The crowd's spirits lifted. If they could defeat Chen Jiuyang in the third trial, then the position of Young Master was still within reach.
Chen Jiuyang's expression was calm, and he was somewhat expectant of the third trial the Chen family patriarch would announce.
The Chen family patriarch led the vast crowd of several hundred people forward, speaking as they walked, "During the Young Master trial, no participant is allowed to consume any pills or medicinal herbs to restore their true qi."
"Anyone who violates this rule will be disqualified from the Young Master trial."
"A person can live a life of peace, but to be the Young Master of my Chen family, one must withstand the tests of great storms, possess keen observation skills, a strong will, and the composure and endurance to remain unfazed even when Mount Tai collapses before them."
The Chen family patriarch led everyone to a cliff face on the mountain. Five ropes were stretched across, connecting to the opposite cliff.
It was clear they needed to cross this rope bridge, but that alone would have been relatively easy. On the opposite cliff face, there were hidden mechanisms for launching projectiles.
The Chen family patriarch declared, "This trial is called the Adversity Pass."
"Participants must wear a mask that obscures their vision and, while facing projectile attacks and strong winds, traverse this rope bridge. At this point, the eliminations will begin."
The expressions of everyone present changed drastically. They had to walk across a cliff rope with their vision obscured, and also defend against projectile attacks to avoid being knocked off.
Was this what the Chen family patriarch meant by giving them a chance to defeat Chen Jiuyang?
Damn it, it seemed that was indeed the case. With their vision obscured, no matter how high their martial cultivation, everyone would be on the same level. If there was an exceptionally talented genius among them, they might truly be able to defeat Chen Jiuyang in this trial.
Witnessing this scene, a smile appeared on Chen Jiuyang's lips.
The Chen family patriarch said lightly, "This trial carries a certain degree of life risk. All trial participants should consider carefully whether they wish to continue."
Although the Chen family prohibited internal strife, to ascend to the position of Young Master, one had to face mountains of knives and seas of fire. Moreover, with Chen Jiuyang setting such a high standard, many had already begun to waver, knowing that it would be extremely difficult for them to claim the position of Young Master.
While everyone was contemplating, Chen Jiuyang had already taken a mask from the side and calmly put it on. He slowly walked forward, saying indifferently, "What difficulty is there in this?"
"The opportunity is given to you. Whether you are capable or not depends on whether you are a waste."
Chen Jiuyang stepped forward first. As he stepped onto the rope, it was as if he were walking on level ground, his hands clasped behind his back.
Below him was a hundred-meter cliff, yet Chen Jiuyang walked forward with an air of unshakeable confidence, as if nothing were amiss.
Only at this moment did the remaining thirty-one contestants begin to feel a sense of admiration for Chen Jiuyang.
The most terrifying thing in this world is not genius, but genius that is both diligent and desperate, earning your heartfelt respect.
Chen Tonghe smiled lightly and also took a mask, putting it on. "Chen Jiuyang is more than twenty years younger than me. How can I fall behind? If I do, then my Earth Realm Grandmaster cultivation is truly a waste." He then walked forward.
The Chen family patriarch smiled and nodded slightly. To be the Young Master of the Chen family, one must command the respect and willing acceptance of the other members of the Chen family to occupy such a high position.
A strong wind swept in, and Chen Jiuyang walked against it.
When the projectiles attacked, he could not use his qi-shield. With a light leap, he smoothly landed on another rope, evading the attack.
"Whoosh!"
The scene erupted in an uproar. This Chen Jiuyang was truly bold and daring. The remaining participants, not wanting to be looked down upon, gritted their teeth and also walked forward. Even if they were to fail, they would not withdraw themselves.
After all, as talented martial artists, they had their own final dignity.
Those who had exhausted their true qi in the previous round could only rely on what the Chen family patriarch had said: they needed to possess keen observation skills and the composure and endurance to remain unfazed even when Mount Tai collapsed before them.
Although Chen Jiuyang had sufficient true qi, he could not use his qi-shield. If he were to use it, it would shatter the rope and plunge him into a deadly situation.
This was precisely why the Chen family patriarch said they had a chance to defeat Chen Jiuyang. After all, this trial did not test martial cultivation or the depth of true qi.
Although Chen Jiuyang possessed a powerful divine soul that could sense everything around him, standing on the rope in the middle of the cliff and feeling his precarious situation would only instill greater fear.
However, Chen Jiuyang had survived being pushed off the mountain and falling into the abyss. He did not fear this trial; to him, it was mere child's play.
In just two to three minutes, Chen Jiuyang easily reached the opposite cliff.
"Excellent!"
The members of the Chen family could not help but applaud and cheer loudly. They had been sweating with anxiety just watching this trial. Chen Jiuyang had crossed it as if walking on level ground, with ease and nonchalance, making them, the members of the Chen family, truly admire him.
The Chen family patriarch nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction in his eyes. It was only when Chen Jiuyang displayed his leadership aura in this trial that the Chen family patriarch was completely satisfied with him. A peerless martial arts genius, with such a strong will, capable of leading the other geniuses of the Chen family forward – who else could be the Young Master of the Chen family but him?
On the opposite cliff, the projectiles fired did not cause harm when they hit people. These projectiles were made of starch and would disintegrate into powder upon impact.
At this moment, the others felt a pang of regret. If they had known this, they should have been the first to step onto the rope and defeat Chen Jiuyang. But in this world, there were all sorts of medicines, except for the medicine of regret.
Their subsequent regret was useless; they could only blame themselves for their initial timidity.
All thirty-two participants safely reached the opposite cliff. However, while literature has no first place, martial arts do. In this trial, Chen Jiuyang still secured the first place.
The gazes of the other trial participants towards Chen Jiuyang had changed.
The Chen family patriarch chuckled and said, "I gave you the opportunity to surpass Chen Jiuyang, but you did not seize it. Are you convinced?"
The crowd remained silent.
"Very good. You still harbor dissatisfaction and refuse to concede," the Chen family patriarch stated. "Chen Jiuyang has taken first place in three out of the five trials. With this achievement, he has already secured his position as the Young Master of my Chen family."
"Jiuyang," the Chen family patriarch said gently, "would you like to see the fourth and fifth trials?"
Chen Jiuyang replied, "Naturally, I would. I also wish to know what the remaining two trials of the Chen family test."
"Then let us proceed together," the Chen family patriarch said, glancing at the remaining thirty-one participants. "Let you be thoroughly convinced."
These thirty-one individuals were convinced in their hearts but not yet in their words.
But this was only a matter of time.
The Chen family patriarch led the group to a stone platform, upon which a sword was planted.
The Chen family patriarch announced, "This sword is a spiritual sword left by our Chen family ancestors, the Heart-Questioning Sword."
"Experience the feeling of questioning your heart, and whoever can draw it out further will be first in this trial."
Chen Jiuyang was somewhat curious. A Heart-Questioning Sword? In this era where immortal martial arts had vanished, could such a wondrous item still exist?