In late September, the weather in Shushan was crisp and clear, with a cloudless sky stretching for miles.
The Chen family of Shushan was bustling with activity today. Their newly appointed young master was to be inaugurated, and prominent families and powers from across Shushan had been invited to a celebratory meal and to bear witness.
Shushan was home to sixteen major powers. The top-ranked among them were the Shushan Sword Sect, the Emei Mountain Sword Sect, and the Qingcheng Mountain Taoist Sect – renowned sects throughout history. Following them were the Six Doors, and then came various long-established prominent families, such as the Chen family.
On the way to the main hall of the Chen family residence, Granny Zeng briefly summarized the situation for Chen Jiuyang: "The prominent families residing in Shushan, from ancient times to the present, have always been honest and law-abiding, preferring to avoid trouble. The local security in Shushan is also extremely good. The Six Doors have never suppressed families like ours; on the contrary, they have supported us. Sixty years ago, during the Dragon Country's national destiny war, our Shushan dispatched over ten million troops, all of whom perished on the battlefield. In recent years, all major powers have been recuperating."
"The various powers within Shushan have never faltered in their commitment to national righteousness, nor have there ever been intense internal struggles."
"Despite this, various open and covert rivalries are still unavoidable."
"For years, our Chen family has maintained a neutral stance, acting with discretion, even casting a wide net across the nation, all in preparation for the day our Chen family could once again ascend to prominence in Shushan."
"Jiuyang, as the young master of the Chen family, you are the focal point of everyone's attention today. The various powers will also bring forth their most outstanding young disciples to compete with you. You absolutely cannot fall behind."
"Otherwise, our Chen family will lose face."
Chen Jiuyang said solemnly, "Granny Zeng, please rest assured. With my current cultivation, do you think I would be outmatched today?"
Upon hearing this, Granny Zeng chuckled, "That's true. Jiuyang, you must give them a surprise today."
At this moment, Chen Jiuyang had also changed into the ceremonial attire of the Chen family, signifying his status as the young master. Chen Jiuyang appeared heroic and possessed an unparalleled aura.
Upon arriving at the main hall of the Chen family residence, it was a grand hall capable of accommodating over a thousand people. A martial arts stage was set up, and the various powers were seated in a semi-circle. The first row was occupied by the representatives of each power.
As Granny Zeng led Chen Jiuyang in, countless eyes immediately fell upon him, scrutinizing him.
Chen Jiuyang remained calm and composed in the face of these gazes.
"Brother Chen," said a middle-aged man in a Taoist robe to the Chen family patriarch, "your Chen family's young master has a good appearance, but his cultivation is only at the Profound realm, which is a bit low."
The unspoken implication was: Has the Chen family's current generation fallen so low that not even a single descendant has reached the Earth realm?
The Chen family patriarch chuckled, "My Chen family's young master is named Chen Jiuyang, and he is the champion of this year's Feng Province Martial Ranking."
This statement meant that the Chen family's young master's low cultivation was not due to a lack of talent, but rather because he had deliberately suppressed his cultivation to compete for the Martial Ranking championship, thus not advancing to the Earth realm.
A female martial artist holding a long sword remarked, "His cultivation is at the eleventh aperture of the Profound realm, and his blood energy is as potent as that of the Earth realm. It seems his talent is indeed remarkable."
Oh? His cultivation is only at the eleventh aperture? A hint of surprise flashed across the Chen family patriarch's expression, but he quickly regained his composure.
After all, Chen Jiuyang's cultivation was only at the seventh aperture of the Profound realm when he took over as young master the day before yesterday.
This young man's cultivation progress was a bit too rapid.
A hint of joy flickered in the Chen family patriarch's eyes.
A middle-aged man with a protruding belly, dressed in opulent robes, spoke up, "Brother Chen, since your Chen family's young master is so outstanding, why didn't you have him participate in our Shushan Martial Ranking competition instead of letting him win the Feng Province Martial Ranking championship?"
The implication of this statement was that if the Chen family's young master was so exceptional, not bringing him to the Shushan Martial Ranking implied that the Chen family lacked confidence.
The Chen family patriarch's expression stiffened. This indeed touched upon a sensitive point that the Chen family could not avoid. The Chen family patriarch could only explain, "I originally intended for him to return to Shushan to participate in the Martial Ranking, but this child had some personal grievances with people over there, so we had no choice but to have him participate in the Feng Province Martial Ranking. Fortunately, he did not bring shame to our Chen family by winning the Feng Province Martial Ranking championship. He will go to Dragon Capital in December to participate in the national competition."
Shushan had many major powers, resulting in fierce competition in the Martial Rankings. For many years, the Chen family had only sent a few elite geniuses to participate, never winning the Martial Ranking championship.
"Brother Chen, since that is the case, let the children have a spar," said the middle-aged man with the protruding belly. "Huayu, you represent our Shushan Zhao family and compete with the Chen family's young master. Let it be a friendly match, and do not injure each other."
"Yes, Patriarch." A young man with an extraordinary demeanor stood up, leaped from the high platform, and landed on the martial arts stage. He cupped his fists and bowed to Chen Jiuyang, saying, "Esteemed Brother Chen, I am Zhao Huayu, the young master of the Shushan Zhao family. I request the honor of a spar."
Granny Zeng said, "Here it comes! Jiuyang, from now on, you will have to uphold the honor and reputation of our Chen family. Remember not to injure each other, just aim to determine the victor."
"Rest assured, I will not bring shame to the Chen family," Chen Jiuyang said calmly. He then leaped onto the martial arts stage, cupped his fists, and bowed, stating, "Chen family, Chen Jiuyang."
The core disciples of the Chen family were all seated in the audience seats on either side of the entrance.
In recent years, the Chen family had been suppressed by the various powers of Shushan, leaving them with a sense of pent-up frustration. Whether the Chen family could shake off decades of stagnation today depended on Chen Jiuyang's performance.
"I hope this young master of yours doesn't disappoint us..." some Chen family disciples murmured to themselves.
Having been born and raised in the Chen family, they held deep affection for it.
Zhao Huayu spoke, "Then let us begin."
As the words fell, both parties' true qi vibrated, and they began to circulate it. Zhao Huayu was also at the peak of the Profound realm.
Chen Jiuyang stood with his hands behind his back, calmly observing Zhao Huayu.
"Bang!"
Zhao Huayu attacked first. With an explosive burst of power in his legs, he charged fiercely towards Chen Jiuyang and threw a punch.
"Rumble!"
The sound of true qi exploding echoed. Immediately after, a scene that stunned and astonished everyone present unfolded.
Zhao Huayu's fist, when still a meter away from Chen Jiuyang, could no longer move forward an inch.
"Such potent blood energy and true qi!"
"Boom!"
Chen Jiuyang circulated his pure Yang true qi throughout his body, and his protective qi shield expanded again.
Zhao Huayu's body was forcibly pushed back seven or eight steps.
Zhao Huayu dared not retreat. If his physical fist could not even break through the opponent's qi shield, retreating would be a complete disgrace.
Chen Jiuyang still stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm. He slowly walked forward, and with each step he took, Zhao Huayu was forced to retreat further.
Zhao Huayu's face turned red, and he roared, "Hah!"
He circulated his true qi with all his might, yet he was still unable to budge Chen Jiuyang's qi shield in the slightest.
Chen Jiuyang walked forward dozens of steps, directly forcing Zhao Huayu off the martial arts stage. He said calmly, "I concede."
Wow!
Defeating the Zhao family's young master solely with his qi shield.
The entire hall erupted in exclamations. Chen Jiuyang's skill astonished everyone.