CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 255: ATAVISM

"Your old man will bet with you this time!"

Qin Gu punched Qin Ke heavily, even his breathing became much heavier.

A fierce light flashed in his eyes.

He spoke in a deep voice, "If we win, the Qin family will be famous, if we lose, I’ll accept it!"

He was able to establish the Qin family in Daning County, so how could he not have ambition.

To make the Qin family in Daning County like the Gu family, and even have a place in Molan Mansion, thinking of such a scene, his eyes sparkled with excitement, and his whole body trembled slightly.

In the past, his strength was insufficient, and his ambition could only be hidden in the deepest part of his heart.

But now—

This son of his has given him a chance.

Of course, he had to bet!

"Dad, we haven’t even started yet. Shouldn’t you calm down a bit?"

Seeing him like this, Qin Ke, who originally didn’t have much confidence in reaching the first grade in three months, became even more anxious.

If it ends up being all for nothing, will he be beaten to death?

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Qin Gu cleared his throat and returned to normal after a moment.

However, his eyes looking at Qin Ke were full of anticipation.

"Whether the Qin family can take another step forward depends on you. All I can do is fully support you!"

"Got it, Dad!"

Qin Ke’s expression became extremely serious at this moment.

"Three months! Must reach the first grade in cultivation!"

...

The news of the Qin family purchasing large amounts of cultivation pills and rare treasures quickly spread among the large families in Daning County.

Speculation began to arise.

After all, the Qin family made such extravagant moves, it must be for Qin Ke.

The only possibility is that he is about to break through the realm.

Gu family!

"Dad, is it really as the rumors say, is Qin Ke about to break through to the second grade?"

A handsome face, dressed in luxurious clothes, sat lazily below.

It was none other than Gu family’s Young Master, Gu Chi.

"Probably! Otherwise, Qin Gu wouldn’t be so willing."

Gu Tong, the patriarch of the Gu family, a top-level second-grade master, is only a line away from the first grade.

The Gu family’s elder once said that he must reach the first grade within five years.

So even hearing that the little boy from the Qin family was about to break through to the second grade, he didn’t pay much attention.

Just a second grade, it cannot stir up any storms!

With the Gu family’s elder present, and it won’t be long before he himself reaches the first grade.

By then, two first-grade experts in one family!

In Daning County, no one will be able to shake the Gu family’s status.

However...

He glanced below, feeling a headache.

Gu Chi, his only son, is now only at the fourth-grade level, and that’s after using up many elixirs.

This talent... is really as poor as it can get.

The elder made it clear years ago that the minimum requirement for the Gu family’s patriarch position is the second grade.

This was a hint for him.

"Sigh!"

He sighed helplessly, though he very much wished to let his son take the patriarch’s position, but alas...

"If you have nothing to do, go and cultivate, reach the third grade as soon as possible, then you’ll have a chance at the patriarch’s position. Otherwise, forget it!"

Once he reaches the first grade, he can talk terms with the elder.

After all, the benefits of the Gu family’s patriarch position are tempting, so unless he’s at a dead end, he won’t give up the position easily.

Not even for the elder!

At this moment, a ruthless glint flashed in Gu Tong’s eyes.

"What can I do?"

Gu Chi remained languid, casually taking a crystal-clear pastry from the side, took a bite, found it too sweet, and tossed it to the ground.

"Dad, you know, my talent is only fourth grade at best, unless you’re willing to spend big money and treat me like the Qin family treats Qin Ke, then I might reach the third grade!"

"You brat!"

Gu Tong cursed angrily.

That bastard dares to think like this, the Gu family has stood in Daning County for thousands of years, in a family this big, even as the patriarch, he can’t act so recklessly.

At any cost, just to reach the mere third grade in cultivation.

If he dared to give such an order, he’d be kicked out of the patriarch’s position today.

Seeing his father angry, Gu Chi showed no fear.

Instead, he nonchalantly clapped his hands.

Then he stood up, smiling, "Dad, I’ve given you a chance, if you don’t want it, then nothing can be done, so stop asking things of me, let’s just leave it at that!"

He then left gracefully.

"You brat, you brat!"

Gu Tong was shaking with uncontrollable anger.

What a sin it is to have such a useless son, but he’s my only son.

"Sigh—"

After venting, he let out a long sigh, closed his eyes, and sat powerlessly in the chair.

After a long time!

Suddenly opened his eyes and shouted, "Someone come!"

...

In the room, Chen Xuan frowned, looking at Ning Feng and Ning Long.

"So strange!"

He murmured in his heart.

The cultivation technique practiced by these two is the same, Xiaolong has already reached the four layers of Purity, while Xiaofeng is still stuck at the second layer.

The gap between the two is growing wider.

However, Xiaofeng’s cultivation talent is much higher than Xiaolong’s.

Not only that, this cultivation technique is aligned with the Ning family bloodline.

Xiaofeng is part of the Ning family main line.

