75: A safe marriage! A competition of geniuses!

The afterglow of the Chen Family's promotion to a Seventh-Rank Family had not yet faded when new joy was added inside and outside their mansion.

The unspoken understanding between Ping An and the Zhou Family sisters was finally formally acknowledged by the elders in the most dignified manner.

Chen Fan personally wrote a letter, penned by Zhou Wenyuan, and, with the most solemn Family etiquette, brought generous gifts to the Zhou Residence (County Magistrate Zhōu Wénqīng's mansion) to propose marriage.

The objects of the proposal were naturally the two girls, Zhou Jin and Zhou Xuan.

However, the wording of the letter contained profound implications.

Chen Family Young Family Head Chen Qian sought to marry Zhou Wenqing's niece, Zhou Jin, as his wife, while also expressing deep appreciation for the wisdom and grace of the Zhou Family's youngest daughter, Zhou Xuan, and wishing to discuss marriage arrangements once she came of age.

This approach not only clearly stated the intention to marry Zhou Jin first but also gave the Zhou Family ample Face, subtly hinting at Zhou Xuan's future status.

Although in reality, it was not a simultaneous marriage of both girls, the intention of “sisters serving one husband” was already clear.

When the news spread, the entire county town was amazed by the Chen Family's influence and the Zhou Family's good fortune.

Inside the County Magistrate's mansion, Zhou Wenqing stroked his beard, his Face beaming with unconcealed delight.

The Chen Family's action not only brought his niece, Zhou Jin, into the core of the Chen Family but also incorporated the future of his own daughter, Zhou Xuan, into the Chen Family's prestigious lineage!

How could this be a simple marriage alliance?

This was completely binding his branch of the Zhou Family to the Chen Family, a giant ship with boundless prospects!

Even better, the Chen Family did not demand Zhou Xuan's immediate marriage, giving his daughter space to grow and fully preserving his Zhou Family's dignity in terms of status.

This kindness and Face made Zhou Wenqing even more devoted to the Chen Family.

"My dear brother!"

Zhou Wenqing tightly grasped Chen Fan's hand, his excitement evident.

"Nephew Qi'an is a Dragon among men, and it is Jin'er's good fortune to find such a suitable match! As for Xuan'er… thanks to the Chen Family's acceptance, when she comes of age, I will personally send her to your residence!"

In his words, he had subtly positioned himself as an in-law elder of the Chen Family.

And just as the Chen Family's marriage proposal was settled, and both mansions began to busily prepare for the wedding, another piece of news about Zhou Wenqing quietly circulated within a small circle.

Having diligently served as County Magistrate for many years, and with his niece's marriage to the Chen Family, and his Family's rise in status, Zhou Wenqing, whose jurisdiction included Qingshui Town, where the Chen Family, a newly promoted Family, had emerged as a model, had achieved remarkable political success. There were already whispers that the State Prefecture intended to promote him to County Assistant!

This was a major leap in his official career!

Although this news had not been officially announced, considering the timing of the Chen Family's marriage proposal, anyone with discerning eyes could see that the Chen Family's backing and influence were undoubtedly involved.

For a time, Zhou Wenqing's standing among his bureaucratic colleagues significantly increased invisibly.

The Zhou Family's status rose with the tide!

In contrast, the atmosphere in the Chen Family's backyard martial arts training ground was completely out of sync with the festive preparations for the wedding in the mansion.

Protective Aura whistled in the arena, and powerful Qi surged!

Two figures intertwined and collided like lightning, emitting dull, thunderous roars.

One figure was tall and burly, with wide-open, sweeping Moves, carrying a dense Evil Qi tempered by blood and fire; it was Liu Chengzong.

And his opponent was none other than the fourteen-year-old Chen Hongrui!

At this moment, Rui Lin no longer showed the youthful shyness he usually displayed when facing Lin Jing Shu. His eyes were like electricity, and his body surged with Qi and blood, like a burning furnace. A faint golden Protective Aura pulsed unsteadily between his fists and feet, subtly forming a scorching, fierce雏形!

His speed, strength, reaction, and grasp of the battle situation were far superior to when he was at Tianshu Pavilion several months ago!

"Good boy! Again!"

