Elder Chen's Test

The New Year's Eve Dinner lasted a full One Hour. Every table was served eighty-eight dishes in all, the plates stacked more than a foot high.

The cultivators all had hearty appetites; otherwise, there would have been leftovers everywhere.

Yet, to Xiao Chen's surprise, aside from the servants constantly bringing out dishes, the only sound in the garden throughout the meal was that of people swallowing their food.

Though there were several hundred people, not a single one whispered. Everyone was focused on eating.

Still, curious gazes were cast at Xiao Chen from time to time.

Not until the Chen Family Patriarch, seated at the very center, had eaten and drunk his fill and began wiping his mouth did everyone else immediately set down their chopsticks and pick up Silk Scarves.

Then, as was customary, the Chen Family Patriarch gave a few words of admonition.

He concluded, "With us old men staying here, none of you can relax. I'll head to the Back Courtyard first. From here on, eat as you please, drink as you please, and have fun as you please."

Elder Chen, Chen Tianyuan, and the Clan Elders rose and left as well.

The three tables in the middle had originally been occupied by Elder Chen's family, Chen Tianyuan's family, and the Clan Elders respectively.

Now, nearly all of them had emptied out at once, leaving only Chen Zhi'an, Chen Zhiquan, and Xiao Chen.

However, after the dishes had been cleared away and fruit plates and fine wine were brought out instead,

Chen Zhi'an and Chen Zhiquan also raised their cups one after another. "My wife and children are in the Back Courtyard. Junior Brother Xiao, you eat and drink first. I'll take my leave."

Xiao Chen understood. It was New Year's, after all; naturally, they had to see to their families first.

Setting down his wine cup, he planned to find a place to wait while staying up for New Year and take the opportunity to cultivate through two Great Heavenly Cycles.

The other disciples were surely drinking and making merry right now, while I would cultivate diligently and grind them all to death.

Yet before Xiao Chen could even take a step, a middle-aged man nearby came over. "Senior Brother Xiao, happy New Year. Let me toast you. May you prosper and flourish in the coming year."

The man offered his blessings with a beaming smile, so Xiao Chen raised his cup and took a sip as well. "Likewise, likewise. May you prosper and flourish too."

As a result, the wine at his side was never empty again.

He did not need to lift a finger himself; his wine cup was always brimming full. Xiao Chen was forced to sample the wine from every table before he could return all the blessings around him.

He had thought that would be the end of it, but people actually began asking about his family background.

Then, a rosy-faced middle-aged man, reeking of alcohol, said, "I have a daughter at home, educated and well-mannered. Come on, I'll take you to see her. See if she catches your fancy."

"Uh, that won't be necessary." Xiao Chen hurriedly refused. Seeing that the man still wanted to speak, he directly raised his cup. "May the coming year go smoothly from start to finish. Cheers!"

After one cup of wine went down, the man immediately became muddle-headed and forgot all about showing Xiao Chen his daughter.

But his words had reminded everyone else. Many people began pulling Xiao Chen over, saying that they also had daughters and that he absolutely had to go take a look—if he liked one, they could become family through marriage.

Xiao Chen: "..."

Why had these people suddenly become so enthusiastic? Had they all drunk too much?

The key was that everyone here belonged to branch lineages of the Chen Family. They could be considered half his own people.

When others greeted him with smiling faces and offered blessings, he could hardly pull a long face. He could only dissolve the effects of the wine with mana while raising his cup to return their good wishes.

Damn it, his face was about to cramp from smiling.

He missed how things had been two hours ago, when he had just entered and could sit quietly alone in a corner.

Crackle! Pop!

At the third quarter of the Rat Hour, the unceasing sound of firecrackers rang out, signaling the arrival of a new year.

Everyone was assigned nearby Side Rooms to rest in. Despite the large number of guests, Xiao Chen was still given a large guest room all to himself.

Knock, knock, knock! At the third quarter of the Ox Hour, light knocking suddenly sounded outside the door.

