Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 579 - 97: You Can Bet I Don’t Dare Shoot This Arrow

The Canglan Martial Arts Academy ranked first in the point match.

The Celestial Palace Martial Arts Academy was the strongest overall.

None of the martial academies in the square expected that the first match would turn out to be such a highly anticipated battle.

Bian Xinjie saw Lin Chen holding the slip with the words "Celestial Palace" and a smile curled at the corner of his mouth. It seemed that even heaven would not give Lin Chen the chance to stay in the spotlight.

"To think he drew Celestial Palace Martial Arts Academy in the first round."

Below the stage, the Lingxiao Martial Academy, among others, showed signs of concern in their eyes.

Li Yuan paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Junior Brother Lin has good luck, the sooner the battle starts, the sooner it ends."

For the disciples of Canglan Martial Arts Academy, drawing Celestial Palace Martial Arts Academy didn’t bother them. This battle was bound to happen sooner or later, and now it just happened to come early.

At the front, Hou Zhantian squinted slightly, looking at Murong Song beside him with a bit of surprise.

"Brother Hou, the box used for the draw even Martial Path Will cannot perceive."

Murong Song knew what Hou Zhantian’s look meant and explained.

It purely was luck; the Royal Family did not manipulate it.

Lin Chen cooperating with the Royal Family meant they wouldn’t covertly arrange for Canglan and Celestial Palace to meet so soon. If manipulation were an option, it would be to draw Lin Chen against a weaker academy.

On the viewing platform, after a burst of noise, excitement appeared on everyone’s faces.

To start off so intensely, today was indeed worth attending.

It’s known the elimination matches start now, and all fifteen teams are strong, whether they can finish today is uncertain. Typically, tomorrow’s matches would be the most intense and thrilling.

But who could have predicted that Canglan’s first round would be against Celestial Palace?

One was acknowledged before the tournament as the strongest among the Nine Countries Martial Arts Academy, the other shone dramatically as a dark horse from the points match yesterday.

"The Martial Arts Garden ranked Lin Chen to seventh on the Celestial List this morning, and with Bian Xinjie and Ling Tianhao, this round will feature three Celestial List martial artists."

"Besides these three, there’s Li Yuan from Canglan, who’s not weak either. Plus, the other disciples from Celestial Palace, this will truly be a dragon-tiger fight."

...

...

After drawing lots, Lin Chen’s expression didn’t change. He walked back to his original position, while other academies began to step forward to draw their opponents.

In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, seven academies stepped forward to draw their opponents, while the Liang Lingxiao Martial Academy got a bye this round.

This meant that the Liang Lingxiao Martial Academy had at least made it to the top eight.

This was good news.

At the end of the draw, the disciples of the other martial academies retreated, and everyone’s attention focused on Canglan and Celestial Palace.

"Which form of competition do you two academies plan to use?"

Murong Song asked, whether a team battle or a personal fight was up to the two academies to decide.

"Individual battles, Canglan Academy is at a disadvantage. Regardless of Lin Chen’s strength, the other disciples probably can’t match Celestial Palace."

"The only variable here is Lin Chen."

The attendees were clear on the strengths of Canglan and Celestial Palace. Although Canglan’s performance yesterday was outstanding, it heavily relied on Lin Chen.

It could be said that Lin Chen alone elevated Canglan Academy to a level equal to Celestial Palace.

Without Lin Chen, Canglan would be around top ten, a considerable gap from Celestial Palace.

"Senior Brother Li, which should we choose?"

Lin Chen looked at Li Yuan. As Canglan’s most senior disciple, he had the decision-making power. Lin Chen wouldn’t overstep.

"Junior Brother Lin, the choice is yours."

Li Yuan shook his head with a smile. Although he was the senior brother, Junior Brother Lin, both in performance and strength, was more suitable to be the academy’s decision-maker, and he felt no jealousy.

Allowing Junior Brother Lin to represent the academy in drawing lots meant he had already handed over the senior brother’s authority.

Other senior brothers from Canglan also focused on Lin Chen, clearly sharing the same view as Li Yuan.

"Canglan Academy chooses individual battles."

Lin Chen spoke slowly, and on the other side, both Bian Xinjie and Ling Tianhao smiled upon hearing Lin Chen’s words.

"Looks like this Lin Chen is confident. Thinking he can single-handedly defeat one of us."

In their view, Lin Chen’s choice of an individual battle indicated a fear of their combined power, thinking he stood no chance otherwise. But they believed Lin Chen overestimated himself; they didn’t need to team up to deal with him.

"Senior Brother, let me take on Lin Chen."

Ling Tianhao looked at Bian Xinjie, who nodded: "Okay."

Celestial Palace also agreed to an individual battle, and at that moment, a referee began walking towards the arena’s top.

"Both sides select a disciple to fight. The rule for individual battles is that if one side concedes, the other must not strike."

The referee’s voice spread across the field, clearly implying that if one side didn’t concede, the other’s killing was within the rules.

The Celestial Palace side, a disciple stepped onto the arena, casting a glance at Canglan Academy: "Who will come up for a battle?"

"Senior Brother Li, Junior Brother Lin, let me go."

From Canglan’s side, a disciple stepped forward to volunteer. Lin Chen hesitated, contemplating something, but seeing this senior brother’s eyes, finally nodded: "Alright, then I’ll trouble Senior Brother to step up, but don’t overexert yourself."