Coastal City.
Hu Family.
After finishing his duty at the sect’s store in Coastal City, Hu Yunhua returned home and was now resting in the backyard.
"Master, Canglan Hall has sent an invitation card."
"Canglan Hall?"
Hearing the butler’s words, Hu Yunhua had a look of surprise in his eyes. Wanting to befriend Lin Chen, his connections with Canglan Island, especially with the influential ministers of Liang on Canglan Island, were quite good. Later, when Lin Chen topped Martial Arts Mountain, he was very satisfied with the good relationship he had built and the help provided to Canglan Island.
Forming connections before success is far more valuable than waiting until Lin Chen makes a name for himself in the Flame Dynasty.
Later, when Canglan Island wanted to establish a hall in Coastal City, it was he who helped select the location for the hall. Otherwise, given Canglan Island’s strength alone, they might not have been able to own a hall on Association Street.
On Association Street, there are a total of three hundred halls, while there are more than two thousand islands over the East Sea. Many islands lack strength, so several islands jointly use one hall.
This time, among the many islands revealed after retreating from the Annihilation Storm, Canglan Island is the only one with its own independent hall.
Canglan Island is quite good. Every festival, the hall master will visit with gifts, whose value is not particularly high in his eyes, but it represents Canglan Island’s gratitude.
Whether Canglan Island remembers this kindness, he doesn’t mind, but Canglan Island remembers. When Lin Chen returns to Canglan Island, he can hear about this from the martial artists there, which is exactly what he wants.
Back on the Dragon King Ship, Lin Chen was not even a First-Grade Martial Artist. In less than a year, he stepped into the Second-Grade Realm, and in a few more years, he might surpass himself. This potential, even in the Flame Dynasty, famous for geniuses, is astounding.
"It’s not a festival, so why is Canglan Hall sending an invitation?"
Hu Yunhua accepted the invitation with curiosity. Upon opening it and seeing the name, his eyes gleamed: "Invite the distinguished guest to the main hall immediately, serve the finest tea, and show not the slightest negligence. I’ll be there shortly."
"Yes!"
The butler, seeing the master’s reaction, guessed that the person bringing the invitation from Canglan Hall must be someone extremely important, or else the master wouldn’t react this way.
And of all Canglan Island, the only person that could be of such importance to the master is that one person.
"Wait!"
Just as the butler turned to leave, Hu Yunhua called him back and said solemnly, "Have the people below bring back the three young masters and let them pass through the main hall upon their return."
"Rest assured, master, I’ll take care of it."
The butler nodded, understanding what the master intended. He wanted to create an opportunity for the young masters to encounter the esteemed guest and leave an impression.
Lin Chen sat in the main hall, sipping the tea served by the Hu family’s servants. In just a few moments, Hu Yunhua emerged from behind the screen.
"Brother Lin, what brings you here?"
Even though the man sitting in front of him appeared to be in his fifties, Hu Yunhua immediately recognized him as Lin Chen. Once aware of Lin Chen’s identity, the resemblance in their features became apparent.
"I ask for your understanding, Steward Hu. I traveled back home secretly this time to avoid unwanted attention, hence the disguise."
Lin Chen smiled slightly and his face reverted to its original appearance.
"Haha, I understand. Brother Lin, you’re quite famous in the Flame Dynasty now, and many have remembered your face. Walking around with it would easily attract a crowd."
Hu Yunhua laughed heartily, knowing clearly in his mind that Lin Chen changed his appearance for two reasons. First, the battle at Martial Arts Mountain exposed him to many in the Flame Dynasty, making him easily recognizable and likely invited by local powers everywhere he went.
The second reason is that currently, Canglan Sect and Eight Desolates Sect are at war. If Lin Chen’s whereabouts were exposed, the Eight Desolates Sect might send strong individuals to assassinate Lin Chen, as has been previously attempted.
Canglan Sect issued a warrant for the Yama Hall, publicly accusing it of hiring assassins to kill Lin Chen. The identity of the employer behind Yama Hall is a subject of speculation among the greater sects.
Apart from the Eight Desolates Sect, Lin Chen has hardly had time to create enmity in the Flame Dynasty.
Typical adversaries wouldn’t be able to hire Yama Hall to assassinate a disciple of a super sect at the Celestial Pride level.
"Steward Hu, I came to express my gratitude for your attention to Canglan Island and particularly to Liang."
Lin Chen stated his intentions. He understood that Hu Yunhua was building a relationship with him, and if he returned to Canglan Island without meeting Hu Yunhua, it would mean he failed to acknowledge this goodwill.
"Brother Lin, you’re being too formal. Brother Gao asked me to look after Canglan Island back then. Besides, Brother Lin, you impressed me from the start. It was a mere gesture of help. With your abilities, many are willing to assist Canglan Island now."
"It’s different. I can tell the difference between delivering help in a crisis and merely adding to success. Since we connect well, may I boldly call you Brother Hu? Would Steward Hu be willing?"
"Haha, it would be my honor. Since we’re equally matched, don’t call me Steward and just call me Brother Hu from now on."
"Brother Hu!"
"Junior Brother Lin!"
An hour later, Lin Chen had lunch at the Hu family and left the Hu residence, seeing off Hu Yunhua’s three sons.
"Father, Lin Chen is truly unassuming, so approachable compared to some in our sect..."
"Silence!"
Hu Yunhua scolded loudly, as his own three sons were all Inner Sect Disciples of the East Sea Divine Palace. Moreover, because he was a steward, his sons had contact with many Direct Disciples.
