CHAPTER 174: CHAPTER 129: GENEALOGY SEPARATE PAGE 1_2

Lin Chen is a pragmatic person, naturally hoping to become stronger, because only by becoming stronger can he survive in this chaotic world. This beast tide in particular made him deeply feel the crisis.

What would this city be like without Qin Shaoshao?

So Lin Chen began to have an obsession with becoming stronger.

However, he didn’t care much about fame.

It’s best to have it, but he won’t force it if he doesn’t.

After all, his reputation in the eyes of Lee Zhen and others isn’t very good, and people often misunderstand his character.

After resting for three days, Lin Chen went to find Jiang Dadong and told him everything.

"How about selling me the recipe?" Jiang Dadong was shocked when he heard Lin Chen was leaving.

Without the barbecue seasoning, there was no need to keep the shop open.

"That won’t do. I need a pension for when I come back to retire in the future," Lin Chen said.

"..." Jiang Dadong was speechless but didn’t press further.

Even though he and Lin Chen were familiar now, business was business, and friendship was friendship.

"I’ll try to prepare as much barbecue seasoning as possible this month. Can you pay me in advance?"

"No problem," Jiang Dadong nodded.

"Thanks, brother," Lin Chen said.

"Don’t mention it," Jiang Dadong said. "There are originally few people from Jiuxing City who can go to the Spirit Academy. It’s even rarer for ordinary folks, so you must work hard and not embarrass us."

Then he took out a sum of money, a full 500,000, and said, "Take this as a scholarship from me."

Lin Chen was stunned for a moment, thought it over, and took it since he indeed lacked money, thanking him once again.

After all, since he had dealings with Jiang Dadong, being in debt to him was no issue.

In the days that followed, Xiaobai was stabilizing its foundation, and Lin Chen made it a sandalwood bovine pendant. The Little Fox began helping with packing, checking what to bring along.

But the only necessary item seemed to be his coin bank; everything else could be forgotten.

As for Lin Chen, he was either grinding powder or on his way to grind powder.

"Set a small goal, grind to earn a million first."

...

Every day, Lin Chen fell asleep in exhaustion. By noon on the twentieth day, someone came looking for him.

He opened the door and found Ning Ye.

"Surprised?" Ning Ye asked.

"A bit," Lin Chen invited him in and said, "You’re the Patriarch of the Ning Family."

"Not as prestigious as being a favorite beside the Divine Venerable," Ning Ye replied.

"Uncle Ning is teasing me," Lin Chen said with a bitter smile.

Ning Ye sat down, glancing around the room, and said, "It’s a bit shabby here."

"As long as there’s a place to stay," Lin Chen replied.

"That’s true, but you’ll have to marry someday," Ning Ye said.

"That’s something for the future. I have no such plans for now," Lin Chen smiled, not picking up the topic, fearing Ning Ye might come up with: I have a distant cousin who’s pretty, skillful, and...

However, Lin Chen guessed wrong; Ning Ye came to deliver money.

"Ning Tian has been at the Spirit Academy for nearly a year now," Ning Ye said. "Not sure if he’s short of money, so this time you can help me send some over."

Lin Chen glanced at it and noted it was five million.

You call this a bit?

Lin Chen looked at his reddened hands from grinding, lost in deep thought.

Dubhe Pavilion, you’re truly at fault...

Why agree to the cancelation of the Monster Hunter Guild?

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll take it?" Lin Chen asked.

"Not afraid, it would be even better if you did," Ning Ye said.

"Why?"

"That way, you owe me a favor," Ning Ye replied.

Lin Chen was initially puzzled but then understood. Ning Ye must have guessed that he was the one who had Qin Shaoshao accept only the Ning Family’s evolution materials.

Clearly, from an outsider’s view, the Ning Family seems to have the closest ties with Qin Shaoshao now.

This is a significant boost in prestige for the Ning Family.

"The elder doesn’t understand worldly matters. If anything happens in the future, Uncle Ning, please look after her," Lin Chen said after thinking it through.

"That’s natural," Ning Ye said. "Being able to connect with her high status, we from the Ning Family are the true beneficiaries."

Finally, Lin Chen agreed to send the money and saw Ning Ye out.

Ning Ye was about to leave but turned back after a few steps and said, "I often tell Ning Tian, don’t leave if you don’t have to."

"A man may have ambitions abroad, but he should also have roots."

"Our roots are here in Jiuxing City."

"Though the elder is strong, compared to big cities, it’s still not enough."

