Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 572 Murong Yan's Talent
Half an hour later.

Murong Yan put down the ledger in her hand and looked up at Lin Chen: "These items are worth about 12.25 million Yan coins in total. If we sell them quickly to the merchant guild, we can probably get them for 10 million."

"More than twelve million?"

Lin Chen was also somewhat astonished when he heard the number Murong Yan revealed. He originally thought it would be at most eight or nine million, but he didn't expect it to sell for so many Flame Coins.

"Well, if there's no rush, selling them all within a year would maximize profits. This is based on the prices of these items in the Yanhuang Dynasty over the past three years."

"Why are you researching these things? Don't tell me you're planning to open a trading company in the Yan Dynasty?"

Lin Chen smiled and looked at Murong Yan. Most martial artists wouldn't study this aspect in such depth; they would only know the prices of items needed for their current level.

Murong Yan smiled slightly: "You've been busy cultivating your martial arts, so you probably don't have time to learn about these things. I can't help you much with martial arts, so I can only give you some references on rare items. You can't just be a pretty face without any use."

Upon hearing Murong Yan's explanation, Lin Chen paused for a moment, then grasped Murong Yan's soft hand. He understood why Murong Yan had gone to study these things.

"Actually, being a decorative vase is quite nice; not everyone is qualified to be a decorative vase."

To be considered a decorative vase, one must first have the visual appeal.

"Ha, you should only listen to half of what men say. Right now they think being a pretty face is great, but in ten years or so when they get old and lose their looks, they'll probably start to dislike them."

Murong Yan gave a light snort and placed some items on the table: "These should be useful to you for now. They are mainly materials, not finished pills."

The materials Murong Yan selected for Lin Chen were all raw materials for pills needed for the fifth level of the Innate Realm. As for the pills, since Lin Chen had mostly killed martial artists at the third and fourth levels of the Innate Realm, the pills they carried were only suitable for those at the third and fourth levels of the Innate Realm, so they were no longer useful to Lin Chen.

"These can all be sold."

Why sell it?

Lin Chen shook his head: "You're about to enter the Innate Realm, so you'll need these pills."

Lin Chen put some pills for the second or even third level of the Innate Realm into a storage box and then handed it to Murong Yan.

Murong Yan wasn't being coy; she belonged entirely to Lin Chen, and she wouldn't refuse the pills he gave her.

"I plan to hand over the remaining pills to the sect, keeping only this pile of relatively rare materials."

Under Murong Yan's organization, pills, medicinal herbs, and other materials were subdivided into many categories, one of which consisted of relatively rare items.

These items may not be of high value, but finding them on short notice might require some effort.

Unless you are extremely short of Flame Coins, there is no need to sell these items; they are rare commodities worth hoarding.

After cleaning up these items, Lin Chen's gaze fell on the storage box given to him by the Sixth Prince of the Royal Family. With a thought, all the items in the storage box appeared on the table.

There weren't many items in the storage box, only three in total.

A bottle of elixirs, a piece of black wood, and a cultivation manual.

"It's actually a Soul-Breaking Pill?"

Murong Yan looked at the names of the pills on the bottle with a look of shock: "Lin Chen, where did this storage box come from?"

It's no wonder Murong Yan was surprised. The Soul-Breaking Pill is an extremely precious pill that can be used by those at the fifth or even sixth level of the Innate Realm. Taking this pill gives one the chance to break through the limits of their soul.

Those who can cultivate to the fifth or sixth level of the Innate Realm are unlikely to come from poor backgrounds. At this level, the competition between them is all about subtle differences. Especially among those at the same level, a slight difference in spiritual strength can very well determine the final outcome.

Faced with Murong Yan's question, Lin Chen did not give an answer, but instead looked at the second piece of black wood: "After you have looked at the remaining two items, I will tell you where this storage came from."

"This is lightning-struck wood, and it's the hardest type of wood from the Vajra tree. It looks like it's at least ten thousand years old. If we use this to forge a weapon, we can definitely create an incomparably powerful weapon."

Murong Yan examined the area closely for a while and then gave her judgment.

Late-stage Innate Realm martial artists don't actually use weapons much, because forging a suitable weapon is too costly.

Most martial artists focus on breaking through their cultivation level. They only choose to forge weapons to enhance their combat power if they clearly realize that their cultivation level has reached its limit and it is extremely difficult to break through in a short period of time.

