Chapter 159: Accustomed to It

"Is he really that powerful? You almost had me believing you."
...
Shen An was long since accustomed to this.

At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in black martial arts robes approached Shen An. With a warm and gentle smile on his face, he said, "I heard the Earl was passing by our martial arts dojo, so I came out specifically to welcome you and invite you inside for a visit."

"Isn't that the master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo? He is a figure of immense prestige in this area. I heard he once fought ten formidable ferocious beasts and possesses astonishing strength. I never expected him to show such deep respect to that Earl."

"The master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo practically never invites anyone in. What is going on here?"

"Is the master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo really that formidable?"

"Hmph! If you haven't even heard of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo, it just shows how ignorant and ill-informed you are."

The master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo smiled amiably and said, "Young Earl, the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo welcomes you at any time."

Shen An glanced at the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo. It wasn't that he looked down upon it; he simply felt there was no need to go inside.

"Does your Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo have a gravity chamber with fifty times gravity?" Shen An asked. If the other party possessed a fifty-fold gravity chamber, he might consider going in to practice. After all, cultivating in a gravity chamber yielded twice the results with half the effort compared to the outside world.

The master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo gave an awkward smile. Not every martial arts dojo had a gravity chamber, and a place like the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo didn't have one at all.

The master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo said apologetically, "My apologies, Earl, our Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo does not have a fifty-fold gravity chamber. However, apart from that, whatever other dojos have, we have as well."

"Then forget it. I might as well head back to the Grandmaster Council," Shen An said. Since there was no fifty-fold gravity chamber, he felt no need to linger any longer.

"Earl, please allow me to have a vehicle send you back. The Grandmaster Council is quite far from here," said the master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo. You must be joking—this was a hard-earned opportunity to establish a connection with the Grandmaster Council. If the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo could tie itself to the Grandmaster Council's network in the future, who would ever dare to provoke them? Hardly anyone would dare to cross the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo.

Shen An could also tell that the master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo had ulterior motives, which he found rather displeasing. He decisively rejected the invitation.

Shen An strode away, leaving the master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo standing there awkwardly. He knew that once missed, this opportunity would never come again.

"Sigh," the master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo shook his head, then turned and walked back into the dojo.

"He actually rejected the invitation from the master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo."

"As expected of an Earl of the Grandmaster Council. Even the master of the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo couldn't persuade him to stay."

"Just how powerful is the Grandmaster Council in Silver City? In front of the Grandmaster Council, the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo is nothing more than an ant. If I were a young Earl of the Grandmaster Council with limitless potential, I certainly wouldn't have any dealings with the Tianhe Martial Arts Dojo either."

Upon returning to the Grandmaster Council, several Earls warmly welcomed Shen An. Everyone understood that this young Earl was the most likely candidate to control the Grandmaster Council in the future.

"Lord Shen An, have you encountered any trouble during this period? If there is any trouble at all, just tell me, and I will definitely resolve it for you."

"Lord Shen An, I just accepted a challenge. Would you like to come and watch our duel? It is guaranteed to be spectacular!"

"Lord Shen An, I have brewed a potent tonic for you. As long as you drink it, your cultivation will undoubtedly advance by leaps and bounds."

Shen An managed a wry smile. He felt these Earls were being a bit too overly enthusiastic, though he naturally knew they meant well.

"Ahem, ahem..." A soft cough sounded. It was none other than the Grandmaster Council's highest-ranking and most authoritative First Elder. Following closely behind him were the Second Elder and the Third Elder.

The First Elder spoke up, "Everyone, I have some matters to discuss with Lord Shen An. You should all withdraw for now."

The Earls looked at one another, seemingly waiting for someone else to step back first. Lord Shen An did not frequently appear at the Grandmaster Council, and if they missed this chance to build a relationship with him, they feared they would have to wait a very long time again.

The First Elder walked forward and said, "Lord Shen An, I have come to discuss a matter with you. Shortly, a mysterious martial artist from above will arrive at the Grandmaster Council, and you will have to fight him. I hope you can at least manage a draw with this mysterious martial artist."

Shen An could tell that the First Elder took this matter very seriously.

"You want me to fight to a draw with this mysterious martial artist? Judging by the First Elder's serious expression, this mysterious martial artist must be exceptionally powerful," Shen An remarked.

"That Black Martial Artist is indeed formidable, but it is not impossible for you to defeat him," the First Elder said.

"First Elder, have you not noticed yet? Lord Shen An has already broken through to the late stage of the Third Rank! To break through to the late stage of the Third Rank in such a short time is truly remarkable," the Third Elder observed, noticing that Shen An's aura had undergone a distinct change, clearly indicating a breakthrough to the late stage of the Third Rank.

"The late stage of the Third Rank? Hahaha, truly worthy of Lord Shen An, managing to break through in such a short amount of time! That being the case, you certainly stand a chance of winning against that Black Martial Artist," the First Elder commented.

The Third Elder smiled and said, "That Black Martial Artist possesses formidable strength and is said to be able to defeat most experts in the late stage of the Third Rank. Not long ago, the First Elder was still worried that your strength was only at the mid stage of the Third Rank and that you wouldn't be a match for him."

"Why does the Black Martial Artist want to fight me?" Shen An asked, feeling puzzled, as he did not recall knowing any such person.

"The Black Martial Artist is an expert sent from above to test you. After all, you became an Earl at such a young age, and those above have their reservations. Therefore... they sent an expert to evaluate you," the First Elder explained.

"However, Lord Shen An, please rest assured. After this, those above will no longer send anyone to test you. As long as you can hold your ground against the Black Martial Artist, it will prove that you are fully capable of holding the position of Earl, and no one will ever be able to shake your status."

Shen An understood the importance of the Earl's insignia. With it, more people would recognize him outside, and wearing it meant he would encounter virtually no obstacles when entering various martial arts dojos to cultivate. These were the tangible benefits the insignia provided. With the Earl's insignia, Shen An could immerse himself in his cultivation with even greater peace of mind.

"Since the First Elder says so, there is naturally no problem at all. I will certainly seize this opportunity," Shen An said.

Regardless of how strong the Black Martial Artist might be, Shen An was determined to win and secure his position as Earl.