Linhu Village.
The news of Lin Chen’s return to the village was not widely spread.
The villagers, upon seeing Lin Chen during the day, were only momentarily surprised.
However, those familiar with Lin Chen, including Lu Yongfeng and Zhao Jingchuan, got the news. Even people like Gu Shan from the martial arts school also came to Linhu Village.
After more than a year without seeing each other, the strongest among Fu Ang and others had reached the Late Period of the Refining Viscera Realm, and people like Lu Yongfeng had also broken through to the Refining Viscera Realm.
The progress in strength of Lin Chen’s batch of disciples from Poyang County’s martial arts school had already surpassed previous batches.
Lin Chen encouraged these junior disciples but did not share any insights into his Martial Arts Cultivation with them.
His path on the Martial Path had no reference value.
He mostly cheered them on, as now the martial artists from the Nine Kingdoms were aware of the existence of the Flame Dynasty, which was both an opportunity and a setback for young martial artists from every nation.
They had initially thought they had surpassed the youth from the same county town and were slowly standing out, but reality told them that the entire Nine Kingdoms was just a small island, and beyond the Nine Kingdoms, there was a vaster Martial Arts world.
Most of these people probably would never leave the confines of the Nine Kingdoms in their lifetime.
After seeing off Lu Yongfeng and the junior disciples, Lin Chen watched his mother come over with a large bundle, a puzzled look on his face.
"Mother, what’s in this bundle?"
"These are new clothes made by the town’s tailor for you over the past few days."
When Mrs. Lin spoke, Lin Chen was silenced. In the three days since returning home, he had not told his parents about his plan to go to the Flame Dynasty.
"I know there is a Flame Dynasty beyond our Liang, and I know that the martial artists of the Flame Dynasty are much stronger than ours. You are definitely going to the Flame Dynasty. I am powerless to help you much, so I thought of sewing a few sets of clothes for you."
Mrs. Lin looked at her youngest son, knowing that now that he was accomplished, he could not be kept close.
Although she was just a woman of the household, due to her son learning martial arts, she had taken particular care to understand some common knowledge about Martial Path.
Recent significant events in Liang, although she didn’t know much, included Jiangnan Dao’s Tao Master and the Hall Chief from the Military Affairs Hall personally visiting, which made her realize her son was now probably remarkably accomplished.
Especially on this occasion when her son came back for three days and unlike usual, did not practice, she had guessed a few things in her heart.
She feared that Chen’Er was going to the Flame Dynasty.
When a child travels thousands of miles, a mother worries, let alone the fact that the Flame Dynasty is said to be thousands of miles away, beyond her imagination.
But her son wanted to continue to wander the Martial Path, as a mother, she could not stop him.
Her son was now not only her child but was related to the entire Liang. This is what the village chief said privately to her and her husband.
"Mother, with so many clothes, when will I wear them all?"
Lin Chen opened the bundle, looking at the dozen clothes, both thin and thick, and smiled as he spoke.
"Silly child, who has clothes they can’t wear out? You martial artists are all vigorous, and a piece of clothing can’t be worn for long. Try one on to see if it fits."
"Okay."
Lin Chen picked up a piece of clothing and put it on, spinning around in front of his mother.
"Mother, this suit fits nicely, your skills are as good as the old tailors in town."
"What skills do I have? You say nice-sounding words, but Mother couldn’t finish making so many clothes, so the town tailors helped sew them. I only stitched the cuffs and inner pockets."
Mrs. Lin shook her head, unsure when her son would leave, fearing she wouldn’t make it in time, so she had the tailor shop help with sewing.
"Alright, since the clothes fit, take them off and I’ll wash it so it’s comfortable to wear."
After Lin Chen took off the new clothes, Mrs. Lin immediately asked, "When are you going to the Jiang Mansion?"
"Tomorrow, heading to Raozhou Prefecture, possibly not returning in the evening."
"Hmm, that young girl from the Jiang Family is a good child, don’t let her down. Although our Lin Family used to be just fishermen, we’ve always had a good family reputation, except... except for your uncle’s family who produced Lin Ming, that unfilial son."
