Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 442 Dragon Blood Bodhi
Longyuan City.

A population of millions
Within the entire Fulong Domain, it can only be considered a small city.

Inside Longyuan City, at the post station.

"Would the guest like to choose to travel by flying mount?"

The post station was very large. As soon as Lin Chen stepped into the courtyard, he saw many mounts. A middle-aged man saw Lin Chen come in, his eyes lit up, and he quickly came to greet him.

Lin Chen did not conceal the unique aura of a Xiantian expert on his body, and as a Xiantian expert, he naturally looked down on mounts that ran on the ground.

"Hmm, how do you trade flying mounts?"

"Guests, you can choose to rent or buy it directly. However, the latter will cost 3,000 Flame Coins. If you only need to use it for a short period of time, renting is more cost-effective. It costs only 10 Flame Coins per day, 200 Flame Coins per month, and 500 Flame Coins per three months."

The middle-aged man spoke with a smile. The man in front of him looked to be in his early thirties. If someone in their early thirties could cultivate to the Innate Realm, he must have a sect behind him, and the sect must be quite powerful, at least a second-rate sect.

Second-rate sects have all cultivated their own flying mounts, but this person is coming to the post station. Either the sect's flying mount has been taken by someone else, or he is traveling and cannot use the sect's flying mount.

It's good that sects have flying mounts, but not all disciples can use them unless they are going out to carry out missions assigned by the sect. If it's for personal matters, they cannot use sect resources, except for those super sects.

Despite having twenty-four super sects and a combined number of over a million disciples, ordinary martial artists in the Yan Dynasty have a very low chance of encountering disciples from super sects.

The Yan Dynasty is too vast, and the super sects hold an extremely superior position. Super sect disciples rarely interact with martial artists from non-super sects, as these super sect martial artists are active in higher circles.

"Buying one only costs 3,000 Flame Coins, but you're charging 500 Flame Coins for a three-month lease. Isn't that a bit too high a price?"

Lin Chen wasn't in a hurry to buy them. Before he and the Supreme Elder left the sect, his master had given him a lot of Flame Coins, as many as 30,000.

He had no shortage of cultivation pills. His master gave him these Flame Coins for emergencies when he was traveling. Thirty thousand Flame Coins were more than enough.

"Hehe, guest, you must have just come from the sect not long ago."

"Why do you say that?"

"If you, sir, had traveled extensively throughout the Yan Dynasty, you wouldn't have asked this question. Although you can buy a flying mount for only three thousand Yan coins, you still need to spend money on feeding it. It needs to eat one Yan coin worth of food every day. Unless you are flying for a long time, if you stay in one place for a few months, you will waste hundreds of Yan coins."

Upon hearing the explanation, Lin Chen suddenly realized that this was just like buying a private jet or yacht in his previous life—it cost a fortune, and the subsequent maintenance was a bottomless pit.

From this perspective, renting does indeed seem more cost-effective.

"If it's a rental, how should it be returned? You can't just come back again later."

"We have already reached an agreement with all these post stations. Once you arrive at your destination, you just need to take your mount to the local post station. You don't need to worry about anything else."

Lin Chen nodded; he roughly understood.

These post stations have formed an industry alliance, which does make it convenient for martial artists to rent mounts. As for how the rent is distributed within the post station, that's none of his business.

What procedures are required for renting?

"If you have an item to prove your identity, as long as you belong to a sect on our post station's list, you can be exempt from the deposit. If you don't have such an item, you will need to pay a deposit of three thousand Flame Coins. After you return your mount at your destination, the post station will refund your deposit after deducting the rental fee."

Upon hearing the middle-aged man's second half of his sentence, Lin Chen smiled meaningfully. The so-called lack of identification was merely a pretext; it was likely that some people did not want to reveal their identity or origin.

As for why they didn't want to be exposed, there are many reasons, but the post station was just doing business and naturally wouldn't care about such things.

Lin Chen thought for a moment. From Fulong Domain to East Sea Domain, it would take seven domains, and at the speed of a flying mount, it would take about four months.

Just as Lin Chen was about to rent one, the middle-aged man suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "May I ask where you are headed?"

Lin Chen frowned and looked at the other person without answering.

