Chapter 450: Lin Xiao’s Reputation

“Could it be… this is really Master Lin?”

Xu Chao’s attitude changed in an instant, becoming incomparably respectful. Even though Lin Xiao hadn’t opened his eyes, Xu Chao still cupped his hands in a formal salute, his voice cautious and deferential.

“To meet Master Lin here is truly my honor. Miss Lingxin, is Master Lin going to Dongzhou with you?”

Xu Chao wasn’t exaggerating. He truly felt honored.

At this moment, Lin Xiao’s reputation in Jiangnan Province was like the midday sun, blazing at its peak. It could be said that if Lin Xiao was second, no one dared claim to be first.

Had this been any other province, even with Lin Xiao’s high cultivation, he wouldn’t have such prestige. After all, he was too young and too mysterious, as if he had suddenly emerged from between the cracks of a stone.

But this was Jiangnan Province—a place where ancient martial arts had long declined and was often looked down upon by practitioners from other provinces.

Yet one man, alone, had challenged and defeated the Golden Claw Sect of Jiangdong Province, and later beat the experts from the Imperial Capital. With such a battle record, who in Jiangnan could compare?

Martial artists of Jiangnan had long been repressed. Finally, one supreme expert had appeared, bringing pride and uplift. Of course, they would be thrilled.

Not to mention, Lin Xiao was still so young. A peerless genius like this wasn’t common, even across the entire nation.

Given time, it was practically guaranteed that Lin Xiao would step into the Flowing Force stage. For someone with the potential to go even further, to become a super-tier genius, no amount of reverence was too much.

At the moment, Xu Chao didn’t know Lin Xiao had already stepped into Flowing Force. If he did, he might’ve fainted on the spot.

A Flowing Force master in his twenties—it was simply too shocking.

“That’s right. Master is going with me to Dongzhou,” Chen Lingxin replied unceremoniously. “Mr. Xu, if there’s nothing else, please go back. You’re crowding the aisle, and it’s inconveniencing the other passengers.”

Xu Chao turned and barked at the others behind him, “You all heard what Miss Lingxin said. Go back to the front cars. Why are you still squeezing in here?”

The people behind Xu Chao were all students of Tianfang Martial Arts Hall. Once they learned Lin Xiao’s identity, their gazes toward him instantly changed, filled with respect, admiration, and envy. It was as if they were looking at a living legend.

Upon hearing Xu Chao’s order, they lingered for a while, reluctant to leave, but eventually dispersed.

Xu Chao, however, shamelessly stayed behind. After sending the others away, he sat directly across from Chen Lingxin and Lin Xiao, gushing nonstop, lavishing praise on Lin Xiao, and expressing his boundless admiration.

In the end, Lin Xiao couldn’t bear the noise anymore. He opened his eyes and exchanged a few words with Xu Chao. Only then did Xu Chao leave, content and satisfied.

“Master, now you know just how high your reputation is in Jiangnan, right?” Chen Lingxin used her slender little finger to dig at her ear, as if Xu Chao’s flattery still echoed there. “I can guarantee that once he leaves, he’ll go bragging all over the place about seeing you. You’re going to be real annoyed soon.”

A touch of wicked amusement danced across her features.

Lin Xiao said nothing. He stood up and walked toward another train car.

“Master, where are you going?”

“Switching seats,” Lin Xiao replied without turning his head.

***

At the same time, in Dongzhou City, inside a high-end restaurant.

In a private luxury room, seven or eight people sat around a large round table laden with fine dishes. They chatted as they ate, the atmosphere lively and harmonious.

Yang Yuanji, Zhou Chenguang, and Wei Chengxue—the heads of three of Jiangnan Province’s four major martial arts schools—were among them. Zhou Chenguang sat at the head of the table, with Yang Yuanji and Wei Chengxue on either side.

“It’s a pity. Master Chen suffered Qi deviation and lost all his cultivation. He won’t be able to attend this exchange conference,” Zhou Chenguang said with a sigh, lifting his teacup. “I heard the Chen Martial Arts Hall will be led by that girl Chen Lingxin. Looks like our province’s four major schools are going to become three.”

