Inside the main hall,
Amidst a bout of quarreling, faces flushed with anger, Father Chen and Mother Chen stormed out.
"Tianwei! This Chen Yu, his wings have truly hardened, completely disregarding his elders, he needs to be disciplined."
"Not only does this child refuse such a wonderful marriage alliance, but he also monopolizes the land deeds and gold. Does he intend to leave the family and establish his own sect?"
Several family elders spoke harshly with stern expressions.
Chen Yu had slain the Honghu Three Killers, single-handedly acquiring a half-precious artifact, territory rewards, and ten thousand gold, already making them green with envy.
Now, as Chen Yu opposed the Family Head and refused the marriage alliance, they seized the opportunity to take advantage, hoping to gain a share if Chen Yu was brought down.
"Family Head, should we request the 'Ancestor' to take action and deal with this child according to family law?"
The white-bearded family elder suddenly suggested.
Ancestor?
Everyone present revealed expressions of reverence upon hearing these two words.
As a family with standing in the region, the Chen Family had a secret expert as their guardian. However, they would not easily make a move unless the family's existence was threatened.
"No, it's not the time yet."
Family Head Chen Tianwei immediately shook his head and said gravely, "Chen Yu has not yet committed a fundamentally wrong act, and we have no excuse for severe punishment. Moreover, as a sect disciple who just killed the Honghu Three Killers, his fame is currently at its peak."
"Then what about the engagement with Chu Fengyun?"
"We can only delay for now; perhaps the child will change his mind. Furthermore, Chu Fengyun only engaged us and did not specify a marriage date."
...
Back in the courtyard,
Chen Yu calmed his mind, recalling the scene in the main hall. Despite everything, he did not regret his decision.
He did monopolize the land deeds and gold, but all of this was his rightful due.
In the face of heinous criminals like the "Honghu Three Killers," how many among the family's high ranks dared to stand out and fight?
In the past, being in the sect, he was left in the dark with no substantial resource aid.
Now, having risked his life in deadly battles to achieve such fruitful results, how could he let others get a piece?
As for the marriage engagement, that was his freedom.
"Yu'er."
At this time, Father Chen and Mother Chen walked in.
"Father, Mother."
A tinge of guilt stirred within Chen Yu for disappointing his parents with their good intentions.
He could see that his parents were somewhat in favor of this marriage alliance, especially his mother, Liu Wen.
However,
Upon their return, his parents did not urge the marriage as he had imagined.
"Yu'er, no matter what decision you make, we will support you..."
Father Chen Tiande comforted him.
The Chen Family's Matron then added, "Yu'er, you must become an inner sect disciple."
Hmm?
Chen Yu was a bit surprised at his mother's sudden expectation for him.
Upon inquiry, he learned that his mother, Liu Wen, had argued with several family elders. Those elders were adamant that Chen Yu could not become an inner sect disciple, speaking with a tone of disdain.
"As for the inner sect disciple, I must succeed!"
Chen Yu murmured determinedly inside.
Only two months remained until Yunyue Sect's "Outer Sect Grand Competition."
However,
Being in the early-stage Meridian Passage, he merely had an entry-level qualification.
According to Chen Yu's knowledge, those who passed the grand competition and got selected as inner sect disciples in previous years were mostly at the late-stage Meridian Passage or above.
Two months was a rather tight timeline for Chen Yu.
Inside his room,
Chen Yu sat cross-legged, as usual, practicing the "Cloud Evil Heart Method."
He found that after surviving the deadly fight with the "Honghu Three Killers," the "Cloud Evil Fist Technique" had not only reached a small success, but his internal breath's intensity had also subtly advanced.
Since then,
His practice of the Cloud Evil Heart Method had become smoother and progressed much faster.
Chen Yu speculated whether his heart state, after the life-and-death battle, aligned more with the true meaning of the "Cloud Evil Fist Technique."
"However,"
Chen Yu furrowed his brow slightly, "With my aptitude, even if progress has quickened somewhat, breaking through to mid-stage Meridian Passage could still take a year or more."
In terms of internal breath cultivation, he lacked the corresponding aptitude.
Yet, paradoxically, beyond the Meridian Passage Stage, internal breath level corresponded to one's cultivation realm.
Chen Yu fell into a brief contemplation.
In the sect, truly gifted talents were rare; most people did not possess exceptional aptitude.
So, those with average aptitude mostly relied on what to boost their progress?
The answer was external resources.
To some extent, the importance of external resources was no less than that of aptitude.
For instance,
Chen Yu's nominal "fiancée," Chu Wanyu, had a mid-stage Meridian Passage cultivation. For someone without family background, whether they could break through the Meridian Passage Stage with such aptitude was uncertain.
"Ah, right."
Chen Yu took out a small porcelain bottle, staring carefully at the single, crystalline pill within.
This object was what the mysterious girl, "Ye Luofeng," had given Chen Yu as "compensation" before departing.
At that time,
The stunning girl referred to this pill as a mid-grade "Body Nourishing Pill." According to her, if Chen Yu's aptitude wasn't particularly poor, with this pill's aid, advancing to mid-stage Meridian Passage shouldn't be an issue.
A moment later,
Chen Yu, deep in thought, put away this mid-grade "Body Nourishing Pill" for safekeeping.
For now, he didn't wish to consume the pill immediately.
First, Chen Yu was not very confident about his half spirit body's aptitude; the level that "Ye Luofeng" considered not poor might already be difficult to obtain among ordinary sect disciples.
