"Patriarch, what should we do? Both the Xun Family and the Sun Family are eyeing this spirit vein covetously."
"It won't be long before they make a move against our Chen Family."
"Patriarch, how should we respond?"
A year ago, Chen Zhengyuan had led the Chen Family back to the Central Heaven Domain.
However, Chen Zhengyuan did not act rashly. Instead, he chose to settle temporarily on the outskirts of the Central Heaven Domain.
After Chen Chang'an and Chen Yunxuan left, Chen Zhengyuan had used the resources left behind by Chen Chang'an to strengthen the Chen Family's power.
For some reason, the Chen Family seemed to have undergone a reversal of fortune. The cultivation progress of every member accelerated rapidly, as if they were bathed in divine providence.
Their luck was also exceptional—they kept stumbling upon extraordinary treasures.
Now, although the Chen Family lacked truly top-tier experts, they already had five cultivators at the Void Comprehension Realm.
This was something Chen Zhengyuan had never dared to imagine in the past.
After arriving here, the Chen Family's luck remained strong. Not long ago, during an expedition, the family's disciples discovered a spirit vein—a mid-grade one at that.
This was an enormous fortune.
Despite the Chen Family's strict secrecy, news of the discovery still leaked.
"Both the Xun Family and the Sun Family have Void Comprehension Realm experts backing them. We’re no match for them."
"Enough!"
"To avoid trouble, our Chen Family can share the spirit vein with those two families."
Though Chen Zhengyuan was reluctant, the reality was that the Chen Family was too weak to confront them head-on.
Laying low and enduring was the only wise choice.
"This is infuriating!"
"That spirit vein was discovered by our Chen Family!"
"Alas, it’s the same everywhere—strength reigns supreme. Without power, we can only be bullied."
"If our Ancestor were here, none of them would dare act so boldly!"
Ancestor?
At the mention of Chen Chang'an, reverence and admiration filled the eyes of the Chen Family members. The family’s rise to this point was entirely due to Chen Chang'an’s past support.
Otherwise, the Chen Family… would likely have ceased to exist long ago in the Great Zhou Kingdom.
Though he was their ancestor, ten thousand years had passed, and the blood ties between Chen Chang'an and them had grown faint.
Even if Chen Chang'an turned a blind eye and treated them as strangers, Chen Zhengyuan wouldn’t have been surprised.
That Chen Chang'an still remembered their kinship after so long was nothing short of a miracle.
"We don’t even need the Ancestor—just having Yunxuan here would make them think twice."
"Exactly! That boy Yunxuan has truly made a name for himself. No wonder he was personally trained by the Ancestor."
"Hahaha! Thinking about the Ancestor and Yunxuan, enduring this doesn’t seem so bad."
"Once Yunxuan and the Ancestor return, we can reclaim everything we’ve lost."
"Hahahaha!"
"How amusing!"
"Truly hilarious!"
"A tiny Chen Family like yours actually has an ancestor?"
"That ‘Yunxuan’ you’re talking about—could it be the Chen Yunxuan ranked first on the Human Rankings?"
Suddenly, a mocking laugh echoed through the hall, and the words made the Chen Family members frown.
"Who goes there?" Chen Zhengyuan demanded sternly.
"Who I am is none of your concern!"
"Listen well—that spirit vein now belongs to our Xianyun Sect."
"From today onward, your Chen Family has no claim to it."
Xianyun Sect?
At the mention of the name, the Chen Family members paled.
The Xianyun Sect was far more powerful than the Xun and Sun Families. If the Chen Family couldn’t even contend with those two, how could they oppose the Xianyun Sect?
More importantly—how did the Xianyun Sect learn about the spirit vein?
"Your Xianyun Sect is too overbearing!"
"That spirit vein was discovered by our Chen Family—it belongs to us!"
"Your sect may be strong, but have you considered this? Our young master is Chen Yunxuan!"
"Do you dare provoke him?"
"That’s right! Our young master is Chen Yunxuan, ranked first on the Human Rankings!"
"And our Ancestor’s strength is unfathomable!"
The Xianyun Sect disciple sneered, looking at them with disdain.
"You really think just because you share the same surname, you’re related?"
"Chen Yunxuan is a figure of legend—how could he possibly be connected to the likes of you?"
"Calling him your young master is laughable."
"Even if he were, so what?"
"His talent is indeed impressive—reaching the Void Comprehension Realm at such a young age."
"But our Xianyun Sect has Supreme Realm experts! Even if Chen Yunxuan were here, what could he do?"
The Xianyun Sect’s power was unrivaled in this region—no one dared provoke them.
Since arriving, the Chen Family had heard of the sect’s might and knew better than to cross them.
They never expected the sect to come knocking on their door.
"Does your Xianyun Sect truly intend to monopolize the spirit vein?" Chen Zhengyuan asked grimly.
"With your Chen Family’s strength, even if we gave it to you, could you hold onto it?"
"Who else but our Xianyun Sect is worthy of possessing it?"
"Let me make this clear—I’m here to inform you, not negotiate. If you refuse to accept this, the consequences will be dire."
Chen Zhengyuan knew the disciple’s words were no bluff. The Chen Family had no means to resist the Xianyun Sect.
Chen Chang'an was formidable, and Chen Yunxuan was powerful—but they were far away. Right now, the family had no choice but to endure.
"Fine, I—"
"What consequences? I’d really like to know."
Before Chen Zhengyuan could finish, a new voice cut in, startling everyone.
The Xianyun Sect disciple frowned—the voice sounded young.
Turning, he saw a handsome young man with an extraordinary aura stride into the hall.
At the sight of him, the Chen Family members erupted in shock and excitement.
"Who are you?" the disciple demanded.
"Oh?"
"Me?"
"I am the son of the Chen Family’s patriarch—Chen Yunxuan."
Chen Yunxuan?
The disciple’s face twisted in disbelief.
Chen Yunxuan was really part of this family?
No—just because he claimed to be Chen Yunxuan didn’t mean it was true.
"Kid, you’re not trying to say you’re the Chen Yunxuan ranked first on the Human Rankings, are you?"
"There are plenty of people with the same name."
"Don’t think just because you’re called Chen Yunxuan, you can—"
BANG!
Without another word, Chen Yunxuan struck—a single punch sent the disciple flying.
"Does this prove my identity?" Chen Yunxuan’s gaze was icy.
"You… you’re really the Chen Yunxuan from the Human Rankings?"
"Impossible!"
"How could someone like Chen Yunxuan come from such a minor family?"
The disciple couldn’t fathom it—how could such a weak family produce a monster like Chen Yunxuan?
There are countless rumors about Chen Yunxuan, ranging from the wildest to the most outlandish—yet not a single one suggests he hails from a weak or insignificant family.
"Go back and deliver this message to the Sect Master of Xianyun Sect: if he dares to target the Chen Family again,"
"I will personally march into the Xianyun Sect and wipe out every last one of them!"