93: You have to ask your mother.

“Rising Sun Secret Realm.” Chu Tianxing murmured to himself, then smiled broadly, “A good name.”

At this moment, Chu Tianyun roared to the back: “You brats, and all you little beast, hurry over and celebrate Xiao Tian’s birthday! Present the gifts you’ve prepared. Each and every one of you, learn from Xiao Tian. Don’t act so arrogant with so little ability.”

As soon as he finished speaking.

A group of young people under eighteen from the Chu Family came from around the corner of the mountain. Leading them was a burly, broad-shouldered youth, who led many Chu Family youths towards Chu Tian. They all held precious divine medicines, longswords, jade pendants, and other valuable gifts.

“Dad, don’t rush, don’t rush, I’m here.”

Chu Xiong tilted his head forty-five degrees, nostrils flared, and led the way towards Chu Tian.

“Damn it, you dare to talk back? You’ve rebelled!” Chu Tianyun was furious and kicked his son on the butt: “Look at Xiao Tian, and then look at your useless self. You have no ability, always looking down on people with your nostrils flared. You haven’t learned any of my humility. I wonder whose seed you are.”

Chu Xiong patted his butt indifferently and muttered, “How would I know that? You’ll have to ask Mom.”

“Ke, ke, ke…”

Many Chu Family youths wanted to laugh but dared not, their faces flushed from holding it in, and strange sounds escaped from their throats.

Chu Tianxing also slapped his forehead and turned away, unable to bear looking. He highly suspected that the reason he hadn’t found a Dao Companion for so many years was because he had witnessed too many such tragic scenes, which affected his confidence in starting a Family.

“Hehehe, big guy, I’ll tell Third Aunt later.” Chu Yunshang’s eyes narrowed into slits as she laughed.

Chu Xiong didn't care, but Chu Tianyun’s face instantly changed from flushed to purplish-blue. If that woman heard these words, his son might be fine, but he would definitely lose a layer of skin. Too late to scold his scoundrel son, he quickly sought Chu Yunshang’s intercession.

“Xiao Tian…” Chu Xiong handed the gift in his hand to Old Tuo. Just as he opened his mouth, Chu Tianyun’s roar came: “Is Xiao Tian a name you can call him? You don’t understand any etiquette or hierarchy. How did I teach you? Call him Saint.”

However, after his father’s scolding, Chu Xiong no longer held his head high, and his eyes even showed some reverence, saying, “Saint, happy birthday.”

He was arrogant, but that was based on his strength; he had the ability to look down on his peers. However, Chu Tian’s three titles—first on the Forging Bone Rankings, first on the Spirit Refining Ranking, and first on the Hengtian Earth Ranking—directly shattered his arrogance.

By seniority, he was also a direct descendant, older than Chu Tian, and belonged to Chu Tian’s cousin. However, for many years, Chu Tian had been Cultivating with Chu Tian King, and being very young, he had little contact with his peers in the clan, so their relationship was not very close.

If even Chu Xiong, a direct descendant, was like this, what more the high-ranking clan disciples who followed, or even the collateral branch disciples who were chosen to Cultivate on the Main Peak of the Family because of their outstanding talent? They didn't even dare to look directly at Chu Tian, lowering their heads to hand their gifts to Old Tuo, then retreated to stand aside.

This was the hierarchy of a million-year-old great Family, and also the guarantee of the Family’s cohesion.

This was also why Chu Tian King had incurred widespread dissatisfaction within the Family, yet no one dared to openly oppose him before Chu Tian demonstrated his opposition with actual actions.

The Chu Family’s rules were strict. To maintain Family unity, consolidate power, and uphold the dignity of the direct lineage Family Head, no challenge was tolerated. Otherwise, without these ironclad rules, an ancient Family that had been passed down for a million years would have long since fallen apart, with each going their separate ways.

Chu Tian smiled faintly and said, “As direct descendants of the Family, in our lineage, there are only us two brothers in this generation. You are older than me, so calling me ‘younger brother’ is perfectly reasonable.”

Chu Tian didn't dwell too much on this.

Moreover, he approved of his cousin Chu Xiong because after his four siblings either died or were crippled, it was this arrogant Chu Xiong who upheld the reputation of the Chu Family’s younger generation.

Although his talent and strength were indeed limited, in the Eternal Sky Grand Competition five years later, he stubbornly refused to yield, attempting to uphold the Family’s dignity. In the duel, he was completely crippled by Ye Fan in three moves, his meridians severed, and he died humiliatingly within the Secret Realm.

