Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 572 - 92: Congratulations, Brother Lu

My Divine Soul has increased by another 0.3 tiers; this red fruit is powerful!

Now Lin Chen understood what the Spirit Tier truly meant. The so-called Spirit Tier referred to the tier of one’s Divine Soul.

Ninth-Grade Divine Soul is equivalent to First Tier, and his Divine Soul is already equivalent to a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, and still in the upper-middle echelon of Seventh-Grade Martial Artists.

With the Thousand Mechanisms Divine Refining Technique, if the opponent doesn’t have a way to defend against the Divine Soul, I can easily kill them with a Flying Saber.

The Thousand Mechanisms Divine Refining Technique is currently my most powerful killer move and trump card.

Landing back on the ground, Lin Chen looked at Lu Chuanning’s corpse, and out of respect, searched through his belongings thoroughly, but unfortunately, apart from some Silver Tickets, there was nothing of value.

"This respect was given in vain."

Lin Chen looked regretful, as the Silver Tickets of the Han Kingdom were of no use to him, but this Treasure Pagoda...

His gaze fell back onto the Treasure Pagoda in his hand, and Lin Chen directly used the Thousand Mechanisms Divine Refining Technique to send a part of his Divine Soul onto the Pagoda. The Pagoda began to tremble, repelling Lin Chen’s Divine Soul, but as Lin Chen sent the second and third parts of his Divine Soul onto the Pagoda, it gradually calmed down.

"Rise!"

With a light shout, the Pagoda began to slowly levitate, hovering above his head, a golden light shrouding him.

"Collect!"

With a soft whisper, the Pagoda descended, landing in Lin Chen’s hand, but its size began to shrink until it was only the height of a finger.

He hid it in his bosom, leaving no trace from the outside.

...

...

Two thousand breaths!

The Martial Artists outside the stone gate were getting increasingly anxious. This amount of time was evidently abnormal.

"Junior Brother Hou, it seems Lin Chen is quite remarkable. It’s rare for someone just entering the Ninth Grade to remain in the Thousand Illusion Secret Realm for such a duration. Your Liang Kingdom has produced a talent not inferior to Pei Qingming."

Lu Qiguang said with a chuckle, and upon hearing this, Hou Zhantian had yet to respond, but the other powerful figures from other countries bore thoughtful expressions on their faces.

According to logic, the longer Lin Chen stays inside, the more disadvantageous it is for the Han Kingdom. Lin Chen was leading by six hundred points in the first round.

But Lu Qiguang showed no signs of worry, is he absolutely confident in Lu Chuanning?

That shouldn’t be the case unless...

Someone thought of a possibility; unless something inside is benefiting the Han Kingdom.

"Brother Murong, is there a way to get the disciples inside the Secret Realm out?"

Hou Zhantian also guessed this possibility, immediately looking toward Murong Song. Currently, in the Secret Realm, only Lin Chen and Lu Chuanning were inside. Judging from Lu Qiguang’s words, it was evident he had anticipated Lu Chuanning staying in for so long.

The Han Kingdom has undoubtedly planned a hidden move against the Thousand Illusion Secret Realm.

If so, Lin Chen might be in danger.

Murong Song’s face changed a bit, Hou Zhantian could guess these, and of course, he could too.

If it were before the first round, he naturally wouldn’t intervene in the fight between Liang and Han Kingdoms, but seeing Lin Chen’s ability to separate his Divine Soul, he couldn’t sit still.

Lin Chen mustn’t die!

"Alright, I will close the Secret Realm now."

"Brother Murong, this move is inappropriate!"

Lu Qiguang interjected: "At this moment, the outcome is undecided, how can you close the Secret Realm? This concerns the Nine Countries Martial Arts Academy rankings, not something that concerns only your Yan Kingdom."

The threat in his words was extremely clear.

"Brother Lu is right. This is a ranking competition; how can it be interfered with?"

The powerful figures of the Zheng Kingdom chimed in, with cold smiles on their faces, thinking it would be best if Lin Chen was killed by Lu Chuanning in the Secret Realm.

"To put it bluntly, in the Martial Arts Academy ranking competition, if you dare to participate, you must have the determination to die. If an accident occurs, and you die, then so be it."

The experts from the Xiang Kingdom added meaningfully, laying a trap for Lu Chuanning to kill Lin Chen ahead of time.

"You all should agree with me here."

Lu Qiguang laughed: "Brother Hu is right, but this is a ranking competition, we’ve been holding these competitions for years, and among the Nine Countries, there’s no life or death animosity, so let’s not deliberately take the opponent’s life."