As for the third type of technique, it is a movement technique called "Limitless Escape".

When cultivated to its peak, one's speed can reach the peak of the sixth level of the Innate Realm, giving one a means of escape when facing someone at the Innate Realm.

"Lin Chen, these three treasures are all priceless. The owner of this storage box must be someone of extraordinary background."

"Hmm, the other party's identity is unusual, but I didn't get this storage box by killing an opponent; someone gave it to me. What do you think their purpose is?"

When Murong Yan heard Lin Chen ask this question, a thoughtful look appeared on her pretty face. Lin Chen's words revealed a bit of information: the person who gave him this storage box did not have a very good relationship with him.

If it's an elder or a close friend giving him a gift, Lin Chen won't ask what their intentions are.

If someone is not familiar with you or your relationship with them is not that close, then giving them these three valuable items is something that you should really think about.

Murong Yan picked up the "Limitless Escape" book again and read it carefully several times. After that, she had a rough guess in her mind.

"The person who sent you these three treasures is trying to delay your progress in martial arts."

"Oh, why do you think that?"

Lin Chen looked at Murong Yan, not expecting her to come to such a conclusion. He simply felt that the royal family wouldn't be so kind, and considering Murong Yan's intelligence, he wanted to use her mind to deduce the royal family's intentions.

"Take this Soul-Breaking Pill for example. Although it can allow a martial artist's soul to break through to the limit, it cannot be done by relying solely on the Soul-Breaking Pill. In order to increase the success rate, other pills, including such treasures, must be found to work together. However, such treasures are not easy to find and will inevitably take a lot of time."

"The Soul-Breaking Pill is the same as this Lightning-Struck Wood. Everyone would be tempted by such top-grade refining materials. In order to forge a satisfactory weapon, other materials are also needed, and it also takes time to search for them."

"Finally, there is this 'Limitless Escape,' which can make a Xiantian martial artist no slower than the peak of the sixth Xiantian realm. This alone is enough to be amazing, and it is no less than the 'Star Illusion Technique' of Burning Star Valley."

"However, the conditions for successfully cultivating the 'Limitless Escape' are extremely harsh. Judging from the results alone, it will take a lot of time to use these three treasures."

This was the answer Murong Yan deduced. Lin Chen gave Murong Yan a thumbs up: "Your judgment should be correct. This storage box was sent by a prince from the royal family. Now it seems that he really didn't have good intentions. You truly are my wise and capable wife."

In fact, given time, Lin Chen could have guessed the royal family's purpose, but he just wasn't as quick as Murong Yan.

"You're involved, and these three treasures are so attractive, it's normal for your thoughts to be affected for a short time, but I believe you'll be able to deduce the rest later."

Murong Yan smiled charmingly. It wasn't that Lin Chen couldn't think of it, but as someone involved, his first thought was how to use the treasures, since all three treasures were extremely valuable.

"In fact, the royal family should have been able to see through their intentions; it was an open scheme."

"It is indeed an open conspiracy. If it were someone else, they would probably have stepped into it even if they knew it was a conspiracy."

Lin Chen nodded. Even if he couldn't guess it himself, just by telling his master and the sect leader about these three treasures, the royal family's purpose would be guessed.

The so-called "open conspiracy" means knowing that something is a conspiracy, but being unable to avoid it.

But my situation is different. With the destiny of boundless divine illumination, my soul can grow infinitely and I don't need the Soul-Breaking Pill. As for forging weapons from lightning-struck wood, I don't need it at all. I am on the path of physical cultivation, and my physical body is my strongest weapon.

Although the "Limitless Escape" is good, the speed that I can achieve by borrowing the innate fire is not much slower than it, so these three treasures are not very attractive to me.

However, from these three treasures, Lin Chen could at least discern the royal family's attitude towards him and towards the Canglan Sect.

……

……

The next day.

The inner courtyard of Qingfeng Residence.

Murong Yan changed into a white dress and stood in the center of the courtyard, with five elemental energy beads placed in front of her.

"Qin Gu, don't worry, with Lin Chen here, I'll be fine."

Murong Yan saw Su Qin standing to the side with a worried expression and smiled to comfort her.

"Even with the prince consort here, the princess still needs to be careful."

