Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

Qin Chuan's gaze sharpened suddenly, as though two beams of fire lit upon the sword before him, yet he found it impossible to see through its depths.

This was a Sovereign Sword.

Not just any sword, but a powerful one. Fully awakened, it exuded an overwhelming killing intent, its sharpness unparalleled.

Bai Yichen spoke in a low voice: "This is the ancestral treasure we've been seeking. Our branch came to the Jiuyang Dynasty over two thousand years ago, and a thousand years ago, we found this sword."

"Originally, the main branch of the Eastern Domain had promised that if we found this sword, which was only spoken of in the family legends, our branch could return."

"But… we were unwilling."

"Our branch was oppressed and humiliated. If we returned like this, how would it be any different from accepting their charity?!"

"So, the ancestors from a thousand years ago initiated a revival plan, aiming to build a powerful family in this desolate land, to then return to the Eastern Domain with pride!"

He unsheathed the sword, his empty eyes gazing at the blade as he continued:

"Within this sword lies the inner world of our ancestor, the Sovereign of our Yang family. It contains the luck and resources that allowed us to resist the erosion of this barren land and rise against all odds."

"For this plan, generation after generation of our ancestors endured endless humiliation and sacrifice."

"Many had extraordinary talent, yet they could only hide in the shadows, watching as mediocrities rose to fame while they themselves could not stand in the spotlight. They could only train in the dark, train, and train some more!"

"Especially the few ancestors who, after finding this sword, could have turned the tide of decline. Yet, to deceive the Eastern Domain, they deliberately allowed themselves to grow weaker…"

"Originally, this plan only needed twenty more years to succeed… Just twenty more years…"

"But we endured a thousand years, only to fall short by a mere decade. And now, it's all for nothing."

He slowly lifted his head, taking a deep breath, seemingly to hold back his tears. His voice was hoarse.

"I've never understood… Was it really worth it? To spend a thousand years, burning through the blood and tears of countless generations of our family, just to win back our pride?"

"Was it worth it?"

He looked at Qin Chuan as if seeking an answer. But before Qin Chuan could respond, he had already looked away.

He seemed lost in his memories, murmuring: "From the moment I was born, this sword acknowledged me. The ancestors said I had awakened the bloodline of the Sovereign, and I was destined to wield this sword."

"They placed their hopes on me, saying I would be the one to revive our branch… But my life has not been a happy one."

"To hide my identity, I couldn't live among my own family. I couldn't even use my own surname. I had to become someone else… someone who didn't even exist."

"Perhaps, not everyone in the family was willing to sacrifice themselves, but the momentum of the family was like an unstoppable river of history. Whether you wanted to or not, you had no choice but to submit. This is fate."

"When I took on this burden, I made one request to the family."

"I asked that my only younger brother be allowed to live freely, to live a carefree life, unlike the rest of us, who carried the weight of the family in darkness."

"I thought he could live the life I hoped for, carefree and happy, but in the end… he also became part of this sword."

His voice trembled, choking up: "They all sacrificed themselves, pooling their life force and strength into me, hoping I could win this hopeless battle."

"I don't know why they did it—whether it was to fight for the pride we've held onto for a thousand years, to pass down the family's legacy, or just to ensure… that I would survive."

"And my brother… even though he was sent away, why did he come back? Did he know that I am his brother…?"

Qin Chuan remained silent upon hearing these words.

In his mind, the image of a proud, rebellious figure emerged. That young man had left a deep impression on him.

That young man, though outwardly arrogant, hid a deep sorrow in his heart. He was no playboy but pretended to be reckless and wild.

And when Qin Zi had him pinned beneath his foot, he didn't resist—he merely cried out, filled with unwillingness and grief, shouting that he was not resigned to his fate.

That young man's name was Yang Shengtian!

He had always believed that he was the abandoned one, never realizing that he was, in fact, the one being protected…

"Perhaps your ancestors were not merely fighting for pride but for the continuation of the family itself."

Qin Chuan spoke softly after a long silence.

"For a family to endure, it needs goals and beliefs. Otherwise, if everyone merely drifts through life, the family will inevitably decay and wither away."

"People will die, but as long as they leave a mark in history, their lives have not been in vain."

"And so it is with a family. Even if it eventually perishes, if it once accomplished great deeds for a thousand years, it will still earn the respect of future generations."

"Moreover… your family has not perished yet. Their lives have merged with yours. As long as you live, so does your family. One day, it will take root again, flourish, and bear fruit."

Bai Yichen bowed his head, remaining silent.

