Shen Nan and Shen Xinyue also suddenly felt that Lin Zhen and Lin Feng looked very similar, with a striking resemblance in their features.
"The Lin family in the capital has nothing to do with me; you're thinking too much!"
"However, I'm very curious, why is Lin Zhen's photo hanging here?"
Lin Feng asked indifferently.
"Because he's the top of the Earth Rank. As far as I know, Lin Zhen has held the top spot for five consecutive years and is aiming for the Heaven Rank this year."
"According to unofficial sources, this is the year Lin Zhen has the best chance of entering the Heaven Rank."
"This guy is simply a monstrous talent. For five years, countless Earth Rank experts have challenged him, and all have been defeated."
"His strength has probably surpassed the Earth Rank; he already qualifies for the Heaven Rank."
"You must know he's only twenty-nine this year!"
Shen Nan sighed with emotion. As someone of the same generation, he had always been unconvinced by anyone.
But after meeting Lin Zhen, he finally realized what it meant to be a standout individual.
"That terrifying? Will Lin Zhen be present at this martial arts tournament?"
Xia Xue had always admired martial arts. Upon learning how powerful Lin Zhen was, she wanted to witness his prowess.
Shen Nan shook his head. "A mere martial arts tournament, why would it catch Lin Zhen's eye?"
"The provincial martial arts alliance is using Lin Zhen's name this time merely to curry favor with him and build momentum for his Heaven Rank challenge."
"When Lin Zhen challenges the Heaven Rank, the entire martial arts world will likely be shaken!"
"I just wonder who will be the stepping stone on Lin Zhen's path to the Heaven Rank?"
Shen Nan was curious and expectant.
"It should be Ye Qingtian. Ye Qingtian is ranked at the bottom of the Heaven Rank. If Lin Zhen wants to enter the Heaven Rank, he must defeat Ye Qingtian."
Lin Feng smiled, feeling an immense weight on his shoulders.
If what Shen Nan said was true, there was still a significant gap between him and Lin Zhen. At least for now, he was definitely no match for Lin Zhen.
Lin Feng had some knowledge of Ye Qingtian's strength. That guy was known as the Guardian War God, with incredible power.
If Lin Zhen dared to challenge Ye Qingtian now, it meant he possessed strength comparable to Ye Qingtian.
Not to mention that his senior sister Shangguan Qing was not Lin Zhen's match!
If he wanted to contend with Lin Zhen, he first had to improve his cultivation as quickly as possible!
"However, I heard that Lin Zhen's junior brother, Chen Man, will participate in this tournament. Chen Man is ranked thirtieth on the Earth Rank and is known as the Mad Saber of Saibei."
"There are many people who want to challenge Chen Man this time, and the 'Little Devil' Dong Yichen is one of them."
"These people all want to replace Chen Man's position, but I don't think it's likely!"
Shen Nan shared an important piece of news.
"Chen Man? No wonder Dong Yichen is coming to participate in the tournament; he wants to replace the thirtieth position on the Earth Rank."
Lin Feng suddenly understood.
As they spoke, the business van entered the resort.
After the group alighted, they were stunned by the antique architecture before them.
This resort was vast. While called a resort, it was essentially a small village.
However, this village was ancient, with houses preserved from bygone eras. Once enclosed, it naturally became a tourist attraction.
"Young Master Shen, you've arrived!"
The resort manager came to greet them.
"Manager Huang, we'll be staying here for three days. Please arrange our accommodation immediately!"
Shen Nan instructed.
Manager Huang dared not delay and immediately led the group to find lodging.
Due to the high exposure of this martial arts tournament and the participation of Chen Man from the Earth Rank, the number of participants and spectators reached an unprecedented peak.
The resort rooms were fully booked months in advance.
Even with Shen Nan's intervention, there were no remaining rooms.
Manager Huang could only apologetically arrange for the group to stay in a house rented out to villagers.
Even so, staying for three nights would cost nearly a hundred thousand at a premium price.
