Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 518 - 57: The Struggle for Quotas

Pill Mansion.

"Brother Gu, this is the Alchemy Workshop of my Dan Family. We can refine the elixirs needed by Martial Artists below the Grade, but for those above the Grade, it depends on the medicinal ingredients."

"Depends on the medicinal ingredients?"

"For any elixirs consumed by Grade-Entering Martial Artists, the cost of the ingredients is extremely high. But the price is secondary; the more important issue is that some elixir ingredients are extremely difficult to obtain."

Dan Muqing held a green pill in her hand and explained, "Take this Nourishing Spirit Pill for instance, it requires the power of three nations to complete."

"The power of three nations?"

"One main ingredient of the Nourishing Spirit Pill comes from Liang, while an auxiliary ingredient comes from Wu Kingdom. Typically, Wu Kingdom buys the main ingredient from Liang and then mixes it with the auxiliary ingredient for refining, making the pill into a semi-finished product, which is then transported to my Dan Family in Zhao Kingdom."

"Is it that troublesome?"

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, surprised that the refinement of a single pill required the cooperation of three nations?

Liang has the main ingredient and chooses to sell it to Wu Kingdom. Wu Kingdom possesses the auxiliary ingredient and refines it; he can understand that. But what about Zhao Kingdom?

Why doesn’t Wu Kingdom refine it completely by itself, instead choosing to sell the semi-finished product to Zhao Kingdom?

"Wu Kingdom can also refine Nourishing Spirit Pills, but their success rate is not high, only thirty percent, whereas my Dan Family has a seventy percent success rate."

Dan Muqing’s face glowed with pride as she spoke; in the field of alchemy, the Dan Family is well-ranked across Zhao Kingdom.

Upon hearing this explanation, Lin Chen understood why Wu Kingdom didn’t refine it themselves. Their alchemy skills were lacking, and the success rate too low, making it better to let the Dan Family handle it.

"In general, the prices of some alchemy materials in various countries are fixed, and fluctuations are minimal. However, unexpected situations do arise. Take yesterday for instance; Liang suddenly issued a document stating that all Wu Kingdom merchants purchasing Liang’s Martial Path resources must pay thirty percent more."

"Why?"

"I don’t know. I just received a notification from the family. After this batch of Nourishing Spirit Pills is refined, the family will temporarily stop refining them."

Dan Muqing shook her head. Why Liang suddenly targeted Wu Kingdom is uncertain, though the family has many speculations. She believes other kingdoms are also guessing, but strangely, Wu Kingdom has shown no discontent, as if accepting this fact.

It’s important to know that the ingredients for the Nourishing Spirit Pill are just one of many Martial Path resources from Liang. Apart from Han Kingdom, Liang has the most extensive territory and the most Martial Path resources. When Liang decided to increase all prices for Wu Kingdom’s Martial Path resources by thirty percent, it effectively meant that Wu Kingdom’s Martial Artists would have to spend thirty percent more on their cultivation path.

Originally, from Qi Cultivation to Entering the Grade required ten thousand taels of silver; now it requires thirteen thousand taels.

The trading of Martial Path resources between the Nine Kingdoms is dominated by the Han Kingdom, with an established order.

Logically, if Liang suddenly raises prices unilaterally against Wu Kingdom, Wu Kingdom could request help from Han Kingdom, which would pressure Liang, but this time Wu Kingdom chose silence.

Recalling her father’s analysis, Dan Muqing feared that Wu Kingdom must have done something behind the scenes to anger Liang, leaving Wu Kingdom to bear Liang’s wrath.

"Oh, little sister, is this the genius you recruited for the competition?"

A voice rang out behind Lin Chen and Dan Muqing as Lin Chen turned to see a few young figures appear in the corridor, with Dan Muqing’s voice chiming in:

"Brother Gu, these are my two elder cousins, and the other three are genius Martial Artists they recruited for the competition."

Lin Chen did not respond, but the disdainful tone of Dan Muqing’s cousin revealed a lot of information.

The Dan Family is not a monolithic entity.

This is normal; a large family is no different from a sect, where intrigue naturally exists.

Dan Mufeng and his group came forward, their gazes assessing Lin Chen.

"Are you the genius my little sister recruited?"

His eyes and words were filled with doubt.

"Dan Mufeng, I invited Young Master Lin, and the family elders have approved."

Seeing the skepticism in Dan Mufeng’s eyes towards Lin Chen, Dan Muqing’s expression turned cold as she spoke.

