A Startling Revelation

Could he lift it?

It wasn't just Yang Jinhe who was skeptical; even Second Master Yang, who had a good relationship with Yang Chen, was stroking his beard nervously, sweat beading on his forehead. From what he knew of Yang Chen, he had no martial arts cultivation.

Was Yang Chen really pushed to his limit and acting out of desperation?

At this point, there was no shortage of people pointing fingers at Yang Chen.

"This Yang Chen is just seeking attention!" Yang Heng gulped after seeing where Yang Chen stopped. Recalling Yang Chen's martial arts cultivation, he sneered.

Yeah, why was he nervous? With Yang Chen's martial arts cultivation, could he even lift a giant stone weighing twelve hundred jin?

Yang Wu stood by, sneering, "He'll soon find out how severe the price is for making such a fool of everyone at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony."

"Brother, this kid actually wants to lift a giant stone weighing twelve hundred jin. I think he's just dreaming of surpassing you," Yang Heng said with a cold snort.

"Him?" Yang Wu's lips curled up. "I don't need to strip a pheasant of its dreams."

It wasn't just them; even the girls who were cheering with Yang Caidie were stunned.

"No..."

"Sister Caidie, is your younger brother really that strong?"

"No, why did I hear that your brother has no martial arts cultivation?"

"Twelve hundred jin... that's comparable to the martial arts geniuses of the major clans."

Yang Caidie's eyes were also wide open. Had her younger brother started acting foolish again after only a few days of being serious?

She was a bit at a loss.

What could she do in such a situation?

As her thoughts raced, Yang Chen suddenly made his move.

Yang Chen's sudden action drew countless eyes, and everyone in the venue focused their gaze on him. It was unclear whether they were waiting for Yang Chen to make a fool of himself or for the youth to perform a miracle.

Regardless, the next moment, the entire venue fell silent.

Because Yang Chen had actually lifted the twelve hundred jin giant stone with both hands, and in the next moment, effortlessly raised it above his head. Furthermore, this action and process caused no physical strain on Yang Chen. Only after three seconds, when the stone was lowered, Yang Chen was still neither red-faced nor out of breath.

This composure and calmness indicated that the twelve hundred jin giant stone was nowhere near Yang Chen's limit.

It seemed this youth could still challenge a thirteen hundred jin giant stone.

Many astute individuals began to speculate: "Could this kid be the Yang Family's true dark horse, having already reached the Body Refining Realm Fifth Level?"

The thought, once it arose, shocked some into disbelief.

This was undoubtedly a moment that shook the hearts of all present.

No one dared to believe it was true.

Even Yang Caidie, who prided herself on knowing every detail about her brother, covered her mouth, completely unable to believe that it was her brother who had lifted the twelve hundred jin giant stone.

"This..."

Yang Jinhe, the Yang Family Patriarch, felt a tempest raging in his heart.

Yang Chen, Yang Chen was actually this formidable?

Second Master Yang was also dumbfounded.

"What... what is going on?" Second Master Yang was sweating profusely, his hands already clammy from nervousness.

This made Fourth Master Yang, standing beside him, burst into laughter. "Second Brother, what do you think? Didn't I tell you? Let Yang Chen participate in the assessment, and perhaps the result won't be too disappointing."

"Fourth Brother, did you already know that Yang Chen's martial arts cultivation had reached such a level? This kid hid it so well, even deceiving old me." Second Master Yang took a deep breath, calming his shocked emotions.

"Yes, at first, Fourth Brother didn't dare to believe it either. But the facts are undeniable. The rumors about Yang Chen before were just his way of being low-key. In reality, he is undoubtedly the true crown jewel among the Yang Family's youths. This Yang Chen is a true genius of Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts, and he surpasses all in the Yang Family!"

Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts – a term that was truly astonishing.

In reality, very few people could genuinely achieve Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts.

