Exceptional Talent

"Dou Qi Fourth Stage? That's impossible."

"Ten days—from an ordinary person to the Dou Qi Fourth Stage. This can't be real."

The people in the square stared blankly at the contents displayed on the Magic Stone Tablet, too stunned to recover for a long while.

Four stages in ten days—no one dared believe such a cultivation speed.

At the Dou Qi stage, one could not cultivate a Cultivation Method. All cultivation could only rely on one's own physique.

Although medicinal liquids could speed up cultivation at this stage, and those who worked harder would progress faster.

Everyone belonged to the same family, however, so there was little difference in resources. With external conditions being equal, physique was the only factor left to determine cultivation speed.

"Four stages in ten days? Isn't that physique too monstrous?" A young Chen Family disciple in the square gaped at the five golden words on the Magic Stone Tablet. His voice had become indistinct from shock.

Among the crowd, a young man dressed in an expensive sky-blue robe also felt his thoughts descend into chaos as he looked at the five words displayed on the Magic Stone Tablet.

"Advancing four stages in ten days... You really are surprising." Chen Zihang was equally astonished by Chen Cheng's talent.

Chen Zihang's talent was among the very best in the Chen Family. Before Chen Cheng returned, he had been qualified to compete for the position of family head's heir.

Even after Chen Cheng's return, Chen Zihang could still rely on his talent to hold an extremely important position within the clan.

But today, the talent Chen Cheng had displayed made him feel afraid.

Four stages in ten days—he knew he could never accomplish that himself. Chen Cheng's test result today placed immense pressure on him.

At present, there was an enormous gap between Chen Cheng's cultivation and Chen Zihang's. But with Chen Cheng's cultivation speed of four stages in ten days, Chen Zihang had no doubt that once Chen Cheng obtained a Cultivation Method, he would catch up to his cultivation in an extremely short time.

On the Testing Platform, Chen Cheng smiled and slowly withdrew his palm.

Without looking at the expressions of the people beyond the Testing Platform, Chen Cheng could more or less guess what they looked like at that moment.

"Father," Chen Cheng called softly.

Only after hearing Chen Cheng's voice did Chen Yuan come back to his senses. The shock on his face vanished abruptly, instantly turning into wild delight in a rapid change of expression.

"Father, are you satisfied with your son's cultivation?" Chen Cheng looked at Chen Yuan. His youthful face was filled with confidence as he asked.

"Good, good! You truly haven't disappointed your father. Heaven has treated me well!" Chen Yuan placed both hands on Chen Cheng's shoulders, threw back his head, and laughed as he spoke excitedly.

Eleven years ago, Chen Yuan's only son had gone missing. After years of fruitless searching, Chen Yuan's heart had once fallen into the abyss. Yet eleven years later, Heaven had allowed him to find his son again. He had thought that alone was Heaven taking pity on his desperate search for his child. He had never expected Chen Cheng's talent to be so outstanding as well. This was truly a gift from Heaven.

"Cheng'er, you've given your father such a tremendous surprise." Chen Yuan beamed as he praised him.

In the past eleven years, he had never been as happy as he was today. Even when he broke through to become a Dou Emperor ten years ago, he had not been this excited.

A tree that stands out in the forest is bound to be destroyed by the wind.

The talent Chen Cheng displayed today was simply too exceptional, and some people would inevitably target him. But Chen Yuan could guarantee that within the Izumo Empire, there was no wind capable of bringing Chen Cheng down.

Chen Yuan turned toward the crowd below the platform, his expression stern.

Before Chen Cheng, Chen Yuan showed the image of a loving father.

Before the Chen Family disciples, he showed the image of a dignified family head.

Before outsiders, he was the iron-blooded and ruthless Marquis Anyang.

"My son, Chen Cheng, possesses exceptional talent. Does anyone still have objections to his position as Young Family Head?" Chen Yuan's voice rang out brightly as the aura of a Dou Emperor spread forth, his might beyond compare.

His words sounded like a question.

Yet his domineering tone told everyone that this decision was not open to question.

Some days ago, Chen Yuan had made Chen Cheng the Young Family Head because he was his son. But at that time, Chen Cheng had not possessed the slightest cultivation and could hardly convince the masses. Out of respect for him and the Chen Family Old Ancestor, two Dou Emperors, the family members would not openly show their dissatisfaction with Chen Cheng. But in private, they surely still felt it was unfair.

Today, however, the talent Chen Cheng displayed was enough to silence them all.

