Translator: CinderTL
"Offend them?" Chen Jiuxuan sneered. "Do you truly believe the Zhou Family sincerely wanted to form an alliance with us?"
"I have already met with the Zhou Family Patriarch."
"He secretly used the dragon observation technique to gauge how many days I have left to live!" Chen Jiuxuan's voice turned icy. "The old fool thought I wouldn't notice, but I've been wary of him for ages."
The Elders gasped in shock.
They had never imagined such a confrontation had occurred between their own patriarch and the Zhou Family Patriarch.
"The Zhou Family harbors wolfish ambitions."
"Even if we hadn't offended them, they would inevitably seize these two divine-tier opportunities in the future," Chen Jiuxuan declared coldly. "This trial is unavoidable for the Chen Clan."
"As for Jiang Ye..."
"His willingness to stand with the Chen Clan on the same battlefield at such a critical moment speaks volumes about his character," Chen Jiuxuan said. "Do any of you still have objections?"
Hearing this, the Elders exchanged hesitant glances, their words caught in their throats.
Finally, Chen Fang spoke first.
"Ancestor, we understand your intentions."
"But Jiang Ye possesses only Primitive innate aptitude," Chen Fang said through gritted teeth. "How can he possibly qualify for the position of Chen Clan Chief?"
"Moreover, he has a duel scheduled with Zhou Xingkong in six months."
"If Jiang Ye loses, the Chen Clan will inevitably face ridicule," Chen Fang said grimly.
His words echoed the sentiments of all the Elders.
Jiang Ye fighting Zhou Xingkong?
Jiang Ye stood no chance of winning.
"Are you questioning my judgment?" Chen Jiuxuan's gaze turned to Chen Fang.
"N-no, I wouldn't dare!" Chen Fang trembled, quickly lowering his head.
"I chose Jiang Ye precisely because I recognize his potential."
"I believe," Chen Jiuxuan said calmly, "that in the future, he will surpass even Zhou Xingkong of the Zhou Family."
"What?"
"Ancestor, you...?" The Chen Clan Elders were all astonished.
If Chen Jiuxuan's earlier remarks had merely surprised them, this declaration left them utterly stunned.
Jiang Ye? Surpassing Zhou Xingkong in the future?
On what basis?
"Further discussion is pointless."
"Next, I will have Jiang Ye enter the Hundred Cosmic Refinements," Chen Jiuxuan said indifferently. "You may observe his performance."
He knew the Elders harbored doubts.
Very well, then let Jiang Ye prove himself to them!
"The Hundred Cosmic Refinements?"
"You're going to let Jiang Ye enter?" Chen Fang and the other Elders wore troubled expressions.
The Hundred Cosmic Refinements was the Chen Clan's most closely guarded secret.
Normally, outsiders would never be allowed to enter.
But now that the ancestor had personally spoken, the Elders couldn't voice their objections.
After all, they had already angered the ancestor earlier. If anyone dared to raise further objections, they risked being crushed on the spot.
While the Chen Family Patriarch and the Elders were in discussion, hundreds of miles away from the Chen Clan, deep within the mountains.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Two streaks of Flowing Light descended upon a mountain peak, transforming into two figures cloaked in black robes.
One of them, with a full head of silver hair and deeply sunken eyes, was Zhou Xingkong from the Zhou Family.
"The Chen Clan... they've truly outdone themselves," Zhou Xingkong said, glancing back at the Chen Clan's direction, his eyes filled with icy malice.
"Xingkong," Uncle Mo chuckled, "are you still dwelling on what happened earlier?"
Zhou Xingkong remained silent, his expression growing even colder.
"The Chen Clan's actions were indeed unexpected," Uncle Mo observed, "but surely they don't warrant your lingering resentment?"
"Or perhaps..."
"Is it the Chen Clan's young lady who's truly bothering you?" Uncle Mo asked with a faint smile.
Chen Zilu's beauty was truly extraordinary.
It wasn't just her appearance, but even more so her aura!
Aura is a mysterious quality, neither form nor figure, but an innate feeling.
Chen Zilu's aura was unique, unlike anyone else's, possessing a natural allure.
The higher the realm of a strong cultivator, the more pronounced this feeling became.
"This has nothing to do with Chen Zilu," Zhou Xingkong said, his face expressionless. "It's just a Dao Bone Aptitude. I don't care about that. But today's events have humiliated me."
The Chen Family Patriarch's actions were undoubtedly a public slap in the face, both to him and the Zhou Family.
