"Ancestor!"
"I... I've actually broken through to the True Qi Realm, first level?"
"This... this is simply unbelievable!"
For an entire month, Chen Yunxuan had been cultivating under Chen Chang'an's guidance.
Chen Chang'an provided the resources, while Chen Yunxuan focused solely on relentless training.
Initially, Chen Yunxuan had thought that reaching the Core Formation Realm, fifth level, from the Spirit Gathering Realm, seventh level, in just a month would already be an astonishingly fast pace.
Yet now, he had directly ascended to the True Qi Realm, first level—equivalent to the cultivation level of Chen Zhengyuan, the current head of the Chen Family, just a month prior.
To Chen Yunxuan, this past month felt like a dream—the most wonderful dream he had ever experienced.
Seeing Chen Yunxuan's excitement, Chen Chang'an understood perfectly. A pauper suddenly turned rich—of course he'd be thrilled!
"Yunxuan, your talent isn’t actually that poor."
"It’s just that the Chen Family’s foundation was lacking, and the Great Zhou Kingdom is a remote, barren land."
"Otherwise, at sixteen, you wouldn’t have been stuck at the Spirit Gathering Realm, seventh level."
"Do you think those so-called prodigies rely solely on their innate gifts?"
"Let me tell you—it’s resources. The cultivation resources they possess are beyond ordinary imagination."
"This world is vast. The Great Zhou Kingdom is but a speck, insignificant in the grand scheme."
"If you truly wish to make a name for yourself, Yunxuan, you must step beyond this tiny corner and see the world." Chen Chang'an said with a faint smile.
Step beyond and see the world?
Hearing this, Chen Yunxuan’s heart swelled with anticipation. Yes, only by leaving this insignificant place could he truly embrace a new horizon.
"If you had grown up in a land rich with spiritual energy and abundant resources,"
"At sixteen, you wouldn’t merely be at the True Qi Realm, first level."
"You might even have reached the Transcendent Realm!"
Though Chen Chang'an had lived in seclusion with his master, he had often sneaked out to explore.
While he wasn’t deeply familiar with the outside world, he had encountered a few true geniuses.
Those individuals were all prodigies—young, yet overwhelmingly powerful, each a peerless talent of their generation!
"Ancestor... are you saying there are truly people who reach the Transcendent Realm by sixteen?"
Chen Yunxuan’s face was a picture of shock. This was beyond his experience, something he could scarcely fathom.
The Transcendent Realm at sixteen? How absurdly fast was that cultivation speed?
"Hence, you must go out and broaden your horizons."
"How can a frog at the bottom of a well comprehend the height and breadth of the heavens?" Chen Chang'an chuckled.
"Ancestor’s wisdom is profound."
Now, Chen Yunxuan yearned even more for the world beyond. A seed had been planted deep in his heart.
Chen Chang'an’s guidance served two purposes.
First, he hoped Chen Yunxuan would gain experience by venturing out—it would only benefit him.
Second, Chen Chang'an had his own motives.
With the whereabouts of the fetal pearl still unknown, searching the vast world alone would be no easy task.
But with help, efficiency would improve.
Once Chen Yunxuan left, he could gather information on Chen Chang'an’s behalf.
As the two conversed, Chen Zhengyuan arrived at Chen Chang'an’s courtyard.
His gaze first fell on Chen Yunxuan, pride and admiration gleaming in his eyes.
His son, now training under the Ancestor, had advanced by leaps and bounds—his future was boundless!
"Greetings, Ancestor!"
"Ancestor, our informants in Swallow Return City report that the Xu and Ning Families are making moves."
"I suspect they are targeting our Chen Family." Chen Zhengyuan said with a frown.
The Xu and Ning Families—the other two powers of Swallow Return City?
"Let them come."
"With the Chen Family’s current strength, they’ll gain nothing from it."
"How has everyone progressed this past month?" Chen Chang'an asked.
"Reporting to the Ancestor."
