Chapter 828 - 97: Martial Arts Mountain Summit Fixed, Life Chart Reward

"My Canglan Finger is noticeably faster than before, and I can clearly feel that its power has increased."

"The Azure Wave Technique is the foundational technique of the sect, even the outer disciples will train in it. However, the Azure Wave Technique they train in is a simplified version, while mine is the complete version, now further refined. This makes it easier for me to utilize the sect’s techniques."

The next demonstration of Canglan’s Eyes also confirmed Lin Chen’s judgment.

Previously, when he used Canglan’s Eyes, it would nearly deplete his innate power within. But this time, not only was Canglan’s Eye faster and stronger, he still retained some innate power within.

This means that after using Canglan’s Eyes, if he couldn’t defeat his opponent, he wouldn’t fall into a dangerous situation.

"The fourth trajectory on the Void Stone should relate to the divine soul, thus the new Azure Wave Technique also integrates soul cultivation."

Lin Chen used Divine Thought and could clearly sense that his range of divine perception had doubled, encompassing half of Linhu Village and the entire Lin Family.

"Who is this person?"

As his divine perception spread outward, Lin Chen suddenly paused, sensing a figure standing by the lake.

In the deep night when villagers are asleep, who is this person?

Lin Chen was taken aback not only because this person was a stranger but because he couldn’t discern the person’s strength; he seemed like an ordinary middle-aged man.

But would an ordinary middle-aged man suddenly turn in Lin Chen’s direction and smile slightly?

After pondering for a moment, Lin Chen had a guess about the person’s origin. His figure blurred as he leaped over the yard wall and headed towards the lakeside.

...

"Junior Lin Chen greets the Martial Arts Garden Master."

By the lakeside.

Lin Chen stopped a meter away from the middle-aged man.

In the whole of Canglan Island, if Lin Chen could not sense the person’s realm, it must be a strong figure above the Innate Third Realm, while the elders of the Martial Arts Alliance are only Innate First Realm.

Above the Innate Third Realm, there is only the mysterious Martial Arts Garden Master.

Moreover, not long ago, Lin Chen had approached the Martial Arts Garden Elder in Poyang County, seeking to meet the Garden Master, and the Martial Arts Garden’s reply was to wait in Poyang County.

Combining this information, the identity of the visitor was not hard to guess.

The Martial Arts Garden Master smiled slightly and did not ask Lin Chen how he guessed his identity: "Why do you seek me?"

"When I was learning martial arts at the Poyang County Martial Hall, I was greatly aided by the resources provided by the Martial Arts Garden. I seek the Garden Master firstly to thank the Martial Arts Garden for its assistance back then, and secondly..."

"Secondly, you want to know what realm I am in?"

Jiang Taiyi’s profound gaze seemed to penetrate Lin Chen’s inner thoughts as he straightforwardly said: "Recently, three Innate Third Realm martial artists arrived at Canglan Island, heading straight for Poyang County, but I intercepted them."

Upon hearing that three Innate Realm martial artists were heading directly for Poyang County, Lin Chen’s eyes tightened; it was obvious those three Innate Third Realm martial artists were targeting his family.

"Thank you, Garden Master."

Lin Chen expressed his sincere gratitude and promptly asked, "Do you know their backstory and current whereabouts?"

"Fed to the fish in Poyang Lake."

Jiang Taiyi’s casual answer momentarily silenced Lin Chen.

Three Innate Third Realm martial artists, fed to the fish in Poyang Lake?

This statement was extremely domineering, as it showed complete disregard for the Innate Third Realm martial artists and even the forces behind them, tossing them into the lake without inquiry.

"Canglan Island is not a place that any insignificant characters can disturb; I can assure you your family is safer remaining here than in the Flame Dynasty’s Canglan Domain."

Hearing this, Lin Chen showed an expression of contemplation—there was much information in the Garden Master’s words, but what was most puzzling was what made the Garden Master believe this place is safer than the Canglan Domain?

Even though the sect is at war with the Eight Desolates Sect, this battle is currently confined to the border and may result in both sides sacrificing numerous martial artists before a ceasefire and negotiation.

"Lin Chen, the Flame Dynasty has remained calm for nearly ten thousand years; beneath the surface, tides are surging. Once it fully erupts, it will be a massive vortex, drawing in even the super sects, leaving none untouched. By contrast, Canglan Island, far beyond the East Sea, remote as it is, can remain detached."

