The Chen family patriarch asked, "Jiuyang, what is your opinion on this matter?"
"There are only two possibilities," Chen Jiuyang replied. "One is that they are posturing, using the slogan of avenging the Ning family to form factions and consolidate power within the Jiangnan Sect. Their internal strife proves they were not involved in the Ning family's affairs."
"The other possibility is that they are showing off their skills, deliberately stepping forward to challenge me, the Chen family, and others. It implies they were unaware of what the Ning family was doing, and in reality, they were in league with them."
"Regardless of the possibility, they are not good people. With the effort they've put into gathering so many people to cause trouble at our Chen family, they could have done something else."
The Chen family patriarch nodded slowly. "Indeed, the waters in Suzhou and Hangzhou are very deep."
"This smuggling and trafficking business is not as simple as the Ning family being involved. The Six Doors in Suzhou and Hangzhou are so weak. Behind Suzhou and Hangzhou, there is likely a vast black network."
"I previously visited the Han family of the True Demon Sect to inquire about related matters. Elder Han's reply was."
"'They disdain to engage in such petty and despicable acts.'"
Chen Jiuyang said, "Unless the mastermind behind this actively reveals themselves, or I can trace the source of their funding, we will not be able to find the mastermind's whereabouts during this period."
"Not necessarily," the Chen family patriarch said. "We'll prepare for both scenarios. One is to monitor the actions of the Jiangnan Sect, and the other is for you to continue investigating the funding chain of the smuggling and trafficking."
"There is no impenetrable net in the world; there will always be clues for us to find the slightest trace."
"Your immediate priority is still to improve your strength. Your fight with Xi Butui is not far off..." the Chen family patriarch said with some worry.
No matter how much of a peerless genius Chen Jiuyang was, he had only entered the Earth Realm a few days ago, while Xi Butui had been in the Earth Realm for many years. The forty-seven marquises of Fengcheng, the elders on the Martial Rankings, and the lame old man of the True Demon Sect were no match for him, which was enough to illustrate how terrifying Xi Butui's strength was.
Chen Jiuyang had finally managed to enter the Earth Realm. A battle with Xi Butui was now unavoidable, so the best he could do was to improve his strength as much as possible.
"I know," Chen Jiuyang said. "I have this matter under control."
In the evening, the Shu Mountain Chen family delivered some precious materials from their second-level treasury to the Suzhou and Hangzhou Chen family for Chen Jiuyang's cultivation. Simultaneously, a batch of Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills was transported from Fengcheng, escorted by Deng Zun.
"Congratulations, Young Master, on advancing to the Grandmaster Earth Realm!" Deng Zun, who was still stuck in the middle stage of the Yellow Realm and had not yet entered the late stage, knelt on one knee and congratulated Chen Jiuyang loudly.
"It was merely luck," Chen Jiuyang said, raising his hand gently, and a soft, pure Yang true qi lifted Deng Zun.
Chen Jiuyang said, "Deng Zun, since Master has sent you here to sell the Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills, I will entrust you with managing this business. As long as you work diligently, I will not treat you unfairly."
"Yes, Young Master," Deng Zun replied respectfully. He recalled that when he first met Chen Jiuyang, Chen Jiuyang was only at the Profound Realm cultivation. Now, he had already advanced to the Earth Realm Grandmaster realm, a realm that many people dreamed of.
Chen Jiuyang's future was truly limitless.
"You may go. The Chen family is already making arrangements for related matters. You can negotiate with them and then gradually begin selling the Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills."
"Understood, Young Master," Deng Zun said.
After Deng Zun left, Chen Jiuyang began to cultivate in seclusion.
The progress of cultivation in the Earth Realm, in the final analysis, was still a matter of accumulating quantity, a process of gradual refinement. Chen Jiuyang's Pure Yang body, upon entering the Earth Realm, began to show signs of being a bottomless pit.
In the Earth Realm, the divine soul and true qi merged to nourish the vital organs, thus creating divine intent techniques.
In the Heaven Realm, the divine soul took form, manifesting as divine might.
Essence, Qi, and Spirit, upon breaking through to the Heaven Realm, represented a leap where a quantitative change caused a qualitative transformation.
However, in the depths of his being, Chen Jiuyang felt that the Heaven Realm in the current world was somewhat different from the Heaven Realm in the cultivation of the Medical Immortal lineage.
The Medical Immortal lineage had no mention of golden chains or the Extreme Realm.
Perhaps the world had undergone significant changes?
Chen Jiuyang felt that he could not cultivate step-by-step according to the Medical Immortal lineage. He should engage and communicate more with the martial artists of this era.
Chen Jiuyang found the patriarch.
The Chen family patriarch said, "Jiuyang, over the past two days, a portion of the Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills has been sold through our Chen family's channels, and the response has been good."
Chen Jiuyang's seclusion this time lasted for two days.
The market reaction to the Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills was good, as had been tested in Fengcheng. Chen Jiuyang did not pay much attention to this matter.
Chen Jiuyang asked, "Patriarch, I would like to know what your current martial arts cultivation is?"
The Chen family patriarch's expression faltered, "Why do you suddenly ask this?"
"I have some conjectures about martial arts cultivation, so I'm just asking," Chen Jiuyang replied.
The Chen family patriarch pondered for a moment. "Half-step Minor Heaven Realm."
Chen Jiuyang's expression was astonished. "Half-step Minor Heaven Realm? Is there such a division of martial arts realms?"
The Chen family patriarch said with a wry smile, "For people with ordinary talent like us, it is possible that we may never break through to the Heaven Realm in our lifetime. At most, we can only reach the Half-step Heaven Realm."
"It can be said that the leaders of the major powers in the current martial arts world are almost all Half-step Heaven Realm."
"And within the Half-step Heaven Realm, we have divided it into three, six, and nine grades."
Chen Jiuyang asked, "Why can't one break through to the Heaven Realm?"
The Chen family patriarch's expression was solemn. "This cannot be spoken of. All I can tell you is, Jiuyang, you have a great chance of breaking through to the Heaven Realm."
It seemed that the secrets involved could not be revealed to others. This confirmed that the current world had indeed undergone significant changes compared to the world in the Medical Immortal lineage.
Leaving the Chen family patriarch's room, Fang Bahua walked towards him and said, "Young Master, Miss Yun just called. She said that the Japanese merchant has apologized and wants to invite you to a meal to resolve this misunderstanding."
"It seems the Japanese dogs still cherish their lives and fear death," Chen Jiuyang sneered. "Since that is the case, I will go and see their attitude and sincerity in apologizing."
"Please reply to them and have them decide on a location. I will head over shortly."
Chen Jiuyang had been in seclusion for two days. Although his strength had not improved much, he had not washed for two days, and he needed some time to clean up and change his clothes before going out.
After Chen Jiuyang had washed up and got into the car, Fang Bahua drove and said, "The Japanese merchant has chosen the Japanese street as the dining location."
Chen Jiuyang frowned. "Japanese street?"
"In a place like Suzhou and Hangzhou, there is actually a Japanese street?"
Fang Bahua said, "Many trading companies in Suzhou and Hangzhou have dealings with Japan. Some Japanese merchants pooled their funds to buy a piece of land here and established a Japanese street."
"All procedures are legal and compliant."
Chen Jiuyang thought of some matters and sneered, "Japanese street, how interesting. I would like to experience the Japanese street."
Soon, the car drove to the Japanese street. At a glance, it was filled with people dressed in Japanese attire.
Chen Jiuyang immediately felt a strange killing intent in his heart.