83: With the changes of the new era, the Zhou family gradually went astray.

Jiang Xuanli stood on the palace wall, the anomaly in the sky reflected in her Phoenix eyes.

Her fingertips dug deeply into her palm, but she felt no pain—at this moment, all that remained in her eyes was the figure standing between the sea of clouds.

“Your Highness…” the old Mammy beside her whispered, her voice trembling, “He did it, Tianren Realm…”

“I know,” Jiang Xuanli interrupted softly, her voice slightly hoarse, “This is…”

She paused, then parted her red lips:

“A new era is coming.”

On the ceremonial platform, Qin Wenhe looked up at the sky, his suspended heart finally settling.

“Breaking through two realms consecutively is indeed terrifying… but if it's the Ninth Young Master… it's also normal.”

“Tianren Realm, your kid is too bold,” a Ji Family Family Elder said, his voice dry and full of displeasure.

Not only was his courage extraordinary, but he also truly possessed the strength for it…

Everyone else had similar thoughts, their hearts filled with both envy and jealousy.

Further away, countless old monsters in seclusion were awakened by the bell.

“One person ascends to Heaven, ten thousand follow.”

“Once the Heavenly Gate opens, latercomers will be as numerous as carp crossing a river.”

“This world is about to change.”

As long as one person achieves the Tianren Realm, it proves that this path is passable. No matter how dangerous and unpredictable this path is, latercomers will be guided by an unseen force, flocking to this path of ascension.

Given time, there will inevitably be a second, and a third.

This is not a coincidence, but the will of the Law of the Great Dao.

Over time, the term Prodigy will be redefined.

Qin Wangchuan would never know that his casual Breakthrough had ushered in a new era.

Above the sky, Qin Taiyi looked at Qin Wangchuan's figure below, muttering to himself:

“It’s also time to decide on a candidate.”

The Qin Family's Young Master was never just a simple title.

Every Young Master enjoyed equal inheritance rights, could mobilize the Qin Family's top resources, and cultivate the most superior Cultivation Techniques.

Talent, strength, Heart-Nature, Opportunity—every aspect was a cruel test.

All for the sake of competing for the supreme position of the 'Divine Child'.

That was the Qin Family's true and only heir.

The True Dragon Secret Realm thus ended with the sound of bells.

Qin Wangchuan of the Qin Family made his first appearance since his tenth birthday banquet. Everyone wanted to see if this youngest Young Master of the Qin Family could reach the same height as Qin Wudao.

But the truth exceeded everyone's expectations.

The True Dragon race's forbidden Divine Weapon recognized him as its master.

He knocked open the Heavenly Gate, achieving the first Tianren Realm since ancient times.

He broke through two realms consecutively.

Each of these Heaven-Defying feats, which could make others boast for a long time, all occurred to him.

Many people speculated that Qin Wangchuan might even surpass Qin Wudao.

And after witnessing Qin Wangchuan's Heaven-Defying abilities, the Immortal Dynasty faction, led by Jiang Xuanli, completely pledged their loyalty to the Qin Family.

Of course, even more Heaven-Defying was the Zhou Family.

In the Zhou Family's ancestral land, within the dilapidated hall.

Zhou Xuan, the Grand Elder of the Zhou Family, held a jade pendant, his knuckles white, his gaze fixed on the 'Nine' on the back of the pendant—this was clearly Qin Wangchuan's personal jade pendant.

“This…”

He swallowed, his voice as dry as if he hadn't had water in a long time.

He looked at Zhou Yunyi in disbelief and asked, “Is this really the token you brought back??”

Inside the hall, the other Zhou Family Elders exchanged glances, their faces filled with disbelief.

Zhou Yunyi's ability was not outstanding in the Zhou Family; one could even say he was a master of slacking off.

Entrusting him with the task of currying favor with Jiang Xuanli and Qin Wangchuan had originally held no hope.

But unexpectedly, Zhou Yunyi actually brought back Qin Wangchuan's personal jade pendant!

The meaning behind this was not simple!

In formal settings, a personal jade pendant often symbolized an extremely intimate relationship, or even… a master-servant or brotherly bond!

Could it be that Qin Wangchuan intended to form an alliance?

Zhou Yunyi lowered his head, his tone calm: “I brought it.”

Picking it up was indeed bringing it.

He didn't think there was any problem; it was just a jade pendant.

“Alright, you may leave.”

Zhou Yunyi looked up in surprise: “Then Elder, what about the promise from before…?”

Zhou Xuan waved his hand casually, “Of course it counts.”

