<h4>Chapter 1151: Chapter 1158: Touring the Clubhouse</h4>


    Passing through the vermilion gates, Ling Chen and Tong Zhentian arrived at the martial arts arena. Over the past few days, Ling Chen had already set up the arena. At one end, there hung a massive character "Martial," nked by two rows of weapon racks. Swords, spears, sabers, halberds, axes, clubs, and staffs, the eighteen types of weapons were neatly disyed, exuding an impressive aura.


    Tong Zhentian nodded as he observed, praising, "Not bad, well arranged. It seems you’ve put a lot of thought into it."


    Ling Chen smiled and said, "If we are to do it, then we must do our best. Elder Tong,e, I’ll show you around." With those words, Ling Chen led the way, guiding Tong Zhentian into the main building.


    To match the style of the Martial Arts Academy, the decor of the entire building exhibited an antiquated charm. On the snow-white walls hung several calligraphy paintings, all works of ancient masters. Of course, these were replicas, not originals. Although Ling Chen was wealthy, he didn’t want to waste money on useless things.


    Genuine calligraphies and paintings are very expensive these days, casually fetching prices in the tens of millions, making it unnecessary to waste money.


    Tong Zhentian nced around and asked, "You especially called me over, not just to look at these, right?"


    Ling Chen’s lips slightly curled upward, subtly ttering as he said, "Nothing escapes Elder Tong. Elder Tong, please follow me." Before long, the two stepped into an elevator.


    After entering the password and scanning his fingerprint, Ling Chen took out an identification card, gently swiping it across the device. Instantly, the red button turned green. This elevator was the only ess to the second basement level, and due to its importance, Tang Guolun had specially enhanced the security system. Threeyers of passwords were required to activate the elevator. Moreover, they must be enteredpletely within half a minute. Otherwise, the building’s rm would sound, and the elevator would seal shut. No one would be able to escape.


    Though somewhat troublesome, it must be said that this ensures the security of the second basement level is foolproof.


    Before long, Ling Chen and Tong Zhentian took the elevator down to the second basement level. Exiting the elevator, a solid explosion-proof door blocked their path.


    Ling Chen stepped forward, looked at the security camera atop the door, then ced his hand on the recognition device beside it. Shortly, the door produced a soft click and slowly moved aside, revealing a passage wide enough for two people.


    This explosion-proof door cannot be opened from the outside; it can only be unlocked by identity confirmation from the first basement level’s technical staff.


    "Elder Tong, didn’t you sayst night that it’s impossible for me to reach the heights of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion within three years? What I want to tell you is that it’s not an impossible task. Come, let me show you."


    Passing through a few meters of passage, Tong Zhentian followed Ling Chen to the well-protected library.


    Upon entering the library, Tong Zhentian was stunned by the vast collection of books before him. As book titles met his gaze, Tong Zhentian slightly parted his lips, his eyes finally reced by a hint of shock.


    "These... all of these are..." Despite his worldly experiences, Tong Zhentian found himself stammering.


    Ling Chen nodded with a smile and said, "You’re not mistaken; every book here is a martial arts manual, some containing lost skills." As he spoke, Ling Chen walked to a bookshelf, carefully selecting a tattered, yellowing book, and handed it to Tong Zhentian.


    "Elder Tong, you are knowledgeable and should recognize the contents of this book."


    Tong Zhentian did not hesitate, eagerly opening to the first page. As he read therge characters written on the first page, he couldn’t help but exim, "This is... the Nine Yang Qiankun Step, Elder Su’s Absolute Skill."


    "Indeed. Besides the Nine Yang Qiankun Step, there are many treasured martial arts manuals here. Elder Tong, I wonder if you have ever visited the Book Collection Pavilion of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion?"


    "No, outsiders are not allowed into the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s Book Collection Pavilion, even though I have good rtions with them, they wouldn’t permit it. However, Elder Su once mentioned the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s library to me. He said it contains various martial arts manuals, totaling hundreds, with over a dozen being precious ones. When Elder Su mentioned this, I was indeed surprised, but now I’ve discovered that the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s collection is nothingpared to yours, truly a small affair inparison."


    Ling Chen grinned and said, "Elder Tong, perhaps now you’ll believe I wasn’t exaggerating."


    Tong Zhentian nodded, saying seriously, "With such a foundation of books, surpassing the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion in three years might be ambitious, but equaling their stature is feasible. Ling Chen, can you tell me where you found all these books?"


    "Elder Tong, I apologize; I would like to tell you, but it involves personal privacy and secrets, so it’s inconvenient to disclose. However, I can assure you these martial arts manuals were not stolen by me; they are inherited from our ancestors." Ling Chen replied.


    The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion may have a history spanning hundreds of years, but the Ling Family’s history dates back even further, by several centuries. Therefore, in terms of heritage, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is no match for the Ling Family.


    "Since it’s inconvenient for you to say, I won’t press further. Ling Chen, what do you n to do? Do you intend to store such a multitude of martial arts manuals away? If so, that would indeed be a pity."


    Ling Chen chuckled, understanding Tong Zhentian’s thoughts well. Tong Zhentian desired the revival of Huaxia’s Martial Arts but found himself thwarted at every turn, unable to find a viable method. Now, seeing so many precious martial arts manuals, it was impossible for him not to be intrigued.


    However, Ling Chen knew Tong Zhentian’s character; he wouldn’t harbor devious intentions, at most he would persuade Ling Chen to contribute to Huaxia’s Martial Arts.


    "Elder Tong, don’t be hasty; the reason I asked you here is to discuss this. This is not the ce to talk about it; let’s move somewhere else to continue our conversation."


    In the guest room on the first floor, Ling Chen brewed a cup of tea for Tong Zhentian and asked, "Elder Tong, what do you think is the biggest problem with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion?"


    Tong Zhentian thought for a moment and said, "Hoarding it all."


    "Precisely! That’s the biggest problem with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and our only exploitable w. Hence, after thorough consideration, I’ve realized that to gain an advantage, we must start there."


    Tong Zhentian asked with interest, "What do you n to do?"


    "The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion treats those martial arts manuals like treasures, keeping them hidden. Since that’s the case, why not do the opposite, releasing these manuals to the public for everyone to train with? Thus, the so-called historical foundation of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion will cease to exist. At that time, do you think the people of the Martial Arts world wille to my Dragon Tiger Hall or go to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion?"