Ordinary People: Starting with the Chen Clan

The Seven Mysteries Sect is located on Caixia Mountain, the second largest mountain range in Jingzhou. This mountain is exceptionally beautiful at sunset, as if shrouded in colorful clouds, hence the name Caixia Mountain.

When Chen Xuanzhou arrived at the foot of the mountain and looked at the treacherous peaks everywhere, he couldn't help but admire the unique vision of the founder of the Seven Mysteries Sect.

It had been more than a month since they left their ancestral land. Along the way, Chen Xuanzhou did not rush to this place, but instead, as if he were really going on a training trip, they went into various major cities.

Firstly, this would seem more natural and wouldn't arouse his parents' suspicions. Secondly, he also wanted to find out some information, such as who were in charge of the Seven Mysteries Sect and the Wild Wolf Gang, and who were the named members of those groups.

This also indirectly confirms the time they are in; at least as he got closer to the Seven Mysteries Sect, he heard a bit about Doctor Mo's reputation.

The three men rode up on horseback without any attempt to conceal themselves, so soon after they reached the foot of the mountain, members of the Seven Mysteries Sect approached them.

"Please stop here, all three of you. This is the most important territory of our Seven Mysteries Sect, and you are not allowed to approach."

Although Chen Xuanzhou and his two companions did not display any cultivator techniques, their extraordinary aura still deterred the Seven Mysteries Sect disciples guarding the gate from acting recklessly.

Otherwise, given the status of the Seven Mysteries Sect members in Jingzhou, they wouldn't just say a few words so casually.

"Please ask this brave man to go and inform them that I, Chen Xuanzhou, have long admired the Seven Wonders of the Seven Mysteries Sect and have come today to exchange skills and learn from them. I hope that the masters in the sect will not hesitate to give me their guidance."

Regardless of the outcome, I am willing to offer a thousand ounces of gold as a token of my gratitude.

Upon hearing Chen Xuanzhou's words, the other party was stunned for a moment. Putting aside the fact that Huang Jinqianliang was so young, just the fact that such a young boy dared to challenge the masters of the sect made him feel like he had drunk too much today.

This boy isn't even as old as him. At this age, even if he's been practicing martial arts since birth, how could his true qi cultivation compare to the elders' years of arduous training?

Although he was filled with doubt and apprehension, he dared not rashly drive the person away. He gave a few instructions to the other person and immediately headed up the mountain.

. . .

While Chen Xuanzhou was away, twelve people sat in a slightly weathered, ancient stone hall at the Chen family ancestral home. Each person had a different expression on their face—some were apprehensive, while others were resting with their eyes closed.

There are countless examples, and it can be said that all aspects of life are reflected in it.

Sitting in the middle were three elderly men with white hair and youthful faces. Their cultivation had reached the twelfth level of Qi Refining, but they also exuded a sense of decline, clearly indicating that Foundation Establishment was no longer a distant dream for them.

"Now that everyone's here, let's begin!"

The old man sitting in the main seat on the left glanced to the side before speaking calmly.

The other middle-aged cultivators on both sides were prepared, and one by one they took out jade slips from their storage bags and presented them to the three of them.

There were only nine jade slips in total, so the three of them quickly browsed through them, and some of them didn't even need to look at them to know their contents.

"This time we have a surprising choice, and it has received a lot of support. It seems that our team has found a talent!"

"To think that they could garner support from the other branches of the family... Let's see if we old bones can hold on and witness the day when our ancestral lineage regains its glory."

The old man sitting in the very center stroked his sparse white beard, a smile appearing on his face.

"Uncle, don't worry, that day is not far off."

A middle-aged man sitting in the second seat closest to the left responded with a smile.

"Alright, enough with the flattery. In the past few years, your main branch has been the quietest. You need to look for the reasons behind this. If things continue like this, don't blame me for taking action against you as the head of the main branch."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man touched his nose and dared not retort.

Chen Shangxian only gave the other person a hint. After all, he was his direct descendant. Giving him a few words of advice in such a setting was also a warning to him.

If those two old fogies next to me were to say it, it wouldn't be a simple matter of a single sentence.

"Alright, Lao Xian, stop nitpicking. Nephew Zhongyuan has already done a good job. Whether the younger generation can be successful or not cannot be determined by discipline alone."

Otherwise, why would we need to be here selecting people?

Another elderly man standing nearby chimed in with a laugh.

However, the long-bearded old man was unmoved: "You old devil, you think you know how to win people over? What business is it of yours, you old cunning coward, for me to discipline my own juniors!"

The old man's smile froze slightly: "Hmph, at this age, you still have the temper of a dog, biting anyone who comes near."

"Have you had enough? I don't have time to waste here with you guys. I'd rather go back and refine a few more batches of pills, giving the younger generation a better chance of establishing their foundation."

An elderly man in a green robe, who had been sitting to the side with his eyes closed and resting, interrupted the two men's continued bickering.

Although the old man was not sitting in the very center, or even the second seat on the left, his words immediately silenced the other two.

There's nothing else to it; although this old man doesn't have much real power, he doesn't usually participate in these family management affairs.

But no one dared to ignore the other's presence, for no other reason than that the other was the alchemist with the best alchemy skills in the ancestral land.

Most of the pills consumed by the disciples in the ancestral land were refined by the other party. If they angered the other party and cut off the supply of pills, their own branch would replace the two old guys without anyone else having to take action.

Obstructing someone's path is a crime comparable to the hatred of killing one's father. Not to mention an ancestor, even one's own father might not be able to stop you.

Seeing that the two had quieted down, Chen Shangyu continued, "This time you recommended more people than before. As for the other two, the three of us old guys know the situation."

"This is the first time I've heard of Chen Xuanzhou. Could you explain it to me in more detail?"

"Elder, these are the record beads that the younger generation used to fight. They contain the entire process of their fights. You can take a look."

Furthermore, these are all beginner to intermediate-level talismans he created, with a success rate of at least 40%.

A thin middle-aged man sitting on Chen Shangyu's side immediately stood up and handed several memory beads and a stack of talismans to Chen Shangyu.

"Oh, you third branch of the family have surprised me this time. I thought you would support the second branch."

The gaunt middle-aged man bowed and said, "In the past, Zhongming would definitely have supported that junior Xuanzhang. After all, although he has the support of the family, his character and ability are indeed among the best in the family."

But this time the situation is quite different. Elder, you have been in seclusion refining pills for many years, so you may not know that the three ancestors of Huangfeng Valley are now nearing the end of their lives.

Upon hearing the words of the thin middle-aged man, the old man's face turned solemn!