Twenty days had passed since the battle between King Qian and King Zhennan on Mount Tai, and time had now entered early April.
That battle was still a topic of much discussion, but most people's attention was focused on the World Martial Rankings competition scheduled for June.
In these twenty days, besides King Qian, the other three Kings of the Dragon Country had also ascended to the Heaven Realm. Several other participants in the Dragon Country's Martial Rankings had also reached the Heaven Realm due to fortunate encounters.
In an instant, the overt martial strength of the Dragon Country had greatly increased!
All ten individuals on the Martial Rankings were now in the Heaven Realm!
As April arrived, the Dragon Country's land warmed, and sunshine bathed everything.
Qingzhu Town was a place of clear waters, lush mountains, and numerous buildings.
Among them, King Qian's mansion was the most magnificent.
Two stone lions stood at the entrance, flanked by two Xuan Realm martial artists as guards.
The mansion was bustling, with many distinguished figures seeking an audience with King Qian, hoping to secure a spot to cultivate and practice martial arts within the Qingzhu Spirit Domain.
A week prior, King Qian Chen Jiuyang had recovered from his injuries, but he inexplicably appeared weary. At times, he would sit alone by the river, watching the sun rise and set, the tides ebb and flow, undisturbed by anyone.
Many people wondered why the most talented King Qian of the Dragon Country was behaving this way.
Inside King Qian's mansion.
Nan Tang, the Sword Bearer of Feng Province, and the Sword Bearer of Longjing sat together, looking at Chen Jiuyang with complex expressions.
"King Qian, have you truly made up your mind?"
Chen Jiuyang, dressed in a simple shirt at home, had handsome features and a calm demeanor, appearing like an ordinary person. His gaze was fixed on the white clouds in the sky as he spoke.
"My mind is made up. After the Martial Rankings conclude, I will abdicate my position as King Qian, and the Qian Yuan Army will be disbanded. Do not let my personal decision delay the bright futures of so many soldiers."
The first thing Chen Jiuyang did after recovering from his injuries was to disband the Qian Yuan Army and reveal his intention to abdicate his title as King Qian. This news immediately alerted the higher authorities, who promptly dispatched the Sword Bearer of Longjing.
Everyone knew Chen Jiuyang's resolute nature; once he made a decision, no one could sway him.
The Sword Bearer of Longjing asked, "Why?"
Chen Jiuyang's gaze remained fixed on the clouds in the sky as he replied, "Perhaps I am tired, or perhaps I wish to live a carefree life as a wealthy recluse."
"I was born a farmer. After abdicating my title, I wish to return home and farm, and occasionally travel to see the scenery."
The Sword Bearer of Longjing remained silent for a moment before saying, "This matter can be discussed after the World Martial Rankings.
"Let us first handle the matter of disbanding the Qian Yuan Army."
Chen Jiuyang slowly nodded, then bid farewell to the two as they left the residence.
Returning home, Yao Zixuan's belly was noticeably round, clearly showing her pregnancy.
Everyone in the household prioritized Yao Zixuan.
The entire family sat together. On Chen Jiuyang's right were Yao Zixuan, Lin Yuexian, Ji Lengyue, and Qiu Yihan. On his left were Chen Biandao, Elder Han, Lin Buwen, and Marquis Fenghan.
His parents, Chen Jianmin and Zhang Xiuzhen, sat at the head of the table.
Chen Biandao spoke, "Jiuyang, retiring so decisively is indeed a good thing. You didn't agree when I advised you before; what reason has led you to choose to lay down your arms and return to farming?"
Everyone in the family was curious about this matter.
Chen Jiuyang smiled gently and said, "I simply feel that I am, after all, just an ordinary person, not capable of such great things."
In reality, it was Xing Juanli's elegant letter that had alerted him. Since his battle with King Zhennan, an invisible sense of crisis had enveloped him.
Perhaps his declaration of abdication and return to farming would alleviate this.