The reason for referring to Lin Chen as Young Master Lin was not due to Lin Chen revealing his true identity to Dan Muqing, but rather to prevent the Zhuang Family from immediately identifying him, hence the surname change.

The Zhuang Family only knew "Gu Fei" from Chen Yan, and with mismatched surnames, they wouldn’t immediately make a connection.

"Is that so?"

Dan Mufeng shook his head with a smile, "Little sister, I forgot to tell you something. This time, our family’s five slots might not be enough. The genius you invited cannot represent our Dan Family in the competition."

"Dan Mufeng, do you think our Dan Family is now run by your branch alone?"

Dan Muqing’s eyes held a hint of mockery. Her grandfather had three brothers, with her father being the second child. She also had an uncle and a younger uncle.

Dan Mufeng was the eldest son of her eldest uncle, with Dan Muyun standing on his left as the younger son.

"Little sister, you misunderstand me. Of course, I’m not the one selecting the participants. However, yesterday I invited Young Master Yun, and I believe you wouldn’t object to Young Master Yun having a slot, would you?"

When Dan Mufeng mentioned Young Master Yun, a supposed modest smile appeared on the face of the young man standing on his right.

"Young Master Yun?"

Dan Muqing’s mind quickly raced, then suddenly her voice rose, "Are you referring to Yun Zhongjing?"

"Indeed, that’s me."

Yun Zhongjing nodded gracefully, "I came at Brother Feng’s invitation to represent the Dan Family in the competition."

Dan Muqing’s face changed upon hearing the name Yun Zhongjing.

Especially after the Martial Arts Garden published the Hidden Dragon List and the upcoming Four Family Competitions, she specifically researched these geniuses on the Hidden Dragon List, focusing on the Earth List.

Yun Zhongjing was a genius ranked twenty-sixth on the Earth List.

"For Young Master Yun to be willing to fight for the Dan Family, I am truly grateful."

Dan Muqing first bowed to express gratitude. With Yun Zhongjing’s strength, he certainly qualified, but...

Dan Muqing glanced sideways at Lin Chen beside her. She wasn’t sure how strong Gu Fei was, but he might not match Young Master Yun, yet surely was not inferior to the other three brought by the family.

"Dan Mufeng, our family has five slots. Even if Young Master Yun takes one, four remain. I am confident Young Master Lin’s abilities warrant at least one slot."

Hearing this, the brothers Dan Mufeng’s and Dan Muyun’s eyes fixed on Lin Chen again, who stood there composed, unchanged in demeanor.

"Little sister, with five slots, this is the last person you invited. Now that Young Master Yun wants to represent our Dan Family, someone must step down, and by order, it should be Brother Lin."

After speaking, Dan Mufeng glanced at Lin Chen, "Brother Lin, our Dan Family isn’t stingy. The rewards the family promised you earlier will still be honored."

Not participating in the competition yet receiving rewards.

In Dan Mufeng’s view, the condition he offered was highly generous, and Lin Fei would know what to choose unless he was foolish.

The contest within the ruins poses no life threat, but nearly half still get injured each year.

Lin Chen looked at Dan Muqing. His choice to fight for the Dan Family was, firstly, to avenge the Zhuang Family, secondly, an opportunity to obtain the Demon Core, and thirdly, the reward that Dan Muqing offered.

"Sorry, I was invited by Miss Dan. If she asks me to withdraw, I will."

Lin Chen shook his head, clearly stating that as long as Dan Muqing did not ask him to give up, he wouldn’t relinquish this slot.

"Dan Mufeng, I will not let Young Master Lin give it up."

Dan Muqing quickly voiced her stance. She had indeed been worried that Gu Fei might voluntarily give up upon hearing Dan Mufeng’s offer.

Relieved that Lin Chen did not relent, she quickly stated her position.

In some sense, the allocation of slots for external talents reflects one’s status and voice within the family.

"Since my little sister insists on this, there’s only one fair way. Let them prove themselves with strength."

Dan Mufeng said with a smile, having anticipated Dan Muqing’s attitude and already prepared a countermeasure.

"Wait a moment!"

Just as Dan Mufeng finished speaking, Yun Zhongjing suddenly interrupted.

"Young Master Yun, you don’t need to participate."

Dan Mufeng explained hastily, thinking Yun Zhongjing misunderstood.

"No need for such hassle, just let them each take three moves from me. Whoever can stand firm can take the slot."