He Xin was wearing a Taohua Village Martial Arts Gym uniform and smiling brightly at Lin Chen in front of the BMW car.

Lately, Lin Chen had been busy with Xingchen Company and the Little Divine Chef Private Dining restaurant. He had not seen He Xin for many days.

"He Xin, is there something you need? What fortuitous wind blew you here today?" Lin Chen said with a gleaming smile.

He Xin shot Lin Chen a glance, "What, can't I find you if there's nothing urgent?"

"Of course, you can!" Lin Chen said with an awkward laugh.

He Xin snorted, "I'm hitching a ride with you to attend the Martial Arts Alliance test."

"Has He Xin reached the Qi Refinement stage as well?" Lin Chen couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard this, knowing that Qi Refinement was the basic requirement to join the Martial Arts Alliance.

"Hmph, am I the only one who can reach the Qi Refinement stage?" He Xin snorted coldly and directly pulled open the car door to sit in the passenger seat.

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Who is He Xin? With such astonishing talent, entering Qi Refinement is just child's play."

"Stop with the flattery. Even with good talent, could you be better than me? Start driving, we're going to be late," He Xin said, checking her wristwatch.

"Alright, let's go." Lin Chen pressed the accelerator, and the BMW 740 headed toward the Martial Arts Alliance testing grounds.

The testing grounds of the Martial Arts Alliance were not far from Taohua Village, taking about half an hour to reach. After parking the car, both of them walked into the testing area.

Lu Dong saw Lin Chen and hurried over, although his expression was somewhat grim.

"Brother Lin, you've arrived, but today's test might be a bit troublesome," said Lu Dong with a hint of anger in his tone.

"What happened?" Lin Chen asked.

A trace of guilt crossed Lu Dong's face. "It goes like this. DY Martial Arts Alliance belongs to the Donghai Province Martial Arts Alliance, and the supervisor for this competition is from the provincial branch, a man named Murong Tian. This guy once competed with me for the presidency of DY Martial Arts Alliance and lost; later, through some connection, he was transferred to the provincial branch.

I've already got word from the inside that he has fully prepared to make all the candidates I recommend fail. I'm afraid you and He Xin might get involved too."

"Murong Tian? Does he have an uncle named Murong Qing?" Lin Chen curiously asked.

"Yes, how did you know?" Lu Dong asked, taken aback.

"Brother Lu, you don't need to blame yourself. I have grievances with the Murong family myself. Even without your involvement, the Murong family probably wouldn't let me pass easily," Lin Chen said with a smile.

Lin Chen recounted the events of the past few days to Lu Dong, his expression turning cold: "If they don't trouble me, they're lucky. But if they provoke me, then don't blame me for being ruthless."

"So that's how it is. Anyway, you must be careful, Brother Lin. Murong Tian and I have never got along, and they definitely come prepared this time," Lu Dong still seemed worried.

Then Lu Dong glanced at He Xin standing next to Lin Chen. "Xin, the situation is quite complicated this time. I think you better not participate."

He Xin shook her head upon hearing Lu Dong's words, "No, since the Murong family people are targeting Lin Chen, staying might allow me to lend a hand. Otherwise, being alone and isolated is too dangerous."

"He Xin, don't worry. No matter what tricks the Murong family plays, both you and I will enter the Martial Arts Alliance this time," Lin Chen said confidently.

"Hmm, this time I'll follow your lead then," He Xin said with a smile.

He Xin's reluctance to back down touched Lin Chen. He knew if they failed to challenge the Martial Arts Alliance this time, it would be two years before the next opportunity.

As they were chatting, suddenly two Land Rover sedans stopped at the entrance of the testing grounds.

The car doors opened, and two young men jumped down from the rear Land Rover, respectfully opening the front car's door.

A young man wearing sunglasses slowly stepped down from the car, accompanied by Murong Qing getting out of the vehicle.

Murong Qing clearly saw Lin Chen as well, showing a cold smile on his face.

Murong Tian and Murong Qing arrived with four young men in tow.

"Brother Lu, it's been a long time," Murong Tian said politely.

Lu Dong returned a faint smile, "I heard big brother was promoted within the Provincial Martial Arts Federation, what brings you back to DY this time?"

Murong Tian sneered, "I heard that DY's martial arts are in decline. As a person from DY myself, isn't it natural for me to worry? I brought a few disciples from our clan to bolster DY's reputation."

Upon hearing Murong Tian's words, Lu Dong sneered too, "In decline, you say? That might not be the case; we have quite a promising newcomer this time."

"Are you referring to him?" Murong Tian's eyes landed on Lin Chen.

"Uncle, that fool you mentioned a few days ago, it's this kid, right?" Murong Tian said coldly.

"Yes, it's this kid." Murong Qing glared at Lin Chen, his face icy.

Murong Tian approached Lin Chen and scrutinized him from head to toe.

"Kid, do you know? There are some people in this world you shouldn't offend. You've offended our Murong family. By rights, you should be crippled, but seeing that you have some skills, I'll give you a chance. Join our Murong family, and I'll not only spare you but also help you advance smoothly.

I might even give you a Cultivation Technique from our Murong family," Murong Tian said with a chilling smile.

Lin Chen looked at Murong Tian's arrogant face and suddenly laughed, "Joining your Murong family isn't impossible, but I have conditions."

Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, Lu Dong's expression changed, showing a look of disappointment.

He had thought Lin Chen was a man of principle, but he had yielded so easily.

Seeing Lin Chen agree to join the Murong family caught Murong Tian off guard, but mostly, he was pleased.

"What are your conditions? As long as they're not too excessive, I should be able to decide," Murong Tian said with a smile.

His desire to recruit Lin Chen was not only to showcase the status of the Murong family but also to embarrass Lu Dong.

Having the person recommended by Lu Dong join his Murong family was such an embarrassing situation for Lu, and now he had clearly achieved his two aims.

After thinking briefly, Lin Chen spoke seriously, "Joining your Murong family is fine, but I will need your Family Head to step down when I arrive. I'll take the trouble to be your Family Head."

"What did you say?" Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, Murong Qing erupted in fury.

The position of the Family Head of their Murong family was not something to be handed over to someone unrelated; it was a blatant insult to their Murong family.

Murong Tian's face darkened instantly, "Kid, are you playing with me?"

Lin Chen looked innocent, "I'm not playing with you. I'm quite sincere. Is my request too excessive?"

Murong Qing was almost exploding with anger; he himself still aspired to be the Family Head, so how could he possibly hand it over to an outsider.

Watching Lin Chen mock the people of the Murong family, Lu Dong also chuckled inwardly, but he was more worried for Lin Chen.

As expected, Murong Tian snorted coldly, "Kid, you're courting death. All of you, go together, cripple him on the stage for me."

"Murong Tian, a fair match is one-on-one. Are you planning to break the rules?" Lu Dong snorted.

"Rules? Sorry, I set the rules for this competition. This time, it's a group fight, and the last four standing on the stage will qualify to join the Martial Arts Federation,"

Murong Tian sneered.

"What?" Hearing Murong Tian's words, Lu Dong's face changed. As the match supervisor, he could set the rules, which didn't violate the Federation's regulations.

"President Lu, it's okay, we're just playing, aren't we? Let's see who outplays whom." Lin Chen said with a slight smile.