A single glance, a pressure like a mountain or an abyss, fell upon Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Jiuyang's bones creaked, his body trembling subtly.
Facing such pressure, the Pure Yang Qi and blood within Chen Jiuyang roared and boiled, while the Eight-Nine Arcane Art instinctively activated.
A thought of unwavering resolve surged from Chen Jiuyang, steadying his form and even allowing him to look up and meet the gaze of the Han family patriarch.
"Oh?"
A sharp glint flashed in the Han family patriarch's eyes, and an even more powerful aura erupted from him. This time, everyone within a hundred-meter radius, save for Elder Han, the Chen family patriarch, and Chen Jiuyang himself, could not withstand the pressure and collapsed to the ground!
The fighting spirit suppressed in Chen Jiuyang's heart immediately soared, and the Yan Sheng Saber in his hand was drawn, pointing towards the Han family patriarch seated in the armchair.
Elder Han's brow twitched, and he mused, "This Chen Jiuyang is incredibly bold. Could it be true, as the rumors outside suggest, that he is inherently fierce and bloodthirsty?"
The Chen family patriarch's face twitched, and he quickly reprimanded, "Jiuyang, do not be presumptuous!"
Only then did Chen Jiuyang's consciousness calm slightly, and he lowered the Yan Sheng Saber.
The moment the saber was lowered, the pressure released by the Han family patriarch receded like a tide.
The Han family patriarch's eyes were cloudy, his teeth all gone, and he returned to the appearance of a frail, ordinary old man. He spoke slowly, his voice ancient and hoarse:
"The Yan Sheng Saber is not disgraced in your hands."
"When paths cross, a single saber strike carves a path between life and death."
"Seeking life amidst death, unafraid of powerful enemies, you are indeed a fitting match for our Han family's Saintess as a Dao companion."
"Your talent is peerless and unmatched; you have the potential to reach the Heavenly realm in the future."
"Our Han family shall provide resources for your cultivation, contributing to our Dragon Country."
"Yes, Patriarch." Elder Han stood respectfully before the old man and replied.
Immediately, she gestured, and seven or eight large chests filled with medicinal fragrance were carried in: "Chen Jiuyang, this is your resource quota for the first level of the Earth realm. For every step your cultivation advances, our Han family will provide corresponding cultivation resources."
"I am tired." The Han family patriarch closed his eyes in the armchair. Servants then lifted the armchair and transported the Han family patriarch to a luxury car, departing from the scene.
Elder Han stated, "Chen Jiuyang, your primary focus now should be the Dragon Country Martial Rankings competition and improving your cultivation. Since our Old Ancestor has met you, you need not meddle too much in other affairs. Do not disappoint."
With that, Elder Han also left in a hurry with her entourage.
Chen Jiuyang frowned slightly and asked the Chen family patriarch, "Why did the Han family go through all this trouble?"
The Chen family patriarch replied, "This Han family patriarch is an extraordinary individual. When I was born, he was already the patriarch of the Han family."
Chen Jiuyang inquired, "Patriarch, may I ask your current age?"
The Chen family patriarch replied indifferently, "I celebrated my eightieth birthday two months ago."
Chen Jiuyang's brow furrowed. The Chen family patriarch appeared to be in his early fifties, in the prime of his life, yet he was eighty years old.
Then, wouldn't this Han family patriarch be over a hundred years old?
Sensing Chen Jiuyang's surprise, the Chen family patriarch explained, "Upon entering the Earth realm, the limit of life is one hundred and twenty years. Furthermore, our martial cultivation can no longer advance. We often practice health-preserving techniques to prolong life and delay the arrival of death."
"This Han family patriarch has outlived his son and his grandson. In the art of health preservation, few in the entire martial world can match him."
"He has lived for a very long time, and thus holds immense influence within the demonic path. After meeting you today, people from the demonic path should not target you. It also implicitly tells us that if the Ning family's tragedy is related to the demonic path, someone will soon come looking for us."
Chen Jiuyang's eyelids twitched. The cultivation methods of the demonic path were indeed somewhat perverse, completely defying biological laws, for a person to live so long.
It was not without reason that the demonic path had endured to this day.
The Chen family patriarch said, "But you shouldn't dwell on these matters. You have a great chance of reaching the Heavenly realm, so don't let your mind wander to these trivial things."
Chen Jiuyang replied, "I understand."
"I will arrange for you to meet the Chief Constable of the Six Gates in Suhang tomorrow. Continue your cultivation," the Chen family patriarch instructed. He added that Chen Jiuyang could handle matters outside, but he should not forget his cultivation, and then he also left.
Chen Jiuyang looked at the seven or eight boxes of medicinal ingredients before him, his eyes narrowing. For the Divine Treasury of the Earth realm, if there were no precious materials to consume, cultivation could not advance by leaps and bounds, relying only on slow, gradual nourishment. Strictly speaking, medicinal ingredients and precious materials only nourished Qi and blood.
However, upon reaching the Earth realm, one must vigorously develop the soul and enhance its power, allowing the soul's power to gradually take shape.
Only spiritual medicines or spiritual liquids could specifically nourish the soul.
These medicinal ingredients and precious materials could only be used to aid cultivation. The Han family's forbidden grounds had existed for an unknown number of years. Chen Jiuyang had previously found a place with spiritual liquid. If he wanted to quickly break through his cultivation, he would likely have to enter the Han family's forbidden grounds again, and with Qiu Yihan leading the way.
Otherwise, the secret of him holding the Han family's forbidden grounds jade slip might be exposed.
His current Earth realm strength was due to practicing the Eight-Nine Arcane Art from the very beginning. The Eight-Nine Arcane Art cultivated the soul, body, and Qi and blood simultaneously, which resulted in the current powerful Chen Jiuyang.
But there was no rush for now; the primary task was to complete the enfeoffment mission.
After Chen Jiuyang refined pills that evening, he walked out of the cultivation room, and Deng Zun requested an audience.
Chen Jiuyang asked, "What is it?"
Deng Zun stated, "Young Master, our Pure Yang Qi Supplementing Pills have opened up the market in Suhang and received much praise. Some forces wish to purchase them in large quantities."
"Some of these forces have substantial capital, but with the Chen family's resources alone, it is impossible to ascertain who these forces are behind. Your subordinate cannot make a decision, so I have come to request your decision, Young Master."
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly, "This is well done. We should indeed sell the Pure Yang Qi Supplementing Pills, but it depends on who the buyers are. Tell those who wish to purchase large quantities of Pure Yang Qi Supplementing Pills not to rush. Have them select representatives from their respective forces to meet me and the Chen family patriarch."
The Chen family's influence in Suhang was quite weak. This opportunity could be used to strengthen the Chen family's connections and expand his intelligence network for his enfeoffment matters.
"As for the timing, you can discuss it with the Chen family. It is getting late, and I need to rest. You may go."
"Yes, Young Master." Deng Zun respectfully withdrew.
After Deng Zun left, he transmitted the message, causing various forces in Suhang to ponder.
The Pure Yang Qi Supplementing Pills should naturally not be sold to the Japanese, nor to Chen Jiuyang's enemies. It would be best to sell them only to those who were beneficial to Chen Jiuyang.
How to manage this was a matter of skill.
The next morning, the Chen family patriarch took Chen Jiuyang to meet the Chief Constable of the Six Gates in Suhang.
The Chief Constable of the Six Gates in Suhang's first words upon seeing Chen Jiuyang were:
"Chen Jiuyang, the matter of your enfeoffment is likely impossible. Do you wish to live or die?"
This immediately caused the Chen family patriarch and Chen Jiuyang to change color.