"A hitch?"
Chen Biandao's expression flickered, "What hitch has occurred?"
Elder Han's expression was complex, "This Nine Yang's封王 (Feng Wang) has channeled a significant portion of destiny to my Han lineage. However, based on the Cult Master's calculations, this destiny is still insufficient to bring back one of our Saint Dao's Venerable Realm ancestors to the mortal world. Coincidentally, Nine Yang secured three vacant spots during the Martial Ranking competition, and an elite from our Saint Dao entered the top ten, thus completing this portion of destiny."
"There's internal strife within the Saint Dao. Some argue that since Shu Mountain already has a Venerable Realm expert acting as Nine Yang's protector... they wish to seize Nine Yang's opportunity to enter the Saint Dao secret realm."
Chen Biandao frowned and asked coldly, "Seize Nine Yang's opportunity! Absolutely not!"
"The Martial Ranking Asian World Championship is not far off. Nine Yang is currently only at the fifth level of the Earth Realm. My Shu Mountain's Ancestor Feng Ge has also gone to the Sacred Land in the Forbidden City. While she bears the title of protector, she lacks the actual substance of one."
"I foresaw this situation earlier, which is why I agreed to let Nine Yang visit the Shanghai secret realm once."
Elder Han nodded, "I concur. The Martial Ranking Asian World Championship is approaching, and Nine Yang will be going abroad. Outside, the old monster of the Lotus Sect is watching covetously. Internally, the God of Slaughter Hall and the Longevity Alliance harbor ill intentions towards Nine Yang. It is imperative to have a Venerable Realm ancestor as his protector to feel at ease."
Chen Jiuyang asked, "Grandmother, speak directly. What did the Demonic Path Cult Master say?"
Elder Han replied, "Currently, the Holy Masters of my Saint Dao's nine lineages are gathered within the Han clan. They wish for this Saint Dao prodigy to compete with Nine Yang. Whoever wins will enter this secret realm."
The Chen family patriarch frowned, "Nine Yang's combat power within the Earth Realm is almost unmatched among his peers. If they still dare to compete with Nine Yang under such circumstances, is there a trick involved?"
Elder Han slowly shook her head, "I don't know the specifics of how the competition will be conducted."
Chen Jiuyang's expression was calm, "It matters not. Whatever schemes or methods they employ, I shall not fear them."
If even the ancient monster of the Lotus Sect, who had lived for an unknown age, could not scheme against him, could these insignificant figures within the country truly compare to the ancient monster of the Lotus Sect?
Chen Jiuyang felt no fear.
Did they truly believe that after being pursued by the ancient monster of the Lotus Sect, these mere commoners thought Chen Jiuyang was easy to bully?
Elder Han said, "In that case, Nine Yang and Brother Chen shall accompany me back to the Han clan."
Within the Han clan's territory.
A scene of prosperity unfolded, with bustling traffic. The faces of the Han clan members, much like those of the Chen family, were filled with joy.
The Han clan rejoiced as the Han clan's Saintess's dao companion had bravely won the Martial Ranking championship, earning the title of King Qian. The Han clan's higher-ups also distributed bonuses, ensuring everyone, from top to bottom, could live a good life.
When Chen Jiuyang returned to the Han clan's territory with Elder Han, it was the limping old man who came to greet them. The limping old man respectfully addressed Chen Jiuyang, "Greetings, son-in-law!"
Upon seeing the limping old man, Chen Jiuyang's expression became somewhat dazed. He smiled and said, "It has indeed been some time since I last saw you."
The limping old man beamed, his eyes filled with reverence.
Elder Han said, "Lead the way."
The limping old man guided the three through winding palace structures, arriving at the main hall where the Han clan chief resided.
Inside the hall were dozens of demonic martial artists with somber auras, clad in various black brocade robes.
Instantly, all eyes fell upon Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Jiuyang, unfazed by the threatening gazes of these individuals, stepped forward and declared coldly, "Which imbecilic rat wishes to contend with this King for the secret realm spot? Step forward!"
