My heart yearned for home, and my horse's hooves pounded the ground with urgency!
Small Lake Town shimmered in the sunlight, now just a short ride away.
Chen Zong felt an indescribable surge of excitement.
Upon entering the Clan Hall, Martial Apprentices were forbidden from leaving for a year. To return home, they had to either become martial artists or face expulsion.
The chestnut stallion drew the attention of many townsfolk, but none recognized Chen Zong. After eleven long months, his transformation into a martial artist had altered his appearance and bearing so profoundly that only those who knew him intimately could still recognize him.
He entered the Chen Clan's territory.
"Who's that?"
"So dashing!"
Several Chen Clan disciples stared at Chen Zong's figure with a mix of confusion and envy.
"Chen Zong!"
Chen Zhongjie and Chen Dalei would never forget Chen Zong's face. Even with the changes, they recognized him instantly.
"How did this guy get back here?"
"Could he have been expelled from the Clan Hall?"
"It must be," Chen Zhongjie said excitedly, his voice dripping with malice. "That guy probably stumbled upon some incredible luck and managed to beat Brother Gang to become a Clan Hall disciple. Now his true colors are finally showing."
Chen Dalei, however, remained silent, unconvinced. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story. If Chen Zong had been expelled, how could he possibly be riding such a magnificent steed?
The stallion halted before the gate, and Chen Zong dismounted. Hearing the approaching hoofbeats, the door swung open, revealing a tall, lean figure—Chen Zhengtang!
"Father!" Chen Zong shouted.
"Son?" Chen Zhengtang rubbed his eyes, thinking he was seeing things. But no, it was indeed his son, Chen Zong. A broad smile lit up his face.
Chen Zong noticed that his father's temples had turned even whiter, and his complexion was paler than before. Yet his spirit seemed stronger than ever.
Chen Zhengtang, in turn, observed the remarkable transformation in his son. He was completely different from when he had left.
At that moment, a petite figure emerged from the house, leaving Chen Zong speechless.
As Chen Zong listened to his father's story, he finally understood.
Shortly after he had left for the Clan Hall, his mother's sister's husband—his uncle—had gone hunting in the mountains and tragically died after encountering a demon beast, leaving his aunt and her son alone.
Under normal circumstances, his aunt could have supported herself and her son. However, her son had an insatiable appetite, and she lacked the means to provide for him. Desperate, she had brought him to Small Lake Town to seek refuge with Chen Zhengtang, unaware that he had lost his cultivation base and become a cripple.
Nevertheless, since they had already arrived, Chen Zhengtang had allowed them to stay, reasoning that they could support each other.
"Aunt, please feel free to settle in," Chen Zong said with a smile. Looking at her features, he could faintly imagine what his mother must have looked like.
"Thank you," Yang Biqing nodded, her gaze toward Chen Zong softening with tenderness.
"By the way, why did you return?" Chen Zhengtang asked belatedly, his voice tinged with anxiety. He feared his son might have committed some transgression at the Clan Hall and been expelled.
"Father, Aunt, I've become a martial artist," Chen Zong announced with a grin.
"Good lad! Haha! I knew you could do it!" Chen Zhengtang exclaimed, visibly relieved. His earlier anxiety had been born of concern.
"Chen Zong has definitely inherited your talent, brother-in-law," Yang Biqing said with a gentle smile. Though not conventionally beautiful, she possessed a quiet grace and elegance. "Becoming a martial artist was practically guaranteed for him."
"Did you break through on your first attempt?" Chen Zhengtang asked.
"Yes, just a few days ago."
Chen Zhengtang didn't press further, assuming Chen Zong had tempered his Blood Qi three times before breaking through. Little did he know that Chen Zong had actually tempered it seven times. Since Chen Zhengtang didn't ask, Chen Zong didn't offer the information.
The three sat together, bathed in the warmth of familial contentment.
Suddenly, the door slid open, and two figures entered.
