Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 569 - 91: Divine Soul Further Enhanced

"An eighteen-zhang light pillar earns one hundred points, six light pillars earn six hundred points!"

Murong Song’s voice spread throughout the venue, causing a stir among the crowd.

Six hundred points!

If Bian Xinjie alone could equal the total score of a martial arts academy, then Lin Chen was equivalent to the total score of an entire nation, or even several nations.

"Brother Murong, isn’t there something amiss with this scoring method?"

Lu Qiguang frowned, looking towards Murong Song. The scoring rules originally discussed by several nations hadn’t accounted for the appearance of multiple light pillars. In such an unforeseen situation, the final decision lay with the Yan Kingdom.

After all, the Soul Testing Stele belonged to the Yan Kingdom.

Only the Yan Kingdom truly understood the significance of multiple light pillars.

But upon hearing the score Murong Song awarded, Lu Qiguang’s face darkened. In his view, Murong Song should account for the feelings of the other nations, especially their Han Kingdom, when giving Lin Chen his score.

Even if Lin Chen truly deserved six hundred points, it could have been calculated based on a single light pillar.

The decision lay in Murong Song’s hands, and as long as he didn’t wish to give Lin Chen a high score, opposition from the Liang Kingdom would be futile.

"Brother Lu, the Soul Testing Stele is like this; each additional light pillar represents a doubling of the divine soul’s strength, so Lin Chen earning six hundred points is justified."

Murong Song did not change his stance. He knew full well the purpose of Lu Qiguang’s question, but he had his own beliefs.

In this matter, even offending the Han Kingdom was a price worth paying.

Lu Qiguang hadn’t expected Murong Song to refuse to adjust, and his expression turned grim, but the next moment, he resumed smiling: "In that case, congratulations to the Liang Kingdom and to Junior Brother Hou."

Hou Zhantian looked somewhat surprised at Murong Song. He too was filled with curiosity about why Murong Song was so determined to award Lin Chen six hundred points.

In this situation beyond the original rules, Murong Song held the final scoring authority. Hou Zhantian originally thought Murong Song might calculate Lin Chen’s score based on the highest height of a single light pillar or find a middle ground by considering just three light pillars.

Yet, even under Lu Qiguang’s suggestion, Murong Song insisted on giving Lin Chen the highest score.

Nevertheless, for the Liang Kingdom, it was a fortunate event regardless of why Murong Song was willing to offend the Han Kingdom to grant Lin Chen high points.

"Many thanks for your fairness, Brother Murong. The Liang Kingdom has no objections."

Upon these words from Hou Zhantian, the strongmen of the other nations all pursed their lips. Of course the Liang Kingdom had no objections; Lin Chen’s score alone crushed the few nations, and even if he abstained from the subsequent round, the Canglan Martial Arts Academy would undoubtedly rank in the top five.

Gasp!

With Murong Song’s announcement of Lin Chen’s score, the temperature on site suddenly rose, and the cold air was absorbed by everyone.

Six hundred points!

This was an astonishing figure.

Lin Chen didn’t stand before the stele to wait; instead, he walked back to the Canglan Martial Arts Academy, accepting the praises of his fellow disciples.

Following this, other disciples continued to undergo testing. However, most failed, and within the span of a half-hour, all six hundred disciples had completed their tests. Ultimately, only seventy-six passed.

Only ten percent of disciples met the mark!

"Those who pass may enter the Thousand Illusion Secret Realm. Within the secret realm, you will encounter soul creatures that attack the divine soul. If you cannot endure, withdraw voluntarily; do not recklessly push on to avoid damaging the divine soul."

After all the disciples finished testing, Murong Song spoke again, making Li Yuan and others’ expressions turn serious once more. There was a saying among the Nine Kingdoms: body injuries can be treated, but soul injuries are hard to heal.

For bodily injuries, there are pills available, even for severe wounds like a severed arm. Some rare pills can restore such injuries.

But if the divine soul is injured, recovery is extremely difficult.

The Nine Kingdoms all lack pills to heal the divine soul, and any pills that are occasionally available command exorbitant prices.

"Enter the secret realm, where every breath held will earn an additional point."

Murong Song announced the rules for earning points in the Thousand Illusion Secret Realm, and soon all qualified disciples from various martial arts academies headed towards the stone gate of the secret realm.

This time, Bian Xinjie and several others did not wait until the end but went straight to the stone gate. However, as Bian Xinjie approached the gate, he glanced at Lin Chen, his gaze carrying an indiscernible meaning.

"I’m afraid the Han Kingdom may harbor ill intentions; Junior Brother Lin, you should be cautious."

Li Yuan and others had also noticed Bian Xinjie’s final glance and quietly reminded Lin Chen.

"Mm, I will be careful."

Lin Chen nodded. He wasn’t afraid of Bian Xinjie making a move against him in the secret realm, as Murong Yan had already informed him of everything about the secret realm.

In the Thousand Illusion Secret Realm, there existed a massive millstone, and whenever it turned, numerous soul creatures would appear, with the martial artists entering the realm needing to battle against these creatures.

"Let’s go in as well."

Dang Baixuan spoke, and the nine disciples from the Liang Kingdom, including Lin Chen, headed towards the stone gate.

"Junior Brother Lin, you go last."

Li Yuan reminded, and Dang Baixuan and the others nodded in agreement. Although there was no danger inside the secret realm, with Bian Xinjie and others entering first, any potential scheme would face them first.

Following the order, they entered, and the moment Lin Chen set foot into the secret realm, he heard an exclamation.

"What a giant millstone!"

The voice came from Senior Brother Li Yuan, but when Lin Chen looked towards the left where the sound originated, it was shrouded in mist, and he couldn’t see anything.

Directly in front of him in the high sky stood a massive red millstone, emitting a sinister red glow that was unsettling just to glance at.

"Senior Brother Li?"

Lin Chen withdrew his gaze and called towards the left.