Liu Chengzong roared, his Qi and blood from the Tongmai Realm erupted. He struck out with a palm, heavy and powerful, subtly carrying the lingering Saber Intent of "Blood Rainbow Pierces the Sun." Where his palm wind passed, the air let out a sharp shriek!

Facing this palm, powerful enough to break stone tablets, Rui Lin did not dodge!

He let out a low growl, his spine suddenly shaking like a great Dragon. His entire body's muscles and bones exploded with crackling sounds like frying beans, and the Pure Yang Battle Aura Art was pushed to its limit!

His right fist clenched, and the faint golden Protective Aura instantly condensed at his fist's tip. With an indomitable resolve, he fiercely punched out!

"Break!"

Boom—!!!

Fists and palms met, like two heavy hammers colliding! A violent wave of Qi exploded outwards from the two, kicking up a sky full of dust!

Liu Chengzong's body swayed, and he involuntarily retreated three steps, each step leaving a shallow imprint on the hard bluestone ground!

Rui Lin, however, stood as steady as a rock, only his Face slightly pale, and the Protective Aura on his fist fluctuating violently, clearly having absorbed a massive impact.

On the sidelines, Lin Jing Shu covered her small mouth, her beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration, both proud of her beloved's strength and a hint of heartache.

Chen Fan stood with his hands behind his back, looking at his second son, whose Aura was like a rainbow in the arena, with undisguised approval and satisfaction.

Su Wan, Su Qing, Liu Qianqian, and others also watched from the side, their Faces filled with astonishment.

Liu Chengzong steadied himself, shook his slightly numb palm, and looked at the young man opposite him, whose Qi was somewhat chaotic but whose Battle Intent was growing stronger. He couldn't help but burst into laughter, his voice echoing far and wide:

"Good! Good! Good! Xingmai Realm! A genuine Xingmai Realm! Hahahaha! A fourteen-year-old Xingmai Realm! Rui Lin, you're even more of a Prodigy than your father was back then! I'm impressed!"

His words were not entirely a joke. With that last palm strike, he had used over seventy percent of his strength, yet he was forced back!

Rui Lin's true combat power at this moment had definitely reached an extremely strong level within the Tongmai Realm, enough to briefly contend with a Zhou Tian Realm expert without falling into a disadvantage!

Rui Lin took a deep breath, suppressing the surging Qi and blood. The golden light in his eyes receded, and he regained some of his youthful appearance. He cupped his fists and bowed to Liu Chengzong:

"Thank you, maternal grandfather, for your guidance!"

His words were full of gratitude.

He knew that if his maternal grandfather hadn't held back and been willing to spar with him, he wouldn't have been able to stabilize his Realm and grasp the essence of Xingmai Realm power in such a short time.

"Guidance?"

Liu Chengzong glared, laughing and scolding.

"I can't guide you anymore! In another two years, I'm afraid you'll be chasing me around and beating me! If you want guidance, go find your father!"

He gestured towards Chen Fan.

Rui Lin's gaze immediately turned to Chen Fan, his eyes filled with adoration and expectation.

His return home this time was partly for relaxation, partly to bring Lin Jing Shu back for his Family to meet, but the most important purpose was to seek guidance from his father, this unfathomable martial Dao theoretical Grandmaster and practical powerhouse!

The Prodigy Martial Arts Assembly gathered talents from all over the world. Although he had broken through to Tongmai Realm, he knew well that there were always people stronger than himself, and he needed to become even stronger!

Chen Fan looked at his son's burning gaze and nodded slightly.

He slowly walked into the arena and said to Rui Lin:

"Your maternal grandfather is right. The Tongmai Realm is the true threshold for truly entering the halls of martial Dao.

Your Foundation is profound, your Qi and blood are vigorous, and among your peers, I have not seen anyone who can surpass you.

However, power is not the only thing. In the Prodigy Martial Arts Assembly, there are many strong opponents. You need to understand your strengths and also know how to overcome your enemy's weaknesses."

He did not immediately demonstrate any earth-shattering Moves but instead had Rui Lin circulate the Pure Yang Battle Aura Art again, activating his Qi and blood and Protective Aura.

