There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 10 It’s too late to regret
A few breaths later, the strange phenomena of mountains and seas gradually dissipated, but the majestic aura still lingered around Chen Qing, as deep and unfathomable as a mountain.

"Sect Leader Chen," Mo Huaiyong took a deep breath, his tone completely changed, no longer carrying the previous subtle condescension, but instead revealing a hint of solemnity, "I was truly blind just now, I did not realize that your aura was so extraordinary!"

"This……"

Chen Qing was initially wary, but seeing that there were no other changes besides the strange phenomenon, he felt slightly relieved, though he was still completely confused: "Wasn't it supposed to be a test of the aptitude of my two younger family members?"

When the strange phenomenon enveloped him just now, he felt somewhat comfortable. But now that he has come to his senses, he has vaguely guessed that the strange phenomenon on his body was caused by that wisp of Taihe Qi.

This energy originally belonged to the second realm, "Harmony and Foundation Building," but he had mastered it in advance. Although the quantity was small, its essence was extremely high! If this chess piece used to measure one's aptitude were examined using the first realm as the standard, it would naturally produce a deviation, manifesting anomalies far exceeding his current realm.

"It was my oversight that affected Sect Leader Chen, but it's not all bad," Mo Huaiyong's smile grew even warmer. "Fortunately, it allowed us to see just how outstanding Sect Leader Chen's foundation is!"

Chen Qing was taken aback, then shook his head and said, "I'm not outstanding..."

Mo Huaiyong immediately said, "Sect Leader Chen is too modest. Mingxia Mountain is full of hidden talents. You can tell from their inner qualities that only someone as capable as the Sect Leader could be raised here..."

His rapid change of attitude surprised everyone present.

The hook-nosed youth, who had been wearing a sneer, turned pale and sweat beaded on his forehead, no longer daring to utter a word.

Han Sha was the one who was more affected.

He stared blankly at Chen Qing, his lips trembling slightly, as if struck by lightning, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Uncle-Master...so you actually have such profound knowledge and talent?"

He had thought his future was bleak, which was why he gritted his teeth and betrayed his sect to join Haiyuan Temple. But now, Chen Qing's demeanor has even moved the elders of Xuanji Chess Academy! This shows that being in the sect doesn't necessarily mean a bad future!
An unprecedented wave of regret washed over me.

If he hadn't left in the first place...

If he had waited a little longer...

"I didn't... make the wrong choice, did I?"

This thought gnawed at his mind like a venomous snake, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

Mo Huaiyong was no ordinary person. With a single glance, he took in the expressions of everyone present. Then, he smiled slightly and said to Chen Qing, "Sect Leader Chen, I have a favor to ask."

Chen Qing was wary, but his expression remained calm: "Senior Mo, please speak."

"Xuanji Chess Academy has always valued talent, and we are truly delighted to meet someone like Headmaster Chen today." Mo Huaiyong said sincerely, "Would Headmaster Chen be willing to forge a good relationship with our Chess Academy? If you have some free time in the future, you are welcome to come to our Chess Academy for a chat and discuss the art of chess. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

The Xuanji Chess Academy's initiative to show goodwill is an opportunity that many small sects and factions in Nanbin would love to miss!
Chen Qing was not overwhelmed by the sudden change. He cupped his hands and said, "I will remember your kindness, Senior Mo. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely pay you a visit."

Seeing that he did not agree directly, Mo Huaiyong did not press the matter and laughed heartily: "Alright! Then this old man will await the arrival of Headmaster Chen at the Chess Academy!"

With a flick of his sleeve, the jade chess piece flew back into his palm. He said to the three people behind him, "Let's go. Don't disturb Sect Leader Chen's cultivation any longer."

The three men respectfully agreed and then prepared to leave.

A thought suddenly struck Chen Qing: the Xuanji Chess Academy had a long history, and its members must have recorded a great deal of history; perhaps…

Once this thought arose, he did not hesitate and immediately asked, "Senior Mo is very knowledgeable. I have a question to ask you."

Upon hearing this, Mo Huaiyong's eyes lit up with joy. He stopped and asked, "Please feel free to ask."

Chen Qing immediately asked, "I wonder if your sect's records have ever mentioned the Primordial Immortal Dynasty?"

"The Primordial Immortal Dynasty?" Mo Huaiyong was taken aback.

The woman behind him spoke up: "Master, I saw this name in an ancient book that records strange tales of Zhonglingzhou. It says that it was a golden age of cultivation in ancient times, probably tens of thousands of years ago. The specifics are no longer verifiable."