For instance, Yang Heng was also called a practitioner of Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts, but his alchemy and martial arts cultivation were both unremarkable. Sooner or later, Yang Heng would have to abandon one to focus on the other.

Only someone like Yang Chen, whose alchemy and martial arts cultivation were both outstanding enough to win the crown, could be called a genius of Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts.

"Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts, Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts... Incredible!" Second Master Yang muttered to himself.

His excitement was beyond words.

Meanwhile, Li Youyan let out a hearty laugh. "Haha, Yang Family Patriarch, you've been hiding this very well, even deceiving your own family elders. It seems, just as I suspected, this Yang Chen is a genius you've been secretly cultivating, a trump card to amaze everyone at this Yang Family Coming-of-Age Ceremony."

Yang Jinhe suddenly froze. Li Youyan's question cleared up all his doubts.

So, it turned out that the genius Li Youyan admired was this Yang Chen, and he himself had been completely kept in the dark!

Thinking of how he had expelled Yang Chen from his residence not long ago, Li Youyan felt a flush of embarrassment.

Upon Li Youyan's inquiry, Yang Jinhe couldn't deny it. He quickly said, "Elder Li, your discerning eye is truly sharp; nothing escapes you. Yes, this Yang Chen is a genius secretly cultivated by our Yang Family. Now it seems this kid's cultivation has reached the effect I anticipated."

"In my opinion, this kid was still holding back during the assessment just now," Li Youyan murmured.

"Indeed, I fear this child's cultivation has reached at least the Body Refining Realm Fourth Level Peak, perhaps not far from the Body Refining Realm Fifth Level," Yang Jinhe said slowly.

Yang Chen's performance had stunned everyone present.

Yang Heng and Yang Wu were also included.

Yang Heng found Yang Chen's results the hardest to accept.

He roared in frustration, "Impossible! Something must have gone wrong. Yang Chen cheated, he definitely cheated! Everyone, don't be fooled by him. Yang Chen couldn't cultivate martial arts since he was a child, he's a complete good-for-nothing. How could he possibly lift a 1200-jin giant stone?"

His words immediately caused a ripple of murmurs.

"Cheated?"

"It does seem possible."

"Presumptuous!"

Suddenly, the Yang Family Patriarch leaped down from the pavilion, kicking up dust. He bellowed, "Yang Heng, this is the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, not your family's backyard. How dare you conclude that there was cheating? Do you think I, the Clan Head, am blind?"

"No, I... it's not like that, Patriarch..." Yang Heng never expected his words to provoke the Patriarch himself. He quickly said, "Patriarch, I'm telling the truth."

Yang Jinhe was also curious about Yang Chen's martial arts talent. After all, rumors had always painted Yang Chen as unable to cultivate martial arts. But Yang Chen's achievements today were truly hard to fathom.

However, regardless of the cause and effect, he didn't believe Yang Chen had actually cheated and managed to deceive his eyes. Most importantly, the genius admired by Li Youyan was clearly Yang Chen. On this day, how could he possibly sideline Yang Chen?

Sidelining Yang Chen would be equivalent to sidelining Li Youyan, and that was a price he wasn't willing to pay.

"Shut up!" Yang Jinhe said coldly, "Yang Chen is one of the most outstanding geniuses in our Yang Family. How dare you question him. Enough said, if you dare to spout more nonsense, I will disqualify you from the rest of the ceremony!"

"Yes, Pa... Patriarch!" Yang Heng trembled, not daring to disobey Yang Jinhe's command.

Yang Jinhe then turned and continued, "Alright, I now announce that Yang Chen has won the crown in the first trial. Of course, temporary success means little. Next, we will begin the second trial of today's Coming-of-Age Ceremony: the combat trial. The rules are simple: contestants will fight in pairs, and the last one standing will win the crown for today's Coming-of-Age Ceremony!"

As these words fell, Yang Jinhe turned and departed, and the Coming-of-Age Ceremony officially entered its climax.