Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 631 The Origin of the Ghost Ship
“I don’t know where you’re going. I just boarded the ship a little earlier than you.”

After a moment's thought, Lin Chen finally decided to tell the truth about his situation.

These four god-level powerhouses clearly know more about the Ghost Ship than I do; telling them the truth might yield more information about it.

But more importantly, while ordinary people can't solve the problem of their soul dissipating, these four god-level experts might be able to.

As Lin Chen had predicted, the expressions of the four god-level experts changed slightly as soon as he said those words.

"I, Lin Chen, boarded this ship to seek a solution to my own predicament..."

Lin Chen truthfully told the four people about his situation, including why he boarded the ship and everything he experienced after boarding.

a long time!

It was the same man who spoke first, looking at Lin Chen: "I see. No wonder you haven't said anything. But since you're wearing this uniform, it means you've become the new boatman."

This fur raincoat could only be worn by boatmen, and without a boatman, the boat would not have come into their sight.

"If I'm not mistaken, the young man should be from a primitive land."

The only woman in the cabin spoke, her gaze fixed on Lin Chen, but because Lin Chen was wearing a fur raincoat, her eyes could see right through him.

"Primitive land?"

"The so-called primitive land is the area where martial arts have not yet reached their peak. In fact, as you see the four of us god-level experts, you should be able to guess some clues. The four of us do not come from the same area; each of us comes from our own martial arts region."

The woman drew a circle on the table with her right hand, and within that circle, she drew many smaller areas, but these smaller areas were separated from each other.

"We actually belong to the same world, but this world has been divided into separate, non-intersecting regions by the Annihilation Storm. Even for us god-level powerhouses, without a divine ship, it is difficult to cross into other regions..."

Lin Chen looked at the map the woman had drawn on the table, a thoughtful expression on his face, silently digesting her words.

“In the area where the four of us are located, martial arts have developed to the point where one can step into the divine level without condensing a divine seal. Some areas that require the help of luck to condense a divine seal in order to take this step are the primitive areas.”

The woman smeared some of the drawn areas with her right hand, making those areas blurry.

"The reason I know this is because I happened to see an ancient jade slip in my area, which mentioned the situation of martial artists in ancient times, and it is very similar to the Yan Dynasty that this young man mentioned."

Upon hearing the woman's explanation, Lin Chen suddenly realized that he had misunderstood. He had assumed that the word "primitive" meant something more powerful.

It's also because he was influenced by the novels he read in his previous life, which believed that the ancient and prehistoric times were always stronger than the modern world.

Logically speaking, the modern era is always stronger than the ancient era, unless there is a so-called interruption of martial arts inheritance or depletion of martial arts resources. However, it is clear that this situation has never occurred in the Yan Dynasty, and other regions should be similar.

According to this powerful woman, the Yanhuang Dynasty region she was in was similar to the difference between Canglan Island and the Yanhuang Dynasty in the past, compared to other regions. Of course... in reality, the difference might not be that big.

"If this is a primitive land, why would a divine ship appear there, and why would this young man become a boatman?"

The man on the right side of the table looked at the woman, clearly indicating that his understanding of the divine ship was not complete.

"The divine ship has always traveled from the primordial land to the other shore. As for why this young man was able to become a ship captain, perhaps we will know the reason when he has the strength to set foot on the other shore."

The woman's words carried a profound meaning, and the other three fell into a brief silence upon hearing them.

As god-level powerhouses, they are already the strongest warriors in their respective regions, and no one can compare with them. What they lack is the final step to reach the other shore.

Only by reaching the other shore can one truly achieve immortality.

Without reaching the other shore, even a god-level powerhouse will eventually turn into a wisp of yellow earth.

This is why the four of them appeared on the divine ship.

“Since you’ve become a boatman, and the Divine Ship can only carry four passengers at a time, the fact that the four of us were able to board the ship was thanks to the summoning ritual. Moreover… we four have no way out, so what’s the point of holding back?”

A smile appeared on the woman's face, and her right hand landed on the table, revealing a jade slip.

"Brother, after I boarded the ship, I left all my treasures to the descendants of the sect. The only thing I'm giving you is this jade slip that records my life's martial arts insights. Perhaps you can find a way to resolve the dissipation of your soul."

From the moment she summoned the divine ship, she was prepared to either reach the other side or perish. Therefore, she left all her treasures to the descendants of her sect.

After the woman spoke, the other three men exchanged glances and each took out a jade slip.

