Jiazi Year.
The fifth day of March.
Six days remained until Chen Jiuyang's scheduled battle with King Zhennan, Zhou Fangzun.
Spring, a time of rejuvenation, brought peace and prosperity to all directions.
Chen Jiuyang, wearing a mask, boarded a high-speed train. He departed from Feng Province, preparing to visit the Bajiquan Yang family in Dongshan Province.
Previously, when the God Killing Hall and the Longevity Alliance attempted to assassinate him, the Yang family had dispatched a half-step Heavenly Realm expert.
Although Chen Jiuyang had ascended to the Heavenly Realm and his strength had greatly increased, his proficiency in utilizing Heavenly Realm power and his combat techniques were still limited.
It was rather meager for a true king of the Dragon Country in the Heavenly Realm to only know three or four moves.
Therefore, he would temper his techniques with the blood of his enemies.
Mount Tai was located in Dongshan Province, a province historically renowned for its martial arts, boasting numerous sects and family powers.
The Bajiquan Yang family resided on a high mountain, their buildings sprawling and magnificent, resembling a bustling market at their entrance, with many people arriving in luxury cars.
Chen Jiuyang alighted from the vehicle and approached the scene. Witnessing the grandeur of the Bajiquan Yang family, he couldn't help but ask a beautifully dressed young woman beside him, "Miss, excuse me, why is the Bajiquan Yang family so lively today?"
The young woman replied to Chen Jiuyang, "Today is the Yang family's decennial disciple recruitment day. As long as one has good innate talent, they will be accepted into their manor to practice Qi techniques."
"Qi techniques?" Chen Jiuyang's expression flickered, "Not martial arts?"
The young woman answered Chen Jiuyang, "The Bajiquan Yang family has an immortal ancestor who has reincarnated."
Chen Jiuyang's gaze instantly turned cold. "Thank you for the information."
These aristocratic families truly harbored ambitious intentions. How long had it been since the spiritual rain descended, and they were already impatiently preparing to recruit disciples?
In his perception, the spiritual energy and vital force of heaven and earth had not yet reached a point where these ancient cultivators could recklessly restore their traditions.
It seemed that, as they claimed, not all reincarnated immortals were part of the Immortal Alliance; some were merely trying to fish in troubled waters.
Chen Jiuyang, carrying his sword box, leaped forward, heading towards the main residence of the Bajiquan Yang family.
His Yan Sheng Saber had already become renowned throughout the Dragon Country. Merely by looking at the hilt, one could identify it as the personal saber of King Qian.
To maintain a low profile, he had been compelled to prepare a sword box for the Yan Sheng Saber.
...
Within the Bajiquan Yang family.
Martial artists from all directions knelt in attendance. A young child, clad in ancient, ornate robes, sat in a position of authority, exuding an ancient and dignified demeanor.
Several half-step Heavenly Realm experts were seated below him, and so on down the hierarchy.
Yang Hong spoke, "Today, our Yang family will open its doors wide to select promising talents for the Longevity Alliance."
"Yes, Ancestor. Almost all individuals in Dongshan Province suitable for cultivation have come to our doorstep. We await the Ancestor's appearance to select them for entry into our Yang family manor."
"Good." Yang Hong nodded slowly. "With the abundant nourishment of heaven and earth's spiritual energy, martial arts will gradually be phased out. Immortal paths are the sole choice for eternal life."
"Qi practitioners can live for 120 years, Foundation Establishment cultivators for 200 years, Golden Core cultivators for 500 years, Nascent Soul cultivators for 800 years, Soul Transformation cultivators for 2,000 years, and I, your ancestor, for 5,000 years. Since ancient times, the immortal path has been the true way."
"Martial arts are merely brute force."
Upon hearing Yang Hong's words, the martial artists below Yang Hong's position all displayed expressions of longing and greed.
Cultivation could indeed grant such longevity!
Just then, an unwelcome voice echoed.
"Five thousand years? I don't think so. How is it that this King feels your lifespan is about to end today?"
"Da da."
Footsteps sounded, and Chen Jiuyang strode into the room.
"King Qian!"
Upon seeing Chen Jiuyang, the members of the Bajiquan Yang family's expressions instantly changed drastically, their eyes filled with alarm.
