Chapter 22: Heaven's Mandate (Combined)_2

Chen Yuan held his head high, walking with a raging momentum to stand to one side, as if he had won a victory.

"Big brother, you are really great," Chen Yi again suppressed his laughter.

"Of course, mother always praises me for being sensible..."

"Alright, everyone, follow me."

At this time, seeing that the annual "Welcome" program had concluded, Chen Taixing instructed the other children to practice Martial Arts individually and took Chen Yi and others to a quiet corner.

His face no longer carried a smile, and he seriously said, "These are the demons your fathers fight against year after year in battles outside."

"Even though it's dead, it can still make you feel fear and lose your courage, let alone the ones that are alive?"

"Therefore, you must remember this feeling and turn your fear into motivation!"

"Only by advancing in Martial Arts can you protect yourselves, your loved ones, and the entirety of Great Wei!"

After these words, although the few three-year-old children remembered only the word "protect," they were still very inspired.

Even Chen Yi, a child with mature thinking, deeply agreed with Chen Taixing's words.

Imagine, if outside Beixiong Pass there were such powerful demons, the Wei Dynasty would be invaded and devoured if its strength were even slightly weaker.

Only by advancing in Martial Arts and being strong enough can one avoid such scenarios.

"Now, sit cross-legged and wait for me to guide you into the Cultivation Technique."

By this time, Chen Yi was also looking forward to it.

Before coming, Ding Sansi had already introduced him to the Martial Arts knowledge of the Marquis Mansion.

After achieving Foundation Establishment at the age of three, they could begin practicing Cultivation Techniques.

However, in order to avoid affecting their joining of Sects or Academy Holy Lands, they would initially be taught a set of Basic Skills.

Only the children who reach the age of ten and decide to stay in the family would switch to practising more powerful Cultivation Techniques, which progressed faster.

Like the Chen Family, the direct descendants at ten years old could practice the family-transmitted "Fierce Sun Technique" and the corresponding gun technique.

The branches and servant's children could choose the somewhat more mediocre "Longevity Technique," along with a set of techniques including knife, gun, stick, sword, fist, and leg.

It's worth mentioning that the reason family nobility and the Imperial Family wished to join Sects and Academies is not only because of the grade of the Cultivation Techniques but also because those places generally possess heavenly materials and treasures, or are Cultivation Holy Lands.

It is said, "In Martial Arts practice, not advancing means regressing; a slow step means every step lags," and the quick advancement in Martial Arts is why Holy Lands are highly revered.

Not to mention, Dakong Temple is located in the Cultivation Holy Land within Kyoto Prefecture.

However, because they transmit Buddhist Law, it is difficult for ordinary people to join.

Even the nobility, considering their lineage, rarely let their descendants practice in Dakong Temple.

After all, being vegetarian and chanting Buddha is secondary, enduring seven emotions and six desires can be tolerated, but not being able to marry and have children is difficult for family nobility to accept.

Especially for the Marquis Wu Mansion, which already has few people due to constant warfare, if they do not branch out, what will become of their family?

Soon, it was Chen Yi's turn.

"Sit still and remember this Cultivation Technique pathway."

Chen Taixing reminded him, then sat cross-legged behind him, raising his hand to press on his back.

Then, Chen Yi felt a warm flow coming from the palm on his back, circulating through the meridians in his body.

He subconsciously held onto the Little Jade Sword to prevent it from moving on its own due to stimulation by the True Qi.

After running it through two Zhou Tian, Chen Taixing removed his hand and asked, "Yi Er, did you remember it?"

"Yes, thank you, Uncle."

Not only did Chen Yi remember the pathway of the Cultivation Technique, but he could also feel a bundle of warm flow in his stomach and couldn't help feeling elated.

Even though this is just a basic Cultivation Technique for True Qi, the change for him was significant.

Previously, he could only drive the Sword Dao forcibly with his body, which was not sustainable.

But now, with True Qi, his swordsmanship could exhibit its true power.

Like the two men he encountered from the Origin Transformation Realm earlier.

If he had mastered his Cultivation Technique back then, he wouldn't have wasted words with them and would have beheaded them straightaway.

Until the last child remembered the pathway of Cultivation Technique, Chen Taixing then wiped the sweat from his forehead and said:

"Today we'll stop here. After going back, practice diligently; tomorrow, I will check each of you."

Leading eight children to initiate into Cultivation at once, even an experienced person like him would feel exhausted.

Although he was well-practiced and not as unfamiliar as during the previous Foundation Establishment evaluation, he was still afraid of making mistakes.

Then he would be the offender.

"Yes, Chief Instructor."

The children left the Martial Arts Arena together, and the adults who were waiting outside took them away.

