Ancestral Residence

"Are they setting their sights on Junior Brother Jiang?"

By the edge of the Practice Field, Sun Wu noticed Zheng Hao and the others leaving.

In the past, he naturally would not have bothered to care.

But now, he could not let Zheng Hao and the others lead Jiang Chen astray.

It seemed he would have to find an opportunity to give them a proper warning.

Amid the blazing fervor of cultivation, an hour quickly passed.

[Cultivation: Second Qi and Blood Gate · Early Stage (7%)]

Drenched in sweat, Jiang Chen ended his training once more. The progress on the Myriad Dao Chart continued to climb steadily.

"Jiang Chen, you broke through to the Second Qi and Blood Gate?"

Seeing this, Luo Yang even set aside his own training and hurried over at once.

"I broke through a couple of days ago."

Jiang Chen walked to the water vat and took huge gulps of cool Well Water.

"Could you be of Medium Bone Aptitude?"

No matter how Luo Yang thought about it, there was only one explanation for Jiang Chen cultivating so quickly: there had been an error in the aptitude test.

As for taking forbidden drugs, that possibility had never crossed his mind.

Even if his own family used forbidden drugs on him, Jiang Chen's family would never use them on Jiang Chen.

After all, Jiang Chen was the only male heir in his family.

If anything happened to him, the family line would be cut off.

"I wish. Unfortunately, I only have Ordinary Bone Aptitude."

Jiang Chen set down the wooden ladle and enjoyed the cool breeze, feeling thoroughly refreshed.

"Then how are you cultivating so quickly?"

Although Luo Yang knew it was inappropriate to ask, he could not help himself.

"Because my physique is good. I can easily absorb all the medicinal power."

What Jiang Chen said was true, though it was not the whole truth.

His physique was indeed not weak, and he truly could absorb medicinal power completely.

But when all was said and done—

The Myriad Dao Chart's boost to his comprehension and Eternal Realm were the true core of it all.

"What a pity. If you'd come to your senses earlier, you might have had a chance to catch up to this year's Martial Exam."

Luo Yang could not hide his envy, but then he sighed regretfully.

Jiang Chen had wasted far too much time.

If he had devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivation after joining the martial academy—

He would have had a considerable chance of placing in the year-end Martial Exam.

But now, everything was too late.

No matter how good Jiang Chen's physique was, after falling behind by so much, there was no way he could catch up.

Jiang Chen merely smiled and said nothing.

However, from Luo Yang's words, it seemed that news of the True Sun Sect taking over White Cloud Prefecture and establishing City Guards in the various prefectures and counties had already begun circulating within a small circle.

That being the case, any faction with even a little foundation would go all out in preparing for the Martial Exam.

This year's Martial Exam would likely be more fiercely contested than ever before.

I hope Senior Brother Sun can get some high-quality Five Elements Pills.

Jiang Chen murmured inwardly.

In past Martial Exams, entering the True Martial Realm was generally enough to secure a ranking.

This year, however, an ordinary True Martial Realm cultivator would likely struggle even to make the list.

To be safe, he naturally had to raise his chances of victory as much as possible.

After resting for quite some time and recovering his strength, he threw himself back into bitter cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, noon arrived, and the blazing sun hung high overhead.

The disciples on the Practice Field left in twos and threes.

Jiang Chen and Luo Yang also ended their training and headed to the dining hall for a meal.

"Qingzhu, I just heard some news."

In one corner of the dining hall, Zhao Xiaoyue carried her food over to Wang Qingzhu, who was sitting alone.

"What news?"

Wang Qingzhu asked casually.

Ever since news of the Upper Sect spread, the Wang Clan, which had always been quite lenient with her, had strictly ordered her to come to the martial academy every day.

The reason the Wang Clan had sent her here to train was so they could arrange a marriage alliance for her.

And the talented disciples of the martial academy's Inner Courtyard were ideal marriage prospects.

Otherwise, with her Ordinary Bone Aptitude, she would not have received such treatment.

"I heard Jiang Chen has entered the Second Qi and Blood Gate."

Zhao Xiaoyue said.

"The Second Qi and Blood Gate? Jiang Chen?"

Wang Qingzhu froze.

Had Jiang Chen not only recently reached completion at the First Qi and Blood Gate?

How long had it been?

He had actually entered the Second Qi and Blood Gate already?

"It seems Jiang Chen really did take forbidden drugs."

Zhao Xiaoyue said as she ate.

When Wang Qingzhu had suspected Jiang Chen of taking forbidden drugs a few days ago, Zhao Xiaoyue had not quite believed it.

But after seeing Jiang Chen's current progress, she had no choice but to believe.

Someone with Ordinary Bone Aptitude could not possibly cultivate so quickly.

"Forbidden drugs?"

This time, it was Wang Qingzhu's turn to fall into thought.

Forbidden drugs burned one's potential in exchange for rapidly growing stronger in a short period.

But had Jiang Chen not already advanced by leaps and bounds at the First Qi and Blood Gate?

Could forbidden drugs allow a second breakthrough as well?

