The Clan Head's Neglect

Second Master Yang, filled with joy, practically dragged Yang Chen, eager to meet the Yang Family Patriarch.

Before long, Yang Chen and Second Master Yang arrived at the Yang Family Patriarch's residence.

"What, the Patriarch is meeting with a distinguished guest?" Second Master Yang frowned.

The old servant guarding the residence knew Second Master Yang's identity and didn't dare to be disrespectful. He respectfully said, "Replying to Second Master, the Patriarch did indeed instruct me to meet with a distinguished guest. No one is allowed to disturb him without his command. If Second Master has no urgent matters, it would be best to come another day."

Second Master Yang clearly wasn't going to give up so easily. In his heart, he viewed the current Yang Chen as a golden treasure.

Yang Chen receiving the clan's attention was his utmost priority. He felt it would be a grave sin to delay such a genius for even a day.

"I have a very urgent matter right now!" Second Master Yang said with a serious expression.

This put the servant in a slight predicament, but he still replied, "Since that's the case, I will go in and report to the Patriarch. I hope Second Master can wait outside for a moment!"

"That would be for the best," Second Master Yang waved his hand.

After the servant left, Second Master Yang smiled and said, "Yang Chen, don't worry. Once the Patriarch learns of this, he will surely reward you greatly and designate you as a key figure for the clan's cultivation."

"If that's the case, I will have to thank Second Master for your guidance," Yang Chen genuinely hoped for some resource support.

In the path of martial arts cultivation, resources were particularly important. He himself had been known as Bole in the past, exceptionally skilled at nurturing geniuses, and understood the importance of resources even better.

Second Master Yang found Yang Chen more and more pleasing to the eye, his eyebrows even dancing. Just as he was about to say something, his eyes suddenly darted, and he quickly said respectfully, "Greetings, Patriarch!"

Yang Chen was startled. He then realized that someone had appeared in the courtyard at some point. This person was middle-aged, looking much younger than Second Master Yang. However, the strength of his cultivation aura made Yang Chen secretly astonished. He felt that this middle-aged man was no less impressive than Li Youyan of the Li family, whom he had met before.

"A Spiritual Martial Realm expert!" Yang Chen realized the man's identity as he was shocked.

This middle-aged man was likely the Yang Family Patriarch.

Seeing Second Master Yang repeatedly signaling to him, Yang Chen dared not put on airs and immediately said, "Greetings, Patriarch!"

"En, no need for formalities." The Yang Family Patriarch stood with his hands behind his back, his aura incredibly powerful. His casual words carried an undeniable dominance.

Second Master Yang then cupped his fists and stood up, saying, "Patriarch, I just heard from your servant that you were meeting a distinguished guest. I dared to request an audience, and I hope the Patriarch will forgive my transgression."

"This guest is indeed a distinguished one, but you've come at a good time. This distinguished guest has already departed not long ago," the Yang Family Patriarch, Yang Jinhe, stood with his hands behind his back, a hint of joy on his face. Clearly, the outcome of his conversation with the 'distinguished guest' had left him quite satisfied.

This made Second Master Yang breathe a sigh of relief.

Then, Yang Jinhe changed the subject, "Second Elder, I just heard you had something important to discuss with me. What has happened?"

Seeing that the matter was about to get to the point, Second Master Yang grinned and said, "Patriarch, it's like this..."

Second Master Yang recounted Yang Chen's situation in detail.

However, to Second Master Yang's disappointment, the Yang Family Patriarch did not show any surprise at his words. He merely glanced at Yang Chen indifferently, "Is he the alchemy genius you spoke of?"

"Precisely, Patriarch. Yang Chen's attainments in alchemy are very strong. He learned the technique for refining the Clear Fire Pill in just one attempt. Such talent is rarely seen, even far beyond the Great Wilderness. I believe Yang Chen is absolutely qualified to be a key focus of the Patriarch's cultivation!"

Second Master Yang, fearing that Yang Jinhe might underestimate Yang Chen, continued without pause, "Of course, while Yang Chen has had some disreputable past dealings, a prodigal son's return is worth more than gold. Patriarch, please do not dismiss his current talent because of Yang Chen's past."

Seeing Second Master Yang so earnestly 'promoting' him, Yang Chen felt secretly grateful. He had already decided that he would thank Second Master Yang more if he had the chance in the future.

However, Second Master Yang's enthusiastic promotion seemed to have no effect. The Yang Family Patriarch, without even looking at Yang Chen, said, "Second Elder, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony is approaching. Alchemy geniuses are not the mainstream within the clan; only martial arts endure eternally. You understand this principle."

"But, Patriarch..." Second Master Yang, seeing how dismissive the Yang Family Patriarch was towards Yang Chen, was unwilling to accept it.

What was going on? Normally, even if Yang Jinhe didn't place immense importance on the Way of Alchemy, he wouldn't be so indifferent.

The Yang Family Patriarch, seeing that Second Master Yang was still unwilling to back down, his expression darkened, and he said coldly, "What, Second Elder, did you not hear what I said?"

"This... Yes, Patriarch!" Although Second Master Yang held a noble status, he was still a notch below the Yang Family Patriarch. He could only sigh and say, "In that case, I shall not disturb the Patriarch any further."

The Yang Family Patriarch did not try to keep them, waving his hand and instructing the old servant to see Second Master Yang and Yang Chen out.

Soon, the old servant returned and stood respectfully before Yang Jinhe.

Yang Jinhe glanced at the old servant and said, "What, do you have doubts?"

The old servant said awkwardly, "Nothing can escape the Patriarch's eyes. This old servant feels that although the Way of Alchemy is not as important as martial arts, it is a part that supports the existence of martial arts. The Patriarch usually does not look down on the Way of Alchemy so much, so why today..."

"What do you know? Today, Elder Li Youyan from the Li Family Commerce Association personally visited me, saying he wanted to cooperate with our Yang Family. You also know that this Great Wilderness region is very unstable right now. The Li family, being a commerce association, has always kept to themselves, never interacting or cooperating with other major families. They only came to our Yang Family, how could I dare not take this matter seriously?" Yang Jinhe said with a frown.

"It's just that this old servant is ignorant, but how can the Li Family Commerce Association be related to the Way of Alchemy?" the old servant asked curiously.

Yang Jinhe sighed, "This matter is strange. I don't know what got into Li Youyan, but he opened his mouth and asked me to promote a genius from the Yang Family. Because his cooperation with the Yang Family today is entirely based on this genius's face, but when I asked who this genius was, Li Youyan just laughed at me, as if I knew and was asking deliberately..."

"Who is this genius Li Youyan is referring to?" the old servant also became curious.

"I truly don't know what Li Youyan is up to. However, Li Youyan said that he will personally come to the Yang Family's Coming-of-Age Ceremony this year to express his attitude towards cooperating with the Yang Family. As the head of the family, how can I neglect this matter? My mind is now entirely focused on cultivating this genius that Li Youyan mentioned."

"As for the genius of the Way of Alchemy, although important, the person Li Youyan appreciates is more important right now. I suspect it's likely some promising talents like Yang Wu. As for Yang Chen, let's put him aside for now."