Here He Comes, Running with Beads

"Have you heard? The two patriarch-level figures from the Nie Family and Ye Family suffered a loss at Chen Chang'an's hands."

"What? When did this happen? I had no idea!"

"Just yesterday. Both of them came to our Gu Family to propose marriage, but when they learned of Chen Chang'an's presence, they decided to teach him a lesson."

"And guess what happened in the end?"

"What happened?"

"Good heavens, Chen Chang'an used some unknown method, and those two fled on the spot—even abandoning Nie Haotian and Ye Beiming, whom they had brought along!"

"No way! Their strength is nearly on par with our ancestor Gu Tianyuan's!"

"Isn't that a bit exaggerated? How do you know this?"

"I heard it from my father, who heard it from my great-grandfather, who apparently heard it from our ancestral grandfather."

"Then it must be true. Who would’ve thought Chen Chang'an’s power was so terrifying?"

"Of course! Otherwise, why would our ancestor favor him?"

"In that case, Chen Chang'an really is an exceptional match."

"Obviously! How could the Gu Family’s son-in-law be anything less?"

"Impressive, truly impressive!"

Perhaps Nie Pengju and the others never expected that Chen Chang'an’s reputation in the Gu Family wasn’t particularly high before—but thanks to their visit, his popularity skyrocketed overnight.

"Grandfather, do you know what technique Chen Chang'an used yesterday?"

The next day, Gu Tianyuan couldn’t hold back any longer and went straight to Gu Fenghua to get answers.

"Little Gu—"

"Tianyuan, Chen Chang'an is an extremely mysterious and powerful man."

"Though I don’t understand why his cultivation remains stuck at the first level of the Divine Transformation Realm, you must never treat him as just a Divine Transformation cultivator."

"As for his methods, I don’t know either. But I can tell you this—even if Nie Pengju and the other had truly attacked yesterday, they wouldn’t have been able to harm Chen Chang'an."

Hearing Gu Fenghua’s words, Gu Tianyuan was stunned. Chen Chang'an’s strength was actually that formidable?

Those two couldn’t even injure him?

"Chen Chang'an is stronger than me?" Gu Tianyuan asked in shock.

"I don’t know. I can’t see through him."

Gu Fenghua wasn’t lying—he truly couldn’t fathom Chen Chang'an. He had been closely observing yesterday’s events.

When he saw Chen Chang'an vanish in an instant, even he was dumbfounded.

However, Gu Fenghua quickly regained his composure. Since Chen Chang'an was Mu Yunyao’s disciple, it made sense that he had some extraordinary tricks up his sleeve.

"Grandfather, even you can’t see through him?"

"No, not at all."

"And… Chen Chang'an’s seniority is higher than mine."

Seniority—higher than his own grandfather’s?

Just what was Chen Chang'an’s background?

If there was truly someone in the entire Profound Heaven World with higher seniority than Gu Fenghua…

How old must Chen Chang'an be?

And yet he was marrying Gu Fengyao?

"What are you thinking?"

"Chen Chang'an’s seniority is high, but his age… damn it, even I can’t tell exactly how old he is."

"But no matter what, from now on, don’t question or interfere with whatever Chen Chang'an does."

"Let him do as he pleases."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Also, send someone to the Nie Family and Ye Family. Tell them Chen Chang'an is my chosen one—no underhanded schemes, or they’ll regret it."

"This is my warning to them. Make it clear that the person behind Chen Chang'an is someone they cannot afford to offend," Gu Fenghua said gravely.

The person behind Chen Chang'an?

Gu Tianyuan nodded solemnly, deep in thought. After some consideration, he decided it would be best to deliver the message personally.

Meanwhile, Chen Chang'an counted the days—he had already been in the Gu Family for quite some time. He wondered when the bead would finally arrive.

"Young Master, are you getting impatient?"

"Not particularly."

"Young Master, there’s something I’ve been curious about. Why does the Gu Family’s generational hierarchy seem so… chaotic?"

"And… there seem to be gaps."

Since arriving at the Gu Family, Gu Xian'er had noticed that the family’s generational structure appeared disordered.

Gu Fenghua was the most senior, yet the next highest was Gu Tianyuan—a single generation apart. Further down, the same pattern repeated.

This left Gu Xian'er puzzled. How could a prestigious family like the Gu Family have such irregularities?

"Ah!"

"Generational gaps are inevitable."

"The Gu Family is powerful, but not every member is blessed with exceptional talent."

"Some die young, others pass naturally. Not everyone can cultivate to the Immortal Realm and beyond."

"The Gu Family has existed for countless years. Those you see now with high seniority are the outstanding talents of each generation."

"That’s why these gaps exist."

"Among the Gu Family, there are many with low cultivation. Their sole duty is to continue the bloodline, ensuring the family thrives."

"A large population increases the likelihood of geniuses emerging—this is how great families maintain their prosperity."

For a family to rise, it needs a genius—a monstrously talented individual.

Such a person elevates the family to new heights. But how does one sustain that?

By expanding the family!

Only through a flourishing lineage, constantly injecting fresh blood, can a family endure for generations.

Just as Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er were conversing, Da Huang—who had been napping—suddenly sprang to his feet.

"Such an overwhelming aura!"

"Another Great Emperor has arrived at the Gu Family!"

Da Huang sensed it at the same time as Chen Chang'an. This newcomer’s presence and pressure were even stronger than Nie Pengju and Ye Liuyun’s!

"Could it be… the Hammer Emperor?"

Chen Chang'an’s first thought was of the legendary Hammer Emperor. If it really was him, did that mean his bead had finally arrived?

At that moment, Gu Fenghua was sipping tea in his courtyard when he sensed the Hammer Emperor’s aura and froze.

Why had he come in person?

The next instant, the Hammer Emperor appeared before Gu Fenghua, his eyes bloodshot as if he hadn’t slept in ages.

"You said someone knows how to handle this bead?"

"Is it true or not?" the Hammer Emperor demanded urgently.

"Of course it’s true. Why would I lie? What’s wrong with you?" Gu Fenghua asked, baffled.

"Where is he?"

"Where is this person?"

"Take me to him now!" the Hammer Emperor urged impatiently.

"Wait, what’s going on with you?"

The Hammer Emperor’s current state made Gu Fenghua hesitant to bring him to Chen Chang'an. Who knew what he might do?

"I just want to meet him."

"Do you know how indestructible this bead is?"

"From the moment you sent it to me, I’ve been hammering it day and night—for a full century!"

"A century! An entire century! Nothing in the Profound Heaven World has ever taken me this long!"

"Quick, take me to see him. I'm too curious about what this pearl is," the Hammer Emperor said with unusual excitement.

A single pearl had reduced the mighty Hammer Emperor to such a state?

To be honest, Gu Fenghua was also deeply curious. What exactly was this pearl, and why did Mu Yunyao claim that in the entire Tai Xuan Realm, only Chen Chang'an could wield it?

"Alright, I'll take you to him. He's currently at the Gu Family."

"Let's go, hurry! Don't let him slip away!"

Slip away?

What kind of nonsense was that?

"He won't run. He's also waiting for the pearl!"