As Chen Jiuyang had anticipated, Xi Butui intended to retaliate against Chen Jiuyang by targeting his family, or to force Chen Jiuyang to surrender.
However, Chen Jiuyang had moved his family into the Feng Han Marquis’s estate, making it nearly impossible for Xi Butui to enact his revenge.
Xi Butui stood at the entrance of the Feng Han Marquis’s estate, hurling curses. Chen Jiuyang retorted, "Xi Butui, you old dog, how dare you spew such filth?"
"I ask you, what deep-seated hatred do you bear towards the Yao family that you would deploy the Nine Yin Devouring Yang Formation to harm hundreds of their kin?"
Xi Butui let out a cold snort, "The strong prey on the weak. The Feng Han Marquis’s royal decree will only protect you for half a year. After that, you will all perish."
Chen Jiuyang chuckled, "My master will undoubtedly ascend to the Heavenly Realm within half a year. It is likely you who will perish then."
Xi Butui scoffed, "Xu Han Guang, that old fool, was only a hair's breadth away from the Heavenly Realm when he attempted it decades ago. Now, after all these years, he will never reach it. Just wait and die in half a year."
Chen Jiuyang’s suspicion was piqued. Xi Butui was so certain that the Feng Han Marquis could not reach the Heavenly Realm. Was there some hidden secret? He spoke, "Xi Butui, we have no life-and-death feud. Why can't we resolve this amicably?"
Xi Butui declared, "You broke the Nine Yin Devouring Yang Formation. Between us, it is a matter of life and death. There is no need for further words."
Chen Jiuyang sighed, "You were the Chief Constable of Feng City, second only to the Emperor. Why would you target the Yao family?"
Xi Butui’s voice was cold, "You need not probe for secrets from me. I will not spare the Yao family."
"You, Chen Jiuyang, are not yet qualified to converse with me, Xi Butui."
"Just wait for my retribution. Only when you kneel and beg for mercy, handing over the Yao family, will I cease my pursuit."
With that, Xi Butui departed alone.
Chen Jiuyang frowned inwardly. What secret about the Yao family could possibly warrant such relentless pursuit from Xi Butui?
He decided to wait until he reached the Earth Realm, then he could capture Xi Butui and question him thoroughly.
The next day.
Yao Zixuan remained unconscious. Chen Jiuyang examined her pulse and estimated she would awaken in three to five days.
The forty-seven Grandmasters who had been enfeoffed received Chen Jiuyang’s dedicated treatment. They departed the Feng Han Marquis’s estate, expressing their desire to purchase the Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills. This brought secret delight to the Feng Han Marquis, though he feigned a troubled expression when dealing with these Grandmasters, claiming the pills were in high demand and required his personal attention to refine. He stated that deposits were needed for pre-orders, and delivery would be arranged later.
The Feng Han Marquis understood the principle of releasing goods in limited quantities.
Subsequently, members of the Zhu family arrived and arranged for special military identification for Chen Jiuyang’s family and several members of the Yao family. This would allow them to travel within Feng Province without being harassed by the Six Doors.
With the protection of military identification, even Xi Butui dared not cause trouble for Chen Jiuyang and his group. This infuriated Xi Butui to the point of destroying his own office within the Six Doors.
However, Xi Butui did not dare to question the Zhu family. Even as an Earth Realm Grandmaster and the Chief Constable of the Six Doors, he was not qualified to challenge them.
Chen Jiuyang, possessing the Nine-Nine Pure Yang physique, recovered from his injuries with remarkable speed and was able to move freely by today.
Later, an elder from the Martial Rankings Association arrived. He stated calmly, "Before the national martial rankings competition in December, I will protect you from the shadows."
Feng City had produced a peerless genius, and most of the martial arts world eagerly anticipated Chen Jiuyang’s growth, not harboring animosity towards him.
This elder was the same one who had stood beside Yun Tiancheng during the Feng Province martial rankings competition yesterday, indicating his status was not ordinary.
