dhibooks Chapter 555 - 82: Head-to-Head Confrontation (Part 2)
Chapter 555 - 82: Head-to-Head Confrontation (Part 2)
However, at this moment, the ships from the Han Kingdom suddenly stopped, which caused a surprised exclamation from the young martial artists of Liang. Given the current conflicts between the two nations, meeting at this dock was likely to result in a confrontation over who would land first.
Just as the martial artists of Liang were puzzled, a young man from the Han Kingdom stepped out from the deck and floated in the air above the sea.
"Do you dare to land with me?"
The young man from the Han Kingdom had a look of disdain in his eyes, and with those words, the martial artists from Liang couldn’t sit still. At their age, martial artists were naturally fiery, and the intent was clear: it was a race to land first.
"I’m coming!"
Lin Chen saw a senior brother from the Qingyun Martial Arts Academy stand up, lightly stepping to also float in the air above the sea.
"I hope you can keep up with my pace."
The young man from the Han Kingdom snorted lightly, and the senior brother from Qingyun Martial Arts Academy chuckled coldly in response, "I should be the one saying that."
The tension between the two was intense, and the martial artists watching at the dock had looks of excitement on their faces. They were indeed in for a spectacle.
The ranking competition hadn’t even begun, yet the martial artists from Liang and the Han Kingdom were already clashing.
Whoosh!
The two figures simultaneously transformed into two streaks of light charging towards the dock.
A distance of three hundred zhang meant little to Grade-Entering Martial Artists, and those present were not ordinary ones; those who dared to be the first to step forward had absolute confidence in their lightweight skills.
"Senior Brother Qian is going to win!"
On the deck, the disciples of Qingyun Martial Arts Academy had looks of excitement in their eyes. Lin Chen watched the two figures, a smile tugging at his lips as the senior brother from Qingyun Martial Arts Academy took the lead by half a body.
However, at this moment, the martial artist from Han suddenly produced a long spear, thrusting it across!
This unexpected move incited instant rage among the martial artists from Liang, and the senior brother from Qingyun Martial Arts Academy hadn’t expected his opponent to ambush him. Though he reacted immediately, shifting several zhang to the side, the opponent used this time to overtake him, shooting towards the dock.
"Despicable!"
"Shameless!"
Seeing the martial artist from Han land on the dock first, Lin Chen heard the curses from the senior brothers beside him.
"Truly despicable, can’t compete with speed so resorts to ambush."
"It’s also Qian Yao’s carelessness; there’s no rule against attacking, so cursing now is pointless."
Li Yuan had a somber expression but was more rational compared to others who were furious. The martial artist from Han was despicable, but there was no pre-established rule against attacking, so arguing with Han Kingdom would be futile.
"I’m coming!"
On the deck, another disciple from Qingyun Martial Arts Academy stood in the air above the sea. Lin Chen knew this person; Dang Baixuan, the senior disciple of the current batch from Qingyun Martial Arts Academy.
Seeing Dang Baixuan step forward, a young man on the second-floor cabin of the Han Kingdom’s ship raised an eyebrow, and in the next moment, appeared above the sea as well.
Their gazes locked, and they saw the fighting spirit in each other’s eyes.
"Everyone, this is Yan Kingdom’s dock, please refrain from fighting!"
As the battle was about to erupt, an aged voice sounded, and at the dock, an old man appeared with several middle-aged men.
"Dang Baixuan, come back."
As the old man appeared, Hou Zhantian and several vice-deans also emerged from the ship’s cabins, the same happening on the Han side.
The Vice Prime Minister of Yan Kingdom personally came, so the disciples couldn’t continue their bout.
The martial artists expecting a spectacle at the dock showed disappointment upon seeing the Vice Prime Minister of Yan appear, but dared not voice it.
This individual was a Second Grade martial artist.
"That is the Vice Palace Master of the Han Country Academy, Lu Qiguang."
With the Vice Prime Minister of Yan appearing, Lin Chen noticed that a triangular-eyed old man had also appeared on the Han ship, and Li Yuan, seeing Lin Chen observe the old man, introduced his identity.
"Han Country Academy?"
