Chapter 462: The Beginning

The next day, early morning.

Though it was still early, the plaza in front of the Southern Martial Alliance’s office building was already packed with people. Martial arts forces from all over were here to participate in the Martial Arts Exchange Conference.

These martial artists were dressed in a variety of ways. Some wore training uniforms, some were dressed in suits, others in casual clothes—but without exception, all had sharp gazes, steady steps, and agile bodies.

Lin Xiao and Chen Lingxin were among them. Both were dressed in black training uniforms with the words “Chen Martial Arts Hall” printed on them. Moving forward with the crowd, they looked like two insignificant waves in a sea.

Not exactly insignificant—the eyes of those around them were mostly focused on the youthful, bright, and spirited Chen Lingxin.

As for Lin Xiao, standing beside her, he had become a mere foil to her brilliance.

Chen Lingxin clung tightly to Lin Xiao’s arm with one hand, as if afraid of getting separated from him. Her eyes darted around, taking in the surroundings, a flicker of excitement gleaming in them.

“Master, so many people!”

“Mm.” Lin Xiao looked straight ahead.

Even though the crowd surged around him, no one could get close to Lin Xiao. It was as if there were an invisible force surrounding him. Whenever someone was about to bump into him, they would involuntarily bounce away.

Gradually, the people near Lin Xiao sensed something was off. Fear flickered on their faces, and they instinctively kept their distance, not daring to approach him.

This was exactly the effect Lin Xiao wanted.

“Master, did you not sleep last night?”

Due to the noisy surroundings, Chen Lingxin had to lean close to Lin Xiao’s ear and raise her voice.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because I didn’t feel you get on the bed.”

Chen Lingxin continued speaking into his ear. Her intimate gestures with Lin Xiao drew frequent glances from those nearby.

“Master, don’t tell me you really slept on the floor all night?”

“Don’t worry about stuff like that.” Lin Xiao diverted the topic. “What about you? Sleep well?”

“Mhm, fully recharged.” Chen Lingxin raised her fists and waved them. “Master, you don’t have to go on stage today, just back me up. Watch me beat all those challengers to a pulp.”

“That confident?”

“Of course! I haven’t wasted any time lately; my strength has improved a lot. Even Grandpa praised me. Just wait and see, you’ll be amazed.” Chen Lingxin raised her slender brows proudly.

Lin Xiao smiled slightly. “Then I’ll be watching.”

As the two were speaking, a sudden commotion erupted ahead, and the crowd began to move faster.

“Look! The people from West Sea Sect are here!”

“That man in front, that must be the sect master Tian Junliang, right? I didn’t expect him to look so young.”

“Of course he does. Tian Junliang is a peak Dark Force expert, just one step away from reaching Flowing Force. You think he’s just some ordinary guy like us?”

“Tsk tsk, no wonder West Sea Sect is the top force in the southern provinces. Just their presence is impressive.”

“Behind Master Tian is West Sea Sect’s leading disciple, Lei Wen, right? I heard he’s the sect master’s disciple and the next leader of the sect. I think he just broke through to late-stage Dark Force not long ago. He’s not even thirty yet. That’s crazy!”

Hearing the discussions, Chen Lingxin couldn’t stay still. She rose on her tiptoes, trying to see over the heads, but saw nothing but a sea of people. Anxious like an ant on a hot pan, she circled around Lin Xiao. In the end, she simply jumped onto his back, using his height to get a better view.

“So that’s Tian Junliang from West Sea Sect? Just looks like a regular middle-aged guy, nothing special,” she said, disappointed.

“If there’s nothing special, then get down,” Lin Xiao said, exasperated, and gave her a light slap on her soft backside.

But instead of getting down, Chen Lingxin wrapped her legs around Lin Xiao’s waist and her arms around his neck, completely ignoring the strange looks from others.

“Let me watch a bit longer. Looks like the people from Ten Absolutes Sect are here too.”

Another wave of noise came from up front.

“Ten Absolutes Sect’s arrival is just as grand as West Sea Sect’s. Are these two sects competing?”

“Well, they’re the two most powerful forces in the South; it’s normal to be competitive. Folks like us? We don’t even have the qualifications to compete.”

“How come I don’t see Sect Master Jiang Yuyue?”

“She’s been in seclusion for years. Affairs of the sect are handled by the vice master now. Not coming to the conference is understandable.”

“That girl in white… isn’t that Jiang Yuyue’s daughter, Jiang Long?”

“Yeah, she’s Ten Absolutes Sect’s leading disciple. Her strength matches Lei Wen’s. They’ve fought several times to compete for the top spot on the prodigy ranking. Last count was six to five. Lei Wen won by one match.”

“Sigh, don’t say it. Compared to these heaven’s favorites, our years of life were wasted on dogs…”

“Speaking of the prodigy ranking, I remember yesterday, right here in this plaza, the sixth-ranked An Baichen was defeated in a single move. Did you hear about that?”

“Not just heard, I was there! Saw it with my own eyes. That young master was incredible. An Baichen couldn’t do anything. He was totally crushed.”

“The prodigy ranking has already been updated. That new youth took An Baichen’s sixth spot. Honestly, with his strength, I think he should be in the top three.”

Chen Lingxin couldn’t stop smiling. She leaned down and whispered to Lin Xiao, “Master, did you hear that? They’re praising you.”

“Praising me?”

The corner of Lin Xiao’s mouth twitched. With his strength, these people were putting him on par with a bunch of just-entered or late-stage Dark Force so-called prodigies. How was that praise? It was more like an insult.

Lin Xiao had a low-key, restrained nature. Though not one to feign weakness, he never intended to flaunt his power either.

Following the arrival of the West Sea Sect and Ten Absolutes Sect, the remaining five major forces in the South arrived at the venue. Among them was the Golden Claw Sect, which Lin Xiao had previously challenged.

Once the major sects had entered, it was time for the martial arts halls—first the A-rank halls, then the B-rank. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner, with no line-cutting.

In front of so many martial forces, cutting in line was tantamount to suicide.

Soon, it was Lin Xiao and Chen Lingxin’s turn. After their credentials were checked, the two followed the crowd into the venue.

The venue was located at the base of the Southern Martial Alliance’s office building. It stretched several hundred meters across—nearly the size of two football fields—and could easily hold thousands of people.