As Wei Chenggong and the Wei family departed, Chen Jiuyang felt a realization. The path to invincible divine abilities, was it not about solitary cultivation, but about witnessing all martial arts under heaven? Could the essence of their techniques lie within their every move, allowing him to forge his own invincible power by melting countless martial arts?
Chen Jiuyang had yet to create any techniques based on the Yuan Dao, only cultivating them. The path to invincible divine abilities still held a long distance to travel.
Perhaps the opportunity that Monk Puhui spoke of, to step onto the path of invincible divine abilities, was this? To leave his small hometown of Ziyang County, to witness the myriad martial arts of the world, to gradually hone his understanding until he could devise his own techniques.
Previously, Chen Jiuyang’s thinking was like that of an ordinary marquis, guarding and administering his own territory, but that was the path of divine might like a prison.
Without witnessing the world, how could he speak of invincibility? Where would he find the resources to comprehend?
With this thought, a certain shackle in Chen Jiuyang’s heart seemed to break. He gazed beyond the Qinling Mountains, at the vast territory of Dragon Country, nine million six hundred thousand square kilometers. How many steps had he truly taken?
"Hahahaha!"
Chen Jiuyang burst into laughter, causing the Zhao family members to shiver inexplicably.
"The karmic connections of this world are truly marvelous," he couldn't help but sigh.
If his fists and his saber alone could suppress the martial artists he had encountered, then what if he hadn't comprehended techniques? At that level, he would already be invincible!
Discarding his narrow perspective, Chen Jiuyang broadened his horizons. His thoughts drifted to the Dragon Country Martial Rankings. His blood surged with excitement.
Since I, Chen Jiuyang, walk the path of invincible divine abilities, then the world shall know my uniqueness!
With a clear conscience, the more turbulent, the braver I become. I, Chen Jiuyang, will dare to charge forward! Leaving behind my mark!
A true, overbearing kingly aura began to take root within Chen Jiuyang.
Returning to himself, Chen Jiuyang gazed into the depths of the Qinling Mountains. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "What are the thirty-six families? What is Shaolin Temple? With saber and fist in hand, what is there to fear?"
After his enlightenment, Chen Jiuyang felt as if he had undergone a transformation.
However, some Zhao family members, mistaking Chen Jiuyang's dazed state for injury, seized the opportunity to flee.
"Hmm?"
Chen Jiuyang heard the rustling of grass and turned to see several Zhao family martial artists, bound by wooden shackles, escaping into the distance.
"They don't take my words seriously..."
Chen Jiuyang's eyes were calm. He gently drew his Yan Sheng Saber. "If you choose the path of death, then I, Chen, will send you on your way."
Drawing his saber!
The Yan Sheng Saber suddenly seemed to grow, its phantom image vast, casting a cold gleam across the eyes of the Zhao family members.
"Boom!"
He cleaved down with his saber.
"Ah!"
Screams rang out. The few fleeing Zhao family martial artists were cut down by Chen Jiuyang's saber.
Chen Jiuyang felt a trace of life essence flow into his body, strengthening his cultivation. His eyes turned slightly cold as he looked at the remaining Zhao family members, his voice chilling:
"Does anyone else wish to flee?"
"I don't mind sending you on your way."
"Plop—"
Many were so terrified by Chen Jiuyang that they immediately fell to their knees, their faces pale, begging for mercy:
"Master Chen, spare us, we weren't escaping."
"Yes, Master Chen, we didn't intend to run."
"Master Chen, I am willing to be your dog, serving you!"
Immediately, many Zhao family members declared their loyalty. Chen Jiuyang's power was so immense. If they could be recruited by Chen Jiuyang, if they could latch onto this powerful figure, they would gain immensely. The martial world respected strength above all. With their old master dead, they would find a new one.
Chen Jiuyang sneered and said, "You should honestly wait for this matter to conclude and then surrender yourselves to the Six Gates."
