Sanshan County.
Martial Arts Garden.
"Elder, the Zhao Kingdom suddenly sealed off the border, cutting off dealings with the Liang Kingdom."
"Why would the Zhao Kingdom block the border with the Liang Kingdom?"
Bai Zhenghong listened to his subordinate’s report, his brows furrowing. As Sanshan County was at the border between the Zhao Kingdom and the Liang Kingdom, it handled many of Liang’s trades. Whether it was everyday necessities or the cultivation resources needed by martial artists, the Liang Kingdom continually traded through Sanshan County.
Moreover, the Zhao Kingdom needed many resources from the Liang Kingdom due to its vast land and resources. Sealing the border would cut off these resources.
"It’s not clear yet. We only know it’s an order from the Zhao Kingdom’s royal family. The commandery princess of Sanshan County is rely executing the royal order."
"An order from the royal family."
Bai Zhenghong had a contemplative look on his face. If it was an order from the Zhao Kingdom’s royal family, there might be so unknown secret behind it.
"Has anything significant happened in the Zhao Kingdom recently?"
"If there’s anything noteworthy, it’s the decadal Four Clans Competition in Coastal County, where several Earth List talents participated, but in the end, three perished."
"Three of them?"
"Yes, they were Gao Yongsi ranked eighth on the Earth List, and Cao Shan and Shen Tao."
Bai Zhenghong squinted slightly. Gao Yongsi, the highest-ranking talent of the Zhao Kingdom on the Earth List, perished in the Coastal County’s Four Clans Competition, which was indeed unbelievable.
"Elder, according to the information sent back by the Martial Arts Garden, Gao Yongsi died at the hands of Liu Yue, the young lady of the Ze Xi Liu Family, while Cao Shan and Shen Tao were defeated by a man nad Lin Fei. Lin Fei defeated the combined forces of Cao Shan and Zhuang Qiang. Zhuang Qiang is the top third-generation mber of the Zhuang Family in Coastal County and entered the grade a year ago, using a second-grade Spirit Tier Spirit Soldier."
"It’s not surprising that Miss Liu of the Ze Xi Liu family defeated Gao Yongsi."
Bai Zhenghong nodded. The Ze Xi Liu Family is a top artifact refining clan among the Nine Kingdoms, capable of cross-tier battles with the power of spirit soldiers, which did not surprise him.
But who was this Lin Fei?
To be able to defeat Shen Tao and Zhuang Qiang together.
He had heard of the Four Clans Competition in Coastal County, which only allowed those under twenty to enter. Such a talent should have been listed on the Celestial List.
Unless he was another top genius who deliberately avoided the list?
"Elder, a mber of the Martial Arts Garden requests an audience."
Just as Bai Zhenghong was pondering, a steward ca in to report.
"A mber? Let him in."
The Martial Arts Garden had many mbers, with almost every promising young genius choosing to join and beco a mber.
As an elder of the Martial Arts Garden, not all mbers had the privilege to et him, but Bai Zhenghong knew that if his subordinates reported this, then this person was not an ordinary mber.
The Martial Arts Garden did not publicly rank mbers, but secretly they were graded based on their strength and potential, and only those of key interest level mbers had the right to be granted an audience with him.
The tokens of these mbers would have subtle differences from ordinary mbers’ tokens, but only the stewards and elders of the Martial Arts Garden could distinguish these differences.
After the ti of a cup of tea.
Bai Zhenghong watched the unfamiliar young figure walking in, surprise evident in his eyes. Not a mber from around Sanshan County?
If he was a key interest mber from Sanshan County or the nearby two counties, Bai Zhenghong would have t them, so it couldn’t be soone unfamiliar.
"Junior greets Elder Bai."
Lin Chen had already learned the surna of the Martial Arts Garden elder in Sanshan County from the guiding steward.
He sought an audience because he learned that the border of Sanshan County was sealed, preventing him from returning to Liang, leading him to seek help from the Martial Arts Garden.
"Hmm, who are you?"
Lin Chen glanced at the steward beside him, and Bai Zhenghong noticed Lin Chen’s glance and showed interest. Not naming himself, could this young man have an extraordinary background?
"What you say here will not be passed on to anyone else, I assure you."
Hearing this assurance, Lin Chen chuckled: "This junior is Lin Chen."
"Lin Chen?"
Shua!
Bai Zhenghong, who had been leaning back on the master’s chair, suddenly sat upright, his eyes fixed on Lin Chen. The expressions of the two stewards on the side mirrored his.
"Are you the Lin Chen who ranks first on the Human List?"
Although the likelihood of a genius with the sa na was small, Bai Zhenghong asked again to confirm if this was the Lin Chen he had in mind.
"Yes."
Hearing Lin Chen’s acknowledgnt, a smile imdiately spread across Bai Zhenghong’s face, filled with warmth: "I have long heard of a genius from Liang not seen in three hundred years, and always wanted to et you. It’s a delight to see you indeed live up to your reputation."
The two stewards beside him were also curiously observing Lin Chen. Lin Chen’s na was sothing they had heard many tis, not just because he broke the record at the Liang Martial Arts Mountain, but also due to two battles in Lingxiao City.
