25: "Nine Transformations of Pure Yang"! The Steps to an Aristocratic Family!

As dusk settled, when Chen Fan's figure appeared at the entrance of the Chen Family Courtyard, Su Wan, Su Qing, and Liu Qianqian, who had been eagerly awaiting him, almost simultaneously rushed forward.

Worry, blame, and lingering fear intertwined in their eyes, turning into a barrage of accusations.

"You finally decided to come back!"

"Didn't you say three days? Why did you delay until so late!"

"Chen Fan! You scared us to death! If you dare to do that again..."

Liu Qianqian, with her slightly bulging belly and red-rimmed eyes, spoke with a tearful voice, yet her fists couldn't bear to truly land on him.

Chen Fan looked at the genuine concern expressed by his wives, and a strong warmth surged in his heart, along with a hint of apology for his concealment.

He opened his arms and gently gathered them into his embrace, his voice low and tender:

"Alright, alright, didn't I come back safely? This time it's my fault for making you all worry. I promise you, from now on... I'll try not to go deep into the mountains alone."

He said "try" and "deep," not completely blocking his own path, but it was still a reassuring promise to his wives.

After all, with the Zhengyang Lake Secret Realm, ordinary deep mountain hunting was no longer a necessity for him.

Feeling his warm embrace and steady, strong heartbeat, the three wives' suspended hearts finally settled back into their chests.

The words of blame could no longer be spoken, only the relief of surviving a calamity and the cherish of his safe return remained.

Just then, a hearty laugh came from inside the courtyard:

"Hahaha, little Chen, your trip into the mountains really made these three girls anxious!"

Liu Chengzong strode out of the main hall, clearly having arrived earlier.

"Father-in-law."

Chen Fan released his wives and bowed respectfully.

Liu Chengzong waved his hand with a smile, but his gaze swept over Chen Fan as if it were tangible.

With that sweep, the smile on his face instantly froze, and an incredible shock erupted in his eyes!

"You... you Breakthrough?! Golden Viscera Realm?!"

Liu Chengzong's voice had changed pitch, filled with extreme astonishment!

He was a Tongmai Realm expert; how sharp was his eyesight!

Chen Fan's aura at this moment was as stable as a mountain, his steps light yet rooted as he walked, subtly revealing a sense of internal organs solidifying and Qi and blood becoming a unified whole, a sign of Major Achievement!

This was precisely the characteristic feature of the third stage of the Body Forging Realm — Golden Viscera Major Achievement!

But... how long had it been since this young man Breakthrough Iron Bone Realm? At most, only a few months! This Cultivation speed... it's simply inhuman!

Chen Fan's heart tightened slightly, knowing he couldn't hide it from his experienced Father-in-law.

His expression was calm, and he smiled faintly:

"By chance, I gained some insight. While meditating and adjusting my breath in the forest, it happened naturally."

"By chance? Naturally?"

Liu Chengzong's mouth twitched, looking at Chen Fan as if he were looking at a monster.

He deeply understood the difficulty of the Martial Dao path. How much hard work and resources did he expend to go from Iron Bone to Golden Viscera?

A full five years!

And this young man in front of him... Liu Chengzong took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the stormy waves in his heart, patted Chen Fan's shoulder, and exclaimed with emotion:

"Good! Good! Good! Little Chen, you really... make this old man look at you with new eyes again and again! Such talent is unheard of! My Liu Family's Qianqian has married a true Dragon!"

His tone was full of praise, but deep in his eyes, the hint of scrutiny and shock lingered for a long time.

The dinner was set in the inner hall.

To "calm" Chen Fan and to host Liu Chengzong, Su Wan and Su Qing brought out their best skills.

And when Chen Fan's final main dish, steamed Chiyang Carp, personally cooked by him, was served, its unique, almost transparent flesh and the fresh aroma it exuded, several times richer and purer than semi-spiritual poultry meat, instantly attracted everyone's attention.

"Oh? Little Chen, this is...?"

Liu Chengzong picked up a piece of fish. The fish meat was as delicate as solidified fat, melting in the mouth, and an indescribably delicious flavor instantly exploded on his tongue!

What moved him even more was that as the fish entered his stomach, a warm current, far purer, gentler, yet irresistibly potent than red jade rice, spread out, rapidly nourishing his limbs and bones!

