Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 454 The Strange Caravan

The next day.

Three airships slowly took off from the city of Boulder and headed east.

On the third airship.

"I didn't expect Brother Gu to be from the Canglan Sect. Recently, your sect has stirred up a storm throughout the Yan Dynasty, especially yesterday's battle between your disciple Lin Chen and Sima Kong of the Bahuang Sect, which caused a sensation throughout the Yan Dynasty."

On the forward deck of the flying boat, Lin Chen stood to one side, listening to the middle-aged man's words, a smile appearing on his face. The next moment, he snorted lightly: "That Sima Kong is overestimating himself. He was already defeated by Junior Brother Lin, but he still won't give up and wants to continue challenging. This time, not only did he lose face, but the Eight Desolate Sect also lost face."

"Brother Gu is absolutely right. It seems that Brother Gu and Lin Chen have a very close relationship."

Hearing the middle-aged man's words, Lin Chen smiled slightly: "Brother Sun is joking. When Junior Brother Lin entered the sect, I was still traveling outside and had not returned yet, so we had no interaction. Even if I returned to the sect, I would not have much interaction with Junior Brother Lin. Junior Brother Lin is a proud disciple of the sect, while I am just an ordinary inner disciple."

Hearing Lin Chen's words, Sun Kang sighed inwardly, realizing that what Brother Gu said was true.

Although he and Gu Fei were both disciples of super sects and seemed to enjoy immense prestige to outsiders, only those who were also disciples of super sects knew how fierce the competition was and how strict the hierarchy was among sect disciples.

Outer disciples, inner disciples, outstanding inner disciples, personal disciples, and prodigies.

A difference of just one social class results in a huge difference in the resources and treatment provided by the sect.

People like him and Gu Fei, who only broke through to the second level of the Innate Realm in their thirties, are only considered mediocre among the inner disciples of the sect. They rarely even have the opportunity to meet the personal disciples, let alone the prodigies.

At most, we'd meet in the sect and have a nodding acquaintance.

"Brother Gu, there's no need to belittle yourself. We're not the best, but we're not the worst either. Countless martial artists in the Yan Dynasty envy us."

Sun Kang offered Lin Chen a word of comfort, which was also a way of comforting himself.

Compared to those exceptionally talented disciples, they are indeed nothing special. However, compared to the outside world, they are the object of envy and jealousy for many martial artists.

"Brother Sun is the one who thinks things through."

"Haha, it's not that I've thought it through completely, but what can I do if I don't? I have a few friends who couldn't figure it out, and unfortunately they've all passed away."

Sun Kang looked somewhat dejected. Aside from those exceptionally talented disciples, who are too far removed from others, the path of martial arts cultivation is one of solitary solitary journeys. Martial artists like them, however, usually have a few close friends.

They encourage each other and sometimes exchange martial arts resources they need; this is the norm among martial artists in the Yan Dynasty.

After nearly forty years of cultivation, very few of his former friends are still alive.

"If one's talent is lacking, one may become completely open-minded. But if one's talent is not bad, one may have the opportunity to reach higher thresholds, and one may take all sorts of risks to obtain resources, ultimately losing one's life in various secret realms or at the hands of other martial artists."

Lin Chen could understand Sun Kang's lament; having mediocre martial arts talent was the most frustrating thing.

I almost gave up and just lay down.

But it is precisely this kind of hope that allows one to reach a higher realm, that gives one a glimpse of hope, yet requires a great deal of martial arts resources. One has to risk everything to compete with other martial artists for these resources. If one is lucky, one can obtain enough resources to break through; if one is unlucky, one will lose one's life.

Seeing Lin Chen remain silent, Sun Kang knew that he had spoken too deeply and lacked genuine feeling.

"Brother Gu, please don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to discourage you. With the foundation of the Canglan Sect and your talent, breaking through to the third realm of the Innate Realm is no problem."

“Brother Sun, I’m not the kind of person who doesn’t know what’s good for me, so how could I misunderstand you?”

Lin Chen smiled. Sun Kang's words were indeed presumptuous, after all, he and Sun Kang had only known each other for a day and did not have a deep relationship. However, Sun Kang meant well, and he could accept it.

