The courtyard gate opened to the side, and inside the courtyard stood four exquisite wooden huts, with three wooden square tables arranged horizontally in front of them.

At this moment, all the square tables were occupied. At the table closest to the gate sat a young man and woman, engaged in a game of chess. At the middle table were four middle-aged men and women playing mahjong; at the last table sat three elders, with two playing Go and one observing the game.

After glancing at the people in the courtyard, Jiang Chen's gaze fixed on the elder among the three who was watching the game.

The strength of this person's physical body... has probably reached the late stage of the Venerable Realm, right?

His own power is only at the mid-stage of the Venerable Realm, but the strength of his physical body surpasses his own power. This likely is the effect of the Eight Yata Mirror enhancing his body, isn't it?

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, a look of anticipation flashed in his eyes. His own power was limited by his physical strength, unable to advance, with a lot of energy accumulated in his Second Soul. As long as he could obtain the Eight Yata Mirror, his power would certainly rise rapidly!

Only by reaching the Saint Realm could he seek out the Dragon Saint to unravel the biggest mysteries in his heart!

"Little Ping, your elder brother is here, yet you don't come to pay your respects. What are you doing putting on airs with Xiaohua over there?"

As everyone reached the fence gate, Lou Qiangqiang skillfully opened the courtyard gate, walking in while shouting to the young man at the first wooden table.

"Brother Ping, it's been a while since we last met; is this really how you treat your guests?"

Almost simultaneously, Old Master Tang greeted the elder observing the game at the third table.

The people at all three tables looked up at Jiang Chen and the others, their gazes settling on Ying Zi, revealing a sense of seriousness.

"It seems he has sensed you!" Jiang Chen glanced at Ying Zi and spoke softly.

Ying Zi smiled apologetically.

"We've already hidden here, yet you still won't let us be?" The elder observing the game at the third table stood up and walked towards them, with the people at each table rising and following him as he passed.

Standing in front of everyone, the elder glanced at Ying Zi before turning to Old Master Tang: "Old Brother Tang, when did the Tang Family and the Qingyuan Family both become friends of the Royal Family?"

"Royal Family? Which Royal Family?" Old Master Tang was momentarily stunned, speaking in surprise.

Ying Zi frowned, her eyes also revealing a look of confusion.

"This elder, I think you may have misunderstood something." Jiang Chen thought for a moment, clasping his fists and saying, "I am Jiang Chen, Head of the Jiang Family in Jincheng, and these are all my friends."

"Jiang Chen? I've heard of you!"

The elder glanced at Jiang Chen and spoke softly, "I am Ping Zeyuan of the Ping Family, these are my two sons, Qing Shui and Qing Shan, four grandchildren... and two great-grandsons, Zheng Gang and Zheng Hua."

After introducing the members of his family, a look of confusion appeared in Ping Zeyuan's eyes as he curiously looked at Jiang Chen: "I've heard of the name Head of the Jiang Family, but I don't understand why today you've come here with people from the Qingyuan Family!"

"Old Master just mentioned 'hiding here' and suspected we were people from the Royal Family. Is this Royal Family the one of Beihai National? I wonder if Old Master could explain this a bit?" Jiang Chen didn't answer Ping Zeyuan's question but asked in return.

Ping Zeyuan stared directly into Jiang Chen's eyes, examining them carefully for a while, and gestured towards the wooden table where Ping Zhenggang and his sister had been sitting: "Please, have a seat."

"Alright!"

Jiang Chen nodded, stepping towards the wooden table.

Everyone gathered around the table, with Jiang Chen and Ping Zeyuan sitting face to face, Mi Jiaro and Wu Qianxun sitting in the other two seats.

Glancing at the standing Old Master Tang, Ping Zeyuan was a bit surprised, casting a deep look at Mi Jiaro and Wu Qianxun before finally settling his gaze on Jiang Chen:

"Mr. Jiang, since you can ask such a question, it proves you're not sent by the Royal Family, perhaps you mistook us for members of the Soul Devouring Group?"

"Perhaps." Jiang Chen replied calmly.

Ping Zeyuan chuckled softly: "Mr. Jiang, do you mind if I tell an old story?"

"Please go ahead."

Jiang Chen nodded in acknowledgment.

"Since people from the Qingyuan Family are present, you probably already know that we are indeed one of the three Divine Artifact guardianship families of Beihai National, members of the Pingchang Family!"

Ping Zeyuan spoke softly, his eyes reflecting a look of reminiscence.

Back when various forces helped the first emperor unite Beihai National, some chose to retire, others joined the court. The Pingchang Family, like the Qingyuan Family, chose to retire.

During the unification wars, the Pingchang Family, Qingyuan Family, and Futian Family displayed formidable strength but also exposed the fact that they held Divine Artifacts.

Since then, the title of Divine Artifact guardianship family was placed upon them.

After the wars, the three Divine Artifact guardian families became leaders in Beihai National's Martial Dao World, frequently visited, with the first emperor often seeking their court service.

Later, the Qingyuan and Pingchang Families became weary of constant disturbance and chose to retreat, leaving only the Futian Family to join the court.

A thousand years ago, a tower mysteriously appeared in Beihai National's Divine Palace overnight, and that very night, the Futian Family was slaughtered, completely annihilated!

That incident had significant repercussions but was suppressed by the emperor of that time.

The then head of the Pingchang Family sensed something amiss and covertly relocated the family.

A century ago, the emperor of that time found the Pingchang Family, inviting them to join the court, but the offer was declined by the head of the Pingchang Family at that time, Ping Zeyuan's grandfather, when Ping Zeyuan was not yet five years old.

At the age of five, Ping Zeyuan entered the family's secret grounds to undergo Divine Artifact body refinement, yet on that very day, the Royal Family launched a surprise attack, slaughtering the Pingchang Family. At that time, the old master of the family sacrificed his life to send Ping Zeyuan out, yet the Divine Artifacts were seized by the Royal Family!

Ping Zeyuan's great-grandfather fled with him to Flame Dragon, hiding in the ancient capital, quietly establishing the current Ping Family.

"Great-grandfather passed away fifty years ago due to the end of his life, and now, the Pingchang Family consists only of the nine of us!"

After finishing his account, Ping Zeyuan looked up at Jiang Chen: "Mr. Jiang, can you tell us the purpose of your visit now?"

Jiang Chen was silent for a while before turning to look at Ying Zi beside him.

Ying Zi spoke softly: "A century ago, there were indeed rumors of the Pingchang Family's destruction, but because they had disappeared once a thousand years ago, no one believed it this time, assuming they had simply relocated again."

Jiang Chen nodded, gazing directly into Ping Zeyuan's eyes: "What plans does Old Master Ping have for the future of the Pingchang Family?"

"I have no plans; I only wish for the family to continue on!" Ping Zeyuan shook his head gently, speaking calmly.

"Mr. Jiang, you mentioned Zheng Gang possesses the strength of an Innate Grandmaster, so what level is Brother Ping's strength?"

Old Master Tang suddenly asked a question that seemed somewhat puzzling.

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