The Dragon Country was vast and rich, with deep waters. Countless hidden forces lurked beneath the surface. As King Qian, perhaps no one could harm him, but the fate of his loved ones was uncertain.
Acting cautiously and preventing potential disasters had always been his style.
Chen Jianmin said, "Jiuyang, what you're doing is right. Our family is just ordinary farmers; we don't have the destiny to be high officials. Our family is living very well now, and we should know contentment."
Lin Buwen chuckled, "We old fellows are not as insightful as Brother Chen."
Chen Jianmin, lacking much education, blushed at Lin Buwen's praise.
Elder Han said, "What Jiuyang has done is indeed excellent. The unprecedented great changes of tens of thousands of years are beginning to manifest today. A great storm is brewing, and seeking refuge in a corner for self-preservation is the best strategy."
Marquis Fenghan said, "Jiuyang is already in the True King Heaven Realm, and he is still so young. Ensuring the safety and prosperity of his family for a hundred years is not a problem."
Chen Biandao said, "Jiuyang, the World Martial Rankings competition is imminent. The other nine have gone to different places to improve their strength. You must also accompany me to the Shu Mountain Sacred Land to enhance your own power. After returning, it will be time to gather in Longjing to report for the World Martial Rankings competition."
Chen Jiuyang nodded and said, "I will go to the Shu Mountain Sacred Land with you later today."
As the lord of the Qingzhu Town Spirit Domain, Chen Jiuyang held ten spots each month, which could be allocated to individuals for cultivation within the Spirit Domain, allowing them to break through the current national destiny constraints and advance from the Earth Realm to the Heaven Realm.
He had previously discussed with the Sword Bearer of Longjing that six spots would be given to those who had contributed to the country, and the remaining four spots would be handled by him.
Last month, Chen Jiuyang had given spots to Chen Biandao, Elder Han, and Yao Zixuan.
He possessed the Pure Yang body, and Yao Zixuan possessed the Pure Yin body, ensuring their child would be extraordinary.
This month's four spots were given to Lin Yuexian, Ji Lengyue, Qiu Yihan, and Marquis Fenghan.
This way, they could peacefully cultivate and live in the Qingzhu Spirit Domain.
Perhaps due to insufficient effort, Lin Yuexian, Ji Lengyue, and Qiu Yihan's bellies had not yet shown any signs of pregnancy.
The three women were now very envious of Yao Zixuan.
Chen Jiuyang was making an effort to sow his seeds, and he had also had their bodies checked; they were all healthy, so it was only a matter of waiting.
After making some arrangements at home, Chen Jiuyang once again followed Chen Biandao to Shu Mountain.
The great name of the Shu Mountain Sacred Land had been passed down since ancient times.
Upon arriving at Shu Mountain, Chen Jiuyang met Ye Tiannan, who exuded a terrifying sharpness.
Ye Tiannan had also ascended to the Heaven Realm, and his combat power had increased by more than several times.
Having learned from the Asian Martial Rankings World competition, Ye Tiannan had emerged from the shadow of that battle and adjusted his state.
Chen Jiuyang looked at him and smiled, "Congratulations."
Ye Tiannan nodded slowly and said, "Let's go, I'll take you to the Shu Mountain Sacred Land."
They ascended, entering a peak that pierced the clouds.
This mountain, of unknown height, was the renowned Shu Mountain, its peak adorned with countless long swords eroded by time.
As they stepped into the clouds, a drunken old man holding a gourd guarded the entrance to the higher tiers.
Ye Tiannan cupped his fists and bowed, "Senior Jiujian, please grant us passage into the Sacred Land."
The drunken old man glanced at Chen Jiuyang, his eyes seeming capable of piercing the stars. After a moment, he slowly said, "A descendant of Pure Yang, very good, very good."
Then, with a wave of his hand, a ball of white light enveloped Ye Tiannan and Chen Jiuyang.
The next moment, Chen Jiuyang found himself on a floating island in the sky, shrouded by clouds.
This was the Shu Mountain Sacred Land.