In the bamboo forest.
Liu Ru saw Lin Chen sign his name on the disciple letter, and the smile on his face never disappeared.
"From today onwards, Lin Chen, you will be considered a disciple of my Canglan Martial Arts Academy."
Putting away the disciple letter, Liu Ru said with a smile, "Lord Jia, Lin Chen, to be honest, my authority as an enrollment instructor is not high, but what I promised will definitely count. I will return to the Martial Arts Academy, inform the higher-ups, and then come back."
"Okay!"
Jia Nanzhu nodded. This was within his expectations. If different treatments were to be given based on Lin Chen’s number of inscriptions on Martial Arts Mountain, Liu Ru’s authority as an instructor would not be enough. At least the vice president of the academy would need to make the decision.
"Instructor Liu, if it’s not urgent, why not stay here for a few more days?"
Lin Chen suddenly spoke. Liu Ru was taken aback and somewhat puzzled, "Why?"
"I have a premonition that I will break through by opening the twenty acupoints within two or three days at most."
"Breaking through to opening twenty acupoints, hmm, not bad." Liu Ru nodded subconsciously, but there was doubt in his eyes. Just breaking through the twenty acupoints didn’t warrant him staying.
Opening twenty acupoints is nothing significant in the Martial Arts Academy; even the weakest disciples there are in the Refining Viscera Realm.
"Wait a minute!"
Liu Ru’s pupils suddenly shrank, as if he had thought of something, and he stared closely at Lin Chen, "Are you planning to go to Martial Arts Mountain after your breakthrough?"
"Yes." Lin Chen nodded.
"You’re planning to ascend Martial Arts Mountain just after breaking through. Are you confident?"
If Lin Chen were merely attempting to challenge Martial Arts Mountain, it would be impossible for him to stay. So does Lin Chen believe he can succeed in the challenge right after breaking through?
Before Lin Chen could answer, Liu Ru continued, "You must be confident. Since that’s the case, I’ll stay here for a few more days and wait for your good news."
Liu Ru decided not to ask further. Since Lin Chen dared to ask him to wait, he must be confident.
Since Liu Ru was going to stay for a few days, naturally Lin Chen had to arrange accommodations. When thinking about housing arrangements, Lin Chen couldn’t help but admire the foresight of the old village chief.
The old village chief not only planned for a new courtyard for his own family but also had thought ahead about guests coming to stay at Linhu Village. The construction had started three months ago, and now three courtyards had been built near the lakeside.
Although not comparable to the large mansions in the city and merely enclosed with fences, these fenced courtyards allowed residents to see the scenery of Poyang Lake from inside, making them genuine lakeview houses.
After arranging accommodation for Liu Ru, Lin Chen excused himself.
Training time must not be wasted.
Quite a bit of time had already been delayed today. To break through to opening twenty acupoints in two or three days, he needed to work even harder.
Lin Chen returned to the back mountain for training, while Jia Nanzhu did not leave. He accompanied Liu Ru, admiring the beautiful scenery of Poyang Lake until another disciple from Canglan Martial Arts Academy arrived at Linhu Village, then took his leave.
"Instructor, have you succeeded?"
Qu Feng saw that their instructor was prepared to stay in Linhu Village, looking puzzled. Logically, if the recruitment was successful, Instructor Liu should return to inform the academy. If not successful, then Lin Chen choosing another martial arts academy would make staying even less likely.
"Would I as an instructor fail? Lin Chen is already a disciple of our Canglan Martial Arts Academy. Since it’s already late, meet your future junior brother tomorrow."
Liu Ru stroked his beard, his eyes filled with pride. Qu Feng chuckled and said, "Instructor, what conditions did you offer? Tell me to satisfy my curiosity."
Even though he was a disciple of Canglan Martial Arts Academy, Qu Feng, speaking from a neutral standpoint, acknowledged that Canglan Martial Arts Academy was at a disadvantage compared to the other three, especially in recruitment.
The Qingyun Martial Arts Academy and the Capital Martial Arts Academy didn’t even need to be mentioned, located in the capital, naturally attracting young talents from all paths. Who wouldn’t want to go to the capital to witness its prosperity?
As for Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, situated in Lingxiao City, the largest city in Liang, and the most prosperous area in Liang, not only do many martial artists from Liang like to go to Lingxiao City, but martial artists from other countries wanting to interact with Liang also choose Lingxiao City as their primary destination.
In comparison, their academy seemed inferior and didn’t have much to attract geniuses.
The only advantage worth mentioning is its proximity to the East Sea, offering a marine territory where martial artists can enter to seek treasures or gain experience. However, martial artists in the Refining Viscera Realm entering the East Sea territory would practically be courting death.
"Same as the other academies; whatever conditions other academies offered Lin Chen, our Canglan Martial Arts Academy did too."
"That’s it?" Qu Feng’s face was incredulous. With just those conditions, would Lin Chen choose to join Canglan Martial Arts Academy? Is he out of his mind?
"What kind of expression is that? Do you perhaps think our Canglan Martial Arts Academy doesn’t measure up to the others?"
Liu Ru noticed Qu Feng’s expression and gave a cold glare, though Qu Feng didn’t mind at all. Instructor Liu had a good relationship with his family and was not just an academy instructor but also considered an elder of his family. Naturally, in front of one’s own elder, one should speak straightforwardly.