So why is it like this?

"Forget it, I’ll ask Xin’er later!"

He then began cultivating.

Since he began cultivating to the Profound Realm, the two little guys have been training with him, allowing them to immediately ask him anything they didn’t understand.

Moreover, Chen Xuan was always aware of their cultivation progress.

"Failed so many times, it should succeed by now!"

Chen Xuan appeared in the purple space.

Ever since reaching the Supreme Domain, whether it was deducing the Nine Elements Dao Skill or the Myriad Manifestation Skill, all had failed. Even attempts with others were no exceptions, all failed.

"Nine Elements Dao Skill (Immortal Grade)!"

Chen Xuan looked at the rows of cultivation techniques in the air and spoke loudly.

Moments later!

"Rumble...

The purple space began to shake, but Chen Xuan’s expression didn’t change at all.

Every time it was like this: while shaking, he would be directly ejected from the purple space.

Finally, a system voice echoed in his mind.

"Evolution failed!"

After countless repetitions, Chen Xuan had become numb.

"Why exactly?"

Chen Xuan’s gaze was fixated on the golden figure in the air.

When he initially acquired the divine technique evolution, it indeed had a chance to fail, but how many times must it fail before it succeeds?

He should have succeeded once by now.

"Bang!"

Chen Xuan’s consciousness returned to his body.

"Sigh, failed again!"

He sighed in his heart. Though he had mentally prepared, his heart was still extremely disappointed at the actual failure.

He slowly opened his eyes, feeling helpless.

What should he do?

Could he change his cultivation technique at his current level?

How could that be possible!

"Let’s go outside for some fresh air."

When Chen Xuan stepped outside, Ning Xin happened to approach.

"What’s wrong?"

Noticing his look of dejection, she asked.

"There aren’t any follow-up cultivation techniques."

Chen Xuan didn’t intend to hide it from her, and anyway, keeping it bottled up inside was unpleasant.

"Then... do you want to switch to my cultivation technique?"

Her cultivation technique could be practiced up to the peak of the Profound Realm and was of very high quality.

"Forget it, I’ll think about it!"

Changing cultivation techniques was something he wouldn’t easily try unless he reached a dead end; the cost was too high.

"Okay!"

Ning Xin nodded, but then advised, "If there really is no way, don’t force it; switching earlier won’t delay too much time!"

"I know what I’m doing, don’t worry!"

For now, skill points are still being acquired normally. Once evolution succeeds, he can enhance it all at once.

"Oh, by the way!"

Speaking of cultivation, he suddenly remembered and shared Ning Feng and Ning Long’s situation with her.

"That’s impossible!"

Ning Xin frowned, finding it highly unusual.

Suddenly, she thought of a possibility!

"Could it be... Xiaolong has a bloodline regression?"

"Regression?"

This piqued Chen Xuan’s interest.

"Yes!" Ning Xin nodded and continued, "The Ning Family is considered an Ancient Clan in the Eastern Continent, having countless descendants, but the more there are, the thinner the bloodline."

"However, occasionally a descendant with a pure bloodline emerges, and in such cases, it doesn’t matter if they are a direct or collateral line."

"So Xiaolong could very well have a regressed bloodline, making it purer, thereby his cultivation speed surpassing Xiaofeng!"

Hearing this, Chen Xuan finally understood.

"Tsk tsk..."

Having an amazing ancestor is truly remarkable.

The cultivation techniques are readily available, and the cultivation speed is unparalleled, unlike him who is still troubled by cultivation techniques now.

There indeed was a slight tinge of envy.

"Oh, there’s another thing I need to tell you about, regarding the black box!"

"That box?"

He knew that Ning Xin had been researching this black box, trying to open it to see what’s inside.

But the seal was too strong; with her strength, there was no chance.

Chen Xuan initially suggested trying it, but without the Ning Family’s bloodline, no matter the strength, it could only be destroyed and not opened.

Yet, he still gave it a try, not wanting to accept it.

The result was as Ning Xin said; Ning Xin could make the black box react, but what about him?

Nothing at all!

The black box completely ignored him.

At that moment, Chen Xuan was very embarrassed.

"Yes! I discovered that opening this box requires not only sufficient strength but also the direct bloodline of the Ning Family!"

"And the purer, the better!"

She discovered this unintentionally, but her bloodline was too thin, and unless she could reach beyond the Profound Realm, it wouldn’t work!

As for Xiaofeng, it was estimated at Late-Stage Immortal Grade or Profound Realm.

Now, if Xiaolong truly regressed, his bloodline would surely surpass theirs, making it possible to open the black box without needing that high level of strength.

Immortal Grade... it’s possible!

Both she and Chen Xuan had always wanted to open this box.

After all, the village chief once said that the Ning Family could restore its former glory with it.

"Then we can try after Xiaofeng finishes cultivating!"

Being of the First Grade might not work, but it’s worth trying, and they could also find out if he truly regressed.