“Xiao Tian, etiquette must not be abandoned.” Chu Tianxing’s face was serious: “You are the Saint of the Sect, the eldest direct son of the Family Head, and the next Family Head and Sect Master. Although he is older than you, he is still beneath you in rank. You may call him ‘elder brother,’ but he can only address you as ‘Young Lord’ or ‘Saint.’ Otherwise, the strict sanctions of the clan rules await him.”

Chu Tianxing glared at Chu Xiong and said, “Considering your youth just now, let this be an exception.”

However, hearing Chu Tian’s words, Chu Xiong breathed a sigh of relief and was no longer reserved. After all, his nature was inherently carefree. He quietly lowered his voice and asked Chu Tian, “Saint, can I enter the great dao pearl, um, the Rising Sun Secret Realm to Cultivate?”

At this moment, many Family youths also quietly raised their heads, looking at Chu Tian, their eyes filled with longing.

Even for Chu Family Prodigies, the Chu Family was so vast, with many monks and little porridge. Entering such a top-tier Secret Realm was difficult for them.

“Naturally, but there are conditions.”

Chu Tian’s expression was calm. He raised his hand and pointed in the direction of the Eternal Heaven Hall outside Holy Emperor Peak: “From the lowest Blood Condensation Realm to the highest God King Realm in the Family, regardless of origin, anyone who can enter the various rankings can Cultivate in the Secret Realm for one day. Those who make it into the top ten of any ranking can Cultivate in the Rising Sun Secret Realm for three days. Those who can consistently stay in the top three can Cultivate in the Rising Sun Secret Realm for ten days. Family Prodigies who can enter the Hengtian Earth Ranking can enter the Secret Realm and Cultivate with me at any time.”

He had waited a long time for this day.

A top-tier great Family cannot rely on him alone, unless he reaches the Realm of Duanmu Saint Ancestor, where he alone can support the Saint Heaven Sect.

But before that, the Family must be filled with strong practitioners, shining stars, and a continuous stream of Prodigies to uphold the prestige of this enormous Family.

The decline of the Chu Family began with the decline of its younger generation.

“That simple?”

Chu Xiong’s eyes lit up. He immediately turned and rushed down the mountain, shouting, “I’ve long been annoyed by the arrogance of those Ye Family guys. The top ten of the Combining Body Ranking, and the Hengtian Earth Ranking, will definitely have a place for me!”

Many young Prodigies of the clan also had shining eyes and quickly followed, heading towards the Eternal Heaven Hall.

Even if not for the Rising Sun Secret Realm, which young man doesn't dream of dominating the world and being the focus of everyone’s attention?

“This is how young people should be.” Looking at the excited young people in the clan, Chu Tianxing smiled faintly, feeling a bit emotional.

“Big Brother, happy birthday.” At this moment, the tattered Hui Mei also came forward, taking out a prepared gift and handing it to Old Tuo, with the cold-faced Holy Maiden Hui Lian by her side.

“Sister, it’s your turn.” Hui Mei pulled Holy Maiden Hui Lian.

“Chu Tian, there’s something I need to make clear to you.”

On Holy Maiden Hui Lian’s frosty face, a rare trace of hesitation appeared, but it quickly vanished. She said coldly, “Revered Master’s schemes and the hidden struggles between Sects have nothing to do with me, and I don’t want to get involved.”

“But the top spot on the Hengtian Earth Ranking will definitely still be mine.”

After Holy Maiden Hui Lian finished speaking, she took out a purple box and opened it. A rich Origin Qi permeated the air, and a purplish-red divine fruit, covered in purple patterns, lay in the box.

It was the cihang sacred fruit that Hui Mei had brought out before.

“Xiao Mei said he gave you a cihang sacred fruit as a greeting gift.”

Holy Maiden Hui Lian’s face was cold, but one could still see some unnaturalness on her face; she had never given anyone a gift before.

“Happy birthday.”

“Consider it also my apology for my previous words.”

“This is the treatment a strong person deserves; you are worthy of my respect.”

Chu Tian looked calmly at Hui Mei. He remembered that it wasn’t just a greeting gift at the time, but a gift for acknowledging him as Big Brother.

Clearly, what this Xiao Guangtou told his cousin was probably half-truths.

He saw this Xiao Guangtou looking at him pleadingly, begging Chu Tian not to expose him.

Ah, this tragic unrequited love.

“Mm.”

Chu Tian nodded slightly before turning to walk towards the Main Hall. But at this moment, Chu Tianyun followed him, his face grave as he lowered his voice, “Xiao Tian, the Liu Family was infiltrated and searched thoroughly, and Luo Yushan was even soul-searched.”