Upon hearing Chen Yunxuan's words, Chen Zhengyuan and the others were momentarily stunned.
Based on their previous understanding of Chen Yunxuan, they had expected him to eliminate the Xianyun Sect outright to eradicate any future threats.
Yet now, Chen Yunxuan had chosen to cooperate with the Xianyun Sect.
Was this the result of using his brain?
"Don’t get it?" Chen Yunxuan asked, slightly surprised.
"No, I don’t," Chen Zhengyuan nodded.
"I won’t stay with the Chen Family forever. Given our current strength, it’s difficult for us to truly dominate alone."
"So, the Chen Family’s situation isn’t exactly optimistic. My name may deter others for a while, but it doesn’t guarantee they won’t take desperate risks."
"Before we truly grow stronger, what the Chen Family needs are allies, not enemies on all sides."
"The Xianyun Sect is a good ally."
"Offering just twenty percent of the spirit veins in exchange for a powerful ally is more than worth it," Chen Yunxuan said with a smile.
Hearing this, the others finally understood his reasoning—he had secured an ally for the Chen Family.
Moreover, given the Xianyun Sect’s strength, no one in this region would dare provoke them. And with the Chen Family allied to the Xianyun Sect, others would naturally think twice before acting.
This would grant the Chen Family a stable period for development.
If Chen Yunxuan were to remain with the Chen Family indefinitely, such measures wouldn’t be necessary. But he couldn’t stay forever.
Thus, a temporarily powerful ally was essential.
"Yunxuan, you’ve truly grown up."
"You think more thoroughly, more carefully."
"You’re right—sometimes, it’s better to use one’s brain."
"You’ve done well," Chen Zhengyuan said, looking at Chen Yunxuan with a proud expression.
"Father, I have some items here that I obtained during my travels."
"These things are of no use to me now, so I’ll leave them for the Chen Family."
"Now that I see the Chen Family is safe and sound, I can rest easy."
"I… must go."
Chen Zhengyuan took a deep breath, smiled, and nodded without saying much else.
No pleasantries, no attempts to persuade him to stay, no lingering reluctance—Chen Yunxuan departed, yet the entire Chen Family was filled with fighting spirit!
---
Luoshen Palace
"Ah!"
Chen Chang’an sighed helplessly. Lately, life hadn’t been… particularly smooth.
"You actually remember to come back?"
Chen Chang’an glanced at Da Huang, who had just come bouncing in, and asked with a cold smirk.
"Of course I came back."
"Ah, it’s just that there are too many female disciples in Luoshen Palace—I couldn’t favor one over the others, right?"
"Gotta spread the love around."
"Got a little busy, that’s all. What, did you miss me?" Da Huang asked with a smug expression.
"Miss you? Not a chance."
"Had your fun?"
"Then it’s time to go," Chen Chang’an said irritably.
Go?
Go where?
This place is paradise!
Why leave?
"No way, I’m not done yet."
"Two lovely ladies promised to take me to one of their branch sects in a few days."
"Haven’t been there before—all new faces, all lovely. Perfect," Da Huang said with a lecherous grin.
"Have you no shame?"
"Do you even realize how old you are?"
"Calling them ‘lovely ladies’ like you’re some innocent pup?"
Da Huang remained unfazed by Chen Chang’an’s words. Right now, Da Huang felt that even coming back to see Chen Chang’an was a testament to their brotherly bond.
"I know—you’re jealous."
"Jealous of how popular I am."
"Ah, I get it. After all, you’re not a dog," Da Huang said smugly.
In the past, Da Huang had despised his identity as a dog. But now, he had embraced it wholeheartedly, reveling in it without restraint.
"Jealous of you?"
"You think I can’t make the entire Luoshen Palace pretend you don’t exist with just one word?" Chen Chang’an sneered.
"Hey, hey! No need for that!"
"Come on, we’re brothers—you wouldn’t do that. I know you."
Da Huang’s heart skipped a beat. Chen Chang’an was the master of Luoshen Palace. If he gave the order, the female disciples would indeed ignore Da Huang completely.
"Get lost. I built you a doghouse over there."
"Since you love being a dog so much, go live in it."
Huh?
A doghouse?
What the—?!
Chen Chang’an, what the hell is this?
Da Huang had been with Chen Chang’an for ages. Though he presented himself as a dog, he had never actually lived in a doghouse.
Now, Chen Chang’an had really built one in the courtyard?
Had he been working on this the whole time?
"Custom-made, one of a kind."
"How’s that? I treat you well, don’t I?"
Chen Chang’an smirked and kicked Da Huang straight into the doghouse.
"What the—?!"
"Chen Chang’an, what did you do?!"
"Why can’t I break out of this stupid doghouse?!"
Da Huang stared in shock. He knew his own strength—even a reinforced cage or an ordinary barrier wouldn’t hold him.
Yet now, he was trapped in a doghouse Chen Chang’an built?
"Nothing much, just added a little reinforcement."
"Turns out, after fusing the seventh fetal pearl, I gained a new ability," Chen Chang’an said with a grin.
What the—?!
Another new ability?!
Da Huang was both stunned and envious. Every time Chen Chang’an fused a fetal pearl, he gained an incredibly powerful ability.
After merging the seventh pearl in the Beast Alliance, Chen Chang’an hadn’t revealed what it was.
Now, he was testing it out on Da Huang.
"What ability?"
"How terrifying is it this time?"
"Which part did you fuse?"
Da Huang looked at Chen Chang’an curiously. The forehead, heart, legs, and hands had already been fused—what was left?
As he pondered, his gaze involuntarily drifted downward.
"Don’t even think about it—not there!" Chen Chang’an said, veins popping on his forehead.
"Then where?" Da Huang pressed.
"The meridians."
"After fusing, I realized I can place a restriction on any object at will."
"Not sure how effective it is yet, so I figured I’d test it on you," Chen Chang’an said with a laugh.
Place a restriction on any object at will?
Damn, that’s insane!
"Does the heavens and earth count as an object?" Da Huang asked curiously.
The heavens and earth—did they count?
Chen Chang’an wasn’t sure, but he understood what Da Huang was implying.
If even the heavens could be restricted, then within this world, Chen Chang’an could truly do whatever he pleased.
"Hey, do you think this restriction could trap your master?"
"Also, is this restriction only for trapping people?" Da Huang asked.
"I said I can place a restriction at will, not that I can only place one type."
"The one on you is a confinement restriction—it traps and defends."
"Of course, there are also offensive restrictions."
"Hey, why don't you give it a try?" Chen Chang'an asked with a smile.
"No, no, I’ll pass. I don’t need to test it out."
"But this ability of yours does have a flaw. If it didn’t require an object as a medium, it might be even stronger."
If Chen Chang'an didn’t need an object as a medium, he could simply wave his hand and summon a cage-like barrier, trapping anyone inside while also shielding them from external attacks.
At first glance, the ability might not seem impressive, but it was terrifyingly effective—an absolute life-saving technique.
Though Chen Chang'an didn’t need it right now, it might prove useful in the future. Not to mention, it could also protect those around him.
"Damn it, where are you going?"
"Don’t leave yet! At least release me first!"
"Chen Chang’an… you bastard!"