Translator: CinderTL
"Senior," Jiang Ye couldn't help but say, "these are far too precious."
He had no blood relation to the Chen Family Patriarch.
Why was the man being so generous to him?
The combined value of the three treasures could probably buy the entire city of Tianhai.
"Since Xiaolu has taken a liking to you, I will naturally do everything in my power to assist you," Chen Jiuxuan said with a gentle smile, his tone frank. "Of course, I have my own selfish motives as well."
"Please speak freely, Senior," Jiang Ye replied respectfully.
"Your innate talent is extraordinary—the most astonishing genius I've witnessed in the past five hundred years," Chen Jiuxuan said with a smile. "I believe you will undoubtedly achieve demigod status in the future."
"Perhaps even lead Blue Star to a higher level of existence."
"However, I certainly won't live to see that day," Chen Jiuxuan said, shaking his head with a wry smile.
Jiang Ye couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"My time is running out. My lifespan is nearing its end," Chen Jiuxuan sighed.
"Senior, you—?" Jiang Ye's eyes widened in shock.
This was the first time he had heard about this.
"Heh, no need to be surprised."
"Even demigod-level experts can only live for five hundred years," Chen Jiuxuan said with a calm smile. "I've already surpassed that age and could perish at any moment."
"The Chen Clan still maintains its status as a transcendent family only because I'm still alive."
"Once I'm gone, the Chen Clan's situation may become quite precarious."
"Of course, given the Chen Clan's deep foundations, it won't decline immediately."
"But what worries me is that the Chen Clan hasn't produced a single transcendent in generations," Chen Jiuxuan sighed. "In a century, we'll be reduced to a third-rate family, or worse, cease to exist entirely."
Jiang Ye fell silent, instantly understanding Chen Jiuxuan's concerns.
The greatest strength of a transcendent family isn't their Transcendent Aptitude, but their demigod-level experts!
If a demigod falls, the family can still hope to endure if they have other transcendent members. After all, there's always a chance for a transcendent to achieve demigod status.
But the Chen Clan has no transcendent in this generation.
Most of the Chen Clan members with Transcendent Aptitude are over 250 years old, frail and elderly, with little hope of breaking through to demigod status.
No wonder Senior Sister has been under so much pressure, Jiang Ye thought, recalling Teacher Qiu's words: Chen Zilu carries a heavy burden.
Now, he fully understood the weight of those words.
"Senior," Jiang Ye said, "are you asking me to help the Chen Clan?"
"Of course not," Chen Jiuxuan replied, shaking his head. "You're still too weak to get involved. There's no need for you to be dragged into this."
"I have only two wishes."
"First, I want you and Xiaolu to live well and strive to grow stronger."
"Second, if the Chen Clan faces disaster in the future, I hope you'll take the clan's core members and preserve the last embers of our lineage." Chen Jiuxuan spoke with solemn earnestness.
"Alright," Jiang Ye nodded.
Having received such kindness, he had no reason to refuse.
"Oh, right," Chen Jiuxuan suddenly remembered. "There's one last thing."
"Senior, please speak freely," Jiang Ye said.
"Xiaolu carries a secret within her," Chen Jiuxuan said, looking at him. "The Hidden God Organization, and even some transcendent families, are deeply interested in this secret."
"A secret?" Jiang Ye was taken aback. He had no idea about this.
Chen Zilu had never mentioned it either.
"I'm not entirely sure what it is myself," Chen Jiuxuan said, shaking his head. "Perhaps it's related to her innate aptitude."
"Innate aptitude?" Jiang Ye asked, puzzled.
"You must know that one universally accepted truth on Blue Star is that innate aptitude cannot be improved," Chen Jiuxuan explained. "Yet the Hidden God Organization has been secretly conducting experiments to enhance it."
Jiang Ye's heart skipped a beat.
He immediately recalled the Talent Research Institute he had encountered before.
The Hidden God Organization had indeed been secretly researching this.
But what did this have to do with Chen Zilu?
