Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

Hissss!

"Jiang Shennong… lost?"

"He actually lost, just like that?"

The surrounding crowd gasped, unable to accept what they had just witnessed. After all, this was the young master of a flourishing royal clan!

To most people, the royal clans were untouchable, and their young masters were invincible among the younger generation.

But today, Jiang Shennong had fallen from his pedestal!

The young members of the Jiang family were in even greater disbelief—their family's leading figure had been defeated!

The belief that the royal clans were invincible had been shattered.

Meanwhile, in the distance, a certain Qin Chuan, hiding like a crouching tiger, eagerly received a system notification—"Ding! Your son has successfully humiliated the royal clan's young master, Jiang Shennong. Recharge available. Would you like to recharge?"

"Recharge!"

Qin Chuan didn't hesitate.

"Ding! Congratulations! You've recharged with one Jiang Shennong, gaining 3 Lu Chong points!" The system's tone sounded noticeably more respectful this time.

Indeed, money talks.

A smile spread across Qin Chuan's face. The young master of a flourishing royal clan was indeed worth more than Lu Chong, the young master of the Lu family.

"Ah!!"

On the other side, Jiang Shennong's body twitched violently as he let out a soul-wrenching cry.

At the same time, he felt as though he had lost something vital. It was as if his body had been emptied!

This feeling was similar to the deep exhaustion after spending countless lonely nights tirelessly working on something, leaving him feeling both fulfilled and utterly drained...

"What's happening?"

Qin Zi was startled by the strange scene—was this guy trying to scam him?

He had defeated him fairly and hadn't resorted to any underhanded tricks. There was no way he was going to fall for a scam!

"Young Master, what's wrong?"

The young members of the Jiang family looked anxious. Some even rushed over to support Jiang Shennong.

"I'm fine."

Jiang Shennong slowly stood up, taking a deep breath to calm himself. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

For some reason, the anger in his heart had lessened significantly. It was like the aftermath of a fierce battle with a maid, where the burning urgency and impatience had faded, leaving behind a sense of emptiness…

Perhaps it was because he had lost.

After the defeat, he felt much calmer.

Jiang Shennong glanced coldly at Qin Zi but said nothing. Making threats after a defeat would only make him seem ridiculous.

He would simply remember today's humiliation and strive to grow stronger so that next time, he could defeat Qin Zi and redeem himself!

As for the shame he felt now…

Since it couldn't be avoided, he would endure it quietly!!

With Jiang Shennong remaining silent, no one else dared to speak. The atmosphere grew heavy with tension.

Meanwhile, the young masters of the four declining royal clans—Chen Feng, Yang Shi, Wei Yan, and Xue Yi—kept their expressions neutral. However, the corners of their mouths curled ever so slightly.

The curve was subtle, somewhere between a smile and no smile.

In this way, they cleverly expressed their mockery of Jiang Shennong without giving him a clear reason to take offense.

Even if Jiang Shennong suspected they were mocking him, what could he say? In this moment, he had already suffered a social death.

The dead could not speak.

Jiang Shennong had always disregarded them, but now, they had a rare and precious opportunity to laugh at him, to gloat!

This might be the only chance they'd ever get.

Boom, boom, boom!

Suddenly, the ground shook, breaking the awkward silence. The ancient stone gate began to move.

It trembled violently, emitting transparent ripples that shattered the sealing force surrounding it.

Then, the gate slowly opened.

Swoosh!

As the stone gate swung wide, a white vortex appeared in the center of the doorway. It spun rapidly, flashing with blue and white light, giving it a dreamlike yet terrifying appearance.

The Xuantian Treasury!

Although everyone knew this was a place of treasures, none of them had been here before. As they stared at the white vortex, a sense of fear crept into their hearts—the primal fear humans feel when confronted with the unknown.

Everyone exchanged hesitant glances.

Even the members of the royal clans hesitated, none of them eager to be the first to step forward.

What if the vortex was dangerous? What if their head got twisted off the moment they stepped through…?

The world is ever-changing. Just because the treasury had been safe in the past didn't guarantee it would be this time.

