Chapter 821 - 95: Martial Arts Realm—Nothing but Strength

"There won’t be a misunderstanding, ask this nephew if you want to know. I will stay another day at Canglan Hall."

"Rest assured, Lord Lin, within a day, my Cai Family will definitely give Lord Lin an explanation."

"It’s not about giving me an explanation, it’s about giving Canglan Hall an explanation."

"Yes, Lord Lin is right, it’s about giving Canglan Hall an explanation. Shall I take my leave then?"

Chu Zining observed Cai Zexian’s change in attitude from arrogant to humble, noticing how the former demeanor of an Innate Powerhouse had vanished. He also felt a sense of emotion, realizing that in the Martial Arts Realm, strength indeed speaks volumes.

The giant finger above the yard disappeared, and Cai Zexian let out a long breath of relief. He then grabbed Cai Duan, who Su Ying had just thrown to the ground, glancing at Chu Zining, "Director Chu, I will take my leave now."

Chu Zining merely nodded, understanding that Cai Zexian wasn’t seeking his consent but was only saying these words of farewell due to Junior Brother Lin’s recent comment.

After Cai Zexian left with the Cai Family, along with the congratulatory gifts at the door, Chu Zining immediately rushed to the courtyard where Lin Chen resided.

"Junior Brother Lin, what happened?"

"That Cai Duan, relying on the Cai Family, tried to force Murong Xin into agreeing to this marriage alliance, so I taught him a lesson."

Since Murong Xin was still a young maiden, although he stopped Cai Duan immediately, the incident spread quickly, and rumors would inevitably be exaggerated. Lin Chen didn’t reveal the real reason.

However, Chu Zining wasn’t naïve; he could infer the situation from Lin Chen’s words. Cai Duan went alone to Murong Xin’s courtyard; it couldn’t just be verbal coercion to make her agree. So, it must have been an attempt to take advantage of or even harass Murong Xin.

"Junior Brother Lin, this was my oversight."

Chu Zining also apologized, despite Murong Xin sending someone to convey she wished to talk privately with Cai Duan. It was after all with his consent, and he hadn’t anticipated these consequences.

"It’s not related to Senior Brother Chu. It’s just that in the eyes of the Cai Family, they haven’t truly regarded our Canglan Island warriors. In the Martial Arts Realm, strength speaks for itself."

Lin Chen’s words resonated deeply with Chu Zining, as the obvious change in Cai Zexian’s attitude today was a clear case of survival of the fittest.

If Lin Chen wasn’t there, Murong Xin might have fallen victim to Cai Duan, and the likely outcome would be Murong Xin silently swallowing her grievances, with the Murong Clan agreeing to the marriage alliance.

As for Canglan Hall here, they wouldn’t really dare act against Cai Duan.

Strength, Canglan Island is still lacking strength.

"Regarding the development of our Liang warriors, I’ll discuss with Lord Kong and others when I return to the island. The Cai Family will likely offer a considerable compensation this time, but Murong Xin doesn’t plan to accept it, so you should send the compensation back to the Yan Kingdom."

Lin Chen instructed Chu Zining, not choosing to kill Cai Duan because the Cai Family was one of the four major families in Coastal City, and the patriarch of the Cai Family was also a steward of the East Sea Divine Palace.

Coastal City was ultimately the territory of the East Sea Divine Palace, and as a disciple of Canglan Sect, annihilating a family related to the East Sea Divine Palace would be stepping over the line.

Of course, he could kill Cai Duan and not touch the Cai Family; the Cai Family wouldn’t dare retaliate. But he didn’t consider Cai Duan’s life as significant; being able to extort enough compensation from the Cai Family was the most advantageous.

Even though Cai Duan wasn’t dead, Lin Chen planted a trace of Canglan energy within him, and his Divine Soul was also secretly injured. With the Cai Family’s strength, he would never achieve the Innate Realm again in this lifetime.

"Junior Brother Lin, there are currently sixteen warriors from our Liang and other kingdoms in various sects within the Eastern Sea Region. Should I send them a message to return to Canglan Hall?"

Lin Chen mentioned the development of martial arts on Canglan Island, prompting Chu Zining to ask.

"No need, just let them cultivate in their respective sects. This time I’m back for a short duration, I’ll meet them next time when I’m free."

Lin Chen shook his head in refusal, knowing that calling them back would only result in giving encouraging words, and for some, the distance to Coastal City would take more than half a day’s travel. There was no need for such hassle.

...

