Three days later!
Pei Qingming sensed a change in the Martial Arts Seal and narrowed his eyes slightly.
He currently has two inscriptions left on Martial Arts Mountain, and the one for having opened at twenty acupoints was challenged by Lin Chen of Jiangnan Dao, leaving only the inscription for twenty-four acupoints.
Could it be that Lin Chen also defeated his image at twenty-four acupoints?
At this thought, Pei Qingming’s face showed a hint of joy. In such a short time, Lin Chen had advanced to twenty-four acupoints. It seems he’s the type to accumulate strength and make a big breakthrough. Earlier, he suppressed his breakthrough, but now his strength is sufficient, and the realm follows with a rapid breakthrough.
Our Liang Dynasty has found a worthy successor.
Pei Qingming wore a smile on his face as he took out the Martial Arts Seal, but in the next moment, his expression turned cold.
His name had been erased, but no new name appeared on it.
Hmm?
The twenty-three acupoints are also blank?
Seeing the Martial Arts Seal show both the twenty-three and twenty-four acupoints as blank, Pei Qingming’s eyes flashed with a cold gleam.
Martial Arts Mountain was established by the Grand Ancestor Emperor. To climb Martial Arts Mountain, as long as one could stand within six acupoints of their realm, they would receive rewards. This was the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s reward for the young martial artist talents of Liang. Leaving one’s name on Martial Arts Mountain is not only about rewards but also an honor.
But now, with the twenty-three and twenty-four acupoints blank, there is only one possibility, the challenger has Demon Race bloodline within them.
The Grand Ancestor Emperor had an extreme hatred for the Demon Race. According to the Grand Ancestor Emperor, if it weren’t for the Demon Race, the previous dynasties before Liang wouldn’t have seen such rapid succession in just a few hundred years. The quick changes in dynasty on this land of Liang are partly due to the Demon Race.
The Demon Race is a mountain pressing down on the land of Liang.
When a dynasty is newly established and recovering from war, the threat of the Demon Race isn’t apparent.
But when a dynasty begins to decline, the Demon Race takes the opportunity to emerge, feeding off the dynasty’s blood, accelerating its downfall.
The Grand Ancestor Emperor held great animosity for the Demon Race, so any young martial artist ascending Martial Arts Mountain with Demon Race bloodline would not receive any rewards.
The Liang Dynasty does not allow for the presence of the Demon Race, but bloodline situations differ. In other countries, Demon Race bloodline is a cultivation resource. Many martial artists would go abroad, at a cost, to purchase Demon Blood to enhance their own martial abilities.
This was not allowed in Liang initially, but with the passing of the Grand Ancestor Emperor, these restrictions were lifted.
Many martial artists believe that acquiring Demon Blood to enhance their martial strength isn’t collusion with the Demon Race. It’s like slaying a demon beast and absorbing its flesh and blood—is there anything wrong with that?
In the end, the Imperial Court adopted this view.
But the rewards from Martial Arts Mountain are impossible for such young martial artists, so no young martial artist with Demon Race bloodline ever climbed Martial Arts Mountain.
With the sudden appearance of this situation, Pei Qingming knew something must have happened.
Could it be that someone doesn’t want Lin Chen’s name to remain on Martial Arts Mountain?
Being overseas, Pei Qingming wasn’t fully aware of the situation back home, but regardless, he had no goodwill towards those trying to stop Lin Chen from leaving his name on Martial Arts Mountain.
This belongs to the genuine young talents of the Liang Dynasty, what relation does it have with those tainted by Demon Race bloodline?
"It seems I need to hasten my return to Liang, now that the Northern Garrison Marquis has passed, some foul creatures might have come out."
Jiangbei Dao.
Three snow pigeons flew into the fenced yard of a thatched hut from different directions.
Within the fence, an old man with white hair lay on a wicker chair. A man approached, took the note from the foot of a snow pigeon, and after reading it, walked over to the old man.
"My lord, Lin Chen doesn’t plan to give up. Over there they’ve once again challenged Martial Arts Mountain for the twenty-three and twenty-four acupoints to prevent Lin Chen from having his name inscribed again."
The old man squinted his eyes as if he were a doddering elder hard of hearing. After a long pause, he finally spoke slowly: "Oh."
"Isn’t this slightly improper?"
The middle-aged man, having followed the old man for years, knew from these words that the old man was somewhat dissatisfied with the actions over there.
"Either do nothing or see it through to the end. Why weren’t the other acupoints cleared of Lin Chen?" the old man opened his eyes, revealing a hint of ruthlessness.
"My lord, it’s not that they aren’t trying, but they can’t find someone with the suitable realm. Eighteen acupoints is indeed rather low. Most who have accepted Demon Race bloodline are already in the Refining Viscera Realm, and there are few in the Opening Acupoints Realm, most nearly reaching Refining Viscera."
The old man snorted: "What do you mean, can’t find them? It’s merely reluctance to thoroughly provoke Kong Qifeng. They fear Kong Qifeng might retaliate in anger."
"You’re right, my lord. These individuals still harbor ulterior motives. Should I warn them?"
"No need."
The old man waved a hand: "These people are nothing more than pawns. What about Li Yuan’s situation?"
"Li Yuan returned the items." The middle-aged man inquired: "My lord, I fear Li Yuan won’t join us."
