Chapter 451: Southern Martial Alliance

Master Zhu’s words brought everyone back to their senses.

No matter how tempting the reward was, it wasn’t theirs to take. It would just go to someone else.

“We’re just small fry compared to those big powers. They get to eat the meat while we can’t even sip the soup. Every time we come to the tournament with high hopes, we end up just watching the show,” someone couldn’t help but grumble.

“Master Qi, mind your words,” Zhou Chenguang frowned and said in a low voice. “In the end, the real issue is that our strength is lacking. Instead of complaining about others, it’s better to work hard and improve ourselves.”

Master Qi looked a little embarrassed, gave a sheepish smile, and fell silent.

“Master Zhou is right. Everyone, let’s stay grounded and focus on getting through the martial hall grading first,” Yang Yuanji said calmly. “Don’t wait until we can’t even hold on to our current place. If that happens, Jiangnan Province won’t have peace.”

***

On the train.

Lin Xiao sat with his eyes closed, breathing slowly and steadily, while Chen Lingxin sat beside him, bored out of her mind. The initial excitement had worn off, and every passing moment now felt like torture.

“Master, talk to me. Your disciple is so bored,” Chen Lingxin clung to Lin Xiao’s arm, pleading.

“If you’re bored, why not enter a meditative state like me?” Lin Xiao responded calmly.

“It’s so noisy on the train. How could I possibly meditate?” Chen Lingxin rolled her eyes. “Master, why don’t you tell me about yourself? Why is your martial arts so strong?”

Lin Xiao opened his eyes, a glint flickering in their depths. “Obviously because I trained. You think it just dropped from the sky? Since you’re bored, tell me about this so-called Southern Martial Exchange Conference.”

Seeing Lin Xiao willing to talk, Chen Lingxin perked up. “What do you want to know, Master?”

“Anything.”

“Then I’ll start with the organizer.”

She rested her head on Lin Xiao’s shoulder, naturally wrapping her arms around his. “Master, have you heard of the Southern Martial Alliance?”

Lin Xiao shook his head.

“The Southern Martial Alliance is officially known as the Southern Branch of the Martial Alliance under the Xia Country’s Military Department. There’s one Leader and seven Vice Leaders. The Alliance Leader is appointed by the government and holds a symbolic position. The real power lies with the seven Vice Leaders, each representing a major force from the southern provinces.”

“The Military Department?”

Lin Xiao’s heart stirred at the words. This wasn’t the first time he’d heard of it.

Old Master Chen had mentioned it before. The Military Department was one of the three major forces in Xia’s ancient martial world.

Chen Lingxin nodded. “Yes, the Military Department is the representative of Xia’s ancient martial world. But the actual control lies with those seven great powers. They are the strongest forces in the southern martial world.”

She paused here and glanced meaningfully at the bottle of mineral water nearby.

Lin Xiao understood immediately and tossed it to her with a glare. “Keep talking.”

Chen Lingxin took a sip, saw Lin Xiao’s not-so-friendly expression, and didn’t dare mess around further.

“The seven major forces are the West Sea Sect, Scarlet City Sect, Broken Dragon Sect, Flood Fist, Four Poles Sect, and the Ten Absolutes Sect. The Southern Martial Alliance controls all aspects of grading and assessment for martial halls in the South. Anyone wanting to establish a martial hall must first get the Alliance’s approval. This prevents an overabundance of martial halls and helps mediate disputes between sects.”

“I see. So the Martial Alliance is basically a government-assisted organization used to manage the ancient martial world.”

“Master is so smart, you got it in one.”

“What about the grading rules? How do they ensure fairness?”

“The specific rules change every year, but the core is always the same. Fighting. Whoever’s fist is harder gets the top spot.” Chen Lingxin pouted and made a fist. “The grading is fairly fair, but ever since news got out that Grandpa lost his cultivation, a lot of martial halls have had their eyes on our Chen Martial Hall. There’s never a shortage of people looking to kick you when you’re down.”

“So that’s how it is. Then this might get interesting.” A glimmer of amusement flashed in Lin Xiao’s eyes, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

“Master, you don’t seem worried at all?”

“To become strong, you must constantly challenge stronger opponents. Shutting yourself away to train will never make you a true expert.” Lin Xiao looked her in the eye. “This martial exchange conference is a great opportunity. I hope you’ll let go of your hesitations and fight.”

“I understand, Master! That’s what I was thinking too.” Chen Lingxin nodded vigorously, her eyes bright with determination. “Master, I’ve already gotten stronger. I won’t let you down.”

Lin Xiao smiled. “Then I’ll look forward to it.”

As the two chatted, the train sped along the tracks, heading toward a metropolis with tens of millions of people.

Half a day later.

The train began to slow, and a broadcast sounded overhead, “Dear passengers, the train is about to arrive at Dongzhou City. Please gather your belongings and keep your seating area clean…”

“Finally.”

Lin Xiao checked the time on his phone. They had departed at 8:30 in the morning, and it was now close to 4:00 in the afternoon.

“Chen Lingxin, wake up. We’re in Dongzhou.” Lin Xiao tapped the girl sleeping on his shoulder.

Chen Lingxin opened her sleepy eyes, yawned lazily, and muttered, “Master, let me nap a bit longer. The train hasn’t even stopped yet.”

“Weren’t you full of energy just a moment ago?”

“That’s why I’m tired now.” She mumbled.

“Fine. Sleep a little more. I’ll wake you later.”

Ten minutes passed. The train finally arrived at Dongzhou Station. Lin Xiao picked up both their luggage and stepped off. Chen Lingxin groggily followed behind, rubbing her eyes, still half asleep.

A massive city unfolded before Lin Xiao’s eyes.

Just the train station alone was at least twice the size of Jinghai’s, clean and tidy.

In the distance, skyscrapers loomed, traffic flowed endlessly, and pedestrians crowded the streets. Even standing inside the station, one could feel the overwhelming prosperity beneath their feet.

If Jinghai was a city in development, Dongzhou had already matured into a sprawling metropolis full of modern energy.

“Wow.” Chen Lingxin’s mouth opened slightly in awe.

“Enough admiring. Let’s focus on business.”

Lin Xiao’s face remained calm, and he didn’t stop walking as he carried the luggage toward the exit. “We’ll head to the Southern Martial Alliance to register first, then find food and a place to stay.”

“Okay, Master.”

They exited the station and finally managed to hail a taxi.

Soon after, they arrived at a large building combining classical and modern styles. In front of the plaza stood a massive stone stele, nearly eight meters tall and requiring several people to encircle it, with the words: Southern Martial Arts Hall!

This was the Southern Martial Alliance’s base of operations. 

Although Lin Xiao had encountered many martial artists during his time in Jinghai, in reality, they weren’t numerous. Otherwise, he would’ve met more during his missions with the military.

It was only after entering the martial circle through the Chen Martial Hall that martial artists seemed so common.

Martial experts possessed terrifying, destructive power. A dark force expert could kill someone silently. A Flowing Force master could even disregard most modern weapons.

To preserve social stability, the general public remained unaware of the existence of ancient martial arts.

Standing at the building’s entrance, Lin Xiao was just about to step forward when a domineering voice suddenly sounded behind him.

“Good dogs don’t block the way. Move it!”