"Haha, absolutely, absolutely! Young people always enjoy a little romance, this old man understands." Gu Qingshan laughed heartily, in exceptionally high spirits.
Back then, it was the support of the Chen Family that allowed his Gu Family to rapidly establish a firm foothold in the capital of the Great Zhou Kingdom.
Now, finding an even bigger patron filled him with emotion; he truly had given birth to a wonderful daughter!
"Then this junior will go find Qingcheng first," Jun Wujian said with a smile.
"Please go right ahead, Young Master Jun!"
Gu Qingshan’s face split into a wide, flattering smile.
Shortly after, Jun Wujian, accompanied by a retainer and two elderly men, strode out of the Gu Family's main hall and headed toward the back courtyard.
"Young Master, do you really intend to marry this Gu Qingcheng? I'm afraid the Master over at the estate... won't agree."
Along the way, the retainer walking beside him lowered his voice. "Moreover... this Gu Qingcheng seems to have been consistently hinting that you should gift her various spiritual treasures. Young Master, this woman... is rather scheming."
"Heh, of course I won't marry her. I'll just sleep with her first," Jun Wujian said dismissively, his eyes narrowing slightly. "As for gifting her spiritual treasures... my ass!"
Walking onward, Jun Wujian calmly continued, "Money is meant to be shown to women, not spent on them, understand?"
"You are wise, Young Master."
The retainer behind him paused for a fraction of a second, then slowly nodded.
"It's just that... this Gu Qingcheng... is rather interesting. Coy and playing hard to get, retreating only to advance!
She wants to reap the benefits of my efforts and dangle me like a hooked fish?
In her dreams!
Until I get what I want, she won't get a single scrap of benefit!"
Jun Wujian said with utter disdain.
Having conquered countless women in the Holy Land, the moment Gu Qingcheng twitched her hips, he knew exactly what position she wanted.
............
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these three days, the news of Chen Chang'an's return spread to every corner of the royal capital, causing massive ripples.
After all, he was once the most dazzling genius, yet now his cultivation was completely gone, inevitably stirring up all sorts of ambitious thoughts in many people.
Today, everyone's eyes were fixed upon the Chen Estate...
Chapter 6: The Legacy of the Demon God!
The Chen Estate.
Chen Chang'an's residence.
"Strange, I can't sense Chang'an's presence at all. Could he not be in his room?"
"Impossible. Throughout these past three days, Chang'an has never shown himself, and he explicitly told us not to disturb him."
Outside Chen Chang'an's room, Eighth Master, carrying a sword on his back, and Ninth Master, cradling a broadsword in his arms, spoke in confusion.
Deep shock filled their eyes.
Given the strength of the two of them, they were actually unable to detect Chen Chang'an's aura, which was truly baffling.
Meanwhile, inside the room.
Chen Chang'an had completely vanished from this realm.
At this moment, he found himself situated within a vast, boundless universe of stars.
Sitting cross-legged, his aura was climbing step by step. At the same time, a violent surge of energy seemed to be contained within his body, making him radiate an awe-inspiring presence akin to an ancient primordial beast.
"Hoo..."
After an unknown length of time, Chen Chang'an slowly opened his eyes and gently exhaled a breath of stale air.
"The Demon... Bloodline!"
He murmured, his eyes blazing with excitement.
This was the bloodline left to him by the God-Burial Coffin.
Alongside it were a cultivation manual and a set of sword techniques.
The Demonic Blood God Art!
And—the World-Burying Sword Art!
"Kid, you have now obtained the legacy of the Demon God—his bloodline, his cultivation art, and his sword techniques!
Over these past three years, just as I expected, you have successfully mastered the first three forms. Not bad, not bad at all!"
In the vast starry expanse, Coffin Grandpa's voice rang out with satisfaction.
"Many thanks, Coffin Grandpa!"
Chen Chang'an stood up, his expression respectful as cupped his fists toward the empty void in a bow.
At this moment, he was indeed inside the God-Burial Coffin.
Three days had passed outside, but three years had already elapsed right here!