"Senior," Jiang Ye couldn't help but ask, "are you saying that my senior sister's secret is related to enhancing innate aptitude?"
"That's just my speculation," Chen Jiuxuan said with a faint smile. "Don't worry, I'm not putting any pressure on you."
"I only hope that if Xiaolu ever faces danger in the future, you will protect her," Chen Jiuxuan said, looking at Jiang Ye. "After all, you will surpass her sooner or later."
"I will," Jiang Ye replied sincerely.
Chen Zilu facing danger?
Even without Chen Jiuxuan's words, Jiang Ye would have risked everything to protect her.
"Haha," Chen Jiuxuan chuckled. "It seems you truly care for her. That puts my mind at ease."
Jiang Ye scratched his head, unsure how to respond, and could only smile awkwardly.
Chen Jiuxuan stopped teasing him and said seriously, "Do you have any questions? Now is the time to ask."
Jiang Ye pondered for a moment.
Soon, he spoke up. "Senior," he began, "regarding the Hundred Cosmic Refinements, will I be allowed to participate again next year?"
"I won't come empty-handed."
"If I take someone else's spot, I'll do my best to compensate them," Jiang Ye added.
"You may," Chen Jiuxuan agreed without hesitation.
Then he asked, "You want to attempt the hundredth level?"
"Yes," Jiang Ye nodded. "I want to try."
"There's no need to force yourself," Chen Jiuxuan said with a smile. "Even if you only reach the ninety-ninth level next time, you'll still receive a reward."
"The reward might be slightly less generous than this time, though."
He was worried Jiang Ye might push himself too hard and die in the trial.
"This junior understands," Jiang Ye replied.
"But having reached the ninety-ninth level," Jiang Ye said with a smile, "it would be a shame not to try the final challenge."
"True," Chen Jiuxuan nodded. "In that case, come back next year and try again."
"I wonder if this old man will still be around by then. Heh heh..."
After a long while, Jiang Ye left the mansion with the three treasures Chen Jiuxuan had gifted him.
He hadn't gone far when suddenly—
"Little friend Jiang Ye, please wait!" A voice called out, followed by a figure flashing into existence before him.
The figure wore a long gray robe, with long hair coiled behind his head.
It was Chen Fang.
"Little friend Jiang Ye," Chen Fang said with a beaming smile. "I'm Zilu's uncle, Chen Fang."
"I'm very optimistic about your relationship with Zilu."
"I was rather remiss during our last meeting," Chen Fang said apologetically. "Please accept this as a belated greeting gift from Uncle Fang."
As he spoke, Chen Fang flipped his palm, revealing a storage ring.
Jiang Ye looked at him, a hint of surprise in his expression. He remembered this man from their previous encounter at the banquet hall, where he had clearly sensed a hostile attitude. But now? It was as if they were two entirely different people.
If I refuse, it might make future interactions awkward, Jiang Ye thought.
A moment later, he smiled and said, "Uncle Fang, there's no need for such formalities. Given your status, it's the junior who should be offering greetings first."
"However," Jiang Ye continued with a smile, "since this is a greeting gift for both me and my senior sister, I'll accept it on her behalf. I'll invite you for a drink another day, Uncle Fang. Please do come."
He took the storage ring.
Chen Fang paused briefly, then burst into hearty laughter. "Good, I'll definitely be there."
"Uncle Fang, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Jiang Ye said.
"Alright, go ahead," Chen Fang nodded repeatedly.
Jiang Ye immediately transformed into a streak of flowing light and departed.
Left behind, Chen Fang watched him go, his expression thoughtful.
"That kid..."
"He really knows how to talk," Chen Fang said, shaking his head helplessly. "No wonder that girl Chen Zilu is so devoted to him."
With such outstanding innate talent, a charming way with words, and, most importantly, a strikingly handsome appearance!
Chen Fang asked himself, if he were to be reborn as a young woman, he too would be utterly captivated by Jiang Ye.
TL/N: Ayo wtf.
(End of the Chapter)
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