The Hidden Dragon Camp is a gathering place for military geniuses.
When Ling Xiao and Ling Yixue followed Lin Chen through the gates of the Hidden Dragon Camp, they deeply realised this fact.
The people here were all young, with the oldest they encountered being under thirty years old.
And the weakest martial artists in the Hidden Dragon Camp were at the early stage of the Fifth Level of Martial Veins.
That doesn’t sound very impressive, does it?
But a comparison makes it clear. The Ling family, one of the four great families of Tianfeng City, would surely rank anyone with a cultivation of the Fifth Level of Martial Veins in the top ten, or even the top five, of the family.
Yet here, a cultivation at the early stage of the Fifth Level of Martial Veins was just an ordinary disciple. Unless one’s talent was truly exceptional, they couldn’t even enter the Hidden Dragon Camp without reaching this level.
As for the strongest martial artists, Ling Xiao didn’t know. But in the brief moment of entering the Hidden Dragon Camp, he had already spotted four or five martial masters above the Seventh Level of Martial Veins.
These people were likely instructors of the Hidden Dragon Camp, as they were older, though still no more than thirty.
“Ling Xiao, Ling Yixue, there’s a rule in the Hidden Dragon Camp: the better your performance, the better the food you eat, the better the place you live, and the better the master you study under.”
Lin Chen explained as they walked. “For newcomers, the instructors are generally martial masters at the early stage of the Seventh Level of Martial Veins. But if you perform outstandingly, it’s easy to receive guidance from martial masters at the Eighth Level, or even the Ninth Level, in the future.”
“Understood!”
Ling Xiao didn’t see this as a problem. No place or organisation could ever treat everyone equally.
Geniuses deserved special treatment, and it was normal for the mediocre to be cast aside.
The resources you received depended on your ability—that was true fairness.
Fairness wasn’t equality. If everyone had the same resources, that would be the real injustice.
“That’s the barracks of the Hidden Dragon Camp up ahead. I’m sure you’ve already noticed the difference, haven’t you?”
Lin Chen pointed at the military camp ahead with a smile.
Ling Xiao nodded.
Even a fool could see that the barracks were clearly divided into three tiers.
One was a communal dormitory with tiled roofs, housing all the newcomers and the lowest-ranking martial artists of the Hidden Dragon Camp.
On the other side were buildings made of brick and stone, beautifully constructed, with each person having their own room. Though small, they offered private space and came with a servant.
Higher up were three standalone courtyards, each with three entrances and exits, complete with gardens, rooms, kitchens, training rooms, and full amenities, served by three maids and three servants.
“I won’t explain much more. The Hidden Dragon Camp isn’t a place for idlers; it’s a place to nurture talent. Those three courtyards and seven stone houses are rewards for martial artists who excel.”
Lin Chen said with a smile.
“I’ve heard that General Lin Ze has twelve young generals under his command, the youngest being only sixteen and the oldest under thirty. Did they come from the Hidden Dragon Camp too?”
Ling Xiao asked.
“Indeed, all twelve of these young generals came from the Hidden Dragon Camp. Some excel at leading troops in battle, some at killing an enemy in ten steps, and others at striking unpredictably, taking the head of an enemy general amidst an army.”
Lin Chen nodded. “Out there, they’re known as the Twelve Tiger Guards!”
“The Twelve Tiger Guards must all be martial masters, right?”
Ling Xiao asked.
“Correct. They’re the top geniuses to emerge from the Hidden Dragon Camp, role models for our generation. I hope one day you and I can both become Tiger Guard Generals!”
Lin Chen’s voice was filled with excitement as he spoke, clearly showing his deep admiration for the Tiger Guard Generals.
Ling Xiao smiled but didn’t respond.
To him, the Tiger Guard Generals were just a stepping stone.
Ever since he learned of the Mortal Realm, his heart had been set on striving towards that goal.
As for what lay beyond the Mortal Realm, he didn’t know, nor did he need to think about it yet.
It wouldn’t be too late to consider that once he reached the Mortal Realm.
For now, he’d focus on steadily improving his strength in the Hidden Dragon Camp.
Even the most ordinary martial artists here had access to resources and guidance far better than the top martial artists of the Ling family.
This greatly increased his chances of advancement, strengthening his resolve to stay.
“Lin Chen, bringing back new recruits again?”
Along the way, many people recognised Lin Chen and greeted him.
“Yes, two geniuses personally selected by the General!”
Lin Chen replied with a laugh.
Every time Lin Chen said this, the young martial artists passing by would stop in their tracks and cast unfriendly glances at Ling Xiao and Ling Yixue.
“Brother Lin, that one sentence of yours has made us quite a few enemies.”
Ling Xiao said with a laugh.
“No matter. You can’t hide this sort of thing in the Hidden Dragon Camp—they’d find out sooner or later. It’s not really making enemies. They’ve just heard that you two were handpicked by General Lin Ze and want to see what you’re made of. Show them a bit of skill and put them in their place.”
Lin Chen said nonchalantly. “In the Hidden Dragon Camp, keeping a low profile isn’t an option unless you’re willing to accept the worst food, the worst lodging, the worst instructors, and the worst resources.”
“That’s true.”
Ling Xiao had initially thought about lying low as a newcomer, but after hearing Lin Chen, it seemed that wasn’t an option.
Choosing to stay low meant always competing at a disadvantage.
He wasn’t stupid—why would he willingly put himself through that?
“Good that you understand.”
Lin Chen continued, “One more thing I should warn you about: though the Hidden Dragon Camp is General Lin Ze’s territory, there are people from the Tianren Academy and Governor Baiyun, Wan Ben, mixed in here. If they learn about what happened in Tianfeng City, they’ll definitely target you. Be careful.”
“Got it.”
“You’re not surprised?” Lin Chen asked, taken aback.
“There’s nothing to be surprised about. With the capabilities of the Ren Clan, infiltrating the Hidden Dragon Camp isn’t difficult, especially with Governor Baiyun, Wan Ben, helping them—it’s even easier.”
Ling Xiao’s expression turned cold as he continued, “If they behave themselves, fine. But if they dare provoke me, I’ll gladly help General Lin get rid of these pests.”
If someone with the Mountain and River Martial Soul didn’t have this much confidence, they wouldn’t deserve it!
He might not dare to challenge martial artists above the master level, but below that, he feared no one.
No matter what genius or prodigy stood before him, they were all mere mortals in his eyes!
Though he appeared calm and composed on the outside, his inner passion and ambition burned no less than anyone else’s.
He would never forget the humiliation he endured as a beggar.
He would never forget the sight of his beggar family being slaughtered.
Nor would he forget the Ling family being surrounded, nearly driven to ruin.
Everything came down to strength.
If he were strong enough, no one would dare bully him.
If he were strong enough, he could protect his loved ones.
If he were strong enough, who would dare attack his family in his presence?
Strength was everything—everything else was meaningless.
“Hahaha, bold! I like people like you.”
Suddenly, a man strode over. Though he seemed to be walking, he covered hundreds of metres in an instant, arriving right in front of them.