"No one knows if the Demon Beast will breach the agreement again, and if they do, it’ll be cities like ours at the bottom that will suffer."

"So... work hard. In the future, you may not return to benefit your hometown, but at least hope you can protect peace here."

"Uncle is looking too far ahead," Lin Chen replied, not buying into the painted picture but recalled Qin Shaoshao’s words and said, "Jiuxing City is also my home."

Ning Ye smiled, bowed with his hands, and left.

He hadn’t initially wanted to say such words, but after the conversation, he believed that if Lin Chen truly stood firm at the Spirit Academy, the future would be limitless.

Building a good relationship naturally starts with being amiable.

....

Another twenty days passed in the blink of an eye, and Lin Chen really ground enough barbecue powder to earn a million.

Jiang Dadong came over, dumbfounded, and said, "Are you planning not to come back?"

"I’m just short on cash," Lin Chen replied.

Jiang Dadong took out a million, handed it to him, and Lin Chen accepted it, feeling slightly more secure.

He now had nearly three million on hand.

Though there are Gale Beasts in the Cangling Ancient Country, the Spirit Academy is extremely far away from here.

Considering the flight time, it would take roughly a month, plus the expenses wouldn’t be low, so Lin Chen probably wouldn’t return often.

However, the future is uncertain, and since it was Lin Chen’s first trip far from home, he naturally wanted to ensure he had enough money to feel somewhat secure.

Lin Chen then went to meet Lee Zhen and heard that Huang Xiaotian had indeed left Jiuxing City, supposedly to travel.

Meanwhile, Xia Yu went to the Beast Tamer Guild and found a job as a full-time training partner, which was a nice settlement for her.

"I’ll try to injure that Phoenix at the Spirit Academy and bring back some blood for you," Lin Chen hadn’t forgotten about the Phoenix in South City.

Lee Zhen burst out laughing and said, "I believe that. You’re indeed a troublemaker. I bet the Spirit Academy won’t have peace because of you."

"...."

Lin Chen felt his good intentions were being taken for granted.

Unexpectedly, Lee Zhen directly took out a million and handed it to Lin Chen.

"What’s this for?" Lin Chen didn’t take it.

Now it was hard for Lee Zhen to find a job due to his missing arm.

Even though many jobs are now handled by Spirit Beasts, Lee Zhen, being a former president, couldn’t just do low-wage work.

"You probably have only a bit more than a million, so take this as a prepayment for the Phoenix blood," Lee Zhen said. "I usually just raise Spirit Beasts and don’t have much expense."

"Besides, it’s a loan. You’ll have to pay it back later."

"Alright then," Lin Chen took it, knowing Lee Zhen must have given it thought, and refusing would upset him.

However, he still said, "Chairman, you miscalculated this time. I don’t have just one million; I now have four million."

"Where’d that come from?" Lee Zhen was extremely surprised.

This time, Lin Chen didn’t hide it and told him about the barbecue business.

"That barbecue powder was your creation?" Lee Zhen was shocked as many people in the city making food were looking for it.

"Yes," Lin Chen nodded.

"With this money, you won’t be too shabby at the Spirit Academy," Lee Zhen finally said.

....

According to Lin Chen’s plan, he would set off in seven days. Although there were still two months before the Spirit Academy’s registration, Lin Chen chose not to travel at night, as he wouldn’t feel safe without experts like Qin Shaoshao and Lee Zhen nearby.

Lin Chen even specifically mapped out a flight route that almost entirely consisted of major cities.

Though it was a bit further, it ensured safety.

Finally, Lin Chen went to see Qin Shaoshao.

"Senior, I’ll be leaving in two days," Lin Chen said as he entered, while Xiaobai and Xiao Hong went to play with the Spirit-Devouring Vine.

Qin Shaoshao glanced at Lin Chen and nodded.

Lin Chen knew her nature, so he just sat beside her, watching the Three-Headed Spirit Beast play while chatting.

Simply put, he talked, while Qin Shaoshao plucked petals, occasionally responding.

"....Ning Ye is trustworthy," Lin Chen finally said. "One shouldn’t worry about favors and social obligations, but the real world is complicated. If you meet reliable people, try to maintain good relations."

This time, Qin Shaoshao nodded seriously.

Lin Chen realized he’d become a bit like a nag, and after sitting for a few hours, he got up to leave.

Unexpectedly, Qin Shaoshao spoke as he was about to depart:

"If the spiritual imprint is eliminated, come back."

Lin Chen paused, then turned and smiled, saying, "Okay."