Chen Guojun shook his head, "I don't know. I seek your guidance."
Yu Daochen also spoke truthfully, "Because you dare not. You surely know this."
Chen Guojun remained silent.
Yu Daochen continued, "From what I know, the Chen family has remained at the peak of first-rate powers for over a thousand years. At their peak, they might have even been able to contend with the Three Great Sects, but why have they never ascended to their ranks? Because you dare not gamble."
"It's also quite simple. The Chen family always likes to keep a backup plan, and this applies to both you and Chen Shanshui."
"While there's nothing wrong with that, it's precisely this nature that prevents you from undertaking anything without absolute certainty."
"It's like playing Golden Flower; no matter how good your hand, you never go all-in, always thinking of keeping some to recoup losses."
"How can you grow and strengthen like this?"
Yu Daochen's words were logical and well-founded, while Chen Guojun remained silent.
In truth, he also understood why the Chen family had never taken that next step.
The reason was the fear of gambling.
The Chen family had recently suffered a surprise attack from the Divine Cult. While that attack had indeed dealt a severe blow to the Chen family, it hadn't reached the point of annihilation.
Even another surprise attack from the Divine Cult wouldn't.
Chen Guojun said sincerely, "I have learned much."
Yu Daochen, seeing his enlightened expression, nodded and said, "Now is not the time to dwell on this. Prepare to purge your own house."
Even if he had a sudden realization now, it was too late.
With the Chen family's current strength, ascending to the ranks of the Three Great Sects was completely impossible, at least not within the next two hundred years.
However, there were always exceptions, such as the sudden emergence of a peerless prodigy in the Chen family, like himself. Perhaps then it might be possible.
But that was something for a hundred years later, because the current peerless prodigy was him.
Even if this prodigy were born today, he would still be able to suppress them for a lifetime twenty years from now.
But that was assuming he could live until then.
What did the words "Peerless Prodigy" mean?
These four words represented a legacy unmatched by any before or after.
The word "Peerless" itself represented eternity!
Chen Guojun looked at Yu Daochen, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
There was a reason why this little brat had reached his current level.
He truly deserved the title of Peerless Prodigy!
With the conversation concluded, the two arrived at the mountaintop.
On the mountaintop, the five individuals exchanged glances, and the scene fell into silence.
Chen Guojun saw the yellow banner beside the two elders and understood that it was the formation's core.
As long as this banner was removed, the red barrier would automatically dissipate.
But how easy would it be to pull the banner from the hands of these two elders?
Yet, the two had already resolved to face death.
The battle on the front lines was dire; this banner had to be removed, and the eight hundred elite disciples of the Chen family had to be saved.
There was no room for negotiation or choice!
Chen Shanhe, upon seeing Chen Guojun, respectfully called out, "Father."
Chen Guojun's expression was grim, and he said sternly, "If you still consider me your father, then step aside!"
When Chen Shanhe saw Yu Daochen beside him, his face contorted with anger, and he said sternly, "Father, he is the one who killed my son, your grandson! And yet you are cooperating with him now?"
Chen Guojun did not wish to waste words and said sternly, "That's right, he is indeed an enemy of my Chen family, but this is a personal grievance within the martial world. Martial world grievances should be settled within the martial world, not by letting the Divine Cult destroy humanity, do you understand!"
Chen Shanhe was clearly blinded by rage. He shook his head and said angrily, "No, you taught me that if a man does not look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him. What is wrong with me seeking revenge for my son?"
Chen Guojun looked at his son's unyielding demeanor and said with a guilty sigh, "Shanhe, move aside!"
Chen Shanhe's eyes were firm, "I will not move!"
"Attack!"
Elder Zuo let out a low growl and stomped his foot on the ground, charging towards Yu Daochen. Elder You followed closely behind.
"Old man, don't be soft-hearted, and don't even think about holding back, or you'll be the one to die. Remember that!"
As soon as Yu Daochen finished speaking, he swung his Kang Long Halberd and attacked.
At this moment, Chen Shanhe's eyes were devoid of any familial affection.
Although Chen Guojun was advanced in years, defeating the one-armed Chen Shanhe should not be a problem.
But he was worried that this old man might not be able to go through with it. If he held back, he would be counter-killed.
Such things were common in the martial world.
Chen Guojun looked at his son, his gaze turning cold, and said in a chilling tone, "Shanhe, this is the last time I call you. Move aside!"
Chen Shanhe's eyes were filled with killing intent. He waved his hand, mobilizing the surrounding Gu worms, and said coldly, "This is also the last time I call you Father."
The father and son locked eyes, and simultaneously mobilized their Gu worms to attack.
The battle was about to erupt.
Yu Daochen had already engaged the two elders.
When fighting outnumbered, the most important thing was to avoid being surrounded, especially when the strength levels were similar.
Yu Daochen knew this principle well. He swung his Kang Long Halberd, repelling one of them, and then engaged the other in a fierce exchange.
*Whoosh!*
Elder You unleashed a heavy punch. Yu Daochen reacted swiftly, raising his Kang Long Halberd to block, but he was still sent flying back several meters before stabilizing himself.
Yu Daochen's expression became solemn as he began to consider his strategy.
Fighting like this would not work.
He wasn't afraid of fighting one-on-one, but fighting two at once was proving to be difficult.
Elder Zuo and Elder You wasted no time and attacked again.
Yu Daochen glanced at the forest below the mountaintop and then sprinted towards it.
The two elders knew what he was thinking and immediately pursued him.
At the same time, only the Chen father and son remained on the mountaintop.
Chen Shanhe spoke first, "Father, since this is a duel between Chen family members, let us resolve it in the Chen family way."
"Agreed," Chen Guojun replied.
According to the rules of combat stipulated by the Miao Jiang Chen family, the two drew circles on the ground, using only Gu worms to attack each other, and were forbidden to leave the circle.
This battle was a test of the quantity of Gu worms, as well as the understanding of them.
Quantity, the strength of individual Gu worms, and control were all indispensable.
And this time, Chen Guojun had brought out his entire savings.
But Chen Shanhe was not to be trifled with. The fact that he had chosen this method of combat indicated his absolute confidence and strength.
Although Chen Guojun had a greater number of Gu worms, Chen Shanhe, with the help of the Divine Cult, had also cultivated many forbidden Gu worms.
Chen Guojun waved his hand and shouted, "Black Spider, go!"
From beneath his feet, countless black spiders scurried rapidly towards Chen Shanhe.
"The most basic Gu worms of the Chen family."
Chen Shanhe let out a disdainful cold snort and then waved his hand, "Crimson Blood Spider, go!"
Countless crimson spiders crawled towards the black spiders.
In terms of sheer numbers, the black spiders clearly had the advantage.
However, the crimson spiders were larger, with one capable of replacing two black spiders.
The two types of spiders began to bite and tear at each other, and the scene descended into chaos.