13: I can't afford a filial son like you.

“Ninth level peak…”

In the courtyard, Lin Chen sat on the lawn, sweating profusely. Beside him lay a giant sword, as wide as a door panel, completely black, with mysterious runes on it.

“Ten drops of Millennium Earth Core Milk allowed my strength to break through to one hundred thousand jin.”

“My Body Tempering Realm strength is no weaker than that of an ordinary Divine Body owner. Defeating Gu Qing will be as easy as flipping my hand, won't it?”

A cold glint appeared in Lin Chen’s eyes.

Then, a confident smile, like that of a Dragon King, spread across his face from within.

“Ridiculous, so what if you have talent?”

“To achieve something in cultivation, talent, diligence, and fortuitous encounters are all indispensable.”

“I have peerless sword techniques, guidance from a renowned master, numerous fortuitous encounters, and I cultivate day and night. What do you have to compare with me, Gu Qing?”

“Spending all your days in the land of gentle embraces, such a person as you is not worthy of being my enemy; you are merely a small stepping stone for me.”

As he spoke, Lin Chen was full of vigor and confidence, but as soon as he thought that the woman Gu Qing was so infatuated with was his elder sister, he was instantly filled with rage.

His elder sister, as pure as an immortal, had actually been defiled by his enemy. This was unacceptable to him, and his heart felt as if it were being cut by a knife.

“Tomorrow, I will definitely trample you, this genius who appears once in a millennium, underfoot in front of everyone in the city.” He swore to the heavens.

“…”

He Ni, inside the Broken Sword, was speechless for a moment.

Swearing every day for no reason, there was no one else like him.

Forget it, as long as you're happy.

“Chen’er…”

Just then, Lin Zhentian walked in.

His name was incomparably domineering, signifying a desire to battle the heavens, yet his appearance was rather ordinary.

When he smiled now, he had even more of the demeanor of a small person.

“Father, are you looking for me for something?”

Lin Chen was surprised. Why would his father be looking for him at this time?

“Lin Yuan’s talent has recovered, and he has even broken through to the Qi Condensation Realm. In tomorrow’s martial arts competition, he might not let you off easily.”

Lin Zhentian said with a worried expression.

In his understanding, Lin Chen had only obtained a fortuitous encounter, his cultivation realm had advanced rapidly, and he possessed an exquisitely brilliant sword technique.

He relied on this sword technique to defeat many geniuses.

He had no idea that Lin Chen’s strength was one hundred thousand jin of divine power.

Lin Chen had never told him either.

During the last test, it was only a little over ten thousand jin of divine power.

With this much strength, even with exquisite sword techniques, he would not be able to defeat Lin Yuan, who possessed true qi.

Although the initial stage of the Qi Condensation Realm doesn't significantly increase combat power, it can cause some changes in the body.

For example, reaction speed, and true qi enhancing martial skills, doubling their power.

“Father, don’t worry. A mere Lin Yuan, I don’t even put him in my eyes.”

Hearing this, Lin Chen’s face was calm, as if Lin Yuan was an ant that could be crushed at will.

Lin Zhentian frowned and reprimanded, “I know your sword technique is powerful, but you must never underestimate your enemy. You should know the principle that an arrogant army is bound to lose.”

“Hehe, if we haven’t fought yet, how does Father know I’m not his opponent? How about Father and I make a bet? If I win, Father will cancel the engagement between Elder Sister and Gu Qing, how about that?”

Lin Chen suddenly chuckled, rubbing his hands, looking extremely shifty.

“Nonsense! This is a competition concerning your life and death, how can you treat it so childishly?”

Lin Zhentian was furious at his son’s appearance.

“Father, just tell me if you’re betting or not?”

“Or are you saying, Father, you don’t dare?”

Lin Chen used his always effective taunt on his old father.

“Alas, why is this brat becoming more and more unlikable?” He Ni grew increasingly displeased with Lin Chen.

Hiding his cultivation realm from his old father, she could understand.

But using his old father, that was something she absolutely could not accept.

And Lin Chen even acted as if he were clever.

In her opinion, this was a flaw in his character.

Moreover, using such a crude taunt was truly beneath him.

Her successor absolutely could not be a common ruffian.

“It seems I need to make plans early,” she thought to herself.

“Bastard, how dare you speak to your old man like that?”

Lin Zhentian was furious, wishing he could slap him.

He was worried about Lin Chen’s life and death, yet Lin Chen was joking around with him.