"If it isn't forbidden drugs, then could it be... a treasured medicine?!"

Treasured medicines were heavenly materials and earthly treasures formed by absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Calling them worth ten thousand gold was no exaggeration.

Jiang Chen's cultivation had progressed so quickly. If he had not taken forbidden drugs, then his family must have found a treasured medicine.

"In the end, he still relied on external aid."

With that thought, Wang Qingzhu reined in her thoughts.

Ordinary Bone Aptitude was still far too poor.

If he had Medium Bone Aptitude, perhaps she would have given Jiang Chen a few more glances.

Jiang Clan, Ancestral Residence.

"The Second Qi and Blood Gate?"

In the main hall, Jiang Guiyuan, whose beard and hair were both white, looked at the letter in his hand and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Grandfather, what happened?"

A man in a long robe approached.

Jiang Junyue, Jiang Xuan's father.

With Jiang Guiyuan above him and Jiang Xuan below him, Jiang Junyue was practically the designated next head of the clan. Matters great and small within the clan were basically handled by him.

"This is a letter Sihai had someone deliver."

Jiang Guiyuan set down the letter.

"His son broke through to the Second Qi and Blood Gate?!"

Upon seeing the contents of the letter, Jiang Junyue blurted out, "Impossible!"

It was no wonder he did not believe it.

Ever since Jiang Chen had joined the martial academy, he had spent all day hanging around with scoundrels.

After cultivating for half a year, he had only just begun to grasp the Standing Post Technique. On top of that, he had Ordinary Bone Aptitude.

No matter how one looked at it, it was impossible for him to enter the Second Qi and Blood Gate in such a short time.

"Didn't Jiang Sihai promise to hand over five hundred taels of silver every month? What is he trying to do now? Go back on his word?"

"Even if he wants to go back on it, he should at least find a more convincing excuse."

"Entering the Second Qi and Blood Gate within a month, and he still wants the clan to fund him? Isn't that obvious bullshit?"

Jiang Junyue was deeply dissatisfied.

The entire clan was in a difficult position right now. They should be pooling their strength and getting through this crisis together.

How could they disregard the safety of the entire clan for personal gain?

"Given Sihai's temperament, he should be able to see the situation clearly."

Yet Jiang Guiyuan said otherwise.

"Grandfather, you don't really believe what he said, do you?"

Jiang Junyue was taken aback, finding Jiang Guiyuan's response very strange.

Such an obvious and clumsy excuse—could Grandfather be losing his mind?

"You said it yourself. This excuse is far too poor. If it were not true, why would Sihai use a reason that could be punctured with a single poke?"

Jiang Guiyuan waved a hand, telling Jiang Junyue to remain calm.

"But that's impossible!"

"I've looked into that brat Jiang Chen. He joined the martial academy half a year ago and only barely cultivated the Standing Post Technique to the beginner level. With that lazy manner of his, he managed to cultivate to the Second Qi and Blood Gate within a month?"

"Only if the sun rose in the west!"

Jiang Junyue still felt Jiang Sihai was spouting nonsense and deliberately dragging everyone down.

"It is not entirely impossible."

Jiang Guiyuan spoke slowly.

"You mean Jiang Sihai used forbidden drugs on his son to fight for resources? He shouldn't be so shortsighted, should he?"

Jiang Junyue immediately understood.

If forbidden drugs had been used to stimulate potential, then it was indeed possible to break through several gates in succession in such a short time.

But in that case, the path of martial arts would be completely severed.

Would Jiang Sihai do something as self-destructive as tearing down the Great Wall just to win a temporary struggle?

"Sihai would not, but that does not mean his son would not."

Jiang Guiyuan smiled.

Jiang Sihai had only Jiang Chen as his single sprout, so naturally he would not let Jiang Chen take such a risk.

But what if Jiang Chen had secretly bought and taken forbidden drugs himself?

"That brat Jiang Chen really could do something like that."

Jiang Junyue came around.

A fool who had not only neglected his martial cultivation for a woman, but had even dared to venture into the Cursed House—no matter how outrageous a thing he did, it would not be surprising.

"Write back and tell Sihai that the clan's resources are limited at present, so we cannot fund his son. However, his family does not need to hand over their money for the time being."

Jiang Guiyuan instructed.

"We're giving up Jiang Sihai's income?"

Jiang Junyue grew anxious.

Five hundred taels a month meant six thousand taels a year.

And those six thousand taels did not need to be offered to the City Lord's Mansion. They could all be spent on Jiang Xuan, so naturally Jiang Junyue could not accept this.

The Three Qi and Blood Gates already consumed an astonishing amount of resources. Once Jiang Xuan entered the True Martial Realm, the costs would surely become even more terrifying.

At such a critical time, they could not let even a single coin slip away.

"Don't rush. After some time passes, once Sihai sees his son's condition clearly, he will naturally take the initiative to hand over silver. By then, it will no longer be five hundred taels a month."

Jiang Guiyuan calmly sipped his tea.

As he had said, everyone had selfish desires.

For Jiang Xuan's future, he did not mind playing the villain.