Chapter 482: Chapter 39: A Genius Surpassing the History of the Nine Kingdoms

Lingxiao City!

A gathering place for numerous martial artists from the Nine Kingdoms, the release of the Hidden Dragon List instantly caused a sensation.

This is the first time in years that a cross-national genius list has emerged among the Nine Kingdoms, most importantly, launched by the Martial Garden.

No one would doubt the fairness of the Martial Garden, as it has branches in all countries, and many talented martial artists are members of the Martial Garden.

Celestial List, Earth List, Human List!

A total of one hundred martial artists are ranked, with the Celestial List being the most captivating.

The ten on the Celestial List are all Grade-Entering Martial Artists, which was expected by everyone.

For the geniuses under the age of twenty from the Nine Kingdoms, it would be surprising if the top ten were not Grade-Entering.

What shocked all martial artists who saw the list was that the lowest among the top ten was already Eighth-Grade, and the top three had even stepped into the Seventh Grade, just one step away from Middle Grade Martial Artists.

If not for this time the Hidden Dragon List not only recording the names of the listed geniuses but also their realms, all countries would not have known there were so many terrifying geniuses.

Especially for the martial artists of Liang, the list brought them the greatest shock.

In the hearts of Liang martial artists, entering the grade before the age of twenty was already considered a genius, including many disciples of the Martial Arts Academy, entering the Refining Viscera at sixteen and becoming Grade-Entering within three years is what they pursued.

But now that the Celestial and Earth Lists have been released, they realize that geniuses from other countries have reached the Seventh Grade before the age of twenty.

Among the ten on the Celestial List, Liang has only one, and it’s ranked ninth.

First on the Celestial List, a martial artist from the Han Kingdom.

First on the Earth List, a martial artist from the Han Kingdom.

At this moment, Liang’s martial artists deeply feel the might of the Han Kingdom.

If not for Lin Chen’s meteoric rise, claiming the first on the Human List, the Han Kingdom would likely have taken that spot as well.

Trailing Lin Chen, second and third on the Human List are both martial artists from the Han Kingdom.

For this reason, many martial artists from the Han Kingdom began to question Lin Chen’s ranking as first on the Human List, but what silenced them was the fact that, excluding martial artists from the Zheng Kingdom, those from other countries scoffed at their doubts.

Lin Chen’s achievement at the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy surely earned him the first on the Human List.

This rank was fought for, unquestionably!

In contrast, many other geniuses on the list have rather unfamiliar names, causing considerable skepticism.

These doubts do not question the fairness of the Martial Garden, but among those who could make it onto the Human List, all are outstanding in the Refining Viscera Realm, with differences not being large; especially among adjacent rankings, who ranks higher or lower can only truly be determined through combat.

Amidst the doubts of many martial artists, the Martial Garden announced another message to the public: martial artists on the Hidden Dragon List can challenge those ranked up to three positions above them, with the victor replacing the loser’s rank.

This announcement almost equates to the Martial Garden admitting that their rank accuracy has a margin of fluctuation of three positions up or down.

Just a two-hour after the announcement, a battle erupted within the Martial Garden in Lingxiao City.

The twenty-fourth on the Earth List from Zhao Kingdom accepted the challenge from the twenty-fifth hailing from Xiang Kingdom.

In this battle, the Zhao Kingdom martial artist won, maintaining their rank.

The loser was deducted one hundred Hidden Dragon Value.

...

...

Martial Garden!

Lin Chen, wearing a hat, entered the Martial Garden.

The Martial Garden was lively at the moment, and with his current fame, he had come to find Elder Zhao, and wearing a hat could avoid a lot of trouble.

"I seek an audience with Elder Zhao."

Lin Chen removed his hat in front of the Martial Garden steward, revealing his true appearance, and was about to take out his Martial Garden identity token.

"No need for the identity token, come with me."

As Lin Chen took off the hat, Zhang Shun’an’s face lit up with a smile: "Junior Brother Lin, your face itself is the identity token."

Being one of the stewards of Lingxiao City’s Martial Garden, Zhang Shun’an is also an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist, but he showed no airs of being a Grade-Entering Martial Artist in front of Lin Chen and directly addressed Lin Chen as Junior Brother.