Chen Jiuyang pondered, "Now that I have offended Xi Butui, does the elder have a way to protect me from him?"
The elder replied, "You now represent the younger generation of the entire Feng Province martial arts world. If Xi Butui dares to act again, he will be inviting his own destruction. You need not worry about him posing a threat to you."
With the elder’s assurance, Chen Jiuyang felt a sense of relief.
The elder then asked, "Do you know why everyone in the Feng Province martial rankings competition was at the peak of the Profound Realm and did not break through to the Earth Realm?"
Chen Jiuyang shook his head, "I am eager to hear your explanation."
"National destiny augmentation," the elder stated, his gaze fixed intently on Chen Jiuyang. "The Martial Rankings represent the destiny of our Dragon Country's martial arts world. If one wins the provincial championship of the Martial Rankings at the Profound Realm, and then breaks through to the Earth Realm, it will increase their chances of reaching the Heavenly Realm in the future, with the blessing of the Dragon Country's martial destiny."
Chen Jiuyang was enlightened. He had a vague sense that his true qi circulated more smoothly, and his qi sea had expanded. It turned out to be due to the destiny augmentation.
The elder continued, "The national martial rankings competition is almost exclusively participated in by Earth Realm Grandmasters. You should accelerate your cultivation in the coming months, otherwise, you will be eliminated in the national competition. Even if you are a peerless genius, you cannot defeat an Earth Realm Grandmaster across realms."
Chen Jiuyang nodded and replied, "I understand. I will break through to the Earth Realm before the national martial rankings competition."
The elder gave Chen Jiuyang a look that suggested he thought he was bragging, then vanished from his sight.
After hosting the elder from the Martial Rankings Association, Chen Gaoming, along with some members of the Misty Rain Sect, visited the Feng Han Marquis’s estate to see Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Gaoming and the others brought some aged medicinal herbs. They were somewhat taken aback to see Chen Jiuyang safe and sound, hopping around. Chen Gaoming asked, "Jiuyang, have your injuries recovered so quickly?"
Chen Jiuyang chuckled, "I have a good constitution, so I recover quickly. After all, I am still young."
An elder of the Earth Realm accompanying Chen Gaoming looked at Chen Jiuyang intently and remarked, "His physical foundation is indeed profound. It is no wonder he could refine true qi with attributes at such a young age in the Profound Realm. It is truly rare and precious."
Chen Gaoming introduced, "Jiuyang, this is an elder of our Misty Rain Sect. You may address her as Grandma Zeng."
Chen Jiuyang cupped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, Grandma Zeng. May I inquire about the purpose of the Misty Rain Sect's visit today?"
Grandma Zeng asked, "Youngster, are you willing to acknowledge your ancestors and return to the clan?"
Chen Jiuyang looked at Chen Gaoming in astonishment.
Chen Gaoming explained, "The Misty Rain Sect is a national sect, and its sect leader has always been controlled by my main family, the Chen family. Grandma Zeng is the wife of the sect leader from two generations ago. Strictly speaking, she is your elder."
Grandma Zeng spoke more directly, "If you are willing to acknowledge your ancestors and return to the clan, our Misty Rain Sect can provide you with cultivation resources and many benefits."
Chen Jiuyang knew that no pie falls from the sky. "What would I need to do?"
Grandma Zeng replied, "Upon acknowledging your ancestors and returning to the clan, you will be listed on our Chen family genealogy and become a member of the Chen clan. As a peerless genius, until you ascend to the Heavenly Realm, our Chen family will not demand any contributions from you. However, at times, we may require you to make an appearance at the Chen family or represent our Chen family in missions to other sects and families."
Chen Gaoming coughed twice, "Although the Chen family is vast, there are no disciples among the younger generation who can shoulder the burden and compare with you. Therefore, Jiuyang, do you understand?"
Chen Jiuyang chuckled wryly. So, they needed him to uphold the family's prestige.