His Tongmai Realm Cultivation actually felt his Qi and blood slightly active and his muscles and bones comfortable!

This effect was stronger than anything the Chen Family had previously offered!

After tasting it, Su Wan and the others were even more amazed. Liu Qianqian's eyes lit up even more:

"Husband, this fish is too delicious! And... it feels so comfortable, warm!"

Chen Fan smiled slightly and vaguely said:

"I was lucky. I found them in a very remote small stream. There were only a few of them, and it took a lot of effort to catch them. The meat quality and nourishing effect are indeed extraordinary."

Liu Chengzong looked deeply at Chen Fan and did not press further.

He had traveled the Jianghu for many years and knew the profoundness of Opportunity and Luck.

More and more secrets enveloped Chen Fan, but this young man was loyal and righteous, truly cared for Qianqian, and was now the most important partner and source of wealth for the Liu Family Martial Arts School.

Liu Chengzong was a smart person; he knew what to ask and what not to ask.

This fish, along with Chen Fan's inconceivable progress, all pointed to one answer — this young man carried a great Opportunity!

The banquet ended in amazement and satisfaction.

The children were taken to rest, and Su Wan's three sisters tactfully cleaned up, leaving the space for the father-in-law and son-in-law.

In the study, the lamp flickered faintly.

Liu Chengzong's smile faded, becoming serious and solemn.

He was silent for a moment, then carefully took out an item from hisPregnant, wrapped tightly in oilcloth.

He unwrapped layer after layer, revealing an old, dark yellow booklet, neither metal nor jade, warm to the touch, but looking extremely ancient.

The cover of the booklet had no writing, and its edges showed obvious damage and scorch marks, clearly having endured many years.

"Little Chen."

Liu Chengzong pushed the booklet towards Chen Fan, his voice low.

"This item was something this old man brought out when he was young, risking half his life in an extremely dangerous ancient ruin. It is called the Nine Revolutions Pure Yang Guide."

Chen Fan's heart leaped fiercely!

The words "Pure Yang" touched his most sensitive nerve!

He calmly took the booklet; it felt heavy in his hand, and an indescribably ancient and vast aura faintly emanated from it.

"What a pity."

Liu Chengzong sighed, his eyes full of regret.

"It is an incomplete volume, and... it is profoundly deep beyond imagination. This old man has studied it for decades, but only barely understood the first few introductory methods, which provided a slight benefit to the Body Forging Realm. Beyond that, it was like reading a heavenly scripture. Forcing myself to Cultivate almost caused Qi deviation and injured my Meridians.

And... it seems... it's not a simple Martial Dao Cultivation Technique."

Liu Chengzong's gaze fixed on Chen Fan, burning:

"Your talent is extraordinary, your progress is the fastest I've ever seen in my life, and what's even rarer is your steady Heart-Nature, and your Comprehension Ability also seems extremely high.

This Nine Revolutions Pure Yang Guide, if it remains in this old man's hands, is merely a pearl hidden in dust.

Today, I will give it to you! Perhaps... you can comprehend mysteries from it that this old man could not reach!"

Chen Fan looked at the ancient incomplete volume in his hand, feeling the trust and expectation in his Father-in-law's words, and a warm current surged in his heart.

He carefully put away the booklet and bowed deeply:

"Thank you, Father-in-law, for your generous gift! Your son-in-law will not fail your trust and will diligently comprehend it!"

Liu Chengzong nodded with satisfaction, then changed the subject, his voice even lower:

"Little Chen, your current strength is already that of an expert, and you manage the Chen Family's Foundation. There are some things you should know now."

His gaze was profound, as if it penetrated the walls, looking out at a wider world:

"The Dayu Dynasty, established a thousand years ago, has a vast territory. Maintaining this enormous Dynasty, besides the imperial laws, are the aristocratic Families spread throughout the land!

To win over and manage these Families, and to encourage Martial Dao Cultivation, the Dynasty specifically established the 'Nine-Rank Family' evaluation system!"

"Oh? Please elaborate, Father-in-law."

Chen Fan's spirit lifted. This was precisely the kind of higher-level rules he needed to understand most at the moment.