In Zhang Shun’an’s mind, he already regarded Lin Chen as a Grade-Entering Martial Artist.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Lin Chen reached into his arms, expressing his gratitude.

"Junior Brother Lin, that battle at the Martial Academy really enhanced the prestige of our Liang, well done!"

Zhang Shun’an led Lin Chen inside the Martial Garden, to which Lin Chen responded with a smile: "As a martial artist of Liang, it’s my duty as Junior Brother."

"If all the martial artists of Liang were like Senior Brother Lin, what do we have to fear about the other Eight Kingdoms!"

Zhang Shun’an sighed, having investigated Lin Chen, whether it was Jiangnan Dao or Canglan Martial Arts Academy, especially this side of the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, the youngsters of his age he investigated all spoke of Lin Chen with admiration.

It’s not just because of Lin Chen’s strength, but also his conduct and handling of matters.

In the Martial Path circle, many geniuses have strong abilities but do not necessarily command everyone’s admiration due to being too aloof, making them disliked by many.

But when it comes to Lin Chen, even the disciples of Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy who had only been around him for a few months had great impressions of him.

Humble, with the demeanor of a Senior Brother!

"Here we are, Elder Zhao is in the courtyard."

Zhang Shun’an escorted Lin Chen to the entrance of Zhao Qianqiu’s courtyard and then left with a smile, knowing that Elder Zhao surely had some private matters to discuss with Lin Chen, making his presence inappropriate.

Watching Zhang Shun’an’s figure disappear into the distance, Lin Chen stepped forward and was about to knock when Zhao Qianqiu’s lazy voice came from inside: "No need to knock, come in."

Entering the door, Lin Chen saw Elder Zhao lazily reclining on the master’s chair in the courtyard, wearing the same long dress, but judging by the embroidery, it appeared to be a different one.

It seems Elder Zhao has a fondness for the color red!

Lin Chen murmured to himself softly and spoke respectfully, "Disciple greets Elder Zhao."

Zhao Qianqiu’s slender fingers caressed the armrest as she stared at Lin Chen, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable, wondering if there was a flower on his face.

"Lin Chen, this elder has a question for you. Are you cultivating the Nine Revolutions True Blood Viscera Cultivation Method?"

After a while, when Zhao Qianqiu finally spoke, her first sentence stunned Lin Chen, leaving him unsure of how to respond.

After a brief moment, Lin Chen replied, "Not to deceive the elder, disciple is indeed cultivating this method."

There was no concealment because Lin Chen knew he couldn’t hide it. If he hadn’t been stunned just now and had immediately denied it, or displayed a look of confusion, he might have been able to deny it. But being stunned for such a moment, for a strong person like Elder Zhao, she probably already had the answer in her heart.

Zhao Qianqiu’s eyes sparkled; her guess was correct.

"Are you at the Fifth Transformation now?"

"Yes."

"In that case, the Martial Garden will prepare a grand gift for you, enough to reach the Sixth Transformation."

Zhao Qianqiu didn’t keep it a secret, and seeing the excitement on Lin Chen’s face, she smiled and said, "This is the greatest reward this elder can give you within my authority."

"Elder Zhao, do you understand the Nine Revolutions Technique?"

The Martial Garden knowing about the Nine Revolutions True Blood Viscera Cultivation Method was not surprising to Lin Chen, as it was the cultivation technique of Grand Ancestor of Liang and surely famous in the Nine Kingdoms. However, the fact that Elder Zhao understood its cultivation was somewhat unexpected to him.

"Do you find it strange?"

"I am somewhat puzzled. The dean told me that few people know how to cultivate this method."

"If this elder tells you that the Library Pavilion of the Martial Garden houses the complete cultivation path of the Nine Revolutions True Blood Viscera Cultivation Method, would you be even more surprised?"

Zhao Qianqiu looked at Lin Chen’s slightly open, surprised mouth, with a smile on her delicate face; she found herself enjoying watching Lin Chen’s surprised expression.

Perhaps it’s because Lin Chen always does things that surprise her, and she also wants to return the favor of surprise to Lin Chen.

"Disciple... is indeed shocked."

Lin Chen smiled wryly, feeling as though the secret he believed was known to the whole world.

