Chapter 151: A Sense of Defeat

“What are you thinking, girl? Do you not know what day today is? If you’re itching to spar, there will be ample opportunities later, but don’t drag Lin Xiao into your antics.”

Just as Lin Xiao was about to accept Chen Lingxin’s challenge, a voice laced with anger rang out from behind them.

Turning around, Lin Xiao saw Old Master Chen approaching, his face clouded with anger as he fixed his gaze on Chen Lingxin.

Chen Lingxin’s expression stiffened, and she quickly fell silent.

Old Master Chen, dressed in a traditional Tang suit that gave him an air of ancient elegance, had white hair but a youthful face. Despite looking somewhat frail due to his injuries, he appeared much healthier than a few days earlier.

Beside him were Chen Tianxing and his grandson, Chen Tianli.

Chen Tianxing, though in his fifties, exuded the vitality of a man much younger, thanks to his martial arts training and lack of internal injuries. He had an imposing figure and an air of stability. His eyes radiated inner strength, and his whole person exuded a solid and mountain-like aura.

Chen Tianli, standing next to him and dressed in the academy’s uniform like Chen Lingxin, seemed more composed and steady than before, devoid of his earlier restlessness.

“Old Master Chen, Uncle Chen,” Lin Xiao greeted the older men respectfully and then nodded to Chen Tianli, who was standing beside them.

Old Master Chen appraised Lin Xiao with an appreciative eye, a flicker of surprise passing through his gaze before settling into a smile.

“Lin Xiao, it looks like your skills have advanced further,” he said.

Despite being weakened by his injuries and resembling an ordinary old man in physical strength, Old Master Chen’s discerning eye was intact. He could clearly see that Lin Xiao’s martial skills had progressed remarkably in just a few short days, becoming more profound and enigmatic.

Martial arts training was typically a slow, steady accumulation of skill, but Lin Xiao’s rapid progress in such a short time was nothing short of astonishing. If Old Master Chen hadn’t witnessed it himself, he would have found it hard to believe.

“I owe my gratitude to you, Old Master Chen. Without the opportunity to study the words in the demonstration hall, I wouldn’t have achieved such a quick breakthrough,” Lin Xiao said modestly.

Lin Xiao felt sincere gratitude toward Old Master Chen. His smooth breakthrough could be largely attributed to the profound impact of the verse, Understanding the Mind and See the Nature, in the demonstration hall of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall.

It was precisely by contemplating that verse that Lin Xiao managed to loosen the long-standing bottleneck that had troubled him, leading to a successful breakthrough.

“No, that’s all due to your own understanding,” Old Master Chen slowly shook his head, unwilling to take credit. “Those words are always there, seen by many, yet why haven’t others gained such insights?”

His expression grew serious as he continued, “Your breakthrough is a good thing. I’ve learned that today, several old adversaries are planning to cause trouble. They intend to challenge us at our annual exchange meeting, aiming to disgrace our name.”

Despite keeping his injury a closely guarded secret, it wasn’t enough to deter his old rivals. Hearing about his loss of cultivation, they prepared to challenge Chen’s Martial Arts Hall at this year’s meeting.

Moreover, with his enemies also seeking trouble at the exchange meeting, a hint of worry shadowed Old Master Chen’s face.

At this point, Chen Lingxin, who had been listening intently, looked at Lin Xiao with wide eyes and suddenly interjected, “You broke through?”

Lin Xiao nodded calmly.

Chen Lingxin’s mouth fell open in disbelief. “Did you now enter the Dark Force stage?”

“Dark Force?”

Lin Xiao realized they mistakenly thought he was previously at the peak of Bright Force, not knowing his recent breakthrough was to the coveted Flowing Force stage, a dream for all traditional martial artists.

However, Lin Xiao chose not to clarify. Although he had nothing to hide, he understood the commotion it would cause if it became known that he, at his young age, had achieved the status of a Flowing Force grandmaster.

“Yes, I’ve made a breakthrough,” Lin Xiao affirmed evenly.

Hearing Lin Xiao’s confirmation, a wave of astonishment swept through the Chen family.

Although they were unaware of the exact nature of Lin Xiao’s breakthrough, reaching even the Dark Force stage was, in their eyes, a miraculous and unbelievable feat.

Being a martial arts family with a legacy spanning hundreds of years, the Chen’s were acutely aware of how challenging it was to reach the Dark Force stage. Among ten thousand martial artists, perhaps only one might achieve the Bright Force stage, and among a hundred thousand, it was rare for even one to reach the Dark Force stage.

Even the former Old Master Chen had only just grazed the edge of Dark Force without breaking through.

Throughout their family’s generations, only a few had achieved the level of Dark Force. This was a testament to the Chen family’s long-standing heritage and significant influence in Jiangnan Province.

Chen Tianxing and his son, Chen Tianli, looked disheartened, overwhelmed with a feeling of defeat. They already knew they were not at Lin Xiao’s level, and now the gap between them seemed even wider, fostering a sense of hopelessness in catching up.

Old Master Chen noticed the dejected expressions on the faces of his son and grandson. A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes. Despite their upright characters, their mental resilience and willpower were lacking, making them less suited for the rigors of martial arts.

This was precisely why Old Master Chen had pinned his hopes on Chen Lingxin.

Chen Lingxin’s reaction contrasted sharply with that of her father and brother. Although initially shocked by Lin Xiao’s advancement into the Dark Force stage, she soon felt a surge of competitive spirit.

Seizing Lin Xiao’s arm, Chen Lingxin asked, “Now that you’ve broken through to the Dark Force, did you become even stronger? Show me the power of your cultivation. I’ve never witnessed the skills of a martial artist at that level.”

By the end of her request, her tone had turned somewhat coquettish.

Lin Xiao, both amused and exasperated, allowed her to hold onto his arm, turning his gaze to Old Master Chen.

Old Master Chen interrupted Chen Lingxin with a cough, “Girl, there’s no need to challenge Lin Xiao today, of all days. He is our academy’s master, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to spar with him later. For now, step aside, I need to speak with Lin Xiao alone.”

“Grandfather, why can’t you say it in front of us? We’re not strangers,” Chen Lingxin protested, dissatisfied.

Old Master Chen retorted, “Enough talk. Leave when you’re told to, and don’t argue.”

Though Chen Lingxin wanted to say more, Chen Tianxing and Chen Tianli already grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

It wasn’t until Chen Lingxin had left that both Lin Xiao and Old Master Chen visibly relaxed.

Old Master Chen spoke helplessly, “I’ve spoiled her since she was little, Lin Xiao. Please don’t mind her behavior. If she’s caused you any trouble, I apologize on her behalf.”

Lin Xiao shook his head, “There’s no need for apologies, Old Master. It’s really no trouble. In fact, I admire Chen Lingxin. She has a pure heart for martial arts. In this materialistic and money-obsessed society, it’s rare to find someone with such clear goals and determination.”

“I’m relieved you feel that way. She means no harm,” Old Master Chen said, patting Lin Xiao on the shoulder before walking toward the room. “Come with me. It’s fortunate you’ve made your breakthrough, otherwise, today’s exchange meeting would be far from peaceful.”