Chapter 479: Accepting the Invitation

The next day.

Dawn broke, and the morning sun began to rise.

Lin Xiao awoke from a deep sleep, slowly opening his eyes.

Beside him came the sound of soft, even breathing. He turned his head and was met with the sight of Chen Lingxin’s lovely, delicate face.

Chen Lingxin was curled up slightly, her long, beautiful legs bent, arms wrapped around one of Lin Xiao’s, her rosy lips slightly parted as she slept soundly. Even through the fabric, Lin Xiao could feel the smooth softness against his arm.

A strange look flickered across his face as he recalled what had happened the previous night.

“This girl… she’s got some nerve. She actually stole a kiss.” Lin Xiao couldn’t quite describe what he was feeling.

He gently pulled his arm from her embrace and quietly got out of bed. After glancing at the sprawled, alluringly posed Chen Lingxin, he walked out of the small room.

It was still early—dawn had only just broken—and most people were still deep in sleep. Lin Xiao made his way to the rooftop and began his daily cultivation under the rising sun.

After he finished his training and was about to return to the motel, his phone suddenly rang. It was a number he didn’t recognize.

Frowning slightly, Lin Xiao answered the call. A polite voice soon came through from the other end.

“Hello, is this Master Lin?”

“Who is this?”

“I am An Chaoyang, head of Blazing Sun Martial Hall. My son unintentionally offended you yesterday, so I’m calling to personally invite Master Lin to visit our school today. My son wishes to apologize and clear up the misunderstanding.”

“Blazing Sun Martial Hall? An Chaoyang?”

Lin Xiao was slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected a call from An Chaoyang himself, especially not one so courteous, given that his son, An Baichen, had been harshly disciplined by Lin Xiao the day before.

Though curious about what the Blazing Sun School was up to, Lin Xiao answered cleanly and decisively.

“Alright, I’ll go.”

When the enemy comes, meet them with a spear; when the flood rises, block it with earth. Avoiding problems solves nothing. He was quite interested in what kind of game An Chaoyang was playing.

“In that case, I shall await your esteemed arrival at Blazing Sun Martial Hall,” said the voice on the other end.

After hanging up, Lin Xiao returned to the inn.

Chen Lingxin was already awake. As soon as she saw him, she pouted and said, “Master, where did you go? I thought you left me to have fun on your own.”

“What nonsense. I went to cultivate.”

“And you didn’t take me? I train every morning too, Master. Are you avoiding me?” she asked with a hint of mock complaint.

“I figured you were tired from yesterday, so I let you rest a bit more.”

“Fine, fine.” Chen Lingxin made a show of reluctantly forgiving him.

The two of them left the motel and found a small breakfast stall. After eating, Chen Lingxin asked, “So, Master, what are we doing today? Going back to the venue to watch matches again? So boring.”

Today was the second day of the Southern Martial Exchange Conference and the first day of the arena battles.

The A-rank martial school qualification, the exclusive title, and the one billion in funding might have been enticing to most martial artists, but neither Lin Xiao nor Chen Lingxin had much interest.

“No, I’m heading to Blazing Sun Martial Hall. You can wander nearby and also buy train tickets for the day after tomorrow.”

“Blazing Sun? Master, why are you going there? Is An Baichen trying to get revenge?” Chen Lingxin asked nervously.

“Relax. It’s fine. The invitation came from An Chaoyang.”

“No way! Master, you can’t go. An Chaoyang is An Baichen’s father. This has got to be a trap.”

“Blazing Sun Martial Hall is a local force, and behind it is one of the Seven Great Factions. Do you think if they really wanted to deal with me, avoiding it would change anything?” Lin Xiao replied calmly.

“This… but… still…” Chen Lingxin was at a loss for words. “Then I’ll go with you!”

“You said it might be a trap. If something really happens, I might not be able to protect you.”

Having dismissed her idea of accompanying him, Lin Xiao headed out to Blazing Sun Martial Hall.

He was telling the truth. He had no clue what An Chaoyang was planning. If it was a trap, he could face it alone without fear. But if Chen Lingxin went with him, even with his strength, protecting her without fail would be difficult.

After all, this was Blazing Sun School’s territory, and behind it stood the formidable Four Poles Sect. Their strength was not to be underestimated.

Watching Lin Xiao leave, Chen Lingxin clenched her fists, silently vowing,

“It’s all because I’m too weak. I can’t be a burden to Master. I have to train harder and become stronger, at least enough to not drag him down!”

***

Blazing Sun Martial Hall Headquarters

Located in the bustling district of Dongzhou City, the school was a traditional-style building covering several hundred square meters. Structurally, it wasn’t much different from Chen’s Martial Hall, with a front courtyard, reception hall, training hall, dining area, and resting quarters—but its décor and furnishings were far more lavish.

At the entrance beneath the Blazing Sun Martial Hall signboard, several people stood waiting for someone’s arrival.

Among them were the school head An Chaoyang, his son An Baichen, and the students who had previously clashed with Lin Xiao.

“Father… do you think Lin Xiao will come?” An Baichen asked, pale-faced and supported by two students, his expression somewhat uneasy.

The other students didn’t look much better. At that moment, they felt both regret and relief.

Regret that they had ever provoked Lin Xiao in the first place. Relief that they hadn’t formed a deadly grudge.

In just a short time, Lin Xiao’s name had spread like wildfire across the Southern martial world.

Those who had witnessed his clash with Zhang Li and Chunyu Yan all held his strength in the highest regard. Even West Sea Sect’s Lei Wen had publicly admitted that he was no match for Lin Xiao.

With Lei Wen’s endorsement, Lin Xiao’s reputation soared, and he immediately climbed to the top of the rising star rankings.

An Chaoyang stood with hands clasped in front of him, eyes half-closed, exuding a composed and disciplined aura.

“Don’t worry. He’ll definitely come.”

Just as his voice faded, a figure appeared in their sight.

A young man, casually dressed, around twenty years old. His looks were average, his demeanor calm. His pupils were pitch-black, his gaze deep. Though not particularly eye-catching, the tranquil indifference he carried made him unforgettable at a glance.

Upon seeing him, An Chaoyang stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. “Master Lin, welcome.”

Behind him, An Baichen and the other students lowered their heads and followed suit, bowing deeply, their posture humble.

Lin Xiao gave a slight smile and returned the gesture. “Master An is too kind.”

“Master Lin, please.” An Chaoyang stepped aside to lead the way.

Lin Xiao didn’t stand on ceremony. He nodded to An Chaoyang and strode through the school’s main gate.

Inside, in addition to Blazing Sun Hall’s students, disciples of the Four Poles Sect stood in two neat rows. Heads held high, eyes forward, their gazes were bright and focused—clearly not ordinary practitioners.

It was obvious that An Chaoyang had made thorough preparations for today’s meeting.

As Lin Xiao stepped inside, the rows of students and disciples exhaled in unison and shouted in a thunderous voice:

“Honored guest arriving.”

Lin Xiao’s expression remained unchanged, not even a furrow of his brow. He walked steadily through the formation, following An Chaoyang into the main hall.

But the moment Lin Xiao stepped into the hall, a massive surge of internal force suddenly erupted from deep within, locking onto his body.

“Hmm?”