"This elder can tell you a secret, the Martial Garden Master and your Grand Ancestor Emperor of Liang are brothers."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen’s eyes abruptly narrowed; the Martial Garden Master and the Grand Ancestor Emperor are brothers?

That can’t be right; the Grand Ancestor Emperor passed away over a hundred years ago. If the Martial Garden Master and the Grand Ancestor Emperor were brothers, how old would he be now?

Over three hundred years old?

Isn’t this just a pure old monster?

The Martial Garden is spread across the Nine Kingdoms; if the Martial Garden Master and the Grand Ancestor Emperor were brothers, would the other Eight Kingdoms agree to let the Martial Garden be present?

"Some doubts, but you’ll understand when you meet the Garden Master."

Zhao Qianqiu didn’t enlighten Lin Chen too much because she herself had only recently learned some of the secrets.

After being promoted to Gold Garden Elder, she went to the Martial Hall following the Martial Garden’s rules, met the Garden Master, and only then learned many secrets.

The fact that the Garden Master and the Grand Ancestor Emperor of Liang are brothers is probably unknown even to the royal family of Liang, and the Garden Master informing her of these secrets was not due to her being particularly special, but because she discovered Lin Chen.

The Garden Master has special regard for Lin Chen, and she benefited from Lin Chen’s favor.

"Do not mention this to anyone."

Zhao Qianqiu’s expression solemn, Lin Chen hurriedly nodded, "Disciple will never tell anyone."

Kidding, if this news spreads, it would cause unrest among the royal families of the Nine Kingdoms.

"Although the Garden Master and your Grand Ancestor Emperor of Liang are brothers, he will not favor Liang. The Martial Garden’s principle is to cultivate martial talents irrespective of nationality; have you realized something?"

Upon Zhao Qianqiu’s inquiry, Lin Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Flame Dynasty?"

Yesterday at the Martial Arts Academy, Elder Zhao informed that the Flame Dynasty had sent envoys here to spread the martial path, but with requirements for martial artists in remote regions, especially talented ones.

And the Martial Garden’s principle is to cultivate talented martial artists...

There is likely some link between the two.

"The bamboo slips that appeared in the Snow Domain are not the earliest; long ago, the Garden Master had already discovered similar bamboo slips, which is why the Martial Garden’s principle is to cultivate talents."

Lin Chen realized, "I understand now, disciple understands."

"The Martial Garden is aware of this, but whether the other kingdoms know is unknown."

Zhao Qianqiu’s words were profound, and Lin Chen was stunned, asking, "Elder Zhao, what do you mean by this?"

"Back then, the Flame Dynasty sent dozens of martial artists here, belonging to different forces; the Snow Domain was just one among them. My Martial Garden could find one bamboo slip, and the Snow Domain has one, who can guarantee there aren’t others in other places? Even other kingdoms, including Liang, might have discovered bamboo slips but chose to conceal the information."

Did other kingdoms discover this and conceal the information?

What benefit does concealing this bring to these kingdoms?

Lin Chen pondered, and after a while, his eyes brightened, realizing Elder Zhao’s words.

"Someone wants to wait for the Flame Dynasty to arrive and use advance information to connect with them beforehand."

Zhao Qianqiu said softly, "Liang has over ten paths; the strength of martial artists on each path varies. It might be difficult for one path to swallow another without hurting itself, but if Liang gathers its strength, it can easily destroy a path."

"In the Nine Kingdoms, compared to the Flame Dynasty, it might just be the difference between floating dust and the sky."

"Who can guarantee that if a genius emerges from this country, once noticed by the forces of the Flame Dynasty, the force won’t favor the nation and push for its unification of the Nine Kingdoms?"

Lin Chen suddenly realized he had to admit the possibility of what Elder Zhao said.

"Moreover... back then, there were several forces from the Flame Dynasty here. Whether those forces are rivals or competitors in the Flame Dynasty, we know nothing..."

Zhao Qianqiu’s gaze fixed tightly on Lin Chen, "Don’t have any illusions. To control your destiny, there’s only one path: become talented enough. If I’m not mistaken, the Flame Dynasty set these rules just to recruit martial talents."

"Only by surpassing all the geniuses in the history of the Nine Kingdoms might you catch the Flame Dynasty’s attention."