Chapter 20: Chen Yichen’s attempt.

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Chen Yichen’s attempt.

The three names had long been familiar throughout the Chen Family for the past five years. Among the younger generation, they stood at the very top in terms of cultivation, talent, and accomplishment.

These differences set them apart from the others around them, making them true talents who seemed destined to stand above their peers.

Chen Yuan smiled as he noticed the crowd’s attention shifting toward the three of them.

His gaze lingered on Chen Yichen, Chen Yuexin, and Chen Minghao before he quietly reflected.

Unlike those stories and novels I’ve heard, there is no such thing as talent grading in this world.

There were no Heavenly Spiritual Roots, Earth Spiritual Roots, Mortal Spiritual Roots, or any other elaborate classifications.

In this world, a person either possessed a spiritual root or they did not.

That was all.

Of course, differences between individuals still existed.

Some cultivated faster than others. Some possessed greater comprehension, stronger physiques, sharper senses, or a natural affinity toward certain techniques. Others could understand something in a few days that might take another person years to grasp.

But none of those differences could truly determine a person’s future.

Luck played a part.

Comprehension played a part.

Opportunities played a part.

And perseverance played a part.

In other words, this world is much more ruthless than those cultivation stories.

There was no system that would tell someone they possessed an extraordinary root and therefore had a glorious future waiting for them.

There was no predetermined ranking that could declare one person a genius and another an ordinary cultivator before either had even taken their first real step.

Someone was called talented because they had proven themselves to be talented.

Chen Yichen had reached the fifth layer of Qi Condensation at a young age. Chen Yuexin had demonstrated extraordinary comprehension and remarkable swordsmanship. Chen Minghao had likewise distinguished himself through his cultivation and accomplishments.

They were called geniuses because they had already proven themselves.

But beneath that title, they were still cultivators.

They still had to cultivate.

They still had to endure exhaustion, failure, pain, and countless difficulties.

If they stopped moving forward, their so-called talent would eventually become nothing more than a memory.

In the end, everyone is the same.

Chen Yuan’s gaze slowly swept across the younger generation.

Whether someone was praised as a genius or regarded as an ordinary cultivator, everyone was given the same thing at the beginning.

A chance.

What they did with that chance was what truly separated them.

Are you willing to work hard enough to reach your limit?

Are you willing to continue when your body is exhausted and your mind tells you to stop?

Are you willing to keep walking even after you’ve failed countless times?

Are you willing to push yourself to the point where you feel as though you are breaking apart, only to stand back up and take another step?

That was what determined how far a person could go.

Chen Yuan’s attention refocused onto the three of them, each standing several meters apart from one another, and each carrying a completely different temperament.

Chen Yichen’s hand rested casually over the hilt of his sword at his waist. His expression stayed calm, and throughout the time before, he had always been watching silently from the back.

Chen Yuexin stood quietly on her own, her pale robe barely moving in the still air of the cave. Her gaze remained fixed on the stone platform up ahead, and there was a subtle curiosity in her pupils.

As for Chen Minghao, his hands remained behind his back. His expression was stiff and cold as ever, making it difficult to determine what he was thinking.

Chen Yuan looked at them for several breaths before his gaze finally settled on one figure.

"Chen Yichen."

The young man’s eyes hardened as he stepped forward and respectfully cupped his hand.

"Ancestor."

"Care for a try?"

Chen Yuan smiled, silently discerning the young man’s face with interest.

Chen Yichen did not answer immediately.

His gaze remained on the ancient sword in the distance, as though he were carefully considering what awaited him beyond the crimson rings.

After several breaths, he withdrew his gaze and respectfully said, "I will try my best, Ancestor."

His voice was calm and carried no trace of arrogance.

And to that, Chen Yuan’s smile deepened slightly.

Beside Chen Yichen, Chen Yuexin and Chen Minghao exchanged subtle glances.

They had both noticed it.

From the moment Chen Yuan’s attention shifted toward the three of them, it was obvious that he intended to let them attempt the inheritance now.

Chen Yichen had simply been chosen first, but neither of them showed any impatience. Instead, their attention returned to the young swordsman standing before the trial.

They understood that once Chen Yichen finished, it would most likely be their turn. Neither wanted to waste the opportunity by allowing excitement to cloud their judgment.

Chen Yichen silently walked toward the first crimson ring. He did not immediately step inside.

Instead, he lowered his gaze and carefully examined the area before him.

His eyes moved across the stone beneath his feet, the crimson ring surrounding the trial, and finally toward the ancient sword embedded within the distant stone platform.

His right hand slowly moved toward the sword at his waist.

He did not draw it.

Instead, he rested his palm against the hilt and quietly felt the familiar weight of the weapon.

His breathing gradually became slower.

One breath.

Then another.

The spiritual energy within his body circulated steadily through his meridians, flowing without haste or disorder.

His heartbeat also gradually settled, slowing down as his blood circulation slowed.

The excitement he had initially felt was slowly suppressed, leaving only a clear and focused mind.

