble fishing boat, wearing straw sandals. When I first entered the martial arts academy, my classmates feasted on roasted meat and shared beef, while I alone ate from a bamboo basket and drank from a gourd. The other students wore brocade robes, while I only wore hemp clothing to keep warm. Zhang Sheng patted his belly and laughed, saying, 'How can a poor weasel like me possibly glimpse the path of martial arts?'"

[I silently lift the stone, day and night without ceasing. A martial artist's muscles and bones can be forged, but his will cannot be broken.]

[Zhang Tao and his ilk, relying on their family background, mocked me. However, during the June assessment, I used my hard-earned money from part-time jobs to buy meat to strengthen my body, ultimately earning the favor of Instructor Yongnian. Looking at the pinnacle of martial arts today, those who have left their mark are not all born geniuses, but all possess the ambition of "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening." Therefore, it is said: Though a single spark may be small, it can start a prairie fire; though a step may be slow, it can eventually reach a thousand miles.]

I have heard that the path of martial arts is like the sea, vast and boundless; cultivation is like a mountain, each step leading to the heavens.

Looking at the nine kingdoms now, they seem like mere mustard seeds, while the Yan Emperor is as vast as the sky. Yet, the wings of a roc reaching the heavens ultimately rise from the smallest beginning; the profound path of martial arts must begin with the first step.

I was born into a poor family, and compared to my fellow disciples, the gap between us is no less than the gap between them and the Yan Dynasty. If I were to accept the injustice of fate and lament my bad luck... how could I have achieved my meager success today?

[Your current circumstances are a hundred times more favorable than mine were then—the Military Administration Office has opened up extensively to the public, and resources from all nine kingdoms are readily available. If you still lament your bad luck, aren't you tying your own hands?]

[Ascending to the heavens, one sees the world as small; standing before the vast ocean, one knows its depths. If one harbors lofty ambitions, what fear is there of the mockery of sparrows?]

I have a saying I'd like to share with you all: Though poor, one should remain steadfast and never lose one's lofty aspirations; though old, one should be vigorous and never change one's mindset.

[Written in the autumn of the 301st year of the Great Liang Dynasty at Canglan Martial Academy!]

……

……

Lin Chen left at the restaurant in Canglan Prefecture.

"Princess, Lin Chen has already left by boat."

Su Qin looked at her princess, whose face was rosy, and said softly.

“Yes, let’s go back too. Father said he would arrange for people to go to the Yan Dynasty to find our Yan family ancestors. I’m going to ask Father for permission to go to the Yan Dynasty.”

Murong Yan nodded, sat in front of the bronze mirror, and was combing her long hair. The next moment she suddenly said, "Qin Gu, please help me put my hair up."

Su Qin was taken aback by her princess's words and immediately put her hair up.

There is a saying in the state of Yan: Unmarried girls should wear their long hair up in a bun, with two strands hanging down. Married women should wear their long hair up high, with no strands hanging down.

"Qin Gu?"

"it is good."

Su Qin nodded. She already knew that her princess was using this to express her feelings. Although she and Lin Chen were not legally engaged after Lin Chen, they were practically engaged.

……

……

South China Sea.

Lin Chen looked at the Dragon King Ship with shock in his eyes, especially when he got closer to it, he felt his blood and qi involuntarily become more active.

"Lin Chen, have you absorbed the blood of a dragon?"

Gao Zeming noticed the sudden change in Lin Chen's aura and asked a question with some surprise.

"Yes, when I was in the Body Refinement Realm, I absorbed dozens of drops of dragon blood."

"No wonder," Gao Zemin laughed. "This Dragon King Ship was made by the East Sea Divine Palace using the sinews and bones of a dragon as its hull. You absorbed the true blood of the dragon, and your blood and qi sensed the dragon's aura, which is why you reacted."

"Once we return to the sect, we can obtain the Spirit Transformation Grass from the sect, which will allow us to completely refine the true blood of the dragon within your body. In this way, you will not experience any loss of control over your blood and qi when you encounter the dragon clan in the future."

Even a momentary loss of control over one's Qi and blood can be fatal for a martial artist of innate level.

Lin Chen's face showed a thoughtful expression. Did this mean that he had not fully refined the true blood of the dragon and that there were still aftereffects?
"The true blood of the dragon is extremely domineering. Without consuming the Dragon Transformation Grass, it is impossible to completely refine it. This is a consensus throughout the Yan Dynasty. You probably don't know this. However, since you haven't entered the Innate Realm yet, consuming the Dragon Transformation Grass will solve the problem. If you wait until you enter the Innate Realm, the true blood of the dragon will transform into Innate Qi along with your own blood and qi. At that time, it will be much more difficult to refine it."

