The golden pillar, carved with dragons and phoenixes, exuded an incomparable majesty. Chu Long's disappearance forced everyone to remain where they were. Long Yuan initially considered uprooting the pillar entirely but hesitated, fearing it might adversely affect the vanished Chu Long, and thus decided to wait patiently.
Outside the barrier, the commotion caused by the barrier's anomalies drew an increasing number of martial artists, nearly surrounding the entire Harmony Sect. The Martial Saints, led by Lu Chen, had quieted down, realizing that this barrier was beyond their capability to breach. Neither the already shattered opening nor the intact sections of the barrier around it could be moved even slightly.
"A huge hole is clearly visible in this barrier, obviously man-made, so why can't we enter?" one Martial Saint wondered aloud.
Lu Chen pondered before responding, "This old man speculates that the means here were left by the expert who shattered the barrier, precisely to prevent our entry!"
"What do we do then? We can't just watch such a tremendous opportunity fall into someone else's hands!" the other Martial Saints grew impatient. The anomalies alone were astonishing enough, indicating the rewards inside must be extraordinary.
"Hmph, what can we do? Whoever broke this barrier must undoubtedly be a Martial Emperor. Do you think we can snatch opportunities from a Martial Emperor?" Lu Chen shook his head.
"A Martial Emperor? Could it be Hell's Gate's Martial Emperor?" The Martial Saints' breaths hitched. If it were Hell's Gate's Martial Emperor, they wouldn't dare entertain any thoughts of seizing the opportunity, especially since many of their factions were subordinate to Hell's Gate.
"Not necessarily. Earlier, I overheard fragments of conversation from nearby martial artists, suggesting that the Chu family of Cangzhou in the Qian Region has also produced a Demon Emperor. Given that the Harmony Sect was annihilated by the Chu family's subordinate forces, perhaps it's their Demon Emperor?" Lu Chen frowned. The rumors grew increasingly wild, even claiming the Chu family's Demon Emperor had slain a Hell's Gate Martial Emperor—utterly absurd!
Yet, he recalled a terrifying aura that had passed over his Tai Xuan Sect some time ago—likely that of a Martial Emperor. Could it be true? If so, it would be terrifying! However, Lu Chen found it highly improbable. If Hell's Gate had lost a Martial Emperor, their forces would have already mobilized to eradicate the Chu family's Demon Emperor.
Inside the barrier, Chu Long reappeared before the group. Though his face bore excitement, traces of lingering fear remained in his eyes. Fortunately, he had previously entered the family's Heart Refining Pagoda, or else he might have succumbed to the temptations he encountered, which would have spelled certain doom.
"Chu Long, what inheritance did you obtain?" Chu Tianyang asked with a furrowed brow.
"Heh, Clan Elder, I learned 108 positions!" Chu Long grinned.
"Do you believe I'll hand you over to your grandfather when we return?"
"Don't, Elder Grandpa! I did learn 108 positions, but it's an immensely powerful inheritance called 'Dragon-Phoenix Inverted Yin-Yang 108 Forms.' It's nothing like the Harmony Sect's heretical techniques—this is a legitimate dual cultivation method!" Chu Long hastily explained. Unlike those methods that treated partners as furnaces, this technique allowed mutual cultivation, rapidly enhancing both practitioners' strength.
Even more astonishing, at higher levels, the male practitioner could develop a "Yang Dragon Body," while the female could attain a "Yin Phoenix Body." When fighting alongside one's partner, their combined power could manifest as "Dragon-Phoenix Harmony," unleashing devastating combat prowess. With multiple partners, they could form battle formations capable of transcending realms with ease!
Chu Tianyang was dumbfounded. Such a miraculous technique existed? He cast a doubtful glance at the Beast God.
"Clan Elder, Beast God, you must believe me! I wouldn't dare lie!" Chu Long pleaded. Cultivating this technique required a partner! If the Clan Elder thought he was fabricating excuses for indulging in lust and confined him, how could he grow stronger? Desperate, he looked to the Beast God for support—knowing that if the Beast God spoke, the Clan Elder wouldn't refuse.
Long Yuan said, "The world is full of bizarre techniques, countless beyond our knowledge. Whether it's heretical or not will become clear once he cultivates it with his partners and we observe their progress. There's no need to rush to judgment."
"Haha, the Beast God is mighty!" Chu Long cheered, relieved. With Long Yuan's endorsement, he no longer had to worry about the Clan Elder's disapproval.
Sure enough, Chu Tianyang relented, "Since the Beast God says so, we'll observe you for a time. But if I discover you're using female martial artists as furnaces, I won't spare you!" Though the Chu family wasn't known for righteousness, Chu Tianyang forbade such dark practices.
"Don't worry, Clan Elder, I'd never do such a thing!" Chu Long thumped his chest, then lowered his voice. "Elder Grandpa, want me to teach you a few positions?"
Chu Tianyang smacked the back of Chu Long's head. "You little brat! Focus on cultivation and developing the family! If I catch you spreading nonsense that harms the family's growth, I'll break your third leg!"
"Elder Grandpa, you misunderstood! I meant, do you want to learn this inheritance? I can teach you!" Chu Long rubbed his head, aggrieved.
"Forget it. I touched the golden pillar earlier and felt nothing, meaning I'm incompatible with this inheritance. Even if you passed it to me, I likely couldn't cultivate it, or my progress would pale compared to yours. More importantly, I have no interest in so-called dual cultivation." Chu Tianyang shook his head. Everyone had their own destiny.
"Eh? Elder Grandpa isn't interested in women?" ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novelFirｅ.net
"I'll beat you to death, you little—!"
"Ah! Beast God, save me! Elder Grandpa is murdering a family genius!"
Long Yuan chuckled at the scene, finding the warmth oddly comforting. Little did he know then that years later, Chu Long's lineage would produce many unimaginable prodigies for the Chu family.
With that, Long Yuan effortlessly uprooted the divine pillar, intending to place it within the Chu family's Nine-Layered Spatial World. Perhaps others might inherit its secrets in the future—after all, such things weren't one-time opportunities.
Outside the barrier, the crowd waited eagerly, some even preparing to attack. The anomalies had vanished, suggesting the inheritance had been claimed. The moment anyone emerged, they would strike without mercy to seize it.
And so, under their watchful eyes, Chu Tianyang and the others stepped out of the barrier.