Su Qin's worries did not lessen even with Lin Chen protecting her. Ever since she and the princess came to the Yan Dynasty, she had heard many members of the Yan family say that when a martial artist breaks through to the Innate Realm, the probability of failure is very high, and once they fail, they are prone to backlash.

Many geniuses have fallen at this stage, not only failing to break through to the Innate Realm, but also suffering from chronic illnesses, thus halting their progress in martial arts.

For martial artists, breaking through to the innate level is both an opportunity and a life-or-death hurdle.

If you succeed, it's like a carp leaping over the dragon gate.

Failure means total destruction.

"Don't worry, Qin Gu, your princess will be fine."

Lin Chen noticed that Su Qin was too nervous, so he offered some words of advice. He said that it was true that there were failures in breaking through to the Innate Realm, but those were all due to insufficient preparation. Forcing one to break through to the Innate Realm was not the answer.

With the five elements energy he prepared for Murong Yan, Murong Yan's chances of successfully breaking through are as high as 90%.

Furthermore, even if he fails, he won't suffer any backlash. He has already exchanged pills from the sect in advance, and the injuries he suffered from breaking through to the Innate Realm will be healed after taking them.

He could understand Su Qin's concerns. All of Su Qin's information about breaking through to the Innate Realm came from martial artists of the lower and middle levels. For martial artists of the lower and middle levels, breaking through to the Innate Realm was indeed full of risks.

It's like an ordinary person starting a business in their past life. If they fail, they may have worked for nothing for more than ten or even several decades. But for a rich second generation, starting a company is just a way for their family to practice. If it goes bankrupt, it goes bankrupt and it won't affect their lives at all.

The same applies to the Yan Dynasty. For ordinary disciples of lower-middle-level sects or even super sects, breaking through to the Innate Realm is risky. However, if a family has elders at the Fifth or Sixth Innate Realm, breaking through to the Innate Realm is nothing special.

After comforting Su Qin, Murong Yan began her breakthrough, sitting cross-legged in the center of the courtyard with her eyes slightly closed, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders, highlighting her delicate skin that was as fair as snow.

As she began to break through, her aura continued to rise. When it reached its peak, the five elemental attribute beads on the table slowly flew up and landed around her. The energy contained in the beads was continuously released, enveloping Murong Yan in a misty atmosphere.

With each breath Murong Yan took, the five elements of energy fluctuated like the tide. Lin Chen glanced at Su Qin, who was looking worried, and explained, "Your princess is doing very well, so don't worry."

"Thank you for informing me, Your Highness."

It went very smoothly, so smoothly that even Lin Chen was somewhat surprised.

When a martial artist breaks through to the Innate Realm, due to absorbing the Five Elements attributes, there will be a period of imbalance in the Innate Five Elements energy. What the martial artist needs to do is to slowly control this Innate Five Elements energy back to a balanced state, and then condense the divine soul in one fell swoop to step into the Innate Realm.

However, in his divine perception, Murong Yan's aura remained stable, and there was no imbalance in the innate five elements energy within her body; everything was proceeding naturally.

If Lin Chen hadn't confirmed that his "Successful Journey" destiny was still on the panel, he would have suspected that his destiny had been transferred to Murong Yan.

An hour later.

The five elements energy swirling around Murong Yan seemed to be absorbed by the vortex, rapidly decreasing, and Lin Chen's eyes also gleamed.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

An energy emanated from Murong Yan and spread outwards from the courtyard, causing the plants and trees to bend over. As the five elements' energy dissipated, Murong Yan's figure was revealed.

At this moment, Murong Yan's long dress clung to her body, revealing her exquisite figure. Sunlight shone down, illuminating her smooth and delicate face and her eyes, which shone with wisdom. The slight smile on her lips carried the ease of a breakthrough and an indescribable charm.

If the original Murong Yan was a flower of wealth and nobility, then this flower is undoubtedly in its most splendid bloom now. Her unparalleled elegance and charming allure, naturally revealed by her transformation of power, are on full display, captivating all who behold her.

"Princess!"

Su Qin finally felt relieved and her face showed excitement. The princess's breakthrough was faster than she had imagined, taking only an hour. Wasn't it said that breaking through to the Innate Realm took one or two days?

"I'm shocked by your breakthrough speed. It only took you an hour. If word gets out, it will make a lot of people's jaws drop."