Second, Chen Yu had recently advanced in the Meridian Passage; he preferred to rely on his effort to accumulate foundation.
Thus, he decided to set this "Body Nourishing Pill" aside for use at a critical moment.
Shortly after,
Chen Yu took out the half-precious artifact "Wind Singing Sword" and casually swung it a few times inside the room.
Oh!
Chen Yu noticed that when he wielded this sword, it felt remarkably light and nimble, with faint sounds of wind singing audible to his ears.
The speed of his swings was slightly faster than that of an ordinary weapon by a fraction.
To validate this, he specifically obtained a short sword of similar weight and dimension but did not experience the same agility.
"As sharp as a precious artifact and capable of slightly enhancing sword speed, it seems these are the true characteristics of the 'Wind Singing Sword.'"
Chen Yu marveled.
Of course, having not studied swordsmanship martial arts, he thought he could give it a try upon returning.
Chen Yu suddenly remembered that seemingly after breaking through the Meridian Passage Stage, he could freely choose a mid-tier martial art.
...
In a blink, several days passed.
Chen Yu stayed within the family, studying martial arts.
Among them, "Copper Statue Technique" and "Cloud Stepping" made steady and rapid progress.
In the field of body technique, Chen Yu's talent was indeed impeccable.
Only the "Cloud Evil Fist," especially in the heart method aspect, progressed slowly, far less than the former two.
This day,
Chen Ying'er bid her farewell in advance; her deadline to return to the Water Moon Sect had arrived.
Upon her departure, Chen Ying'er received a significant accumulation of resources from the family but seemed somewhat reluctant to part with Chen Yu's half-precious artifact.
Chen Yu's deadline to return to the sect was also approaching.
He had taken a month-long leave for this home visit, most of which had now passed.
A few days later,
Chen Yu rose to bid farewell. Unlike Chen Ying'er, he received no resource assistance from the family.
In the depths of the Chen Residence, within a loft,
"Chen Yu has left?"
Family Head Chen Tianwei said, gazing at the white-bearded clan elder before him.
This elder was the same person who had argued with the Chen Matron, Liu Wen, a few days prior.
"He has, and he didn't receive any resources."
The white-bearded clan elder chuckled.
"Yes. Given his aptitude, it's extremely unlikely he will make it to the forefront in this 'Outer Sect Grand Competition.' At that time, he will naturally reconsider."
Chen Tianwei nodded.
Originally,
After Chen Yu advanced in the Meridian Passage and established himself in the sect, the family was supposed to provide him with some symbolic resource assistance.
However, due to Chen Yu's marriage refusal and property monopolization issues, several family elders unanimously decided not to grant him resource aid.
"Rest assured."
The white-bearded clan elder said confidently, "I have never heard of any half spirit body, without family resource support, becoming an inner sect disciple. At least, in Chu Country, it hasn't been seen in the past twenty years or so."
...
On his way back to the sect, Chen Yu still traveled on foot, using "Cloud Stepping" to hurry along.
While practicing his movement technique, his actual travel speed wasn't particularly fast.
Two days later,
Chen Yu's "Cloud Stepping" remarkably advanced steadily, seemingly not far from reaching the Great Achievement Realm.
Should he break through to Great Achievement, Chen Yu's movement speed would enter a whole new level, with very few during the Meridian Passage Stage able to compare.
At one point, when Chen Yu passed through a necessary side of a canyon,
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Several figures suddenly leapt from the surrounding woods on both sides.
"Hmm?"
Chen Yu appeared wary and soon saw six masked figures in black.
These six masked men radiated a chilling aura of death, sending shivers down one's spine.
A faint sense of impending danger arose within Chen Yu.
"Kill—"
Without a word, the six figures flanked Chen Yu from both sides.
With internal breath surging through their bodies, wielding knives or swords, some even launched sharp, piercing projectiles.
"Two at the late-stage Meridian Passage, four at the mid-stage Meridian Passage..."
Based on his internal breath perception, Chen Yu concluded, and his heart skipped a beat.
If it were merely the number of experts, it wouldn't be enough to cause him such concern.
Having specialized in the "Cloud Evil Skill" and fought against the Honghu Three Killers, Chen Yu's sensitivity to evil qi was keen.
The current assailants each exuded an extraordinary malevolence, their eyes filled with murderous intent, undoubtedly battle-hardened.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Before they closed in, one or two projectiles, as powerful as the Second Evil Blood Poison Dart, threatened Chen Yu from both sides.
"Surrender your life."
One of the late-stage Meridian Passage attackers wielded a black whip, creating an astonishing thundering sound, aiming straight for Chen Yu's lower half.
Another late-stage attacker, holding a long spear, conjured up an array of dark, cold snake shadows, akin to cunning poisonous snakes, targeting Chen Yu's vitals.
The remaining four, all at mid-stage Meridian Passage, were no slackers.
Faced with this lineup, even the formidable "Honghu Three Killers," without the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle or the Mysterious Purple Flute's powerful means, might avoid a hard confrontation.
"Retreat."
In a flash of lightning and thought, Chen Yu made his choice.
Facing a coordinated assault from such a group of seasoned experts alone was indeed a disadvantage.
Simultaneously, his thoughts raced as to who set out to kill him.
Someone able to orchestrate such an effort must have a certain backing; as for a fifteen-year-old like Chen Yu, the number of potential enemies was limited.
Suddenly, a figure emerged in Chen Yu's mind.