CHAPTER 191: THE JUN CLAN'S ANCESTOR, JUN SUITIAN

"A secret realm is about to open. It's not just any secret realm, but a vast one at that, emerging within the inner sect. If it were you, would you let such an opportunity slip by?"

Nantian Yijian shook his head, meeting Lu Chen's gaze. "With an opportunity like this? Of course not. I'd do everything I could to secure the right to enter."

"If even you think that way, then the others will only be more frenzied."

Lu Chen circled the area once more, identifying the people present according to the traits of the six academies. Aside from the Serene Void Academy, the other five each had at least a thousand members gathered in various factions, yet none of their leaders could be seen.

"As for why I believe the danger at Serene Void Academy is over..." Lu Chen snapped open his folding fan and continued speaking, "Think about it. The high-level disciples from the five academies are already here. The only ones left are low-level ones, who may not even have the strength to trigger the barrier's defenses.

"And just in case, I left a substantial amount of cultivation resources with Senior Brother Song. Even if the disciples of Serene Void squander half of it in training, what remains will still be enough to last them more than a year."

Nantian Yijian laughed at Lu Chen's explanation. "Exactly! They can't even get past the gate, so what danger could there be?"

His hearty laughter instantly drew attention. When onlookers noticed the token at Lu Chen's waist, they bowed deeply. Yet some, upon recognizing his face, revealed nothing but burning hatred in their eyes.

Zhou Long turned and bowed respectfully. "Young Master Lu, we've arrived. Lord Jun's encampment is just ahead. My status is too low for me to accompany you further. From here, you'll have to proceed on your own."

"Alright," Lu Chen replied. He then tossed Zhou Long a thousand-year-old Spirit Ginseng. "Take this. As for our identities..."

Zhou Long's eyes widened. "A thousand-year Spirit Ginseng?"

He bent so low he nearly touched the ground, grinning ear to ear. "I understand, I understand! Since you young masters are traveling the world, you naturally wouldn't want your identities exposed."

"Good, then off you go."

Jun Laoye watched the exchange, wincing at Lu Chen's casual generosity. "A Spirit Ginseng for just a few hundred steps... You really got off cheap."

"Yes, yes, you're right, Young Master Jun. It's truly my fortune." Zhou Long tucked the root into his robes, bowed again, and hurried away.

Feeling the gazes ahead, Lu Chen lifted his head and locked eyes with the Jun Clan's black-robed senior. He watched as the man closed his folding fan and bowed. "Senior Jun, we have come as invited..."

The black-robed man studied Lu Chen and his companions. Noticing the absence of his former mark, he paused briefly, then returned to a calm demeanor. "Rise, young friend. It seems your journey has borne much fruit. Your bearing now surpasses even the young masters of the great clans."

Lu Chen straightened, putting away his folding fan into his spatial ring. "May I ask how to address you, Senior, so that we may not mistakenly disrespect you?"

The man smiled. "Hehe, you speak with tact. My personal name has long been forgotten. I am known only by the honorific 'Suitian.' Given the gulf between our generations, you may call me Ancestor Suitian."

Lu Chen stepped forward and bowed. "I... am your junior, Lu—"

Before he could finish, Jun Laoye cut him off. "Suitian Spear! Are you truly Ancestor Suitian?!" His hands crossed over his chest in a solemn gesture as he dropped to his knees. "Ancestor Suitian, please accept my most respectful salute!"

Ancestor Suitian looked at him with a faint smile. "Oh? So you are part of my Jun Clan. Many years have passed. Tell me, how did you learn of my full honorific? It has not been spoken in five thousand years."

"Ancestor, I am a seeker of this generation. How could I forget your title?" Tears welled in Jun Laoye's eyes as he formed a series of hand seals, summoning the Heavenly Dao Spear. "Please look, Ancestor. My skills remain incomplete, and the Heavenly Dao Spear has yet to be fully refined. I humbly await your guidance."

"Hehe, so you've inherited the Heavenly Dao Spear?" Ancestor Suitian examined the weapon, then gave a light wave, summoning it into his hand. "Yes, this is indeed the Heavenly Dao Spear. It has been ages since I've seen a junior capable of inheriting it."

"To hold such talent at a young age is rare. There is no need for guidance. Just continue to strive forward."

With a flick, Ancestor Suitian hurled the Heavenly Dao Spear back while releasing a surge of spirit qi to help Jun Laoye rise. "Come in, young one. Tell me, how has the Jun Clan been faring? Have you uncovered any traces of the Heaven?"

