The Chen Family
Ever since the Chen Family established good relations with the Xianyun Sect, their days had been peaceful, with no one daring to provoke them. Moreover, after the conclusion of the Earth Rankings, Chen Yunxuan once again claimed the top spot, causing others to drastically change their attitude toward the Chen Family.
After all, becoming the Earth Rankings champion proved that Chen Yunxuan's strength had reached a level even the Xianyun Sect could not hope to match. For the Xianyun Sect, being able to maintain good relations with the Chen Family was nothing short of a blessing.
In such an environment, the Chen Family had only one goal—to improve, to keep improving relentlessly.
"Ancestor!"
"The ancestor has returned!"
"Quick, inform the family head—the ancestor is back!"
Chen Chang'an's appearance sent waves of excitement through the Chen Family. They had thought he would never return, yet here he was.
Chen Zhengyuan trembled with emotion. As the Chen Family grew stronger and interacted with more powerful forces, they had come to truly understand just how formidable Chen Chang'an was.
"Ancestor!"
"Chen Zhengyuan pays his respects to the ancestor," Chen Zhengyuan said excitedly.
"Enough, there's no need for such formality. I've returned only to see you all."
"And to leave you some things before I depart again."
At Chen Chang'an's words, Chen Zhengyuan and the others were stunned. He had just arrived—how could he be leaving so soon?
"Ancestor, is something the matter?"
"Why must you leave right after returning?" Chen Zhengyuan asked in confusion.
"Because I will soon be leaving the Tai Xuan Realm."
"So, consider this my farewell."
Leaving the Tai Xuan Realm?
Was the ancestor ascending to a higher plane?
"Ancestor, you… have you reached the threshold of a higher realm?" Chen Zhengyuan asked, his face filled with awe.
A higher realm?
Though Chen Chang'an no longer had any restrictions, he had only recently reached the peak of the Emperor Realm and was not yet ready to break through. However, with his current strength, forcibly opening the ascension passage was no difficult task—especially with Da Huang's help.
Once Da Huang broke through to the 10th rank and the ascension passage opened, Chen Chang'an could forcefully ascend alongside him.
"These are the resources I've prepared for you."
"They will sustain the Chen Family for thousands of years."
"After that, your future development will depend on yourselves."
"Though I will soon depart, I still have some connections within the Tai Xuan Realm."
"If Chen Yunxuan also ascends in the future and you encounter difficulties, you may seek help from the Qingyun Sect, the Luo Shen Palace, the Gu Family, Alchemy Emperor City, the Heavenly Sword Sect…"
Chen Chang'an spoke confidently, but Chen Zhengyuan only looked bewildered—many of these names were unfamiliar to him.
"Ancestor, will they truly aid our Chen Family?"
"Just mention my name, and they will not refuse."
"Understood, ancestor."
"Good. I’ve said what I needed to. Work hard, and I’ll take my leave now."
"Ah? Ancestor, you—"
Before Chen Zhengyuan could finish, Chen Chang'an had already vanished.
The Chen Family members stood frozen, unable to process the abrupt departure amidst their shock and sorrow.
"Alas!"
"From now on, we may truly never see the ancestor again," Chen Zhengyuan lamented.
"Brother Chen, was that your family’s ancestor?"
"The Chen Family has such a figure? Why have I never heard of him before?"
The Xianyun Sect’s Grand Elder, who happened to be visiting the Chen Family, was equally astonished by Chen Chang'an’s appearance. The names Chen Chang'an had mentioned nearly made him drop to his knees in reverence.
"The ancestor rarely returns, so we seldom speak of him," Chen Zhengyuan replied, his voice tinged with melancholy.
"Your ancestor is truly worthy of being an ascendant powerhouse."
"The factions he mentioned are no ordinary forces. Even the Qingyun Sect—I’ve heard their ancestor, Lu Qingyun, recently broke through to the Emperor Realm."
"As for the Gu Family, Luo Shen Palace, and others, they are even more formidable, with peak Emperor Realm experts guarding them."
"Your Chen Family will flourish for millennia, untouchable by any."
The Xianyun Sect’s Grand Elder couldn’t hide his envy. How did the Chen Family produce not only a prodigy like Chen Yunxuan but also such a terrifying ancestor?
"But our ancestor… will never return."
"Forgive me, I must excuse myself."
Chen Zhengyuan left in sorrow, leaving the Grand Elder puzzled. Why was he so heartbroken over an ancestor who rarely appeared?
He didn’t know that during the Chen Family’s darkest hour, it was Chen Chang'an who had turned their fate around. It was because of him that Chen Yunxuan had risen to prominence.
Chen Chang'an was more than just an ancestor—he was the foundation of the Chen Family, the unwavering pillar in their hearts. His presence, whether seen or unseen, gave them confidence and drive.
Now that Chen Chang'an was leaving the Tai Xuan Realm for good, Chen Zhengyuan felt as though his greatest support had vanished. How could he not grieve?
Though Chen Yunxuan remained, the feeling was not the same.
With Chen Chang'an gone, the atmosphere in the Chen Family grew heavy. The Xianyun Sect’s Grand Elder did not linger and soon took his leave.
After departing, Chen Chang'an retraced his past steps, revisiting old haunts to bid his friends a final farewell.
Though saddened by his departure, none were surprised—they had always known this day would come. Chen Chang'an was destined to ascend.
Only in the Chaotic Region did he stay longer, as the Murong sisters were reluctant to let him go. It took much comforting from Chen Chang'an to ease their sorrow.
Da Huang, ever sentimental, revisited all the brothels he had frequented in the past, claiming it was his way of saying goodbye to his former self.
"Ah, how long did our journey take back then?"
"Several years, wasn’t it?"
"Yet this time, we’ve covered it in just two or three months."
"Truly, the steps of farewell quicken with time," Chen Chang'an remarked with a faint smile.
"That’s because you’ve grown stronger and faster."
"In the past, just traveling this distance would’ve taken ages. But now?"
"Your spatial abilities have become downright monstrous."
"But speaking of which, haven’t we said our goodbyes to almost everyone?"
"Only Chen Yunxuan and the other four remain," Da Huang said with a grin.
Indeed.
Only those five youngsters were left.
"Let’s go. It’s time to see them."