Chen Jiuyang possessed the inheritance of the Pure Yang Medical Immortal. In ancient times, Heaven Realm martial artists were merely ordinary mortals, and Heaven Realm martial artists under thirty were everywhere.
Later, for unknown reasons, the Immortal Martial era vanished, and now, Heaven Realm was the king who suppressed the borders.
The Mind-Questioning Sword, passed down through the Chen family, was something Chen Jiuyang had never heard of before.
Chen Jiuyang said, "This time, you all go first, I'll be last."
The thirty-one individuals looked at each other.
Finally, Chen Tonghe said, "I'll go first."
Chen Tonghe stepped onto the stone platform. After a few breaths, he pulled the sword with all his might, and the scale showed one inch and three fen.
Someone immediately recorded it.
Then, the people behind him followed suit, mostly pulling it to one inch or one inch and one fen.
After pulling the sword, the thirty-one people had different expressions: regret, shame, and an eagerness for battle.
However, they all looked at Chen Jiuyang, wondering what he would do.
Chen Jiuyang slowly walked onto the stone platform, reached out, and grasped the Mind-Questioning Sword. In an instant, the world turned upside down, and his vision changed. He seemed to be in a vast darkness.
In the darkness, a desolate and ancient voice sounded, "Descendant of the Pure Yang Medical Immortal, I have a question."
Chen Jiuyang's heart tightened. This Mind-Questioning Sword actually knew he was a descendant of the Pure Yang Medical Immortal. It must have some connection to the Pure Yang Medical Immortal. He immediately asked respectfully, "Please, senior."
"Why do you practice martial arts?"
In an instant, waves surged in Chen Jiuyang's mind, and various thoughts surfaced.
"I want to become stronger, to be above others. I want money, power, and the most beautiful women!"
"I want revenge and to provide my family with a good life."
"I want to reach higher peaks in martial arts."
Every event of his past twenty-three years clearly flashed before his eyes.
As various thoughts emerged, the desolate and ancient voice spoke, "Your character is good, you are benevolent, but you are not yet qualified to take me away."
"Your martial will needs further tempering, and your cultivation needs to ascend."
Chen Jiuyang blinked again, and the world turned upside down. He was back in front of the stone platform, having pulled the sword out by more than two inches.
As he released his grip, the Mind-Questioning Sword automatically reinserted itself into the stone platform.
Chen Jiuyang's heart churned with astonishment; this spiritual sword was truly miraculous.
The thirty-one people below looked at him with complex expressions.
The Chen family patriarch smiled and said, "Are you all convinced this time?"
"Alas." Chen Tonghe, admitting he was no match for Chen Jiuyang, cupped his fists and said, "I, Chen Tonghe, am willing to recognize Chen Jiuyang as the young master of our Chen family."
The remaining thirty people were now completely convinced. They exchanged glances, then uniformly cupped their fists and said, "Chen Jiuyang shall be the young master of our Chen family."
The Chen family patriarch beamed with joy. He cupped his fists towards the stone platform and declared loudly, "Good, our Chen family's young master should be someone who earns the respect of everyone in the family. Young Master's trial, Chen Jiuyang achieved first place in all four rounds, earning everyone's admiration. Ancestors above, Chen Jiuyang is the ninety-ninth generation young master of our Chen family."
The participants were all convinced of Chen Jiuyang's superiority. There was no longer any need for the fifth round of the young master trial.
This year, Chen Jiuyang emerged, outshining all the elite geniuses of the Chen family.
"Excellent."
A desolate voice echoed from the stone platform.
For the core members of the Chen family, who had grown up within the family, the existence of the Mind-Questioning Sword was not a secret. For ordinary people like Chen Yating's family, it was incredibly mysterious.
Chen Yating thought someone was hiding there.
The Chen family patriarch smiled and said, "Today, our Chen family has appointed the ninety-ninth generation young master. This is a joyous occasion. Esteemed elders, please make a trip to the various major powers of Shu Mountain and send out invitations to witness the appointment of our Chen family's ninety-ninth generation young master."
