Chen Taichong’s appearance shocked everyone, and it caused the atmosphere here to become deathly silent.

The faces Chen Clan’s members were covered in surprise and reverence, and there was even dazed expression from being taken by surprise.

Since Chen Lingjun had chosen to reincarnate all those years ago, Chen Taichong had gone into closed door cultivation and lived in seclusion, and he hadn’t shown himself until now.

Even if it was the other clansmen of the Chen Clan, it had been too long since they saw Chen Taichong. So, no one had imagined that he would actually show himself at a time like this.

Even more surprising to them was that he’d actually spoken himself to disprove Chen Lingkong’s decision, and he’d even ordered the release of the criminal Chen Lingjun and his wife. So, it had caught all of the Chen Clan’s clansmen slightly off guard.

Why has this happened?

It’s just a fellow like Chen Xi, is it really worth it for Ancestor Chen Taichong himself to make an appearance?The spectators in the surroundings couldn’t help but be shocked, and they were unable to calm down.

Chaotic divine radiance flowed in midair while golden light enshrouded the surroundings, and it caused Chen Taichong’s figure to seem like that of a supreme god from the legends.

Chen Lingkong’s imposing aura instantly waned when facing this ‘living fossil’ of the Chen Clan who possessed unfathomable strength and had the highest seniority in the clan.

Chen Lingkong’s expression changed indeterminately, and it was a long time before he gritted his teeth and said, “But....”

Chen Taichong said decisively, “No buts.”

In an instant, Chen Lingkong’s body stiffened while his hands couldn’t help but tremble. He’d acutely noticed that the situation seemed to have escaped his control.

But... why? Chen Lingkong couldn’t figure it out.

Right at this moment, Wu Xuechan cupped his fists and said, “Thank you for allowing it, Senior.”

“There’s no need for that. Actually, even if all of you didn’t come here, this matter has already come to a time where it has to be put an end to.” Chen Taichong sighed.

Put an end to? Chen Lingkong muttered in his heart. Put an end to what?

Before he could fight it out, he heard Chen Taichong instruct him. “Lingkong, the competition for the next successor has come to an end, so I’ll leave it to you to deal with everything else.”

After that, he said to Wu Xuechan and Tang Xian, “Please come meet me at my humble abode later.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure transformed into a ball of brilliant specs of light that swiftly vanished in the air.

...

Chen Taichong’s departure simultaneously represented that this competition which was filled with unpredictable turns of events had finally come to an end, and it was naturally Chen Xi who obtained victory in the end.

However, no one announced this outcome.

Because everyone knew that Chen Xi was merely an outside. So, even if he’d obtained victory in the end, how could he possibly possess the qualifications to assume the position of successor?

Chen Xi wasn’t displeased by this at all because the victory itself was already sufficient to him. As long as he could take his parents back with him, then he didn’t care about the qualifications to become the successor of the Chen Clan.

When he thought about how Chen Taichong had agreed to let his parents go, Chen Xi couldn’t help but feel excited, and it was even to the extent that he’d forgotten the injuries that covered his entire body.

...

Everything had come to an end.

Chen Lingkong’s expression was gloomy, and he left hastily while his mind seemed to be laden with problems. No one knew where he’d gone.

The clansmen of the Chen Clan had left successively as well. Some sighed with emotion while some wanted to watch the battles for longer....

The string of battles that occurred today were truly too shocking, and they were so interesting that it was simply indescribable with words.

But no matter what, this competition had made all the clansmen of the Chen Clan remember a name — Chen Xi!

It belonged to an outsider that they’d rejected, ridiculed, and mocked before this, yet now, he was a dazzling figure that they couldn’t overlook and had to respect!

The guests who came from the other Divine Dao Protector Clans had bid their farewells and left successively as well. Everything they’d witnessed today was similarly a rare experience, and it had given them too much shock and surprise.

Obviously, it wouldn’t be too long after these guests left that everything related to Chen Xi would definitely be spread to the other clans amongst the Divine Dao Protector Clans.

...

“Little Junior Brother, congratulations. You really gave both Tang Xian and I a pleasant surprise.” Wu Xuechan moved forward to greet Chen Xi when he saw Chen Xi walking down the combat arena, and he had an expression of gratification and praise.

“You did well.” Tang Xian praised as well.

Chen Xi smiled, and then he couldn’t help but say. “Senior Brothers, I....”

As if he knew what Chen Xi was about to say, Wu Xuechan pointed at Chen Xi and said, “They’ll be even more worried if you were to see them like that.”

Chen Xi was stunned, and then he looked down and saw the blood and injuries that covered his body. Chen Xi couldn’t help but laugh bitterly as he said, “Senior Brother, you’re right.”

“Come, let’s head back and clean up, and then I’ll take you to see Chen Taichong. We have to pass through him in order to take your parents back without any obstruction. Fortunately, that old fellow has agreed to it, so I believe he won’t interfere further.” Wu Xuechan smiled as he spoke, and then he left swiftly with Chen Xi and Tang Xian.

...

After the time for an incense stick to burn, Chen Xi had finished washing up and had changed into a completely new set of green clothes. He’s tied his snow white hair into a bun behind him, and he seemed to be very neat.

Only he was clearly aware that his clothes were covering his body that was covered in countless unhealed scars.

The successive rounds of the competition had caused Chen Xi’s physical strength to be greatly exhausted, and it was even to the extent that his injured body couldn’t be fully healed within a short period of time.

But how could Chen Xi pay any attention to all of that when he desired to see his parents as soon as possible?