"Mom, Uncle Chen, I'm back!" a deep, booming voice announced, like the muffled toll of a giant bell. Chen Zong turned to see a hulking youth with a surprisingly youthful face standing beside Chen Yiming.
"Yiming!" Chen Zong greeted with a smile.
"You're... Brother Zong!" Chen Yiming exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. "How did you manage to come back?"
"I reached the fourth layer of the Qi Blood Realm and became a martial artist, so I came back to visit," Chen Zong replied, smiling at his childhood friend.
"Chen Zong, let me introduce you," Chen Zhengtang said. "This is Yang Lie, your aunt's son. He just turned twelve. A'Lie, this is my son, Chen Zong. You can call him Brother Zong, just like Yiming does."
"Brother Zong," Yang Lie said, scratching his head with an earnest grin.
"Just call me A'Lie," Chen Zong replied with a warm smile, feeling a wave of warmth wash over him. He couldn't recall ever experiencing such a comforting feeling since childhood.
Though only twelve years old, Yang Lie was already as tall as Chen Zong. His sturdy, well-proportioned build radiated raw strength without appearing bulky, exuding immense power from head to toe.
"Brother Zong, I've already started teaching A'Lie the Tiger Force Fist Technique," Chen Yiming chimed in eagerly.
Now that Yang Biqing and Yang Lie had settled here with the Chen Clan's approval, they were considered full members of the family. With Yang Lie having turned twelve, he was eligible to learn the clan's Foundation Establishment Martial Arts.
"Thank you for your hard work," Chen Zong said with a smile.
"Brother Zong, guess how strong A'Lie is!" Chen Yiming asked mysteriously. Noticing the knowing smiles on Chen Zhengtang and Yang Biqing's faces, Chen Zong wondered if Yang Lie, like Chen Guzhan, possessed innate superhuman strength.
"You won't believe this—A'Lie hasn't even reached the first layer of the Qi Blood Realm yet, but he can lift five hundred pounds with one arm!" Chen Yiming burst into laughter.
Chen Zong was genuinely stunned.
Five hundred pounds with one arm!
That was the standard strength for a cultivator at the peak of the third layer of the Qi Blood Realm.
So, his newly met younger brother was born with extraordinary strength.
If A'Lie reached the peak of the third layer of the Qi Blood Realm, how strong would his single arm become?
A thousand pounds?
Or even more?
Suddenly, a flicker of anticipation ignited within Chen Zong's heart.
"Since A'Lie possesses innate strength, the Tiger Force Fist Technique isn't suitable for him," Chen Zong said. "It won't allow him to truly leverage his natural advantages."
"Our Branch Clan only has three Foundation Establishment Martial Arts," Chen Zhengtang replied, equally aware of the situation. "And the Tiger Force Fist Technique is the most appropriate for A'Lie under these circumstances."
Chen Zong understood the limitations, but he had an alternative.
"I saw a Foundation Establishment Martial Art in the Clan Hall called Heavy Fist," Chen Zong said. "It's perfectly suited for those with immense natural strength and yields far better results than the Tiger Force Fist Technique. I'll teach it to A'Lie in the next few days."
"Thank you, Brother Zong!" Yang Lie exclaimed eagerly.
"Chen Zong, get out here now!" A malevolent voice echoed from outside.
"It's Chen Zhigang," Chen Yiming's expression darkened, his tone urgent. "Brother Zong, ever since you defeated him, Chen Zhigang has been training day and night. He seems to have mastered a technique to enhance his strength even further."
"Hmm," Chen Zong murmured as he rose and walked outside. He was immediately met by the fierce glares of Chen Zhigang, Chen Dalei, and Chen Zhongjie.
"Chen Zong, ever since my defeat at your hands, I've trained relentlessly, driven by the sole purpose of crushing you. Today, my chance has finally come!" Chen Zhigang growled, his eyes burning with hatred. He adopted the opening stance of the Tiger Force Fist Technique, exuding a sense of seamless power as if transforming into a ferocious tiger. His skin flushed crimson.