"This system uses the Family's core martial strength as the sole criterion for measurement!"

Liu Chengzong said in a deep voice.

A Nine-Rank Family: Must at least have one Tongmai Realm (Meridian Flow Stage) Martial Artist presiding.

An Eight-Rank Family: Must at least have one Tongmai Realm (Heavenly Cycle Stage) Martial Artist, or three Tongmai Realm (Meridian Flow Stage) Martial Artists.

A Seven-Rank Family: Must at least have one Ninggang Realm (Qi Gathering Stage) Martial Artist, or three Tongmai Realm (Heavenly Cycle Stage) Martial Artists.

And so on, the higher the rank, the stronger the top-tier martial strength required, and the greater the quantity demanded.

Liu Chengzong paused, his eyes revealing a mix of awe and longing:

"And legend has it... the criteria for Families above the Third Rank... are no longer limited to the Martial Dao!"

"No longer limited to the Martial Dao?"

Chen Fan's heart trembled violently.

"That's right!"

Liu Chengzong's voice carried a hint of etherealness.

"Rumor has it that for Families above the Third Rank, the Dynasty's evaluation criteria will include the number and Realm of 'Immortal Dao Cultivators'!

One must have a 'Foundation Establishment Immortal Master' presiding to be called a Third-Rank Family!

As for the legendary First-Rank Family... it cannot exist without a Golden Core Old Ancestor suppressing its Luck!"

"Immortal Dao Cultivators! Qi Cultivating! Foundation Establishment! Golden Core!"

These words exploded like thunder in Chen Fan's mind!

Although he had long known that there should be Cultivators in this world, hearing such clear recognition and classification of immortal Cultivation power at the Dynasty level still made his heart surge!

This confirmed his previous conjectures and further clarified his future direction!

"Immortal traces are ethereal, and immortal Opportunities are hard to find. Those high and mighty immortal Cultivation Families are even more like Dragons, seen only by their heads and not their tails, beyond the reach of us mortals."

Liu Chengzong said with emotion.

"But this 'Nine-Rank Family' system is real! Gaining official recognition from the Dynasty is not only an unparalleled honor but also represents true influence and power in the local area!

Officials, resources, connections... all will tilt towards Families with a rank! It is a true protective talisman and a ladder to heaven!"

He looked at Chen Fan, his gaze burning:

"Little Chen, with your current Golden Viscera Realm Cultivation, plus the strength of my Liu Family Martial Arts School, if you can recruit one or two more Tongmai Realm experts, and operate properly, it's not impossible to secure a Nine-Rank Family title for the Chen Family! This, perhaps, is the true Foundation for your Chen Family's future standing!"

Chen Fan listened quietly, his heart surging. Nine-Rank Family! Immortal Dao Family! A more magnificent, yet also thorny, scroll slowly unfolded before him.

The incomplete volume of the Nine Revolutions Pure Yang Guide in his hand seemed to grow hot, and the Pure Yang Qi of the Zhengyang Lake Secret Realm faintly echoed within his body.

He looked up, his eyes shining with unprecedented determination:

"Father-in-law's teachings, your son-in-law will engrave them in his heart! However, regarding this Family title, I still need to consider it carefully!"

Liu Chengzong looked at his son-in-law, who was steady yet sharp, and possessed a hint of hidden foresight, and smiled with satisfaction.

He seemed to see a new star quietly rising in Qingshui Town, its light perhaps illuminating a more distant future.

Late at night, all was quiet.

Chen Fan sat alone in the study, his fingertips brushing the ancient incomplete volume of the Nine Revolutions Pure Yang Guide, feeling the vast aura it contained, and then thinking of the boundless Pure Yang of Pure Yang Lake in the Secret Realm.

The Dynasty's Family ranks, the legends of the Immortal Dao, his own Opportunity... countless thoughts collided and intertwined in his mind.

He carefully put away the incomplete volume, his gaze fixed on the deep night sky outside the window, a confident arc on his lips.

"Martial Dao Golden Viscera is merely the starting point. A Nine-Rank Family is also not the end point.

With the Zhengyang Secret Realm as my Foundation, and Pure Yang to guide me... this path between Immortals and mortals, I, Chen Fan, will forge through it with the entire Chen Family!"