Swordholder

The prosperity of a family is always achieved through the successive efforts and dedication of its members.

Within the territory of the Great Xiang Empire, it is extremely difficult for human families to establish themselves and develop.

The Chen family's current wealth and status are the result of countless sacrifices made by heroes.

This is because in this environment, any power that shows the slightest sign of rising or crosses the invisible killing line will be doomed!

Chen Qingtian, Chen Qingyun, and Chen Qingfeng all looked at their eldest brother, Chen Qingcang.

Within the entire Chen family, only these three knew that Chen Qingcang had already broken through to the Purple Mansion True Person realm.

But this matter must be kept strictly hidden.

Otherwise, given the fear and apprehension of the Great Xiang Empire and the Twelve Beast Clan, Chen Qingcang would surely become an assassination target, and the Chen family would be destroyed as a result!

"Master, we understand!"

"Please rest assured, Master, we swear to protect our young master with our lives!"

"Anyone who dares to harm a hair on the young master's head will first have to trample over these old bones of ours!"

······

Several elders of the Chen family roared loudly, their eyes bloodshot, and a murderous aura surging around them!

In this chaotic world where human life is as cheap as grass, the Chen family's ability to have a foothold today is no accident!

That's because their entire clan was of one mind and one heart, because of the life-risking protection of their leaders throughout the ages, and because of the accumulation of resources from generations of demons, that they have built up their current scale.

Otherwise, they would have long been homeless refugees, slaves at the mercy of others, either sold to foreign lands or become food for evil spirits. How could they have such a peaceful place to live now?

"Hahaha, the Chen family is certainly having a lively time today!"

"I, Lu, have come uninvited; please forgive me, Elder Chen!"

Just then, a wild and unrestrained laugh, filled with arrogance, burst in.

Immediately afterwards, the heavy wooden door that was tightly closed in front of the main hall suddenly burst open with a loud "bang," sending wood chips flying everywhere!

An ancient flying boat carrying several figures, accompanied by violent shockwaves, caused ripples in the surrounding space as it rushed straight into the main hall!

The thousands of high-ranking members of the Chen family gathered in the main hall. Upon seeing this, their expressions changed drastically, and their hearts tightened.

"Quick! Get out of the way!"

Just as the flying boat was about to crash into the young prodigy of the Chen family in the crowd, Chen Qingtian roared and burst out first!

Chen Qingyun and Chen Qingfeng followed closely behind, not daring to hesitate for a moment.

The three of them were surrounded by surging waves of energy, their powerful magical power surging forth, and their bodies shimmering with spiritual light!

"boom!"

The three stood in a triangular formation, pushed with both hands, and unleashed a torrent of powerful magic, transforming into an invisible, transparent wave that forcefully brought the rapidly moving flying boat to a stop!

This caused it to suspend itself a foot high in the air, unable to move.

Only Chen Qingcang remained seated in the main seat, his gaze as gloomy as a cold pool, fixed intently on the people arriving on the flying boat.

"Whoosh!"

Almost simultaneously, thousands of Chen family members surrounded Chen Yuan, protecting him in the center. They all glared angrily at the uninvited guest on the flying boat.

"Hehe, members of the Chen family, please don't get agitated or afraid."

A mocking laugh rang out from the airship, "Since I was able to pilot this airship here, I can certainly control it and will not harm any of you."

The newcomer was none other than Lu Sidao, the head of the Lu family, a disdainful sneer playing on his lips.

The way he looked at the Chen family was as if he were looking at a flock of frightened sheep, extremely arrogant.

Standing beside him was Lu Hong, the head steward of the Lu family, and four other young men, each with an arrogant gaze and a haughty air, as if the Chen family members were no match for them.

Flying boat!

Chen Yuan and Li Wei's gazes instantly turned fervent as they stared intently at the ship that could carry people soaring through the sky, their eyes filled with longing.

"That is the flying boat. Its surface is engraved with flight formations, and it is the only magical artifact that allows cultivators who have not broken through to the Purple Mansion Realm to soar through the heavens and earth."

Chen Zhaoning leaned close to Chen Yuan's ear and whispered her explanation, her breath as fragrant as orchids, a faint scent lingering around Chen Yuan's nose.

Seeing the light in Chen Yuan's eyes grow even brighter, Chen Zhaoning snorted, her tone tinged with resentment: "Hmph, it must be that bastard from the Lu family who relied on flying boats to climb all the way up. What a waste!"

"Flying boat..."

