The high-speed rail station from Fengcheng to Ziyang, which used to take four hours by car, could now be reached in less than an hour.
Under Chen Jiuyang's subtle instructions, Hu Qijie's entire family moved from Fengcheng to Ziyang City to settle down.
This allowed Hu Qijie to visit Chen Jiuyang as soon as he had settled in.
In three years, Ziyang City had undergone earth-shattering changes.
It was a melting pot of all sorts.
After having a meal at Chen Jiuyang's house, Hu Qijie left to attend to his company matters.
In the following days, people in the vicinity were surprised to see a residence deep within the bamboo forest.
The area covered by bamboo forest in Qingzhu District was coveted by many high-ranking officials and influential figures. Building a bamboo courtyard in the bustling city center was a matter of great prestige.
Many people inquired about the land, but the relevant upper-level leaders remained tight-lipped, refusing to divulge any information.
In the internet era, people's memories faded quickly, and most individuals no longer remembered a person named 'Chen Jiuyang'.
Chen Nianxuan was also of age to attend kindergarten. During the day, the family took turns sending her to kindergarten, then cooked, strolled, enjoyed the scenery, and shopped, living a life of leisure and joy.
As night fell.
"Swish, swish."
Chen Jiuyang sat outside the courtyard, enjoying the breeze. The spring breeze rustled the bamboo forest as he lay on a lounge chair with his eyes closed.
"Clap! Clap clap!"
Suddenly, applause broke out.
Then, a cold laugh followed: "Such a good mood, such elegance. The renowned Saint Son of the True Demon Sect, Chen Jiuyang, is laying low, building a bamboo courtyard in the bustling city. You certainly know how to live."
Chen Jiuyang slowly opened his eyes and looked at the person before him, his expression calm. "The eleventh most talented prodigy of the Killing Hall, Zou Pengcheng?"
In three years, the Dragon Country had undergone immense changes, with the emergence of immortal, demonic, and martial forces, causing the world to shift dramatically.
The righteous path was led by the Five Great Holy Lands, collectively known as the 'Immortal Alliance,' controlling the western and northern regions of the Dragon Country. Without the Sword Bearers and the Sealed Kings, the world could have descended into chaos.
Besides the overt forces, there were also dark forces like the Killing Hall.
Chen Jiuyang looked at Zou Pengcheng and calmly asked, "What brings you here?"
Zou Pengcheng's eyes were cold as he stared at Chen Jiuyang. "I was coincidentally resting and staying in this area and didn't expect to find your trace. The life of Chen Jiuyang, the Saint Son of the True Demon Sect, can be exchanged for the qualification of eternal life in a Holy Land."
"What a good deal. Which assassin would miss this opportunity?"
"Rumor has it that three years ago, you were struck by a palm from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator on the Jialing River, gravely injured, and died shortly after."
"Finding you alive here, you can imagine my surprise."
Chen Jiuyang chuckled. "Zou Pengcheng, your intentions are good, but I fear you might come here alive and not be able to return."
Zou Pengcheng's eyes darkened, his aura brewing as he glared at Chen Jiuyang. "Then let's settle this after a bout."
As he finished speaking, he moved to attack Chen Jiuyang.
"It seems my intelligence network is doing a decent job."
Chen Jiuyang slowly raised his hand and grabbed at Zou Pengcheng from a distance.
"How is this possible!"
An immensely powerful force instantly bound Zou Pengcheng's body, rendering him immobile.
Zou Pengcheng's face changed drastically, cold sweat breaking out. An indescribable sense of danger surged through him, and he blurted out, "Your strength has already reached the ninth level of the Heavenly Realm?"
"You got it right, but there's no reward," Chen Jiuyang said indifferently.
In the past three years, his strength had already soared from the fourth level of the Heavenly Realm to the peak of the ninth level, with the next step being the Venerable Realm.
That step was 'Condensing the Dao'!
"Boom!"
Zou Pengcheng immediately severed one of his arms, which dissolved into blood mist. His body transformed into red mist and, at an impossibly fast speed, he fled towards the horizon.
Seeing this, Chen Jiuyang did not pursue. Instead, he smiled enigmatically, "Blood Burning Escape Technique, huh?"
"But with my hidden trick, you'll eventually come back to me."
Chen Jiuyang had deliberately leaked his information to Zou Pengcheng. If others knew his whereabouts, they wouldn't let him live.
Once the Five Great Holy Lands discovered he was here, they would undoubtedly send powerful experts to kill him.
Chen Jiuyang's combat power was not only more terrifying than before, but his intellect and methods were also more formidable.
"Since the guest has left, you can come out and report on your work now."
Chen Jiuyang said calmly.
Then, an elite man in a suit emerged and said, "Boss, Xuanyang Pharmaceutical Company's annual revenue is 150 billion, with 80 billion in pure profit. After deducting shareholder dividends, the funds entering your account are 30 billion."
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly. Xuanyang Pharmaceutical Company was one of the companies he and Yao Zixuan founded, primarily producing and selling pills for cultivators of the Yellow, Profound, and Earth realms.
In the past, his pharmaceutical company could have dominated the world and become a giant.
However, with the current revival of the Dragon Country and the emergence of various forces, Chen Jiuyang had to lay low and deliberately control the company's development, production, and sales. Even so, Xuanyang Pharmaceutical Company's turnover reached 150 billion, and its profits were even more astonishing than robbing money.
The forty-six Marquises of Feng Province who followed him had made great contributions over the years, all advancing to the Heavenly Realm and holding respectable positions within the True Demon Sect. The company's dividends had to be paid on time, otherwise, why would they follow him and risk their lives for him?
After the company personnel finished their reports, another person stepped forward to continue the briefing.
"Young Master, there's an auction tomorrow. A group of rogue cultivators has unearthed an ancient cultivator's遗迹洞府 (yíjì dòngfǔ - relic cave dwelling). Would you like to attend?" Deng Zun asked. He had now reached the peak of the Profound Realm and would soon enter the Earth Realm.
Chen Jiuyang pondered for a moment and said, "An ancient cultivator's relic cave dwelling? Then let's go and take a look."
After Deng Zun finished his report, a follower from the True Demon Sect reported, "Reporting to the Saint Son, there is no news."
Chen Jiuyang had been stuck at the peak of the ninth level of the Heavenly Realm for some time.
Condensing the Dao was extremely difficult.
However, it was not impossible.
There were several methods recorded in the Medical Immortal's inheritance and the True Demon Sect's records, but the condensation of the Dao was divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower.
The lower level was for reckless individuals to force their way through.
The middle level involved using ancient methods and various means to condense the Dao.
The upper level was like the peculiar place of the Three Lives Tomb, where one could obtain the opportunity to condense the Dao.
Alternatively, one could refine the legendary 'Condensing Dao Reversing Death Pill'.
After much deliberation, Chen Jiuyang decided to refine the 'Condensing Dao Reversing Death Pill' himself to attempt condensing the Dao and breaking through to the Venerable Realm.
The Condensing Dao Reversing Death Pill was a six-pattern pill, and its medicinal ingredients were extremely scarce. Even after exerting considerable influence and scouring the entire demonic path, several crucial main ingredients were still missing.
Therefore, he could only try his luck by participating in various peculiar auctions, hoping to find and purchase those rare ingredients.