"King Qian has quite the arrogance, calling us rats right off the bat." A demonic martial artist, appearing to be in his early thirties, stepped forward. His aura was unstable, but he possessed a cultivation of the sixth level of the Earth Realm.
"醍醐灌顶 (Ti Hu Guan Ding)?" Chen Jiuyang said coldly, "Is this the confidence you have to dare compete with this King for entry into the secret realm?"
"What if I call you an imbecilic rat?"
"We didn't see you vying for the top ranks during the Martial Ranking. Your strength is inferior, yet now that you've luckily entered the top ten of the Martial Ranking, you dare to be so arrogant?"
"If you had fought your way through the Martial Ranking with a single blade, like I did, you too could speak with such arrogance!"
"You!" The demonic martial artist's face immediately flushed red, his eyes filled with anger and killing intent as he looked at Chen Jiuyang.
"Enough," the Cult Master of the True Demonic Sect spoke, his expression gentle as he looked at Chen Jiuyang, saying:
"The fact that our Saint Dao can open the secret realm this time is largely due to the destiny that King Qian earned through his battles in the Martial Ranking. However, King Qian is not a member of our Saint Dao, so the distributed destiny is insufficient to open the Saint Dao secret realm. Fortunately, Han Lixuan secured a spot in the top ten of the Martial Ranking, supplementing the destiny needed to open the Saint Dao secret realm, which is enough for our Saint Dao to bring forth one Venerable Realm ancestor."
"Both sides have contributed. However, King Qian already has Ancestor Chen Fengge as his protector, and our Saint Dao also needs a Venerable Realm ancestor to preside. Therefore, after deliberation, this matter has come about."
Within the Saint Dao secret realm reside the ancestors of the one hundred and eight families from the nine lineages. Whoever can bring out their Venerable Realm ancestor will undoubtedly possess greater strength in a short period.
Who would be willing to give up such an opportunity?
The Cult Master of the True Demonic Sect continued, "Nine Yang, you have received the Yan Sheng Saber, one of the Saint Dao's Ten Famous Sabers. You have achieved merits by killing enemies with it along the way, and you are also the dao companion of our True Demonic lineage's Saintess. For the sake of sentiment and reason, a battle is in order. After this battle, no one will have any grievances."
The Cult Master of the True Demonic Sect referred to Chen Jiuyang as King Qian in the first part of his statement and then as Nine Yang in the latter part. This was an appeal to emotion, subtly implying a threat to Chen Jiuyang.
However, when it came down to it, Chen Jiuyang did indeed owe the Demonic Path lineage a favor.
After a moment of contemplation, he said, "On account of the Cult Master of the True Demonic Sect, I accept this battle."
Immediately, Chen Jiuyang looked at Han Lixuan, his gaze slightly cold, "Although I have accepted this battle, I wonder how many moves you can withstand from this King. Whether you can participate in the Asian Martial Ranking World Championship in the future is a question."
Han Lixuan sneered, "King Qian, aren't you being too overconfident? You are merely at the fifth level of the Earth Realm, while I am at the sixth. With a difference of one cultivation level, the outcome of this battle may not be as simple as you imagine."
Chen Jiuyang narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "It seems you are impatient to seek death. If that is the case, this King will send you on your way later."
"Hehehe," Han Lixuan chuckled, "King Qian, have you misunderstood something? Although we are to have a battle, this battle is not the mutual combat and slaughter you might imagine."
Although Han Lixuan was at the sixth level of the Earth Realm, he also knew that if he were to directly engage Chen Jiuyang in a fierce fight, he would inevitably be defeated.
Chen Jiuyang's brow furrowed slightly, "What do you mean by that?"
The Cult Master of the True Demonic Sect spoke, "King Qian, to ensure fairness in this battle, you two will venture into the Saint Dao's Ghost Gate Illusion."
"Ghost Gate?" Chen Biandao's brow furrowed.
Elder Han's expression changed slightly, "Cult Master, how can such a forbidden technique as the Ghost Gate be so easily employed!"
Someone coldly snorted, "This concerns the Saint Dao's Venerable Realm ancestor. For fair competition, what is wrong with employing the Ghost Gate?"