Seeing that Chen Jiuyang disdained them, these Zhao family members felt both relieved and disappointed. On one hand, if they were truly recruited, they would be betraying their own family. On the other hand, if they were taken as subordinates, their future would undoubtedly be brighter.
"Let's go, to the next family's stronghold."
Chen Jiuyang said indifferently, a trace of anticipation in his eyes.
"This..."
The Zhao family members were startled. What did Chen Jiuyang intend to do? Was he going to dismantle the strongholds of the thirty-six families in Lingnan one by one? How arrogant and self-assured was this? What kind of strength would it take to dare such a feat? They couldn't even imagine it.
...
Meanwhile.
The Zhennan Army.
On a warship at sea.
Zhou Fangzun, clad in a black python robe and exuding noble bearing, heard a piece of news and said expressionlessly:
"Deploy assassins from Qinling to Longjing. They will act once he leaves Qinling."
If Chen Jiuyang had remained in Feng Province and gone directly to Longjing, Zhou Fangzun would have had difficulty acting. But Chen Jiuyang dared to leave Feng Province for Qinling, giving him an opportunity. This was his last chance to eliminate Chen Jiuyang before he could grow stronger.
With that, Zhou Fangzun added:
"Spread the news of his presence in Qinling. There are many who are interested in him."
...
Soon, Gong Liexian and Ming Huatong in Fengcheng learned of Chen Jiuyang's whereabouts in Qinling. Ming Huatong departed first, followed by Gong Liexian, resuming their pursuit.
...
The Chen family patriarch also sighed upon receiving the news, stating that it depended on Chen Jiuyang's own fortune whether he could successfully forge his path to invincible divine abilities.
...
"Chen Jiuyang will surely shine brightly on the Dragon Country Martial Rankings and become a formidable enemy to our clan's young master. We can dispatch one or two experts to harm him subtly, causing him internal injuries."
"Indeed."
...
"Marquis Xuanyang possesses extraordinary talent and is born with the Dao foundation physique. He will undoubtedly become a king of our Dragon Country in the future. Why must he compete with us for a place on the Dragon Country Martial Rankings? Let us send experts from the sect to injure him with a few moves, to probe his strength and prevent him from performing at his full potential during the Dragon Country Martial Rankings."
"Yes."
...
Previously, the Chen family patriarch, the Sword Bearer of Feng Province, and the Suhang Demonic Path Han family had exerted great effort and paid a heavy price to shield Chen Jiuyang from these matters. Now that Chen Jiuyang had voluntarily left Feng Province, many could no longer restrain their dark intentions and sought to strike him down.
"A young man who has achieved success is arrogant and ostentatious. Since he wishes to walk the path of invincible divine abilities, let us send him on his way and see if he has the fortune. Dispatch elders from the sect to spar with him a few moves, to gauge his depth."
...
On the other side.
Wei Chenggong was carried back to the Wei family stronghold. Family members immediately administered precious medicinal pills and circulated their clan's cultivation techniques to help Wei Chenggong heal.
Within a single day, the Zhao family stronghold was dismantled, and Wei Chenggong, the Wei family patriarch, was severely wounded by Monk Puhui's reinforcements, causing shock among the other thirty-four families in Lingnan.
When Wei Chenggong awoke, the leaders of the thirty-four Lingnan families gathered.
Someone asked, "Old Wei, is the reinforcement Monk Puhui invited truly that formidable?"
Wei Chenggong smiled bitterly and replied, "As you can see my condition, I was like this after taking just one of his punches."
"With him like this, if he defeats us one by one, will our thirty-six families in Lingnan truly be emptied?"
"If we join forces to deal with him, that old scoundrel Monk Puhui will likely seize the opportunity to escape, leaving us to labor in vain. We must not let him get away."
"Then what do you all propose?"
"Let us invite Marquis Xuanyang for a drink. Everything in the world has a price, and it can be negotiated. Let's see if he dares to come."