During these three years, not only had he obtained the legacy bestowed by Coffin Grandpa, but he had also mastered the Chen Family's cultivation arts, reaping a tremendous harvest!
"Heh..."
Coffin Grandpa had no physical body nor fixed form, replying only with a faint chuckle that sounded both distant and near.
"Opening the Time Overlap Realm requires the Wheel of Time! This opening has completely exhausted the energy previously stored within the Wheel of Time.
In the future, you will need to find the Wheel of Time in order to continue cultivating here."
Hearing this, Chen Chang'an felt a pang of disappointment. After all, cultivating here for a year meant only a hundred days passed in the outside world.
If he could cultivate here for ten years and then go back outside... wouldn't he be invincible?
Yet, he quickly rallied his spirits.
He firmly etched the four words "Wheel of Time" into his mind.
At this thought, Chen Chang'an's breathing grew rapid again. He hurriedly bowed respectfully once more, "Coffin Grandpa, I will remember."
"Mm, then off you go."
At that moment, space twisted, and a vortex appeared.
When the scenery before his eyes solidified once again, he was already back inside his own room.
"The Demon... God?"
This name was entirely foreign to Chen Chang'an.
Yet he knew that this was likely a powerful existence from a higher plane.
Coffin Grandpa had not told him all the details.
Clenching his fists tightly, Chen Chang'an felt an explosive surge of ultimate power.
Heaven Martial Realm—Level 5!
Within the God-Burial Coffin, he had not only broken through to the Heaven Martial Realm, but had also recovered to the level of cultivation he possessed a year ago.
Moreover... compared to a year ago, the current him was simply worlds apart!
"The person who gouged out my bloodline back then and threw me into the Demon Burial Abyss—once I find out who you are, I will drain your blood dry, drop by drop!!!"
Chen Chang'an said coldly, a monstrous killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"Hoo!!"
Taking a deep breath, Chen Chang'an steadied his emotions. Sensing the two figures outside the door with his spiritual perception, he immediately got up and strode out.
Opening the door, he saw Eighth Master and Ninth Master standing there, and respectfully bowed to them.
"Greetings, Eighth Master, Ninth Master."
Chen Ba and Chen Jiu were stunned.
"Kid Chang'an, you... your cultivation has recovered!"
The two of them spoke in shock.
Chen Chang'an smiled faintly, "Thanks entirely to the family's resources. This junior will certainly not let down the family's cultivation and trust."
"Hahahaha, good! Good! Excellent! Truly worthy of being our Chen Family's Young Master!"
Chen Jiu let out a hearty laugh.
Eighth Master's face was likewise filled with relief as he looked at Chen Chang'an and nodded repeatedly.
"Eighth Master, Ninth Master, let's head to the Gu Family now."
Chen Chang'an said.
Now that the Chen Family had fallen into a financial crisis, it was better to take back those millions of spirit stones.
"Alright!"
Chen Ba and Chen Jiu nodded with deep emotion, following closely behind Chen Chang'an.
At that moment, Coffin Grandpa's voice echoed in Chen Chang'an's mind, "Tsk tsk, your Chen Family... is not so simple."
"Oh? How so?"
Chen Chang'an responded out of curiosity.
He cast a covert glance at Chen Jiu, whose expression was still stirred with excitement, and the scholarly, gentle Eighth Master.
"I opened the Millennium Time Realm twice for you, which depleted my spiritual perception!
However... if my senses are not mistaken, the nine elders of your Chen Family are definitely not in the Heavenly King Realm as you claim."
Hearing this, Chen Chang'an's heart stirred. "Could they have entered the Saint Realm?"
Entering the Saint Realm encompassed three distinct stages: Saint Emperor, Saint Monarch, and Saint Venerable.
At this thought, Chen Chang'an's heart began to race.
Could it be... that his family's background was actually immensely powerful?
"I cannot say for certain, you must figure that out yourself."
Chen Chang'an used his spiritual sense to perceive the two of them, yet the aura they projected to him remained firmly that of the Heavenly King Realm.
He soon abandoned the thought. Having elders with formidable strength was, after all, a good thing for him.
