Resigning as young master?

Half an hour later.

Xu Qingyang sat cross-legged on his bed, slowly steadied his breathing, then circulated the Great Dao Primordial Chaos Art.

"According to the Heavenly Book, I cultivate the Great Dao, while everyone else cultivates lesser paths. Naturally, I should be invincible!"

With that, Xu Qingyang drew in a breath of spiritual energy. It instantly entered his body, where the mysterious golden light circulating through the Great Dao Primordial Chaos Art refined it into hundreds of rays that filled his limbs and every bone.

Boom!

Rumble!

At that moment, accompanied by a rumble, the aura of the Foundation Establishment Seventh Level arose within Xu Qingyang, vast and mighty like a storm-driven tide.

Moreover, Xu Qingyang's sea of consciousness unexpectedly opened up as well.

Normally, only those in Blood Moving, the realm above Foundation Establishment, could open their sea of consciousness.

The cultivation realms of this world were Foundation Establishment, Blood Moving, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Grotto-Heaven, Spirit Transformation, Inscription, Array Formation, Venerable, Sacred Flame, Tribulation Transcendence, and so on.

"So this is the Foundation Establishment Seventh Level?"

Feeling the aura of the Foundation Establishment Seventh Level within him, Xu Qingyang's face lit up with wild delight, and he could not help laughing aloud.

"The old man lost his horse, but who could have known it was a blessing?"

"After hoping for over a decade, I've finally stepped onto the path of cultivation—and reached the Foundation Establishment Seventh Level in such a short time!"

Those thoughts ran through Xu Qingyang's mind.

The next moment.

Xu Qingyang stopped circulating his art, ended his cultivation, and stepped out of his room. Looking toward a certain hall, he said with a cheerful smile, "Time to tell Grandpa that my Sword Martial Soul has recovered, and my cultivation has reached the Foundation Establishment Seventh Level!"

"Let him share in the joy!"

Then Xu Qingyang set off toward the Council Hall.

The Council Hall.

Clan leader Xu Juren looked at the red-robed old man sitting across from him and said gravely, "Are you still trying to make me strip my grandson Xu Qingyang of his position as young master?"

The red-robed old man sneered at those words, then said with feigned sincerity, "Clan leader, honestly, I really do think highly of the boy!"

"But Xu Qingyang's Sword Martial Soul vanished after awakening. That means cultivation will have nothing to do with his future!"

"Tell me, clan leader, is it really appropriate for Xu Qingyang to remain the young master of our Xu Family under those circumstances?"

Xu Juren snapped angrily, "Xu Taichong, if my grandson isn't suitable, then yours is?"

"Don't forget, our Xu Family's prestige owes much to Xu Qingyang's planning and advice!"

"And let me give you a word of warning: stop eyeing the position of young master that belongs to my grandson!"

"Otherwise, don't blame me for disregarding our kinship!"

Xu Taichong's face flushed scarlet at those words. Clearly, he was furious.

Outside the hall, Xu Qingyang heard their exchange and could not help smiling. Grandpa really does look out for me!

To protect his position as young master, his grandfather had even threatened First Elder Xu Taichong.

Huff!

He took a deep breath.

Then Xu Qingyang pushed open the hall doors and slowly walked inside. Ignoring Xu Taichong, he went straight to Xu Juren, cupped his hands, and bowed in greeting.

"Greetings, Grandpa!"

Xu Juren looked at Xu Qingyang, a smile appearing on his face. "Qingyang, why did you come here instead of getting some proper rest?"

Xu Qingyang smiled. "Grandpa, I'd like to resign as the Xu Family's young master!"

In truth, aside from keeping a low profile, he had another reason for this idea: testing the members of the Xu Family.

Upon hearing Xu Qingyang's words, Xu Juren's eyes widened, and he refused. "I won't allow it!"

Xu Taichong looked at Xu Qingyang. Though puzzled, he still spoke up. "Clan leader, since Xu Qingyang has volunteered to resign as young master, you should grant his wish!"

"Hmph!"

Xu Juren gave Xu Taichong a cold snort, then turned to Xu Qingyang, who said, "Grandpa, my Sword Martial Soul is gone. Perhaps I'll never be able to step onto the path of cultivation in this lifetime!"

"If I keep occupying the position of the Xu Family's young master, it will be terribly detrimental to the family's development!"

At those words.

Grief surfaced on Xu Juren's face, and he sighed. "Qingyang, it's all my fault for being unable to restore your Sword Martial Soul!"

"But even if you can never cultivate again, your strategic talents are more than enough for you to shoulder responsibility on your own. You'll certainly make a worthy young master!"

Xu Qingyang felt warmth in his heart, along with a little anticipation.

He knew that First Elder Xu Taichong, who was here in the hall, would certainly spread word that he had volunteered to resign as young master.

Perhaps before long, plenty of people would leap out to compete for his position.

"Grandpa, think it over. I'll be going now!"

Xu Qingyang said.

Xu Juren said nothing, but his resolve remained unchanged.

The next moment.

Under his gaze, Xu Qingyang walked away.

Suddenly, Xu Juren recalled how calm and composed Xu Qingyang had looked just now. As though something had occurred to him, he thought, "I seem to have sensed the aura unique to cultivators on Qingyang just now!"

"Could he already be able to cultivate?"

At that thought.

Xu Juren shook his head. He felt it was impossible; he must have imagined it.

Meanwhile, First Elder Xu Taichong was inwardly delighted. Xu Qingyang really is a fool, volunteering to resign as young master like this!

"Now my grandson's chance to compete for the position of young master is coming!"

Xu Taichong thought.

The next instant.

Xu Taichong looked at Xu Juren and said with a broad smile, "Clan leader, since Xu Qingyang himself has said as much, you really should give it some serious thought!"

"Get out!"

Xu Juren roared, "Get the hell out right now!"

Xu Qingyang returned to his pavilion, and Xu Qingying carefully stepped inside on her delicate feet.

"Brother, did you go see Grandpa?"

Xu Qingyang turned to Xu Qingying, who raised her brows and asked him outright.

"Yes!"

Xu Qingyang nodded in reply. Just as I thought!

Xu Qingying sighed softly. She knew her brother's temperament all too well. He was always thinking of others!

He had probably offered to resign as young master this time because he did not want to put Grandpa in a difficult position!

For a moment, her heart ached terribly. Her brother had lost his awakened Sword Martial Soul and could not step onto the path of cultivation, yet he still had to endure such pressure!

If Xu Qingyang had known what Xu Qingying was thinking, he would probably have been speechless. He had only offered to resign as young master to keep a low profile and test the clan members!

Xu Qingying said, "Brother, I don't think you should resign as young master. After all, Father left that position to you!"

Xu Qingyang smiled at her words but said nothing. Xu Qingying continued, "Besides, I've always believed that your future achievements will surpass those of every one of us!"

"So that's all the more reason you can't resign as young master!"

"Brother Qingyang, I heard you asked the clan leader to let you resign as young master?"

An anxious voice rang out from outside the pavilion.