Lin Chen walked towards Murong Yan. Upon hearing this, Murong Yan smiled slightly and said, "Lin Chen, my breakthrough to the Innate Realm seems to be a little different from what others have described."

"no the same?"

"What's different?"

Lin Chen stared at Murong Yan for a while, and apart from her more charming demeanor, he couldn't find anything wrong with her.

“It is my soul; come with me.”

Murong Yan's pretty face flushed slightly. She took Lin Chen's hand and then glanced at Su Qin: "Aunt Qin, you may leave now."

It wasn't that she had some secrets to hide from Qin Gu, but rather that it was simply not something she could openly discuss.

Su Qin didn't think too much about it, nodded and left the courtyard, while Lin Chen was pulled into the room by Murong Yan with a puzzled look on her face.

What exactly happened that made Murong Yan dismiss Su Qin and pull her into the room?

"Lin Chen, feel my divine sense."

"You've only just entered the Innate Realm; your divine sense shouldn't be able to separate yet..."

Lin Chen smiled and spoke, but before he could finish his sentence, he felt a soft, watery sensation wash over him.

"Is this your divine sense?"

This feeling was exactly the same as when he used the jade pendant to contact Murong Yan.

"To be precise, it's my special divine sense."

Murong Yan's pretty face flushed red. She felt the same way Lin Chen was feeling, and her voice trembled slightly: "My soul can change. What you are feeling now is a special state, but it can't last too long."

Lin Chen: ...

An hour later, Lin Chen finally gained a general understanding of Murong Yan's soul.

"Perhaps it's a mutation of the soul, or rather, the awakening of a soul talent."

"Soul talent?"

"Yes, I once read in the sect's records that some martial artists have special souls, but they don't show it before they enter the Innate Realm. Once they break through to the Innate Realm, they may awaken their soul talents. And there are only one or two such martial artists out of a million."

"Only one or two out of a million martial artists? I've never heard of that."

Murong Yan was puzzled. In order to help Lin Chen, she not only learned about the various wonders of the Yan Dynasty, but also about many strange things. However, she had never heard of awakening a divine soul talent after breaking through to the innate level.

"When I say 'million martial artists,' I mean 'million innate martial artists,' not 'million ordinary martial artists.'"

"A million Innate Martial Artists?"

Murong Yan's red lips parted slightly; she finally understood why she hadn't heard of it.

The total number of innate martial artists in the entire Yan Dynasty is only around one million, which means that only one or two innate martial artists in a generation will be truly exceptional.

Am I really that lucky?

"I'll ask the elders in my sect; they might have the accurate answer."

"it is good."

Murong Yan also wanted to figure out what was going on with her soul, but reminded her, "When you speak, remember to be tactful."

"Don't worry, I know what to say."

Lin Chen smiled wryly, and thinking about the feeling that Murong Yan's divine sense had given him, he was somewhat at a loss for words.

……

……

"Lin Chen, what brings you to see me?"

In the forbidden area behind the Canglan Sect, Lin Chen met Ye Feiran.

Back when he returned to the sect last time, the sect leader had granted him access, allowing him free entry into the forbidden area behind the mountain.

"Elder, the person beside me broke through to the Innate Realm today, but his soul has changed. I don't know what's going on, so I've come here to ask for your advice."

"A mutation in the soul?"

Ye Feiran pondered for a while and said, "The change in the soul is not a bad thing, there is no need to worry too much."

"Elder, I suspect it's not a mutation, but rather the awakening of a divine soul talent."

Ye Feiran's old eyes widened: "Are you sure?"

"I am 70% confident that if the soul undergoes a change, it will only affect the person. However, if my friend's divine sense separates, it will be able to affect me."

Where is your friend?

Ye Feiran pressed for an answer in a deep voice, and Lin Chen quickly replied, "It's in Canglan City."

“You take him to… never mind, I’ll go with you.”

……

……

Qingfeng Residence.

Ye Feiran smiled as he looked at Murong Yan and stroked his beard, saying, "That's right, this girl has indeed awakened a divine soul talent. It seems that this divine soul talent should have a healing effect, especially in the area of ​​divine soul healing."

Upon hearing his elder's words, Lin Chen knew that his judgment was correct.

"It's a pity, though. My Canglan Sect is not skilled in the Way of the Soul. Have you ever joined a sect, young lady?"