It also determined his attitude toward the Gu Family: whether to be forceful, or... even more overbearing!
...
Before long.
The three of them arrived before the gates of the Gu Estate.
"Chen Chang'an, Young Master of the Chen Family, is here to visit!"
Chen Chang'an looked at the guards stationed at the gate and spoke indifferently.
A sneer appeared on the faces of several guards.
"Yo, isn't this the trash young master of the Chen Family? Wait right there, I'll go inside and announce you in a moment."
"That's right, our family head is currently entertaining an important guest. When he has free time, he'll naturally see you."
The guards at the gate spoke lazily, placing heavy emphasis on the words 'important guest'.
Whenever Chen Chang'an had visited the Gu Family in the past, he had always been polite and courteous, primarily because he was pursuing their young lady.
Furthermore, with their young lady now poised to climb high into a powerful branch, these guards had grown increasingly arrogant.
"Heh!" Chen Chang'an let out a contemptuous sneer, his eyes narrowing as he suddenly raised a foot and kicked fiercely into the chest of the guard right before him!
Boom!
A muffled impact rang out like a thunderclap. A burst of blood erupted from the guard's chest as he was sent flying backward, violently smashing through the heavy gates of the Gu Estate!
When that guard crashed heavily to the ground, he was already like a dead dog, his life or death unknown.
"You... you dare resort to violence!"
The remaining guards trembled violently, speaking in dismay.
Chen Chang'an strode forward into the courtyard, "Scram if you don't want to die! A mere dog dares to bark wildly in front of this young master!"
The guards no longer dared to block his path, scattering in terror with trembling bodies.
Chen Ba and Chen Jiu exchanged a glance, grinning broadly before leisurely following behind him.
The commotion caused by Chen Chang'an barging into the Gu Family quickly reached the main hall and came to Gu Qingshan's ears.
Gu Qingshan's expression instantly darkened. "Hmph, this brat is completely lawless. Today, I must teach him a proper lesson on behalf of the Chen Family!"
"Heh! What a joke. Let's see who has the qualifications to stand in for the Chen Family to teach this young master a lesson!"
Just as Gu Qingshan finished speaking, a contemptuous sneer drifted in from outside the doorway.
Dressed in white attire, graceful and handsome as an immortal or a god, Chen Chang'an strode into the hall. Gu Qingshan's face twisted with ferocity as he roared,
"Chen Chang'an, get down on your knees!"
Chapter 7: Truly Courting Death!
Chen Chang'an remained unmoved, sweeping his gaze across the entire hall.
He noticed Gu Qingcheng, Liu Sisi, and all the elders of the Gu Family were present.
There was also a gorgeously dressed young man in resplendent golden-yellow robes, flanked by two elderly men standing behind him.
The young man wore an arrogant expression, as if he couldn't even be bothered to glance at him.
"Chen Chang'an, what is the meaning of this? Why resort to violence and injure people?"
"Hurry up and kneel to confess your wrongs and apologize! Otherwise, since Chen Xuantong failed to raise you properly, I'll do it for him!"
Gu Qingshan said coldly.
Hearing this, Chen Chang'an scoffed, "Heh, on what grounds? You aren't qualified to make this young master kneel!
Besides, you are merely the head of a second-rate family, yet you presume to replace the head of the first-rate Chen Family to discipline people? Who gave you the gall?!"
Gu Qingshan was choked into silence, staring blankly at the handsome young man before him.
Back then, this youth had always been utterly respectful and gentle toward him.
Now, however... he seemed to carry a hint of cold, ruthless edge!
"Besides, a mere dog tried to block my path. Not beating him to death can only be considered my mercy."
Chen Chang'an said disdainfully, not bothering to look at the livid Gu Qingshan. He then retrieved the marriage contract from his chest pocket.
"No more nonsense, I'm here to annul the engagement!"
With that, Chen Chang'an held the document of the marriage contract in his hand and slowly tore it to pieces.
Then he tossed the fragments into the air, where the paper scraps drifted down across the great hall like a snowfall.
"Audacious!!!"