Before long, Wu Xuechan and Tang Xian had led Chen Xi along as they teleported through space and arrived at the centermost area of the Nine Spirit World.

There were only a few mountains and lakes scattered around this area, and it was secluded, peaceful, and picturesque.

It seemed to be ordinary yet was actually a forbidden area in the entire Chen Clan because Chen Taichong and the other ‘living fossils’ of the Chen Clan resided here.

Chen Xi’s group descended at one of the mountains, and they saw a store house that was rough, simple, and could even be described as primitive standing there.

There was even an enormous black beast skins hanging on the wall of the house, and there was a pair of snow white and sharp fangs on the other side of it.

Regardless of whether it was the black beast skin or the snow white fangs, both of them were extremely ordinary and weren’t precious treasures at all. However, they seemed to be very ancient and were filled with an aura of age that assaulted the face. They seemed as if they’d been hanging there for countless years.

The simply and primitive stone house coupled with the beast skin and fangs of unknown age made the atmosphere here seem heavy and desolate. It was like they’d returned to the primitive times from countless years ago.

The stone house had no door, and its entrance was only covered by a grass mat.

Wu Xuechan directly opened up the cover mat and led their group in as soon as they arrived here.

It was dime and quite small within the stone house, and it was decorated in a rather simple manner. There didn’t seem to be anything worthy of attention here.

If he didn’t know that this was where the Ancestor of the Chen Clan, Chen Taichong, lived, Chen Xi would have almost thought that he’d arrived at a simple farmhouse that could only be found in the rural areas of the mortal world.

However, when he noticed Chen Taichong who sat there casually with his legs crossed, Chen Xi instantly felt that this house had become completely different.

Chen Taichong’s figure was very thin while his entire body carried an ordinary, simple, heavy, and ancient aura. He didn’t seem dazzling like he had earlier, and there wasn’t a trace of chaotic energy or dazzling golden light throughout his entire body.

However, while he just sat there casually, he emanated an otherworldly, divine, and supreme aura. It was exactly this aura that made the dim stone house become different, and it was covered in a divine, desolate, ancient, and primitive aura.

“Senior, thank you for your hospitality.” Wu Xuechan cupped his hands.

“Sit.” Chen Taichong waved his hand casually to indicate that Wu Xuechan and the others should take a seat. Only then did he shoot his gaze towards Chen Xi, and then a wisp of emotion arose on his thin and indifferent face.

“This little fellow was truly surprising. He’s even superior to the Chen Lingjun from all those years ago. However, I never expected that such a little fellow who’s clearly closely related to my Chen Clan would have actually been seized by your Oracle Mountain.” His voice was ancient and hoarse.

“Seized?” Wu Xuechan chuckled and shook his head. “Senior, that’s not right. My Oracle Mountain never does such things.”

Chen Taichong grunted while his gaze still lingered upon Chen Xi. He was sizing Chen Xi up as if he was appreciating a rare and precious treasure, and it simply caused Chen Xi to feel wave of discomfort.

When even Chen Xi was slightly unable to endure it any longer, Chen Taichong finally withdrew his gaze and sighed. “I finally believe the two of you. This kid... is really impossible to see through or understand.”

Chen Xi was stunned.

He knew that Wu Xuechan and Tang Xian had paid a visit to an ancestor of the Chen Clan before the Ancestral Worship Ceremony had begun, but even he didn’t know what exactly they’d discussed.

Now, when he heard Chen Taichong’s sigh, he finally vaguely guessed that most of their topics of conversation were definitely related to him!

Otherwise, Chen Taichong would have probably not made an appearance when the 2nd round of the competition was about to end.

“Since Senior believes us, then can you allow my Little Junior Brother to meet Chen Lingjun and his wife right now?” Wu Xuechan smiled as he spoke these words.

“Of course.” Chen Taichong agreed without the slightly hesitation, but he smiled and said right after that, “However, there’s no rush. I still have something to ask of him before they meet each other.

Chen Xi couldn’t help but be shocked in his heart upon hearing these words. Because Chen Taichong was such a formidable figure, so how could something he asked for be ordinary?

If Wu Xuechan and Tang Xian weren’t by his side, Chen Xi wouldn’t have almost thought that Chen Taichong was making things difficult for him on purpose and was obstructing him from seeing his parents.

Wu Xuechan said casually, “Senior, please go ahead.”

“It’s very simply. Allow this kid to represent my Chen Clan in the Battle of Dao Protectors that will be held in 500 years from now.” Chen Taichong grinned as he spoke these words.

The Battle of Dao Protectors? Chen Xi was puzzled, and he couldn’t help but look at Tang Xian.

Tang Xian shook his head instead to indicate that Chen Xi should calm himself.

Wu Xuechan pondered seriously for a short while before he said with a contemplative tone, “I heard that only descendants of the Divine Dao Protector Clans can participate in the Battle of Dao Protectors....”

As if he knew what Wu Xuechan intended to say, Chen Taichong smiled and interrupted him. “There’s no need to worry about that. Since the little fellow has the Chen surname and is a descendant of Lingjun, then he’s naturally considered a descendant of the Divine Dao Protector Clans.”

Wu Xuechan spoke with surprise. “So, you intend to acknowledge my Little Junior Brother as a member of the Chen Clan?”

Chen Taichong grunted coldly and said, “This little fellow was always a descendant of my Chen Clan, so why would I need to acknowledge it now?”

He paused for a moment before his thin and handsome face was covered in a wisp of an arrogant expression. “It’s even to the extent that if he agrees to participate in the Battle of Dao Protectors, then even inheriting the position of Patriarch in the future isn’t out of the question!”