Jun Laoye caught the spear and bowed. "At once, ancestor! I'll come in right away!"

After repeating that peculiar set of movements once more, he turned to Lu Chen. "Little Lu, let's go. I never thought I'd encounter the most upright ancestor of our clan here. Fifty thousand years ago, he was the master of the Heavenly Dao Spear. With him here, we're bound to gain many treasures."

Dispersing the Heavenly Dao Spear, Jun Laoye dashed toward Ancestor Suitian.

Lu Chen patted Nantian Yijian. "Hehehe, what luck! Let's go."

Together, they bowed respectfully to Ancestor Suitian before Lu Chen casually flicked open his folding fan and stepped into the encampment.

Once inside, the first thing he saw was four empty meditation cushions set beside Ancestor Suitian. Jun Laoye was already seated on the one nearest to him, chatting about clan matters.

Attendants stepped forward at once to guide Lu Chen and his companions. When he reached Ancestor Suitian, Lu Chen bowed respectfully once more before taking a seat nearby.

"Ancestor, these are the recent happenings in the clan," Jun Laoye lowered his voice slightly as he straightened up. "Is there anything else you would like to know?"

"No. You've already said enough for me to understand what's been happening. It seems while we've been searching for traces of the Heaven, much has unfolded back home."

A flicker of irritation crossed Ancestor Suitian's face, but he quickly smoothed it over. "Some have even begun to violate the Heavenly Dao oath sworn long ago. No wonder your second uncle came here. In any case, matters here are nearly concluded. It seems the time has come for me to return."

"Thank you, ancestor. We'll return together when the time comes," Jun Laoye leaned in. "By the way, ancestor, what brings you here? Were you waiting for the mist to surge, or is there a trace of the Heaven beneath it you've been waiting for?"

Ancestor Suitian cast a glance at Lu Chen, who was scanning the surroundings. "You ask too many questions, boy. Don't you want to see if your friends have something to say?"

Lightning flickered in his eyes, yet even someone as mighty as Ancestor Suitian couldn't glimpse Lu Chen's inner thoughts.

"Ah, yes, ancestor. I was so focused on family matters that I forgot to introduce the friends I've made recently," Jun Laoye looked at Lu Chen and the others, suddenly realizing they hadn't spoken since sitting down. "Little Lu, why are you so quiet?"

Lu Chen turned with a faint smile. "It's fine. Go on. I'm observing the surroundings and preparing for the mist surge. You can continue explaining the clan affairs to Senior Suitian."

Ancestor Suitian nodded approvingly. "The boy's vigilance is commendable. Wherever you go, the first thing is always to survey the terrain."

"All right... Little Lu, I'll leave it to you to watch things here," Jun Laoye said, then lowered his voice to the ancestor. "Ancestor, this is Lu Chen, my dearest brother. In cultivation, he is stronger than I am."

"Yes. Having a good brother is a blessing. It's always beneficial to have someone to cultivate with."

Ancestor Suitian patted Jun Laoye on the shoulder, laughing heartily. "Cultivation is never meant to be done alone. A few good companions are essential. What about that sly one over there? He's clearly a cunning spirit."

"That's Nantian Yijian of the Nantian Sect. He's also a good brother of mine." Jun Laoye turned to Nantian Yijian, then laughed and glanced at Nantian Wan'er. "The girl beside Little Lu is Nantian Wan'er. She's also of the Nantian Sect and shares a special bond with Little Lu..."

"I see, I see," Ancestor Suitian chuckled, looking at Nantian Wan'er. "In my youth, I too was hot-blooded. I once acted rashly over a woman. I know well the pull of love and passion.

"This is our first meeting, so I haven't prepared much."

He waved a hand over his spatial ring, taking out four bottles of pills and a crimson enchanted skirt. "These four are Shattered Mirror Pills. I obtained them a thousand years ago under a cliff. Anyone below the Core Breakthrough Realm can advance instantly by taking one.

"But you may each take only one. Too many will damage the foundation of your Dao. Cultivation must ultimately rely on your own diligence."

With another wave, the four pills floated into their hands.

Feeling the weight in his palm, Lu Chen was about to rise and bow, but Ancestor Suitian stopped him. "We're all family here. There's no need for constant bows. Moving about is tiresome, and after living this long, I've grown indifferent to such formalities."