At the Canglan Sect, during the month Lin Chen spent in the courtyard practicing the Thousand Mechanisms Divine Refining Technique, the entire Martial Arts Mountain was quite peaceful.
There were no challenges among the top thirty ranks.
Even those with enough strength to advance one or two places chose to forgo the challenge.
However, there were a few battles among the top hundred.
Lin Chen’s streak of a hundred thousand consecutive victories continued, and the audience at Martial Arts Mountain remained open. For those Innate Martial Artists, risking their lives for a one or two-rank increase in Martial Arts Mountain, while being watched, held little significance.
However, news spread from the sects of the nine ranked ahead of Lin Chen; while Martial Arts Mountain appeared calm, there was an undercurrent.
The nine martial artists ahead of Lin Chen frantically enhanced their strength before he initiated a challenge.
Lin Chen enhanced his strength, aiming to reach the top in one go.
The top nine martial artists enhanced their strength to prevent Lin Chen from reaching the top.
...
On this day, the Canglan Sect welcomed a visitor.
"Junior Brother Lin."
The voice of Third Senior Brother Chai Daoqi sounded outside the courtyard, and Lin Chen restrained his divine thought, walking to the door.
"Master wants you to come over; a guest has arrived at our Canglan Sect, specifically asking to see you."
"A guest, specifically asking to see me?"
The first thought Lin Chen had was that someone from Liang had come, but on second thought, it shouldn’t be anyone from Liang.
Given the distance between the Canglan Domain and the island where Liang is located, even for Innate Martial Artists, it would take several months. Those below the Innate would hardly make it within a year.
In various regions of the Flame Dynasty, Innate Martial Artists are given certain privileges, such as flying through the air and passing directly over cities. Those below Innate don’t have these privileges; if traveling by land, they sometimes need to take detours, almost doubling the journey.
"It’s an elder from the Ten Thousand Flames Sect."
"An elder from the Ten Thousand Flames Sect?"
Lin Chen was stunned. He knew that the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, like the Canglan Sect, was one of the Twenty-four Super Sects.
But he had no dealings with the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, so why would an elder from there specifically ask to see him?
Although puzzled, Lin Chen followed his Third Senior Brother to their master’s residence.
Upon entering his master’s courtyard, Lin Chen saw an elder with a mane of yellow hair sitting at a stone table.
"Lin Chen, this is Elder Zhuang from the Ten Thousand Flames Sect."
"Junior greets Elder Zhuang."
Lin Chen saluted the yellow-haired elder, yet his mind was puzzled by the way Elder Zhuang looked at him...
How to describe it...
It was as if he were looking at a treasure.
Zhuang Lie looked at Lin Chen with a smile, and in the next moment, his atmosphere suddenly enveloped Lin Chen.
Du Xiaofeng, who was beside him, raised his right hand slightly at the release of Zhuang Lie’s aura, but then he lowered it again.
In the Canglan Sect, Zhuang Lie would not dare to do anything to Lin Chen.
Boom!
Feeling this aura, flames automatically surged on Lin Chen’s body, the pair of golden wings behind him reappeared, and under his feet flowed magma-like flames.
"Not bad."
Zhuang Lie’s old eyes gleamed with brilliance as he retracted his aura and looked at Lin Chen with great satisfaction.
"To be able to absorb two Innate Fires at such a realm, and completely refine them... it was worth my trip."
As the surrounding aura dissipated, the wings on Lin Chen’s back retracted as well, but surprise was evident on his face as this was the first time his body involuntarily activated the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique.
"Are you curious about how I made the Innate Fires within you emerge?"
Zhuang Lie noticed Lin Chen’s surprise and laughed aloud: "Throughout the Flame Dynasty, in terms of manipulating flames, no one surpasses my Ten Thousand Flames Sect."
Listening to Zhuang Lie’s words, Du Xiaofeng understood, guessing why this Elder Zhuang came to the Canglan Sect to see Lin Chen.
Does he have his eyes on Lin Chen?
But what makes the Ten Thousand Flames Sect think they can poach a disciple from my Canglan Sect?
"Lin Chen, I already know you practice the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique. Let me be blunt: with the guidance of my Ten Thousand Flames Sect, absorbing five Innate Fires won’t be a problem for you."
"Ahem!"
Du Xiaofeng interrupted Zhuang Lie, his expression turning cold: "Elder Zhuang, are you trying to poach a disciple from our Canglan Sect right here?"
Zhuang Lie’s expression remained unchanged at Du Xiaofeng’s reaction, as it was within his expectations.
The battle to reach the summit of Martial Arts Mountain was merely a young people’s gathering to an elder like him, usually not drawing his attention. However, upon receiving a notification from the sect’s steward, he specially observed Lin Chen’s battle. Upon seeing Lin’s wings and the magma-like flames at his feet, he was immediately interested.
The Ten Thousand Flames Sect has existed in the Flame Dynasty for almost as long as the Canglan Sect, but its disciple count is less than half.
Every year, a few disciples have errors in flame refining, causing meridians to burn or, worse, to be completely consumed by Innate Fire.
If you don’t rise from the ashes, you perish in the flames.
This is the slogan of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect disciples.
For the top management of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, when recruiting disciples, martial arts talent is secondary; what they value more is the endurance to withstand flames.
As long as one can continuously absorb Innate Fire and still survive, they can definitely reach the Innate Fifth Realm.
