“Hmph!”
Hearing this, Xuan Ji’s expression darkened instantly.
The previously gentle and amiable smile vanished, replaced by a stern and exasperated look of disappointment.
“Make him come here!”
Not long after, Xuan Tian, supported by a disciple, limped into the main hall.
He had numerous bruises all over his body.
Although he had taken healing pills, broken bones wouldn’t mend so quickly.
His face was pale, and his steps were unsteady.
When his gaze swept into the hall and landed on Chen Yuyang sitting there, a flash of anger instantly appeared in his eyes.
But just for a moment, as if remembering something, he quickly lowered his head again, not daring to meet Chen Yuyang’s gaze.
Instead, he looked somewhat ashamed.
“Wretched fool!” Seeing his appearance, Xuan Ji’s anger flared.
He slammed the table and stood up, reprimanding sharply, “Hurry up and apologize to Young Friend Chen!”
“Apologize? What a joke!”
Xuan Tian’s head snapped up, full of disbelief, and he instinctively retorted, “Why should I apologize to him? I—”
“Silence!”
Xuan Ji immediately roared, cutting him off.
The voice boomed like a great bell, startling everyone in the hall, their expressions changing.
Even Yunlian was taken aback.
Although Xuan Ji hadn’t released any pressure, the aura of a superior still made her hold her breath in fear.
However, among this group, there was one exception: Chen Yuyang.
Chen Yuyang’s expression didn’t change in the slightest.
Whether Xuan Ji was angry or pleased, he remained completely unperturbed.
“Why? Because Young Friend Chen showed you mercy twice! The first time you lost and wouldn’t admit it, he merely forced you back. The second time, you refused to accept defeat and lost again, yet he only grazed your skin and didn’t strike with full force!”
“And you? After consecutive losses, you not only refused to admit them but also launched a surprise attack on Young Friend Chen. Frankly speaking, even if Young Friend Chen had crippled or killed you on the spot, it would have been justified.”
“But he still only repelled you, inflicting light injuries. And you still have the face to ask me why you should apologize to him?”
Xuan Tian lowered his head, his face alternating between green and pale, speechless under the scolding.
All of this made him feel utterly ashamed.
Xuan Ji’s voice softened slightly but still carried anger.
“If your skill is inferior and you lose, admit it. Would anyone blame you for that?”
“My Xuan Clan descendants must have pride and backbone, but they must never be arrogant, let alone look down on others or act with reckless conceit!”
“With your current temperament, how can I ever feel at ease entrusting the vast Xuan Clan to you in the future?!”
Xuan Ji’s eyes were full of disappointment, his words filled with anguish.
These words carried immense weight, especially coming from the Xuan Clan’s Ancestor.
Xuan Tian’s body trembled violently.
Hearing this, he dared not offer any further defense.
He quickly knelt on the ground, forcefully knocking his forehead against the floor.
“I… I know my wrong! I truly know my mistake! I beg Great-Grandfather to calm your anger and forgive me this once!”
“You know your wrong?”
Xuan Ji snorted coldly and shook his head.
“If you know your wrong, what use is kneeling to me? Did you offend me?”
Xuan Tian’s lips moved a few times, a trace of unwillingness on his face.
But under Xuan Ji’s stern gaze, he ultimately gritted his teeth, got up from the ground, staggered over to Chen Yuyang, and deeply bowed his head.
In a hoarse voice, he said, “Chen… Fellow Daoist Chen, just… just now, I was in the wrong. I let my hot blood get the better of me and momentarily lost my composure… I hope… I hope Fellow Daoist Chen won’t stoop to my level. I offer my sincere apologies here.”
Looking at his appearance, Chen Yuyang knew the apology might not be entirely sincere.
But he truly didn’t take this youthful clash of pride to heart.
A man hundreds of thousands of years old, what was the point of getting angry with a child?
Slightly raising his hand, Chen Yuyang signaled for Xuan Tian to stand up straight.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
“In martial arts sparring, when the fight reaches a fever pitch, it’s common to momentarily lose control of one’s emotions.”
Hearing Chen Yuyang’s words—words that even offered him an excuse—Xuan Tian was stunned.
Then, he couldn’t help but lower his head even further.
If his initial apology was perhaps just to show his great-grandfather his attitude, not necessarily heartfelt, now, after hearing Chen Yuyang’s words and seeing his response…
Xuan Tian felt an intense wave of shame that left him with nowhere to hide.
At this moment, Xuan Tian suddenly understood.
Why he had lost to him.
It wasn’t just that his strength was inferior.
Even in terms of temperament and magnanimity, the gap between them was like heaven and earth.
Thinking this, Xuan Tian made a deep bow to Chen Yuyang.
“Today, I accept my defeat wholeheartedly.”
Seeing Xuan Tian’s reaction, Xuan Ji’s expression finally softened considerably.
He could still be taught.
Afterward, Chen Yuyang exchanged a few more polite words with Xuan Ji.
Xuan Ji proposed that the two stay as guests, but Chen Yuyang politely declined.
Seizing an opportunity and seeing there was nothing else to discuss, Chen Yuyang stood up to take his leave from Xuan Ji.
“Senior, my junior sister and I still have some mundane matters to attend to, so we won’t impose further.”
Seeing this, Xuan Ji didn’t press the matter.
“Since that’s the case, this old man won’t insist on keeping you. However, whenever Young Friend Chen wishes to visit, just send word, and I will arrange it immediately.”
Xuan Ke and Xuan Tian also bowed to Chen Yuyang and Yunlian.