"Please don't misunderstand, guest. The reason we asked this is because our post station happens to have a flying boat going to the Xuanhuang Domain. If it's on the way, you can ride the flying boat with other people for only thirty Flame Coins."

"Take a ride?"

"This is a flying boat that our post station bought from the Thousand Machines Sect. It can carry ten people and will reach the Xuanhuang Domain in just fifteen days. There are already eight people on board."

"Alright, let's take the flying boat then."

After pondering for a while, Lin Chen finally accepted the man's suggestion.

It wasn't that he was reluctant to part with the Flame Coins, but rather that he realized that although his appearance had changed, he was still too conspicuous if he flew alone. However, if he were to travel in a flying boat with others, the chances of being noticed by others would be reduced.

Most importantly, he needs to pass through the Xuanhuang Domain to return to the East Sea Region.

"Alright, please follow me, sir."

Lin Chen followed the middle-aged man to the other side of the post station, where a flying boat was parked. There were indeed eight people on the flying boat at the moment, but Lin Chen did not use his divine sense to explore these people.

In the Yan Dynasty, soul probing is considered extremely impolite. If one is strong enough, it's fine if the person being probed doesn't notice, but if they are, it will cause dissatisfaction.

When traveling, Lin Chen didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble.

After Lin Chen boarded the flying boat, another young man arrived shortly afterward. Once the group of ten was complete, the flying boat slowly took off, leaving Longyuan City and heading towards the Xuanhuang Domain.

……

Seven days later.

"Brother Gu, are you visiting a friend in the Xuanhuang Domain?"

"No."

Facing the young man who came forward to talk, Lin Chen shook his head. During the seven days on the airship, he had also learned about the origins of the other nine people on board.

Two men and two women were all martial artists at the Innate Realm Level 1, and were local noble families from Longyuan City. This time, they were traveling to the Xuanhuang Domain together. The only old man was also a martial artist at the Innate Realm Level 1. The man and woman accompanying the old man were his disciples. They had not yet entered the Innate Realm, but they were already at the First Grade Realm.

There was also a man and a woman, who, like Lin Chen, were independent travelers. However, after boarding the flying boat, the two of them adopted a "keep away" attitude and did not talk to anyone else.

Even the flying boats that require manpower to board are only for those with certain backgrounds; they are not something that martial artists below the Innate Realm would be willing to ride.

"Brother Gu looks unfamiliar to me; he must not be from the vicinity of Longyuan City."

"Yes, after traveling through Longyuan City, I plan to travel to Xuanhuang Domain for another trip."

Upon hearing Lin Chen's answer, Zhang Fan believed that his guess was correct. This Gu Fei should be from a first-class sect, and his family background was average.

If it were a second-rate sect, someone who had reached the Innate Realm in their thirties would definitely not ride a flying boat with others. The sect would certainly provide a flying mount. Only in first-rate sects, although an Innate Realm expert in their thirties is not bad, he is not the most outstanding. The sect's flying mounts are given priority to disciples and elders of higher status.

In terms of family background, the families they belonged to could be considered second-rate sects. However, they were all direct descendants, and with the full support of their families, they were able to break through to the Innate Realm at the age of thirty.

For Zhang Fan, a disciple of a first-rate sect with a weak family background is someone worth befriending.

"If Brother Gu is traveling, you might as well accompany us when you arrive in the Xuanhuang Domain. We are going to Jiuxi City in the Xuanhuang Domain to visit a senior who has broken through to the second level of the Innate Realm. This senior has been in the second level of the Innate Realm for twenty years."

Although the difference between the second and first realms of the Innate Realm is only one realm, for most martial artists, this one realm represents a huge gap, both in terms of strength and status.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Zhang, but I have already planned my travel route and do not intend to go to Jiuxi City."

Lin Chen smiled and declined. He himself was already at the second level of the Innate Realm, so there was absolutely no need for him to visit a martial artist at the second level of the Innate Realm and learn from him.

He was fully aware of Zhang Fan's thoughts.

Ever since he boarded the flying ship, Zhang Fan had approached him several times to talk, mainly because he thought Zhang Fan was quite capable and had potential, and wanted to befriend him.

Hearing Lin Chen's refusal, Zhang Fan did not insist: "That is a real pity. If Brother Gu ever comes to Longyuan City again in the future, you must visit my Zhang family."

