Chapter 58

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Today is a significant day for the entire Chen family.

Gathered in the grand hall are those with high status and position within the clan, arranged in order of seniority and rank, waiting in a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Led by Chen Zhengfeng, everyone is waiting for the Grand Elder, who has been in seclusion for a long time, to emerge.

"Boom~"

A stone wall door split into a diamond shape, dividing into about a dozen pieces. Each piece, with edges like the tip of a dagger, slowly retracted into the wall.

A colorful cave entrance was revealed, with a layer of ripples spreading out.

Helian Huowu, with clear and bright eyes, stood at the front. She wore a red dress, a blue sash around her waist, and her delicate and graceful figure was even more elegant.

After the clan competition, she received great attention and became a core disciple, enjoying abundant resources. Now, she has clearly broken through to the Spirit Master level, becoming the youngest Spirit Master in the family's history, her shining aura arousing envy.

But she was clearly distracted, worried about her second brother, Chen Mo, who had been away for months, wondering if he was doing well and if he had encountered any danger.

In the vast clan hall, a wooden plaque with the inscription "Ninghui Hall" hung in the center, spanning over ten feet. The top had a colorful base, forming a diamond shape, with the image of an ancient fierce beast carved on it.

Four white jade pillars stood on either side, adorned with vine leaves. The green branches and leaves were lifelike, as if they were real.

Chen Mo, hidden behind the wooden plaque, quietly used a breath-holding technique, his breathing almost imperceptible. He sat on Little Eight's shell, looking around the hall through a gap, taking everything in. Seeing the aura of Helian Huowu, thick and restrained, he felt a sense of relief.

This girl is truly a genius.

Almost all the notable members of the Chen family were present, each with an expectant look, staring at the door, afraid of missing anything.

Chen Zhengfeng, wrapped in a brocade robe, led the group, his face filled with reverence.

Grand Elder Chen Hongyuan and Second Elder Chen Guangbiao, dressed in long green robes, sat on either side, eyes closed, calm and composed.

A stream of white mist burst through the colorful door, slowly dissipating outward. A transparent ripple formed a protective barrier, spreading out in waves.

Everyone's eyes were filled with anticipation.

After a moment, the colorful door showed no further movement.

"Has something happened to the Grand Elder?" someone in the crowd couldn't help but ask.

"No nonsense," Chen Zhengfeng sternly rebuked. The young man quickly lowered his head.

Though Chen Zhengfeng was angry, he was also extremely anxious. Grand Elder Chen Yixian had been in seclusion for a year to break through to the innate level. Advancing from the peak of the Spirit Master level to the innate level was like a life-and-death gamble; a slight mistake could result in being crippled or even death.

If the Grand Elder could successfully advance to the innate level, the family's prestige would skyrocket, and the fate of the clan would hinge on this.

Suddenly, a series of hearty laughs echoed from outside.

Chen Deshui, walking with a tiger-like gait, entered, flanked by two black-cloaked, hooded figures, followed by a group of people with a fierce aura. They strode forward without hesitation, and the people in the hall quickly made way.

"Chen Deshui," Chen Mo's eyes flashed with anger, suppressing his desire to burst out, waiting for the right moment.

"Third Elder, today we welcome the Grand Elder out of seclusion. Why have you brought these idle people in?" Chen Zhengfeng, hands behind his back, looked at him with dissatisfaction. The two black-cloaked figures beside him exuded a chilling aura, making people feel uneasy.

"Out of seclusion? Ha ha." Chen Deshui laughed arrogantly. "Are you still waiting for him to come out? I think he's in grave danger."

The Chen family members were stunned, whispering among themselves, wondering what had happened.

"Rubbish, how dare you spread such lies here?" Chen Zhengfeng's face was full of anger.

"Lies?" Chen Deshui said angrily. "If you, Chen Zhengfeng, had any ability, why would you force the Grand Elder to break through to the innate level?"

Chen Zhengfeng's pupils contracted, and he said in a deep voice, "Chen Deshui, if you have any objections, speak up. Don't be so evasive."

As for the two elders, they remained silent, as if it had nothing to do with them.

"Chen Deshui, your hostility is very strong," a hoarse and authoritative voice echoed in the hall.

A white-robed old man emerged from the transparent ripple, his face rosy, silver hair naturally flowing, his demeanor dignified and spirited, with a youthful appearance.

"Grand Elder," Chen Zhengfeng hurriedly greeted, his eyes widening with joy. "Congratulations on reaching the innate level."

The other clan members mostly showed surprise and joy.

The emergence of an innate-level expert in a clan meant a significant boost in the clan's status, naturally making it a major event for the Chen family.

"Chen Deshui, Chen Deshui, how long will you remain arrogant?" Chen Mo was also elated, knowing that for a small clan, having an innate-level expert made a huge difference in how they spoke to outsiders.

Chen Deshui's arrogance faded, and he said respectfully, "Congratulations, Grand Elder. The rise of our clan depends on you."