Gao Zeming noticed Lin Chen's confusion and offered an explanation.

"There's a good amount of Dragon Transformation Grass on the ship. We can give one to Lin Chen," Hu Yunhua said with a smile as he appeared on the deck.

"Then thank you very much, Brother Hu. When we arrive at the sect, I will have the sect send it back to us."

Gao Zeming did not refuse. A single Dragon Transformation Grass would be quite valuable to an ordinary innate martial artist, but it was nothing to a super sect like the Canglan Sect and the East Sea Divine Palace.

Once the sect learns of Lin Chen's situation, they will definitely prepare Dragon Transformation Grass for him. This is just an early delivery. As for Hu Yunhua, it's just about earning a favor from Lin Chen.

It seems that Hu Yunhua also sees potential in Lin Chen.

Gao Zeming guessed correctly. Hu Yunhua did indeed have high hopes for Lin Chen's potential. In the days since leaving Lingxiao City, he had been investigating Lin Chen's situation from the martial artists of the nine kingdoms. The more he investigated, the more alarmed he became.

Lin Chen, the son of a fisherman, has risen to become the number one person on this island.

Who can guarantee that Lin Chen won't soar to great heights after going to the Yan Dynasty?
Competition in the Yan Dynasty is fierce. When their own strength is difficult to break through and their families have no successors, it is something that innate martial artists like them would do to make friends with potential geniuses.

Having a personal connection with someone will provide some protection for the family in the future.

Soon, Hu Yunhua took out the Dragon Transformation Grass, and Gao Zemin led Lin Chen into the cabin. "The Dragon Transformation Grass does not need to be refined. Just put it in your mouth, chew it, and swallow it. However, the medicinal effect of the Dragon Transformation Grass is relatively slow and takes quite a while. I estimate that it may take you about a month to completely refine the true blood of the dragon in your body."

Gao Zeming handed the Dragon Transformation Grass to Lin Chen and said with a smile, "It should take about a month to return to the East Sea from here. You can refine it on the ship."

"it is good."

Lin Chen nodded in agreement. He had originally planned to continue his challenge at Martial Arts Mountain during his time on the ship, but in order to eliminate the hidden danger of the dragon in his body, he could also take the Dragon Transformation Grass to refine the dragon's residual energy.

As Gao Zemin personally explained some precautions to Lin Chen, the young man who had boarded the ship from another island to go to Canglan Sect to participate in the assessment had a look of shock on his face.

This was the first time they had seen Deacon Gao care so much about a disciple. You see, since they boarded the ship, Deacon Gao had barely spoken to them. They learned about the sect from Senior Brother Qin and Senior Brother Gu.

"Senior Brother Gu, is this person someone special?"

Looking at the expressions of the young men in front of him, Gu Kong understood that they were probably somewhat dissatisfied and felt that Deacon Gao was showing favoritism.

These young men were all top geniuses on their respective islands for being able to cultivate the Azure Wave Finger, but the High Steward's attitude towards them made them feel disappointed.

"Lin Chen is no ordinary disciple. He has already been reserved by several elders. Once he enters the sect, he will be a personal disciple of an elder. His status is no less prestigious than that of a steward."

The teenagers fell silent upon hearing Gu Kong's explanation, but some resentment still lingered in their eyes. Why was Lin Chen allowed to become an elder's personal disciple?
Everyone here comes from the island, and in terms of martial arts skills and talent, they all believe they are no less than Lin Chen.

"Junior Brother Gu, you're being too tactful."

Qin Yan appeared in the cabin, looked at the five youths, and said calmly, "Every time the sect conducts an entrance examination, dozens of people come with the Canglan Token, but only half of them can become outer disciples. My Canglan Sect has tens of thousands of outer disciples. Of these tens of thousands of outer disciples, less than ten can become inner disciples in each sect disciple examination. And of the three thousand inner disciples, less than ten can be accepted as personal disciples by the elders."

Upon hearing Qin Yan's words, the five youths looked dejected. According to this ratio, wouldn't it mean that at least two of them would fail the sect entrance assessment?

"Don't be jealous of Junior Brother Lin. There is a huge gap between you and Junior Brother Lin. What you need to think about is how to pass the sect's assessment and become an outer disciple of the sect."

Qin Yan spoke very frankly: "If it weren't for the sect coming to pick up Junior Brother Lin, Deacon Gao would never have come in person, and you would have had to go to Canglan Sect on your own. In that respect, you should thank Junior Brother Lin."

Some words are cruel, especially for these young people who come from islands or places where martial arts strength is relatively weak. If they cannot recognize reality and accept this cruel reality, when they arrive in the Yan Dynasty, their spirit will be damaged and they will not be able to recover, and their martial arts level will stagnate.

