The onlookers had witnessed everything that had transpired, thoroughly entertained. However, some people now had their own pressing matters to attend to.
The Chen family patriarch and Marquis Feng Han helped Chen Jiuyang out of the pit in the mountain cliff and onto the ground.
Yao Zixuan quickly administered the medicinal pills Chen Jiuyang had left at his home in Qingzhu Village into his mouth.
The Three-Revolutions Pure Yang Pill could only be taken by Chen Jiuyang.
"Marquis Xuanyang, having trained for less than a year, to be able to defeat Xi Butui is truly eye-opening. Once your injuries have healed, I, the champion of the Qi Province Martial Rankings, wish to spar with Marquis Xuanyang. A friendly exchange, with a limit to our strength."
"Indeed, Marquis Xuanyang is a peerless genius. I, the champion of the Liao Province Martial Rankings, also wish to exchange a few moves with Marquis Xuanyang. I hope Marquis Xuanyang will not refuse."
"Me too..."
After the commotion subsided, champions from various provincial martial rankings approached Chen Jiuyang one by one, extending invitations for sparring matches.
This year's Dragon Country Martial Rankings were particularly important. Whoever achieved a brilliant result in the Dragon Country Martial Rankings would enter the Dragon Country national team and, in the following year of Jiazi, represent the Dragon Country martial arts world in contests against young masters from other countries. This would not only bring glory to the nation but also provide assistance in breaking through to the Heavenly Realm from the peak of the Earth Realm in the future.
The provincial martial ranking competitions had already been finalized, and the champions from each province had mostly broken through from the Profound Realm to the Earth Realm. Chen Jiuyang's reputation was currently on the rise, and various families had intentions to understand the strength of their provincial martial ranking champions and the level they could reach, in order to formulate plans to achieve better results when the Dragon Country Martial Rankings officially commenced.
Yao Zixuan, Lin Yuexian, the Chen family patriarch, and others responded one by one, neither agreeing nor refusing, merely stating that they would discuss it after Chen Jiuyang's injuries had healed.
After these individuals delivered their invitations, some gathered to discuss:
"Marquis Xuanyang's peerless talent guarantees his future ennoblement as a King, there's no need to say more. He has now created his own martial arts. Have you all noticed that he hasn't used true Divine Intent techniques? Those two moves were forced by forcefully injecting his spirit and soul, lacking intent."
"Neither Marquis Xuanyang's Yuan Dao Breaking Clouds nor Yuan Dao Shattering Rain are true Divine Intent techniques; they are merely ordinary Profound Realm moves, unlike his previous Instant Annihilation martial art where spirit and soul fused into one."
"Precisely. While creating one's own martial art is astonishing and worthy of admiration, it also signifies that Marquis Xuanyang must start anew on the path of martial arts."
"Otherwise, possessing a treasure mountain would not allow him to unleash its original strength."
"Marquis Xuanyang should now re-comprehend his martial path from the very bottom. It is crucial whether he can comprehend his own Divine Intent. His current combat power is at least weakened by thirty to forty percent, and he cannot use martial arts moves he has used before, otherwise he will fall into martial arts delusion and waste time."
"If we want our own disciples to achieve better results in the Dragon Country Martial Rankings, we must seize the time now and delay Chen Jiuyang's comprehension of martial arts."
"A war of attrition?"
"Precisely!"
"It is currently November 15th. The Martial Rankings will be on December 20th. We need to head to Dragon Capital to prepare by December 15th."
"This plan can be executed. It is settled."
...
After the events at Fengshan were publicized, they caused a huge stir. However, the person at the center of the vortex was not feeling elated, but rather a sense of urgency.
The Chen family patriarch said, "Jiuyang, you have comprehended your own Dao, but have you not yet comprehended your own Divine Soul Intent?"
"Yes," Chen Jiuyang nodded.
The Chen family patriarch frowned, "In that case, they intend to stall your progress."
