"Oh, so that's how it is," Xiao Anjun breathed a sigh of relief.

He had always been worried about Jiang Chen's relationship with Lu Chengfeng, especially since Lu Chengfeng appeared to care a great deal about Jiang Chen based on his expression when he saw Jiang Chen at that time. Now, hearing that it was an old friend and moreover that the friend had died decades ago, he let go of his concerns.

An old friend who passed away decades ago suddenly showing up is indeed quite exciting, but after the excitement fades, he probably won't pay much attention to Jiang Chen. An old friend dead for decades surely means that the intimacy has faded considerably, and Jiang Chen's Yi Chen is still far from reaching a level that would make Lu Chengfeng take notice.

After easing his mind, Xiao Anjun chatted idly with Lu Chengfeng for a few more moments before taking his leave.

Watching Xiao Anjun's retreating figure, Lu Chengfeng shook his head gently, "This Xiao Anjun, really... A tremendous opportunity was laid out in front of him, yet he stubbornly pushed it away."

...

Cangmang Mountain, located in the eastern part of S Province and stretching to the eastern sea.

Deep within Cangmang Mountain, there lies a nameless peak that cannot be found on any map, but those in the Martial Dao World know it well. This peak is called Chi Xiao Mountain, the location of the Chixiao Sect, one of the Six Great Sects of the Martial Dao World.

At the foot of the mountain, a Hummer stopped in a clear area. Jiang Chen, carrying a walking stick, got out of the vehicle along with Lu Chengfeng and Chen Tao.

"Mr. Jiang, this is the location of our sect. Chi Xiao Mountain does not allow vehicles to enter, we can only make our way up on foot," Lu Chengfeng pointed at the towering peak ahead and softly explained.

"Alright!"

Jiang Chen's heart was bursting with excitement, his eyes filled with anticipation as he looked towards Chi Xiao Mountain. Father, your son is coming, and soon I will see you.

"Let's go!" Chen Tao called out and led the way up the mountain path.

There was no grand entrance gate or signboard at the base of Chi Xiao Mountain as those depicted in dramas about sects, just a rugged and narrow mountain path.

The three of them stepped onto the path and, when they rounded a small hill at the waist of the mountain, a deep chasm appeared before them. The chasm was more than thirty meters wide and bottomless, with an iron chain bridge spanning between the cliffs. Two young men stood on the opposite side of the bridge.

"Who goes there? This is private property, entry is forbidden, please leave!" The youths on the other side of the bridge shouted when they saw Jiang Chen and his companions.

Chen Tao stepped forward and shouted back, "It's me, Chen Tao!"

"Brother Chen Tao?!" The youths on the bridge showed a hint of surprise, and upon a closer look, indeed it was Chen Tao. They couldn't help but smile, "Brother Chen Tao, you have such good timing. The chief disciple battle of our sect has already entered the final round and you've just arrived. Hurry over, or you'll miss the finals!"

"Alright!" Chen Tao smiled, waved to the two behind him, and stepped onto the iron chain bridge, with Jiang Chen and the other following behind.

After crossing the bridge, the two youths glanced at Lu Chengfeng and Jiang Chen, their gazes filled with doubt as they looked towards Chen Tao, "We've seen the Lu Family Head before, but who is this man?"

"This is a friend of mine, who has heard about the grand event of our Chixiao Sect and has come to see it," Chen Tao softly explained.

"Since Brother Chen Tao vouches for him, then there should be no problem. You all should hurry up, it seems the final has already started!" one of the youths said with a light laugh.

"Alright!" Chen Tao nodded his head and led Jiang Chen and the others up the path beyond the bridge.

After winding their way for half an hour, the three of them rounded a mountaintop and suddenly, the view opened up before them; they had reached a spacious area.

"Good!"

"Beautiful!"

"Worthy of Ming Long indeed!"

A burst of cheers rang out, causing a sharp jolt in Jiang Chen's heart, and he hurriedly looked up.

Before them was a large, flat plaza, to the north of the plaza stood a range of pavilions exuding an ancient aura, with towering peaks to the east, west, and south.

In the square, there was a huge arena where eight elders were seated on the northern side, each with a varying number of men and women standing behind them. The west, south, and east sides of the arena were all surrounded by a crowd.

At that moment on the arena, a middle-aged man looked triumphantly at his opponent, who was slowly rising from the ground.

"That's Uncle Master Jiang Minglong, a top presence among the inner sect disciples, and one of the strongest contenders for the position of Chief Disciple," Chen Tao explained as he walked toward the arena.

Lu Chengfeng paused for a moment at these words and turned to look at Jiang Chen; upon noticing Jiang Chen's expression, he immediately understood—this Jiang Minglong must be the person Mr. Jiang was searching for!

At this moment, Jiang Chen was overwhelmed with excitement, not even hearing what Chen Tao said; his eyes were fixed intently on the commanding figure standing tall in the arena, a surge of strong impulse welling up inside him.

That was his father. That was his own father. That was the father he had lost many years ago!

A strong bitterness emerged from the depths of his heart, as if all the suffering and grievances he had endured over the years had suddenly come flooding back, and Jiang Chen's eyes quickly moistened.

Unconsciously, Jiang Chen started stepping forward.

At the same time, a terrifying aura burst forth from within him.

Wherever he went, no one could withstand it, and all were pushed back by his aura, stumbling retreat.

Within moments, a pathway had opened up before him.

"Mr. Jiang!" Realizing something was amiss with Jiang Chen, Lu Chengfeng called out in a low voice.

Jiang Chen shuddered, regaining his senses, and looked around. He had unknowingly made his way under the arena, and the people around him were staring at him with astonished eyes.

"Mr. Jiang, this might be a bit inappropriate, don't you think?" Chen Tao frowned as he looked at Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen was stunned for a moment and said in surprise, "What did I do?"

"You don't know?" Chen Tao's eyes widened, his face full of bewilderment.

Lu Chengfeng explained in a low voice, "Mr. Jiang, you just emitted a force that pushed everyone in front of you away."

"I... I'm sorry!"

Jiang Chen then realized and quickly glanced around, seeing that no one was hurt, only astonished, he let out a sigh of relief and apologized.

It seems that he had involuntarily released the aura of an Innate Grandmaster due to his emotional surge, pushing people away.

Jiang Chen did not intend to do so. Before figuring out whether Jiang Minglong had been wronged, Jiang Chen had no desire to cause a scene, but if Jiang Minglong had been subjected to any unfair treatment... he clenched the hand holding his staff tighter.

Hmm?

Suddenly, Jiang Chen noticed several subtle yet powerful auras approaching him, and he turned to look behind the arena.

"Who are those people?" he asked while emitting his own aura, blocking the auras that extended toward him in an attempt to probe.

The eight elders sitting on the northern side of the arena all frowned and looked at Jiang Chen simultaneously.

"The elder in the center wearing the white robe is Sect Master Lin Jiuxiao of our sect. The elder in green robe beside him is the Great Elder Fan Kedi. The remaining six are, respectively, Second Elder Lu Zhengqiu, Third Elder Wang Dazhi, Fourth Elder Crooked Liu, Fifth Elder Zhang Mingqiang, Sixth Elder Mo Tianze, and the Seventh Elder, who is also the only female elder and the Great Elder's biological sister, Fan Shuqian. The people behind them are their direct disciples," Lu Chengfeng explained in a low voice.

Jiang Chen looked gravely at Lin Jiuxiao, Fan Kedi, and Mo Tianze, among them, the three auras that had attempted to probe him and made him feel threatened.

It seems the strength of the Chixiao Sect should indeed not be underestimated!

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