Chen Yuan observed everything without saying a word. He could see that Chen Yichen was not simply preparing his body.

He was preparing his mind as well.

There was no reckless confidence in the young man’s actions, nor was there any fear.

He was simply making sure that he was in his best possible condition before taking the first step.

Not bad.

Chen Yuan’s eyes contained a trace of appreciation.

’For a young man to possess such calmness and carefulness was rare.’

Most talented youths possessed a certain degree of pride.

After all, when someone had been praised for years and had repeatedly surpassed those around them, it was natural for confidence to gradually become arrogance.

Yet Chen Yichen had not allowed it to take control over his mind. He stood quietly before the crimson ring, his breathing now completely steadied.

Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward into the crimson boundary.

The instant he entered the first layer—

Boom!

The invisible pressure descended from above.

Chen Yichen’s robe fluttered violently, his long black hair swept backward as the stone beneath his feet trembled faintly under the force.

The crowd behind him immediately became silent as they had already witnessed this pressure before. Some had even been forced backward after taking only a single step into the first layer.

However, Chen Yichen took it all calmly.

His body lowered slightly under the coercion, and his feet remained planted on the ground. His expression did not change, and oddly enough, he did not immediately advance either.

Instead, he remained where he was and carefully felt the pressure surrounding his body.

’Clever boy, familiarizing his body with the pressure early on to avoid stagnation in the later stages.’

Chen Yuan was secretly amazed, surprised that Chen Yichen had managed to figure out a method to tackle the pressure.

Albeit not being able to completely resist the pressure, by familiarizing himself with it early, he could lessen its impact considerably in the later stages.

His spiritual energy silently circulated through his meridians, reinforcing his body while he observed the changes within himself.

Little by little, the heaviness that had initially pressed against his body became more manageable.

Chen Yuan’s eyes carried a faint smile.

’If he continues like this, he should be able to reach the second layer without much difficulty, preserving more strength to fight once he enters the third layer.’

Chen Yichen seemed to have reached the same conclusion.

After several breaths, he slowly straightened his back and began moving forward.

His pace was steady, neither rushing nor slowing unnecessarily as he allowed his body to gradually adapt to the increasing pressure.

The distance between him and the second boundary quickly shortened.

Before long, he arrived before the crimson line separating the first and second layers.

Chen Yichen stopped briefly.

His breathing remained stable, and despite the pressure having increased throughout the first layer, his condition was still surprisingly good.

He glanced toward the second layer before making one final adjustment to his spiritual energy.

Then he stepped across the boundary.

Boom!

The pressure struck.

The crowd outside the crimson ring visibly flinched, worried for his safety. After all, the second layer was already known as the dead layer where many previous participants had been forced to stop.

Chen Yuan’s expression faltered slightly before he quickly regained his usual calm composure.

Chen Yichen closed his eyes and quietly felt the change in pressure.

"What a wonderful feeling."

His voice carried a trace of excitement.

He adjusted his breathing, and his knees slowly straightened as he continued forward.

His pace was slower than before, but it remained constant.

The crowd watched in disbelief as he crossed the second layer without stopping.

"He’s still moving!"

"What a talent! How did he do it?"

"His pace barely changed... How?"

Chen Guanshan’s eyes shone with excitement. After all, he was currently witnessing the rise of a talent from his clan.

Chen Yuan, however, remained calm. His eyes silently followed every movement of the young swordsman.

Good.

He’s preserving his strength exactly as I expected.

Chen Yichen continued deeper into the second layer.

The pressure gradually became heavier, forcing his muscles to tense while his spiritual energy circulated faster through his meridians. Sweat eventually appeared along his forehead, and his breathing became heavier.

Still, he persisted.

Soon, the end of the second layer came into view.

Beyond it was the final crimson ring, the third layer where the stone platform resided.

Chen Yichen’s eyes narrowed as he looked toward it.

The distance was only a few meters.

So close, and yet so far.

Even before entering the last crimson ring, the pressure radiating from the third layer was already more terrifying than the previous ones.

It was as though the pressure had almost solidified into rock, filling the space before him despite remaining invisible.

"A Half-Step Foundation Establishment cultivator’s pressure?"

He muttered, his right hand tightening around the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"Then let me experience it."

His voice was not loud, but it carried clearly through the silent cavern.

The clansmen watching from behind exchanged glances. Some looked at him with admiration, while others couldn’t help but feel their palms becoming sweaty.

They had already witnessed how Chen Guanshan suffered miserably when he set foot inside that last layer before. Despite Chen Yichen’s confidence, they didn’t know whether he would be able to withstand it.

The pressure there was no longer something an ordinary Qi Condensation cultivator could endure.

Chen Yichen, however, had already made his decision.

He slowly adjusted his breathing, his eyes hardened as he stared dead ahead into the thin line of the crimson ring.

I could already imagine just how badly injured I will be after this.

He grinned inwardly.

His instincts were yelling at him while his body had already endured enough.

