Chapter 534
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Chapter 534: Hidden Cultivator Again
Lin Jiang is still visiting the Lin family, becoming like brothers with Lin Haiqing and others every day. This makes Lin Huasheng feel really bad. His ancestors and descendants are becoming like brothers while he can’t understand their relationship anymore. He decides to ignore what’s happening.
Lin Jiang isn’t just playing around. He’s also assessing the martial arts that the Lin family’s descendants are learning. The Lin family has plenty of awakened cultivators who have simplified a lot of immortal cultivation techniques into martial arts manuals, especially for physical cultivators, making the Lin family’s martial arts unique.
There are many areas where Lin Jiang can learn from. After all, this is a millennium-old heritage with many valuable aspects.
After a month of wandering, Lin Huasheng gave Lin Jiang a list of awakened cultivators who were previously in deep sleep. The list isn’t complete as some are not included, but Lin Jiang counts them and finds there are hundreds.
"I forgot to ask you before, about the people from Zhonghang Sect."
Having received the list, Lin Jiang met with Lin Huasheng again. There are cultivators from four different powers in slumber, but there’s absolutely no news about Zhonghang Sect. This doesn’t seem right.
"The people of the Sixth Patriarch, Zhonghang Sect, have scattered. Some of them went to Xia Kingdom, where they should be part of a prominent clan of a fiefdom in Xia Kingdom. Another group went into seclusion in Bing State."
"Retreat?"
Yes, the Zhonghang Sect has the fewest awakened people. Many of them have consumed longevity treasures, so not many have woken up. There are no prestigious figures among those who have awakened, causing disagreements.
Some people want to scheme for nobility in the Xia Kingdom, seeking the benefits of generations of nobility. Some are devoted to martial arts, wishing to create a golden age for warriors through martial arts. Others simply want to live out their remaining years in peace. As a result, the people of the Zhonghang Sect have scattered.
Lin Huasheng said, speaking of this, he sighed. Fortunately, the Lin family is a familial power, so even without a strong leader, they can unite through blood ties and generations, unlike the Zhonghang Sect.
"Why retreat to Bing State?"
"Because Bing State has many treasures. The Sixth Patriarch knows that most areas of Bing State are vast swamps."
"I know. I visited a thousand years ago."
"In the present world, though devoid of spiritual energy, there are still many valuable things, such as medicinal herbs. Bing State being mostly swampland is not suitable for human habitation, so it has preserved many treasures. The group from the Zhonghang Sect aiming for the pinnacle of martial arts are active in Bing State, hunting down poisons, collecting herbs, and even refining elixirs, but not as potent as in the cultivation world."
"I’ve heard about reaching the pinnacle of martial arts several times. Can you explain it?"
"This idea was proposed by a cultivator from the Zhonghang Sect. Without the Great Dao, one cannot cultivate, but can practice martial arts, which are also divided into different levels. Mortals start as martial practitioners and can progress to Martial Saints, extending their lifespan. They believe that there are further realms beyond Martial Saint, and breaking through might lead to creating a new world of martial arts, similar to becoming a cultivator or even an immortal. Therefore, the ultimate goal of martial arts is to pursue the peak of martial perfection, aiming to surpass the laws of heaven and earth and ascend to immortality."
"Foolish wishful thinking."
Upon hearing this, Lin Jiang sneered and said. I am the one who defines the levels of martial arts. I myself am the top Martial Saint. How could I not know what is going on?
Advancing to a higher realm means increasing one’s strength, which requires energy support. Internal strength alone is not enough for martial practitioners to continue advancing unless there is a more advanced source of power, such as spiritual energy.
Without spiritual power, everything is just an illusion. If it were possible to advance, he would have done so long ago.
"We also think it’s foolish wishful thinking, but if they believe it’s achievable, there’s nothing we can do about it."
"Are there many people from the Zhonghang Sect in the Bing State now?"
"In recent years, two people have awakened, plus their descendants, so there are definitely hundreds or even thousands."
Lin Huasheng said. Of the four factions, the Zhonghang Sect has the smallest population, with the other three factions starting in the millions and having descendants spread out everywhere.
"You go and ask the main force of the Zhonghang Sect to return to the Qing State and join the defense line of the Qing River."
"Sixth Patriarch, I don’t have the authority over the Zhonghang Sect, I can’t move them."
"Take my personal letter to them, analyze the situation, tell them about the Demon Human matter. If they still don’t listen, come back to me, I will find a way to command them."
