News about the July Fifteenth Island caused a sensation across the Divine Land. In an extremely short time, nearly everyone learned about this hidden secret realm.
Simultaneously, another shocking revelation spread—the island contained secret techniques created by the Ancestral Emperor, and those techniques had been obtained by a woman named Wang Lian.
By the time Chen Guan returned home, these rumors were already circulating everywhere.
Entering his family's small courtyard, he pushed open the door to find his father Chen Xinghe pruning excess branches from potted plants.
"You took so long to return. Did you encounter any trouble?" Chen Xinghe set down his scissors upon seeing Chen Guan, regarding him seriously.
Chen Guan sat beside Chen Xinghe and recounted in detail his teleportation to July Fifteenth Island and everything he had experienced there.
"So, you're the one who spread the news about July Fifteenth Island and Wang Lian obtaining The Epang Scripture?" Chen Xinghe mused thoughtfully.
"Not exactly. Ji Nanhong was the one who spread it. After leaving the Fifth Peak of the Great Black Heaven, I never interacted with Wang Lian again. Ji Nanhong escorted her and everyone else to find the teleportation array," Chen Guan explained.
"Well done." Chen Xinghe smiled approvingly. "You made the right choice not staying on July Fifteenth Island. Compared to its resources, your actions will spare you many unnecessary troubles."
"Your actions will only make Ji Nanhong and her family more suspicious of your origins, motives, and background." Chen Xinghe chuckled. "I know what you're worried about. I revealed my identity to you because you're now an adult—capable of making your own decisions and entitled to know your family's affairs. Not to burden you with fear or caution, nor to weigh you down with psychological baggage."
"Still, caution isn't a bad thing. You've already done well enough." Chen Xinghe placed a hand on Chen Guan's shoulder, locking eyes with him. "Don't worry about my identity. Do what you wish without fear of investigation. Your old man isn't some shameful secret. Just remember one thing."
"What is it?" Chen Guan asked.
"Never let anyone see the scar on the sole of your left foot. That's the only thing that could expose your identity," Chen Xinghe said gravely.
"Can't it be removed?" Chen Guan already knew the answer but wanted to understand why.
"The person who wounded your foot used a technique unique in this world. Even if the scar were removed, those who recognize it would still identify it," Chen Xinghe sighed.
"Who injured me? I have no memory of it. It must have happened when I was very young?" Chen Guan pondered. The source of thɪs content is noⅴelfire.net
"It happened the day after you were born. The one who hurt you is already dead, and that technique has no living practitioners. The wound itself is meaningless now. Only the older generation of the Ten Heavenly Kings would recognize it. They aren't numerous, but neither are they few. So no matter what you do, ensure that scar remains hidden to avoid fatal consequences," Chen Xinghe warned.
Chen Guan nodded, inwardly relieved. Since their family had nothing to fear from investigation, he no longer worried about the Ji Family uncovering anything.
As for the scar on his foot, ordinary people wouldn't have opportunities to see it. With some additional precautions, the risk of exposure was minimal.
"Dad, I'm an adult now. I plan to explore secret realms. Does our family have any treasures or legacies to pass down to me?" Chen Guan asked with a smile.
"When I faked my death to escape, we were truly at the end of our rope. There's nothing left. As for legacies, you can't learn mine," Chen Xinghe shook his head.
"Why not? Is my talent insufficient?" Chen Guan pressed.
"Those who imitate me die; those who learn from me perish. If my methods appeared in you, there would be no place for you in the vast Divine Land. That's why I never taught you anything growing up. You mustn't follow my path. Not increasing your survival difficulty is already everything I can do for you," Chen Xinghe smiled.
"Understood." Chen Guan nodded, then continued, "Then can I join the Celestial Army?"
"Of course. As long as the scar on your foot remains hidden, you may do anything you wish," Chen Xinghe affirmed.
"I'm considering whether to leverage Ji Nanhong's connections or test in independently," Chen Guan expressed his hesitation.
Using Ji Nanhong's influence would draw attention—while beneficial, it would also make him a target.
"If you can test in, you should. But entering the Celestial Army isn't easy. I took the exam back in my day, hoping to join the Ancestral Court, but failed," Chen Xinghe laughed.
Chen Guan's expression turned complicated. Chen Xinghe had attempted to join the Celestial Army and failed. Yet ironically, Chen Xinghe had still entered the Ancestral Court—as the Great Demon Lord who once stormed and occupied it.
"Even you couldn't pass? It must be truly difficult," Chen Guan mused, realizing he might need to rely on connections after all. If Chen Xinghe failed, he had little confidence in succeeding.
After resting at home for a day, Chen Guan received a message from Ji Nanhong early the next morning.
The message was brief: "Open the door."
Startled, Chen Guan quickly dressed and rushed to the entrance. Upon opening the door, he found Ji Nanhong smiling brightly on his doorstep.
"Why are you here?" Chen Guan noticed the numerous packages piled beside her.
"As the future daughter-in-law of the Chen Family, isn't it reasonable for me to visit my future in-laws?" Ji Nanhong held two gift boxes and gestured with her chin. "Aren't you going to help carry these?"
Chen Guan gave her a strange look but complied after her urging. He hadn't expected Ji Nanhong's visit—nor did he genuinely believe their relationship would progress beyond leveraging her family's influence.
"Uncle Chen, I presume? I'm Ji Nanhong, Chen Guan's friend." Before Chen Guan could introduce her, Ji Nanhong cheerfully greeted Chen Xinghe, who was tending to succulents in the courtyard.
"My foolish son actually has such a beautiful girlfriend? What dumb luck," Chen Xinghe remarked, utterly unfazed. Over the years, many female classmates had visited—he handled such situations with effortless charm, quickly putting Ji Nanhong at ease.