Ordinary People: Starting with the Chen Clan

However, upon closer inspection, some differences can still be seen. Compared to the past, it is slightly slower by a few breaths. This difference might not even be noticed by its parents.

Thus, without relying on pills or spirit stones, Chen Xuanzhou would only stop writing when his spiritual power was reduced to 30%, and then rely entirely on meditation to restore his mana.

Before he knew it, a month had passed. Chen Xuanzhou had long since adapted to the surge in his magical power, and now drawing basic and advanced talismans was much easier for him.

He only stepped out of the meditation room after sensing the sound transmission talisman from the barrier outside the door.

The parents were somewhat surprised to see Chen Xuanzhou come out so quickly.

"Xuanzhou, we didn't disturb your cultivation, did we?"

"Mother, this breakthrough went relatively smoothly, and it may be because it was the first time you took the Blood Marrow Pill. The effect on stabilizing your foundation was exceptionally good, saving me months of hard work."

Hearing Chen Xuanzhou's explanation, his parents finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, let's hurry up and go, don't keep the elders waiting."

After saying that, Chen Xuanzhou took the lead and walked outside.

When the three arrived outside Chen Shangyu's courtyard, they could hear several voices talking in the distance.

"Old Yu, it's a rare opportunity for me to come all this way, why be so stingy? Just bring out that Chun Yuan wine and have a couple of drinks, it's not like it'll kill you."

"Heh, thinking you're going to bleed yourself, you'll try to make it up to me, you old codger, always thinking the best of everything!"

"Xuanzhou (Houwen, Yushuang) requests an audience!"

The three people stood outside the door and bowed respectfully.

"You little rascal, you're too well-behaved for your age. It's not good to lose the vigor of youth."

The doting tone in Chen Shangyu's voice made the other teenagers around him a little jealous. They had long heard of his precocious talent, but they never expected that he would also have such skills in coaxing the elderly.

The two of them had secretly competed countless times over the years for a single spot, only to be discarded like trash by the other. How could they possibly feel good about it?

Chen Xuanzhou and his two companions entered and saw that, in addition to Chen Shangyu, there were two elderly men and two middle-aged men with two teenagers. They glanced at them briefly and then turned their attention back to the three elderly men.

"I have met the two clan elders, as well as my second grandfather and fourth grandfather."

He wasn't surprised by the appearance of these individuals, since only these two families were qualified to compete for the spots.

"Xiaoqing is here to offer seats to Xuanzhou and the others."

After the three of them were seated, Chen Shangyu continued to speak.

"I called you over a bit hastily this time, but seeing that you're breathing steadily, I'm relieved. Otherwise, I wouldn't have let these two good-for-nothing old guys by my side get away with it."

Hearing this, Chen Xuanzhou broke out in a cold sweat: "Old man, please have mercy on me. I was hoping to have a peaceful three years ahead of me."

"Alright, Lao Yu, you've already mentioned this several times. Look, Xuanzhou's foundation is quite solid, so stop harping on it. Zhongyan, you go first."

Chen Shangxian, who was standing to the side, did not want to waste any more time and interrupted directly.

"Yes, elder!"

Chen Zhongyan bowed to the three elders first, then patted his storage bag, took out three magical artifacts, and with a tap of them, they quietly hung in front of everyone.

Chen Xuanzhou looked closely and saw that there was a jade pendant carved with the shape of a five-colored dragon, a small brass bell, and a long black needle.

"No matter how much I explain, it's better to experience it for yourself. You can try all three ritual implements and choose two of them."

Chen Zhongyan spoke calmly, yet his tone exuded confidence.

Chen Xuanzhou didn't stand on ceremony with the other party. He didn't want to end up like Han Laomo, who exchanged a Foundation Establishment Pill for a pile of scrap metal.

He first took the jade pendant, which was clearly made for his request, as so many people would not give him much time to refine it.

He made hand seals, and a series of talismans landed on the jade pendant. The dragon pattern on the jade pendant, which was originally shining with five-colored light, seemed to come alive and move across the surface of the magical artifact.

"The younger generation is becoming more and more impressive. I never expected that someone so young would have already mastered the Spirit Appraisal Seal Technique. With just this skill, they could easily get an appraiser position in various shops."

Chen Shanghan, who had been silent until now, suddenly exclaimed in admiration.

"Indeed, although this spell is only a low-to-mid-level spell, even some Foundation Establishment cultivators would need to spend a considerable amount of time to master it."

"You two old guys are so surprised by this little thing? You bunch of ignorant fools. If the kid I, Chen Shangyu, have taken a liking to doesn't have this much ability, I'd be embarrassed to even mention his name."

You think I'm as shameless as you two old fogies, and that I'm also senile?

Chen Shangyu didn't miss a single opportunity to mock the two of them.

As expected, the old man's rebuke silenced them both, though their lips twitched occasionally, indicating they were secretly transmitting their thoughts.

Chen Shangyu naturally saw this as well, but he didn't care at all; the smile on his face was even more pronounced.

While the group was talking, Chen Xuanzhou had already placed the jade pendant aside, his face expressionless, and then picked up another bronze bell.

The three ritual implements were appraised in less than a quarter of an hour.

To be honest, Chen Xuanzhou was quite satisfied; the things the second branch of the family brought out this time were very sincere. Especially the black needle magic weapon, which was made from the mouthparts of a fourth-order insect beast.

Not only does it have a strong armor-piercing effect, but it also contains a deadly poison. If an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator is even slightly injured by it, he or she may die on the spot in no time.

The only thing that's a little lacking is that jade pendant. It looks extraordinary, but its amplification effect is just average. Of course, it's enough for ordinary cultivators.

However, it might have some effect on him at most when he is practicing Qi Refining, but after he reaches Foundation Establishment, it has almost no amplification effect on mid-level spells.

While Chen Xuanzhou was pondering, the fourth branch of the family had already taken out their magical artifacts, and this time they were even more prepared, bringing out five artifacts.

This action made Chen Zhongyan glance at the other person and tap the armrest lightly with his hand.

Chen Xuanzhou had no time to pay attention to the sordid affairs between the two families; at this moment, his attention was drawn to several magical artifacts.

The most eye-catching of the five magical artifacts is a hexagonal bronze mirror. There are even some rust marks on the surface of the mirror, but none of that matters. Although no one is using this treasure mirror, it still flashes with streaks of lightning.

It was clearly a rare lightning-attribute magic weapon. Chen Xuanzhou didn't even glance at the other magic weapons before summoning it to his side.

The incantation landed on it, followed by a low, rumbling sound of lightning and thunder.

"Jingzhe Jian! Your fourth branch is really generous, bringing out this heirloom of the fourth branch. I really don't know whether you favor Xuanheng or Xuanzhou."

When Chen Shanghan saw this precious mirror, he knew that their second branch had lost its chance to compete. As the heirloom of the fourth branch, this Jingzhe Mirror was naturally far superior to any ordinary top-grade magical artifact.