But his heart told him something entirely different.

"If I turn back now..."

His voice was quiet.

"Then tomorrow, when I remember this moment, I will know that I chose to retreat when I still had the strength to take another step."

"I may fail."

He took a step closer to the crimson boundary.

’I may be unable to withstand it.’

Another step.

"But if I don’t try today..."

His eyes reflected the crimson flames burning inside his pupils.

"Then I will never know how far I could have gone."

His foot crossed the crimson boundary.

The instant he entered the third layer—

BOOM!

A terrifying pressure descended from above.

The entire area within the third ring trembled violently as Chen Yichen’s body was forced downward almost instantly.

The stone beneath his feet shattered into countless tiny cracks under the overwhelming force.

His pupils contracted, and his face instantly paled.

And yet, he was smiling?

He... was actually smiling?!

His entire body trembled violently beneath the overwhelming pressure. The veins along his forehead and neck bulged prominently, while his face gradually flushed red from the strain.

His knees bent deeper.

His back lowered.

Soon, Chen Yichen was almost squatting beneath the terrifying pressure, with both legs trembling as though they could collapse at any moment.

Yet he did not fall.

He gritted his teeth and slowly raised his head.

The ancient sword remained several meters ahead.

So close.

Yet the distance between them now seemed like an insurmountable chasm.

Chen Yichen’s breathing became ragged.

Blood slowly seeped from the corners of his ears.

Then a thin stream of blood trickled from his nose.

His face became increasingly red, as though the immense pressure was squeezing every drop of blood toward his head.

Several clansmen’s expressions changed drastically.

"He’s bleeding!"

"Ancestor, should we stop him?"

"That pressure is too much!"

Even Chen Guanshan’s expression became tense.

However, Chen Yuan stared at the young man for several breaths before the corners of his lips suddenly curled upward.

Then he laughed.

"Hahaha..."

The clansmen turned toward him in confusion, seemingly unable to understand why their Ancestor was laughing when Chen Yichen was already bleeding beneath the terrifying pressure.

Chen Yuan shook his head, his eyes fixed upon the young swordsman.

"How am I supposed to stop him?"

His smile widened.

"Look at that face."

The clansmen followed his gaze.

Chen Yichen’s face was already flushed crimson, blood trickling from his nose and ears.

His body trembled violently, his knees bent so deeply that he was nearly squatting against the ground.

Yet despite all of that...

He was smiling.

"He’s a madman."

Chen Yuan laughed again, his eyes carrying a strange mixture of amusement and admiration.

"How can I stop a madman who’s smiling in the face of death?"

His gaze narrowed slightly.

"Look at him. He’s enjoying it."

"Then go ahead."

"Let this old man see just how far you can walk."

Chen Yichen did not hesitate any longer, almost like a lunatic with a smile over that bloodied red face.

His trembling legs slowly straightened beneath the crushing pressure, and with one hand pressed against his knee, he forced his body upward.

Then he took his first step, his foot landing heavily against the stone.

Boom!

Another web of cracks spread beneath his sole.

The pressure descended upon him with increasing force, causing his muscles to tighten until every part of his body felt as though it were being compressed.

His breathing became heavier, and the blood flowing from his nose increased slightly, dripping down his chin before falling onto the stone.

Yet Chen Yichen continued forward.

He dragged one foot ahead, then forced the other to follow.

Each movement became more difficult than the last.

His knees nearly buckled several times, but each time they did, Chen Yichen forced them straight again. His fingers dug into his palms so tightly that his nails pierced the skin, and fresh blood slowly mixed with the blood already covering his hands.

The crowd watched without making a sound, their silence enveloped in awe and horror at this insane sight.

Another step.

Boom!

The pressure suddenly intensified.

Chen Yichen’s entire body shook violently, and a muffled groan escaped from between his clenched teeth. His face became even redder, while blood began to seep from the corners of his mouth.

But his vision remained clear.

Almost too clear.

There was no blurring in his vision, no confusion clouding his thoughts. The ancient sword remained perfectly visible before him, every detail of its slender body etched clearly into his mind.

Chen Yuan watched silently.

The smile on his face gradually became more pronounced.

Still moving.

’So this is the price for talent?’

’To move beyond what the others could, and to suffer beyond what the others would?’

Chen Yichen dragged himself forward again.

The distance between him and the ancient sword continued to shrink.

Three meters.

Two and a half.

Two.

His body was already covered in blood, his breathing rough and his legs trembling violently beneath him.

But his gaze never left the sword.

It was getting closer.

And that was enough.

He forced himself forward once more.

Another step.

Then another.

Until only a few feet separated him from the ancient sword.

Chen Yichen slowly raised his trembling hand.

His fingers stretched toward the front and then, he took his final step. His hand reached the ancient sword.

The instant his fingers touched its hilt—

The terrifying pressure vanished.

Zoom!

Completely.

It disappeared so abruptly that Chen Yichen’s body nearly stumbled forward from the sudden lack of resistance.