"Junior Brother Fang, that’s going a bit too far!" Another disciple on the side frowned.

"I’m speaking the truth. If he truly knows Senior Brother Lin, he surely wouldn’t lack time for a simple greeting."

Yu Fei glared at Fang Nan, just as he was about to explain, footsteps came from the academy gate, drawing their attention. Seeing the figure at the door, their expressions turned respectful.

"Senior Brother Fu!"

The person was Senior Brother Fu Ze, who ranked third among the new recruits of their cohort.

There was some confusion in their hearts, as they, ranked at the bottom, had little interaction with top-ranked Senior Brothers such as Fu Ze, who was particularly aloof. Apart from occasional nods in passing in the nearly three months since joining the Martial Arts Academy, there was no other interaction.

Fu Ze smiled warmly at Yu Fei and the others, asking with a smile, "Are you all discussing cultivation matters? I hope I’m not interrupting."

Hearing Fu Ze’s words, Yu Fei and the others were even more puzzled. Since when was Senior Brother Fu so approachable?

"No... no."

"Is there something Senior Brother Fu needs?"

Fu Ze nodded: "May I ask which one of you is Junior Brother Yu Fei?"

Yu Fei was taken aback. He didn’t expect Senior Brother Fu was here for him. Before he could react, another young man beside him immediately said, "Senior Brother Fu, this is Junior Brother Yu Fei."

"Junior Brother Yu!"

Once Yu Fei’s identity was confirmed, Fu Ze’s smile became even more enthusiastic: "We were just talking with Senior Brother Lin, who mentioned you, Junior Brother Yu. He said he misses you quite a bit and asked me to bring you over."

Upon hearing this, the courtyard fell silent for a few moments.

Yu Fei’s face turned crimson. Although he did know Senior Brother Lin, their relationship wasn’t particularly deep. He didn’t expect Senior Brother Lin to specially ask Senior Brother Fu to fetch him.

Aside from Yu Fei blushing, Fang Nan’s face also turned beet red, feeling his face flush with heat.

"Why? Does Junior Brother Yu have matters to attend to here?"

When Yu Fei didn’t immediately respond, Fu Ze asked again, puzzled.

"No... I have the time."

Yu Fei quickly reacted, and Fu Ze chuckled, "In that case, follow me, Junior Brother Yu. Let’s not keep Senior Brother Lin waiting."

"Alright."

Yu Fei left the courtyard with Fu Ze, leaving the remaining two in the courtyard, who now looked at Fang Nan with peculiar expressions.

"Even if Yu Fei knows Senior Brother Lin, what of it? Ultimately, martial arts rely on one’s own strength."

After a while, Fang Nan finally muttered.

Upon hearing this, the other two silently shook their heads. Junior Brother Fang’s words were evidently filled with frustration. While a Martial Artist relies on personal strength, connections and network are equally important.

Especially in the Martial Arts Academy, where Yu Fei has the care of both Senior Brother Fu and Senior Brother Meng, integrating into their circle would undoubtedly bring greater rewards than he currently experiences.

... 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

...

Early the next morning, before dawn, Lin Chen rose from his courtyard, guided by a servant toward the Lingxiao Hall.

Lingxiao City is vast, with the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy located on its eastern side, stretching out towards the Endless Sea.

The Lingxiao Hall itself sits at the far east of the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy. Along the way, Lin Chen encountered many disciples of the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, both new and senior students, to whom he responded with a courteous nod and smile.

After walking for nearly half an hour, the sky in the distance began to brighten with the white of dawn, red rays intermittently flashing through the clouds.

"Young Master Lin, from here on, you’ll need to proceed alone. This is a restricted area of the academy, and entry is by invitation only."

The one guiding Lin Chen was a servant of the academy. Looking at the outline of the grand hall atop nearly a thousand steps, Lin Chen nodded. Without hesitation, he stepped onto the staircase.

Yesterday, during his conversation with Meng Xing and others, he learned that even Meng Xing and his peers couldn’t frequently enter the Lingxiao Hall. The top contestant of the monthly duels can enter the hall for a day, while the second and third place holders only have half a day’s access.