"Okay, definitely again."

Lin Chen politely agreed, and Zhang Fan returned to his companions.

"Brother Zhang, you've just been offered a warm welcome but received a cold shoulder."

A young man next to Zhang Fan chuckled. Zhang Fan shook his head helplessly: "Brother Gu has a good temperament. I suppose he really has something on his mind."

"I think they don't even respect us. They really think that breaking through to the Innate Realm at over thirty is something special. If they can't keep up with the martial arts resources, even if they're in a first-rate sect, they'll be stuck at this level for life." The martial arts resources consumed at each Innate Realm increase terrifyingly.

Of a hundred martial artists at the Innate First Realm, only about ten can break through to the Innate Second Realm. Only those super sects can have 70% of their hundred Innate First Realm martial artists break through to the Innate Second Realm.

As for the remaining 30% who cannot break through to the second level of the Innate Realm, it's simply because they are already over forty when they break through to the first level of the Innate Realm, and the cost of breaking through again is too high. It's better to accumulate the sect's contribution points and save them to cultivate the next generation.

Although Zhang Fan and his companions spoke very softly, and used a small-scale, secret transmission method, Lin Chen's divine sense still managed to perceive them.

Hearing the sarcastic remarks behind his back, Lin Chen smiled and didn't care. But a few breaths later, his eyes suddenly narrowed, and at the same time, his gaze fell on the woman on his left who had been sitting silently on the side since boarding the flying boat.

The woman wore a veil, which could prevent the spirit from prying into her. Lin Chen was not the kind of person who liked to pry into other people's secrets, but just now, the woman in red tensed up for a moment.

So, did the woman also find out?

After three breaths.

The airship suddenly began to shake.

"what happened?"

Zhang Fan and the others looked surprised, and at that moment a voice came from below: "The flying boat must land immediately, otherwise it will be considered an enemy of our Seven Star Sect and will be destroyed."

As soon as the sound came out, before Lin Chen and the others could respond, the people from the post station who were in charge of operating the flying boat hurriedly steered it slowly to the ground.

"Everyone, get off the airship." A voice came from outside the airship.

"What is the Seven Star Sect doing?"

"I don't know, but I'll still do as you say. This is the Seven Star Sect."

Although the Seven Stars Sect is not a super sect, it is one of the four first-class sects in the Fulong Domain. Apart from the super sect Fulong Gate and the other three first-class sects, no other force in the Fulong Domain dares to offend the Seven Stars Sect.

Zhang Fan and the others disembarked from the flying boat first, while Lin Chen walked at the very back.

“Senior, I come from the Zhang family of Longyuan City. We are heading to Jiuxi City in the Xuanhuang Domain.”

After disembarking from the flying boat, Zhang Fan immediately introduced himself to a middle-aged man in front of him.

However, the middle-aged man showed no respect whatsoever.

"The area ahead has been sealed off; no one is allowed to pass through."

Upon hearing that the road was closed, Zhang Fan and the others breathed a sigh of relief: "If that's the case, then we'll choose to take a detour."

"bypass?"

The middle-aged man from the Seven Star Sect glanced at Lin Chen and the others, a smile appearing on his face: "No need."

Hearing that they didn't have to take a detour, Zhang Fan and the others were overjoyed. If they had to take a detour, they didn't know how wide the area the Seven Star Sect had sealed off this time. If the sealed-off area was too long, it could have delayed them for several days or even dozens of days.

"Once you've been searched and everything is confirmed to be correct, you can leave."

Upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, Lin Chen's eyes narrowed. The Seven Star Sect wasn't simply sealing off this area to prevent people from passing through; they were clearly setting up roadblocks here, with their target being either a person or an object.

search!

Zhang Fan and the others looked rather grim. For a Xiantian martial artist, being searched was a humiliation.

"We think it's better to take a detour."

The old man on the airship smiled obsequiously, but the middle-aged man repeated what he had said before: "As I said, once you have been searched, you can continue on your way."

Although the words remained the same, the threatening intent in them was very clear.

Without a body search, none of you will be able to leave.

