Chapter 60 : Chapter 60
Chapter 60. The Heaven-Seizing Creation Pill left his Martial God father stunned.
“Telekinetic controlling fifty Magical Artifacts, and those Magical Artifacts were even granted spatial-travel ability. That was Jiang Yichen?!”
“Not only that, but the black-and-red armor on Yichen’s body was actually able to ignore the deadly poison of a sixth-rank Ink-Poison Octopus and kill it with ease. His strength has probably already reached the sixth rank, hasn’t it?”
“Impossible!”
Grand Elder Jiang Qisheng slammed the table and rose to his feet. “If I remember correctly, Yichen’s strength in the mock assessment last month was only at the second stage. Even if he worked hard and improved, at most he should have reached the third stage.”
“Even the Tang family’s Martial God-level telekinetic can only control twenty-four flying daggers. Fifty is pure fantasy.”
“This video must be a special-effects fabrication. Madam Shen, I understand that you want to preserve your son’s position as heir, but the Jiang family is a whole. You cannot let your selfishness make you disregard the Jiang family’s future.”
“Family Head, the one I recommend as the Jiang family’s heir is ‘Jiang Feng.’ He has studied management within the group since childhood and is familiar with every aspect of the Jiang family.”
“Not only is he diligent and motivated, but his current strength has already reached the Fourth Stage, Third Layer, the highest among the younger generation. I hope the Family Head will consider this carefully.”
The other family elders all nodded as well, approving the Grand Elder’s proposal.
Jiang Zhentian furrowed his brows and fell into thought.
“Since the Grand Elder refuses to believe it, then I’ll find a witness.”
But Shen Qingyue did not indulge them in the slightest. Her gaze fell on Jiang Dongnian. “Xiao Chen is your nephew. You went to watch the graduation assessment today, so say it yourself.”
“If what you say is not the truth, you will bear the consequences.”
As soon as she said that, all the family elders turned to look at Jiang Dongnian.
His expression became incomparably grim. He could hear the threat in Shen Qingyue’s words. If he refused to tell the truth, then the matter of him siding with Zhou Mingyuan and refusing to save Jiang Yichen would probably be exposed in public.
He could only retreat for now, then bring up the Huaxia Team League later. Only that would leave room to turn things around.
“Dongnian, this video is edited, isn’t it?” Jiang Qisheng asked with a frown.
The internet was full of sensationalist accounts these days. A single video could be twisted to mean countless different things.
How could anyone trust it?
Jiang Dongnian was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “It’s real. I saw it with my own eyes. Yichen has been hiding his strength all this time, and he has now stepped into the Grandmaster realm.”
What?
The moment those words were spoken, the entire conference room erupted into an uproar. Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
Within the younger generation of the Jiang family, Jiang Yichen had always been infamous for neglecting proper matters. Before university, he had merely been playful.
But after entering university, he had become even more rebellious. For the sake of a woman, he had pushed the Jiang Group into a funding crisis. It was sheer stupidity.
There was even less need to mention his strength. In every family competition, he either failed to show up or ranked dead last.
And now they were being told that this wastrel had actually been hiding his strength all along and was already a fifth-stage Grandmaster?
Yet because those words came from Jiang Dongnian’s mouth, they had no choice but to believe them.
Jiang Feng was his son, and this was the critical moment in the selection of the heir. There was no way he would boost someone else’s prestige at the expense of his own son unless it was true.
“Dongnian, are you certain?” Jiang Qisheng asked in astonishment.
Jiang Dongnian nodded silently. “I’m certain.”
At once, the family elders began whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Jiang Zhentian blinked and looked toward his wife, only for Shen Qingyue to let out a cold snort and turn her head away.
It was over. Once he got home, he would have to kneel on a durian again before he was allowed into bed.
Half doubtful and half convinced, he looked at Jiang Dongnian. “In that case, Xiao Chen seems to be stronger than Xiao Feng. Then as for the heir, we will first—”
“Big Brother, wait,” Jiang Dongnian hurriedly interrupted. “I believe strength is only one part of it. In the future, the heir will have to lead the entire family. Strength alone is not enough.”