If he weren't his biological son, he would have just slapped him to death.

“Old man, Gu Qing is a hypocrite with a facade; Elder Sister absolutely cannot marry him! I’m thinking for Elder Sister’s happiness.”

“You don’t want Elder Sister to marry the wrong person, do you?”

Seeing that the taunt was useless, Lin Chen had no choice but to change his approach and continued to persuade him.

“What’s wrong with Gu Qing?”

“When you were mocked, don’t forget who was helping you.”

Lin Zhentian reprimanded him, then said earnestly.

“You’d best put aside your hostility and befriend him. It will bring you unexpected benefits in the future.”

Previously, he thought Gu Qing was the best son-in-law: talented, handsome, humble, and modest, and he and Lin Chuqing were childhood sweethearts, deeply in love.

He also took great care of Lin Chen, and after they married, he would be able to take even better care of Lin Chen.

But now, he felt that Gu Qing was unworthy of his daughter and also wanted to break off the engagement, but this matter was no longer up to him.

He couldn't control Lin Chuqing.

“Hmph, anyway, I think Gu Qing is unworthy of Elder Sister. If you don’t break it off, I will find a way to do it.”

Lin Chen snorted coldly. Since his father’s side wasn’t working, he could only solve it his own way.

Lin Zhentian’s face darkened. He didn’t bother to waste any more words with him and took out a piece of armor that glowed brightly, with the faint image of a Dragon swirling around it.

“Wear this. Don’t die tomorrow.”

This was the top-grade spiritual artifact, Dragon Armor, given to him by Lin Chuqing.

Although Lin Chen didn't have true qi and couldn't use it, he had infused the Dragon Armor with true essence, which could withstand an attack from a Divine Sea Realm expert.

It was enough to protect Lin Chen’s life.

“Hiss…”

“A top-grade spiritual artifact!”

“Old man, you have such a treasure, why didn’t you give it to me sooner?”

Lin Chen gasped, quickly putting it on, his heart filled with joy.

This was a life-saving trump card, equivalent to an extra life.

He looked at his old father, pondering, how could Lin Zhentian have a top-grade spiritual artifact?

And it was a fine example among top-grade spiritual artifacts, with a Dragon artifact spirit. Its defense was several times that of other top-grade spiritual artifacts, and it also had an attack bonus.

Even those in the Purple Mansion Realm or Xuan Dan Realm might not be able to afford it.

“Old man, honestly, do you have any other good stuff? Quickly take it out and show me.”

Although he didn't know how Lin Zhentian obtained the Dragon Armor, where there was one, there was usually another.

Perhaps Lin Zhentian had other good things.

The more Lin Chen thought about it, the more excited he became.

“Bastard!”

Lin Zhentian’s face grew even darker. He cursed, then hurried away.

If he stayed any longer, he feared he wouldn't be able to resist teaching his Great Filial Son a lesson.

“Hehe, one day, I will empty your family’s coffers.”

Lin Chen’s smile was shifty as he caressed the Dragon Armor, reluctant to let go.

“Master, now that I have the Dragon Armor, even if Gu Qing possesses a special physique, he definitely won’t be my opponent.”

To ensure nothing went wrong, Lin Chen immediately set his sights on He Ni.

If He Ni was willing to help him, Gu Qing, even if he were in the Divine Sea Realm, would surely die.

Unfortunately, Master was too aloof; no matter how he tried to persuade her, it was useless.

But asking Master to help him utilize the Dragon Armor should still be possible, right?

“This Seat only imparted cultivation techniques to you and has not yet accepted you as a disciple. Henceforth, you are not to address this Seat as Master.”

He Ni’s voice was clear, ethereal, and carried a hint of immortal charm, like the sound of nature.

“Master, you imparted peerless sword techniques to me, which is like a second chance at life. In this disciple’s heart, you are my Master.”

Hearing this, Lin Chen was somewhat disappointed.

He Ni still refused to help him, as expected.

As for He Ni saying not to call her Master, he didn't care in the slightest.

It was a test from a powerful expert, he understood.

Lin Chen was confident that he would definitely succeed in becoming her disciple.

Moreover, He Ni only had a wisp of a remnant soul left, hidden in his sea of consciousness. If she didn't take him as a disciple, who else could she take?

“A second chance at life? Please, I wouldn’t dare accept a Great Filial Son like you.” He Ni silently grumbled, no longer paying attention to the shameless Lin Chen.

Her resolve in her thoughts grew even stronger.