The old man opened his mouth as if to speak, but in the end he didn't say anything. He had cultivated for a lifetime and barely managed to step into the Innate Realm. He had experienced many hardships and was humiliated by being searched, especially in front of his disciples. However, he was well aware of the ways of these major sects.

If you don't agree to be searched, what awaits you will be much more than just a body search.

"I have urgent business in the Xuanhuang Domain. It would be best if we could avoid taking a detour. I'm sure you gentlemen would also prefer not to waste any more time."

The old man looked at Lin Chen and the others. These thirty-year-olds who had broken through to the Innate Realm were either from prominent families or had extraordinary talents. They probably hadn't suffered any grievances. Considering that they were traveling together on the same flying boat, he was willing to give them a gentle word of advice to prevent them from becoming arrogant and suffering losses in the end.

The so-called illustrious family background is relative; it means nothing in front of the Seven Star Sect.

Hearing the old man's words, Zhang Fan and the others' expressions changed several times. Although there was only one Innate Realm 1 martial artist from the Seven Stars Sect in front of them, and the other party could not forcibly search them if they did not agree, it was obvious that there was more than one Innate Realm martial artist from the Seven Stars Sect guarding this place. If a fight really broke out, as long as the Seven Stars Sect sent an Innate Realm 2 martial artist, they would not be able to escape.

Lin Chen narrowed his eyes slightly. He had a hundred-item box on him, so he couldn't possibly take it all out for the other party to search him. Fortunately, he also had the sect's disciple token on him. He figured that with this token, the Seven Star Sect would let him pass.

The Seven Stars Sect dares not offend the Canglan Sect!
Just as Lin Chen made his decision, a clear, cold voice suddenly rang in his ears.

"If you can take me through without searching me, I am willing to give you a Dragon Blood Bodhi as compensation."

The voice came from behind him. Lin Chen did not turn around. There was only one woman behind him, the one in red wearing a veil.

Dragon Blood Bodhi!

This is a rare and precious item, unique to the Fulong Domain. However, even within the Fulong Domain, Dragon Blood Bodhi is extremely scarce.

This item can greatly enhance a martial artist's qi and blood.

Lin Chen glanced at his panel.

[Host: Lin Chen]

[Realm Level: Innate Second Realm]

[Innate Skill: Canglan Technique] (Level 5, no damage)
[Qi and Blood: Level 3]

[Soul: Level 5]

[Willpower: Level 5]

[Speed: Level 4]

[Defense: Level 4]

[Comprehension: Level 5]

His blood and qi are currently at their lowest, after all, he relied on a massive amount of Canglan energy to transform into innate power, and his sudden entry into the second innate realm has not yet allowed his body to be tempered properly.

"can."

Upon hearing the response, Qiao Shishuang blinked her beautiful eyes beneath her veil. The reason she had used telepathy was a desperate gamble, and she hadn't placed much hope on it.

From the moment she boarded the flying boat, she observed the other people on board, and among these nine people, the one she couldn't understand the most was Gu Fei.

Although this person was only at the first level of the Innate Realm, she felt that he was unfathomable and was definitely not someone who had just entered the first level of the Innate Realm.

If she encountered Gu Fei elsewhere, she would guess that he was a disciple of a super sect, but on this flying boat, Qiao Shishuang couldn't quite figure him out.

Why would a master of innate martial arts from a super sect share a flying boat with others?
How could a master of innate martial arts from a super sect be without any aloofness?
But now that the other party has agreed, there is only one possibility: this person is truly a Xiantian martial artist from a super sect, otherwise he would never be able to help me.

Lin Chen didn't know if the Seven Star Sect's target for blocking his way again was the woman behind him, but he had no reason not to accept the Dragon Blood Bodhi, such a valuable item.

As for choosing to cooperate with the Seven Star Sect and have them give him the Dragon Blood Bodhi from the woman's body, Lin Chen thought about it and decided to give up.

The other party dared to transmit their voice to me, so they must have considered this possibility and perhaps even had a backup plan.

"The Seven Star Sect is truly powerful, stopping people on the road and searching them... Could it be that the Seven Star Sect is the most respected sect in the Fulong Domain?"

As soon as Lin Chen uttered his sarcastic words, Zhang Fan and the others turned their gazes toward him instantly, looking at him as if he were an idiot.

(End of this chapter)