Jiang Zhentian’s brows drew tightly together. “Then what do you suggest?”
“Results. One month from now will be the Huaxia Team League. It was established by Huaxia for the major great families and factions, and the rankings determine how the state allocates resources to those families.”
“Feng’er has also created a team. Why not let them compete in the league? Whoever wins the championship will become the Jiang family’s heir.”
Jiang Qisheng’s eyes flickered, and he nodded. “Nurturing a team is equivalent to managing a small group. The quality of the team can reflect a person’s management ability.”
“Since Dongnian has so much confidence in Xiao Feng, then letting them compete might not be a bad idea.”
The two of them had already coordinated before the meeting. If Jiang Zhentian could not be persuaded to remove Jiang Yichen as heir during this meeting, then they would have to rely on the Team League instead.
Jiang Feng had absorbed the Yanhuang Team, which Jiang Yichen had disbanded. That was currently the number one team in Huaxia, so winning this year’s league would not be difficult.
All one could say was that Jiang Yichen was truly foolish, handing over the fruits of his four years of effort to someone else.
Once the Grand Elder spoke, the other wavering family elders also began taking sides.
They had deep prejudices against Jiang Yichen, so naturally they felt Jiang Feng was the better choice.
Seeing that, Jiang Zhentian narrowed his eyes slightly.
If Jiang Dongnian wanted them to compete in the very area Xiao Chen excelled at most, then he must have something to rely on.
Still, if that little bastard could not even win in the field he was best at, then there would be nothing more to say.
The entire family knew that the Yanhuang Team Jiang Yichen had cultivated had been the champion of the league in previous years.
Jiang Zhentian felt a faint sense of worry. At the graduation ceremony last time, that little bastard seemed to have disbanded the Yanhuang Team.
Hopefully, that had only been something he said in anger.
“Fine. Then whoever wins the championship in the Huaxia Team League will become the Jiang family’s heir.”
Jiang Zhentian rose to his feet. “Meeting adjourned.”
A curve lifted at the corner of Jiang Dongnian’s lips, as if victory were already in his hands.
After the meeting ended, Jiang Zhentian and Shen Qingyue rode home together by car.
“Qingyue, it’s not that I didn’t believe you. Can’t you forgive me?”
Gone was the majesty he had displayed earlier. Jiang Zhentian had fully entered husband-appeasing mode.
With her arms crossed over her chest, Shen Qingyue shot him a sidelong glance and tossed him the sandalwood box Jiang Yichen had given her.
“I don’t feel like talking to you right now, you fool. Less talking. This is the birthday gift your son prepared for you ahead of time.”
Huh?
Hearing that, Jiang Zhentian stared at the wooden box in his hand with a suspicious look on his face.
“Has the sun risen in the west? That little bastard hasn’t prepared a birthday gift for me in four years.”
Shen Qingyue said nothing.
Jiang Zhentian smacked his lips, then secretly slapped himself. Why had he married a wife from Sichuan and Chongqing in the first place? Fierce! Far too fierce.
“Ahem.” He coughed twice, then slowly opened the wooden box. A rich medicinal fragrance rushed out, accompanied by a dazzling azure glow.
The pill in the box slowly floated into the air, and both Jiang Zhentian and Shen Qingyue were startled.
Something was unusual about this pill.
The moment the medicinal fragrance entered their bodies, both of them felt as if their martial paths had advanced slightly.
Jiang Zhentian hurriedly used the wooden box to cover the pill again to prevent any loss of medicinal power.
“Qingyue, this pill, this... are you certain Jiang Yichen gave it to you?”
Snapping out of her shock, Shen Qingyue blinked. “Xiao Chen gave it to me, but this... just smelling its fragrance gave me a faint sign of a breakthrough.”
“I’m afraid this pill has already surpassed the ninth grade.” Jiang Zhentian could hardly believe it.
There were only a handful of ninth-grade alchemists in all of Huaxia, let alone people capable of refining a ninth-grade pill. This single pill was an immeasurable treasure.