"You’re not trying to entice Lin Chen to join our Canglan Martial Arts Academy because Junior Sister Jiang is joining, are you?"
"You rascal! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Liu Ru raised his hand and slapped Qu Feng on the back of the head with a swift motion that Qu Feng couldn’t react to, making a crisp sound.
"Don’t let me hear that again, or you can send yourself to the detention room of the Martial Arts Academy."
Hearing "detention room," Qu Feng shrank his neck. That place was where all the disciples of the Martial Arts Academy least wanted to go. He quickly shut his mouth, but he was incredibly baffled. He just mentioned Junior Sister Jiang, so why did Instructor Liu react so strongly?
Liu Ru knew what Qu Feng was thinking, but he still wanted to save face. If he accidentally let it slip that Jiang Qing was recruited because of Lin Chen and Lin Chen found out, where would he put his face?
Even if Lin Chen meets Jiang Qing later and learns the truth, by that time he would have already left Linhu Village, only to meet again at the academy, where it’s a done deal.
"Instructor, how long are we staying in Linhu Village?"
"Three days."
"Three days?"
"Your Junior Brother is about to break through to the twenty acupoints."
Qu Feng was puzzled, "Breaking through twenty acupoints, is it worth staying here for three days? Is Junior Brother Lin going to hold a banquet for opening twenty acupoints?"
"Do you think Lin Chen is like you?" Liu Ru said with some curiosity. As the son of an old friend, he knew Qu Feng well. Qu Feng had talent in the Martial Path but was too lazy and cheerful. Starting from opening twenty acupoints, he would invite peers to drink and listen to music every time he opened an acupoint. If he were a bit more diligent and motivated, he wouldn’t have failed to achieve Great Success in Viscera Cultivation even after more than a year.
"Lin Chen plans to challenge the Martial Arts Mountain after his breakthrough."
"Challenging the Martial Arts Mountain just after a breakthrough, is Junior Brother Lin that confident?" Qu Feng looked incredulous. Making a name on the Martial Arts Mountain is usually done when one can no longer hold back a breakthrough. Isn’t that when people go for the challenge?"
"Lin Chen’s two name-leavings on the Martial Arts Mountain were both done immediately after a breakthrough."
Liu Ru replied calmly, looking at Qu Feng’s shocked eyes, not surprised. He too was shocked when he first heard these details from Lord Jia.
No wonder Lin Chen has this confidence. This little guy is different from others. Others challenge when they can’t hold back their realm, first to have a higher chance of success, second to hone their skills more to have higher chances against challengers.
As an instructor of the academy, he knows the longer you leave your name on the Martial Arts Mountain, the more subtle gains you acquire.
As for what specific gains, those who left their names on the Martial Arts Mountain never mentioned them and cannot disclose them. These are strict regulations set by the Military Affairs Department.
"Instructor, can I go see this Junior Brother Lin?"
"Your Junior Brother Lin is cultivating, do not disturb him."
Cultivating?
Qu Feng glanced at the sky. It was completely dark, yet he was still cultivating?
The key issue wasn’t the time; many martial artists trained at night. The key was that Lin Chen still had the mood to cultivate now?
Having just experienced four academies’ instructors coming to recruit, he can still calm his mind to practice?
Isn’t he putting on a show, trying to make an impression on the instructor?
"Don’t use your filthy mind to think about Lin Chen. Lin Chen was actively recruited by the academy; he doesn’t need to perform for me. It’s Lin Chen choosing the academy, not the academy choosing Lin Chen."
Seeing Qu Feng’s eyes shifting around, Liu Ru knew what this boy was thinking and unceremoniously gave him another slap.
"Take a look at this document."
"What document?"
Qu Feng saw the instructor pointing at the document on the table, curious, he picked it up and read softly, "Gift to Junior Brothers of the Jiangnan... When I was young, my family was poor..."
"The dignity before others is fragile. If not for lifting the stone weight time and again in the dark, one gains a bit of comfort, it’s hard to persist."
As he read, the playful smile on Qu Feng’s face disappeared, his expression becoming solemn.
"Liang Calendar 299, Lin Chen left an inscription..."
Liu Ru looked at Qu Feng, "What are your thoughts?"
"Instructor, I feel guilty for previously doubting Junior Brother Lin."
Someone who could write such an article couldn’t possibly be someone who puts on a show to impress the instructor.
"The information about Lin Chen sent by Jiangnan Dao only mentioned Lin Chen’s average family background but didn’t mention these. This was handed to me by Lord Jia. I understand Lord Jia’s intentions. If Lin Chen can leave his name on the Martial Arts Mountain three times, I will personally return to the academy to win the best treatment for Lin Chen." Liu Ru said with firm confidence, speaking softly.
Meanwhile, the three boats that had already left Poyang Lake did not leave Jiangnan Dao, but entered Hongdu Prefecture, heading directly to the Military Affairs Hall.
The Jiangnan Dao Martial Affairs Hall recommended several students to the major academies. Since they were visiting Jiangnan Dao, they might as well meet these students, especially Li Zhe from Hongdu Prefecture, who showed good potential in various aspects.
PS: Couldn’t write five thousand words, it’s too late, so this Chapter of three thousand words counts as an extra. The first day of the month gives an extra Chapter as a thank-you for the monthly votes. There are still two Chapters today.

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