Chapter 13: The Inheritance test.

Chapter 13: Chapter 13: The Inheritance test.

Chen Yuan’s divine sense spread outward, and almost immediately, he sensed the strangeness.

His expression changed slightly, but the two did not notice it.

Instead, Chen Yuan stopped in his tracks. The two followed suit and stopped moving forward as well. Chen Yuan gestured toward the area ahead.

"From this point onward, if you wish to approach the sword, you will have to endure its test in order to obtain the sword’s recognition."

Chen Haoran and Qingxue exchanged a glance.

Confusion was evident on their faces.

Neither of them understood what Chen Yuan meant. They had thought he was bringing them here to see the sword directly, but it seemed that things were not as simple as they had initially imagined.

Qingxue looked toward the stone platform before turning back to him.

"Test?"

Chen Yuan nodded as he rubbed his beard.

"Have you not noticed it? The pressure?"

The two were slightly taken aback.

Chen Yuan then pointed toward the ground beneath their feet.

"We are already standing outside the first layer of the test, little girl. Can you feel it? The pressure settling over your body?"

Qingxue’s expression changed slightly.

"The pressure I had been experiencing was actually part of the test?"

"Not exactly. What you felt was merely the faint pressure that had leaked beyond the boundary of the first layer. You haven’t actually stepped into the first layer yet."

Chen Yuan chuckled and shifted his gaze across the wide area before them. He slowly stroked his beard as he looked toward the ancient sword in the distance.

"This is only the first layer of the test. The sword’s pressure has been divided into three layers, and each layer becomes stronger the closer you get to the platform."

He raised a hand and pointed toward the area surrounding them.

"The first layer extends roughly ten meters from the sword. The pressure here is equivalent to that of a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator."

Chen Haoran’s expression became slightly solemn.

"Ten meters."

Chen Yuan nodded.

"For most cultivators, this alone would be enough to stop them from advancing any further."

His gaze shifted toward the area ahead.

"After another five meters, you will enter the second layer."

"The pressure there is equivalent to that of a peak Qi Condensation cultivator."

Now, it was Qingxue’s turn to become worried as her expression tightened.

A peak Qi Condensation expert.

At her current fourth-layer Qi Condensation cultivation, the difference was simply too great.

Chen Yuan continued speaking.

"If you don’t possess enough strength to withstand it, then you will need an exceptionally strong will to force yourself forward."

He then pointed toward the area closest to the stone platform.

"And the final three meters."

His voice became deeper.

"That is the third layer. The pressure there is the strongest. It is roughly equivalent to the pressure of a Half-Step Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Both Chen Haoran and Qingxue fell silent when they heard what the final layer meant.

A Half-Step Foundation Establishment cultivator.

That was no longer something that an ordinary Qi Condensation cultivator like them could withstand.

A peak Qi Condensation expert was already rare, and a Half-Step Foundation Establishment cultivator was even rarer.

The Chen Family was located in the Eastern Region of the Great Yan Kingdom. Within this region alone, the number of Half-Step Foundation Establishment cultivators could be counted on one hand.

The thought flashed through Chen Haoran’s mind.

Our Chen Family now has an expert who has surpassed all of them.

His gaze unconsciously shifted toward Chen Yuan.

If the old ancestor was willing to reveal his strength, the Chen Family’s position in the Eastern Region would undoubtedly rise to another level.

Perhaps, with Chen Yuan’s strength, the Chen Family could even seek an official title from the royal court. After all, the palace officials and ministers would definitely not miss the chance to please a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

An official title granted by the Great Yan Kingdom was not something an ordinary family could obtain. It represented recognition from the royal court and, more importantly, a certain degree of protection.

With a powerful cultivator backing the family, the Chen Family would have far more opportunities in the future.

Across the entire Great Yan Kingdom, Foundation Establishment cultivators were even rarer. Chen Haoran had only heard of a handful of families that possessed such experts.

As far as he was aware, there were five major families, including the royal family, within the kingdom that possessed such experts among their ranks. They were the pillars that had supported the kingdom’s peace for so long.

Throwing those thoughts aside, Chen Haoran refocused his gaze on the sword ahead. After hearing Chen Yuan’s explanation, he couldn’t help but have some doubts.

"If the pressure becomes stronger the closer we get, then how are we supposed to reach the sword and even obtain the chance to receive its inheritance?"

His gaze shifted toward Chen Yuan.

"And more importantly, Ancestor..."

A trace of curiosity appeared in his eyes.

"How did Yue’er manage to obtain the inheritance? Her description of the process through which she obtained it never mentioned these three layers."

Chen Yuan stroked his beard and smiled, naturally making up a lie to cover up the truth.

"That girl was naturally favored by the sword."

"Favored?"

Both Chen Haoran and Qingxue were slightly surprised.

Chen Yuan nodded.

"Yue’er possesses considerable talent in the path of the sword. The moment she approached the sword, it recognized her talent."

He glanced toward the ancient sword.

"That was why the pressure did not affect her in the same way it affects you two."

Chen Haoran’s eyes lit up.

"So that’s how it was! My daughter actually possesses talent in swordsmanship!"

A smile appeared on his face.

He had always believed that Yue’er possessed relatively weak talent in cultivation. But after hearing that even the ancient sword left behind by the mysterious Ancestor Chen Feng had recognized her talent, he couldn’t help but feel proud.

Qingxue’s expression also softened slightly, and she was genuinely happy for her daughter.

After all, the inheritance of a Foundation Establishment-level swordmaster was not something that could be obtained easily.

Chen Haoran then thought of something else.

"Then, Ancestor, if we fail to reach the closest layer, does that mean we are not qualified to obtain the inheritance?"

Chen Yuan didn’t answer.

Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Why bother asking?"

He looked at the two of them.