"I don't know your backgrounds on the island, nor do I care how your original sects trained their disciples. But in the Yan Dynasty, all sects only consider a disciple's potential and strength. The capable rise and the mediocre fall. Your first step is to compete with others who are taking the sect entrance exam. After entering the sect, you will compete with tens of thousands of outer disciples... Once you fail the competition..."

Qin Yan didn't say anything more, but he believed that the teenagers would understand what he meant.

The reason for saying these things was twofold: firstly, to prevent these teenagers from being dissatisfied with Lin Chen and doing something foolish; and secondly, because they saw the smugness and self-satisfaction of the five teenagers on the boat, indicating that they hadn't cultivated much at all, so he was kindly reminding them.

Whether or not these five people can listen to what is said is up to their own fate.

"Thank you for your explanation, Senior Brother Qin. We understand now."

After a moment of silence, the five teenagers, whether or not they truly accepted this reality, at least showed signs of learning on their faces.

Qin Yan didn't care what these people thought; it was hard to say whether they would be able to meet again after returning to the sect.

The Canglan Sect is very large, and the outer and inner disciples live in different places. Many disciples may never have a word with each other in their entire lives.

……

……

The Dragon King's ship sailed away from the nine islands and began its return journey towards the East China Sea.

Lin Chen sat cross-legged inside the cabin of the Dragon King's ship, his hands forming a mudra on his knees, completely unaware of the ship's movement.

The emerald green juice of the dragon-transforming grass overflowed from his lips and teeth, transforming into thousands of snakes that burrowed into his limbs and bones along his meridians.

A faint golden-red halo emanated from its body. After a long time, the Qi and blood in its meridians suddenly surged, and some Qi and blood could be vaguely seen slowly condensing into blood streaks that traveled through the meridians.

This is the residual energy of the dragon's true blood.

"If it weren't for the Dragon Transformation Grass, we really wouldn't have discovered it."

The greenish-blue energy of the dragon-transforming grass began to flow through the meridians, coming into contact with the energy of these dragons.

hold head high!
The roar of the dragon reverberated through Lin Chen's meridians, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. These dragon energies swam wildly, trying to escape, but the emerald green energy was like viscous fluid, sticking the dragon energy to them and preventing them from breaking free no matter how frantically they rammed into it.

After a long time, the emerald green energy completely enveloped the dragon's energy and began to slowly devour it. Once the dragon's energy was completely refined, the emerald green energy continued to flow along the meridians, searching for the next wisp of dragon's energy.

The whole process was slow, but Lin Chen wasn't in a hurry. According to Deacon Gao, the process would take a whole month.

……

……

Fifteen days later.

The deacons from various sects who had gone to the islands to recruit disciples all returned to the Dragon King's ship, and the once quiet ship became lively again.

Especially since the ship was full of teenagers from different sects, each of them was arrogant and conceited, so verbal clashes were inevitable.

"Gentlemen, I think these little guys are full of energy. In that case, why don't we let them have a fight?"

The steward of Tianyang Palace spoke with a smile, saying that this time their Tianyang Palace had a promising talent who had already become a first-rank martial artist at just twenty years old.

"That's a good suggestion."

The stewards of Starfall Palace agreed, as their Starfall Palace also had promising talents this time.

If there weren't any good prospects, these stewards wouldn't have come to pick them up in person.

"Our Primordial Sect also agrees."

……

Gao Zeming hesitated. Lin Chen was still refining the Dragon Transformation Grass; the other five were the only ones who could rely on him…

"If we're going to have a contest, then there must be a prize. Since we're on the Dragon King's ship, my East Sea Divine Palace, as the host, will offer a strand of Dragon Silk Jade Soul as the prize."

Hu Yunhua then appeared, smiling as he spoke, and his words immediately caught the attention of the deacons from the major sects.

Dragon Silk Jade Soul is a unique treasure of the East Sea. It is produced from the depths of the sea and is formed by the condensation of the profound energy of the seabed by a thousand-year-old spiritual shell.

The Dragon Silk Jade Soul can make the soul purer, making it an extremely precious treasure for martial artists below the Innate Realm.

"Then thank you very much, Brother Hu. However, since Brother Hu has offered a prize, our sects should not be stingy. I just happened to have acquired a meteorite not long ago, so I will use it as a prize."

The steward of the Starfall Palace took out a crimson stone from his pocket.

Gao Zemin narrowed his eyes slightly. If it were just an ordinary competition, he wouldn't have planned to let Lin Chen participate. But with Hu Yunhua taking the lead and several families offering prizes, he could consider it.

(End of this chapter)