The others fell silent, sighing inwardly.

Even Wei Chengxue, who had once had conflicts with the Chen School, looked somber.

The martial arts world of Jiangnan Province was weak. Even their so-called four major schools were seen as minor forces by outsiders. If not for the Southern Martial Alliance’s rules that prohibited medium-tier powers from casually encroaching on small forces, Jiangnan would’ve been swallowed up long ago.

The Southern Martial Alliance, founded by seven major forces from the southern region, was a loose federation of all the southern martial sects. No one dared to openly violate its rules.

That’s why when the Golden Claw Sect tried to establish a foothold in Jinghai, they needed a pretext of enmity with the Chen School. They couldn’t just seize it outright.

Otherwise, with the Golden Claw Sect’s strength, they would’ve expanded into Jinghai long ago—had it not been for Lin Xiao, who single-handedly crushed them.

Of course, these regulations only applied to mid-tier forces. For small forces, the restrictions were far looser.

Still, while the four major schools weren’t comparable to mid-tier powers, together they barely maintained a balance in Jiangnan.

But now, with the Chen School weakened, they might not be able to suppress the smaller forces eager to move in.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily so,” Yang Yuanji said, putting down his chopsticks. “That girl Lingxin is quite talented. She may break through to Dark Force soon. Her future is promising. And don’t forget, Master Lin is also considered part of the Chen school.”

“Master Yang, are you talking about Master Lin?” a middle-aged man nearby asked, surprised and delighted.

“Yes, him,” Yang Yuanji confirmed with a nod.

“That’s great! With Master Lin’s cultivation, never mind small forces—even mid-tier ones can’t match him. Golden Claw Sect learned that the hard way.” The man was overjoyed. But then, as if thinking of something, he said with hesitation, “But Master Lin isn’t officially a member of the Chen School. He can’t represent them in the martial exchange, can he?”

“Master Lin is an honorary head instructor of the Chen School. No one can dispute that.” Yang Yuanji smiled faintly, toying with his teacup. “And the martial arts exchange doesn’t say honorary instructors can’t participate, does it?”

“Really? That’s great.”

At this point, someone raised another concern.

“Even if he’s an honorary instructor, will someone like Master Lin really join this martial exchange? After all, the Chen School is still just a small force.”

The room fell quiet.

Master Lin’s status was so lofty. Even if the Chen School had the good fortune to have him as honorary head, whether he would actually join was entirely his decision. The Chen School had no say.

“Alright, alright,” Zhou Chenguang spoke up, “We’ll know when the time comes. There’s no point speculating.”

“What’s in front of us now is the upcoming martial school ranking event. I hear this year’s rules have changed significantly?”

“Yes. I asked around. This year’s ranking is stricter than before. It’s an elimination system.”

A sharp-eyed, composed man sitting opposite Zhou Chenguang said, “This year’s exchange emphasizes real combat. Whether you’re Class A or Class B, you must accept challenges from lower-ranked schools. You can’t refuse. If you lose a match, you’re immediately removed from your current rank. The Southern Martial Alliance will also send experts to evaluate each school individually. Fail that assessment, and you’re also stripped of your rank.”

Everyone exchanged glances, expressions serious and tense.

“What if someone doesn’t participate?” someone asked in a low voice.

“What do you think? Immediate disqualification, rank stripped completely.”

“Master Zhu, aside from the rankings, are there other events this year?”

“Yes. Seminars and discussions are still happening, same as always. But I heard the Southern Martial Alliance is hosting a special arena challenge. The winning school gets a title and up to a billion in funding.”

“A title? A billion?”

Everyone at the table exchanged looks, visibly tempted by such a generous reward.

“Hmph. Don’t get your hopes up,” Master Zhu scoffed. “It’s clearly rigged for the seven major forces of the Alliance. We don’t stand a chance. Best just watch and enjoy the show.”

“That’s all we can do.”

“What else could we do, anyway?”