Chen Yi and his brother, Xiao Chenyuan, were also escorted back to Fanghua Garden by Ding Sansi and others.

"Second brother, I feel like I've gotten stronger."

Xiao Chenyuan extended his arm, couldn't help boasting: "If I had been this strong earlier, I would have made you cry."

"Big brother, you are truly impressive," Chen Yi flattered and leaned in.

No words needed, he was just a nonchalant flattery machine.

His only purpose — to make the boss happy, thrilled.

This way, Xiao Chenyuan hopefully wouldn't remember the embarrassing incident of him wetting his pants, right?

...

After the warm winter passed, spring had arrived in Kyoto Prefecture.

Two months had passed since Chen Yi began practicing the Basic Skills, and his life had become more fulfilling.

Every day, in addition to half a day of cultivation at the Martial Arts Arena in the morning, he continued to receive teachings from the masters in the afternoon.

However, the courses were streamlined, removing intelligence development, etiquette, and course review sessions to free up more time for cultivating techniques.

As Chen Taixing put it, "One can tell the future of a child at the age of three."

If one does not strive at age three, their future achievements will certainly not be high.

Therefore, under his supervision, every child at the Martial Arts Arena was desperately advancing in Martial Arts.

Chen Yi, far from complaining, only worked harder.

In his view, this was like those parents in his previous life who enrolled their children in various hobby classes from a young age.

The only difference was, hobby classes led merely to hobbies, while cultivating Martial Arts could make him powerful.

That day, after finishing his day's lessons, Chen Yi opened his status panel to check.

[Name: Chen Yi]

[Age: 32]

[Cultivation: Ninth Grade Mortal Realm (Lower Stage)]

[Talent: Late Bloomer — The older the bones, the faster the cultivation speed]

[Basic Skills: Small Success — Only through persistence can one achieve greatness]

[Sword Dao: Small Success — Travel the world, excel in battle and usage, then one can comprehend the Sword Intent.]

[Overturning Points: 18/100]

"Finally achieved Small Success."

Chen Yi looked at the new section for cultivation techniques on the panel and sighed in relief.

Two months had passed, and he had finally cultivated the Basic Skills to Small Success.

Not only could this boost his cultivation speed, but it also strengthened his body from the inside out.

Simultaneously, Chen Yi became more certain of a previous speculation—that the [Late Bloomer] talent was based on his actual bone age, not the age shown on the panel.

It could only improve as his bone age increased.

He also wondered if the future rewards from the [Overturning System] would include direct increases in cultivation.

If so, that would be great!

Chen Yi let his imagination run wild, yet his mood was unaffected.

Though his cultivation speed was slow, as long as the True Qi inside him continued to grow, his swordsmanship would reveal its true power.

Not to mention, the initial Sword Qi of one centimeter had now grown to nearly one meter.

He was already close to the goal of "Sword Qi Stretching Thirty Thousand Miles."

Just about 29,900-odd miles to go…

Just as Chen Yi was shutting off the panel and thinking of resting, Xia Wanwan's voice came from outside.

"Yi Er, come quickly."

"Mother, what is it?"

Chen Yi, dressed neatly, stepped outside and asked.

It was rare to see Xia Wanwan so anxious; he thought something had happened at home again.

The reason he added "again" was because not long ago, Zhou Wanyi had complications during childbirth.

Afterward, Chen Yi learned that his aunt had nearly lost her life.

Quite unfortunate…

"His Majesty's imperial envoy is waiting in the main hall to issue a decree to you."

Xia Wanwan, unable to hide her joy, helped him straighten his clothes while pulling him outside.

"A decree?" Chen Yi asked, stunned. "For me?"

"Yes, do you remember what His Majesty said previously on the city tower about nurturing the offspring of border soldiers?"

"I remember…"

Chen Yi then realized that the supreme sovereign had finally remembered him, the background decoration, and wanted to reward him.

Could it be another ploy to win people's hearts using him?

Chen Yi was no longer surprised by these methods of the sovereign.

Soon, the mother and son arrived at the main hall.

The hall was already crowded with people from the Marquis Mansion, including the Old Lady and Zhou Wanyi, who had not appeared for a long time, standing properly at the lower seats.

Seeing them arrive, the Old Lady extended her hand smiling and said, "Dear grandson, come here."

Chen Yi approached as told, glancing at the few eunuchs at the upper seats.

Unrecognized, but they must be eunuchs.

"Mr. Liu, please begin."

"Old Lady, please forgive me."

The eunuch gave a smiling face, then cleared his throat and opened the gold foil to loudly say:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees, today we have Duke Wuan's son, Chen Yi..."

PS: Pushed to the top, seeking support, follows, investments, monthly tickets, and comments are all welcome.

Old Eight thanks you!