Lin Chen had heard of Han’s Martial Arts Academy, which recruited disciples from across the Nine Kingdoms, allowing any martial artist who met the academy’s requirements to join, regardless of their nation.
It seemed Brother Pei also visited the Han Martial Arts Academy, and it was precisely due to the academy’s existence that many martial artists concluded that there were no national boundaries in martial arts.
"In the past martial academy ranking competitions, the Martial Arts Academy never participated, as these were battles between academies. It seems Han is done pretending and is showing its cards."
Li Yuan sneered continuously, and Lin Chen understood the meaning behind his words.
The Martial Arts Academy claimed to be open to martial artists from the Nine Kingdoms, but now, leading Han’s martial academy to participate in the ranking competition, it abandoned its previous motto of cultivating martial artists from the Nine Kingdoms, unveiling its true intentions.
The so-called cultivation of Nine Kingdoms’ martial artists was merely an attempt to keep the talented martial artists from each nation in Han.
...
...
With the Vice Prime Minister of Yan appearing, two ships were simultaneously guided to dock by Yan’s officials. After disembarking, Lin Chen, as a junior, naturally refrained from standing out and quietly stayed within the ranks.
The disciples from both sides were distinctly separated, yet Hou Zhantian and Lu Qiguang at the forefront greeted each other warmly with smiles, and the surrounding martial artists would have thought they were close friends had they not known the current situation between Liang and Han.
Both sides entered the city, quickly entering Yan Kingdom’s Royal Martial Academy.
"For the next three days, do not leave the academy."
Several vice-deans instructed the disciples from each family, forbidding them from going out to avoid unforeseen incidents.
Three days later, the ranking competition would begin, and any accidents at this time could affect the matches.
The Han Kingdom acts despicably, and precautions are necessary.
The Yan Royal Martial Academy was large enough for each disciple to be allocated a separate courtyard.
Lin Chen had just entered his courtyard when, less than a two-hour period passed, someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
Lin Chen’s face showed caution; it was unlikely for any senior brothers to visit now, and even less likely for servants from Yan Martial Academy to come at this time.
"Young Master Lin, it’s me."
Recognizing the voice, Lin Chen raised an eyebrow and went to open the courtyard door, seeing Su Qin standing there. He smiled and said, "So it’s Senior Su, please come in."
Su Qin followed Lin Chen into the courtyard and directly stated, "Young Master Lin, I was entrusted by my family’s mistress to deliver something to you."
Lin Chen observed the wooden box in Su Qin’s hands without immediately receiving it. Meeting Murong Yan’s guard here made him speculate on Murong Yan’s identity.
This was Yan Kingdom’s Royal Martial Academy, where the ranking competition was about to begin; outsiders couldn’t possibly enter.
Considering the Yan Royal Family’s surname was Murong, Lin Chen had already formed a judgment in his mind.
Murong Yan should be a member of Yan Kingdom’s Royal Family.
"I didn’t expect Junior Sister Murong Yan to be a member of Yan Kingdom’s Royal Family."
As he spoke, Lin Chen keenly watched Su Qin, and seeing her expression unchanged, he confirmed his guess.
"Young Master Lin, the princess purposely hid her true identity at Canglan Martial Arts Academy only to avoid drawing too much attention, not intentionally concealing the truth."
Su Qin conveyed the princess’s words.
"If there’s a chance, the princess will personally explain to Young Master Lin."
Su Qin departed decisively after delivering the princess’s item and words.
Lin Chen opened the wooden box on the table. Shock registered on his face upon seeing it was a booklet, but his eyes brightened upon flipping through its contents.
The booklet documented detailed information about the participating martial artists from various nations in this ranking competition, including each one’s realm, cultivation techniques, and their demonstrated strength in recent battles.
"It’s said that Yan Kingdom ranks first in intelligence among the Nine Kingdoms; today, I’ve witnessed it."
A feeling of marvel spread across Lin Chen’s face. Holding this booklet gave him a detailed understanding of the opponents from various nations, but as he finished looking through it, his expression turned serious.
Several of the nations had very strong participants, especially a few from the Han Kingdom.