Chen Zong instantly recognized that Chen Zhigang's Tiger Force Fist Technique had reached the verge of Perfection, poised to break through into the Perfection Realm at any moment. Furthermore, Chen Zhigang had also cultivated a Blood Qi Tempering method—though whether it was the Tiger's Roar Manual remained uncertain. Judging by the intensity of his skin's flush, Chen Zong deduced that Chen Zhigang's Blood Qi had been tempered three times.
"Tiger's Charge!" Chen Zhigang roared, exploding into motion. His fist, like a charging tiger's paw, shattered the air as it hurtled toward Chen Zong with merciless force.
Chen Zong casually swung his left fist. A resounding thud echoed as Chen Zhigang was sent flying backward, rolling like a tumbling gourd into Chen Dalei and Chen Zhongjie, knocking them all to the ground.
One punch!
Chen Zhigang was stunned. Despite his own significant improvement in strength, Chen Zong had defeated him with a single punch.
"Hahaha, Chen Zhigang, now you know your place!" Chen Yiming roared with laughter. "Brother Zong is a martial artist now—you're not even in the same league!"
"Chen Zhigang, if you want to settle scores with me, be my guest. But if you dare target my father, my aunt, or my younger brother Yang Lie, you'll face the consequences," Chen Zong said calmly, his voice laced with chilling killing intent. A piercing metallic clang echoed as his refined iron sword flashed from its scabbard, slicing through the air with blinding speed. The blade pointed directly at Chen Zhigang, sending a chill down his spine.
"I, Chen Zhigang, am not so despicable," Chen Zhigang snarled, rising shakily to his feet, his face pale with rage. He gritted his teeth, his voice dripping with bitterness.
Chen Zong sheathed his sword.
This minor incident did nothing to dampen Chen Zong's spirits. He was determined to preserve the joy and warmth he felt upon returning home, knowing that once he returned to the Clan Hall, it might be a long time before he had another chance to visit.
Over the next few days, Chen Zong focused on teaching Yang Lie the Heavy Fist technique.
Chen Zong hadn't deliberately studied the Heavy Fist, a Foundation Establishment Martial Art, but after watching Chen Guzhan demonstrate it countless times, he had internalized every stance and technique. With a little focused practice, he quickly mastered the art, making him more than capable of guiding Yang Lie's training.
Yang Lie possessed innate brute strength but a relatively simple mind and a good-natured personality. Intricate martial arts proved challenging for him, but the Heavy Fist, with its straightforward, overwhelming approach, suited him perfectly, allowing him to progress steadily.
Chen Yiming's cultivation base had already reached the peak of the third layer of the Qi Blood Realm, and his Tiger Force Fist Technique had broken through to Great Perfection. Chen Zong provided further guidance, deepening Yiming's understanding of the technique. He estimated that by the time the Clan's Martial Apprentice Battle arrived, Yiming would reach the Great Perfection Peak.
As for Father, with Auntie's care, his life had become more structured and regular.
Over the past few days, the Clan Leader and elders had visited to confirm Chen Zong's status as a martial artist. Overjoyed by the news, they also inquired about Chen Yuyao and Chen Yidao's situations.
In the blink of an eye, five days had passed, and it was time for Chen Zong to leave.
Chen Zong gathered his remaining thirty Vitality Pills. He gave ten to Chen Yiming, knowing they would be useful when he began studying the Tiger's Roar Manual at the Clan Hall. The other twenty pills he reserved for Yang Lie.
"Brother Zong, I'll come find you at the Clan Hall soon!" Chen Yiming shouted at Chen Zong's retreating figure as he rode away on horseback.
Chen Zong waved to acknowledge he had heard.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Chen Zong's silhouette receded into the distance, gradually fading from view until he disappeared completely.