Change

"Chen'er, what is your take on the clan's decision?"

Inside the carriage, Jiang Sihai asked Jiang Chen for his thoughts on the day's events.

"Bone structure is the most important bargaining chip."

Jiang Chen spoke calmly.

This was the reason he had spared no effort in revealing his cultivation speed.

Even his own clan operated solely on the theory of bone structure.

The White Ape Martial Hall, the Zhou Clan, and even the City Guard and the Upper Sect would naturally place increasing importance on bone structure.

Without other factors to bolster one's standing, the talent of an ordinary bone structure would likely fail to catch anyone's eye.

"I thought you would be resentful and dissatisfied with the clan's decision."

Jiang Sihai's eyes brightened.

He truly had not expected Jiang Chen to be able to look past his emotions and see the essence of the matter.

He had truly become enlightened.

"Standing from the clan's perspective, the decision made by the Third Granduncle and the others is perfectly fine."

Jiang Chen smiled.

The reason he could cultivate so quickly was due to the assistance of the Myriad Dao Chart.

If he did not have this cheat, then with his ordinary bone structure, he would likely still be stuck at the First Qi and Blood Gate.

Therefore, the clan's decision to focus all resources on cultivating Jiang Xuan, who possessed a medium bone structure, was a very correct one.

After all, not everyone had a cheat like he did.

Of course, whether it was Jiang Guiyuan or the other clan elders, they all had their own selfish motives.

However, this selfishness did not override the interests of the clan.

Simply put.

The interests of the entire clan were greater than individual gains or losses.

From this point of view, Jiang Guiyuan and the others were still quite qualified.

As for Jiang Junyue, there was no need to even mention him.

He lacked any sense of the bigger picture and was solely focused on personal wealth.

If he were to take power, the clan would be torn apart within a few years.

Acting on emotion and treating people differently.

These were major taboos.

"If only Chen'er also had a medium bone structure, how good that would be."

Jiang Sihai sighed.

If Jiang Chen also had a medium bone structure, combined with that extraordinary comprehension and outstanding physique, he might even be able to go head-to-head with those of superior bone structure.

It was a pity, though; Jiang Chen only had an ordinary bone structure.

His future path in martial arts was destined to be arduous and difficult.

"By the way, Father, did you tell the clan about the Azure Dragon Gang?"

Jiang Chen asked instead.

Currently, the hidden dangers for their family were the Azure Dragon Gang and the Zheng Clan.

Setting the Zheng Clan aside for now, without clear evidence, they could at most conduct secret investigations.

But the Azure Dragon Gang was different.

Since the other party had set their sights on the shops, they would not let go easily.

The prohibition from the Upper Sect Envoy might not necessarily restrain the Azure Dragon Gang.

After all, the Prefecture City was vast and full of factions, while their family was too small.

Even if the Azure Dragon Gang truly did something, the Upper Sect Envoy might not necessarily know.

"Rest assured, I reported the matter to the clan long ago. If the Azure Dragon Gang makes any moves, the clan will come to our aid immediately."

Jiang Sihai said.

"That's good then."

Jiang Chen felt relieved.

Although the clan no longer had the City Lord's Mansion as a backer, its foundation was still decent.

After all, having been entrenched in the Prefecture City for so many years, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse.

"Cultivate!"

After the carriage arrived home, Jiang Chen returned to his small courtyard and sat cross-legged in meditation.

Although he hadn't managed to fleece the clan today, he had successfully laid a trap.

Once he stepped into the True Martial Realm and caught up to Jiang Xuan, he would be able to carve a large chunk of fat off the clan.

The clan had gathered resources from all branches, and two-thirds of those supplies would be more than enough to support him through the True Martial Realm.

Two days passed in this bitter cultivation.

BOOM!

At dusk.

Jiang Chen, who was sitting cross-legged, suddenly shuddered, and a surge of increasingly powerful aura swept outward.

"Third Aperture!"

Jiang Chen opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.

[Myriad Dao Chart]

[Dao Master: Jiang Chen]

[Cultivation Method: White Ape Breathing Method · Perfection]

[Cultivation: Three Qi and Blood Gates · Third Aperture 0%]

[Martial Arts: White Ape Combat Method · Perfection]

[Talent: Soul Seal · Tier 1 (7/10)]

[Origin: 0 points]

On the Myriad Dao Chart, the cultivation column had changed.

"As expected, the transformation of martial qi and blood can only be polished slowly."

Jiang Chen threw a few punches into the air, the low sound of wind whistling from his strikes.