"The Chen Family’s power has grown significantly, all thanks to the treasures you brought back."
"I’ve now reached the Transcendent Realm, second level. The elders have attained the peak of the True Qi Realm, ninth level."
"The rest of the clan has also entered the True Qi Realm, though the younger generation remains in the Core Formation Realm."
Chen Zhengyuan’s heart swelled with excitement. In just a month since the Ancestor’s return, the Chen Family had undergone a complete transformation.
Given time, could they not only restore their former glory under his leadership but even surpass it?
"If the family has grown so much, what are you afraid of?"
Chen Chang'an’s words struck Chen Zhengyuan like a bolt. Indeed—why was he fearful?
With the Chen Family’s current might, why dread the Xu and Ning Families?
"With greater power comes greater confidence."
"Understand?" Chen Chang'an smiled.
"Ancestor’s lesson is well taken."
"Enough talk. They’re here."
The sudden remark from Da Huang (Big Yellow) sent a chill through Chen Zhengyuan and Chen Yunxuan.
That Da Huang could speak was no secret in the Chen Family.
After all, this was no ordinary dog—it was the King of Dogs!
"Ancestor, leave this matter to us. There’s no need for you to—"
"No, I’ll come along for the show. Don’t mind me."
"Then... as you wish!"
Meanwhile, the Xu and Ning Families had mobilized their elites, their intent clear—to seize that legendary treasure from the Chen Family!
"Head of the Xu Family, Head of the Ning Family, the Chen Family truly isn’t receiving guests today. Perhaps you could—"
"Enough nonsense! Since when does the Chen Family dare shut its doors to us?"
The Head of the Ning Family’s words trailed off as he sensed something amiss.
The cultivation level of this Chen clansman...
"Ning Brother, isn’t this Chen Zhanyuan of the Chen Family? Wasn’t he only at the Core Formation Realm?"
"But now... he’s in the True Qi Realm?"
The Head of the Xu Family also noticed the discrepancy. The Chen Family’s strength had indeed changed.
In just a month, someone from the Core Formation Realm had broken through to the True Qi Realm?
Such rapid advancement was unheard of!
Exchanging glances, their eyes burned with greed.
The treasure—it had to be a cultivation treasure!
If they obtained it, their power would soar!
Blinded by desire, they failed to consider the implications.
If Chen Zhanyuan had improved so drastically, what of the rest of the Chen Family?
Could they still measure the Chen Family by its past standards?
Alas, such thoughts never crossed their minds. Their hearts were fixated solely on that fabled treasure!
"Step aside!"
"Or we won’t hold back!" The Head of the Xu Family glared coldly at Chen Zhanyuan.
Chen Zhanyuan met his gaze unflinchingly.
After all these years of bullying, did they still think the Chen Family was easy prey?
"Not hold back?"
"I—"
"Zhanyuan, let them in."
lanned to earn money steadily and take life at a slower pace. But he never expected... his father's remarriage, and the stepmother bringing along a dependent, would completely disrupt his life's plans...
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
he colors of other people’s emotions. Light red meant anxiety. Gray meant exhaustion. Orange meant excitement. Yellow... meant repression. At the same time, he could gain unlimited control over one of those colors. Pale cyan: relaxation. Using this ability, he started offering “two-yuan hugs,” spending an afternoon exchanging emotional-color experiences with others. Then came his final female customer of the day— a girl whose emotional color was pure black... —— A week later, Xu Chuan had become skilled at using pale cyan—Relaxation—treating it like a bottle of menthol balm whenever he needed it. That was when he discovered he had unlocked another unlimited emotional color: Purple, the color of fear. So these emotional colors refresh every week? Fine, I take it back—I’ll never call you useless again... —— Much later, after Xu Chuan had accumulated countless emotional abilities, one night, he suddenly found himself inside someone else’s dream. There, he could use the emotional colors he possessed to paint. And in her dream, he painted her a shower of pink shooting stars, spreading across the depths of the night sky...