Chen Fan, like the most precise observer, slowly walked around Rui Lin, his gaze like a torch, as if it could penetrate skin, fascia, and bones, discerning every subtle flow of Qi and blood and Protective Aura within his body.

"When Qi and blood are transported to the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, there is a slight delay. Is it true that after Cultivating at寅時, there is often a hidden pain here?"

"When Protective Aura is released and condensed at the fist's tip, its form is gathered, but its Intent is not. If the Intent is not present, the edge is not sharp, and strength is wasted."

"When Treading Yang Step connects to 'Pure Yang Piercing the Void,' the left foot exerts too much force from the Yongquan point, losing three parts of its agility, making its trajectory easily discernible."

Chen Fan's guidance was precise, direct, and pointed straight to those subtle flaws and Bottlenecks in Rui Lin's Cultivation that he himself had not even noticed!

Every sentence was like parting the clouds to see the sun, making Rui Lin suddenly enlightened!

Even more terrifying was that Chen Fan could not only point out problems but also, with the simplest yet profound language, combined with the perspective of the Encyclopedia of All Things analyzing the laws of all things' operation, dissect their Origin and provide directions for improvement!

"The movement of Qi and blood should be like a river flowing, bypassing mountains, and rushing through canyons, not just forcefully pushing through. Visualize a mountain stream, capturing its essence of living water..."

"The condensation of Protective Aura Intent is not through brute force compression. It requires mental will as a guide, visualizing the rhythm of the 'Dao Protective Aura Small Sword' rune's circulation, capturing its sharpness, refinement, and the Dao rhyme of endless vitality..."

"The transition of footwork emphasizes the movement of intention following the body, like wind caressing willows, like clouds unfurling and gathering. It requires integrating the fierce swiftness of Treading Yang Step with the smooth flow of 'Cloud Water Step'..."

This kind of teaching already far exceeded the scope that Lei Wanjun could achieve!

This was built upon Chen Fan's own creation of the Pure Yang Dao Foundation Formula, his deep study of the Dao of spiritual and martial Fusion, and his profound accumulation from having the Encyclopedia of All Things analyze the essence of all things—a profound insight and interpretation of the Origin of martial Dao power!

Rui Lin was like one who had long thirsted meeting sweet rain, greedily absorbing every word and every piece of guidance from his father.

Following his father's teaching, he readjusted his Qi and blood circulation routes, refined his Protective Aura Intent, corrected his footwork transitions...

With each attempt, he felt a deeper understanding of power. The surging Qi and blood and Protective Aura within his body became more rounded and effortless. With every Move, that pure and domineering Battle Intent became more restrained, yet also more dangerous!

Lin Jing Shu watched from the side, mesmerized.

Although she did not primarily Cultivate martial Dao, she came from a Family and had good discernment.

She could clearly feel that under Chen Fan's seemingly ordinary guidance, Rui Lin's entire Aura was undergoing a transformative change!

It was an astonishing metamorphosis from "powerful strength" to "mastery of strength"!

She looked at the majestic, calm, and imposing figure in the arena, her eyes filled with awe.

This future father-in-law's martial Dao Cultivation and wisdom were truly unfathomable!

In the martial arts training ground, Rui Lin practiced repeatedly, sweat soaking his robes, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Chen Fan stood with his hands behind his back, calmly watching his son rapidly improve on the martial Dao path.

Inside the Chen Family mansion, Ping An and Zhou Jin's wedding date was approaching, with lanterns and colorful decorations everywhere, radiating festive red light.

In the backyard martial arts training ground, Rui Lin's fists roared like thunder, and Protective Aura surged, accumulating the power to split rocks and pierce clouds for the upcoming Imperial Capital Prodigy Battle.

Within one mansion, the joy of betrothal and the sharpness of martial Dao shone brightly together.

Ping An's marriage was settled, the Zhou Family was more deeply attached, and Zhou Wenqing's official career held promise;

Rui Lin received his father's true傳承, his combat power soared, aiming directly for the Imperial Capital Prodigy Rankings!

With double joy filling the household, the Chen Family's Foundation, amidst the intertwining of worldly life and martial Dao prominence, grew deeper, also foreshadowing an even more magnificent future.