Chapter 4

Not only were the spirit stones and other cultivation resources taken back by the family, but even the weapons Jing Yan had used before were forcibly reclaimed. Because his realm had fallen so much, the family believed he no longer needed such high-quality weapons.

"How can I obtain a large number of spirit stones? I want to quickly enhance my realm, and the spirit stones I need won't be few." Jing Yan frowned, deep in thought.

"Alas..."

"In the past, I hardly ever worried about resources, but now it's difficult to even get a single spirit stone." Jing Yan sighed, shaking his head slightly.

"Right, tomorrow is the family's monthly strength test. Any family member who participates in the test can receive some resources. Yes, I'll participate in this test this time." Jing Yan's eyes lit up slightly.

Although, with his current Third Heaven of Martial Dao cultivation, the resources he would receive wouldn't be much, even a small amount is still something, and he couldn't afford to waste it.

The night passed in a flash.

Around eight o'clock the next morning, Jing Yan arrived at the family's martial arts hall.

At this time, there were already many family members in the martial arts hall. The monthly strength test was something that most family members wouldn't miss if they had the time. Because even if one's realm was very low, even with only First Heaven of Martial Dao cultivation, as long as they participated in the test, they could receive spirit stones, the only question being how many.

As soon as Jing Yan appeared in the martial arts hall, he immediately attracted a lot of attention.

Because for a long time, Jing Yan hadn't come to the martial arts hall. So his sudden arrival surprised many people.

"Isn't that Jing Yan?"

"Why is Jing Yan here? Is he going to participate in the family test?"

"In the past, he didn't need to participate in such tests. The family's resources were available to him whenever he needed them."

"Hehe, things are different now. The old patriarch is no longer around, and his realm has continuously fallen, leaving him with only Third Heaven of Martial Dao cultivation, which is even lower than ours. It's normal for him to come and participate in the test; otherwise, where would he find spirit stones?"

"I wonder what he's feeling now. In the past, we could only look up to him, but now..."

In the hall, various comments reached Jing Yan's ears. Jing Yan pretended not to hear anything, found a random spot, and waited for the test to begin.

After a short while, an elder of the family appeared and casually placed a black crystal in front of him.

This black crystal was the tool used to test one's Martial Dao realm.

The elder responsible for this test was the Fifth Elder of the family, Jing Yuxiang.

"The test begins now," the elder slowly scanned the entire martial arts hall, "When I call someone's name, they will come up to test their realm."

"Hmm?" The elder's gaze slowly moved, suddenly pausing when he saw Jing Yan. His eyes lingered on Jing Yan for a moment but said nothing, then continued to move on.

If it were in the past, this elder would have immediately smiled and greeted Jing Yan warmly. Now, he acted as if he hadn't seen him, showing just how much Jing Yan's status had declined.

"Jing Rong, come and test."

"Yes!" A young man in black quickly walked to the black crystal.

"Jing Rong, Sixth Heaven of Martial Dao realm, not bad. Keep it up and strive to break through to the Seventh Heaven of Martial Dao realm soon." The elder nodded slightly, encouraging the young man in black.

"Twenty spirit stones as a reward." The elder waved his hand, sending a small pile of spirit stones to Jing Rong.

"Thank you, Elder." Jing Rong smiled and bowed respectfully.

"Jing Dongyu, Fifth Heaven of Martial Dao realm, ten spirit stones as a reward."

"Jing Minghe, Sixth Heaven of Martial Dao realm, twenty spirit stones as a reward."

"..."

One by one, the family members completed their tests and received their spirit stone rewards.

At this moment, a blue figure entered the martial arts hall from outside.

Although the test was still ongoing, the appearance of this young man in blue immediately attracted many gazes. This young man in blue was called Jing Chuanling.

"Brother Chuanling!"

"Hello, Brother Chuanling!"

"Nice to see you, Brother Chuanling!"

Many of the family members in the hall greeted Jing Chuanling warmly.

When Jing Yan and Jing Chuanling entered the martial arts hall, both attracted a lot of attention, but their treatments were completely different.

Jing Chuanling nodded slightly and slowly walked forward amidst the greetings.

"Huh?"

"Brother Jing Yan?" Jing Chuanling suddenly saw Jing Yan, his gaze sharpening, then a smile appeared on his lips, and he quickened his steps to Jing Yan.

"Brother Jing Yan, are you here to participate in the strength test?" Jing Chuanling looked at Jing Yan.

"Yes, I'm here to test." Jing Yan also looked at Jing Chuanling and nodded with a smile.

In the past, Jing Yan and Jing Chuanling had a very close relationship. Jing Chuanling often followed Jing Yan, and many people within the family secretly said that Jing Chuanling was good at flattering and pleasing Jing Yan.

It was true that Jing Chuanling had received many benefits from Jing Yan.

However, after Jing Yan was forcibly expelled from the Divine Wind Academy and returned to the family, Jing Chuanling was no longer as close to Jing Yan. In fact, since Jing Yan returned to the family, Jing Chuanling had only visited him once.

Jing Yan, of course, knew that Jing Chuanling had distanced himself.

"Brother Jing Yan, you are the first genius of our Jing family, not just the Jing family, but the entire Donglin City. Brother Jing Yan, don't lose heart. I believe you can definitely return to the innate realm." Jing Chuanling took a deep breath, nodded, and said to Jing Yan.

"I hope so." Jing Yan smiled.

"Jing Yan, come and test." The Fifth Elder called Jing Yan's name at this moment.

"Third Heaven of Martial Dao realm. Jing Yan, here are two spirit stones. Take them and use them carefully." After Jing Yan completed the test, the Fifth Elder loudly announced his realm and then threw two spirit stones to Jing Yan.

"Sure enough, Third Heaven of Martial Dao realm!"

"Haha, Jing Yan's current cultivation is probably at the bottom among the same-age family members, right?"

"Really... I don't know how he has the face to come and test his strength. If it were me, I wouldn't have the face to be here."

As soon as Jing Yan finished the test, the hall erupted in laughter.

Hearing these harsh words, Jing Yan only smiled bitterly, took the two spirit stones, and silently walked out.

"Wow!"

"Wow, Eighth Heaven of Martial Dao realm, Brother Chuanling, you've improved again!"

"Brother Chuanling is amazing. Last time, he was at the Seventh Heaven of Martial Dao realm, and now he's at the Eighth Heaven of Martial Dao realm. I think it won't be long before Brother Chuanling breaks through to the Ninth Heaven of Martial Dao realm and then enters the innate realm."

"Brother Chuanling, you're too amazing."

As Jing Yan walked to the main entrance of the martial arts hall, he heard cheers and applause from behind.