"Brother Gu, please don't take offense. The reason I'm telling you all this is because you and an old friend of mine have a certain resemblance. Let's not talk about this anymore."

Sun Kang offered an explanation, which also changed the subject: "Brother Gu, do you know what this caravan is transporting?"

"do not know."

Lin Chen shook his head: "Does Brother Sun know?"

"I'm not sure either, just like Brother Gu. This caravan is clearly different; they've actually deployed three airships, and the first airship is also staffed with guards."

Sun Kang's eyes gleamed with an inexplicable light: "Brother Gu, to be honest, this caravan is too mysterious. You know, flying boats are not cheap. Ordinary caravans only make a profit from the regional price difference when transporting goods, but the cost of flying boats is more than enough to cover that price difference. Moreover, we, as innate experts, are not even allowed to board a second flying boat."

"Brother Sun, if that's the case, are you still willing to take on this mission?"

"There's no way around it, the reward is just too tempting. One hundred innate stones—Brother Gu should know how attractive that is to us martial artists at the second level of the innate realm. Did you come here not for those one hundred innate stones?"

"Indeed."

Lin Chen nodded. He would accept the mission, even though it was on the way, because the main reason was the 100 innate stones.

"Whatever secrets this caravan may hold, we are only responsible for escorting them. As long as nothing happens along the way, we'll be fine."

Lin Chen wasn't particularly curious about the caravan's secrets; sometimes, being too curious could bring him a lot of unnecessary trouble.

"That's true, but I'm worried that the journey won't be safe. In short, Brother Gu, we should both be careful. If we encounter any emergencies, we can cooperate."

Hearing Sun Kang's words, Lin Chen understood why Sun Kang had taken the initiative to tell him so much. Perhaps, besides the fact that he and one of his old friends did look somewhat alike, the more important reason was that both he and Sun Kang had temporarily joined the caravan.

If there's anything strange about this caravan, then since Sun Kang and I are outsiders, we can cooperate.

"it is good."

Lin Chen agreed, and the two tacitly formed an alliance.

……

……

The caravan's first flying boat.

"What were the origins of those two innate martial artists who came later?"

"One is from the Taizong Sect, and the other is from the Canglan Sect."

"Canglan Sect? Recently, the Canglan Sect has been making waves. Lin Chen's two victories over Sima Kong have already spread throughout the entire Yan Dynasty."

"Lin Chen is Lin Chen, and Gu Fei is Gu Fei. There are plenty of disciples in the Canglan Sect, and they are completely incomparable."

Upon hearing the young man's words, the middle-aged man who had spoken earlier also laughed. Indeed, that made sense. With so many disciples of the Canglan Sect, it was uncertain whether Gu Fei had even seen Lin Chen before.

"Since they come from a super sect, their identities should be beyond doubt, so there's no need to worry too much that these two are spies."

"Brother, what exactly are we transporting this time? The three of us brothers aren't enough; do we need to hire more guards?"

The young man looked on with curiosity. This escort mission was taken by his eldest brother, but his brother still hadn't said what the caravan was transporting. Moreover, the three brothers weren't enough; they needed to find two more martial artists at the second level of the Innate Realm.

Under normal circumstances, the supplies transported by caravans are at most resources that might interest those at the second level of the Innate Realm, and are even more precious. The quantities are extremely limited, so there is no need for caravans to transport them; the strong individuals can carry them with them at all times.

Unless it's a resource that everyone needs, such as Flame Coins or Primordial Stones, which are available in large quantities...

If something is truly large enough to tempt even those at the Innate Realm Three, it is usually transported by a major power, with families and sects arranging their own disciples to escort it, without needing to hire guards from outside.

This caravan transport was clearly somewhat illogical.

"We've taken their money, so we're here to solve their problems. Don't worry about anything else; our mission is simply to get the caravan to the East China Sea."

Yu Xingyao said with a serious expression: "This escort mission will bring us a thousand innate stones. My second brother and I will have a hard time breaking through to the third level of the innate realm, but you still have a chance, third brother. With these thousand innate stones, you will have a chance to break through to the third level of the innate realm."

"Third brother, would your elder brother possibly harm us?" Second brother Yu Xingshun said, "We will do whatever you say, elder brother. Besides, all our family's hopes are now on you."

