Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

However, this Junior Brother Xiao Huo is also in the Refining Viscera Realm and does not need to take the examination, becoming a disciple of the Martial Arts Academy directly.

He asked the Instructor about the background of this Junior Brother Xiao, but the Instructor ignored him, merely saying that he was not someone he could afford to offend.

In Liang, anyone with the surname Xiao that he couldn’t afford to offend could only be from one family, the Northern Garrison Marquis’s Xiao Family.

But the disciples of the Xiao Family would not come to Canglan Martial Arts Academy, as the Demon-slaying Martial Arts Academy was established by the Northern Garrison Marquis, and Xiao Family disciples would only join the Demon-slaying Martial Arts Academy.

"Xiao Huo?"

Kameda Retsu and the other two exchanged glances; they had never heard of this name.

Lin Chen’s eyes also turned to this Xiao Huo at this moment. Although this person bore no hostility towards him, merely standing there, he felt pressure from him.

This person’s strength is probably not below mine.

"Senior Brother Lin, since the Zheng Kingdom wants to witness the martial talents of our Liang, why not let me, as a junior brother, test them out for you first?"

Xiao Yaojin spoke to Lin Chen, knowing full well about the Ye Family in Guixi Dao, but also knowing that Ye Feng’s strength was somewhat lacking compared to these three. Kameda Retsu and his companions had come to Eight Directions City specifically targeting Lin Chen.

The families these three belonged to were among the eight great families of the Zheng Kingdom, not to be underestimated.

As a young marquis, Xiao Yaojin had access to many pieces of information from high levels of the Imperial Court. This time, Liang had announced the matters concerning the Demon Race, and the reaction from the Zheng Kingdom was very intense, even threatening to go to war with Liang, with both sides now in a standoff at the border.

The day before yesterday, when he arrived at Eight Directions City, he noticed these three immediately. Even though they were wearing cloaks, the pendants on their necks gave away their identities. So he immediately had subordinates conduct investigations on their backgrounds and purposes.

The backgrounds were uncovered, but not the purpose. After arriving at Eight Directions City, these three had not left their inn until someone below reported that Lin Chen had entered the docks, and he realized that Kameda Retsu and his companions were after Lin Chen.

"Since this junior brother is also interested, we might as well take on one each; if they want to challenge Lin Chen, they’ll have to get past the two of us first."

Seeing that Xiao Yaojin appeared younger, Ye Feng addressed him as junior brother.

Xiao Yaojin frowned. He called Lin Chen senior brother not to give Kameda Retsu and the three a chance to disgrace Liang, but it didn’t mean he actually recognized Lin Chen.

Even if Lin Chen had left his name at Martial Arts Mountain seven times and was undefeated in the Opening Acupoints Realm, it didn’t guarantee he would be the same when reaching the Refining Viscera Realm. Kameda Retsu and the other two had come prepared, and if Lin Chen were to lose, Liang’s face would be thoroughly lost.

Unless Lin Chen could defeat him, he would truly recognize Lin Chen’s status as a senior brother.

As for Ye Feng...

"No need. They must get past me first."

Xiao Yaojin’s attitude was firm as he directly rejected Ye Feng.

Ye Feng was taken aback, and Lin Chen patted his shoulder: "This Junior Brother Xiao’s strength is not below mine."

"Really?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Feng looked at Xiao Yaojin with a look of inquiry and disbelief. He knew Lin Chen’s strength very well; a single slap could send him flying. If this one’s strength was comparable to Lin Chen’s, wouldn’t he be another monster?

"Could it be that the Martial Arts Academy directly made an exception for this Junior Brother Xiao to become a disciple because he is on the same level of talent as Junior Brother Lin?"

Qu Feng’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Lin Chen: "Does Junior Brother Lin know Junior Brother Xiao?"

"I don’t, but I can feel that this Junior Brother Xiao’s strength is no less than mine."

Lin Chen answered seriously, and everyone present looked at Xiao Yaojin with probing eyes. Xiao Yaojin turned his back to them, his mouth slightly curled into a faint smile.

Lin Chen’s words reached his ears. Although he hadn’t yet acknowledged Lin Chen as a senior brother, he had slightly warmed up to him, acknowledging some sharpness in him.

Among the crowd gathered, a young man was muttering to himself: "Why do Lin Chen’s words sound so familiar?"

Jiang Guang, also from Jiangnan Dao and coming from Raozhou Prefecture like Lin Chen, had been a year ahead of Lin Chen. But after Lin Chen became a model student of Jiangnan Dao, he sought out some junior brothers to inquire about Lin Chen’s deeds.

It seemed that a certain junior brother mentioned these words related to Lin Chen, but Jiang Guang was so taken aback by Lin Chen’s achievements that he didn’t remember some of what the junior brothers said, only having a vague recollection that one of them had said something similar.

As for why it was said, he did not know.

"I get it!"

Jiang Guang suddenly slapped his thigh, his action drawing the curiosity of several martial artists around him: "What’s up, brother?"

"I’m also from Jiangnan Dao. After Lin Chen became a model student there, I went to learn about him. According to my understanding, Lin Chen is not only exceptionally strong but also very perceptive. He can assess whether someone’s strength is comparable to his with just a glance."

"Is he that amazing?"

"Of course."

Jiang Guang was insistent; he was confident his guess was correct, especially with so many people watching him.He couldn’t afford to show weakness.

"Everyone knows this about Jiangnan Dao—just ask around." To assert his claim, Jiang Guang added another sentence, brimming with certainty.

"So it seems this Xiao Huo is also quite remarkable."

"Canglan Martial Arts Academy is really going to soar this time."

Those who came to Eight Directions City were either from the East Sea Path or neighboring paths, typically holding a favorable view of Canglan Martial Arts Academy over the other three academies. With Canglan Martial Arts Academy having recruited Lin Chen and now having someone as strong as Lin Chen, it seemed likely that their ranking would rise again.