Translator: CinderTL
"Xiaolu," the white-haired elder asked, "did things fall through with that Zhou Family boy?"
Chen Zilu's heart sank.
Why is the ancestor bringing this up right away? Could it be about Zhou Xingkong?
In the past, the Chen Clan had indeed considered an alliance with the Zhou Family to secure their position in the next century.
Many transcendent families coveted the Chen Clan's Blood Jade Divine Tree.
"Ancestor," Chen Zilu said, lowering her head, "I never spoke with Zhou Xingkong. I don't like him."
Chen Zilu knew many in the clan disapproved of her involvement with Zhou Xingkong, but she had already prepared herself for criticism.
Even if the ancestor reprimanded her, she would bear it.
"There's no need to be nervous," the ancestor said calmly. "I've already heard about it from your grandfather. It's good that you have your own aspirations."
"The clan did neglect you somewhat in your youth."
"I won't force you to do anything," the white-haired elder assured her.
He knew what had happened to Chen Zilu.
In the past, for various reasons, Chen Zilu had not been valued by the clan.
It wasn't until she excelled in the College Entrance Examination that the Chen Clan finally recognized her and began to value her. Understandably, her sense of belonging to the clan remained weak.
If not for her grandfather's connection, Chen Zilu might not have stayed with the Chen Clan at all.
"In a month, I will be celebrating my five-hundredth birthday," the ancestor announced. "I plan to host a grand longevity banquet, inviting strong individuals from across Blue Star to attend. Xiaolu, I want you to bring him along to the banquet."
Chen Zilu froze.
She knew exactly who the ancestor meant: Jiang Ye.
"Ancestor," she said, her brow furrowing slightly, "do you wish to meet him?"
"Indeed," the white-haired elder replied with a gentle smile. "Rest assured, I won't make things difficult for him. Since he has captured your heart, I will prepare a special gift for him."
"Furthermore," the ancestor continued, "you may also allow him to participate in the clan's Hundred Cosmic Refinements. If he passes the trial, it will greatly benefit him."
"Hundred Cosmic Refinements?" Chen Zilu finally showed genuine surprise.
The Hundred Cosmic Refinements was one of the Chen Clan's most crucial opportunities, even surpassing the Blood Jade Divine Tree in importance!
The Chen Clan's ability to maintain its position on Blue Star for centuries largely stemmed from two great opportunities.
Even without the emergence of Transcendent Aptitudes, these opportunities alone would have been enough to sustain the clan.
"You want him to participate in the hundred cosmic refinements?" Chen Zilu couldn't help but ask. "Ancestor, are you sure about this?"
Normally, the hundred cosmic refinements were a core family secret, strictly off-limits to outsiders.
"Since you've made your choice," the Patriarch said with a smile, "then he will become a member of the Chen Clan. There's no harm in letting him try the hundred cosmic refinements early."
"Besides," he added, "I'm curious to see just how capable the young man you've chosen truly is." The Patriarch smiled at Chen Zilu.
Chen Zilu suddenly fell silent.
Judging by the Patriarch's words, he seemed to approve of her relationship with Jiang Ye. She should have been overjoyed.
Yet the Patriarch's attitude stirred a faint suspicion in her heart.
"Ancestor," she said, gazing at the white-haired elder, "are you... nearing the end of your lifespan?"
Her question wasn't baseless.
At the peak of the ninth breakthrough, the maximum lifespan was only a few hundred years.
"Don't worry," the Patriarch chuckled. "This old man isn't going to die so easily."
"At least,"
"I won't fall until you've truly come into your own," the white-haired elder said.
Chen Zilu nodded silently.
After a moment, she murmured, "Ancestor, I'll bring him to the longevity banquet."
"Good," the elder replied, a faint smile appearing on his face as his form slowly dissipated.
As the projection vanished, Chen Zilu's delicate features gradually grew solemn.
How much time does Ancestor have left? she wondered, a flicker of unease in her heart.
The Chen Family Patriarch was the last pillar supporting the clan.
If he fell, the Chen Clan would face even more dire circumstances, and she would bear an even greater burden.
I must grow stronger, and quickly, Chen Zilu thought, clenching her pale fist. She didn't mind enduring the pressure herself, but she refused to let Jiang Ye be dragged into this.
Let her handle the affairs of the transcendent families. Jiang Ye shouldn't be affected by any of this.
Meanwhile, at Penglai University...
After Jiang Ye left, Zhao Qingli immediately called her sister.
Beep...
The call connected.
Whoosh! Countless rays of light converged, forming a figure in a moon-white robe—ethereal and aloof.
It was Zhao Qingli's elder sister, Zhao Jingxue.
"Sister."
"Look what I got this time!" Zhao Qingli grinned, aiming the camera at the table laden with treasures.
"Hmm?"
"Qingli, how did you get so many opportunities and treasures?" Zhao Jingxue asked, surprised. Even she, a fifth-year student at Penglai University, rarely obtained a single third-tier opportunity in a year.
"Jiang Ye gave them to me," Zhao Qingli said proudly.
"Jiang Ye?" Zhao Jingxue was astonished. "Where did he get so many third-tier opportunities?"
"Jiang Ye is already at the Late Stage Fourth Breakthrough," Zhao Qingli chuckled. "Getting these was a piece of cake for him."
"Late Stage Fourth Breakthrough?" Zhao Jingxue was left stunned.
She hadn't heard news of Jiang Ye in a long time. In her memory, he was still at the third breakthrough. After all, Zhao Jingxue herself was the top student in Penglai University's fifth year, and she was only at the late stage of the third breakthrough.
But Jiang Ye?
A mere second-year student, already at the Late Stage Fourth Breakthrough?
"Are students at White Dragon University really this strong?" Zhao Jingxue's gaze turned blank.
Zhao Qingli was thoroughly pleased with her sister's reaction.
"It's not that White Dragon University students are strong," Zhao Qingli corrected. "It's that Jiang Ye is exceptional."
"I know Jiang Ye is exceptional," Zhao Jingxue said, glancing at him. "But what does his strength have to do with you?"
Zhao Qingli fell silent, at a loss for words.
"And another thing," Zhao Jingxue continued, "you shouldn't take all these gifts from him for granted. Even the deepest affection can run dry if you keep taking without giving back."
Zhao Qingli froze, stunned by her sister's words.
She's right!
Relying on her close relationship with Jiang Ye, she had never felt indebted for all the gifts he had given her. After all, he had offered them willingly.
But hearing her sister's words, Zhao Qingli suddenly realized she might be asking for too much. A relationship built solely on taking would never last.
"Then what should I do?" Zhao Qingli asked urgently. "He's already given me so much. I can't just return it all, can I?"
"You don't need to return it," Zhao Jingxue said, looking at her sister. "Just repay him next time."
"Repay him? How?" Zhao Qingli asked, confused.
"Do it your own way," Zhao Jingxue said.
Zhao Qingli fell into deep thought.
(End of the Chapter)
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