Chapter 3: Suppression

News of Dan Chen, a practitioner of the Body Tempering Stage, violently defeating Wang Changkong, an Initiate Martial Realm practitioner, spread through various channels and reached the high-ranking individuals from various factions in Tianyun City.

"Have you heard? A young member of the Dan family at the Body Tempering Stage beat Wang Changkong, the Initial Martial Realm heir of the Wang family, to near death!"

“What? Is this really true? Did we get a peerless genius in Tianyun City? It seems like the Dan family has back on the rise.”

"I heard that the kid's name is Dan Chen, but he's rumored to be a waste, unable to gather spiritual energy even at sixteen. He might never become a martial practitioner. Even if he's exceptionally talented, his journey might end here!"

"Oh, that's unfortunate. I was planning to recruit him..."

Dan Chen became a topic of conversation during people's free time in Tianyun City.

Dan Chen felt an inexplicable excitement and tossed and turned in bed: His years of hard work were not going to waste.

"So I can't gather spiritual energy. But so what? I will stand at the pinnacle of the Infinite Continent one day, overlooking the entire land, and become the strongest beneath the starry sky!"

His heart filled with fiery determination, and he couldn't sleep for most of the night. As dawn broke, he jumped out of bed, his habit of rising early to train for over ten years deeply ingrained in him.

Perhaps due to the recent combat experience, Dan Chen had new insights as he practiced his Jade-Shattered Fist again.

"Shopkeeper Liu, quickly open the door. There's an announcement in the family affairs hall," a voice suddenly rang out outside the door.

"Family affairs hall?" Dan Chen's heart skipped a beat. This was the administrative organization in charge of Dan family affairs, overseen by the eldest of the great elders. Dan Chen's mind conjured an image of a gloomy-looking old man, and he had a foreboding feeling.

Dan Chen opened the door and saw a middle-aged man with a goatee.

This man sized Dan Chen up from head to toe with squinted eyes and then sneered, "Dan Chen, do you know your crime?"

Indeed, the man had come for a challenge. Dan Chen raised an eyebrow and immediately classified the man before him as an enemy.

"Hey? I'm asking you a question!"

Dan Chen didn't reply immediately, and the man with the goatee's face darkened, his gaze becoming even sharper.

"Who are you, and how can you prove your identity? I don't know you; who knows if you're genuine or a fake." Dan Chen stared back and didn't show any signs of backing down.

"You…" The man with the goatee was furious, but when he saw Dan Chen's young and unyielding face, he held back his anger. He took out a badge from his pocket. "I am your clan uncle and in charge of the family affairs hall."

Dan Chen pretended to examine the badge, and his attitude softened slightly. In fact, he knew that the man was indeed genuine, but he decided to go along with it to diminish the man's arrogance.

He waved his hand and said, "Fine, your identity is verified. Uncle, please explain my wrongdoing."

The man with the goatee sneered, "You severely injured Wang Changkong, the ninth senior of the Wang family, inciting conflict between the Wang family and us, which could bring serious consequences to the family. You've violated our clan's rules. According to me, you should be captured and interrogated. However, the clan elder is merciful and has decided to give you a chance. If you voluntarily admit your guilt at the family affairs hall, your punishment will be reduced by one level."

"Rubbish!" Dan Chen shouted.

The goatee man was caught off guard and had ringing ears for a moment. He took a while to regain his composure and scolded Dan Chen, "You are insolent and disrespecting your elders."

"Phew!" Dan Chen spat heavily on the ground, "Wang Changkong brought it upon himself. It's his own fault! He instigated the conflict, so what does it have to do with me? The person who ordered me to admit guilt is likely a spy from the Wang family. Our clan elder is virtuous and will not issue such hasty commands. I suspect there are malicious individuals at work here."

Dan Chen imitated the goatee man's actions, thoroughly inspecting him from head to toe, leaving no doubt as to whom he was referring to as the malicious individual.

"You little brat with a sharp tongue!"

The goatee man fought back his anger and wished to teach this arrogant young man a lesson. However, when he remembered Dan Chen's recent victory, he refrained from acting recklessly. His cultivation level was low, just like Wang Changkong, had only reached the Initial Martial Realm. Provoking a fight would lead to humiliation.

Dan Chen sneered; he wasn't someone who sought trouble, but if someone provoked him, he would fight back. Wang Changkong did it, and this man in charge was doing the same.

The goatee man's emotions surged, and he mulled over his options. He had thought he might be able to take further steps, but he didn't expect this young man to be so cautious. Alright, he would follow orders and not create any trouble.

"Family affairs order. Liu Wanfeng and her son incited a conflict, which seriously affected the family's interests, with unpredictable consequences. Liu Wanfeng is suspended from her position as the shopkeeper of the Dan's elixir store. You and your mother are required to stay in the clan, not leaving without permission, and await further instructions."

The goatee man finished speaking and turned away, not wanting to face Dan Chen any longer.

"What a clown!"

Dan Chen cursed at the man's retreating back, closed the courtyard door, and added, "That old man isn't much better, always bullying others."

"Chen, watch your words," a voice suddenly reprimanded. It was Liu Wanfeng, who had appeared out of nowhere. She had a stern expression as she scolded, "That's one of our clan elders. It's not good if people find out."

"Why would anyone find out?" Dan Chen retorted, a bit sullenly. Then, he suddenly smiled and added, "I learned this from you."

Liu Wanfeng was left speechless. Over the years, she had to play the roles of both a father and a mother, while also dealing with the pressure from the senior members of the clan. Occasionally, she would vent her frustrations privately. She didn't want to set a bad example for her child.

“If Brother Hao knew that I’ve turned Chen into this, would he be angry with me?” Liu Wanfeng felt a pang of guilt and glared at Dan Chen before saying, "I'm going to read, you can play on your own."