"Oh, I remember now, isn't that the Immortal Dynasty Era?" Mo Huaiyong's eyes lit up. "This era closely follows the Dao Inquiry Era!"

Chen Qing's heart trembled violently.

Really!
Judging from the names like "The Era of Seeking the Dao" and "The Era of the Immortal Dynasty," there were many eras in the past, each with its own divisions!
However, is the Immortal Dynasty a golden age of cultivation?
Thinking of this, he briefly recalled.

"If we're talking about spiritual energy, it's barely acceptable, but in terms of cultivation techniques..."

Suddenly, Chen Qing came to his senses. What he had encountered was a special dream. The immortal dynasty was tens of thousands of years ago. No matter how special the "Records of the Great Void" was, it couldn't possibly reverse time, could it?
It should...can't, right?

Mo Huaiyong, observing Chen Qing's changing expression, suddenly asked, "Why would Sect Leader Chen ask about the Primordial Immortal Dynasty? And where did you learn about it?"

Chen Qing had already prepared his response: "I'm very interested in the past. I learned about the Primordial Immortal Dynasty from a book..."

Mo Huaiyong's eyes lit up, and he immediately smiled and said, "I see. This is a refined hobby. There are several bookshelves in Xuanji Chess Academy. I also have a collection of books. If the sect leader is interested, I can have someone send over a few books that record history."

Chen Qing hesitated for a moment, then bowed and thanked him without refusing, as he genuinely needed this knowledge.

Mo Huaiyong looked very happy. He said goodbye again and led the three away. Their figures quickly disappeared into the mountains.

"Let's go too."

Once they left, the group from Haiyuan Temple dared not linger and prepared to take their leave.

Han Sha walked heavily, gazing at the familiar scene inside the mountain gate, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Han Sha".

Just then, Chen Qing suddenly called out to him.

Han Sha paused, slowly turned around, her eyes filled with confusion and struggle: "Uncle-Master, you..."

"I am no longer your senior apprentice."

If it were up to Chen Qing, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths, knowing the other party was deeply mired and couldn't turn back. However, he still routinely took out the expulsion notice and, according to the sect rules, asked, "Although I dislike fickle people, you were ultimately accepted as a disciple by the eldest brother. The Hidden Star Sect's rule is that one cannot punish without teaching. Therefore, according to the rules, I must ask you one more time—" He narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the group of Haiyuan Temple disciples before finally settling on Han Sha: "Did you suffer any injustice in the Hidden Star Sect? Or were you threatened?"

The area in front of the mountain gate was deathly silent.

Han Sha trembled all over. The extraordinary mountain and sea phenomenon Chen Qing had just displayed still echoed in her mind. Even the elders of the Xuanji Chess Academy were moved by its grandeur! If she stayed within the sect, her future would be promising…

"I……"

His lips trembled, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught the cold gaze of the hook-nosed youth, and he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

"Han Sha! Have you thought this through? Haiyuan Temple isn't a place you can come and go as you please!" The hook-nosed youth suddenly sneered. "Besides, there are only a few people on Mingxia Mountain. What's there to miss? Don't forget your uncle's expectations for you!"

Han Sha shuddered as she recalled her "new master's" ruthlessness, her voice barely audible: "No."

“Alright! Since it’s your own decision, then I’ll grant it. From now on, you’re no longer a member of the Hidden Star Sect,” Chen Qing said calmly, though he was worried that the other party might change their mind. “However, you have your own pursuits, and sects have their own rules. You must leave behind what you’ve learned in the sect.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he flashed in front of Han Sha like a ghost, put his two fingers together, and struck Han Sha's vital points on both arms with lightning speed!
"Crack!"

A crisp cracking sound rang out as Han Sha's arm veins snapped. He screamed and fell to his knees, his forehead slamming heavily against the bluestone slab, blood streaming down his face.

“This injury is very serious for ordinary people,” Chen Qing said coldly, “but for cultivators, it can be repaired with just a few medicinal herbs. However, after it heals, you will need to recharge your qi and blood and temper your body. This will allow you to focus on cultivating the Haiyuan Temple’s techniques.”

He stuffed the expulsion notice into Han Sha's collar and said indifferently, "Your life was saved by your senior brother, so you'd better behave yourself. If you harbor evil intentions in the future and come back to Mingxia Mountain to act recklessly, it won't be as simple as just losing a hand. Go now."

Han Sha struggled to lift his head, his face as pale as paper. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he only gave a bitter smile and staggered to his feet.