As god-level powerhouses, they are already the strongest beings in their respective regions. Not to mention the martial arts techniques they cultivate, the number of martial arts techniques they have collected is terrifying, and they are all the most top-tier techniques.

"These are for your reference, young man."

"In this place, there is a rather unique cultivation technique called the Burial of Gods Technique. It was conceived by a senior martial artist whose talent in martial arts was no less than mine. The technique he created abandons the soul and focuses solely on cultivating the physical body. Perhaps it can be of some help to you, young man."

Upon receiving the jade slips from the four individuals, Lin Chen did not stand on ceremony. His purpose in boarding the ghost ship was to find a way to resolve the dissipation of his soul.

Although he already had some ideas, he could refer to more cultivation methods and refine the path he wanted to take.

"Young man, take a look at the cultivation technique in this jade slip first. As for the problem you have, the four of us can study it."

The woman looked at the other three, who did not refuse. Once on the divine ship, they had no way back and needed this young man's help to reach the other side.

……

……

While the four god-level experts began to study Lin Chen's condition, Lin Chen was also studying the cultivation techniques recorded in the jade slips given to him by the four experts in the cabin.

It was truly an eye-opening experience.

These martial arts techniques are similar to some of the techniques of the Yan Dynasty, but some are completely different. However, Lin Chen is certain of one thing: these techniques are of a higher level than the martial arts techniques of the Yan Dynasty.

Most martial arts techniques of the Yan Dynasty stop at the peak of the sixth level of the Innate Realm. As for what goes beyond that, one has to rely on their own innovation. Even the Canglan Technique of the Canglan Sect is the same. The reason why Elder Ye and the other two were able to break through to the Myriad Manifestations Realm is because they had their own understanding of the Canglan Technique, which is why they were able to step into the Myriad Manifestations Realm.

This is why there is a saying circulating in the martial arts world of the Yan Dynasty: "The path to the Myriad Manifestations Realm can only be achieved by oneself."

Everyone's understanding of martial arts is different, and the path to entering the Myriad Realms is also different.

However, the region where these four powerful individuals reside has a martial arts technique that allows one to directly break through from the Innate Realm to the Myriad Manifestations Realm. There is a complete cultivation path. As long as one follows the steps and has the necessary martial arts resources and talent, one can smoothly advance from the sixth level of the Innate Realm to the Myriad Manifestations Realm.

Comparing these techniques with his own martial arts cultivation was like a revelation for Lin Chen, especially regarding his understanding of the Myriad Manifestations Realm. The regions where these four resided already had a complete system and martial arts theory, unlike the Yan Dynasty, where reaching the Myriad Manifestations Realm was mostly based on scattered personal insights.

……

……

"Lin Chen, this is a new cultivation technique that the four of us developed specifically for your condition. Although it cannot restore your soul, it can at least stop your soul from dissipating."

"Thank you, Sister Piao."

Lin Chen looked at the woman walking towards him and thanked her.

After spending several months together on the ship, Lin Chen learned the names of the four women. Piao Jie's real name was Liu Piao. Lin Chen originally wanted to call her "senior," but Piao Jie wouldn't allow it, so they addressed each other as brother and sister.

The martial arts technique was created by four god-level experts over several months, and it was specifically designed for Lin Chen's situation. Such treatment is absolutely unique.

When Lin Chen received the jade slip, the panel that hadn't appeared for some time finally changed.

[Racing Against Time: The Evolution Technique of Immortal Art has evolved into the Immortal Divine Art (incomplete), which can control the dissipation of the divine soul]

Seeing the notification "Seize Every Second" appear on the panel, Lin Chen wasn't surprised. Since Sister Piao said that this technique could fix his soul at the second level of the Innate Realm and prevent it from weakening, how could a god-level expert's words be false?

After reading the Immortal Manual modified by Sister Piao and the other three, Lin Chen immediately began cultivating in the cabin.

The Immortal Divine Technique was developed by Liu Piao and the other three based on Lin Chen's Immortal Divine Technique. As for the Immortal Technique itself, it was Lin Chen who told Liu Piao and the other three about it.

Since it was rare for four god-level experts to be willing to help him solve the problem of his soul fading, Lin Chen did not hide anything and told them all the cultivation techniques, immortal techniques, and martial souls he had practiced.

……

Inside the cabin, Lin Chen sat cross-legged on the deck, with powerful vitality emanating from within. "Young friend Lin is truly a martial arts prodigy."