This was the first time Zhou Xingkong had ever experienced such humiliation.
"Then we'll wait for the Great Stellar War and repay this humiliation a hundredfold," Uncle Mo said calmly. "Let the Chen Clan see how foolish their decision was today."
"The Great Stellar War?" A cold glint flashed in Zhou Xingkong's eyes.
Originally, he hadn't cared much about the upcoming battle.
A mere Primitive aptitude wasn't worth his attention.
But now?
Zhou Xingkong found himself actually looking forward to the upcoming battle.
"The Chen Family Patriarch chose someone with a Primitive aptitude as their Clan Chief," Uncle Mo said, shaking his head. "This shows his judgment is failing with age. The Chen Clan is destined to decline."
Zhou Xingkong nodded slightly.
At that moment,
Whoosh! The void before them suddenly rippled.
A hazy figure materialized in mid-air, towering and radiating an aura that made their hearts tremble.
Zhou Xingkong and Uncle Mo were both startled, immediately bowing in reverence.
"Greetings, Ancestor!" they said in unison.
"Xingkong," the hazy figure said, "do not underestimate Jiang Ye. He has already reached the Late Stage Fourth Breakthrough."
Zhou Xingkong was stunned.
The ancestor had clearly overheard their earlier conversation.
But then,
"Ancestor, are you saying...?"
"Jiang Ye has already reached the Late Stage Fourth Breakthrough?" Zhou Xingkong could hardly believe his ears.
"Indeed," the hazy figure nodded.
Zhou Xingkong was stunned. How is this possible?
If he remembered correctly, when he challenged Jiang Ye to a duel half a year ago, Jiang Ye had only just reached the peak of the third breakthrough.
And now, after just six months, he's already at the Late Stage Fourth Breakthrough?
Even a divine-tier opportunity wouldn't grant such rapid advancement, Zhou Xingkong thought, his heart pounding.
Uncle Mo's eyes twitched. Though he had seen Jiang Ye before, he hadn't scrutinized him closely. Based on his assessment, Jiang Ye should have been at most in the early stages of the fourth breakthrough.
But now? Late Stage Fourth Breakthrough? That's absurd!
"Never underestimate any opponent," the hazy figure said calmly. "This time, I warned you in advance. Next time, you might not be so fortunate."
"Yes, Ancestor," Zhou Xingkong said, bowing respectfully.
He knew the ancestor was reprimanding him. In the past, he had indeed been arrogant, relying on his status as someone with Transcendent Aptitude. Even Jiang Ye had been beneath his notice.
"You must not slacken in your cultivation," the hazy figure continued. "In six months, at the Great Stellar War, don't disappoint me."
"Yes," Zhou Xingkong replied immediately.
He knew the ancestor wasn't referring to their arranged duel, but to the rankings of the Great Stellar War!
"I will claim the All-Stars championship," Zhou Xingkong declared solemnly. "I will not disappoint the ancestor's expectations!"
"Hmm." The hazy figure nodded slightly before gradually dissipating.
"Phew~" Zhou Xingkong and Uncle Mo both exhaled in unison, releasing their pent-up breath.
The Zhou Family Patriarch was a demigod-level powerhouse.
Even without emitting any aura, his mere presence exerted immense pressure on them.
"I never imagined Jiang Ye would already be at the Late Stage Fourth Breakthrough," Zhou Xingkong said, narrowing his eyes. "Uncle Mo, we've underestimated him."
"Indeed, it's quite unexpected," Uncle Mo agreed, nodding slightly. "No wonder even the Chen Family Patriarch held such high regard for that boy."
"Still, it's ultimately just primitive innate aptitude," Uncle Mo continued. "Xingkong, there's no need to feel pressured. No matter how quickly Jiang Ye cultivates, he won't surpass you in six months."
"I know," Zhou Xingkong replied, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes.
Regardless of the circumstances...
For the next six months, he would devote himself entirely to self-improvement.
"Jiang Ye, so this is your trump card?" Zhou Xingkong narrowed his eyes slightly. "Too bad, I won't give you any chance."
In half a year, he would completely crush Jiang Ye with overwhelming force.
The Chen Clan would inevitably regret their actions today.
At that moment, Jiang Ye was sitting in the palace hall with Chen Zilu, waiting.
Just then, Chen Jiuxuan's voice echoed in Chen Zilu's mind: "Xiaolu, take Jiang Ye to participate in the Hundred Cosmic Refinements."
(End of the Chapter)
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