Only after the two had left did Xuan Ji, Xuan Tian, and Xuan Ke withdraw their gazes.
Xuan Tian stood there with his head bowed, still pondering everything about Chen Yuyang.
The more he thought, the more he felt the vast gap between himself and that youth.
The air in the main hall grew quiet for a time.
After a long while, Xuan Ji finally turned his gaze to Xuan Tian.
With a light sigh, Xuan Ji’s tone became gentle.
“Xiao Tian, how do you feel now? Do your injuries still hurt?”
Hearing this, Xuan Tian trembled slightly.
He slowly raised his head.
The anger and unwillingness from before were completely gone from his face, replaced only by deep shame.
“N-no, they don’t hurt anymore, Great-Grandfather…”
Pausing, Xuan Tian took a deep breath and met Xuan Ji’s gaze squarely.
“Great-Grandfather, I will reflect deeply on this match.”
Seeing his demeanor, a look of satisfaction appeared in Xuan Ji’s eyes.
“It’s good that you can recognize this yourself. Temporary failure is common, nothing to fear.”
“What’s important is that you can take it as a warning. That is the greatest gain. In this regard, I must also thank that young man.”
Xuan Tian nodded silently, secretly agreeing.
At this moment, Xuan Ke, who had been standing to the side, stepped forward, wanting to confirm something.
She asked, “Grandfather, he… is he that Chen Yuyang from the Alchemy Conference? The one who reached the rank of Fourth-Grade Alchemist at just fifteen years old and mastered the Haoyang Flame?”
“Correct, it’s him.”
Xuan Ji nodded without hesitation.
His gaze swept over the several Xuan Clan elders and disciples present as he said gravely, “Just now, you all saw that young man with your own eyes. It’s not that I’m praising him excessively, but that is a true young talent.”
Pausing, Xuan Ji praised sincerely, “Not impatient, not arrogant, neither subservient nor overbearing. Clear in reasoning, measured in speech, proper in etiquette, knowing when to advance and when to retreat.”
“Not only is he exceptionally talented and possesses superior strength, but his temperament is also remarkably steady and perceptive.”
“The Realm of Cultivation has never lacked for geniuses; they are as numerous as fish in a river.”
Xuan Ji sighed with emotion again.
“But geniuses who fall are even more countless.”
“Why? Because the vast majority of geniuses are too arrogant. They think too highly of themselves, look down on others, act perversely, stir up trouble, offend those they shouldn’t, and ultimately bring about their own destruction.”
As he spoke, Xuan Ji looked around at everyone, his gaze becoming sharp once more.
“All of you, remember this: regarding the Hehuan Sect and Chen Yuyang, we must only seek friendship, absolutely must not offend them!”
“This young man, at such a tender age, possesses such cultivation and temperament. Given time, he is bound to achieve great things!”
“Moreover, even setting aside his own innate talent and strength, his master, Bu Lingxuan, stepped into the Great Ascension Realm before reaching fifty. In terms of potential, how many in the entire North Domain can match that?”
Saying this, Xuan Ji looked toward the sky outside the main hall.
He sighed slowly.
“With these two, the Hehuan Sect… is likely to rise powerfully within the North Domain.”
Xuan Ji’s voice wasn’t loud, but it made all the Xuan Clan members present feel a chill.
Xuan Ji was the Ancestor of the Xuan Clan.
The significance of this judgment was naturally extraordinary.
Everyone in the main hall silently committed Xuan Ji’s words to heart.
This could even be related to the long-term planning of the clan’s future prosperity or decline.
…..
Meanwhile, Chen Yuyang and Yunlian had already left the area of the Xuan Clan estate and were on their way back to the inn.
After putting some distance behind them, Yunlian finally couldn’t help but ask, “Senior Brother, since we’ve already met the Xuan Clan’s Ancestor, and he seems to think quite highly of you, why didn’t we just bring up the matter of that scroll earlier? He might have agreed directly.”
Chen Yuyang didn’t stop walking, just gently shook his head.
“It’s not the right time yet.”
“Why?”
Yunlian frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled.
In her view, the atmosphere earlier was quite good.
Chen Yuyang didn’t look back but patiently explained to Yunlian.
“First, today was my first time meeting him. His attitude toward me was acceptable; perhaps there’s some appreciation, but there might also be ulterior motives. You can know a person’s face, not their heart. Before fully understanding the other party’s true intentions, it’s best not to mention such matters.”
“Second.”
He paused before continuing.
“If we ask now, whether he agrees or not, we would owe him a favor for nothing.”
“That scroll might not be particularly important to the Xuan Clan, but it still concerns some of their secrets. Favors are easy to owe, but once owed, they are difficult to repay in the future.”
Yunlian listened, somewhat dazed, and nodded subconsciously in agreement.
Chen Yuyang continued calmly, “But if we wait until we achieve an excellent ranking in the secret realm competition, according to the rules, the Xuan Clan must grant corresponding rewards.”
“At that time, if we refuse those rewards and instead propose wanting that scroll in exchange, the nature of the request becomes completely different.”
After hearing Chen Yuyang’s explanation, Yunlian suddenly understood, a flicker of admiration appearing in her eyes.
“As expected of Senior Brother, your considerations are always so thorough and meticulous.”
Saying this, Yunlian stuck out her tongue a little sheepishly.
Because she realized that, in terms of age, she was actually a few years older than Chen Yuyang.
But when it came to these intricate considerations, she couldn’t think of them at all.