The next day, Cai Zexian and his elder brother Cai Zerui came to Canglan Hall in person. However, Lin Chen chose not to meet them, instead delegating the matter to Chu Zining, which also served as a training for Senior Brother Chu.

Before Canglan Island could produce another Innate Martial Artist, only Senior Brother Chu could handle matters with these Innate Powerhouses.

...

...

Twenty days later.

Aboard the Dragon King Ship, the outline of Canglan Island appeared in Lin Chen’s sight. Looking at the island and mountain contours etched in his mind from when he left, now overlapping again, Lin Chen felt a stir of emotions.

Leaving home young, returning old, my dialect unchanged, my hair grayed.

The shepherd boy doesn’t recognize me, laughingly asks where I’m from.

Lin Chen thought that after leaving Canglan Island for Canglan Sect and returning, it would take at least several or even many more years, mentally preparing for the feeling of seeing a changed home.

Fortunately, including the time spent on the road, it had barely been just over a year.

"Is this the island where you were born?"

Yin Yue looked ahead at Canglan Island—a seemingly unremarkable small island yet capable of producing a genius like Lin Chen?

"Yes, we should disembark."

The Dragon King Ship wouldn’t dock at Canglan Island; instead, it would stop a hundred miles away from the island. Passengers would then take small boats to reach their respective destination islands.

Lin Chen didn’t opt for a small boat, but took Yin Yue directly across the sea, wrapping her and himself with Innate Power, moving at a speed much faster than a small boat.

Half an hour later, Southern Sea region of Liang.

Lin Chen didn’t conceal his presence; ten miles from the coast, hundreds of warships lined up on both sides, tens of thousands of warriors standing in formation on the decks, with the flag of Liang flying high.

All the warriors, with eyes full of excitement, focused their gaze on Lin Chen as he tread across the sea.

Yin Yue followed behind Lin Chen, able to perceive that these were merely Middle Grade and Lower Grade warriors. Their eyes swept over her but all their fervent gazes focused entirely on Lin Chen.

"No wonder Lin Chen is so sentimental about Canglan Island. From the eyes of these warriors, it is clear he has great prestige on Canglan Island."

Yin Yue whispered to herself, still unable to understand Lin Chen’s sentimental thoughts, wondering what use is being worshipped and respected by warriors who haven’t reached Innate level?

Not reaching Innate, they are ultimately ants.

A beast doesn’t care about ants’ worship.

Boom boom boom!

As Lin Chen approached the coast, drums sounded, accompanied by the roars from warriors on the ships on both sides.

"Welcome Lord Lin back to the island!"

"Welcome Lord Lin back to the kingdom!"

The voices were unified, seemingly causing the clouds to move aside.

"Old Duke, you are overwhelming me with your hospitality."

Lin Chen smiled and nodded at the warriors on both sides; upon seeing the elder on the coast, his form accelerated, appearing swiftly before the elder and his group.

"Can you be overwhelmed? As the top Celestial Pride of Martial Arts Mountain, I feared you might find this welcome less appealing."

Fang Funan looked at Lin Chen, seeing that his aura had drastically changed compared to a year ago.

Although Lin Chen didn’t exert any pressure, his calm demeanor unmistakably had the bearing of a strong person, entirely different from his youthful looks before.

"Duke, what about Junior Brother Fang?"

Lin Chen held Duke Fang’s hand, supporting the elderly while nodding to the group of warriors by the Duke’s side, presumably generals of the Southern Garrison Army.

"That kid went to other islands, but upon learning of your return, I have already sent someone to find him."

Speaking of his grandson, Fang Funan blew his nose and glared, his grandson unwilling to join the sect, instead choosing to venture on his own.

"This time you ought to persuade him well; he may not heed my words as a grandfather, but he’ll certainly listen to you, as his senior brother."

"Junior Brother Fang surely has his own plans..."

Lin Chen was about to explain on behalf of Fang Zhan, but upon noticing the stern look from the Old Duke, he changed his tune instantly, "Rest assured, when I see Junior Brother Fang, I will surely give him a good scolding."

"That’s more like it, don’t think now that you’ve become an Innate Powerhouse, you’re still young in my eyes."

Fang Funan chuckled, patting Lin Chen’s hand, Lin Chen accepted it happily, appreciating how his relationship with old acquaintances remained unchanged despite his advancement in Martial Arts.

Like the Old Duke and Lord Kong, including his own mentor, no matter what realm he achieved in Martial Arts Cultivation, they would always be considered his elders.

PS: Typing at the nurse station, made the nurse embarrassed, she hid inside. Requesting a monthly ticket.