Testing

The large golden words on the Magic Stone Tablet were exceptionally dazzling. Below the platform, Chen Linna's eyes ached sharply from the glare of those four words.

They had agreed to bring up the rear together, yet she was a two-star while the other was a one-star; she was a Dou Zhe while the other was a Dou Shi.

Chen Linna was completely bewildered. She instantly felt as though the whole world had abandoned her, turning to stone on the spot.

On the Testing Platform, Chen Guang was delighted by the strength Chen Yunrou had displayed and praised her aloud. "Yunrou, you've truly opened my eyes. A one-star Dou Shi—among your generation, there are very few with talent greater than yours."

"Thank you, Uncle Chen Guang." Chen Yunrou smiled as she thanked him.

After Chen Yunrou returned to her place, she found Chen Linna glaring at her resentfully, her face twisted into an exceedingly fierce expression as though she wanted to devour Chen Yunrou whole.

"Nana, are you angry?" Chen Yunrou walked over to Chen Linna. Seeing her like this, she still smiled carelessly.

"Xiao Rou, have you been lying to me all along just so you could laugh at me today?" Chen Linna's eyes were red, as though she had suffered a tremendous injustice. She questioned Chen Yunrou.

"Well, I admit I was wrong, but I did it for your own good. If—" Chen Yunrou composed herself and began explaining in all seriousness, but Chen Linna interrupted before she could finish.

"Chen Yunrou, I hate you! I never want to know you again!" Chen Linna shouted. Then, crying as she wiped away her tears, she ran off.

She had only heard Chen Yunrou admit that she had deceived her and did not have time to hear the rest.

With her adorably naive personality, Chen Linna easily regarded anyone who treated her well as a close confidante. The two had known each other for a year, playing and fooling around together as their friendship rapidly deepened.

But one day, Chen Linna suddenly discovered that this close friend had been deceiving her all along, and her emotions immediately erupted.

"Nana, listen to me—" Seeing Chen Linna run away, Chen Yunrou's face filled with anxiety, and she hurried after her.

The people around them had also turned their attention in this direction after Chen Linna's shout.

"What happened?" someone who did not understand asked.

"What else could it be? They had a falling-out. Those two fake besties," someone explained.

"These two sweet little fools—Chen Linna was genuine enough, but Chen Yunrou was truly shocking. Her acting was incredible. She kept up the act for an entire year, and no one saw through her. A one-star Dou Shi! There probably aren't many in the clan more talented than her, right? When Young Master Zihang last attended the clan gathering, he was only a four-star Dou Shi, wasn't he?" someone said in astonishment.

"But one is a two-star Dou Zhe, while the other is a one-star Dou Shi. Of course Chen Linna would think Chen Yunrou deceived her. It's only natural that they fell out," someone said.

"It's good that they split up, though. There were already few women in the clan, yet they had to pull this stunt. Now that they've gone their separate ways, they're at their most emotionally vulnerable. Whoever can comfort them might just win the beauty's heart." Someone smiled meaningfully.

The Chen Family was vast and powerful. Though they all shared the same surname, the blood ties between the various branches were not close, so intermarriage was not an issue.

The matter between Chen Linna and Chen Yunrou was merely a small interlude. The testing continued. Everyone in the Chen Family, including the main family and branches throughout the region, from eight to sixteen years old, had to take part in the test. There were quite a few of them, and the process was only completed when evening approached.

"This test has concluded successfully. Those whose names I called earlier, follow me after this to collect your Cultivation Methods and Qi Gathering Pills," Chen Guang said.

Some people had only recently broken through to become Dou Zhes and needed to collect Cultivation Methods. Those who had reached the Dou Qi Ninth Stage could receive both Qi Gathering Pills and Cultivation Methods.

Upon hearing this, everyone was extremely excited.

The clan possessed a rich collection. If they could choose a suitable Cultivation Method, their future cultivation speed would be much faster.

"The clan tournament will be held in five days. During this time, you may enjoy yourselves in the city. The City Guard patrols the streets, and with your clan identity jade tokens, you may travel freely," Chen Guang announced further.

It was already late, so it was unsuitable to spar. In five days, those who had reached the Dou Qi Ninth Stage would surely have taken their Qi Gathering Pills and advanced to become Dou Zhes. That would be the right time for the competition.

"Chen Guang, please wait."

Just as Chen Guang was about to announce the end, a loud voice rang out. Following the sound, Chen Guang looked toward Chen Yuan's seat.

"Family Head?" Chen Guang asked with confusion.

At that moment, Chen Yuan rose from his seat, while Chen Ming, Chen Yang, Chen Cheng, and Yan Lingji behind him also stood.

"Today, the entire clan has gathered here. This Family Head has an announcement to make." Chen Yuan's voice was loud and laced with Dou Qi, allowing everyone in the plaza to hear him.

Hearing Chen Yuan's words, everyone grew solemn. For Chen Yuan to suddenly make an announcement on such an occasion, it had to be a momentous matter.

Whether they were direct members of the Chen Family, outsiders, or honored guests attending the ceremony, all watched Chen Yuan and waited for him to continue.