Judging by the burst of martial qi and blood, his strength had only increased by another fifty jin.

A single punch now carried roughly seven hundred and fifty jin of force.

Of course, if he added the amplification from martial arts like the White Ape Combat Method, his combat power would be entirely different.

"Continue."

Although he had broken through to a new realm, Jiang Chen did not slack off, taking the opportunity to refine the Origin Clear Qi.

In the main hall of the Jiang Clan.

"Master! It's bad! Warehouse No. 3 is on fire!"

A servant ran over in a panic, shouting urgently.

"Warehouse No. 3?!"

Upon receiving the news, Jiang Sihai's expression changed instantly.

Warehouse No. 3 stored a large quantity of precious medicinal herbs.

If something happened to them, he would suffer a massive blow to his vitality, or even face a total collapse of his capital.

"Let's go."

Jiang Sihai immediately took his men and rushed toward Warehouse No. 3.

A warehouse could not catch fire for no reason; it was likely that someone had committed arson, and there was a high probability that the Azure Dragon Gang was involved.

Those gang factions were known for using such despicable tactics.

"Madam! Something has happened! The Master is in danger!"

About three quarters of an hour later, a man covered in blood came crawling back.

This man was one of the guards who had accompanied Jiang Sihai to the warehouse.

"What exactly happened?"

Lin Shuyun remained calm despite the shock, asking for details while having someone bandage the man's wounds.

"We were ambushed on the road..."

The man quickly explained the cause.

On their way to Warehouse No. 3, they had been ambushed by hidden arrows and suffered heavy casualties.

While others were fighting to the death to protect Jiang Sihai as he fled, he had feigned death during the chaos, which was the only reason he had managed to return and sound the alarm.

"The warehouse fire was a trap?"

Lin Shuyun's expression turned grave as she realized the truth.

Warehouse No. 3 was merely a ruse; the opponent's true target was Jiang Sihai.

"Uncle Qi, immediately gather Head Guard Li and the others, and go rescue the Master!"

Lin Shuyun immediately began making arrangements.

"Madam, Head Guard Li and his men have left. What if..."

The trusted steward was worried about the safety of the household.

"I will take Chen'er to the Ancestral Residence. Have someone ready the carriages at the side gate—no, prepare three carriages and have them head to the Ancestral Residence from three different directions."

Lin Shuyun naturally understood that this could be a ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain.

Therefore, she would split her forces into two groups.

One group would go to rescue Jiang Sihai.

The other would escort her and Jiang Chen to the Ancestral Residence, while also seeking reinforcements along the way.

"Understood!"

Only then did the trusted steward feel at ease, and he immediately went to notify the household guards.

Lin Shuyun then hurried to the small courtyard.

"Chen'er..."

She had just arrived at the courtyard when Jiang Chen pushed the door open and stepped out.

"Mother, what happened?"

Jiang Chen walked up to her quickly and asked urgently.

Judging by his mother's expression and the chaotic noises echoing through the estate, something major must have occurred.

"Your father is in trouble. We are going to the Ancestral Residence now."

Lin Shuyun explained the situation while pulling Jiang Chen along.

"Hm?"

As they were walking quickly, Jiang Chen's expression suddenly shifted.

At the corner of the corridor, a figure was stealthily keeping watch.

This time it wasn't just intuition, but a clear perception from his Soul Seal.

There was a mole in the house?

One planted by the Azure Dragon Gang?

"Mother, you take the others to the side gate first. I need to handle something."

Jiang Chen stopped in his tracks immediately.

Judging by the perception from his Soul Seal, that person was only at the First Qi and Blood Gate; he could handle him with ease.

"Chen'er, this is no time for nonsense!"

Lin Shuyun's face changed, and she gripped Jiang Chen's wrist tightly.

She didn't know what Jiang Chen intended to do, but nothing was more important than reaching the clan.

The faster they reached the clan, the safer they would be, and the sooner they could send for aid.

"Mother, there is a mole in the house. I'm going to drag them out and find out what they're planning."

Jiang Chen whispered his explanation; being a sitting duck was not his style.

"Let the others handle such matters."

Lin Shuyun remained uneasy.

"Until this matter is cleared up, we cannot easily trust anyone."

Jiang Chen stopped wasting words, his martial arts qi and blood surging within him.

"I will wait for you at the side gate. You must be careful."

Seeing that Jiang Chen was determined, Lin Shuyun's eyes reddened as she let go of his hand.

The Jiang Chen of today was no longer the boy who needed her protection.