Four stages in ten days—no one could match such a physique. And once Chen Cheng reached the Dou Zhe realm, if he tested as having either poison or fire affinity, the family possessed high-grade Cultivation Methods for both attributes. At that time, Chen Cheng's cultivation speed would become even faster.

With such exceptional conditions, Chen Cheng would at the very least reach the Dou Emperor realm in the future, perhaps even higher.

"We have no objections!"

Chen Yuan's words jolted everyone awake. The five golden words on the Magic Stone Tablet were still etched in their minds. They ultimately did not dare challenge the family head's authority, and Chen Cheng's talent was enough to convince anyone.

The Chen Family disciples below the platform spoke in unison without prior arrangement.

The voices of over a thousand people gathered into a single orderly roar. It seemed as though an invisible pressure hung over the Chen Family, striking directly at everyone's hearts.

The representatives from other families who had come to observe the ceremony were all overwhelmed by that momentum, and their hearts grew incomparably heavy.

"The times are changing."

The Chen Family had never concealed its ambitions. Today, they saw the unity of the Chen Family disciples and their awe-inspiring fighting spirit.

"Congratulations, Family Head Chen."

The visiting sect and family heads all offered their congratulations with smiles. They had always been close to the Chen Family, and now that the Chen Family's Young Master had displayed such extraordinary talent, they naturally shared in the celebration.

Chen Yuan was extremely satisfied as he looked at the expressions of the crowd below.

"This clan assembly has concluded successfully. I have prepared a banquet; please proceed to the hall," Chen Yuan said.

In the spacious hall, a thousand people gathered together, drinking and feasting until the gathering finally dispersed late into the night.

By the time Chen Cheng returned to Linjiang Courtyard, he was utterly exhausted.

As the Young Family Head, this round of socializing had been more tiring than practicing Dou Techniques for an entire day.

Chen Cheng lay on a soft couch, enjoying Yan Lingji's gentle massage. Only then did the fatigue in his body gradually fade away.

By then, it was already getting late.

When he awoke the next day, the maid had already prepared breakfast. After eating, Chen Cheng had the maid notify Yan Lingji.

Today, he planned to take a stroll through the streets and relax.

"Good morning, Master." Yan Lingji greeted him with a smile. Her soft, seductive voice made Chen Cheng feel as though his entire body had gone numb.

"Morning." Chen Cheng spoke gently, a mild smile on his face.

"Come take a walk with me," Chen Cheng said.

"Since Master has invited me, how could I dare refuse?" Yan Lingji feigned the manner of a delicate little woman, though her tone was full of teasing.

"Hehe, let's go." Chen Cheng chuckled.

Anyang City was where the Chen Family's main stronghold was located, and it was exceptionally prosperous. Carriages and pedestrians streamed endlessly along the broad roads.

The shops lining the streets stood with their doors wide open. The customers coming and going all wore cheerful expressions.

From time to time, several Black Armor Guards clad in pitch-black armor and carrying long halberds passed through the middle of the road on patrol.

Chen Cheng walked along the side of the road, blending into the crowd. Even if he wanted to keep a low profile, with a peerless beauty like Yan Lingji beside him, it was impossible.

No matter where Yan Lingji went, she always drew everyone's attention.

A young nobleman stared at Yan Lingji in a daze, but his behavior angered the female companion beside him.

"Look, look, you're still looking?" The woman grabbed the young nobleman by the ear and twisted hard as she snapped angrily, only stopping when he wailed and begged for mercy.

Another person turned his head to look at Yan Lingji and failed to notice a large tree ahead. He crashed headfirst into it, falling flat on his back with a bruised and swollen face. After scrambling to his feet, he hurriedly covered his face with his sleeve and fled in embarrassment.

To say that a single smile from Yan Lingji could topple a city was no exaggeration. Because of her appearance, several people had already made fools of themselves.

"Yan Lingji, with you by my side, I'm truly afraid these crazy people will eat me alive." Chen Cheng held Yan Lingji's hand as they walked along the street, joking with her.

"I don't want this either, but I was simply born this way. There's nothing I can do about it. Still, that's something Master should worry about. This little woman is delicate and frail, so Master must protect me." Yan Lingji said, pretending to be aggrieved.

"Hehe." Chen Cheng shook his head and smiled, but did not answer her. Holding her hand, he led her into an elegantly decorated shop.

This was a shop that specialized in selling high-end jewelry. Aside from their exquisite appearance, the items were also inscribed with carefully crafted formations by formation masters, making them highly practical as well.