Xiao Chen was somewhat particular about beds. Sleeping anywhere unfamiliar already made him alert, and since he had not gotten drunk at all, he woke instantly. "Who's knocking?"

"Shh, it's me. Come out for a moment."

Elder Chen's voice came from outside.

Xiao Chen sprang out of bed, pulled open the door, and saw Elder Chen signaling with his eyes for him to follow.

After winding this way and that, the two arrived at a Study Room in the Side Courtyard.

Elder Chen wore a solemn expression. "I called you here late at night because there is an important piece of news I need to tell you in advance, lest I get busy paying New Year calls tomorrow and delay it."

"This is top-secret information. What comes from my mouth enters only your ears; you must not let a third person know."

Xiao Chen immediately stated, "This disciple guarantees that I will keep it absolutely confidential."

Elder Chen nodded, then got straight to the point. "The Flame Pool Secret Realm within the sect's territory was originally supposed to open the year after next."

"However, due to the Earth Vein Change half a year ago, it has now been confirmed that its entrance will reappear in three months."

"This is a good opportunity for Body Tempering, but the Flame Pool Secret Realm's Fire Qi is too heavy and will erode the physical bodies of cultivators who enter. Tell me, do you know any techniques or spells such as Fire Avoidance?"

Xiao Chen frowned and answered honestly, "Not at present."

Elder Chen turned and opened a hidden box on the bookshelf, taking out two manuals. "I have two spells here. Once mastered, both can ward off fire."

"The one on the left is a Mysterious-grade Spell, while the one on the right is only a Yellow-grade Spell. Choose one."

By presenting these two manuals, Elder Chen had actually hidden a test within his offer.

With time so tight, if one wanted to make sure not to miss the Secret Realm, one should choose the Yellow-grade Spell in order to get started quickly.

But under normal circumstances, faced with the temptation of a Mysterious-grade Spell, an ordinary cultivator would surely hesitate.

Elder Chen wanted to see whether his disciple could realize this in time, and how long he would need to make his decision.

Yet in the very next instant, Xiao Chen spoke directly. "This disciple chooses the Yellow-grade Spell."

Elder Chen froze. "Why?"

Xiao Chen had long prepared for this. When he had previously chosen a Yellow-grade Technique, he had already considered this question. "This disciple knows that his aptitude is dull and his talent lacking, so I dare not be greedy."

These words had circled in his heart for half a year. He had practiced them many times in private, and now that he spoke them, they came out naturally and with deep feeling.

"Good!" Elder Chen nodded in satisfaction.

He then handed the manual in his right hand to Xiao Chen. "Make haste. You must cherish this opportunity."

He was very pleased now. Xiao Chen knew what mattered and understood humility. That was a good thing—it showed that he had a future and was worth cultivating.

Elder Chen could not help asking, "Have you made any progress on the Alchemy Path? Since I asked about the pill quality last time, you haven't come by for more than a month, have you?"

Xiao Chen answered truthfully, "I have just gotten started with the Qi Nourishing Pill. This past month, this disciple has been refining it repeatedly."

"You've already gotten started? Good, good, good."

Elder Chen was even more gratified upon hearing this. The Chen Family was currently in desperate need of a Second-Order Alchemist.

Judging by Xiao Chen's previous performance, so long as the family helped gather resources, the Foundation Establishment hurdle should not be able to stop him. In the future, he would become yet another great support for the family.

Only after offering a few more words of encouragement did he send Xiao Chen back to rest.

Early the next morning.

Before dawn, Xiao Chen found Chen Zhi'an waiting at the entrance. "Brother Zhi'an, I'll be heading back first. I've already informed Master as well, and I came to let you know."

Chen Zhi'an tried to persuade him to stay. "Why not remain for a few more days? Many relatives and friends will be visiting over the next couple of days."

Xiao Chen recalled what had happened the previous night, and his tone was firm.

"No. I'm leaving now!"