"Mother, don’t worry, I am not that kind of person."
Lin Chen embraced his mother’s shoulders. Mrs. Lin knew her youngest son was assertive in his actions and didn’t need much said, so she stopped there.
In the past, they had drama troupes perform plays, many of which were about heartless men.
They always told stories of children from poor families falling in love with rich daughters, where the rich daughter sold her jewelry for money to help the boy learn martial arts, only for him to abandon her when he became successful.
She had been moved to tears back then and had cursed those men with her sister-in-law.
The next day.
Lin Chen set out early for Raozhou Prefecture, reaching it in merely a two-hour period at his current speed.
After entering the city, Lin Chen did not meet Instructor Yu as before. Instead, he went directly to the Jiang Mansion.
"Young Master Lin."
The steward of the Jiang Mansion broke into a smile upon seeing Lin Chen: "Miss just returned yesterday, and you have already come."
Lin Chen did not know Senior Sister Jiang had just returned home the day before, but he had received a letter from the Canglan Martial Arts Academy. When Senior Sister Jiang left the academy and returned to Raozhou, they informed him of the matter.
Leading Lin Chen eagerly, the steward brought him to the back garden where he met his Senior Sister.
In a white dress, with an enchanting demeanor.
Seeing Lin Chen, Jiang Qing’s eyes brightened, and she quickly approached: "When did you return to Poyang County?"
There wasn’t a trace of awkwardness after months of not meeting.
"I returned three days ago."
A quarter of an hour later, Lin Chen and Jiang Qing sat in the back garden gazebo, Jiang Qing in her white dress nestled in Lin Chen’s arms.
"When do you plan to go to the Flame Dynasty?"
"In about ten days. Senior Sister, come with me."
Hearing Lin Chen’s words, Jiang Qing shook her head, leaving Lin Chen stunned: "Senior Sister, you’re not going to the Flame Dynasty?"
"The Flame Dynasty is definitely on the list, but not now. I’ll head there once I reach First Grade like you."
Upon hearing Jiang Qing’s words, Lin Chen furrowed his brow, "Senior Sister, the Flame Dynasty has richer martial arts resources than our Nine Kingdoms. Breaking through in the Flame Dynasty is easier than in Liang."
With the Flame Dynasty’s foundation, even the number of pills they have far surpasses Liang. When I head to the Canglan Sect, I can ask the sect elders for some pills that Senior Sister can use, which should accelerate her breakthrough.
"Don’t underestimate me."
Jiang Qing’s charming eyes blinked, moving away from Lin Chen, as her aura began to emanate.
"Third Grade?"
Lin Chen’s eyes widened. With all the opportunities and assistance he had, his cultivation had only just advanced to First Grade, while Brother Pei had only reached Second Grade thus far. Yet, Senior Sister had quietly achieved Third Grade.
This feeling was akin to driving fast on a city road, overtaking many cars, only to find at the traffic light that the old man was still there.
After a fierce show, realizing the score is merely mediocre.
"Lin Chen, there are some things I don’t quite understand myself now, so I can’t tell you. But regarding martial arts realm, I won’t fall behind you for long. Maybe by the time I seek you out in the Flame Dynasty, my strength will be above yours."
A trace of complexity flickered in Jiang Qing’s eyes. Lin Chen hugged his Senior Sister, "That’s perfect. This way, you’ll always be my Senior Sister."
"What, if my realm isn’t as high as yours, I won’t be your Senior Sister?"
Jiang Qing raised her eyes, her long lashes fluttering as her red lips pouted, displaying a unique girlish coyness.
At such a close distance, looking at the delicate face in front of him, along with those pouting red lips, Lin Chen couldn’t hold back and gently kissed her.
The young girl felt the change in the man, her pretty face blushing, yet she didn’t pull away, only closing her eyes slightly.
This is what longing feels like, wishing for you to gather more.
"They kissed, they kissed."
In the courtyard next to the back garden, an elderly woman was full of excitement. Zhuang Min, standing beside her, was a bit helpless and said, "It’s not time yet. We can’t let these two youngsters make a mistake."