He was especially known because a few months ago, the headquarters of the Martial Arts Garden issued a docunt selecting ten mbers as top geniuses, of which four were on the Celestial List, and five were from royal families across various nations, with Lin Chen being the only one not on the Celestial List and of humble origin.
"Dashing and capable, not bad."
Bai Zhenghong praised Lin Chen, but then seed to think of sothing, a sharp glint in his eyes as he asked, "I want to ask you a question."
"Please ask, Elder Bai."
"A few days ago in the Coastal County competition, was that mysterious young man Lin Fei really you?"
The two Stewards who were originally sizing up Lin Chen were stunned when they heard their Elder say this.
That Lin Fei is Lin Chen?
Impossible, right? Our Elder might be overthinking.
Being able to defeat the joint forces of Zhuang Qiang and Shen Tao, he could at least enter the top five of the Earth List. Even if Lin Chen has high potential, it’s impossible to climb from the first of the Human List to the top five of the Earth List in just a few months.
"I couldn’t hide it from Elder; it is indeed ."
Lin Chen was also sowhat surprised. He hadn’t expected Elder Bai to deduce that he was Lin Fei. Such keen insight!
Compared to Lin Chen’s amazent at Bai Zhenghong’s sharp eyes, the two Stewards were shocked to hear Lin Chen’s admission, their mouths slightly agape.
Lin Chen really is Lin Fei.
If this news were to spread, it would surely cause a sensation.
Bai Zhenghong was slightly shocked to hear Lin Chen admit it. He only asked casually out of a faint possibility, never expecting to hit the mark.
At this mont, Bai Zhenghong was extrely envious of Zhao Qianqiu. Discovering such a genius as Lin Chen, Zhao Qianqiu had already beco an Elder of the Golden Garden, and with Lin Chen’s displayed potential, Zhao Qianqiu didn’t need to manage the Martial Arts Garden anymore.
As long as Lin Chen’s strength continued to increase, he could easily reap a lot of rewards from the Martial Arts Garden.
"Lin Chen, did you co to because you want to return to Liang?"
After regaining his composure, Bai Zhenghong directly asked about Lin Chen’s origins. Since Lin Chen used a pseudonym in the Zhao Kingdom, unless he needed help, he wouldn’t reveal his identity to et him.
Lin Chen appeared in Sanshan County and ca to find him, there could only be one reason, related to the border blockade of Sanshan County.
"Yes, I want to return to Liang, but I learned that the border is blocked and hope to seek Elder Bai’s help to return to Liang."
"No problem."
Bai Zhenghong agreed very readily.
The Zhao Kingdom’s royal blockade order is effective for others, but it has little constraint over the Martial Arts Garden. Sanshan County would not stop him from leading people across the border.
"Do you want to stay in Sanshan County for a few days before leaving?"
"I’ve been out for a long ti already. If I don’t return, my ntors may worry about my safety."
Lin Chen tactfully declined, and Bai Zhenghong didn’t mind. He only asked casually: "Alright, I’ll take you across the border now."
Bai Zhenghong was a man of action, and since Lin Chen was eager to return, forcing him to stay would not help strengthen their relationship and might instead cause discontent.
"Thank you, Elder Bai."
...
...
At the border of Sanshan County, Bai Zhenghong led Lin Chen to the junction of the two countries, moving unobstructed, as if the Martial Artists guarding the border of the Zhao Kingdom couldn’t see them.
"Lin Chen, beyond that hill is the Liang Kingdom’s territory."
"Yes, I thank Elder Bai for seeing off."
"As a mber of the Martial Arts Garden, how could I not help you with such a small matter? Visit my residence when you return to Zhao Kingdom."
After expressing his gratitude to Bai Zhenghong, Lin Chen stepped ahead towards the hill. But just as he walked a few steps, the sound of sothing cutting through the air ca from behind.
"Brother Bai, wait!"
Bai Zhenghong heard the voice behind him, frowned, and said to Lin Chen, "Just go, I’ll hold them off for you."
"Alright."
Without hesitation, Lin Chen sped towards the hill, knowing from Elder Bai’s words that the situation had changed.
Monts later, he heard the sound of energy letting loose behind him.
Is Elder Bai engaging with the newcor?
Lin Chen didn’t look back. Bai Zhenghong had promised to hold them off, suggesting the newcor was strong.
If he hesitated or delayed, he might not make it.
After sprinting for several more monts, reaching the hilltop, Lin Chen finally turned back, seeing Elder Bai fighting two middle-aged n, clouds of dust swirling around, only catching glimpses of the battle scene.
A mont later, one of them surged out of the dust, rushing towards him.
Without hesitation, Lin Chen turned and continued down the hill.
Ten breaths!
In just ten breaths, before he descended the hill, he felt the sound of sothing cutting through the air approaching.
The speed of a Middle Grade Martial Artist was far beyond what he could match; he was already being pursued.
"Those who trespass the border, die!"
From behind ca a cold voice, but at that mont, from the plains below the hill, a Sword Light sliced through the sky, aiming at his pursuer.
"What you said is right, those who trespass the border, die!"
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