It was a hundred times more precious than the Nectar of Immortality brought back from the Kunlun Ruins.
If he took it, he might be able to break through beyond the Martial God realm.
Expectation appeared in Jiang Zhentian’s eyes as he exclaimed in wonder, “That boy... he’s been a little absurd lately. I’ll go see him tomorrow.”
Shen Qingyue nodded as well, then reminded him, “Be nicer to Xiao Chen. Stop yelling at him for no reason.”
Jiang Zhentian nodded repeatedly. “All right, all right. I’ll listen to Her Ladyship.”
The night deepened. The full moon hung high in the sky, slowly descending toward the other side of heaven.
Time flew by. Dawn whitened the horizon, and the red sun rose half-hidden among the towering buildings.
In the top-grade villa, Jiang Yichen stretched and sat up in bed.
He got out of bed and drew open the curtains. The morning light shone warmly over him, incomparably comfortable.
“Another beautiful day. The top-tier gaming pod I had Uncle Feng buy last night should have arrived by now.”
“Since I don’t need to cultivate anyway, I’ve got plenty of time. I might as well do some of the things I actually want to do.”
Jiang Yichen smiled faintly. After washing up, he opened the door to his room.
Bang!
The moment the door opened, there was a crisp explosion, and countless colored paper pieces fell over him.
“Brother Yichen, surprise!!”
Su Linyu sprang out mischievously, holding the spent confetti cannon and smiling sweetly at him.
“After my dad took me away yesterday, he kept a close eye on me. I only just managed to slip out.”
“Congratulations on passing the graduation assessment, Brother Yichen. This is the surprise I prepared for you. Hurry and open it.”
Su Linyu pushed over a large paper box, her hands clasped behind her back, her eyes full of anticipation.
A smile played at Jiang Yichen’s lips. “I only barely passed the assessment. There’s no need to make such a grand fuss over it.”
“That won’t do. Anything involving Brother Yichen has to be treated seriously, or else it would seem like I’m not sincere.”
Dressed in a pink-and-white skirt, Su Linyu smiled, revealing two small dimples. She was a delight to look at.
With light, cheerful steps, she walked up in front of him and held out a small hand. “Then, Brother Yichen, I took first place in the martial exam. Do you have a surprise for me?”
Uh...
Jiang Yichen immediately froze in awkwardness. This was bad. He had been spoiled so much that he had completely lost the awareness that he ought to give something in return.
What was he supposed to do now? Where was he supposed to find a gift?
“There isn’t one? All right, then.” A trace of disappointment appeared in Su Linyu’s eyes as she turned and slowly walked toward the living room door.
Jiang Yichen lifted a hand, wanting to say something, when the system’s voice rang out.
【Ding! Slacker choice triggered.】
【Choice One: Go to the trouble of carefully preparing a gift for Su Linyu and make her happy. Reward: one ‘Surprise Blind Box.’
Choice Two: Since there is no gift anyway, and Su Linyu would not get angry, simply do not give her anything. Reward: ‘Low-level Slacker Gift Pack.’】
Jiang Yichen froze and glanced at the beautifully wrapped gift box on the floor, tied with a red bow.
Sure enough, when someone was loved, they would start taking other people’s efforts for granted.
The gift pack?
He did not want it anymore.
Jiang Yichen directly chose the first option. Just as he was thinking about what gift to give her—
Su Linyu suddenly came in holding a huge bouquet of flowers and an exquisite jewelry box, then silently stuffed them into his arms.
Jiang Yichen was stunned. In his right hand, he held the flowers. On his left, he held the box containing a necklace.
What was this supposed to mean?
He watched as Su Linyu stepped back to the living room door again, smoothed the loose strands of hair over her forehead, and put on a sweet, radiant smile.
Pretending to walk in from outside, she turned to look at him, and an expression of instant delight bloomed on her face.
“Wow! Brother Yichen, are these the surprises you prepared for me to celebrate my taking first place in the martial exam?”
Su Linyu trotted over joyfully. “Wow! Brother Yichen, you really put so, so much thought into this for me~”
Jiang Yichen: (☉_☉)