Main Hall of Lingxiao Martial Institute.

When Lin Chen followed Hao Jifeng into the hall, there were already a few figures present.

Sitting at the top was an elderly man in a golden robe, with four elders standing on each side.

Seeing the elderly man at the foremost position, Lin Chen immediately knew that this must be Hou Zhantian, the Dean of the Lingxiao Martial Academy.

Before leaving the Canglan Martial Arts Academy, the Dean had mentioned to him that the Dean of the Lingxiao Martial Institute liked wearing gold robes, saying that among the Four Great Martial Arts Academies, there was no one more concerned with appearances than that old fellow Hou Zhantian.

And precisely because Hou Zhantian emphasized appearance, those who emphasize appearance often care about their reputation as well.

This was also why the Lingxiao Martial Institute invited Lin Chen to serve as an exchange student, to maintain the Institute’s reputation.

"Lin Chen, I regret one thing now."

Lin Chen was taken aback, with a puzzled expression.

Hou Zhantian sighed deeply upon seeing Lin Chen: "I regret now for not competing with the Canglan Martial Arts Academy to the end. Even if they offered thirty drops of Flood Dragon True Blood, my Lingxiao Martial Institute could have offered something better."

As soon as these words were spoken, the vice deans beside him all nodded in agreement. Although they were not at the Martial Arts Arena, they were well aware of everything that transpired there.

With the strength and talent Lin Chen demonstrated this time in the Martial Arts Arena, it could be said that the Canglan Martial Arts Academy made a profitable decision.

Back then, they were shocked by the conditions offered by the Canglan Martial Arts Academy and eventually decided to give up on Lin Chen, thinking that Refining the Viscera and Opening the Acupoints were different, and being invincible in Opening the Acupoints did not mean one could also be invincible in Refining the Viscera.

Reflecting on it now, Hou Zhantian realized he was deceived.

Not just the Lingxiao Martial Institute, but the Qingyun Martial Institute and Capital City Martial Institute should have realized the truth too.

Recently he discussed with a few fellow juniors, admiring that old fellow Hua Qianwu for his cleverness.

Were thirty drops of Flood Dragon True Blood a lot?

A lot!

But it depends on when.

If in Linhu Village, the Canglan Martial Arts Academy hadn’t directly offered thirty drops of Flood Dragon True Blood, but ten, twenty, and then each academy gradually increased their offers, the three academies might not have given up so easily.

The cleverness of the Canglan Martial Arts Academy lay in raising the offer beyond expectations right from the start, causing the others to back down.

Noticing Dean Hou and the vice deans’ expressions, Lin Chen just gave an awkward smile and didn’t respond.

"Forget it, whether it’s the Canglan Martial Arts Academy or the Lingxiao Martial Institute, they are all part of our great Liang. Today, you have brought glory to our Liang martial artists, and as per my agreement with your Dean Hua, you are permitted to enter Lingxiao Hall."

"Originally the agreement was for you to stay in Lingxiao Hall for three days, but I’m giving you an opportunity, you can stay indefinitely and absorb as much Lingxiao Stone as you can."

Hou Zhantian was quite generous because Lin Chen had won beautifully this time. After this battle, the martial artists in Lingxiao City would only discuss Lin Chen’s strength and the exciting two battles, overlooking the fact that Lin Chen wasn’t a disciple of the Lingxiao Martial Institute.

This was an additional reward for Lin Chen.

Of course, another reason Hou Zhantian was so generous is that the energy contained in the Lingxiao Stone is extremely dense, and even Viscera-Refining Martial Artists cannot absorb much even if they try.

With Lin Chen’s current realm, he could stay in Lingxiao Hall for at most five days, and staying an extra day or two to absorb a few extra pieces of Lingxiao Stone’s energy was still acceptable for the Academy, while also currying favor with Lin Chen.

"Thank you, Dean, for your support of a disciple."

Lin Chen was grateful that being able to stay a few extra days in Lingxiao Hall was certainly a good thing.

It’s folly not to take advantage of free gains.

"Hmm, get a good rest today. Tomorrow you can head to Lingxiao Hall."

Lin Chen nodded, bid farewell, and left the Institute. Watching Lin Chen’s departing figure, Hou Zhantian sighed again, his regret evident.

The more he thought about it, the more he regretted it!

This time, Hua Qianwu really made a great gain.

...

...

Upon coming out of Lingxiao Hall, Meng Xing was already waiting here, along with Fu Ze and a few others, who were among the top disciples of this cohort in the Lingxiao Martial Institute.

Lin Chen followed Meng Xing and the others to a separate courtyard arranged by the Institute. It was his first visit to the Lingxiao Martial Institute, so naturally, Meng Xing had to host Lin Chen, especially since Lin Chen had earlier upheld the reputation of the Institute and its new disciples through his three duels in the Martial Arts Arena.

In the courtyard of the martial arts disciples.

"Junior Brother Yu, you say you know Senior Brother Lin; you’re not bluffing, are you?"

"How could it be fake? I participated in the Jiangnan Dao special training with Senior Brother Lin back then."

"If that’s the case, why didn’t you greet Senior Brother Lin earlier?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Fei shook his head: "Senior Brother Lin has just arrived at the Lingxiao Martial Institute, and I reckon he has many things to attend to. I’m afraid it would be inappropriate to disturb Senior Brother Lin."

"I think, despite Junior Brother Yu shouting the loudest in the Martial Arts Arena earlier, there’s a chance that Senior Brother Lin does not even know Junior Brother Yu."

Another young man beside him had a teasing expression: "Just because Senior Brother Lin came from Jiangnan Dao, doesn’t mean he knows every martial artist from Jiangnan Dao."

Yu Fei looked at the young man who spoke, his face growing cold: "Fang Nan, what do you mean?"

"What else could I mean? Some people clearly aren’t close to Senior Brother Lin, yet insist on trying to associate with him."

Fang Nan chuckled lightly. He and Yu Fei had similar strength and were competitors within the Institute.

The distribution of resources for the disciples of the Lingxiao Martial Institute was based on rankings. Last month, he was surpassed by Yu Fei, and he was quite displeased about it.