Chapter 916 - 144: Du Xiaofeng, You’re a Petty Man Gloating

Some people take disciples, painstakingly cultivating them, yet the disciples fail to become useful.

Some people take disciples, raising them freely, and the disciples’ strength soars.

When the Martial Arts Seal announced that Lin Chen had entered the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda at the Innate Third Realm, the entire Canglan Sect was invigorated.

Within a super sect, factions are inevitable.

Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes, and interests entangled, unless everyone were sages.

But now, the Canglan Sect, including the Canglan Domain, is extremely united because everyone has a common external enemy, the warriors of the Eight Desolates Sect and the Eight Desolate Domain.

In ordinary circumstances, an Innate Third Realm warrior wouldn’t be of much consequence to the Canglan Sect, but at this moment, with the two sects at war, and Lin Chen being a super celestial pride of the sect, who has twice defeated the Eight Desolates Sect’s Sima Kong, now has again broken through to the Innate Third Realm in such a short time.

This news greatly boosts the morale of all warriors in the Canglan Domain.

...

Canglan Sect Grand Hall.

All elders still in the sect assembled, with Ji Cangtian seated in the main seat.

"Sect Leader, Lin Chen’s breakthrough to the Innate Third Realm is indeed worth celebrating, but he’s too eager to enter the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda; I’m afraid many will seize the opportunity to challenge him."

Du Xiaofeng voiced his concerns. Although the other elders could hear the pride in Du Xiaofeng’s words, worry was still evident on their faces.

Du Xiaofeng’s words were not without reason.

There’s fear that Lin Chen thinks, as a celestial pride disciple of the Canglan Sect, others wouldn’t challenge him. If Lin Chen chooses to enter the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda out of pride, it could be dangerous.

"What about our sect’s Innate Third Realm disciples? Let them all go to the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda to protect Lin Chen."

"It’s useless. Inside the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda, if one wishes to challenge, others can’t stop them."

"Then communicate through the disciples that if anyone dares challenge Lin Chen, they’re enemies of the Canglan Sect."

An elder spoke out harshly, but as soon as he said it, the scene fell silent. Even Du Xiaofeng slightly twitched his lips; he had considered this intimidation but ultimately abandoned it, thinking it wasn’t feasible.

Most of those eligible and daring to challenge Lin Chen in the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda are disciples of various super sects.

The royal family established the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda to allow others to challenge, facilitating open and fair competition like Martial Arts Mountain, without any background considerations—those with ability rank higher.

If the Canglan Sect threatens like this today, other sects could do the same tomorrow, rendering challenges meaningless. Crucially, the Canglan Sect lacks justification, and other sects may not show mercy.

With Canglan Sect, the Eight Desolates Sect, and Yama Hall at war, it’s unwise to provoke more strong enemies.

"Forget it; let the disciples observe the situation at the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda first."

The elder who suggested it realized his idea couldn’t be implemented and had to step back.

...

...

Heaven-Reaching Pagoda.

When Lin Chen’s figure appeared on the round altar, exclamations rippled across the square.

All entrants were Innate Third Realm warriors, the main force moving within the Flame Dynasty; these people had paid attention to the Martial Arts Mountain’s summit battle and the recent fight between Lin Chen and Sima Kong. Now, seeing the figure that had appeared on Martial Arts Mountain standing before them again, even though they had anticipated it, disbelief still surged through them.

"Junior Brother Lin!"

"It’s really Junior Brother Lin!"

Soon, many on the square began shouting, drawing the attention of other warriors.

Seeing these warriors calling out to him, Lin Chen also smiled. These were his sect brothers; though not very familiar, they had crossed paths in the sect.

"Junior Brother greets Senior Brothers."

The senior brothers of the Canglan Sect stood in unity at the bottom of the round altar, scanning the other warriors on the square, a silent message that challenging Lin Chen meant opposing the Canglan Sect, at least forming a grudge.

Many warriors who initially had intentions felt apprehensive seeing the Canglan Sect disciples standing below the altar.

They worried that even if they defeated Lin Chen, they’d face further challenges. Losing would mean offending Lin Chen and the Canglan Sect and not gaining the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda’s challenge quota, resulting in a double loss.

Seeing his sect brothers protecting him, Lin Chen was deeply moved.

Unfortunately, not everyone was so intimidated.

"I want to challenge Lin Chen!"

A middle-aged man shouted on the square, unfazed by the piercing gazes of the Canglan Sect warriors.

"Hmph, like Martial Arts Mountain, the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda relies on strength, not background. Furthermore, in terms of background, who here is lesser than you of the Canglan Sect? Without the strength, obediently give up the qualification."

The middle-aged man’s words were laced with sarcasm, and a Canglan Sect senior brother transmitted to Lin Chen: "Junior Brother Lin, this person is Xia Anbo from the Eight Desolates Sect."

So it was a warrior from the Eight Desolates Sect, no wonder.

With a cold smile on his lips, Lin Chen was mentally prepared for the Eight Desolates Sect being the biggest obstacle to his attempt at the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda.

Under everyone’s gaze, a beam of light flashed on the altar, and Xia Anbo’s figure had leaped to the altar’s top, Innate Third Realm Peak aura pressing towards Lin Chen.

Without any courtesies, Xia Anbo thrust a palm, the palm wind rumbling with thunderous echoes.