Lin Jiang said that he didn’t have the authority to command the people of the Zhonghang Sect. After all, he was not considered a high-ranking member of the Zhonghang Sect. However, he could awaken a senior member to command them, and then arrange for the member to return to sleep.
"Yes, Sixth Patriarch."
"One month later, I left the Lin family, keeping my identity secret. There will be a task for you to do, don’t refuse."
"Yes, Sixth Patriarch, I will do my best."
Lin Huasheng quickly replied, he had no temper in front of Lin Jiang, whatever Lin Jiang said was final.
·······
Lin Jiang left the Lin family in a horse-drawn carriage loaded with many fine swords and dozens of martial arts manuals gifted by Lin Huasheng. The carriage was also packed with various other items.
Zhao Kingdom and Qing State were bordering each other, with military stationed there. Unable to pass with the carriage, Lin Jiang released the horses and hid the goods before continuing on foot towards the capital of Zhao Kingdom.
The Martial Arts Academy in each sealed kingdom was a vital place, and the one in Zhao Kingdom held vast land outside the capital, almost like another small kingdom.
Several days later, Zhao Zhi appeared and reunited with Lin Jiang.
"Mr. Guigu."
Zhao Zhi politely greeted him, knowing that strength spoke for warriors, and as Lin Jiang was stronger, Zhao Zhi was courteous.
"Headmaster Zhao, how are my three young brothers doing?"
"Your insight is exceptional; the three young men are truly rare talents."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, I don’t give them any special treatment, but now the three of them have a big reputation at the Zhao Kingdom Martial Arts Academy, especially Mo Zhai. He is very smart, has a great memory, and can quickly master all kinds of martial arts like knives, spears, swords, fists, sticks, and others."
Zhao Zhi said that at first, he only brought the people back out of respect for Lin Jiang, but he was surprised by all three of them. The most outstanding one is Mo Zhai, who is intelligent and eager to learn, like a lucky find.
"That’s great, President Zhao. I have nowhere else to go now. Can I stay at the Martial Arts Academy for a while?"
"Oh, really, sir wants to come to the Martial Arts Academy?"
"Just for a short stay."
"Feel free to stay. If you’re willing, I can be your host as the president."
"That’s not necessary. Just arrange a quiet place for me. Also, does the Martial Arts Academy have a Library Pavilion?"
"Yes, our Martial Arts Academy’s Library Pavilion has tens of thousands of books, ranking among the top libraries. You can freely borrow books."
"Please arrange it."
Lin Jiang nodded, he needed a quiet place to think about what to do next. At first, he woke up just to check his spiritual energy recovery, but now that he knew about the threat of the Demon Human, he couldn’t ignore it. Otherwise, the world might become the Demon Human’s world by the time he woke up again, and that wouldn’t be fun.
Zhao Zhi was very friendly, and quickly offered his large and quiet place for Lin Jiang to stay. It met all of Lin Jiang’s requirements perfectly.
Lin Jiang closed the door to think in peace. He carefully analyzed the current situation. It was clear that the Xia Kingdom was heading towards a change in rule, and Lin Jiang wouldn’t stop it. As long as the future dynasty didn’t alter the cultural identity of the region, he was okay with it.
Over in Qing State, three factions had recreated things from the era of cultivating immortality, ensuring temporary stability. However, in the long term, there were great risks as the cultivation era was different from the present.
Cultivators could help suppress social unrest caused by rigid class divisions. Even independent cultivators who didn’t obey the rules of sects and clans could be dealt with by high-level cultivators. If they couldn’t control you, they could physically eliminate you.
However, things were uncertain in this era, especially in the future. The common people, if severely suppressed, would rebel. Martial Saints didn’t have the same control as imagined. The crucial factor was lifespan. High-level cultivators could live for thousands or even tens of thousands of years, giving them enough time to train successors. On the contrary, Martial Saints could only live for about a hundred years. If there was a gap in their succession, it would be a crisis.
Additionally, with the advancement of productivity and technology, if there were technological weapons, Martial Saints might not be a match for them.
"If Xia Kingdom can change dynasties, so can Qing State. Qing State is not in danger for now, so we’ll leave it aside. Xia Kingdom needs a reform."
After much thought, Lin Jiang decided that he would drive the reform in Xia Kingdom. The loose feudal system would have to transition into a centralized state to have the organizational ability to mobilize the common people to resist the possible invasion of the Demon Human Tribe.