"This junior has never joined a sect."

"In that case, you should go to the Thousand Machines Sect. Although your age and strength are nothing special, your talent in the Divine Soul is enough to make the Thousand Machines Sect take notice of you."

After Ye Feiran finished speaking, he looked at Lin Chen and said, "I have a good relationship with Yan Feng of the Thousand Machines Sect. If I send him a letter, the Thousand Machines Sect should send someone to pick up this girl."

Ye Feiran made a decisive decision, and it came and went quickly; she left after making the decision.

"Lin Chen, this senior asked me to go to the Thousand Machines Sect. Won't that displease your Canglan Sect Master?"

Murong Yan had a worried look on her face. Although she didn't know how far her divine soul talent could help her grow, since Lin Chen said that only one or two out of a million innate martial artists would emerge, it was definitely extremely rare.

The competition for geniuses is fierce among all major powers, even among super sects. This senior suggested that I join the Thousand Machines Sect from his own perspective, but from the perspective of the Canglan Sect, it means the loss of a genius.

Murong Yan feared that this would displease the sect leader of Canglan Sect, thus affecting Lin Chen.

Lin Chen's expression was somewhat strange as he explained, "This gentleman was the Supreme Elder of my sect."

"what!"

Murong Yan's mouth gaped slightly. She thought the old man was an elder of the Canglan Sect, but she never expected him to be the Supreme Elder.

The Supreme Elder of a super sect, wouldn't that be a powerhouse of the Myriad Manifestations Realm?
When I first arrived at the Yan family, let alone a Myriad Manifestations Realm expert, even a Third Innate Realm expert was someone who could roam freely in the Yan family's area.

In just a few short years, I have come into such close contact with a powerful expert at the Myriad Manifestations Realm, and the way he speaks to me is as if he were treating a junior member of his own family.

And all of this was brought about by the man in front of us.

Murong Yan's gaze towards Lin Chen was filled with affection; a woman's admiration for strength... even between husband and wife.

"Then what about Senior Yanfeng of the Thousand Machines Sect that this Supreme Elder mentioned?"

Murong Yan belatedly realized that anyone who could be considered a friend by someone at the Myriad Manifestations Realm must also be a Myriad Manifestations Realm expert.

"You just realized it? Maybe you'll become the personal disciple of a Myriad Manifestations Realm expert in the future. That's a much higher starting point than what I did."

Lin Chen gently ruffled Murong Yan's hair. The Supreme Elder recommended a Myriad Manifestations Realm expert from the Thousand Machines Sect. Besides the fact that the Thousand Machines Sect is indeed skilled in the area of ​​divine soul, it's likely that they knew he was going to the Flower Clan and arranged Murong Yan's destination for him.

The Thousand Machines Sect is a super sect and ranks among the top. If Murong Yan can become a disciple of a Myriad Manifestations Realm expert in the Thousand Machines Sect, then I will not have to worry about her safety.

Furthermore, even if the elders of the Flower Clan had any ulterior motives, they would be protected by experts at the Myriad Manifestations Realm.

Lin Chen wasn't worried about what Senior Sister Jiang might be up to; what he feared was that the elders of the Flower Clan might act on their own and target Murong Yan in private.

The Supreme Elder has now resolved his worries before his departure.

……

……

Seven days later.

The Thousand Machines Sect sent someone, and the fact that an elder came in person was enough to show how much the Thousand Machines Sect valued Murong Yan.

After seeing Murong Yan off, Elder Teng of the Flower Clan had not yet returned, and Lin Chen's surroundings returned to their desolate state.

At the sect's residence, Lin Chen took out his Martial Dao Seal. He had originally planned to enter the Tower of Babel to challenge Murong Yan after she entered the Innate Realm, but since Murong Yan was going to the Thousand Machines Sect, he had spent the last few days showing her around the Canglan Sect.

Now, it's time to re-enter the Tower of Babel and begin the unfinished challenge.

PS: I just found out it's a double monthly ticket event. Although this double monthly ticket event is too far away for Jiudeng, one ticket becomes two tickets, and with an extra thousand tickets, there's one more chance to win a prize. With a guaranteed prize of one hundred, that's enough to buy half a can of milk powder for your nephew and niece. Please give me your monthly tickets next month.

(End of this chapter)