Flowers bloomed in profusion, and the stream gurgled.
At a glance, a massive small county town lay within the valley.
The place was bustling with activity and clamor.
The Han clan's territory was in an uproar.
On the mountainside, by a man-made waterfall, stood a sumptuously luxurious modern villa with flowing water. Behind it were numerous ordinary villas.
This was where the Jiudu Han clan had arranged for Chen Jiuyang's family and his subordinates to live.
Once one stepped onto the demonic path, it became difficult to escape the mortal world.
June 18th. Ten days remained until the Saint Son selection competition on June 28th.
Chen Jiuyang sat by the waterfall, undisturbed, meticulously comprehending his moves.
From the future deduced by the Heavenly Grand Design Jade Tablet, Chen Jiuyang had obtained the combat techniques of his future peak Venerable Realm self.
In total, thirty-two divine abilities.
Although he had inherited the Yan Sheng Saber, upon returning to reality, his cultivation was not at the Venerable Realm but at the fourth level of the Heavenly Realm. He needed to carefully discern which moves he could use and which he could not.
Suddenly, a beautiful woman in an exquisite water-blue robe approached. She lowered her head and respectfully said, "Son-in-law, the Yan King of the Dragon Kingdom and the Sword Wielder of Longjing have come to visit the Jiudu Han clan to see you. May I ask if you would meet them?"
Chen Jiuyang's eyes opened, his gaze sharp.
In the deduced future, his relationship with the Yan King had always been good. After the latter ascended to the throne as Yan Emperor, he was willing to join Chen Jiuyang in attacking the Holy Land, viewing him as a nephew.
Since they were visiting now, how could he refuse?
Chen Jiuyang said, "Invite them to my home. I will be there shortly."
His future peak Venerable Realm combat power had pushed his Yuan Dao cultivation technique to a higher level. He was currently cultivating the technique while simultaneously pondering and comprehending his moves.
The Yuan Dao cultivation technique had thirteen layers. He had previously been stuck on the first layer and was currently attempting to break through to the second layer. He was unable to disengage.
"Yes, Son-in-law." The beautiful woman turned and left respectfully. She was one of the eighteen top-tier cauldrons and playthings chosen by the Han clan for him to toy with and dispose of as he pleased.
The higher his Yuan Dao cultivation technique progressed, the more formidable his combat power would become.
It would also be easier to break through cultivation bottlenecks.
Yuan Dao was created by himself. When cultivating the Yuan Dao technique, there were no difficulties, only the need for time, allowing things to happen naturally.
Half an hour later.
A trace of golden light flowed within Chen Jiuyang's dark pupils.
From a distance, it resembled dark gold, giving off a sense of mystery, nobility, and power.
"The second layer of the cultivation technique has been entered. My combat power has increased by approximately twofold."
The vital energy and spiritual energy within the entire Han clan's forbidden area suddenly surged, rushing madly into Chen Jiuyang's body.
This anomaly caused many people to be astonished, casting their gazes towards him.
Many of the Han clan's ancestors slowly nodded, their eyes filled with satisfaction.
"He has only been with our Jiudu Han clan for two days and has already achieved a breakthrough. Excellent, excellent."
"With such a prodigy joining our Jiudu Han clan, our Jiudu Han clan is destined for prosperity in this golden age!"
"Issue an order: whatever the Son-in-law requires, our Han clan will do its utmost to satisfy."
Chen Jiuyang was already the Tribulation Experiencer of the Heavenly Charm Saintess, and he would never betray Qiu Yihan.
The surging vital energy and spiritual energy poured into his body, and he felt his combat power ascend further.
He had originally cultivated Yuan Dao, and his combat power was at the extreme realm. He possessed the Universe Heavenly Lock, but because of the Yan Sheng Saber, he could avoid the Universe Heavenly Lock in minor realms, advancing by devouring life essence. He also cultivated the technique, pushing his extreme realm combat power to an even higher stage.
"Hoo."
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly, feeling the immense power within his body, and then walked towards his villa.