Jiang Taiyi’s words caused Lin Chen’s body to jolt and his demeanor to solemn:"Please clarify, senior."

"The Eight Desolates Sect warring against the Canglan Sect is not a simple feud stored over years — it is not like the past where a battle was fought purely to vent grievances."

Jiang Taiyi’s gaze shifted to Poyang Lake, where the moon hung high and waves struck the shore rocks with crisp sounds.

"Senior, do you know the true reason the Eight Desolates Sect is battling the Canglan Sect?"

"I do not."

Jiang Taiyi shook his head with forthrightness: "But if one thinks this battle will end as before, with a few years of fighting and then withdrawal, they are gravely mistaken."

A thoughtful look appeared in Lin Chen’s eyes—a clear signal that the Martial Arts Garden Master knew something but wasn’t revealing it to him.

Should he inform his master and sect leader?

"Do not overthink it. Your current strength isn’t enough to intervene. Just like the decision you made previously on Canglan Island — regardless of the struggle between Liang and the Han Kingdom — focus on improving your own strength. Only with adequate strength can you enter the fray and hold the possibility to alter your fate."

"Thank you, senior, for the guidance; I understand now."

Lin Chen nodded. Years ago, when tension escalated between Liang and the Han Kingdom, he felt the crisis but did not interfere with decisions made at the Imperial Court, focusing silently on improving his own strength.

Ultimately, he was able to defeat genius from the Han Kingdom, defeat Han kingdom martial artists, even solve the crisis of Liang, relying on his Canglan Sect disciple identity.

Though there lies a vast chasm from the Innate Realm to the Myriad Phenomena Realm, before the Flame Dynasty came into the picture, he was only at the Refining Viscera Realm, and wasn’t the process from Refining Viscera to First Grade a daunting chasm in the eyes of Canglan Island martial artists?

From Refining Viscera to First Grade, he accomplished this miraculous journey, and now from Innate to Myriad Phenomena, why not create another miracle?

Upon feeling the confidence on Lin Chen’s face, Jiang Taiyi’s eyes were filled with admiration; a young man should have lofty ambitions, and what then of Myriad Phenomena?

"If time permits, stay on Canglan Island for a while; I will grant you an opportunity."

When the Garden Master spoke of granting him an opportunity, Lin Chen’s eyes lit up; he was now certain that the Garden Master was a Myriad Phenomena Realm expert, and for such a figure to offer "opportunity," it certainly wasn’t any ordinary fortune.

"Okay, I’ll stay on Canglan Island for a while, senior."

Having ensured his family would not face threats from the Eight Desolates Sect and Yama Hall, Lin Chen was in no rush to return to the Canglan Domain. Training wherever he was was still training; with Dragon Blood Bodhi Fruit and Innate Stone, resources for a year’s training were sufficient.

Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Taiyi had departed from the lakeside, and with concerns for his family’s safety resolved, Lin Chen settled in Linhu Village to continue his training.

This rest lasted three months.

...

Three months later.

Lin Chen sat cross-legged, floating in mid-air, light emitting from multiple acupoints around his body.

Under the costless absorption of Innate Stone effects, within three months, his body’s acupoints condensed over a hundred Innate Crystals, consuming over ten thousand Innate Stones.

He couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking of Yin Yue’s reluctance several times when she handed over Innate Stones.

In hindsight, Yin Yue probably hadn’t anticipated that after the upgrade of his Azure Wave Technique, his speed of absorbing Innate Stones accelerated, each time condensing an Innate Crystal, not needing to wait three days.

"Need to get more Innate Stones from Yin Yue."

Just as Lin Chen was planning to seek Yin Yue, his gaze shifted as he produced the Martial Arts Seal from his bosom.

The Martial Arts Seal began reacting, revealing a line of text.

[Those who reach the summit of Martial Arts Mountain, shall be enshrined with destiny!]

Seeing this line of text, Lin Chen’s eyes slightly contracted—today...is his twentieth birthday and the final day on Martial Arts Mountain.

The one who reaches the summit of Martial Arts Mountain and persists until the age of twenty will receive a reward of a Life Chart.

Recalling the news told by the sect leader, Lin Chen’s eyes held an expression of expectancy—the achievement of "Natural Progress" on his panel had enabled his current martial arts realm, and if he were to gain an additional Life Chart...