"Ah!"
Upon hearing the Princess’s words, the excitement on the old woman’s face faded.
"But Princess, back then you..."
"Precisely because I didn’t control myself back then, my realm has remained stagnant until now."
Zhuang Min waved her hand, knowing her husband’s martial arts realm could at most reach the Innate, but Lin Chen was different. With the potential Lin Chen was showing, his martial arts path still held vast horizons.
If Qing’Er wants to keep up with Lin Chen’s martial path growth, she mustn’t take this step now.
"I understand. This old woman will be the one to spoil the atmosphere now."
"Forget it, you don’t need to go. The disturber has returned."
Zhuang Min smiled slightly, the old woman was momentarily stunned, then she too started to smile, "The Prince Consort has returned."
At the entrance of the back garden.
Jiang Duanchao’s emotions were complex. The little cabbage he had raised for over a decade was now being plowed by another man right in front of his eyes.
Although he had long accepted Lin Chen as his son-in-law.
But as a doting father, this scene still drove him a little mad.
Seeing that kid’s hands already reaching in, Jiang Duanchao was furious and could no longer hold back, "Ahem, lovely weather today, isn’t it?"
After saying this, Jiang Duanchao turned and left.
In the garden, Jiang Qing, like a startled bird, rose from Lin Chen’s embrace, her pretty face flushed as she tidied up her somewhat disheveled clothing and hair. Lin Chen’s expression was also very awkward; he had been too engrossed and hadn’t noticed the arrival of his father-in-law.
Otherwise, with his current realm, he should definitely have been able to perceive someone at the entrance of the back garden.
That night, Lin Chen stayed at the Jiang Mansion.
Of course, he stayed in the guest room.
And seemingly as a precaution, as the moon rose to the treetops, Jiang Duanchao appeared in Lin Chen’s courtyard.
"Father-in-law hasn’t gone to bed yet?"
"I heard from Qing’Er that you’re about to go to the Flame Dynasty. As an elder, I have some advice for you."
Hearing his elder’s words, Lin Chen sneered inwardly, wondering if it was truly advice, or if his father-in-law feared he might sneak out at night, only he knew in his heart.
"I’m all ears for my uncle’s teachings."
"Hmm."
Jiang Duanchao sat at the stone table in the courtyard, and soon a servant brought over a wine pot.
"Sit down. Tonight, just the two of us, I’ll speak openly with you."
Lin Chen quickly poured wine for his father-in-law before sitting on the opposite side.
"The Flame Dynasty is vast, and the Canglan Sect is a super sect. There are only twenty-four such super sects in the entire Flame Dynasty. From the fact that a steward from Canglan Sect personally came to fetch you, you can see how much they value you. But this doesn’t mean you can rest easy once you arrive at the Canglan Sect."
"Have you thought about what it means for Canglan Sect to care about you so much?"
Lin Chen pondered for a while and replied, "The martial arts competition in the Flame Dynasty is also fierce."
"That’s right. Canglan Sect, being a top sect, values genius disciples, which precisely shows the competition among the sects in the Flame Dynasty is fierce as well."
Jiang Duanchao gave Lin Chen a knowing look, "The martial path is about competition; it’s the same in Liang, Nine Kingdoms, and even the Flame Dynasty."
"If the competition wasn’t fierce, no sect would care about outside genius disciples and would only nurture their own. Here, ’their own’ refers to the descendants of those strong figures. Humans are not saints and cannot be selfless. Even if their own kin lack talent, needing several times the martial resources compared to others to achieve the Innate Realm, they would still choose their own."
"The fact that various sects value genius disciples, including the Martial Arts Alliance’s Innate Martial Artists’ conduct, shows there’s immense pressure to cultivate in the Flame Dynasty, likely even harsher than in the Nine Kingdoms."
"Coming from Liang, for those talented individuals in the Flame Dynasty with backgrounds, you’re still considered a grassroot. When you reach Canglan Sect, remember to keep a low profile, focusing on actions over immediate gains and losses."

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