The rich spiritual energy all around caused a slight loosening of Chen Jiuyang's martial arts cultivation bottleneck.
This Shushan secret realm likely possessed an ancient grand formation, capable of locking in the spiritual energy of all things without loss or dissipation.
Indeed, there were many good things within the Shushan secret realm.
Just as Chen Jiuyang was preparing to pick some of the better medicinal herbs, an ancient voice sounded:
"A descendant of the Chen family?"
"It's been many years since I've seen any younger generation enter the secret realm."
The sudden voice caused Chen Jiuyang to halt his steps.
Chen Jiuyang stopped, cupped his fists, and said, "This junior is Chen Jiuyang, the young master of the Chen family of Shushan. May I ask which senior is speaking?"
"I am not a senior, but the sword spirit that suppresses and guards this place."
Chen Jiuyang was immediately startled. A sword spirit?
How many years had this sword spirit existed?
Soon, Chen Jiuyang discovered a supremely sharp treasure sword in a stone pool and spring ahead.
The voice from before had come from this sword.
This spiritual sword was undoubtedly extraordinary. Much like the Chen family's Wenxin Sword, only those with the Chen family bloodline could communicate with it, whereas Chen Jiuyang's Yansheng Saber could only communicate with its master.
However, this spiritual sword before him could communicate freely with anyone and also suppress and guard the Shushan secret realm.
Chen Jiuyang cupped his fists towards the spiritual sword and asked, "May I ask the esteemed sword spirit's name?"
"Cangqiong," the ancient voice of the sword spirit replied. "Junior of the Chen family, is the current human race of Han lineage consolidated in its destiny, enough to allow cultivators at the Heavenly Realm and above to emerge?"
"That is correct," Chen Jiuyang replied truthfully. "This junior is a King of the Han family's Dragon Country, blessed by the destiny of the Dragon Country and the Martial Rankings. I can bring an Ancestor of my Chen family, who is in the Venerable Realm, out of the secret realm to return to the secular world."
Cangqiong, the sword spirit,'s voice sounded, "In the current world, are there demons, ghosts, or monsters causing trouble?"
Demons, ghosts, and monsters?
Chen Jiuyang's expression faltered slightly, and he replied, "No, according to my junior's understanding, there have been no demons, ghosts, or monsters causing trouble for thousands of years."
The Cangqiong sword spirit said, "It seems the Nine Cauldrons of Jiuzhou have not yet been gathered, the Nine Heavens of the Sacred Land have not yet opened, and the formation patterns carved by the Great Emperor have not yet expired."
Chen Jiuyang frowned slightly, confused, "Senior, what are you referring to?"
"You do not know of the Nine Heavens of the Sacred Land?"
"Never mind. Your current cultivation is too weak; it's better that you don't know. You are a descendant of the Chen family. You may pick ten portions of medicinal kings that are over two thousand years old here, then proceed to the depths of the secret realm to awaken your Chen clan ancestors, and you may then leave the secret realm."
Chen Jiuyang raised an eyebrow. "Only ten portions are allowed? Are there rules set?"
As if sensing Chen Jiuyang's thoughts, the Cangqiong sword spirit explained, "The medicinal plants in this secret realm are used one less one. The sixteen families of Shushan each have a fixed quota. How can we exhaust the resources and not consider future generations?"
Chen Jiuyang could only helplessly cup his fists and say, "Senior is right. Then I shall proceed to the depths of the secret realm to awaken my Chen family's ancestors."
With that, Chen Jiuyang walked towards the depths of the Shushan secret realm.
The further into the Shushan secret realm he went, the more intense the spiritual energy became, almost viscous like liquid.
At the same time, Chen Jiuyang became curious about what method could seal a martial artist for hundreds, or even thousands, of years without death.
Soon, Chen Jiuyang reached the depths of the secret realm and witnessed a miraculous sight.
The spiritual energy was so dense it was like liquid, flowing like a river. In this river grew a towering ancient tree, with each leaf enveloping a person. These people, immersed in the water and wrapped by the leaves, had ruddy complexions and steady breaths, appearing as if they were asleep.
"Which family's descendant is this?" an ancient voice echoed in Chen Jiuyang's mind.
Similar to a Green Bamboo Spiritual Immortal.