Like Lin Chen, who had refined two types of Innate Fire upon just entering the Innate stage, Zhuang Lie is confident he can help Lin Chen refine five types of Innate Fire and step into the Innate Fifth Realm.
This is the real reason he is willing to make this trip.
However, given Lin Chen’s demonstrated talent, the Canglan Sect is certainly not going to let him go, which is also within his expectation.
"Elder Du, Lin Chen’s talent in refining flames is extremely outstanding. If your sect can allow Lin Chen to join our Canglan Sect, our Ten Thousand Flames Sect is willing to offer one million Flame Coins, or equivalent treasures, in exchange."
One million Flame Coins.
It’s a very large amount, and Zhuang Lie believes the Canglan Sect can accept it.
After all, no matter how high Lin Chen’s potential is, he has just barely broken into the Innate stage now. Martial Arts Mountain sees a celestial pride reach the summit every two years, but most of these prides just reach the Innate Fifth Realm; a few reach the Innate Sixth Realm, and extremely few can enter the Myriad Phenomena Realm.
"A million Flame Coins to take Lin Chen away, what a dream."
Du Xiaofeng sneered inwardly; the Ten Thousand Flames Sect really had a clever plan.
"Elder Zhuang, let’s not mention this matter anymore."
Du Xiaofeng refused, but Zhuang Lie was not too surprised and continued, "The Ten Thousand Flames Sect is also willing to offer three slots for the Ancient Battlefield."
Sss!
Following in from the courtyard, Chai Daoqi was stunned to hear about the three Ancient Battlefield slots.
As a prince of the Wang Chao, with a somewhat noble family background, he wasn’t surprised by the Flame Coins; he couldn’t afford the extremely valuable stuff, but he had enough for normal cultivation.
But the Ancient Battlefield slots made him excited.
Du Xiaofeng’s eyes also showed surprise; that the Ten Thousand Flames Sect was willing to give up three Ancient Battlefield slots.
Looking at the shocked disciple Chai Daoqi beside him, Du Xiaofeng also sighed inwardly. If it were this fool, he would agree; not to mention three slots, just one Ancient Battlefield slot would be enough.
As for Lin Chen, that’s absolutely impossible.
Having comprehended the Canglan Treasure Manual and obtained the Heart of Canglan, Lin Chen represents the future for the sect.
"Elder Zhuang, if you’re here for this matter, you will be disappointed. There is absolutely no room for negotiation."
This time, Du Xiaofeng’s tone was very firm, even leaving the confident Zhuang Lie stunned—three Ancient Battlefield slots couldn’t even exchange for Lin Chen?
"Elder Du, we should also consider the disciple’s own thoughts; Lin Chen..."
"Thank you, senior, for your kindness. I have already become a disciple of the Canglan Sect, and I am determined not to switch sects."
Before this Elder Zhuang could finish, Lin Chen also expressed his stance.
"Lin Chen, with your potential, the Canglan Sect can at most ensure you’ll reach the Innate Fifth Realm. But if you join our Ten Thousand Flames Sect, you have a great chance of advancing to the Innate Sixth Realm, or even aiming for the higher Myriad Phenomena Realm."
Zhuang Lie was still somewhat unwilling, but Lin Chen still shook his head.
"Alas."
Seeing Lin Chen’s firm attitude, Zhuang Lie sighed and said, "If that’s the case, I won’t force it, but you have great talent in controlling and refining flames, and since I’m here, I’ll offer some guidance."
Then, Zhuang Lie looked at Du Xiaofeng, "Does Elder Du agree?"
"Elder Zhuang’s willingness to guide Lin Chen is certainly Lin Chen’s fortune. I thank Elder Zhuang on Lin Chen’s behalf."
Du Xiaofeng replied with a smile; he knew what Zhuang Lie was up to—trying to contact Lin Chen privately to change his mind.
Unfortunately, this Elder Zhuang is destined to fail.
...
...
The Canglan Sect provided accommodations for Zhuang Lie.
The next day.
Lin Chen went to visit Zhuang Lie at his residence.
"At what Realm did you start practicing the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique?"
Zhuang Lie didn’t beat around the bush. If he wanted Lin Chen to change his mind, he first had to spark Lin Chen’s extreme interest in flame control.
"I started at the Third Grade."
"Third Grade?"
Zhuang Lie was taken aback. Practicing the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique at the Third Grade?
"The Canglan Sect is reckless. Lin Chen, do you know how dangerous it is to refine Innate Fire at the Third Grade Realm?"
At this moment, Zhuang Lie felt he had found an opportunity, intending to educate Lin Chen about the dangers involved, consequently causing dissatisfaction with the Canglan Sect.
"Elder Zhuang misunderstood; I was in a special situation at the time and had no other option but to practice the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique."
Realizing Elder Zhuang’s misunderstanding, Lin Chen quickly explained the circumstances he was in at the time.
"You’re saying you were surrounded by Innate Li Fire at the time, and you managed to successfully cultivate the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique at the Third Grade Realm on a single attempt using the mantra?"
Zhuang Lie remained silent for several moments, and when he saw Lin Chen nod, only one thought crossed his mind: It would be a travesty if this young one didn’t join the Ten Thousand Flames Sect. It would be fine if they never met, but having encountered Lin Chen, not being able to bring him back to the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, he would have no face to show his ancestors.