Chen Yuan's gaze swept across the crowd below. Wherever his eyes passed, people lowered their heads, not daring to meet the gaze of this Dou Emperor renowned throughout the Izumo Empire. Chen Yuan smiled in satisfaction before saying, "Half a month ago, this Family Head found my son, Chen Cheng, while traveling outside. Today, I hereby announce that he shall be established as the Chen Family's Young Family Head. From this day onward, his words shall be this Family Head's command. Any who disobey will be dealt with according to clan rules."

Chen Yuan's words carried immense authority. As a Dou Emperor, few in the clan dared to oppose him.

Yet Chen Yuan's decision was like a stone thrown into a thousand ripples among the crowd below.

Those who had already been at the Chen Family headquarters were relatively calm. They had their own channels and knew that Chen Yuan had brought someone back ten days ago. They also knew that person was their Young Master. But those who had come from elsewhere had received no such news.

The sudden appearance of a Young Master today left them utterly shocked. Their gazes gathered on Chen Cheng, who stood beside Chen Yuan.

Chen Cheng stepped forward, his expression calm and composed as he accepted the stunned and somewhat doubtful gazes of the crowd.

"Young Family Head? Family Head Chen Yuan has found his son—this is a major matter," said someone from a family on good terms with the Chen Family.

These people were all close to the Chen Family. Upon hearing Chen Yuan suddenly announce Chen Cheng as the Young Family Head, their minds became active as they began considering what might happen next.

Many years ago, the Chen Family had already possessed the strength to overthrow the Izumo Empire. Yet Chen Yuan, as Family Head, had no heirs. Even if he overthrew the Chu Yun Royal Family and established a new empire, he would have no successor to inherit the throne. Thus, Chen Yuan lost his ambition to contend for the realm and focused instead on steadily developing the Chen Family.

But now that Chen Yuan suddenly had a son, his concerns were gone. Overthrowing the Izumo Empire now seemed all but certain.

No one doubted Chen Cheng's identity. They did not believe anyone in this world could deceive a Dou Emperor and pass off a fake son as his.

"No, no, I need to go back and make some plans. Should we join the Chen Family or remain neutral? We need to discuss a strategy." Everyone had the same thought in their hearts.

"Young Family Head?" Amid the crowd, a girl in red stared at Chen Cheng on the Family Head's platform in utter shock.

Although she had already guessed Chen Cheng's identity when they were at the Dou Qi Pavilion, hearing Chen Yuan announce it with her own ears still left her deeply shaken.

Lin Ling lived in the Chen Family as an outsider. Though she was not excluded for certain reasons, she still could not help but feel as though she was living under someone else's roof.

"If he is the Young Family Head, then between him and me..." Lin Ling thought.

More than ten years ago, before Chen Yuan's Only Son went missing, Lin Ling and Chen Yuan's Only Son had been deliberately arranged by their elders to eat, live, and travel together.

Back then, her relationship with Chen Yuan's Only Son could be considered childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree.

As she gradually grew older, Lin Ling came into contact with some knowledge about love and began to understand her elders' arrangements. But by the time she understood, Chen Yuan's Only Son had already been missing for many years.

Lin Ling had gradually forgotten that belated realization of her feelings.

Until Lin Ling suddenly heard someone say that the Chen Family had gained a Young Master.

Lin Ling shook her head, casting aside the thoughts in her mind.

At the family seats, Chen Yuan said nothing further after making the announcement. He observed the movements of everyone below, and he was very satisfied with their reactions.

Chen Yuan smiled, then turned to Chen Cheng and said, "Cheng'er, I'll take you for the test. Are you confident you can give these people a huge surprise?"

Chen Yuan had already established Chen Cheng's prestige. If Chen Cheng displayed exceptional cultivation talent during the test, the impact would be even greater.

Ten days ago, Chen Cheng had still been an ordinary person without the slightest cultivation. As long as he could test at the first stage of Dou Qi now, it would be enough to prove his talent.

After all, it was no simple matter for an ordinary person to sense Dou Qi in just ten days.

"I guarantee I won't disappoint Father." Chen Cheng said with a confident smile.

"Good." Chen Yuan said approvingly. Then he grabbed Chen Cheng by the arm, leaped into the air, and brought him directly onto the Testing Platform.

When everyone saw Chen Yuan's actions, none of them understood what he intended to do. Then Chen Yuan spoke.

"Half a month ago, this Family Head found my son. At that time, he was still an ordinary person without a trace of Dou Qi. Ten days ago, this Family Head personally guided him in cultivation, and now..." As Chen Yuan spoke, everyone below held their breath.

"What is he trying to do? Could it be... impossible, impossible. How could anyone sense Dou Qi in just ten days?" Someone guessed Chen Yuan's intention, but no one dared believe it.

When Chen Cheng first arrived at the Chen Family, some people had secretly sensed his Dou Qi. There had indeed been no energy fluctuations whatsoever; he had been an ordinary person.

"Cheng'er, follow the circulation route I taught you earlier. Gather the Dou Qi in the center of your right palm, then press it against the Magic Stone Tablet," Chen Yuan reminded him quietly.

Since it was Chen Cheng's first test, Chen Yuan worried that he would not know what to do.

Hearing Chen Yuan's words, Chen Cheng walked toward the Magic Stone Tablet, focused his strength, and pressed his palm against it.

Immediately afterward, five large golden words appeared on the Magic Stone Tablet.

The dazzling golden light shone directly into the hearts of everyone present, including Chen Yuan. All of them revealed expressions of utter disbelief.

Dou Qi, Fourth Stage!