He stood like a statue in the storm, alone and desolate.

Seeing this, Qin Chuan sighed.

The past, fleeting like an old dream, still lingered in his mind—the scene where the bald elder had gifted him the Azure Lotus Sword, right here on Jiuyang Mountain…

Boom! Boom!

"Jiuyang's royal family, as a forsaken branch, dares to slaughter members of the main branch! This is treason! You deserve death!"

A thunderous voice suddenly echoed from the horizon, like a bolt of lightning, followed by an overwhelming surge of pressure.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Five radiant beams of nine-colored light appeared in the sky, resembling five nine-colored suns, rapidly approaching.

These were five Ninth Heaven Saints!

Leading an army of powerful cultivators, these five Ninth Heaven Saints descended like a black cloud, carrying with them a suffocating sense of oppression.

Buzz!

The Sovereign Sword in Bai Yichen's hand let out a sharp cry. He struggled to stand, leaning on the sword, his eyes burning with intense battle intent and hatred—his anger toward the Yang family of the Eastern Domain, who had taken everything from him!

"You're too weak to continue fighting. If you push yourself, you will die," Qin Chuan sighed, blocking him.

He could tell that Bai Yichen was already at his limit. Though the Sovereign Sword was powerful, it also consumed immense energy.

"They won't let me live."

Bai Yichen clenched his teeth, his voice cold.

Qin Chuan smiled faintly. "It doesn't matter what they think. If I want you to live, you'll live."

Whoosh!

Bai Yichen trembled. Only now did he realize that he could no longer gauge Qin Chuan's cultivation level.

The man before him felt like a colossal dragon hidden in the clouds, elusive yet increasingly terrifying the longer he looked.

By this time, the powerful figures from the Yang family of the Eastern Domain had arrived, hovering over Jiuyang Mountain, looking down from above.

"Survivors of the Jiuyang royal family, you…"

The leading Ninth Heaven elder was about to issue a commanding proclamation, his expression haughty as if delivering a divine edict. But when he caught sight of the white-robed figure standing beside Bai Yichen, it was as if he had been struck by lightning!

His face turned deathly pale, his features twitching uncontrollably as he stood frozen in place, tongue-tied.

"Qin… Qin Sovereign?!"

The others were stunned for a moment, then their faces also turned to masks of horror, some even exclaiming in shock.

"What? Qin Sovereign?!"

"Greetings, Qin Sovereign!"

"Greetings, Qin Sovereign!!"

Many of the Yang family's experts knelt in midair, their faces filled with terror as they trembled.

If it had been any other Sovereign, these descendants of the once-great Yang family wouldn't have been so quick to kneel. After all, their ancestors had once been mighty, and even a Sovereign would show them some basic respect.

But the man before them was no ordinary Sovereign—he was a monster who had survived the Ninth Heaven Sovereign Tribulation, a resurrected titan from ancient times!

To such a figure, even their Sovereign ancestors would be insignificant. And as for them, they were no more than ants.

What was worse, it seemed this terrifying figure had some sort of relationship with the Jiuyang royal family, given how closely he stood by them…

"Return to your domain. I'll protect this man. From now on, the Yang family of the Eastern Domain is not to target the Jiuyang royal family again."

Qin Chuan's tone was calm as he spoke.

"Ah?"

"This…"

The experts from the Yang family were stunned. Though this was somewhat expected, the sudden shift in events left them reeling.

Just moments ago, they had been full of righteous fury, ready to eradicate the remnants of the Jiuyang royal family. Now, in the next breath, they were being told to retreat…

"Is that not possible?"

Qin Chuan's brow furrowed slightly, and the skies around him seemed to respond, swirling with violent winds and lightning.

"No, no!"

"The Sovereign's will must be obeyed! The Yang family of the Eastern Domain will make peace with the Jiuyang royal family!"

"Yes, yes! We are all part of the same Yang family, sharing common ancestors. Why should we fight each other?"

"Haha, this was all just a family quarrel, a misunderstanding! Please forgive us, Sovereign Qin, for showing you such a spectacle."

The Ninth Heaven Saints scrambled to explain themselves, their faces full of forced smiles, drenched in cold sweat.

These individuals, who were once high and mighty, now found themselves without the courage to negotiate.

Qin Chuan's presence weighed too heavily. It crushed any sense of justice, rules, or even their own dignity.

When Qin Sovereign speaks, his word is law.

Who in the Eastern Domain would dare disobey?

As for Bai Yichen, he stood there in a daze, his once lifeless eyes now filled with bewilderment.

What had just happened to the world?