Chapter 30: Bold Words or Death!
Chapter 30: Bold Words or Death!
"Scoundrel!!"
An elder from the Chen family slapped the stone table beside him and shouted angrily, "Chen Zhixing! It would be one thing if you were merely idle and unambitious all day, harming only yourself. But you bring shame to your parents and disgrace our Chen family! Do not affect the studies of other Chen family disciples with your actions!"
Upon hearing these words, the smile on Chen Zhixing's face slowly faded, and he narrowed his eyes.
If the clan elder was only scolding him, he wouldn't mind apologizing. But...
"May I ask how I have brought shame to my parents and the Chen family?" Chen Zhixing asked indifferently.
The elder snorted coldly, stroking his beard, and sneered, "Being idle and unambitious every day, isn't that shameful to your parents?"
"And how do you know I'm idle and unambitious?" Chen Zhixing's gaze locked onto the elder as he spoke calmly.
Hearing this, the elder's sneer deepened, "So, you still have the audacity to be defiant? Let me ask you, what level have you reached in our Chen family's Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique?"
"I haven't practiced it," Chen Zhixing replied honestly.
At these words, the elder laughed in anger, and the other Chen family disciples looked on in astonishment.
The Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique was created by the founder of the Chen family, a Immortal cultivator. It's a universally acknowledged top-tier cultivation method capable of reaching the lmmortal stage!
The technique involves gathering the five elemental energies—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—into oneself. Nearly every Chen family member, from the great ancestor down to the ordinary disciples, practices this technique!
"As a member of the Chen family, you haven't learned the Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique? And you dare to say this out loud?" The elder's gaze was fixed on Chen Zhixing, a cold smile on his face.
Even Chen Zhaosheng furrowed his brows slightly. Despite the vast array of techniques he had encountered at Qianyang Academy, he still regarded the Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique as his primary cultivation method.
Then, Chen Zhixing spoke a sentence as startling as a thunderclap, "The Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique is mediocre at best, and it's not suitable for me. Why should I practice it?"
In an instant, the entire hall erupted in shock!
All the Chen family disciples gasped, unable to believe what they were hearing.
The Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique was the foundation of the Chen family's status and held the highest esteem within the family. Who dared speak ill of it?
But Chen Zhixing not only spoke ill of it but also called it mediocre!
This was nothing short of a shock!
"How dare you!!!" The elder stood up abruptly, his whole body shaking with anger.
If he had felt frustrated earlier, he was now truly furious.
"Chen Zhixing! The Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique is the cornerstone of our Chen family, a rare method capable of reaching the Immortal stage! Not only do you show no respect, but you openly belittle it in public!"
"If you can't provide an explanation today, don't blame me for taking you down, despite your status as a core family member!"
The elder's angry shout echoed through the main peak, reaching even the secluded area in the back mountains.
There, an ancient figure shrouded in a chaotic aura slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was murky, but as he looked toward the main peak, a hint of interest flickered in his eyes.
Back at the main peak, countless eyes were fixed on Chen Zhixing.
"He's too arrogant," Chen Zhaosheng shook his head, puzzled. Based on his knowledge, Chen Zhixing was a reserved person who rarely attracted attention. Why was he acting so out of character today, even belittling the Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique?
Li Ying couldn't help but laugh, "This guy doesn't know his place. Who gave him the courage to criticize a Immortal technique?"
Some Chen family disciples commented:
"Ah, it must be because the elder's words were too harsh, and Chen Zhixing spoke out of anger."
"If I were Chen Zhixing, I'd apologize immediately. With a sincere attitude, the elder would probably go easy on him, considering his core family status."
"Chen Zhixing is too young and impulsive."
"Being impulsive is one thing, but the consequences are not so easy to bear."
As the discussions buzzed around the mountain peak, everyone watched Chen Zhixing, waiting to see how he would respond.
The elder looked at Chen Zhixing with a blank expression, "If you don't have an explanation for today's incident, don't blame me for taking this matter to the head of the family and ensuring you face consequences."
With that, he closed his eyes, already considering how to handle the situation after Chen Zhixing apologized.
"You want an explanation?" Chen Zhixing took a step forward and said calmly, "Fine, I'll give you one."
Whoosh—!
The elder's eyes snapped open, and he sneered, "Chen Zhixing, it seems you're determined to the end. Come on, let's hear what brilliant insights you have."
Chen Zhixing nodded, then slowly began, "Let me be clear: the Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique is not the foundation of our Chen family. Instead, it has misled us for a thousand years!"
Boom!!!
His words caused an uproar, like a stone thrown into a calm pond, creating waves of shock.
Everyone was stunned, their jaws dropping in disbelief. Even Chen Zhaosheng was shaken, staring at Chen Zhixing in disbelief.
The Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique has misled the Chen family for a thousand years? Does he know what he's saying?
"You, you, you—"
The elder pointed a trembling finger at Chen Zhixing, his entire body quaking in rage, "You are being rebellious! This is simply..."
Before he could finish, Chen Zhixing took another step forward, speaking calmly:
"You claim the Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique is a lmmortal method. Then let me ask you, since our ancestor, has anyone else reached Immortal with it?"
The elder paused, then angrily replied, "That's because no one has had the ancestor's talent since then."
"Wrong!" Chen Zhixing interrupted, stepping forward again, his voice cold:
"Let me tell you the real reason!"
"The Five Elemental Qi Gathering Technique involves absorbing the five elemental energies of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth into oneself. This may not be an issue in the early stages of cultivation, but the drawbacks become apparent later on!"
"Especially when facing the threshold of lmmortal, the five elemental energies do not harmonize. At that point, they will erupt simultaneously within the body!"
"At that point, forget about achieving Immortal; it would be a blessing not to be blown apart and die on the spot!"
"So, am I wrong in saying this method has misled our Chen family for a thousand years?!"
With these final words, Chen Zhixing stood directly in front of the elder, his voice booming, like a wake-up call!