Gu Qingshan suddenly roared in fury, "You are utterly devoid of manners! Did your elders never teach you the meaning of the word 'decency'?!"
As he spoke, a wave of Heavenly King Realm spiritual pressure descended upon Chen Chang'an, as if attempting to crush him to his knees.
To everyone's surprise, however, Chen Chang'an's posture remained ramrod straight, his expression entirely relaxed.
"Decency? This young master has been more than decent enough. Family Head Gu, let's not make things awkward for both sides. The marriage contract has already been torn up; now be a good sport and return the three million spirit stones I gave you back then."
A faint, mocking smile played at the corner of Chen Chang'an's lips as he spoke indifferently.
Gu Qingshan's expression grew even uglier. He had wanted to intimidate Chen Chang'an so that even with the engagement broken, he wouldn't need to return the subsequent gifts and spirit stones.
Yet now...
He found himself unable to suppress this arrogant Chen Chang'an!
He could not help but glance toward Jun Wujian, who sat nearby with a calm expression, watching the scene unfold as if it were a play.
"Clap, clap, clap!!"
Jun Wujian gently clapped his hands and slowly rose to his feet. "Fascinating, truly fascinating."
"Tsk tsk, this tiny Great Zhou Kingdom and its so-called first-rate family are quite overbearing. It has truly opened this young master's eyes!"
Jun Wujian slowly strolled over to stand before Chen Chang'an, his eyes narrowing with utter disdain. "A frog at the bottom of a well, strutting about wildly in this Great Zhou Kingdom is one thing, but if you tried that in the Holy Land, you wouldn't even know how you died."
Seeing Jun Wujian step forward, the members of the Gu Family collectively let out breaths of relief, turning back to glare at Chen Chang'an with expressions of schadenfreude.
Gu Qingcheng and Liu Sisi both looked on with eyes shining with strange brilliance, gazing at Jun Wujian's figure as though he were a god among men.
This only made Jun Wujian even more smug. With a flick of his wrist, he snapped open his folding fan and began to fan himself with an air of refined elegance.
Chen Chang'an cast a sidelong glance at the person before him and sneered, "Tsk tsk, who was so lacking in virtue that they couldn't even tighten their trousers, letting a piece of trash like you drop out?"
The words fell, and the hall fell into a shocked silence.
Some people couldn't help but look at Jun Wujian in his resplendent golden-yellow robes, and indeed, he did somewhat resemble a lump of excreting waste.
In an instant, countless people held their breath, forcing their faces to turn beet red as they suppressed their laughter.
"Audacious!"
At that moment, Liu Sisi lifted her chin and snapped, "Chen Chang'an, do you even know who he is?
He is the young master of the Jun Family, one of the four great families of the Holy Land, and furthermore the son of a Saint Monarch! To speak to him like this, you must be tired of living!"
Jun Wujian kept a perpetual smile on his face. As Liu Sisi's words echoed out, the corners of his lips curled into an even more mocking and playful smirk.
"Heh, the son of a Saint Monarch. Surely you understand what status a Saint Monarch represents."
With that, his gaze fell back upon Chen Chang'an, as if looking down at an ant. "What? Are you scared now? Given the words you just uttered to offend this young master, are you planning to quietly wait for death?
Or will you grovel and fawn, dreaming that this young master might spare your lowly life?"
"Ha!" Chen Chang'an let out a low chuckle. "A dignified son of a Saint Monarch should hold a transcendent position across the entire continent.
Yet here you are, in this remote, backwater country, sticking your neck out for an insignificant little family!
Tsk tsk, it seems your standing in the Holy Land must be utterly pathetic indeed."
Chen Chang'an's words caused Jun Wujian's amiable smile to instantly stiffen.
"If you were truly a noble-born son of a Saint Monarch with a lofty status, you wouldn't lower yourself to coming here to throw your weight around and put on such arrogant airs!"
"I'd wager that in the Holy Land, you are nothing more than a piece of trash whom even your own biological parents refuse to look at twice!
That's why you came here to lap up the adulation of ordinary people just to prop up your own pathetic, fragile self-esteem, isn't it?"
