Chapter 324: Sensation

“Chen’s Martial Arts Hall? One of Jiangnan Province’s four major martial arts halls? It does have some history, but martial arts in Jiangnan have long been in decline. Even finding a Dark Force expert there is rare. Being one of the Four Great Halls hardly means anything.”

Brother Qin pondered for a moment. “What interests me more is that young expert surnamed Lin. For someone his age to possess such strength, he can’t be an unknown figure. Yet, until now, there hasn’t been a whisper about him. Not even his full name. Have you ever heard of him, Brother Wu?”

“I haven’t,” Brother Wu said, stroking his chin. “Many people saw his face when he left the Golden Claw Sect headquarters, but strangely enough, not a single person recognized him.”

He chuckled, half in disbelief. “Think about it, someone that powerful should’ve already made waves in the martial arts world. But it’s like he appeared out of thin air. No one knows his background or who taught him.”

“That leaves only two possibilities,” Brother Qin concluded, snapping his steel fan shut with a crisp snap. “Either he’s the direct heir of a reclusive family or the core disciple of a major sect. His identity must be extraordinary.”

With a wry smile, he added, “This year’s Southern Martial Arts Exchange Conference is bound to be lively. But that’s none of our concern.”

He paused, then glanced meaningfully at Brother Wu.

“That said, Brother Wu, given how badly the Golden Claw Sect has been crippled, don’t you think this might be our chance?”

“Exactly! That’s why I called you here,” Brother Wu said, eyes gleaming with excitement. “Several hall masters have already contacted me, planning to join forces against the Golden Claw Sect. Strike while the iron’s hot. They’ve stood tall for long enough, now it’s our turn.”

“This is a big move. We’ll need more people. Strength in numbers.”

Lowering their voices, the two men continued their discussion, plotting their next steps.

***

Jinghai City, Wuxu Martial Arts Hall—one of the four great halls of Jiangnan Province.

Zhou Xuan, the hall’s young master, set down his phone and turned with a helpless smile to his father, Zhou Chenguang.

“Dad, that was the eighth call from Jiangdong Province.”

Zhou Chenguang sat upright in a grand armchair, eyes closed in meditation. His neatly combed white hair gleamed under the light, and he calmly rolled two walnuts in his palm.

“All asking about the same thing?” he asked without opening his eyes.

“Exactly. Everyone’s asking about what happened at Chen’s Martial Arts Hall and digging for information about that young man, Lin Xiao. The problem is I don’t know either.” Zhou Xuan spread his hands, exasperated. “Dad, do you think it’s true?”

Zhou Chenguang cracked his eyes open, a faint gleam shining through.

“When this many people are asking the same questions, about the same person, the rumor can’t be false. But I still can’t wrap my head around it. How could Lin Xiao, in just over half a month, grow strong enough to defeat Wang Changuang of the Golden Claw Sect?”

Zhou Xuan shook his head in disbelief, his tone mixed with shock and self-deprecation. “Compared to him, I’ve wasted all these years of my life.”

“Hmph. That young man is no ordinary talent,” Zhou Chenguang replied, his expression serious. “The moment I first saw him, I knew he wasn’t destined for mediocrity. He’s bound to soar to great heights.”

“His ties to Chen’s Martial Arts Hall run deep. He challenged the Golden Claw Sect to stand up for them.” Zhou Chenguang sighed. “The Chen Family really lucked out this time, finding such a formidable young ally. Thankfully, we’ve always maintained good relations with them. Strengthening those ties can only benefit us.”

“Understood, Dad. I’ll handle it,” Zhou Xuan nodded.

Conversations like this echoed across martial arts halls throughout Jiangdong and Jinghai.

Lin Xiao couldn’t have imagined that what he saw as a routine challenge would spark such an uproar.

For two straight days, the entire ancient martial arts world across both provinces buzzed with discussion. His name spread like wildfire, gaining recognition at an astonishing pace.

Though Lin Xiao possessed remarkable strength, he had never considered himself part of the ancient martial arts community. Yet, his sudden emergence felt like a dragon diving into a tranquil pond, stirring waves that reached every shore.

But Lin Xiao himself remained blissfully unaware.

***

Jinghai City First People’s Hospital.

Chen Tianxing lay on a hospital bed, his face gaunt but his expression calm. In just a few days, he had already begun to recover from the trauma of losing his arm.

Beside him, Chen Lingxin sat on a chair, distracted and restless. She was supposed to be peeling an apple, but her unfocused gaze drifted aimlessly.

Chen Tianxing coughed lightly, but she didn’t react.

Finally, he frowned and reminded her, “Lingxin, watch your hands. You’ll cut yourself.”

“Huh?” Snapping out of her daze, Chen Lingxin hurriedly handed him the half-peeled apple.

“Here, Dad. It’s done.”

Chen Tianxing sighed and set the apple aside.

“If you’re so worried about Lin Xiao, why didn’t you go with him to Linjin?”

“I’m not strong enough. Even if I went, I’d just be a burden.” Chen Lingxin lowered her head, dejected. “If only I could grow stronger faster. Then I wouldn’t have to watch Master face these dangers alone.”

Even in front of her father, Chen Lingxin referred to Lin Xiao as Master—a clear sign that she had wholeheartedly accepted him as her master.

Chen Tianxing’s expression turned grave. He sighed deeply.

“Lin Xiao was reckless. Why didn’t he discuss it with me before challenging the Golden Claw Sect alone? I just hope he’s safe.”

“Dad! Do you think Master is in danger?”

Panic flashed across Chen Lingxin’s face, and her heart sank.

“Hard to say,” Chen Tianxing admitted, voice heavy. “The Golden Claw Sect is brimming with experts, at least five skilled in Dark Force. Their leader, Wang Changuang, is a renowned master in Jiangdong Province. He reached the late stage of Dark Force years ago. Otherwise, the sect wouldn’t be so domineering and arrogant.”

His words weighed on Chen Lingxin like a boulder.

Sensing her growing anxiety, Chen Tianxing quickly softened his tone.

“That said, Lin Xiao isn’t one to act recklessly. If he dared to go, he must have been confident. There’s no need to worry, he might just pull off a miracle.”

Chen Lingxin clenched her small fists and raised them in determination.

“I believe in Master! He will create a miracle!”

At that moment, the ward door burst open. Chen Tianli rushed in, drenched in sweat, his face a mix of shock and disbelief.

“Dad! Sis! Something big happened!” he shouted from the doorway.

The look on his face, combined with his urgent tone, made Chen Lingxin’s heart plummet. Her face instantly turned pale.

“I don’t want to hear it! Don’t tell me!”

Covering her ears, she frantically shook her head, terrified of hearing bad news.

“Why not? It’s good news!”

Chen Tianli glanced at her in confusion, then continued without pause.

“I just got word that Brother Lin won!”