madnovel Chapter 554 - 82: Confrontation
Chapter 554 - 82: Confrontation
Yan Capital.
Yan Kingdom Royal Martial Arts Academy.
This is the premier martial arts academy of the Yan Kingdom and the site for hosting this ranking competition.
Only five days remain until the ranking competition. Martial arts academies from various countries have arrived, having also received the list of participating disciples from other academies.
Residence of the disciples from the Ze Kingdom’s martial arts academy.
"So, Liang Kingdom has allowed Lin Chen to come and participate in the competition."
"It’s likely just to give Lin Chen some exposure in preparation for the next ranking competition."
"The next one?"
The Director of Yunze Martial Arts Academy from Ze Kingdom chuckled softly, his eyes filled with ambiguity.
...
Wu Kingdom.
"Lin Chen?"
The elderly man’s eyes narrowed slightly. On the Canglan Sea trip, a few of the subordinates he arranged disappeared, and the Canglan Sea Race suffered serious losses due to a mysterious strong attacker.
The Canglan Sea Race has been demanding an explanation from him lately, and the culprit behind it all is the Canglan Martial Arts Academy.
Since Lin Chen is the hope of the Canglan Martial Arts Academy, this time, he’ll cripple Lin Chen in the competition.
Zheng Kingdom.
"Senior brother, I didn’t expect Lin Chen to dare come. Please leave Lin Chen to me when the time comes."
Benshan Lang looked at Lin Chen’s name on the list with hatred. Losing to Lin Chen in Lingxiao City put him under immense pressure upon returning home. He has been in seclusion, training hard all this time to avenge his previous defeat.
"Don’t worry, as long as the Canglan Martial Arts Academy encounters us, I’ll give you this opportunity."
The short young man had a cold smile on his face. If Benshan Lang lost to Lin Chen by himself, he wouldn’t care, but Benshan Lang is a disciple of the Sihe Martial Arts Academy. His defeat also brought shame to the academy domestically, drawing ridicule from several others, which was intolerable to him.
...
...
Yan Capital Dock.
Two giant ships appeared simultaneously on the sea, approaching the Yan Capital dock from the north and south at the same speed.
"Which countries do these ships belong to?"
"Can’t you guess? Only Han Kingdom and Liang Kingdom haven’t arrived; it must be those two."
"The ships from Han and Liang Kingdoms have arrived simultaneously, which means there’s excitement to be had."
Teahouses and taverns on the docks were filled with martial artists, drawn by the martial academy ranking competition.
There were young martial artists from the Yan Kingdom and others from different countries.
Each martial academy ranking competition is a grand martial arts event for youths of the Nine Kingdoms. Especially now with the Hidden Dragon List in existence, many of the geniuses on the list are from the major academies. It’s incredibly difficult to gather so many geniuses in one place, and many on the list have come to Yan Kingdom to challenge their targets here.
In the few days leading up to the competition, there have been no fewer than dozens of battles involving Hidden Dragon List geniuses. However, most have failed in their challenges, with only a few succeeding and moving up in rank.
Apart from the Hidden Dragon List talents, there are also those who haven’t made it onto the list. Due to their status, they aren’t qualified to enter the Yan Kingdom Royal Martial Arts Academy to watch the grand competition, so they choose to linger at the dock to witness the talents from various countries.
On the ships.
The martial artists from both countries also spotted the opposing ship.
Seeing their enemies, their eyes flared with intensity.
Liang and Han Kingdoms are now nearly indistinguishable from enemies.
For Liang Kingdom martial artists, they wiped out the Northern Border Demon Race to bring peace to the north, only for Han Kingdom to interfere and collaborate with other countries to blockade Liang, which they see as bullying and suppression.
For Han Kingdom martial artists, accustomed to their superior status among the Nine Kingdoms, with no nation daring to defy them, Liang’s defiance is akin to seeking death.
On the deck, disciples from both countries exchanged steely gazes, their eyes sparking with conflict.
"So these are Liang’s martial arts academy disciples this year? They’re not worth a blow."
On the deck of the Han Kingdom ship, a young man glanced across, his face full of disdain.
"I heard that this time, Liang’s so-called genius who surpassed Pei Qingming, Lin Chen, is here too."
"Lin Chen came as well; is Liang so desperate that they let Lin Chen represent in the academy to battle? What a daydream."
Han Kingdom martial artists erupted in mocking laughter. While they didn’t deny Lin Chen’s potential on the Martial Path, which was indeed commendable even by Han Kingdom standards, he was just a freshman at the martial arts academy this year. Liang having Lin Chen represent them in Yan Kingdom’s competition? Truly an act of desperation.
In the cabin on the second level of the ship, five young men sat. They overheard the discussion from the deck below, with one on the left lightly laughing, "Liang is letting Lin Chen observe and prepare for the next ranking competition."
"Since he’s come to Yan Kingdom, he won’t have a choice."
The five exchanged glances and smiled. They didn’t believe Liang would let Lin Chen compete, thinking more that he was there to observe the ranking competition for future preparation.
In past competitions, major academies often brought along outstanding freshmen to observe.
In the past, they wouldn’t have paid attention to a freshman, but for this year’s ranking competition, they had already received hints from their director that this was a showdown between Han and Liang Kingdoms.
If they win, other countries observing might also choose to blockade Liang.
Once all Eight Kingdoms blockaded Liang, internal chaos would ensue.
"I hope the four academies of Liang have some skill and don’t lose before encountering us."
...
...
On the Liang Kingdom’s ship, Lin Chen wasn’t glaring angrily at the martial artists on the deck of the Han Kingdom’s ship like his fellow senior brothers.
He didn’t care for verbal spats; when the ranking competition begins, strength speaks for itself.