All three Yu brothers are at the second level of the Innate Realm, but Yu Xingyao and Yu Xingshun are already over forty years old, while the third brother, Yu Xing'an, is only in his early thirties and has the opportunity to break through to the third level of the Innate Realm.

Over the years, the Innate Realm has long had a standard.

Only those under the age of thirty who can break through to the second realm of the Innate Realm have a chance to reach the third realm of the Innate Realm. If one breaks through after the age of thirty-five, it will be extremely difficult to reach the third realm of the Innate Realm in this lifetime.

This age division is based on statistics of the martial artist's talent and background.

Of course, there are exceptions, but only one in nearly a hundred will appear, so the chances are too slim. "Third brother, the hope for our Yu family to go further rests on your shoulders. I hope you remember one thing: when you are traveling in the Yan Dynasty, don't be curious about things you shouldn't be curious about."

"I understand, I will never be so curious again."

Yu Xing'an nodded; he would still listen to his elder brother.

Yu Xingyao naturally knew why his third brother was curious, but this time the escorted caravan was different from the past, and there were some things he couldn't reveal to his third brother.

……

……

Two months later.

Three flying boats entered the territory of the Red Dust Domain. Once they crossed the Red Dust Domain, they would reach the East Sea Domain.

During the journey, the airship only stopped to replace the energy stone that would allow it to fly; otherwise, there were no delays.

"The Mortal Realm, ah, it's a wonderful place. It's a pity that caravans don't stop here, otherwise I could take you, Brother Gu, to see some good places."

After two months, Sun Kang and Lin Chen had become quite familiar with each other.

In Lin Chen's account, he only left the sect to travel after breaking through to the second level of the Innate Realm, and he was not familiar with the various regions. Along the way, Sun Kang introduced Lin Chen to the characteristics of each region.

Seeing the excited expression on Sun Kang's face when he mentioned the Red Dust Domain, Lin Chen thought of his third senior brother.

When his third senior brother mentioned the Mortal Realm to him, his eyes lit up in the same way.

"After this escort mission is completed, I will stay in the Red Dust Domain for a while. Brother Gu, if you have finished your business in the East Sea Domain, you can come to the Red Dust Domain to find me."

Sun Kang winked and made faces, seemingly already imagining the carefree days to come a month from now, completely lacking the composure of a master of innate strength.

Sure enough, men are still immature teenagers in that respect until they die. In Lin Chen's eyes, Sun Kang now is no different from those powerful and wealthy people in Poyang County who like to frequent brothels.

Just as Lin Chen was about to reply, the flying boat suddenly stopped.

Swish!
Sun Kang, who had been looking on with great interest just a moment ago, suddenly became serious.

"There is a situation!"

Seeing Sun Kang's instant change in expression, Lin Chen couldn't help but sigh. After all, he was a Xiantian martial artist; his vigilance and reaction were far superior to those of ordinary martial artists.

"Strange, I didn't sense anything unusual with my soul, so why did the flying boat stop?"

Sun Kang arrived at the very front of the airship. After sensing the surroundings with his divine sense for a few moments, he frowned. There was nothing unusual ahead. Based on the airship's flight habits over the past two months, it was unlikely to stop for no reason.

"Brother Sun, be careful!"

Just as Sun Kang was wondering, Lin Chen spoke up to remind him, and at the same time, his figure flashed, and he appeared on Sun Kang's left side, throwing a punch into the air.

boom!
An energy explosion occurred a foot away from the flying boat. Sun Kang left the spot at the same time Lin Chen's figure disappeared. At this moment, he looked at the shattered flying knife outside the flying boat with a look of fear on his face.

“Brother Gu, I am deeply grateful and will never forget your kindness in saving my life.”

The fact that the flying knife that attacked him could evade his spiritual perception made Sun Kang feel a little scared. If Gu Fei hadn't reminded him, he definitely wouldn't have been able to dodge it.

This throwing knife wasn't intended to kill instantly. Innate martial artists have an instinctive sense of life-or-death crises, and the person who attacked from the shadows knew this. If the throwing knife hit them, it would only cause serious injury.

However, the current situation is unclear, and serious injury means there is a risk of death.

"Brother Sun, you're too kind. I'm just a bit too perceptive. How could I stand idly by when I sensed it?"