Inside the villa, the Yan King and the Longjing Sword Wielder were conversing with Chen Jiuyang's family, engaged in lively discussion.
Chen Jiuyang wore the black and gold embroidered dragon-patterned robe of a True Disciple of the True Demon Sect, appearing incredibly noble, with a hint of sinister masculinity and charm.
Chen Jiuyang smiled and said, "You have traveled a long way. I apologize for making you wait."
The Yan King looked at Chen Jiuyang and said, "Why the formality?"
Chen Jiuyang said, "It seems you two were also kept in the dark."
As he spoke, Chen Jiuyang revealed the truth of the matter.
The Yan King and the Longjing Sword Wielder's expressions immediately turned grim.
Chen Jiuyang had fought and earned honor for the Dragon Kingdom abroad, leading to its revival. However, the five great Holy Lands had indeed harmed his relatives and abducted his wife and daughter.
The Forbidden City, the Jixia Academy, and the Six Doors were also concealing the truth.
How could this be acceptable?
Chen Jiuyang also knew the purpose of their visit: to persuade him to return and not to enter the demonic path.
Upon learning the truth, the Yan King and the Longjing Sword Wielder fell into a deep silence, unable to speak for a long time.
After a long while, the Yan King picked up his teacup and took a sip, saying, "Jiuyang, we must interact more in the future."
Since the five great Holy Lands were so insidious and ruthless, his view of them had to change, and he needed to guard against them.
He knew Chen Jiuyang's character well; even if Chen Jiuyang entered the demonic path, he would not commit acts of wickedness.
Chen Jiuyang smiled gently and said, "Naturally. I must congratulate the Yan King in advance on his impending ascension to the Imperial Dao. Our Dragon Kingdom will soon have an Yan Emperor."
The Yan King's hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly, and then he smiled, saying, "Then I shall accept your congratulations in advance."
His return this time was precisely to meet Chen Jiuyang, hoping to persuade him, and then to go into seclusion to attempt the Imperial Dao.
Chen Jiuyang asked, "May I ask which path the Yan King is following?"
He had long heard that the Yan King was not following the path of divine might like a prison or the immortal path, nor the path of unparalleled divine abilities. Instead, he had carved out his own path, which piqued Chen Jiuyang's curiosity.
The Yan King said, "Observing the Sword Wielder system, and then combining it with martial arts, I have named it 'Guardian'."
"Guardian."
Chen Jiuyang savored the words, his eyes shining. "As expected of the Yan King."
"Since we see that you are unharmed, we shall not overstay our welcome," the Yan King said, putting down his teacup and rising.
"No need to see us off, no need to see us off."
The Yan King and the Longjing Sword Wielder left alone, refusing Chen Jiuyang's escort.
After learning the truth, they felt even more ashamed to face Chen Jiuyang. They had placed too much trust in the five great Holy Lands, leading Chen Jiuyang to resent them and enter the demonic path.
Most importantly, they were helpless. Even if they knew the truth, they could not help Chen Jiuyang.
After the Yan King and the Longjing Sword Wielder departed, Qiu Yihan appeared and said, "How dare those two old fools see you? Truly shameless."
Chen Jiuyang sighed, "Everyone has their own helplessness. There's no need to blame them."
Qiu Yihan linked her arm with Chen Jiuyang's and said, "Sister Yuexian, Sister Lengyue, and Mom and Dad, and Yating have all been settled."
Lin Yuexian, who had originally entered the Forbidden City Holy Land, had now voluntarily withdrawn and was cultivating the immortal cultivation techniques taught by Chen Jiuyang.
Ji Lengyue, originally a true disciple of Mount Emei, had her heart chilled by the reactions and actions of Shu Mountain. She also left Mount Emei and was cultivating the immortal cultivation techniques taught by Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Yating directly withdrew from the Fengcheng Medical College and also began cultivating the techniques.
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly. "Since everything has been arranged, it's time to depart for the sect."
This was the rear territory of the Han clan, while the True Demon Sect was currently in an era of fierce competition among prodigies.