"If he really didn’t want to join us, he wouldn’t have returned them. He would have taken direct action to detain someone." The old man’s eyes gleamed: "Li Yuan is merely waiting for a better offer. In that case, send the Li Family a bloodline of the Python Race. Didn’t Lin Chen acquire Flood Dragon True Blood? This Python bloodline will be just right for Li Yuan’s son, Li Zhe."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man’s eyes lit up. He immediately understood his lord’s purpose.
The Li Family is a rising clan in Jiangnan Dao, but Li Zhe is overshadowed by Lin Chen. It’s absolutely impossible for the Li Family not to harbor any apprehension. Additionally, the Li Family reported the Huo Family, their in-laws—Li Zhe must loathe Lin Chen to the core.
Although the Python Race isn’t as formidable as the Flood Dragon, its bloodline is stronger than True Blood.
True Blood is a one-time resource; once absorbed and refined, it’s gone. However, possessing the Python bloodline can continuously aid Li Zhe’s advancement in the Martial Path as his power grows—this is the true advantage of a Demon Race bloodline, especially those of powerful Demon Races, offering substantial assistance to martial artists in the future.
This gift, the Li Family will not refuse.
"I understand. I’ll arrange it right away."
"Go ahead."
Linhu Village!
At this moment, Lin Chen was also observing the changes in the rankings on the Martial Arts Seal. However, he merely glanced at it before putting the Martial Arts Seal away.
The message passed through Lord Bo, yet neither he nor his mentor had responded, meaning they had no intention of relinquishing the title of Liang’s Martial Arts Student Role Model. Thus, these people made their move.
Lin Chen sneered, a trace of sarcasm curling his lips. He began to regulate his breathing. His mentor and Senior Zhao had already prepared a medicinal solution for him, waiting for his body to reach its optimal state to start consuming the Flood Dragon True Blood.
A quarter of an hour later, Lin Chen adjusted his state to the best and headed to his mentor’s residence.
By the lakeside residence, he smelled a strong medicinal aroma even before entering. Upon entering the yard, he saw an iron cauldron set up in the courtyard.
His mentor was continually tossing medicinal herbs into the cauldron, while Senior Zhao poured various Demon Bloods into it.
"You’re here!"
Jia Nanzhu saw Lin Chen come in and smiled, "Are you ready?"
"Disciple is ready."
"If you’re ready, jump in. Don’t dawdle. This medicinal solution is extremely precious. I’m not exaggerating when I say even your Hall Chief in the Military Affairs Hall would need several years to concoct such a solution."
Zhao Cangsheng looked at Lin Chen, speaking in a casual tone but with a serious expression. The herbs and some demon beast blood in this cauldron were accumulated over many years, some even brought back by a former friend from abroad. As the Hall Chief of the Military Affairs Hall, Zhao Cangsheng could acquire these resources, but it took considerable effort.
"Thank you, Senior."
Lin Chen nodded, understanding that Senior Zhao was not exaggerating. Some of the ingredients were unavailable in Liang, and Zhao Cangsheng spent over a decade preparing this cauldron.
Stripping off his clothes, Lin Chen lightly leaped into the cauldron. The medicinal solution bathed his skin, and Lin Chen shivered involuntarily.
Though the solution was boiling, as it penetrated his skin, his first sensation was cold!
Bone-chillingly cold!
Colder than the waters he once felt in the three ponds, by multiple magnitudes.
In just three breaths, Lin Chen felt his Qi Blood solidifying, and his complexion turned pale.
Jia Nanzhu, seeing Lin Chen’s paleness, took out two bottles from his pocket, each containing a drop of Flood Dragon True Blood.
This medicinal solution would only last for one two-hour period, meaning Lin Chen had to absorb two drops of Flood Dragon True Blood in one go.
"Lin Chen, are you ready?"
A glint of worry flashed in Jia Nanzhu’s eyes, but it quickly turned into determination. As Senior Zhao said, Lin Chen’s current achievements were indeed outstanding. However, to continue shining brightly on his future Martial Path, he must endure the present ordeal.
"Rea... Ready..."
Lin Chen struggled to speak, his teeth chattering. At the moment Lin Chen opened his mouth, Jia Nanzhu tapped his right hand, and the two drops of Flood Dragon True Blood shot out from the bottle accurately into Lin Chen’s mouth.
The Flood Dragon True Blood slid down his throat into his stomach. Lin Chen felt two domineering torrents of scorching energy instantly raging through his body, wrecking his meridians and acupoints.
Ah!
The veins on Lin Chen’s body bulged as he let out a painful roar, his previously stiff and pale face turning beet red, his expression contorting in agony.
Like untethered wild horses, the two violent forces rampaged through his body, twisting and convulsing his muscles wherever they passed, continuously rupturing his meridians.
Fortunately, the medicinal solution in the cauldron seeped in after Lin Chen’s meridians ruptured, constantly supplying cool energy to repair the damaged meridians.
One cold and one hot, the two energies constantly washed over each other within Lin Chen.
Lin Chen’s complexion alternated visibly between red and white, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Outside the cauldron, Jia Nanzhu and Zhao Cangsheng were intensely focused on Lin Chen. Whether he would succeed depended on whether Lin Chen could withstand this ordeal.
"Kid, hold on tight," Zhao Cangsheng muttered softly.
"Lin Chen, your mentor believes in you," Jia Nanzhu whispered the same.
PS: Sorry for the delay, had a matter concerning my daughter.

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