"Chen Deshui, you seem very disappointed," Grand Elder Chen Yixian, hands behind his back, said with a faint sarcasm, his eyes landing on the outsiders.

One of them, breathing slowly, almost imperceptibly, emitted a powerful aura.

Chen Deshui instinctively shrank back, but then, thinking of the various deadly setups and assistance, his courage grew: "Grand Elder, you have misunderstood me."

"Chen Deshui, with the Grand Elder here, speak your mind," Chen Zhengfeng said, his brows raised. "Hiding behind words, what kind of man are you?"

"Since that's the case, I won't hold back," Chen Deshui's face changed, and he said with authority, "Chen Zhengfeng, you are incompetent and unworthy of the position of clan leader. It disgraces our clan."

For a moment, there was a commotion. Chen Xuan and his supporters were already furious and ready to act.

"Good, good!" Chen Zhengfeng stopped the uprising, laughing in anger. "You finally have the courage to speak your mind. Good, even if I, Chen Zhengfeng, am incompetent, what are you, a treacherous and despicable person? Even if I were to step down, you wouldn't be the next in line."

"Ha ha!" Chen Deshui laughed, not angry but mocking. "Whether it's my turn or not isn't up to you. What do you think, Grand Elder?"

"Ridiculous!" Grand Elder Chen Yixian's aura condensed, and he was about to lose his temper when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his qi sea, as if a knife was slicing through his organs. His brow furrowed, and several strands of black qi could be seen moving through his veins, reaching his face. Sweat beads appeared on his forehead, and his face alternated between black and white.

Many clan members were suddenly stunned, wondering what had happened.

Seeing this, Chen Deshui's face showed satisfaction. It seemed that Grand Elder Chen Hongyuan had succeeded. The poison in the Grand Elder's body would have already made a normal person nearly dead. Even with cultivation, without an antidote, it would be difficult to move qi, and using powerful techniques would certainly lead to death.

"Hum, hum, Grand Elder, it's best not to get angry. Otherwise, breaking through the meridians and risking your life would be a waste of your cultivation," Chen Deshui said with a cold laugh.

"You...," the Grand Elder's expression twisted, and with a "pu," a mouthful of fresh blood spewed out.

"Chen Deshui, is this your doing? You are a mad and despicable person!" Clan Leader Chen Zhengfeng, like an enraged lion, roared.

"The fox's tail is finally showing," Chen Mo, hidden behind the plaque, smiled slightly. The Grand Elder, at such an advanced age, was surprisingly good at acting. And the clan leader, usually so serious, was also surprisingly skilled. Indeed, the older, the wiser. He couldn't help but admire them.

Chen Mo remained still, observing the shocked and terrified expressions of the Chen family members, feeling the tense atmosphere in the hall.

The Chen family's century-old foundation was in turmoil, seemingly on the brink of collapse.

However, the other side's plans had not yet been fully revealed, and Chen Mo had to continue to endure.

Chen Deshui laughed loudly, "Chen Zhengfeng, you are about to die, yet you still dare to be arrogant. Surrender the position of clan leader, and I will leave you a complete body."

"Chen Deshui, you are too arrogant," Chen Zhengfeng, eyes wide with anger, lunged forward. In a flash, he dragged out a series of shadows, charging directly at Chen Deshui.

It was a technique called Thunder Flash.

At the Seventh Stage Spirit Master level, his Thunder Flash was already quite accomplished. The heavy shadows made it seem like a swift wind, chasing the stars and the moon.

Chen Deshui's eyes were full of disdain as he activated the earth-type qi in his qi sea, infusing his arms with a powerful force, making them as solid as a wall.

He hardily received a Thunder Flash, and for a moment, it was like a thunderclap in the sky, the sound echoing continuously.

Both men took a few steps back.

Their gazes, one righteous and one evil, met, sparks flying, and they were clearly at odds.

"Give up and surrender the position of clan leader, and you might save your life and your son's," Chen Deshui said with a sinister laugh.

"You are dreaming," Chen Zhengfeng lunged forward, lightning crackling around him, and he struck with a powerful palm.

"Sky Thunder Break" — with a rumbling sound, it was like a sharp divine axe, splitting the sky and breaking through all obstacles.

Chen Mo was secretly comparing the clan leader's Sky Thunder Break with his own, mentally practicing it.

In a flash, a black shadow leaped over the heads of the people, descending from above, the wind howling, and the killing intent sharp.

"Boom" — the two powerful forces collided, the wind roaring like a ghost's cry. The hall's floor shook, and the people involuntarily took a step back.

Unexpectedly, Chen Zhengfeng was pushed back rapidly, hitting the pillar behind him, trembling for a moment before stopping. His fists were bleeding, and thick drops of blood dripped from his mouth onto the white stone floor, a stark contrast of red and white, indicating that he was seriously injured.

For a moment, there was silence, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

Chen Deshui waved his sleeve, standing unharmed in the hall.

Beside him stood a black-cloaked, black-robed strong man, his eyes half-closed, exuding a sinister and eerie aura, making people shudder.

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