"How did he get here!"
"This is going to be bad!"
The news of King Qian, Chen Jiuyang, ascending to the Heavenly Realm and his saber shattering the heavenly tribulation had spread throughout the entire Dragon Country. How could they not know?
"King Qian? The mortal king of the current dynasty?" Yang Hong's gaze fell coldly upon Chen Jiuyang.
Immediately, Yang Hong's pupils contracted. This mortal king before him had already reached the Heavenly Realm, comparable to a Nascent Soul stage cultivator in the immortal path.
He had only been reincarnated for ten days to half a month. Even an immortal, with such a short period, could not contend with this mortal king.
Yang Hong stated coldly, "Mortal king, what grievances do you and I have?"
"Heh heh, what grievances?" Chen Jiuyang's eyes were icy. "Did you forget that your Bajiquan Yang family previously sent people to intercept and kill this King?"
"This King has come to your doorstep today to settle this grievance."
Yang Hong frowned and asked, "How do you wish to settle this grievance?"
Chen Jiuyang said coldly, "Those with cultivation at or above the Earth Realm shall die."
Everyone, including Yang Hong, suddenly changed color.
"Presumptuous!" Yang Hong roared, "Mortal king, you are too arrogant!"
"I am arrogant?" Chen Jiuyang slowly drew his saber, his expressionless face revealing cold eyes.
"No matter how arrogant I am, I cannot compare to the arrogance of those in the Longevity Alliance."
"Rumble!"
As the saber was unsheathed, the entire main residence of the Bajiquan Yang family instantly turned into ruins.
With a single saber strike, all martial artists, except for Yang Hong, perished.
Yang Hong coughed up blood, his eyes filled with venom as he looked at Chen Jiuyang, "You have destroyed my Bajiquan Yang family today, and my Longevity Alliance will not let you go."
"Eras change, and times shift, so too will the rules. Those people will not adapt to the current era's rules and will eventually be culled."
Chen Jiuyang said coldly, "The Longevity Alliance harbors wolfish ambitions; their destruction is only a matter of time."
"I'll send you on your way first."
Chen Jiuyang lightly pointed a finger at Yang Hong's forehead.
"I'll await you on the road to the Yellow Springs!"
Yang Hong, unwillingly, opened his eyes and breathed his last. He, a dignified immortal ancestor, had fallen into Chen Jiuyang's hands after only ten days to half a month of reincarnation. What a humiliating fate!
"Martial arts preserve humanity; immortal paths preserve greed."
Chen Jiuyang sheathed his saber. Many people from within the Bajiquan Yang family were rushing towards the scene. He quickly departed, and by the time the Yang family members arrived, Chen Jiuyang's figure had long since vanished without a trace.
Following this, wails and cries of grief erupted from within the Yang family.
Chen Jiuyang put on his mask and exited the Yang residence. He noticed many people outside the gate with expectant expressions, dressed in expensive attire, waiting for the Bajiquan Yang family to select talents for their path to immortality.
Seeing this scene, Chen Jiuyang let out a scoff. As he passed the beautiful young woman he had inquired with earlier, he said,
"Stop waiting. The Bajiquan Yang family will no longer be recruiting."
The beautiful young woman's expression froze, and she asked blankly,
"Why?"
Chen Jiuyang stated indifferently, "Nothing else. The immortal has died, so naturally, they will not be recruiting you."
With that, Chen Jiuyang began walking down the mountain.
The beautiful young woman heard the sounds of wailing and crying from within the Bajiquan Yang family. Her expression shifted several times. Gritting her teeth, she chased after Chen Jiuyang's retreating figure.
"Handsome, wait for me."
Chen Jiuyang's pace was not fast, and this beautiful young woman soon caught up to him with a light jog.
Chen Jiuyang glanced at her and asked indifferently, "Is there something you need?"
The beautiful young woman asked, "Handsome, how did you know the immortal of the Bajiquan Yang family was dead?"
Chen Jiuyang replied blandly, "I saw him die with my own eyes, so I could naturally confirm it."
Chen Jiuyang, having killed Yang Hong himself, saying he saw him die was not untrue.
The beautiful young woman's face immediately dimmed.
"Even immortals are killed? This is bad."