As for those ranking below the top three, they lack the qualification to enter the Lingxiao Hall altogether.

It’s not that the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy is overly pragmatic, focusing solely on the top three new recruits, but rather, other new students can’t even ascend the thousand-step staircase to the hall.

The Lingxiao Hall opens only at sunrise. Disciples wishing to enter must begin ascending the steps the moment the sun rises.

As the sun rises and casts its light upon the steps, a formidable pressure is exerted.

According to Meng Xing, even for him, it takes half an hour to ascend these thousand steps.

"Here he comes!"

"Lin Chen, Junior Brother Lin has appeared. I wonder how long it’ll take him to ascend these thousand steps."

At the top of the steps, stood a dozen or so young figures. These were the elite among the senior students of the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, for whom climbing these thousand steps posed no challenge.

They were present the day before at the Martial Arts Arena, witnessing Lin Chen’s prowess. Upon learning that Lin Chen would be attempting the climb to the Lingxiao Hall today, they arrived early, curious if Lin Chen could break a decades-old academy record.

For the record was set by their Senior Brother Pei Qingming.

Lin Chen shattered the record left by Senior Brother Pei on Martial Path Mountain. Could he break yet another record set by Senior Brother Pei?

Senior Brother Pei required two thousand breaths the first time he ascended these steps.

Among the silhouettes on the thousand steps, Lin Chen was in sight, though unaware of the expectation to break records.

Even if informed, he wouldn’t intentionally hasten his pace. His goal at the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy was the Lingxiao Stone, not breaking records.

In line with Lin Chen’s nature, he prefers to leave some room for others, particularly when there’s no direct confrontation.

As a disciple from Canglan Martial Arts Academy, breaking a record set by a Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy disciple would be an overreach.

Upon stepping onto the first step, Lin Chen felt his body slightly sink as if something pressed down on his shoulders. Yet, the pressure wasn’t overly burdensome.

One step, then another...

Over the first three hundred steps, Lin Chen’s expression remained unchanged.

Three hundred breaths, three hundred steps.

"He’s reached three hundred steps. How long did it take Senior Brother Pei back then?"

"It was three hundred breaths, a hundred faster than Lin now."

"It seems Junior Brother Lin may not break Senior Brother Pei’s record after all."

While remarking, the senior students of the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy internally felt relieved. Senior Brother Pei is considered an icon of their academy for over a decade.

The record on Martial Path Mountain was broken. If this record were to fall too, it would be a hard blow to their Senior Brother Pei.

At that moment, the rising sun emerged from the sea’s horizon, its golden glow illuminating the steps.

Sunrise!

Lin Chen glanced at the eastern sunrise, feeling a rush of excitement, his Qi Blood boiling with fervor.

The staircase seemed to possess some kind of magic power, compelling him to sprint with all his might.

Unable to resist the urge, Lin Chen chose not to suppress himself.

He stepped forward, each step now covering two stairs.

His speed increased suddenly!

Oh my!

Watching from above, the senior disciples of the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy were just beginning to relax when they saw this, and their eyes widened in disbelief.

Traditionally, climbing the thousand steps to the Lingxiao Hall slowed as one ascended. This was the first time someone sped up instead!

Could it be that Lin Chen overheard their comments and, noticing he lagged behind Senior Brother Pei, intentionally quickened his pace?

Slap!

The young man who previously remarked on Lin’s pace being a hundred breaths slower than Pei Qingming couldn’t help but slap himself.

Blaming himself!

If Lin Chen shatters Senior Brother Pei’s record, it’ll be his fault.

Slow down, slow down!

Amidst the expectations of several dozen senior students at the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, their eyes filled with despair and disbelief, Lin Chen’s silhouette grew clearer, drawing closer to them.

Eventually, under their complex gazes, Lin Chen reached the top step, standing right before them.

"Seven hundred and twenty-one breaths, Senior Brother Pei... sorry."

"Why was Lin born after Senior Brother Pei?"