“Thank you, Elder!”

After Zhou Yunyi left, the Elders, who had just been incredibly calm, immediately revealed their true selves.

“Let me see! Is it really Qin Wangchuan's personal jade pendant?”

“Indeed it is, a big 'Nine' on it.”

“Why didn't I realize this kid was so capable before…” Second Elder Zhou Ming muttered to himself, then slammed the table, “Could it be that he was hiding his true abilities?”

“I think so too; this kid usually acts like a good-for-nothing. Perhaps we misjudged him,” Third Elder said, his beard trembling with excitement.

Zhou Xuan took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind, but the hand holding the token was still trembling slightly.

Even Qin Wudao's jade pendant probably wouldn't have made them so excited.

But this was Qin Wangchuan's jade pendant.

Ultimately, the Zhou Family's calamity was actually caused by him.

He had originally thought of befriending other forces to get through this crisis, but since Qin Wangchuan intended to stand with them…

“Issue an order,” Zhou Xuan said in a deep voice, with an undeniable tone, “Immediately prepare a generous gift and send it specifically to the Qin Family, addressed to Qin Wangchuan.”

“From now on, whenever an excuse can be found—be it major or minor festivals, Breakthrough in cultivation, or even rumors of good news—prepare generous gifts to present.”

“Furthermore…” He paused, a glint flashing in his eyes, “Appoint Zhou Yunyi as the Chief Feather.”

“Chief Feather!”

The Elders were first startled, then their eyes gleamed as they exchanged glances.

“I agree.”

“I also agree.”

Anyway, they now had only one thought: fully befriend Qin Wangchuan!

Imperial Families are not irreplaceable; if they don't do this.

Those Immortal forces are eyeing this position enviously!

A few days later.

As soon as Zhou Yunyi walked out of his Immortal Cave door, he noticed something was off.

“Chief Feather Sir!” Several people bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with unprecedented awe.

“Mm,” Zhou Yunyi nodded casually, muttering to himself: 「The Family finally chose a Chief Feather? They're quite fast.」

He continued walking, but found that every clansman he encountered along the way, whether stewards, Disciples, or even the usually arrogant direct descendants, all stopped and bowed to him:

“Greetings, Chief Feather Sir!”

Zhou Yunyi's steps gradually slowed, and he frowned slightly: 「Is the new Chief Feather's entourage so grand?」

It wasn't until a familiar collateral descendant came up to him, his face full of fawning smiles: “Brother Yunyi… no, Chief Feather Sir! You must take good care of me in the future!”

Zhou Yunyi finally realized something was amiss.

He grabbed the other person: “Wait… what did you just call me?”

“Chief Feather Sir!” The other person was even more surprised than him, “The Elders announced it a few days ago, you… didn't know?”

Zhou Yunyi froze on the spot, his mind exploding:

“Me? Chief Feather?!”

“Are those old geezers having a Qi Deviation because their home was blown up?!”

Zhou Yunyi had a secret.

That was, he didn't like the Ten Directions Immortal Court; he preferred the Lower Realm.

So he often used Magic Treasures to condense a Dharma Body to play in the Lower Realm, which was why he liked to stay in his room.

But after becoming Chief Feather, how would he have time to play?

“No, no, I won't do it!”

Zhou Yunyi immediately went to find the Elders.

He originally wanted to righteously refuse, but they held Qin Wangchuan's jade pendant, saying one after another, 'As expected of you.'

“At first, we really thought you stole this, but we didn't expect you actually had something going on.”

“To actually win over Qin Wangchuan, as expected of you!”

Then they talked about rewards.

Resources were beyond reproach—free access to the Scripture Pavilion, Heaven And Earth Treasure in abundance, and three bottles of Tianyuan Pills delivered to his Immortal Cave entrance every month on time.

Even better, the Elders solemnly promised: unless the Zhou Family faced utter catastrophe, no one would be allowed to disturb his cultivation.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yunyi's expression instantly changed.

No one to disturb him?

Didn't that mean…

He could openly use 'seclusion' as an excuse to secretly sneak off to the Lower Realm to play?!

Thinking of this, Zhou Yunyi immediately dismissed the idea of explaining.

As for the origin of the jade pendant? He neither admitted to picking it up nor denied that Qin Wangchuan gave it to him—let them imagine it themselves.

Enjoy it first, then worry about it later!

On a distant pavilion, the Elders looked at his 'stable as a mountain' back, stroking their beards with satisfaction:

“Unmoved by favor or disgrace, this child is indeed a great talent!”