On the deck, Liu Piao and the other three sensed the energy fluctuations emanating from the cabin, their eyes filled with appreciation.

As god-level powerhouses, they had seen countless martial arts prodigies, but they had to admit that even in their respective continental regions, Lin Chen was an unparalleled existence.

It hasn't been long since they modified Lin Chen's cultivation technique, and he has already mastered it.

"According to what young friend Lin said, he has only been practicing martial arts for a few years, and at most he is only in his early twenties. His vitality is so strong that even I am a little envious."

Several god-level powerhouses looked on with envy, but not because they envied Lin Chen for having such strength in just a few years. What they envied was Lin Chen's age.

They had seen many martial arts prodigies, some of whom had even stepped directly from the Innate Realm to the Myriad Realms Realm overnight. However, most of these geniuses were the result of years of accumulated experience and had not been short in their cultivation. For example, although they had broken through to the God Realm, they were all nearly a hundred years old.

The vitality of a god-level expert is naturally like a raging fire, but their vitality is mostly evolved from their own martial arts strength. Lin Chen is different; the vitality within him is the purest form of vitality.

To give an example, Lin Chen is like the rising sun, while the other four are like the heat of firewood. Although they are hotter, firewood will eventually go out, and the faster it burns, the closer it is to going out. But Lin Chen does not have this problem.

Start learning martial arts early!
This is a principle that becomes more and more enviable as one gets older.

Many people understand the principle, but how many can actually put it into practice? Even after embarking on the path of martial arts, they still take many detours.

"Unfortunately, with the four of us, we can only stop Lin's soul from dissipating, but we cannot restore it or even make it grow. Otherwise, with Lin's martial arts talent, reaching the god level would be just around the corner."

Upon hearing this, Liu Piao laughed, as if she had thought of something, but ultimately remained silent.

……

Time stands still on the ship. Just as Lin Chen finished cultivating the Immortal Divine Technique, the entire ghost ship suddenly began to shake.

Inside the cabin, Lin Chen's eyes narrowed. Just as he was getting up from the bed, a message suddenly flooded into his mind.

After receiving this information, Lin Chen's eyes shone brightly. At this moment, he understood why Sister Piao called herself a boatman, and he also knew where the other side of the boat was going.

My original thinking was too narrow; what I used to call the other side was just a certain boundary of this world.

This idea came about because of the meaning of the word "other shore" and the map drawn by Sister Piao.

However, the true other shore is not on a certain boundary, but above.

The true destination of the ghost ship is the sky!

Above the Ninth Heaven lies the Other Shore, while the Ghost Ship transports people to the First Heaven.

To reach the other side, one needs to traverse the nine heavens on one's own.

As the boatman, he has the power to decide whether the ghost ship should go to the Ninth Heaven.

If they do not go, the ghost ship will return, and the four people on board will be sent back to the place of boarding, and they will never have the chance to board again. If they go to the Ninth Heaven, if the ghost ship cannot withstand the strong winds of the Ninth Heaven, the boatman will die there, and the empty ship will return until the next boatman is found.

Having learned this information, Lin Chen knew very well that he was able to become a boatman because the previous boatman had died.

At the same time, when there are no crew members on the ghost ship, the ghost ship will automatically go to a primitive area and start selecting a new crew member.

To become a boatman, the requirements are very simple.

They stayed on the boat, waiting for the oil lamp to be lit before putting on their raincoats.

However, despite these simple conditions, no one in the Yan Dynasty has ever met them for so many years.

The reason is simple: ghost ships are too mysterious!
Under the influence of all phenomena, no one dares to board the ship, for once they do, they will be affected by the ghost ship's own energy and eventually lose their minds.

Even experts at the Myriad Manifestations Realm had reservations; they dared to board the ship but wouldn't stay there indefinitely, especially after the ship entered the Annihilation Storm.

Of course, the most important reason is that there is a prerequisite for the oil lamps of the ghost ship to light up: someone has performed a summoning ritual and wants to board the ship.

God-level experts are rare and hard to come by, and not every god-level expert chooses to go to the other side. Lin Chen had already learned this from Liu Piao and the other three.

The continent where these four people are located also had god-level powerhouses before them, but some of these god-level powerhouses chose to live out their lives on their original continent and did not choose to go to the other side.

Therefore, what seems like a simple condition is actually not easy to meet several of them at the same time. Lin Chen's success was also due to chance. If these four people had not performed the summoning ritual, it would have been useless for him to stay on the ship for as long as he wanted.

