Vol. 1 - Ch. 2 - The Crisis of the Family

“Chief, it's not good! The Li family is at our door!”As these words were uttered, a look of murderous indignation swept across the faces of everyone in the ancestral hall. Their eyes then collectively turned to the elder clutching the beast skin.

"Chief, we must fight them!"

"Yes, the Chen family will not be bullied so easily!"

...

Amidst the intense gazes of the people assembled, Chen Xingzhen, who was over sixty, bore a stern expression. Gone was his usual easy-going and respectful demeanor, replaced by a trace of righteous anger:

"Humph, the Li family thinks they can trample on the Chen family without any consequence!"

"If our clan is to face extermination, we will not let it be today! Sons of the Chen family, follow me!"

As a show of strength, the elderly Chen Xingzhen revealed the robust muscles beneath his loose clothing, leaving Ji Yang, who observed from above, struggling to reconcile this sight with that of a man in his sixties.

Fueled by this vigor, the others in the ancestral hall echoed with equal ferocity:

"To battle!"

The emotions were palpable as they swiftly left the ancestral hall.

Silence reclaimed the space in mere moments.

All that remained was a withered tree and a few bloodless beast carcasses beneath it.

As Ji Yang gazed upon the empty ancestral hall of the Chen family, fragmented memories surged up. The Chen family, a modest clan nestled near the Chaotic Burial Mountain, thrived on the abundant resources found there. But, scarcity bred conflict, and the smaller families depending on these resources were perpetually embroiled in conflicts.

Listening to the heated exchanges among the crowd, it became evident that the neighboring Li family had come knocking. The situation was dire. Outside, angry shouts reverberated, followed by the clash of weapons—a cacophony of battle and anguish.

Ji Yang, trapped as a mere tree, yearned to witness the unfolding drama. Alas, his wooden form denied him sight and he could only discern the ferocity of the struggle through the sounds.

“Quickly summon the old ancestor from his coffin!”

The Chen family’s chief commanded urgently.

The desperate act of invoking their forebear indicated the severity of their predicament.

Reflecting on the situation, Ji Yang deduced that the Chen family was at a disadvantage. Attacked within their own home, they faced a formidable adversary—the Li family.

Before Ji Yang could ponder the significance of the term ‘coffin,’ a disheveled Chen clan member burst into the ancestral hall where Ji Yang stood. The man emerged, cradling a broken corpse. His voice echoed through the hall:

“The ancestor has arrived!”

Ji Yang found himself somewhat speechless. It appeared that the Chen family still possessed some formidable means. As if confirming this suspicion, the arrival of the Chen family’s ancestor intensified the battle sounds outside the ancestral hall.

“Retreat!”

The unfamiliar command echoed, and gradually, the clamor subsided until it vanished altogether.

“The ancestor is mighty!”

The Chen family rejoiced as they carried their ‘ancestor’ back inside. However, this venerable forebear, already missing an arm, now had one leg less. The other Chen family members who accompanied him were equally worse for wear, many nursing serious injuries. It seemed their victory came at the cost of tragedy.

Working together, they respectfully returned the ‘ancestor’ to his resting place. After a brief period of worship, everyone dispersed, leaving the hall quiet once more.

Ji Yang, trapped in his withered form, sighed inwardly. Reincarnated as a tree, unable to speak or move, he endured this profound torment. The Chen family’s performance today dashed any hopes he harbored of converting qi and blood into vitality.

The Chen family is so unstable that it might be annihilated in a mere two days. Growing up here is too risky.

Ji Yang had already died once, he didn’t want to die a second time.

Moreover, this fascinating new world has piqued Ji Yang’s interest!

He needs to live a little longer, even if it means living as a tree!

Day quickly turned to night, the Chen family was quiet. Their estate lit with only a few dim oil lamps placed at various intersections.

In the Chen family ancestral hall, a locust tree that was only about two meters tall stood alone on one side of the hall. Its withered branches seemed weak, as if a strong wind could uproot it.

Under the night sky, a figure slowly walked out from the main entrance of the ancestral hall.

Ji Yang, who was quietly thinking, quickly noticed the movement in the hall and looked over.

Ji Yang doesn’t have eyes, but his consciousness is more useful than eyes, even in the pitch-black night, he can see the surroundings.

After Ji Yang saw the figure clearly, he realized that the person who came was none other than Chen Xingzhen, the current patriarch of the Chen family.

But what puzzled Ji Yang was, what was Chen Xingzhen doing in the family ancestral hall so late?

Ji Yang watched with interest, experiencing feelings different from his previous life!

After Chen Xingzhen walked into the ancestral hall with slow steps, he didn’t stop under Ji Yang’s divine tree, but went straight into the hall!

Looking up at the many spirit tablets above, Chen Xingzhen sighed, and then began to weep!

He muttered something about how hard it is for the family! And how it’s going to be destroyed in his hands!

Ji Yang outside listened and remained silent. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0ᴠᴇFɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

In fact, he also wanted to help the Chen family. After all, no matter what, he is the guardian divine tree of this family.

But considering that he was just a tree, Ji Yang’s emotions could not overcome reality.

Perhaps even if he took root here, he might not have the strength to help. It would be better to wait and see what happens, while waiting for the right time.

After Chen Xingzhen cried out his hardships, there was another sound of footsteps outside the ancestral hall.

Chen Xingzhen, who noticed the movement, put away the expression on his face and once again became the patriarch of the Chen family!

As the patriarch, he cannot show his sadness and helplessness!

“Patriarch, Qingyu requests to see you!”

“Come in.”

Soon, a robust young figure walked into the ancestral hall.

Ji Yang remembered this person. He was among those who worshiped him during the day. What left a deep impression on Ji Yang was that this person didn’t seem to respect him as much as others did, and even seemed a bit disgusted.

Seeing the two of them, Ji Yang suddenly remembered that he had a skill that he hadn’t used yet, and it was a good time to try it.

The next moment, Ji Yang used the Eye of Insight on the two of them.

With the activation of the skill, the information of the two quickly appeared in front of Ji Yang!

[Name: Chen Xingzhen]

[Age: 62]

[Realm: Late Stage of Blood Coagulation]

[Introduction: Patriarch of the Chen Family]

[Name: Chen Qingyu]

[Age: 23]

[Realm: Middle Stage of Blood Coagulation]

[Introduction: A genius of the younger generation of the Chen family]

The Blood Coagulation Realm, this is the unique cultivation system of this world!

Among them, there are the three realms of Body Refining: Body Tempering Realm, Blood Coagulation Realm, and Innate Realm!

Five realms of Qi Control: Inner Qi cultivation, Outer Gang Qi, Three Qi Gathering, Condensing Five Qi, Qi Unity!

Three realms of Spirit Condensation: Martial Dao Spirit Pill, True Fire Spirit Refining, Heaven and Earth Profound Spirit!

Finally, it is the realm of Martial Immortal!

It is said that reaching this realm means overcoming heaven!