Chu Zhan stared oddly at the family ancestor before suddenly bursting into laughter. "Hahaha! Who would've thought even the ancestor failed? So that means I'm the first to clear the Heart Refining Pagoda!"
"I feel like I should carve my glory here!"
Chu Tianyang's face darkened with veins bulging, barely restraining the urge to pin this brat down and give him a thorough beating.
"As we've learned, the Heart Refining Pagoda isn't about cultivation level but tempering one's mental state. Only those with unwavering determination can pass its trials," Chu Jingyue explained to the crowd. "But one must be psychologically prepared—otherwise, the experience could be utterly devastating."
"Those with weak wills shouldn't enter carelessly. It might shatter your mentality completely, reducing you to a walking corpse!"
This warning held weight. Everyone remembered how disturbed the ancestor had appeared upon emerging earlier. Clearly, those heaven-defying rewards weren't easily obtained.
After careful consideration, some chose to enter immediately while others decided to wait for a more opportune time.
In the following days, Chu Tianyang didn't rush to cultivate. Instead, he wandered leisurely around the family compound and Qingyang City, soothing the aftereffects of his pagoda experience.
At the training grounds in the spatial realm, he made a startling discovery—Chu Zhan was fighting Chu Xiuran to a standstill.
"This resembles a King-grade superior Diamond Battle Physique! When did this transformation occur? Could it be a reward from the Heart Refining Pagoda?"
Only the Beast God could enable such physical evolution. Since Chu Zhan had only entered the pagoda recently, and the pagoda was the Beast God's treasure placed here...
"So passing the mental trials must have earned him the Beast God's reward! Yes, that must be it!" The thought made Chu Tianyang covetous. He resolved to attempt the pagoda again later—he refused to believe he couldn't pass the mental trials!
Gazing at the vast nine-layered spatial realm, Chu Tianyang marveled at how far the Chu family had progressed in just one year, all thanks to the Beast God. But what could they possibly offer in return?
Suddenly, inspiration struck.
"While we can't repay the Beast God directly, we should constantly honor his status within our family!" He immediately sought out Chu Jingyue.
"Ancestor, what instructions do you have?"
"I've conceived several ideas for our family's development. As a six-star family, we lack a proper emblem. We should design one incorporating both our Chu family symbolism and the Beast God's imagery."
"Henceforth, every Chu family member's clothing shall bear this emblem. We'll also create battle standards—wherever these banners are planted shall mark our territory!"
"Furthermore, I propose establishing an elite organization." Thɪs chapter is updated by ⓝovelFire.net
"An assassination squad?" Chu Jingyue looked startled. Had the pagoda's aftereffects impaired the ancestor's judgment? Was he planning mass slaughter?
"Fool! Do you take me for such a person?" Chu Tianyang glared. "I mean an organization named after dragons—perhaps with Left and Right Dragon Generals, Seven Dragon Guards, and so forth."
"This shall become our family's gold standard—making membership the highest honor for all Chu clansmen. Understood?"
"Jingyue understands! I'll convene the elders immediately to formulate plans." Chu Jingyue nodded, surprised by the ancestor's sudden creativity. Did the pagoda enhance mental faculties?
"What's that look for? Want a beating?" Chu Tianyang glowered. These juniors showed less respect by the day—unacceptable! He needed to break through to Martial Venerable soon and remind them of his might.
"Jingyue wouldn't dare!"
True to his decisive nature, Chu Jingyue gathered all twenty-plus elders that very day to discuss the proposals. With tens of thousands of members now, the Chu family's expanded leadership structure required careful management.
"Ancestor's ideas are excellent! I volunteer to join first!" Chu Jianchen declared eagerly.
"Patience! We're still planning," Chu Jingyue chided. "The organization must maintain elite standards—only the strongest qualify, though they'll receive our family's highest privileges."
"Let all aspire to join as their ultimate honor! Now, brainstorm designs for the emblem and banners, plus organizational structure and naming."
A heated debate ensued. The final decisions:
The family emblem would feature the Chu character encircled by a divine dragon, mirrored on their battle standards. The organization would be named Dragon Protector Guards, comprising Left/Right Dragon Lords, Nine Dragon Generals, and Thirty-Three Dragon Guards.
Membership granted no administrative power but equal status to elders.
"As the strongest elder, I should naturally be a Dragon Lord," Chu Jianchen asserted, prompting competitive claims from others.
"Enough!" Chu Jingyue silenced them. "If all elders join, who'll manage daily affairs? Family development remains paramount!"
"The Dragon Protector Guards honor the Beast God while strengthening our family. Admission will be merit-based—only our mightiest warriors may join, maintaining its prestige."
"For you elders, we'll hold open combat trials to select the top two as initial Dragon Guards. Should others surpass them later, they must yield position honorably."
Under Chu Jingyue's direction, the public elder tournament in the spatial realm sparked intense curiosity. When the Dragon Protector Guards' purpose was revealed, every clansman burned with ambition to join this new pinnacle of honor.