Chen Yuan murmured to himself, glancing sideways at Chen Zhaoning.

The two were extremely close, almost nose to nose, and could clearly smell each other's scent.

"Our Chen family...doesn't have a flying boat?"

Chen Zhaoning felt a tickle on the tip of her nose and realized that the two of them were too close, so she quickly took a step back.

A blush crept onto her cheeks, but fortunately, everyone's attention was focused on the airship, and no one noticed.

She lowered her head slightly and said softly, "Flying artifacts are forbidden items explicitly prohibited by the Great Xiang Empire."

Apart from the Xuanxiang Clan, no other human family is qualified to purchase it; to possess it privately is a crime.

Chen Yuan was stunned. Holy crap, the Great Xiang Empire is awesome!

How could someone have such foresight as to regard a flying magical artifact as a forbidden artifact?

Not allowed to ordinary cultivators?

Otherwise, it's a crime?

He remained silent for a moment, then understood many of the key points and nodded in agreement: "That's true. After all, having a flying artifact is equivalent to having control of the air. The world is vast, and capturing someone would be as difficult as ascending to heaven."

"Air superiority?"

Chen Zhaoning's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but look at Chen Yuan, feeling that the description was accurate and apt.

"That's roughly the idea, but more importantly, someone once used an aircraft to fly over the mountains of various powerful forces and peeked into secrets that shouldn't have been seen."

"That's why the Great Xiang Empire prohibits the proliferation of flying magical artifacts. Otherwise, with the Zhang family's expertise in artifact crafting and the Li family's mastery of formations, they could easily produce a large number of these flying magical artifacts, and their prices wouldn't be as high as they are now, to the point where they are priceless and unavailable."

The Zhang family!

The Li family!

Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes. These two families were the other two thousand-year-old aristocratic families in Tianqing County.

A hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes, and he sighed softly, "That's a real shame."

"Yes, it is indeed a pity."

Chen Zhaoning nodded and added, "However, if you can cultivate to the Purple Mansion Realm, the Divine Alliance Empire will not be able to control your flight. At that time, you can fly whenever you want, but you should also be careful of the Great Xiang Empire's Falcon Hunting Team."

Falcon Hunting Team?

Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes and made a note of this department.

Clearly, this is a special forces unit of the Great Xiang Empire specifically targeting True Person Zifu.

Chen Zhaoning paused for a moment, then continued, "In addition, if one can pass the official examination and become a Wuxiang Warrior, or join the army of the Great Xiang Empire, then one will be qualified to legally possess a flying magic weapon."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, a thoughtful glint flashing in them.

While the two were whispering and whispering intimately, Lu Sidao, on the other side, had already led everyone off the flying boat and was walking step by step toward the core area of ​​the main hall.

Wherever he went, the Chen family members glared angrily, but they also scattered to the sides, forcibly making way for him... It wasn't out of fear, but rather to gather strength and await Chen Qingcang's command.

And so, Lu Sidao and his group walked straight to a spot not far from Chen Qingcang and stood there, their posture still arrogant.

Lu Sidao held his head high, half-closed his eyes, gave a perfunctory fist salute, and spoke with a strong sense of sarcasm:

"I heard the Chen family is holding a ceremony to mark the arrival of their young master today... Tsk tsk, I, Lu, have heard that this young master is quite bold. He's the one who, seven days ago, slaughtered my Lu family members, stewards, and many guards in the refugee camp in front of Tianqing County!"

He paused, then glanced at the teenagers in the room, his tone growing increasingly contemptuous:

"Which one is Chen Yuan? Come out and let me see if you have three heads and six arms? How dare you touch a member of the Lu family!"

These words and this demeanor, every single one of them, exuded an arrogant and condescending air, showing that he didn't take the Chen family seriously at all.

The members of the Chen family glared angrily, unleashing their full cultivation power with a violent aura.

They would rush forward and tear these uninvited guests to shreds at Chen Qingcang's command.

"hehe!"

Chen Qingcang let out a cold sneer, his previous gentle expression completely vanishing, replaced by a chilling coldness and murderous intent.

Who dares to come to the Chen family to provoke and cause trouble?

He naturally wouldn't give him a pleasant look.

"Lu Sidao, you're getting more and more audacious, daring to trespass into my Chen family mansion and cause trouble in public? Do you really think I wouldn't dare kill you?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Qingcang's murderous aura surged like a tsunami, and the temperature in the entire hall plummeted instantly!

The chill was bone-deep!

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