Lin Chen offered an explanation, but his gaze turned to the left of the flying boat. As his divine sense spread, he could sense nearly ten figures rapidly approaching. The flying knives that had just launched the sneak attack were not one, but three, each aimed at one of the three flying boats.

"Who launched the sneak attack!"

A furious roar came from the first airship, and the next moment Lin Chen saw the three Yu brothers walk out of the airship.

Lin Chen looked at the second airship, which remained motionless. This airship was the core of the caravan, and he hadn't seen anyone disembark from it in the past two months, not even now.

As for the ability to detect with one's soul, this flying boat has blocked the ability to detect with one's soul.

Just as the Yu brothers stepped out of the flying boat, eight figures emerged from the forest on the left. These eight were experts at the second level of the Innate Realm, all wearing masks.

"I'm giving you a chance to live. Leave now."

The masked man at the head of the group spoke in a hoarse voice, which was clearly manipulated.

“Brother Gu, don’t believe what they say. Masked killings… They won’t let us leave. Although they have eight people at the second level of the Innate Realm, some of them are weak. The two of us, plus the three Yu brothers, are not without a chance of winning. And there are definitely martial artists on the second flying boat.”

As the masked man finished speaking, Lin Chen heard Sun Kang's voice transmission. Upon hearing Sun Kang's voice transmission, Lin Chen nodded almost imperceptibly.

"We're not fledglings who've just started cultivating anymore, so there's no need to say anything like that to lower our guard."

Yu Xingyao had a cold smile on his face. He was saying this to the masked men, as well as to Lin Chen and Sun Kang.

"If you don't want the chance to live, then die."

The masked man at the head of the group exuded murderous intent, and the seven people behind him also simultaneously swelled in power.

The aura of a second-stage Innate Realm expert was released outwards at this moment.

"Brother Gu, make your move!"

A long saber appeared in Sun Kang's hand, and he fiercely faced an opponent who was coming towards him. The saber flashed and the momentum was astonishing.

As a disciple of the Taizong Sect, my martial arts skills are naturally quite formidable.

On the other side, the three Yu brothers formed a battle formation, each wielding a long spear. Although their power was not as astonishing as Sun Kang's, their formation was enough to hold off the four opponents.

Of the eight attackers, three remain.

Lin Chen did not actively take on all three opponents, but instead chose one of them and used the Canglan Sect's techniques to fight against him.

To Lin Chen's surprise, the remaining two assassins did not intervene or attack the second airship. Instead, they stood there calmly, seemingly thinking that they were already trapped and had no rush to make a move.

One breath, two breaths...

Thirty breaths later, another masked innate martial artist joined the ranks of those besieging the three Yu brothers.

With five against three, the Yu brothers began to struggle. On the other side, Sun Kang steadily suppressed his opponents, but he only had a slight advantage and couldn't spare the time to support the Yu brothers.

If this continues, the three Yu brothers will surely fail.

However, Lin Chen did not offer any assistance; this battle was too bizarre.

The second airship remained motionless, and the masked man at the head of the group seemed to be waiting for something.

Three hundred breaths later, a sharp "screech" resounded across the land.

Upon hearing this voice, a glint appeared in the masked man's eyes. At the same time, a terrifying, suffocating aura instantly enveloped the entire valley, and even the miasma in the mountains seemed to stagnate.

A gigantic figure emerged from the forest, felling trees in its wake. It was a giant standing three zhang tall, carrying two bloody heads in its hands.

Upon seeing the giant and the head it was holding, Lin Chen's pupils contracted. Was this giant friend or foe?
"Ada, I never thought even you would betray the chieftain."

Finally, a sound came from the second flying boat. An old woman slowly stepped out of the flying boat. Lin Chen felt a chill when he sensed the aura emanating from the old woman. She was at the peak of the second level of the Innate Realm.

Whether it was Sun Kang, the three Yu brothers, or the masked martial artists present, they were all at the early stage of the second level of the Innate Realm, and the Innate Power emanating from their bodies was vastly different from that of this old woman.

A hint of pain flashed in the giant's eyes, but his gaze hardened the next moment: "Whoever possesses the clan seal is the clan leader. This is the clan rule. Please come with me to see the new clan leader, young lady."

(End of this chapter)