After understanding the information about the ghost ship in his mind, Lin Chen stepped out of the cabin. The moment he reached the cabin door, he saw the expectant look in the eyes of Liu Piao and the other three.

"Four seniors, you may now proceed to the other shore."

Faced with the expectant looks from the four people, Lin Chen didn't keep them in suspense and directly gave them what they wanted to hear.

……

……

one year later!

Lin Chen stood on the deck, holding an oil lamp. The ghost ship was rocking back and forth. Although he was standing on the ship, it was still moving forward. But as the boatman, Lin Chen could feel that the ghost ship was heading upwards and beginning its journey towards the Ninth Heaven.

At this moment, the annihilation storm outside the ghost ship had intensified to a terrifying degree. Only now did Lin Chen realize that this annihilation storm originated from the Nine Heavens above, which gave him a more detailed understanding of the geographical distribution of the entire world.

This world has many continents, and the annihilation storm rolling down from the Nine Heavens has divided these continents into pieces. Only the ghost ship can travel through the annihilation storm. Now, Lin Chen's only question is, who built the ghost ship?

However, Lin Chen could no longer care about his doubts. As the ghost ship ascended, the annihilation storm began to beat against it. As the ship's captain, he and the ghost ship were one. The ghost ship was battered by the annihilation storm, and so was he.

Bang bang bang!
Lin Chen's body felt as if it had been hit by a heavy hammer, but fortunately his physical strength was sufficient to withstand it.

However, a day later.

The ghost ship creaked and groaned, and Lin Chen's face turned pale, as if the entire ghost ship would fall apart at any moment.

"Little brother, that's enough!"

Standing on the deck, Liu Piao suddenly spoke up. Her words caused the other three to change their expressions slightly. From their perspective, they naturally hoped that the divine ship could move forward a little more. The more the divine ship moved forward, the easier it would be for them to land on the other side.

This was out of their own selfish motives, but once Liu Piao spoke up, the three of them did not refute it. As god-level powerhouses, they still had their own pride.

"Sister Piao, I can still hold on. I'll see you off one more time."

Lin Chen forced a smile, but Liu Piao's expression turned serious: "Little brother, thank you for your kindness, but in the end, we still have to rely on ourselves to reach the other side. If we can't even withstand these storms, we won't be able to cross the final hurdle and reach the other side."

Ultimately, reaching the other side depends on oneself.

"Let's stop here. If you fail to reach the other side, I'll have to trouble you with some things."

Hearing Liu Piao's words, Lin Chen nodded. In the jade slip that Sister Piao gave him, in addition to many martial arts techniques, there was also a message that Sister Piao had specially left behind, in which she hoped that if he had the opportunity to go to the continent where Sister Piao was in the future, he could take care of the descendants of the sect she founded.

Liu Piao understood the principle that prosperity must eventually decline. As a god-level powerhouse, the sect she founded was naturally the strongest overlord on the entire continent. However, with her departure, the sect would inevitably find it difficult to maintain its dominant position. She did not demand that the sect remain the overlord forever, but she also did not want the sect she founded to be destroyed later.

As the captain of the ghost ship, Lin Chen might have the opportunity to set foot on other continents.

"In that case, let the four of us begin. I'll go first to clear the way for you."

The man on the left side of the deck spoke first. Liu Piao took good care of Lin Chen, and the three of them knew what her purpose was. It was nothing more than wanting Lin Chen to have the opportunity to take care of her descendants in the future. But in the man's opinion, Liu Piao was too fanciful. Even the ghost ship crew had no chance to go to other continents because after they summoned the ghost ship, they went directly to the center of the annihilation storm. The ghost ship did not even approach the continent where they were.

After the man finished speaking, he stepped off the deck, followed closely by the other two men. As for Liu Piao, he looked deeply at Lin Chen and said, "Young man, don't be too anxious about the matter of your soul. At your age, you have a hundred years to plan ahead."

"I understand, and I wish Sister Piao success in reaching the other side."

Upon hearing Lin Chen's blessing, Liu Piao smiled sweetly. The next moment, her entire demeanor changed instantly, transforming from a gentle and caring older sister into a peerless and elegant prodigy, with a cold glint in her beautiful eyes.

"Goodbye, little brother!"

As soon as Liu Piao stepped off the deck, the raging annihilation storm outside was instantly frozen, and frost appeared on the deck as well.

(End of this chapter)