"Young Master Shen, I apologize for the inconvenience these few days. I truly couldn't find any extra rooms."
"However, I've had the house thoroughly cleaned, and all the furnishings are new."
Manager Huang said apologetically.
"Alright, staying here is more comfortable than a hotel room. You can go ahead and attend to your other duties!"
Shen Nan understood Manager Huang's predicament and kindly signaled him to leave.
After Manager Huang departed, the girls began to inspect the house.
It was a two-story old building, with the main structure built of wood.
Using ancient mortise and tenon joinery, the entire house was quite sturdy.
The first floor housed the living room, dining room, kitchen, and study.
The second floor had five bedrooms, ample space for Lin Feng and the others.
From the second floor, one could see a canal flowing through the town. A gentle breeze carried the mingled scents of river water and flora, creating a rather leisurely ambiance.
After storing their luggage, Lin Feng opened the package prepared by Tang Wan.
It contained various unregistered pesticides purchased by Tang Wan through her contacts from different regions.
Lin Feng poured the pesticides into small bottles of Huoxiang Zhengqi water, sealed them, creating about dozens of small "drinks."
With these small bottles, he could use his internal energy limitlessly, which served as a trump card.
As dusk settled, Lin Feng took the three girls for a stroll around the resort.
On the ancient bluestone paths, one could see a dense crowd of people.
These were all spectators for the tournament, and they were all wealthy and influential individuals.
"Are you Lu Jingzhe?"
As the group was strolling, a startled cry rang out.
Lu Jingzhe turned around and frowned, "Are you Chen Meijia?"
"Yes, it's me! We haven't seen each other for years. You've gotten even more beautiful; I almost didn't recognize you!"
Chen Meijia smiled and appraised Lu Jingzhe.
The woman wore trendy fashion, clearly from a wealthy family.
Accompanying Chen Meijia was a man wearing a tight-fitting tank top.
The man looked like he worked out, his body covered in muscles, tall and imposing.
"Lu Jingzhe, let me introduce you. This is my new boyfriend, Huo Zhiming. He's a successor of the Huo Family Fist."
Chen Meijia said with a giggle, holding onto Huo Zhiming's strong arm.
Huo Zhiming's lips curled slightly, and a hint of greed flashed in his eyes as he looked at Lu Jingzhe.
"Miss Lu, hello. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Huo Zhiming proactively greeted Lu Jingzhe, confident in his masculine charm.
He firmly believed that Lu Jingzhe would be attracted to his manliness.
To his surprise, Lu Jingzhe remained very indifferent. "Hello to you too. This is Lin Feng, my boyfriend."
Lu Jingzhe also linked her arm through Lin Feng's and introduced him to Chen Meijia.
She and Chen Meijia were university classmates, and their relationship was ordinary, merely acquaintances.
"Your boyfriend? Does he also practice martial arts?"
Chen Meijia sized up Lin Feng, looking somewhat disdainful.
Lin Feng was too thin. Although he was a bit handsome, he couldn't compare to Huo Zhigang.
Lu Jingzhe was a top student, and her family wasn't lacking in money either. Why would she find such an ordinary boyfriend?
Chen Meijia found it hard to comprehend.
"Yes, my boyfriend practices martial arts too. He's here to participate in the martial arts tournament."
Lu Jingzhe replied truthfully without much thought.
As soon as she said this, Chen Meijia almost burst out laughing. "Haha, Lu Jingzhe, are you kidding me? Someone like him is fit to participate in the martial arts tournament?"
"Don't you know how terrifying the martial arts tournament is? Even my boyfriend isn't qualified to participate. Is he going there to die?"
Chen Meijia laughed until tears streamed down her face.
Huo Zhigang also found it amusing. Those who could participate in the martial arts tournament were all grandmasters.
Some were even ranked experts on the Earth Rank.
As a successor of the Huo Family Fist, he didn't dare to register for the competition. What gave Lin Feng the courage?