These words were extremely hypocritical.

Everyone understood the meaning behind Lu Qiguang’s words; if Lin Chen really gets killed by Lu Chuanning in the Secret Realm, then it certainly wasn’t intentional by Lu Chuanning, just an accident.

Hou Zhantian’s eyes blazed with anger, concerned more about Lin Chen’s safety compared to the Academy’s ranking.

If he had known that the Han Kingdom had arranged ahead of time, he would never have let Lin Chen enter the Secret Realm.

Ignoring the mocking words from Lu Qiguang and the others, Hou Zhantian focused on Murong Song: "Brother Murong, in this round, our Liang Kingdom concedes..."

The word ’defeat’ was yet to be spoken when a figure appeared at the stone door.

Lin Chen’s figure emerged from within the stone door.

Seeing Lin Chen’s appearance, the Liang Kingdom side collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully... Junior Brother Lin was unharmed.

In contrast, the Martial Artists on the Zheng and Han Kingdom side looked regretful, especially Bian Xinjie. He knew that Junior Brother Lu had brought a special Spirit Soldier into the Secret Realm, capable of holding out for two thousand breaths with no problem.

The reason Lin Chen wasn’t emerging sooner was not because he could hold on for that long, but rather, he was killed by Junior Brother Lu in the Secret Realm early on.

When someone dies, naturally they can’t come out.

"What’s going on with Junior Brother Lu that he let Lin Chen come out alive."

Bian Xinjie’s gaze harbored concealed dissatisfaction as he stood at the forefront, where Murong Song glanced at Hou Zhantian, smiling: "What was Brother Hou about to say?"

"Nothing."

Hou Zhantian also felt relieved; since Lin Chen had emerged, he naturally wouldn’t bring up conceding and asking Murong Song to close the Secret Realm.

"Junior Brother Lin, you truly lasted two thousand breaths inside."

Seeing Lin Chen approach, Li Yuan and the others were excited, and Lin Chen curiously asked: "Am I first?"

"Lu Chuanning has yet to come out."

"There’s still someone inside?"

Lin Chen frowned, and seeing this, Li Yuan comforted him: "Junior Brother Lin, achieving this is already excellent, don’t be too hard on yourself."

"Hmm."

Lin Chen nodded, stepping aside without saying more. He was quite satisfied with himself; it was just putting on a show.

"Senior Brother Lin, even if Lu Chuanning emerges a thousand breaths later, Canglan Martial Arts Academy would still rank second, breaking the Academy’s record." Meng Xing added in agreement.

High above, at the moment Lin Chen appeared, the smile vanished from Lu Qiguang’s face.

Lu Chuanning failed to kill Lin Chen, and Lin Chen managed to last two thousand breaths inside, proving his Divine Soul is far stronger compared to his peers. If not dealt with early, he will be an enemy to the Han Kingdom in the future.

After the ranking competition ends, he would report to Your Majesty and carry out an assassination against Lin Chen.

"What a pity."

Next to him, a Zheng Kingdom expert muttered softly, the crowd understood what he meant by "what a pity."

It’s a pity Lin Chen survived.

"Even if Canglan Martial Arts Academy takes second place, all it means is they will last a few more rounds in formal contests."

Hou Zhantian was indifferent to these remarks, as Canglan Martial Arts Academy’s second-place finish was sufficient indeed.

There isn’t a significant practical difference between first and second place.

Achieving first is more symbolic.

One hundred breaths later, Lu Chuanning still hadn’t emerged, Lu Qiguang’s expression unchanged.

Three hundred breaths later, the Zheng Kingdom experts began to congratulate Lu Qiguang.

"Congratulations, Brother Lu, Celestial Palace Martial Arts Academy has taken first place."

Lu Chuanning’s points combined with Celestial Palace Academy’s Ling Tianhao’s points had already surpassed Canglan Martial Arts Academy, specifically Lin Chen’s points.

However, five hundred breaths later, Lu Chuanning still had not surfaced, a tinge of gloom appeared on Lu Qiguang’s face.

Six hundred breaths later, Lu Qiguang’s old eyes shot with sharpness, staring at Lin Chen, he shouted: "Lin Chen, what did you do in the Secret Realm!"

By now, Lu Qiguang had sensed something was off, Lu Chuanning should not become delayed for this long, indicating something must have happened to him in the Secret Realm.

The only one who could have caused this was Lin Chen!

Amidst the crowd, Lin Chen looked bewildered, seemingly not comprehending what Lu Qiguang was talking about.