Time flew by, and the date of the Hundred Schools League was fast approaching.
"System, check my attributes."
Host: Lin Zhan
Race: Human
Abilities: Overlord Blade Body, Power of Thunder.
Level: Silver Tier Mid.
Constitution: 250 (150) points
Defense Strength: 250 (150) points
Mental Power: 330 (120)
Cultivation Techniques: Spirit Nurturing Art (Great Accomplishment), Flying Dragon Spitting Pearls (Great Accomplishment), Lin Family Blade Technique (Great Accomplishment), Thunder Step Flash (Great Accomplishment)
Physique Enhancement: First overall enhancement 100%.
"Finally managed to advance another tier before the competition, at least I won't be too embarrassed. None of these guys showed up for the promised ten-day reunion." Over these twenty-odd days, Lin Zhan slowly honed his martial essence, finally advancing another tier on the day before the competition.
Xiao Jin and Xiao Hei were basking in the sun in the courtyard. "Brother Snake really wore us out these past few days. Boss seems to be serious this time, and quite a few people might die."
"That's true. When has Boss ever trained this hard? I heard Uncle Lin say this competition is quite important, especially the secret realm expedition afterward," Xiao Jin explained to Xiao Hei.
"What's more, Uncle Lin said there's a traitor among humans who's making a move against Huaxia. Some of the participants in this competition seem to have strong hostility towards Boss, apparently because Boss's three grandfathers massacred a lot of their people back then. Now they're coming to settle the score."
"They dare! As far as I'm concerned, we'll kill one if there's one, kill two if there are two, and kill them all to be safe so they can stop plotting against Boss." This Xiao Hei was truly a ruthless brute.
"I think that's a good idea. We have backup anyway. My dad said Boss's second grandfather has returned for this matter, and Boss's second and third grandfathers both advanced to Quasi-King a few years ago. With these two as our backing, there's no one we can't kill."
"Whoa, Brother Snake, how do you know all this?"
"Uncle Lin told my dad last time. Uncle Lin seems to be a big shot in the capital now, and he's even called in a lot of brothers from his old unit to prevent any trouble."
"What are you two chatting about?" Lin Zhan came out and walked towards Xiao Jin and Xiao Hei. Ever since these two recovered from their injuries last time, they had been acting like arrogant fools, forcing Lin Zhan to send them to Jin Jiao for further training.
"Boss, you succeeded! We should take Sister-in-law back to the academy now, right?"
"Mm, you two go back to the space and prepare yourselves well. There will be battles in the coming days, don't falter then." With that, he collected these two behemoths into his spiritual beast space.
Lin Zhan arrived at the front yard and saw his mother chatting with Zhang Lingxiu and her mother. The little dumpling had been sent to kindergarten, Lin Shanhe was working at the garrison headquarters during the day, and Zhang Zhen was fighting on the Myriad Races battlefield with his son. Ouyang Xinlan, with nothing else to do, would meet with An Rongrong for a chat every day.
"Mom, Aunt An," Lin Zhan greeted the two mothers and then sat down beside Zhang Lingxiu.
"Uh, Sister Lingxiu, when did you break through to Silver Tier High?" Lin Zhan felt a pang of unease looking at Zhang Lingxiu. They had broken through to Silver Tier together, and now his wife had surpassed him again.
Zhang Lingxiu took out a necklace with a round bead from her collar. "My dad had this sent back a few days ago. It's inlaid with a Thunder Gem produced by the Thunder Beast clan, a Diamond-grade Thunder Gem. It helps with my comprehension of thunder power and my bloodline. I advanced to Silver Tier High last night. Knowing you were cultivating, I didn't tell you."
Seeing the harmonious relationship between the two young people, Ouyang Xinlan and An Rongrong exchanged glances and nodded.
"Zhan'er, aren't you and Lingxiu supposed to return to the academy today? Your father said this competition is very important, so you must do your best." Ouyang Xinlan said to Lin Zhan.
"Yes, Mom, Aunt An, we're planning to return to the academy with Sister Lingxiu now. We'll gather with everyone this afternoon to prepare, and head to the High Martial competition tomorrow."
"Then let the family driver take you. Safety is the priority, no matter when. You and Lin Zhan must be careful," An Rongrong said, holding Zhang Lingxiu's hand.
After bidding farewell to their mothers, Lin Zhan and Zhang Lingxiu arrived at the Intermediate Martial Arts Academy.
Old Dean Li Zhenshan and class teacher He Feng were already waiting for the students in the classroom for Year 3, Class 9.
When Lin Zhan and Zhang Lingxiu entered the classroom, only He Dazhuang and Xiao Hanyi were absent; everyone else had arrived.
"Hello everyone, thank you for your hard work." Lin Zhan, holding Zhang Lingxiu, waved to everyone like a leader inspecting the troops.
Li Zhenshan, seeing Lin Zhan's impertinent demeanor, was incensed and kicked him back to his seat. "You brat, keep a low profile. Don't you know the academy forbids early relationships? Get back there and behave yourself."
After Xiao Hei recovered from his injuries, Lin Zhan traded various spirit herbs for Black Tortoise True Blood with Xiao Hei, which cured Li Zhenshan's long-standing hidden injuries. With another six months of recuperation, he would be able to aim for Diamond Tier martial artist.
"Dean, I'm not in an early relationship. I'm already engaged, so I haven't violated any academy rules." Lin Zhan's remark made everyone burst into laughter.
"Oh, what's so funny? Come and tell Uncle Zhuang." He Dazhuang entered the classroom with a flashy persona, complete with a thick gold chain, a small watch, and a pair of black sunglasses.
"Greetings, Leader Lin. Is Military Advisor Jiang here too? Why hasn't our Cannon Master Xiao arrived yet?" He Dazhuang immediately started organizing them, even assigning them titles.
"Sorry I'm late. I was busy killing people just now." Xiao Hanyi, dressed in black, entered with the lingering scent of blood.
He Feng broke out in a cold sweat looking at his students. What kind of people had he taught?
Li Zhenshan glared at He Feng and said, "In the future, we should add a moral education class to guide students with correct values."
"Alright, everyone behave. He Dazhuang, take off your sunglasses. Stop acting like a gangster," Li Zhenshan said.
"Now, everyone display your cultivation so we can make further arrangements."
Everyone revealed their cultivation levels, and the sight shocked them.
The ten-person team had all advanced to Silver Tier! Lin Zhan and He Dazhuang were both Silver Tier Mid, Zhang Lingxiu was Silver Tier High, and Xiao Hanyi was the most terrifying at Silver Tier Peak, just one step away from Gold Tier.
Li Zhenshan and He Feng were dumbfounded. They knew these children came from privileged backgrounds, but they never expected them to be so wealthy. What arrangements were needed? They could just go for it.
Lin Zhan, that brat, could kill a Gold Tier Mid while riding a turtle when he was Bronze Tier. Now, it was even more unthinkable. Xiao Hanyi and Zhang Lingxiu could fight above their levels.
Even He Dazhuang, who looked rough and uncouth, was a formidable fighter considering the track record of the older generation of the He family.
Li Zhenshan was speechless for a moment. "Alright, you all arrange your next steps yourselves. I won't say any more." With that, he left He Feng and walked out of the classroom.