"Why don’t you try it yourselves?"

Chen Haoran and Qingxue exchanged glances.

For Qingxue, Chen Yuan did not have much expectation.

Her cultivation was only at the fourth layer of Qi Condensation, and she had never demonstrated any particular talent in the path of the sword.

As for Chen Haoran, however...

Chen Yuan’s gaze lingered on him.

Chen Haoran was a swordsman himself. Although his cultivation was not particularly high, he had spent many years using the sword as his main weapon.

Perhaps this inheritance would recognize something within him.

"Go on."

Chen Yuan waved his hand lightly.

"The test will tell you whether you are qualified."

Chen Haoran nodded.

He took a deep breath and looked toward the ancient sword in the distance.

Qingxue followed shortly after, and the two stepped forward together.

The moment they entered the first layer, the invisible pressure descended upon their bodies almost instantly.

Chen Haoran’s expression remained relatively calm within the first layer. Although he could clearly feel the weight pressing against his body, his seventh-layer Qi Condensation cultivation allowed him to withstand it fairly easily.

Qingxue, however, was different.

Her footsteps became noticeably heavier from the start. The pressure pressing against her body was suffocating, to the point that even breathing became an effort.

She gritted her teeth and continued forward.

One step, then another.

With each step they took, the pressure gradually increased as they moved closer to the sword.

Neither of them spoke.

They simply continued walking.

Chen Yuan remained behind them, silently observing their progress.

As each second passed, Qingxue was the first to pause in her tracks.

Her breathing gradually became heavier and heavier. Sweat began to gather on her forehead, and her originally composed expression tightened considerably.

Still, she refused to stop when she noticed Chen Haoran’s relatively relaxed pace ahead.

A little bit more.

She gritted her teeth and refused to stop.

After another few steps, the pressure became much heavier.

Qingxue’s body trembled, and her legs bent slightly, but she forced herself upright.

She continued until finally...

She has reached the second layer.

Chen Yuan muttered inwardly.

The moment Qingxue stepped across the invisible boundary, her entire body shook.

Her eyes widened, and her face immediately paled.

"What?"

The pressure descended upon her like an enormous mountain.

The pressure of a peak Qi Condensation expert!

Her knees buckled, and she almost fell to the ground.

Qingxue hurriedly circulated all the spiritual energy within her body, trying to resist it.

But it was...

"Too... much..."

She gnashed her teeth as her body trembled violently, sweat pouring down her face.

She could barely remain standing as Chen Yuan watched quietly from behind.

Seeing that she was already struggling this badly, he raised his hand and waved it.

"Enough."

A gentle spiritual energy enveloped her body.

Before she could react, her body suddenly became weightless as the surrounding pressure was warded off.

The next instant, she found herself slumped on the ground beside Chen Yuan.

Still a little dazed and with her vision slightly blurred, she looked toward him in surprise.

Chen Yuan smiled and stroked his beard.

"There’s no need to force yourself that much, Qingxue."

He glanced toward the sword.

"The opportunity simply isn’t meant for you."

Qingxue lowered her gaze and remained silent for several breaths before eventually nodding.

She understood the truth behind Chen Yuan’s words.

She was a little disappointed, but she had to accept that she simply wasn’t cut out for it.

The inheritance had its own requirements, and if she could not even withstand the second layer, forcing herself onward would only cause unnecessary injury.

"I understand."

Her voice was quiet.

Chen Yuan nodded in return, pleased that she wasn’t too dejected by her failure.

"Good."

The two turned their attention toward Chen Haoran.

At this point, Chen Haoran had already reached the second layer.

Compared to when he was in the first layer, his progress had slowed considerably.

He could feel it clearly.

Each step became increasingly heavy as the pressure surrounding his body reached the level of a peak Qi Condensation cultivator.

His muscles were tense, and sweat covered his forehead.

Even breathing, something so basic, had become considerably more difficult.

Yet he continued.

One step, then another.

His legs trembled beneath the pressure, but he refused to retreat.

He knew very well how difficult the inheritance of Ancestor Chen Feng was to obtain after hearing Chen Yuan’s explanation.

He also knew that this opportunity was hard to come by.

More importantly, he was a swordsman!

The desire to obtain a powerful sword technique burned within him, and he wanted to know just how far he could go.

Eventually, Chen Haoran reached the boundary of the third layer.

He stopped as his chest rose and fell heavily.

Sweat dripped from his chin and fell onto the ground.

His face had already become pale.

Too pale.

The pressure before him was completely different from everything he had endured until now.

"Half-Step Foundation Establishment realm’s pressure..."

Chen Haoran stared at the final three meters separating him from the stone platform.

"Even just looking at it makes my scalp go numb."

His hands slowly tightened into fists.

Then, he stepped forward.

Boom!

The instant his foot entered the third layer, an overwhelming pressure crashed down upon him.

It was as though an entire mountain had suddenly landed on his back.

Chen Haoran’s body bent violently, and his complexion became deathly pale.

His knees were almost touching the ground.

"Haoran!"

Qingxue’s expression changed.

The cold composure she had maintained until now cracked slightly at the sight of Chen Haoran being pushed to his limit.

She instinctively took a step forward, but Chen Yuan raised his hand, stopping her.

Near the sword, Chen Haoran gritted his teeth as his entire body trembled violently.

He forced himself upward and slowly straightened his back.

Qingxue looked at him with worry before turning toward Chen Yuan.

"Ancestor, please take him out!"

Chen Yuan glanced at her.

"Why?"

"He’s already suffering this much!"

Chen Yuan smiled faintly.

"Don’t underestimate the will of a swordsman."

Qingxue froze.

Chen Yuan turned his gaze toward Chen Haoran.

"If he truly wishes to stop, he will stop himself."