Chen Yuan took a deep breath, picked up three sticks of incense, bowed deeply, and inserted them into the incense burner. The other ancestors of the Xiang Family had no grace or favor towards him, and he hadn't received any kindness from these people, so they weren't worthy of his tribute.

But Grand Ancestor Chu was different. He abandoned the riches that were within easy grasp for the Human Race, charged up to the Nine Heavens Immortal Domain, and exposed the mastermind hidden in the shadows for the Human World.

Not only that, he genuinely helped Chen Yuan. If not for the gifts he left behind, Chen Yuan would have had to place his hope on the vague Qi Fortune Altar to avoid Xiang Qianqiu's deadly strike.

In the foreseeable future, he could still help him, worthy of his tribute.

Moluo also followed suit, picking up three sticks of incense, bowing deeply to Grand Ancestor Chu, with a somber and intensely serious expression, as if more devout than his belief in Buddha.

After paying respects, Chen Yuan turned and left the ancestral hall. Lu Guangsheng opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately only sighed lightly and closely followed him.

In the Xiang Family hall, Chen Yuan sat calmly at the top, while Lu Guangsheng seemed somewhat dazed, as if he once again saw the Clan Leader who had worked tirelessly for the Xiang Family.

Towards family and close kin, Xiang Qianqiu was inadequate, completely devoid of humanity, but for the Xiang's Royal Family, Xiang Qianqiu was undoubtedly an existence worthy of admiration by all Xiang Family members.

Good and evil sometimes also depend on the perspective from which they are viewed.

"Friend Xiang."

Chen Yuan's gaze fell on Xiang Guangsheng.

"What does the Clan Leader instruct?"

Xiang Guangsheng hurriedly bowed.

"The enmity between this king and Xiang Qianqiu has been thoroughly resolved, and no longer involves others. My surname is Chen, it will always be Chen, and will not change to Xiang.

I am not willing to resort to harsh means with the Xiang Family anymore, henceforth, you shall succeed the position of Clan Leader of the Xiang Family. What height the Xiang Family can be taken to will depend on your ability.

Whether to continue to the Central Plains to compete for the world or to shrink here to recuperate, it will have nothing to do with me."

"Clan Leader, you..."

Xiang Guangsheng's expression was somewhat mixed.

"My surname is Chen."

Chen Yuan said indifferently.

"This.... but...."

"Alright, I've said what needs to be said. In the future, if the Xiang Family becomes an enemy against me, this king will not hold back either. Farewell."

Chen Yuan waved his hand, preparing to leave.

"Clan Leader... no... King Yan, wait."

Lu Guangsheng hurriedly said.

"Hmm?"

Chen Yuan frowned slightly, seemingly a bit displeased.

"Can the Xiang Family join under King Yan's command? Though the Xiang Family has only an old Yang God like me, it has quite deep foundations in several states in the South.

Moreover, the name of Great Chu is known throughout the world and still has some popular support. If King Yan establishes a country in the future, it would be reasonable with the Xiang Family's support."

Xiang Guangsheng quickly thought on his feet, seeing that Chen Yuan was unwilling to be clan leader, he rapidly suggested joining Chen Yuan.

"As you wish, if you want to join under my command, go to Shuzhou City."

Chen Yuan's silhouette gradually vanished, leaving only this sentence echoing in the void.

Xiang Guangsheng sighed lightly, faced the doorway, and once again bowed:

"Respectfully see off King Yan!"

...

...

After leaving the Xiang Family Secret Realm, Chen Yuan and Moluo headed in the direction of Shuzhou City. It was already confirmed that the Dragon Vein did exist within the Nine Dragon Mountain.

Next, Chen Yuan's task was to quickly gain Xuanwu's essence, fully step into the physical Six Realms, reaching an undying level. Of course, before that, he had two more tasks to complete.

One was thoroughly eliminating the Seven Killings Hall, this unstable factor, which was previously left because it was difficult to act. Now that they sought their own demise, the time for its destruction was inevitably advanced.

The other was to deal with Zhou Zhong, and find out his origins.

When Chen Yuan and Moluo returned to Shuzhou City, Tianxu Taoist and others were still waiting at the previous spot outside the city, so Chen Yuan immediately sent someone to call them back to the Prince Mansion.

In the main hall of the Prince Mansion.

Chen Yuan was seated at the top, Moluo had vanished without a trace.

