Chen Yunxuan's words caused the members of the Xianyun Sect to turn pale with fear. Without daring to linger, they hastily fled back to their sect.
The Chen family members looked at Chen Yunxuan, their faces brimming with excitement, joy, and pride.
This was the prodigy who had emerged from their family—a true super genius!
And now, the genius had returned!
"Father."
"Esteemed elders."
"I'm back," Chen Yunxuan said with a faint smile.
"Hahahaha!"
"Good, it's good that you're back."
"But why the sudden return?" Chen Zhengyuan laughed heartily before asking with some curiosity.
"After the Human Ranking competition ended, I thought I'd come back for a visit."
Once the Human Ranking concluded, Chen Yunxuan had decided to return. He had previously communicated with Chen Zhengyuan and knew that the Chen family had relocated to the Central Heaven Domain.
He couldn’t help but feel somewhat uneasy, and as it turned out, his return was timely—otherwise, the Chen family would have faced another crisis.
"Why was the Xianyun Sect causing trouble for our family?" Chen Yunxuan asked curiously.
"Ah, it's because our family discovered a spirit vein."
Chen Zhengyuan sighed before explaining the whole situation.
Hearing this, Chen Yunxuan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Father, leave this matter to me."
"I won’t be staying for long, as I still need to prepare for the Earth Ranking competition."
"Once I settle these matters, I’ll likely have to leave again."
So soon?
Though Chen Zhengyuan and the others felt reluctant, they understood that Chen Yunxuan could not remain with the family forever—it would only limit his growth.
"Very well."
"You’ve grown up, and the wider world suits you better."
"By the way, during your travels, have you met our ancestor?" Chen Zhengyuan asked curiously.
"I have."
He had?
The Chen family members were thrilled to hear this. Who would have thought Chen Yunxuan would encounter their ancestor so soon?
"How is Ancestor doing now?" Chen Zhengyuan pressed.
"He’s well. And incredibly strong."
"Only after leaving did I realize just how powerful our ancestor truly is."
"Our past understanding was far too shallow."
Had Chen Yunxuan not ventured out, he would never have known what true strength looked like.
Nor would he have comprehended just how terrifying Chen Chang'an truly was!
Even Emperor-level experts were nothing before him.
Hearing this, the Chen family members swelled with pride, their eyes burning with newfound determination.
They must not disgrace their ancestor!
"Yunxuan, how do you plan to deal with the Xianyun Sect?"
"Will you annihilate them?"
"I’ve heard the Xianyun Sect has a Supreme Realm expert guarding it. Their strength is formidable."
"And your current cultivation…?" Chen Zhengyuan asked with concern.
"My cultivation has reached the eighth level of the Void Comprehension Realm."
After the Human Ranking competition, the rewards Chen Yunxuan received had boosted his cultivation by three levels, bringing him to the eighth level of the Void Comprehension Realm.
"You’ve already reached the eighth level of the Void Comprehension Realm?"
"By the time the Earth Ranking begins, breaking through to the Supreme Realm shouldn’t be a problem, right?" Chen Zhengyuan asked nervously.
The Supreme Realm—this was the threshold of true power, a level where one could even establish their own sect.
"It shouldn’t be too difficult."
"There are still over two years left. That’s more than enough time," Chen Yunxuan replied confidently.
Chen Yunxuan’s return sent waves of excitement through the Chen family, and Chen Zhengyuan hosted a grand feast in celebration.
With Chen Yunxuan’s approval, Chen Zhengyuan spread the news of his return. Soon, everyone was stunned to learn that the Chen family—a seemingly insignificant clan—had produced a figure like Chen Yunxuan.
"Incredible!"
"Who would’ve thought Chen Yunxuan, the Human Ranking champion, came from this family?"
"I always suspected the Chen family was extraordinary. Though they don’t have many strong cultivators, their rapid progress since arriving here is remarkable."
"The Xun and Sun families were eyeing the Chen family’s spirit vein earlier. They must be regretting it now."
"I heard both family heads have already gone to apologize."
"Hahaha! The more arrogant they were before, the more humble they are now."
"But I also heard the Xianyun Sect had designs on the Chen family’s spirit vein?"
"The Xianyun Sect? They’re not to be trifled with. But… Chen Yunxuan’s strength might be enough to stand against them, no?"
"Chen Yunxuan is strong, but he’s only at the Void Comprehension Realm. The Xianyun Sect has a Supreme Realm expert."
"Ah, who knows if this is true or not."
Amid the rumors, the Xianyun Sect’s sect master and grand elder arrived at the Chen family.
In the past, the Chen family would have warmly received such esteemed guests.
But now, with Chen Yunxuan present, the Chen family stood firm with unshakable confidence.
Moreover, the Xianyun Sect’s earlier actions had soured any hospitality.
"You must be Chen Yunxuan, the Human Ranking champion?"
Upon arriving, the two Xianyun Sect leaders immediately recognized who held true authority here.
"Indeed," Chen Yunxuan nodded.
Eighth level of the Void Comprehension Realm!
Just as rumored!
"Our earlier actions were… ill-considered."
"We had no idea the Chen family was yours."
"We’ve come today to offer our sincerest apologies."
"We hope the Chen family can be magnanimous and let bygones be bygones." The Xianyun Sect’s grand elder spoke with the utmost humility, unwilling to make an enemy of such a prodigy.
Chen Yunxuan studied them briefly before smiling faintly. "Since you’ve shown sincerity, it would be ungracious of the Chen family to press the matter."
"Here’s my proposal: the Chen family will share two-tenths of the spirit vein with your sect, and we’ll develop it jointly."
"What do you think?"
Chen Yunxuan’s words stunned not only the Xianyun Sect representatives but also the Chen family.
The Xianyun Sect had already admitted fault and, out of fear for Chen Yunxuan’s potential, would never dare covet the spirit vein again. Why was he offering them a share?
"T-this is too generous!"
The two Xianyun Sect elders were baffled, unsure if this was a test, and hesitated to accept immediately.
"More friends mean more paths forward."
"Don’t you agree?" Chen Yunxuan asked with a smile.
Their faces lit up with delight—was Chen Yunxuan extending an olive branch to the Xianyun Sect?
"In that case, we won’t stand on ceremony."
"From now on, the Chen family’s matters are the Xianyun Sect’s matters."
"We pledge an unbreakable alliance," the grand elder declared fervently.
"Good. For the details, you may discuss them with my father later."
"I still have preparations for the Earth Ranking and won’t stay long."
"Of course, of course! We won’t impose further."
With that, the two swiftly took their leave, as if afraid Chen Yunxuan might change his mind.
After the people from the Xianyun Sect had left, Chen Zhengyuan asked with some confusion, "Yunxuan, what was the meaning behind your actions just now?"
"Father, in the past, I only knew how to solve problems with my fists."
"But the Ancestor once told me that when handling matters... one must use their mind."
Use their mind?