"How can you casually criticize the Celestial Pride disciples of our sect? Lin Chen is easygoing and doesn’t put on airs only because of me, your father. Otherwise, even if you three stood before Lin Chen, he wouldn’t glance at you."
Hu Yunhua looked at his three sons with a face full of anger. Calamity comes from the mouth; even though it was just their family here and what was said wouldn’t spread, if said too often, eventually the reckless words would slip out outside as well.
Words and deeds... what’s spoken and what’s thought in the heart will eventually show in some behaviors.
After scolding his sons, Hu Yunhua showed a helpless expression. Because of his status as a steward of the East Sea Divine Palace, his three sons had a smooth cultivation path and were not very scheming.
And precisely because his three sons were not promising, he wanted to form a good relationship with Lin Chen. In case his sons caused trouble in the future, relying on this good relationship, he could ask Lin Chen to protect his sons and the Hu Family.
As parents, their considerations for their children’s future are profound.
Canglan Hall.
When Lin Chen left the Hu Family and returned to Canglan Hall, he saw many people gathered in front of the hall. Rows of gift boxes of various sizes were arrayed at the entrance, and at that moment, many people were pointing and discussing them.
"Who sent so many congratulatory gifts?"
"Can’t you see the word ’Cai’ on the boxes? Who else could put on such a display other than the Cai Family from the east side of the city?"
"The Cai Family from the east, is that the same family whose patriarch once served as a steward in the East Sea Divine Palace?"
"Who else would it be?"
"Why is the Cai Family sending so many congratulatory gifts? Could it be that there’s a happy event on Canglan Island? But even if there were such an event, the Cai Family wouldn’t need to send such heavy gifts."
"I heard the Cai Family’s young master is smitten with a woman from Canglan Island, and the Cai Family is here to deliver a betrothal gift."
"The Cai Family’s young master has fallen for a woman from Canglan Island, so there’s a connection now between the Cai Family and Canglan Island. I’ve heard that the Hu Family in the city always takes good care of Canglan Hall. With these two families, no Martial Artist coming from Canglan Island to town will dare to mess with them."
"What can be done, when Canglan Island has produced such a remarkable Celestial Pride like Lin Chen. Without Lin Chen, why would the Hu Family look after Canglan Hall? Without Lin Chen, even if the Cai Family fancied a woman from Canglan Island, there would be no need for such fanfare. I reckon the Cai Family is also trying to use this chance to connect with Lin Chen."
"That can’t be right; Lin Chen is just a Martial Artist from Canglan Island. He may not even care about his identity as a Martial Artist from Canglan Island. The Cai Family shouldn’t end up with nothing for their trouble."
"Heh, heh, you just don’t know. The Cai Family wouldn’t act without certainty. According to what I’ve learned from Martial Artists who came from Canglan Island, Lin Chen still has a deep affection for Canglan Island."
Listening to the surrounding discussions, Lin Chen frowned slightly and directly bypassed the people standing at the door to enter the hall.
Inside the hall.
When the gatekeeper saw Lin Chen, he quickly and respectfully approached. Although he didn’t know who this was, the manager had instructed that this person should be treated with even more respect than the manager himself.
"What’s happening at the door?"
"Lord Lin, the Cai Family came to propose marriage, wanting to marry a woman from our Canglan Island."
"Why would a marriage proposal come to Canglan Hall? Is the hall arranging marriages now?"
Lin Chen’s expression turned cold. The presence of Canglan Hall was to provide a place for Martial Artists from Canglan Island who traveled to Coastal City, procure martial resources Canglan Island lacked, and introduce talented Martial Artists to sects.
But now, if a proposal to marry a woman from Canglan Island is decided by Canglan Hall, or if the hall oversteps and makes decisions on behalf of the woman’s family, then the nature of Canglan Hall’s existence has changed.
"Lord Lin, our Canglan Hall certainly does not handle such matters. Mainly, the woman just recently arrived at Coastal City and is staying in our Canglan Hall. It’s said that while wandering in the city, she accidentally met the Cai Family’s young master, who fell for her at first sight and took the initiative to ask his family’s elders to mediate the marriage."
Hearing the gatekeeper’s explanation, Lin Chen sneered. Love at first sight...
Even if it truly was love at first sight, a betrothal gift should not be brought to Canglan Hall. Instead, the Cai Family’s elders should visit to learn about the woman, and if both parties have feelings for each other, the Cai Family should send someone to Canglan Island to discuss the marriage contract with the woman’s family.
To come with betrothal gifts without consulting the woman’s parents, and with such fanfare no less, is certainly not respectful to the woman but assumes she would not refuse.
Is it arrogance, believing that with the Cai Family’s status, the woman would only accept and not refuse, or thinking she wouldn’t dare refuse?
"Who is the woman?"
"She’s the Fifth Princess from the former Yan Kingdom."
"Murong Xin?"
"Yes, yes, that’s the name."
The gatekeeper nodded quickly, while Lin Chen’s expression instantly darkened. Given his relationship with Murong Yan, Murong Xin was practically his fifth sister-in-law.
Lin Chen unfolded his Divine Thought, beginning to spread it throughout the hall. Having traversed from a past life, Lin Chen was very respectful of others’ privacy and wouldn’t normally use Divine Thought to spy without a special reason.
When his Divine Thought sensed the situation in the main hall, Lin Chen suddenly smiled with narrowed eyes; only this smile bore no warmth, carrying a chill instead.
PS: Sorry, I only wrote seven thousand words. Yesterday I returned, and today my child developed a fever, requiring hospitalization, injections, and tests. Being busy all day, I could only manage seven thousand words. I’ll complete the remaining three thousand words tomorrow if my daughter improves a bit.

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