Tianxu Taoist, Chen Huaiyi, Xu Yan Monk, and his elder Wu Daozi were ranked on both sides, casting glances at each other, their eyes carried some uncontainable confusion.

But since no one spoke, it seemed somewhat silent.

Chen Yuan's fingers tapped on the table, watching the few, naturally aware of their thoughts, he spoke casually:

"This trip went smoothly without incident, Xiang Qianqiu has been executed, henceforth, the Xiang Family is no longer a potential hazard to this king, the remaining strength of the Xiang Family will assist this king in annexing the Central Plains."

Chen Yuan's words shook the crowd like a thunderbolt within a clear sky, making them somewhat dizzy, their eyes full of disbelief, even more shocking than what they previously heard about Moluo.

"Are these words true?"

"Is it true?"

"Truly?"

Each asked in succession, yet received Chen Yuan's affirmative response.

Xu Yan Monk clasped one hand together in silence for a moment and uttered a Buddhist chant. He had known Xiang Qianqiu for quite some time, and had even previously tried to recruit him.

Though rejected by him, he still held great recognition of this man's strength, he was indeed a rare true hero in the Human World.

Those who could match him were viewed within the world as few and far between.

Tianxu Taoist recalled that encounter years ago at Qingyun Temple in the Capital, when Xiang Qianqiu was in high spirits and extremely confident, yet now, he heard the news of his death simply and easily.

It truly made him feel like it was a lifetime ago.

Chen Huaiyi felt somewhat conflicted. He indeed wanted to kill Xiang Qianqiu to avenge his sister Chen Xuanling, but when the news of his death reached him, it still stirred inexplicable emotions within him.

When Great Chu perished, the entire Chen Family perished along with it. For revenge, he had followed Xiang Qianqiu closely, the two grew together, as intimate as brothers.

Back then, they never anticipated the current circumstances; the complex emotions flashed by, but mostly he felt joy, he looked at Chen Yuan and said:

"Your mother can rest in peace beneath the Nine Springs."

Wu Daozi then abruptly slapped the table, laughed heartily, and said:

"Dead well, the villagers of Chen Family Village can finally rest, well done!"

In his heart, he had long been self-blaming, believing his actions led to the great disaster in Chen Family Village, now, with revenge accomplished, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Everyone's attitudes were taken in by Chen Yuan, overall, Xiang Qianqiu's death was well-received. Even if it was considered regrettable, it was regretful for such an extraordinary figure, rather than the individual himself.

Tianxu Taoist quickly returned to his senses, feeling happy about the current situation. With Xiang Qianqiu's demise, besides the Seven Killings Hall, there were no other voices in the South.

Yan Army would adopt an even more powerful posture to fully pacify the Central Plains.

Having placed so many bets, he could finally see some light of harvest, Taixu Palace shall surely be revived due to Chen Yuan's rise, standing tall in the Human World.

Most importantly... Chen Yuan's strength.

He wasn't aware that Xiang Qianqiu had broken through the Six Realms, achieving Human Immortal, but he knew Xiang Qianqiu's strength was genuinely the best in the world, unrivaled below Immortal, even capable of defying immortals.

Chen Yuan had subdued him, proving one thing—that Chen Yuan's strength surpassed Xiang Qianqiu's; in other words, he was now genuinely number one on the Heavenly List, number one in the world.

As for the existence of the Immortal Realm, it was no longer sufficient to describe the world.

Subsequently, Tianxu Taoist stood, bowed deeply to Chen Yuan:

"Poor Taoist congratulates King Yan, from now on number one under heaven!"

Xu Yan Monk, seeing this, also stood, clasped one hand together, and said:

"To be first on the Heavenly List is the same as being first in the world. Congratulations to Benefactor Chen."

Chen Huaiyi, initially perturbed by Xiang Qianqiu's death, was now by Tianxu and Xu Yan's words reminded later. He quickly realized this and laughed loudly:

"Number one in the world... Hahaha... Good... Good!"

"Indeed, indeed."

Wu Daozi stroked his beard and smiled.

Number one under heaven signifies not just a title, but equally represents Chen Yuan's strength and position. Such an existence was only a step away from the Six Realms.

Great Yan... shall rise!!!

————

Punch card, requesting monthly tickets.

It's almost the end of the month, brothers who still have tickets, please lend a hand, thank you!