This year's Martial Rankings competition was too important. All noble families and other forces had invested heavily in their seeded contestants.
"I will discuss with the Han family and others to shield you from external influences. After this battle, your heart's knot is resolved. You should primarily focus on comprehending your own martial path and understanding your own Divine Soul Intent."
The Chen family patriarch looked at Chen Jiuyang with a mixture of joy and complexity. Chen Jiuyang's talent and combat power were undeniable, but he was also truly adept at causing trouble.
If Yao Qianhe had not predicted Chen Jiuyang's temper today and quickly asked Lin Yuexian to seek help from her father, Chen Jiuyang might have truly died at the hands of Zhou Fangzun.
"I know."
"Xi Butui is dead. My brother should be laid to rest."
...
Zhang Jialong, after his death, could not reunite with his wife and daughter. However, with Xi Butui's death, this obstacle was naturally removed.
The sky was covered with dark clouds, and thunder rumbled. Moments later, a torrential rain began to fall.
At the Martyrs' Cemetery in Feng Province, the coffin containing Zhang Jialong was slowly being interred. Zhang Jialong's wife and daughter cried inconsolably before the tombstone.
"Let's go home."
After being drenched in the rain for a long time, Chen Jiuyang said to Yao Zixuan, who was holding an umbrella behind him.
Lin Yuexian, Qiu Yihan, Elder Han, the Chen family patriarch, and Marquis Feng Han were all busy cleaning up after Chen Jiuyang, resolving the aftermath of previous events.
They clearly intended for Chen Jiuyang to immerse himself solely in martial arts.
Only Yao Zixuan, lacking martial cultivation and a powerful background, had the time to accompany Chen Jiuyang.
"Young Master, you've worked hard."
Fang Bahua acted as the driver, driving them towards Ziyang County.
Chen Jiuyang's grievances with Xi Butui had been settled, but Chen Jiuyang had more things to face.
The Xuanyang Marquisate had Yao Zixuan managing finances and establishing a guard force, with the Chen family patriarch and others overseeing affairs, and the old fox Yao Qianhe handling social engagements.
It was evident to everyone that Chen Jiuyang had weathered the life-and-death ordeal with Xi Butui, and his ennoblement as a King was imminent. This made those who had remained neutral and observant unable to resist any longer, wanting to pledge their allegiance to Chen Jiuyang.
On the night of November 15th, Chen Jiuyang slept soundly in Yao Zixuan's embrace.
The next morning, an autumn breeze blew. The adjacent construction site was bustling with activity, with many elites in suits pointing at the barren land near Chen Jiuyang's residence.
Many distinguished individuals came to offer gifts to Chen Jiuyang, all received by Yao Zixuan. After breakfast, Chen Jiuyang walked outside and asked Yao Zixuan, "What are they doing?"
Yao Zixuan smiled and said, "I won't tell you. You should focus on martial arts and prepare for the Dragon Country Martial Rankings, otherwise those sisters will blame me."
"Alright."
Chen Jiuyang did not inquire further.
The hidden dragon has revealed itself; the sea will welcome me, and I will come.
Chen Jiuyang walked into Ziyang County on foot. Cars passed by, the hustle and bustle of human life, the myriad aspects of the world unfolded before his eyes. Chen Jiuyang couldn't help but ponder what his martial spirit should be and how his martial path should proceed.
The monk Pu Hui had said that all worldly affairs are the Dao. He must have foreseen that even if he created his own martial arts methods, his spirit and intent should be forged through wandering and experiencing the mortal world.
"Cousin!"
Standing in the middle of the road, Chen Jiuyang turned around and saw his cousin Chen Xiaobo calling out to him.
However, this cousin did not look well. Several fierce-looking men followed behind him.
Chen Xiaobo walked up to Chen Jiuyang and, with a somewhat embarrassed tone, whispered, "Cousin, can you lend me some money?"