Better safe than sorry.

"To hell with it!"

Finally, a nameless rogue cultivator muttered a curse and launched himself forward, ready to be the first to try his luck.

While there was a risk, being the first also meant he might gain an advantage.

He came from humble origins, with no powerful background or innate talent, so he could only risk his life to seek fortune.

Swoosh!

He leaped into the vortex, and in the next instant, a scream echoed from within—"Ah!" Blood splattered from the vortex!

"What!!"

"There's danger!"

The crowd recoiled in horror, instinctively stepping back as though some monster might burst forth from the vortex at any moment.

"Everyone, calm down. He might have done that on purpose to scare us off and buy himself some time to grab the treasures."

Qi Huang's voice rang out clearly.

"This…"

Once again, everyone exchanged uneasy looks.

Qi Huang's words made sense, but what if the danger was real? Who would dare test it?

Even if the next person wasn't harmed, they could pretend to be, just to get ahead. Who wouldn't want to seize the advantage?

"Brother, why don't you go check it out?"

"Big bro, I can't go. What if something happens to me? What will happen to my wife? You should go."

"Fair point. I can't leave your wife unattended. Alright, I'll go."

After a brief discussion between two sworn brothers, the older one dashed forward.

Swoosh!

He passed through the gate.

Moments later, another scream rang out, followed by a fresh spray of blood from the vortex.

"There's a monster! There's a monster… Ahh!!"

Terrified cries came from within, accompanied by the sounds of struggling and the tearing of clothes!

Immediately, everyone's hair stood on end.

"No way! I've got to go back. My mother told me to be home for dinner, or she'll break my legs."

"I just remembered I didn't bring in the laundry!"

"I've been adventuring for over ten years—it's time to go home. My wife says my son's already eight years old. I've missed his entire childhood; I can't let that continue."

"My girlfriend told me to meet her tonight. I'm a man of honor; I can't break my promise!"

And with that, a great number of people leapt into the air, scattering in all directions like frightened sparrows.

The once-crowded mountain range quickly emptied out by half.

Perhaps they had suddenly realized how much they still cherished their lives, that risking it all wasn't worth it…

Of course, many people remained.

These were the determined ones, skeptical of the supposed danger.

They still believed that the earlier screams were all an act!

"Everyone!"

At this moment, Qi Huang stepped forward, radiating an invisible aura that instantly drew everyone's attention.

He surveyed the crowd and spoke:

"We don't know each other, and none of us trust one another. At this point, it's unrealistic to wait for someone else to take the lead.

"That being the case, I suggest we all charge in together. Even if there really is a monster inside, it won't be able to catch us all at once. Some of us will escape and claim the treasures.

"This plan carries some risk, so think carefully. If you don't want to take the risk, then forget I said anything. But if you're willing to bet on it… come join me."

Swoosh!

The crowd fell silent in thought.

Then, some people began flying toward Qi Huang's side, while others, after brief hesitation, chose to stay back and observe.

In no time, three thousand people had gathered near Qi Huang. Their eyes were filled with determination, waiting for Qi Huang's command.

At that moment, Qi Huang naturally became the leader of the group. His calm yet commanding demeanor earned everyone's respect.

Jiang Shennong's expression was complicated.

Originally, it should have been him standing at the center of attention, but now he was just a background character.

In fact, he didn't even dare draw attention to himself, trying to fade into the background to avoid further embarrassment.

Qi Huang surveyed the crowd and slowly raised his right hand. "Alright! Now, listen to my command. I'll count to three, and when I reach three, we'll charge together!"

"One, two, three!"

Qi Huang shot forward first, and the others followed like a flood breaking through a dam, surging toward the massive stone gate.

They streamed in one after another!

This time, there were no screams. Qi Huang led the group with unstoppable momentum, breaking through the so-called "monster."

Qin Zi watched for a moment, then flew inside as well.

From afar, Qin Chuan narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, "This Qi Huang is no ordinary person… No wonder Shui Qinghan follows him. I hope he isn't too righteous—good guys are too boring."

After all, the world was more interesting when there were people stirring up trouble.