: Chapter 57: Showdown, See What Realm I Am In?
"Did the Patriarch give the order?"
Chen Zhixing raised his eyebrows slightly.
Chen Daoyan was one of the few in the entire family who knew his 'true talent'. Naturally, he understood that the excuse Chen Zhixing and Chen Tianchen gave wasn't that simple.
"Okay."
Chen Zhixing nodded and followed the servant to the main peak.
The Ziwei had ten peaks.
Among them, the main peak was located in the middle of the ten peaks and was the highest peak.
When Chen Zhixing arrived at the main peak with the servant, the usually bustling main hall was eerily silent today.
The magnificent main hall was deep and dim, making it hard to see the depths.
"Third Young Master, the Patriarch is waiting for you inside."
The servant said, then respectfully withdrew.
Chen Zhixing nodded, his expression calm as usual, stepping into the hall.
"You've come."
A hoarse voice echoed from the depths of the hall.
Chen Zhixing paused, raising his eyes to look inside.
On the cold stone seat sat an old man with white hair, his face full of fatigue.
The once straight and imposing back was now hunched over.
He appeared to have aged several decades, exuding an air of decrepitude.
"Patriarch."
Chen Zhixing slightly bowed and clasped his hands.
Overall, Chen Zhixing was quite grateful for this Patriarch of the Chen Family.
Although the two rarely interacted, over the years, his food, clothing, and all kinds of resources had never been lacking.
"Come and sit."
Chen Daoyan pointed to a seat beside him.
"Okay."
Chen Zhixing nodded and sat beside Chen Daoyan.
However, when Chen Zhixing sat down beside him,
Chen Daoyan intended to exchange some pleasantries first, but realized he knew too little about the child beside him, unsure of where to start.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was silent and stiff.
Chen Zhixing remained calm, not in a hurry.
After a while.
"Tianxiong, that guy, hasn't given you any trouble these past few days?" Chen Daoyan asked.
"No." Chen Zhixing shook his head in response.
"Hmm, Zhaosheng was Tianxiong's greatest effort, and his death in the Southern Border may lead to some extreme behavior due to his grief, which you should understand.
But you can rest assured, I have sternly instructed him, and he shouldn't trouble you in the short term," Chen Daoyan thought aloud.
"Hmm, the pain of losing a son, I can naturally understand." Chen Zhixing replied calmly and confidently.
After these words fell.
The atmosphere once again turned stiff.
"You..." Chen Daoyan raised his hand, intending to pat Chen Zhixing's head like an ordinary elder.
But as soon as he raised his hand, he felt the gesture was too unfamiliar.
So he put his hand down, sighed slightly, and said, "Over the years, because you are a Nine Ancient Patterner, I cannot get too close to you, for fear of suspicion, and have let you hide your talents and mar your name, resulting in much gossip. Instead, I've given Zhaosheng a lot of attention, allowing him to make a name for himself in the Chen Family. Have you ever harbored any resentment in your heart?"
Chen Zhixing felt a stir in his heart.
Is this a test of his sentiments?
"Patriarch, you think too much. Over the years, the Chen Family hasn't treated me poorly, and I know that the Patriarch's distance from me was to better protect me. I'm not stupid; how could I harbor resentment?" Chen Zhixing replied sincerely.
These words he spoke were all truths.
Regarding Tianxiong's lineage, he indeed had no fondness.
But towards this Patriarch who was only dedicated to strengthening the Chen Family, his feelings were not bad.
Seeing this, Chen Daoyan carefully looked at Chen Zhixing, seeing the genuine expression on his face, not feigned. He couldn't help but feel comforted and nodded, saying:
"Good, worthy to be a direct descendant of the Ziwei Chen Family, rational and understanding, discerning right from wrong!"
Chen Daoyan's expression grew a bit more excited and he asked, "Zhixing, I previously heard from the participating side branches in the trial, you had directly knocked out two Void Transformation Realm side branches?"
"Indeed." Chen Zhixing nodded.
"Good, then let me ask you, now..."
Chen Daoyan's voice deepened, his gaze intense.
"What exactly is your realm?!"
At this moment, Chen Daoyan's murky eyes became extraordinarily clear.
His gaze was like a lightning bolt, fixed firmly on Chen Zhixing, not wanting to miss any subtle expressions on his face.
He was in his twilight years.
Whether his cultivation or physical state, both were in continual decline.
And his cultivation reaching the Nirvana Realm was already his limit!
It was impossible to break through further!
Therefore.
He must quickly find a new successor for the Chen Family while he still held influence!
Originally, his target was Chen Zhaosheng.
Chen Zhaosheng was exceptionally talented, outwardly calm, but inwardly ambitious and highly competitive.
Such a person wasn't inherently good or bad but was precisely suited to lead the Chen Family's rise!
But now, with Chen Zhaosheng killed by the Spider Web, his entire plan collapsed.
His only hope lay with Chen Zhixing, whom he wasn't initially optimistic about but was also a Nine Ancient Patterner.
Summoning Chen Zhixing here today, he had only one goal.
To get Chen Zhixing to reveal to him his true level of cultivation.
In simple terms.
Chen Zhixing's cultivation would determine his future control of the entire clan's direction!!
If Chen Zhixing's cultivation was too low, he'd have to find another path for the Chen Family.
Or allow Chen Tianxiong to become the next successor.
"Cultivation, hmm?"
Chen Zhixing thought for a while, then lowered his gaze, gently forming a seal with his right hand.
Swoosh.
A shadow almost identical to Chen Zhixing in appearance emerged from his body.
"See what realm I am,"
Chen Zhixing and the shadow looked at Chen Daoyan, speaking in unison with a single voice.
Boom—!!!
In an instant.
Chen Daoyan's heart pounded, and his mind was thrown into turmoil.
"Yin Spirit Emergence? You... you've reached the Divine Travel Realm?!" Chen Daoyan stared intently at the shadow, his usually calm face swiftly filled with shock and doubt.
Divine Travel Realm!
Merely a teenager in the Divine Travel Realm!!
This, even if combing through ancient history, was one of a kind in the entire cultivation world!!
"Yes, I had some insights in the Southern Border a few days ago, and just broke through to the Divine Travel Realm,"
Chen Zhixing nodded slightly, projecting his aura as if he had just entered the Divine Travel Realm.
He wasn't foolish. He kept a low profile and hid his talents in the outside world to avoid unnecessary trouble for himself and the Chen Family.
The current Chen Family appeared prosperous but was already showing signs of decay, unable to withstand turmoil.
But for Chen Daoyan, the stronger Chen Zhixing's revealed strength, the more benefits he could gain!
Given this, why hide and let others look down on him intentionally?
Of course.
No matter how much he revealed his strength, Chen Zhixing would never disclose all his cards.
Doing so would leave him no room for maneuver.
"Hahaha, it's truly the Divine Travel Realm!"
Upon confirmation from Chen Zhixing, Chen Daoyan's eyes flashed brightly, looking at Chen Zhixing with a face of utter excitement.
His previously weary expression suddenly became animated as if a white cloth lifted, filling with enthusiasm.
Even his breathing became more labored.
"Good, good, good, this is the heavens not abandoning my Chen Family!!"
Chen Daoyan extended a large hand, grasping Chen Zhixing's, then asked with fervent eyes:
"Child, are you willing to manage the entire Ziwei Chen Family?"