If it weren't for Dan Hao's disappearance, Liu Wanfeng might not have taken over the family's elixir store, since her favorite occupation was reading. Stopping her duties for a while wasn't a big deal.

Dan Chen understood his mother well and didn't mind. However, he couldn't shake off the feelings of frustration caused by the recent events.

He gritted his teeth but couldn't help making a grinding sound with them. Humph. Wang Changkong! The senior clan! Whether inside or outside the clan, everyone was bullying him. They must think he was a pushover.

Dan Chen spent quite some time in the courtyard, doing exercises and lifting weights, but he couldn't release the pent-up frustration in his heart. In the end, he decided to go to the back mountain to practice Body Tempering.

"Brother Chen!"

Just as he stepped out, he heard a familiar, sweet voice. Dan Chen looked in surprise and saw a young girl in a white dress approaching him, holding her skirt.

The girl was about fourteen or fifteen years old, with eyebrows like willows, eyes like ginkgo leaves, a face like peach blossoms, and rosy lips. She had a natural beauty and, wearing a white dress, looked pure and elegant, like an orchid in a secluded valley.

The girl walked lightly, and carrying by a fragrant breeze, she approached Dan Chen with a sweet smile. She revealed two cute dimples. "Brother Chen, are you here to greet me? How did you know I was coming?"

"Uh!" Dan Chen was about to say something, but he swallowed his words. He scratched his head and grinned, "I didn't know. I just felt like someone was thinking about me, so I came out to take a look."

"Liar!" The girl gave Dan Chen a quick glance, and her nose wrinkled. "You were going to practice Body Tempering, don't lie to me."

"You're amazing, Sister Tianyin! No wonder my mom always praises you."

"Hehehe!" The girl smiled, her eyes crescent-shaped. "Auntie Liu really praises me? Auntie Liu rarely praises anyone, I'm so happy."

She suddenly grew serious and circled around Dan Chen, asking nervously, "Brother Chen, I heard you fought with Wang Changkong. You didn't get hurt, did you?"

"No, I didn't get hurt." Dan Chen struck a few poses to prove he was still lively.

The girl patted her slightly raised chest, feeling relieved. "I worried all night and planned to come over as soon as it was morning. But I was also afraid you'd sleep in..."

She blinked her eyes, whereas Dan Chen retorted, "How would I sleep in..."

The two of them conversed intimately, but Dan Chen knew that it wasn't easy for the girl to come out, especially to see him.

The girl's name was Ye Tianyin, the apple of the Ye family head's eye. She was naturally intelligent and exceptionally talented in martial arts.

At just fourteen years old, she had reached the Initiate Martial Realm, making her highly renowned among the younger generation, often referred to as Tianyun City's number one beauty.

Dan Chen remembered that when he was a child, this girl used to follow him around, often trailing behind him and calling him "Brother Chen."

Ten years ago, when Dan Hao disappeared, the relationship between the two families gradually faded. This was especially true after Tianyin's father took over as the head of the Ye family three years ago, and Dan Chen couldn't gather spiritual energy even after a long time had passed. The two families hadn't seen each other since.

Dan Chen recalled that the two families were initially considering an arranged marriage, but it was Tianyin's mother who had stopped it, saying that they would discuss it again when the two grew up.

Given Dan Chen's current situation, it was unlikely the Ye family still had such plans. However, he was comforted by the fact that this girl hadn't changed and remained close to him.

"Miss, it's about time," a voice suddenly rang out, interrupting the conversation between the boy and girl.

The atmosphere fell silent, and Dan Chen gave an annoyed look to the intrusive old lady. It was always like this; he really found this old woman annoying.

"Ms Rong, just a little while longer," Ye Tianyin said, pleading in a spoiled manner.

The elderly lady cast a brief, expressionless glance at Dan Chen and said, "I’m just doing my job, please, young miss, think twice. Once the madame is angry, it will be difficult for you to come out next time."

"I understand," Ye Tianyin sighed in resignation, then turned to Dan Chen. "Brother Chen, please be careful. The Wang family is petty, and they will definitely come after you. Don't go out unless it's necessary."

Ye Tianyin couldn't stop cautioning him. Dan Chen nodded continuously, showing no impatience.

"Miss," the elderly lady called with an extended tone.

"Alright, alright, I’ll leave now." Ye Tianyin pouted and said, reluctantly glancing at Dan Chen. "Brother Chen, I'm leaving."

Dan Chen felt a sense of loss as he watched the girl's figure disappear completely. He finally came back to his senses and realized that he was left with mixed feelings. He growled lowly, "Strength, I need strength!"

"It's with strength that I can protect my mother!"

"It's with strength that I can stand proudly and wield my sword in the world!"

"It's with strength that I can stay with my beloved girl with people bowing to me!"

With that determination, he strode off quickly towards the back mountain.

In the Dan family's back mountain, Dan Chen allowed the waterfall to wash over his body while passionately practicing his Jade-Shattered Fist at the base. His desire to become stronger was stronger than ever.

With each punch, he couldn't help but roar in his heart, "If I had enough strength, Wang Changkong wouldn't dare act arrogantly, and the clan elder wouldn't dare come to provoke me. No one would stop Tianyin from visiting me!"

"I need to become stronger!"

In the midst of his intense training, Dan Chen lost track of time. Unbeknownst to him, the day had grown late, and a full moon hung in the treetops. It was the middle of the month, and the crisp Autumn air filled the night. If all went well, it would be another night with a bright moon and scattered stars.

Under the vast sky, the nine originally dim stars formed a perfect circle around the moon. As the night grew darker, these nine stars started to change, growing increasingly brighter and even surpassing the moon.

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