"The date will be set for the day after tomorrow."
"We obey the family patriarch's command." The elders, including Granny Zeng, cupped their fists.
Chen Jiuyang showed no surprise. He knew Granny Zeng had invited him back to acknowledge his ancestors to help the mediocre Chen family gain some prestige, as there was no one capable of leading the family in this generation.
The Chen family patriarch was overjoyed. After so many years, his Chen family had produced a peerless genius as their young master. It was time to make the other powers of Shu Mountain envious.
The Chen family patriarch said, "Everyone else may disperse. Sister-in-law, please prepare the resources and treatment befitting Jiuyang as the young master. Jiuyang, you stay and accompany me for a walk."
"Yes, Family Patriarch." Granny Zeng, with a beaming smile, led Chen Gaoming away.
As the hundreds of people dispersed, the Chen family patriarch said, "Jiuyang, now that you are the young master of our Chen family, you may ask me any questions you have."
Chen Jiuyang's most pressing concern was, "Family Patriarch, how can one advance to the Heaven Realm?"
"..." The Chen family patriarch said, "The world is recovering, and the Dragon Kingdom's destiny is consolidating. I cannot speak of this, or heavenly calamities will befall us both."
"But in this vast martial arts world of Shu Mountain, you are the most likely person to advance to the Heaven Realm."
Speaking of this, the Chen family patriarch's face broke into an irrepressible smile. "Our Chen family's Kirin son is a peerless genius. This time, we will surely make those old fellows in Shu Mountain look at us with new eyes and be filled with envy."
Even the Chen family patriarch could not answer this question. It seemed that only by reaching the Earth Realm himself could Chen Jiuyang gradually explore these secrets.
The Chen family patriarch said, "Jiuyang, what are your plans next?"
Chen Jiuyang replied, "After the position of young master is officially confirmed the day after tomorrow, I will return to Feng Province and then visit the True Demon Sect."
"True Demon Sect?" The Chen family patriarch frowned. "That place devours people without spitting out bones. As a peerless genius, you should focus on your cultivation until you break through to the Heaven Realm."
Chen Jiuyang explained his situation with Qiu Yihan.
"Hahahaha!" The Chen family patriarch immediately beamed with joy and let out a hearty laugh. "I never expected our Chen family's Kirin son to have charmed the Holy Maiden of the Demon Sect!"
Chen Jiuyang chuckled sheepishly. "Family Patriarch, I am merely going back to show my face. My current strength is weak, and I am not yet qualified to charm her."
The Chen family patriarch patted Chen Jiuyang on the shoulder. "If that is the case, after your visit to the True Demon Sect, you should diligently cultivate."
Chen Jiuyang felt a bit awkward. "I am the champion of the Feng Province Martial Ranking, and in December, I have to go to Longjing to participate in the Martial Ranking competition."
This made the Chen family patriarch's brow furrow. "While this is a good thing, Jiuyang, you are currently only at the seventh aperture of the Profound Realm. Participating in the national Martial Ranking competition is somewhat risky."
Chen Jiuyang stated, "As long as I am provided with sufficient cultivation resources, I am confident I can advance to the Earth Realm before the national Martial Ranking competition."
A sharp glint flashed in the Chen family patriarch's eyes. He was silent for a moment. "Such a secret should be kept confidential. Very well, if you can win the national Martial Ranking competition, it will bring great benefits to our Chen family. I will send clan elders to accompany you and protect you in secret."
"You are currently the young master of our Chen family and a peerless genius. Your martial arts trials must be overcome by yourself, but for other matters, our Chen family will do our utmost to help you resolve them."
He had indeed seen Chen Jiuyang's information before, but he hadn't paid much attention to it yesterday. It wasn't until he recalled it carefully just now that he realized his Chen family's young master was not someone to be trifled with.