"Useless! Let's go!" The hook-nosed youth grabbed Han Sha by the collar, but dared not look directly at Chen Qing. He was about to leave with the crowd from Haiyuan Observation when suddenly, Chen Qing appeared in front of him in a flash.

"What...what are you going to do? I am..."

"Wasn't it you who ambushed my nephew just now?" Chen Qing said, flicking his finger.
The hook-nosed youth also screamed, clutching his right hand, his face filled with terror.

Chen Qing withdrew his hand: "If there is a next time, it won't be as simple as just cutting off a finger."

"You..." The hook-nosed man was pale, but he didn't dare to say another word. He led the others away in a panic.

The area in front of the mountain gate has returned to silence.

"Uncle-Master, Han Sha, he..."

Fang Da'ao's clenched fist trembled slightly. He had lived and eaten with Han Sha for five years, and seeing her miserable state filled him with mixed feelings.

"I chose this path myself, and now that I've chosen it, I have to bear the consequences." Chen Qing turned and climbed the steps. "Let's go back."

Qu Xiaoyao suddenly grabbed his sleeve, her face pale, and asked cautiously, "Was that white-bearded old man really here to give us guidance? And the strange phenomena on my martial uncle look so powerful!"

Chen Qing shook his head and said in a low voice, "This matter is strange. Let's talk about it when we get back."

In his view, the Xuanji Chess Academy's change of attitude was too rapid and must have some ulterior motive.

As for the so-called unusual phenomena...

"It's just a show of force using the Qi of Great Harmony; don't take it seriously! However, if we attract the attention of the Xuanji Chess Academy because of this, it will be a big problem, and the outcome will be unpredictable."

Upon realizing this, he immediately felt pressure and urgency.

"We must improve our strength and increase our trump cards as soon as possible!"

Chen Qing turned and walked towards the mountain gate, his mind already made up:
"Tonight, I shall once again enter the 'Record of the Evolution of the Great Void'!"

Mo Huaiyong and his group of four walked slowly along the mountain path.

"Uncle-Master," the young man carrying the sword box suddenly spoke, "Haiyuan Temple seems to be quite hostile towards the Hidden Star Sect's leader. Should we...?"

Mo Huaiyong continued walking, saying calmly, "No need."

"But that person has great fortune. Wouldn't it be a pity if he were harmed by Haiyuan Temple?" The girl with the golden bell on her wrist couldn't help but ask.

Mo Huaiyong stopped and looked towards the distant horizon.

“A new cycle of the Five Elements is about to begin in Dongling Continent,” he said in a low voice. “Our Xuanji Chess Academy is good at predicting the secrets of heaven and has long been aware of this. That’s why we have sent out several groups of people to search for people with great fortune and bring them under our wing to strengthen our sect and help us weather this calamity.”

He raised his hand and flipped it over, revealing an ancient chess piece in his palm. It was made of pure green jade and was the very piece used to test one's aptitude. But when Mo Huaiyong raised his finger and touched it, the green color faded, and purple energy flowed around it. Countless tiny runes moved within it, mysterious and unpredictable.

"'Tianyunzi' is a derivative of the 'Xuanji Tianpan,' the treasure of the Xuanji Chess Academy. It can measure a person's fortune, innate talent, and destiny." Mo Huaiyong's gaze was profound. "Although the sect leader of Mingxia Mountain is only at the initial stage of cultivation, he has shown signs of 'resonance between mountains and seas,' indicating that this person's fortune is extremely strong and he may be carrying some great opportunity!"

"Then we should bring him back to the sect!" the young man with the sword box said urgently.

Mo Huaiyong shook his head and said meaningfully, "Those with great fortune often have to go through trials and tribulations before they can rise to prominence. If he were to remain a peaceful and stable sect leader in Mingxia Mountain, how could he forge a great karmic connection with my Xuanji Chess Academy? And how could he be of use to me?"

Everyone was startled when they heard this.

"What my martial uncle means is..."

“The Haiyuan Temple is truly detrimental to him, but it is an opportunity.” Mo Huaiyong said meaningfully, “When he is in trouble, we can help him out and provide timely assistance, so that he can truly win his heart.”

"What if he doesn't make it?" the girl couldn't help but ask.

Mo Huaiyong smiled faintly: "If you can't even survive this little calamity, it means you lack luck and are not worth the Xuanji Chess Academy's full assistance."

Everyone was silent.

Mo Huaiyong put away the Heavenly Fortune Seed and continued forward: "The path of cultivation is against the will of Heaven, but true geniuses will not fall easily. Those who fall are not geniuses."

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(End of this chapter)