Every word of Chen Chang'an's speech struck straight to the bone.
A layer of ashen lead slowly spread across Jun Wujian's face.
Because Chen Chang'an's words had stabbed ruthlessly into his deepest sore spot.
Facing Jun Wujian's ashen visage, Chen Chang'an raised a finger, gently swaying it from side to side as he voiced his utter contempt: "Even as a frog at the bottom of a well, I'm still better off than you, a piece of garbage that everyone loests!
Even if you're the son of a Saint Monarch, it changes nothing—you are still the dirtiest, foulest piece of trash!
Unloved by your parents, looked upon as an embarrassment by your own siblings!
Coming all the way to the Great Zhou Kingdom, I daresay they're secretly praying you drop dead here!"
Chen Chang'an's words were sharp as blades, plunging the great hall into a dead silence. Everyone leaned back, staring at him in dropped-jaw astonishment.
Meanwhile, Chen Ba and Chen Jiu near the doorway wore expressions of sheer amazement.
"Old Ba, how did this kid Chang'an become so sharp-tongued?"
"Tsk tsk, looks like he's going all out against a Holy Land family. The son of a Saint Monarch? This is getting interesting."
Chen Ba and Chen Jiu communicated via voice transmission with matching smiles, looking utterly unfazed.
Inside the hall, Jun Wujian's reaction far exceeded Chen Chang'an's expectations; his face turned the color of a pig's liver at a visible rate.
He slowly raised his hand, his fingers twitching and clenching with manic rage as his pupils filled with violent, twisted fury.
"Hehehehe!!!"
Jun Wujian let out a bizarre laugh, momentarily at a loss for how to torture and kill Chen Chang'an to vent his spleen. "Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!!!
In a mere borderland country, a tiny patch of dirt where the Heavenly King Realm is already the absolute limit!
To think someone would actually dare to provoke the majesty of Jun Wujian...
I will make you realize that this mouth of yours will bring a genocide-level nightmare upon both you and the Chen Family standing behind you!!!"
"Just you? A piece of trash in the Heaven Martial Realm who dares to bounce around here?" Chen Chang'an retorted without a trace of politeness, pointing toward the two old men. "Or are you planning to rely on those two decrepit old Heavenly King Realm fossils?!"
Chen Chang'an's words undoubtedly poured fuel onto the raging fires within Jun Wujian's chest.
His gaze turned malevolent, his teeth grinding together. "Fine, very well! This young master is going to tear your flesh off piece by piece, and snap every single bone in your body!"
In a frenzy of towering rage, Jun Wujian lunged forward, his five fingers clawing directly toward Chen Chang'an's head!
The members of the Gu Family erupted in immediate uproar.
Everyone looked at Chen Chang'an with gazes of pity.
Gu Qingcheng and Liu Sisi both spat in disdain simultaneously.
Truly courting death!
Chapter 8: Concealing One's True Depth!
Watching Jun Wujian charge forth with boiling murderous intent, Chen Chang'an slammed his palm directly toward the incoming attack!
The pressure he unleashed far surpassed the boundaries of the Heaven Martial Realm, causing the arrogant Jun Wujian to instantly choke for air, his pupils dilating to the point of splitting.
Bang!!
Their palms collided with bone-shattering force!
In that exact instant, Jun Wujian witnessed the most unimaginable sight!
His entire hand instantly shattered into dust, and simultaneously, his entire arm cracked apart inch by inch, fracturing all the way up!
At that moment, countless bone splinters flew through the air!
Before Jun Wujian could even let out a miserable scream, the next instant, a chilling hand tore right through his breastbone, plunging straight into his chest cavity... and cruelly gripped his heart within its five fingers!
"Stop right there!!"
"Hum!!"
A furious roar rang out as two figures overhead hurtled directly toward Chen Chang'an with heaven-shaking momentum!
"Boom rumble!!"
Yet right at that moment, two figures similarly materialized by Chen Chang'an's side!
With a single punch each, they blasted the two old men brought by Jun Wujian flying backward out of the hall!