Chen Jiuyang instantly sensed the uniqueness of this great tree.
Did Spiritual Immortals have such a function?
Chen Jiuyang cupped his fists and said, "The current young master of the Chen family of Shushan pays his respects to senior."
The great tree trembled slightly, and a huge leaf detached itself from the branches. The leaf, enveloping a middle-aged man in ancient, ornate robes, floated on the water. Then, the leaf slowly unfurled, and the middle-aged man in ancient, ornate robes gradually awoke. The moment he saw Chen Jiuyang, Chen Jiuyang felt his bloodline resonate.
The middle-aged man rose from the leaf, an aura of terror circulating with his every movement. His gaze fell upon Chen Jiuyang, and after a moment, he said, "Not bad."
"Dreaming for thousands of autumns, what year is it tonight?"
The middle-aged man stretched his muscles and bones. Chen Jiuyang seemed to hear the roars of dragons and tigers.
"Greetings, Ancestor." Chen Jiuyang was somewhat awestruck, cupping his fists and saying, "This junior, Chen Jiuyang, the current young master of the Chen family, specially invites Ancestor to leave the Shushan secret realm and return to the secular world."
"This seat is Chen Fengge," the middle-aged man nodded slowly. "No rush, I shall familiarize myself first before leaving the Shushan secret realm."
"This seat observes that you are not walking the path of 'Divine Might Like an Imprisoned Prison,' but rather 'Divine Abilities Invincible.' It is quite rare. Display it for this seat to witness."
"Yes, Ancestor." A hint of joy flashed in Chen Jiuyang's eyes. It was a good thing to have an Ancestor in the Venerable Realm guide his martial arts.
Immediately, Chen Jiuyang's vital energy and blood surged, and the phantom image of his Yansheng Saber expanded.
Chen Fengge's eyelids twitched, somewhat surprised. "Earth Realm cultivation, vital energy like gold, peak combat power, self-created martial arts. My Chen family has indeed produced a remarkable descendant."
"Your martial arts state of mind is also quite good, but you still have limited mastery of the techniques on this path."
"The path of 'Divine Abilities Invincible' walks the path of martial arts, while 'Divine Might Like an Imprisoned Prison' walks the path of immortality. They are different paths leading to the same destination."
"You must remember to uphold precepts, lest you become lost in power."
"In my era, few walked the path of 'Divine Abilities Invincible.' Although this path is powerful, it is extremely easy to become lost in one's own power and head towards extremes."
Chen Jiuyang's heart trembled slightly. "May I ask Ancestor Fengge, what does it mean to uphold precepts?"
"Heaven and Earth have no fixed laws; our human race created them. The world has no rules; we create our own principles. Harmony and order, thus there are rules, and thus our human race has continued to exist."
"Those bald donkeys at Leiyin Temple are extremely similar to the path of 'Divine Abilities Invincible' in terms of physical strength. Therefore, the bald donkeys have rules: upholding precepts, abstaining from lust, abstaining from false teachings, abstaining from meat, and abstaining from killing."
"The principle is the same. As long as you have your own precepts in your heart and adhere to them, you will travel far on this path. Once a precept is broken, at best, your power will be out of control, wasting time; at worst, you will suffer a qi deviation and your world will be turned upside down."
"Upholding precepts in your heart, even if the world is turned upside down, it matters not. If your heart forms a pure and serene world within, free from external interference, that is the 'Inner Self Invincible.'"
Chen Jiuyang's heart trembled. Was this not his state before comprehending the Yuan Dao?
In an instant, Chen Jiuyang vaguely gained some enlightenment.
"Crack!"
Chen Jiuyang's martial arts cultivation suddenly loosened, and he stepped into the fifth layer of the Earth Realm.
"..." Chen Fengge.
Had this junior of his Chen family's martial arts cultivation broken through just like that?
Chen Fengge's face twitched. He had lived for a long time and had never witnessed such a situation.
Immediately after, terrifying spiritual energy surged into Chen Jiuyang's body.
One day.
Two days.
Three days passed.
Chen Jiuyang was still in a state of enlightenment.
Chen Fengge looked at Chen Jiuyang with a solemn expression. With a root bone of twenty-three, such an outstanding descendant of the Chen family, his Chen family was bound to prosper!