Chapter 5 Family

Boom!

As Gu Chen's words fell, his internal energy cultivation of up to sixty years instantly surged like a raging river, flowing through his flesh and blood to his palm.

At this moment, Gu Chen's palm turned fiery red, and faintly, a layer of flame appeared, wrapping around his palm.

Only the Red Flame Palm, having reached its peak, could reveal such a phenomenon!

Liu Zheng was taken aback, a look of horror flashing in his eyes. He wanted to dodge, but Gu Chen was too fast; it was too late to evade.

Bang!

The instant Gu Chen's Red Flame Palm contacted Liu Zheng's Iron Sand Palm, a cracking sound was heard. Liu Zheng's entire arm instantly twisted in an irregular manner. Then, Gu Chen's palm, with unstoppable force, imprinted solidly on Liu Zheng's chest.

"Ah—"

With a scream, Liu Zheng was sent flying horizontally by Gu Chen's palm, falling off the stage and landing on the ground, his eyes tightly closed, unconscious.

One could see that Liu Zheng's clothes at the chest area were completely burned away, and there was a charred handprint on his chest.

Due to the internal rules of the Jing Tian Department competition preventing fatalities, Gu Chen held back at the last moment, retracting seventy percent of his strength; otherwise, that palm could have exploded Liu Zheng entirely.

It was known that the Pure Yang Skill was of a yang attribute internal martial art. Gu Chen, using sixty years of internal energy cultivation to stimulate it, was sufficient to make the Pure Yang Skill reach its peak state, making his internal energy as hot as flames.

Moreover, the Red Flame Palm at its peak also belonged to the yang attribute martial arts. Combined, their power doubled. Liu Zheng, being only in the initial stage of Essence Cultivation, naturally couldn't withstand it.

With that palm, Liu Zheng's bones were fractured in many places, his internal organs, and even meridians suffered severe burns. Even if he didn't die, the hidden injuries from today's battle would halt his martial path, making any significant achievements impossible in this life.

Among the many assembled guards below the stage, many were stunned. It had always seemed like Liu Zheng held the upper hand, so they couldn't understand how the roles suddenly reversed at the last moment.

"Hasn't Master Gu been recovering for more than a month? Why does it feel like his cultivation is even more terrifying than before?"

"Master Gu's palm just now was too terrifying. If I saw correctly, Master Gu has likely reached the pinnacle of Red Flame Palm!"

"What?! How could that be possible? Is that true? This martial art took me three years just to achieve minor success!"

...

Gu Chen was unaware of the others' discussions, and he wasn't interested in listening.

He came to the Jing Tian Department today intending to exchange the remaining merits of the original master into soul crystals to enhance his strength.

There was a building within the Jing Tian Department, named Meritorious Service Hall. Guided by the memory of the original master, Gu Chen easily found his way there, located a clerk on duty, and used the original master's remaining merits to exchange for two soul crystals.

It was well-known that soul crystals were remnants left by demonic spirits after death. The higher the level of the demonic spirit, the more powerful the energy within the soul crystal.

And demonic spirits, being extremely yin and evil, had energies within their soul crystals that were of the same origin. Hence, soul crystals were sometimes used as materials for alchemy or forging.

Of course, some practitioners of yin attribute techniques also used soul crystals for cultivation.

Therefore, Gu Chen wasn't worried that exchanging merits for soul crystals would arouse suspicion.

The only regrettable thing for Gu Chen was that the original master left too few merit points, enough only to exchange for two lowest-grade soul crystals.

Merit points had many uses within the Jing Tian Department, including exchanging them for various medicinal pills, martial arts manuals, and weapons, including but not limited to soul crystals.

And only by completing the corresponding tasks assigned by the Jing Tian Department could merit points be obtained.

These tasks included, but were not limited to, slaying demons and subduing ghosts.

After all, the Jing Tian Department had more responsibilities than just this.

After exchanging for two soul crystals and returning home, Gu Chen absorbed them, gaining an additional ten achievement points on his panel.

However, Gu Chen didn't immediately convert the achievement points into cultivation because, after only a day, his body was still in a "full and bursting" state, needing time to digest.

Blindly converting them could cause irreparable hidden dangers or injuries to his body.

If so, that would be a huge loss.

Fortunately, Gu Chen wasn't the impatient type; he was a patient person who never rushed things.

So, for the entire next day, Gu Chen stayed home to cultivate.

Continuously practicing the methods recorded in the Pure Yang Skill, he cycled his abundant internal energy to nourish his body. After a day's time, the strength of his body subtly increased.

At dinner time, his second uncle Gu Chengfeng visited.

"Second Uncle, why are you here?" Gu Chen was somewhat surprised. His second uncle had just returned home two days ago and was already back.

Gu Chengfeng wore official robes with a long saber at his waist. He was a commander in the Royal Sword Guard of Tiandu, holding a seventh-grade official position, mainly responsible for the security of the Da Xia capital, patrolling daily with his subordinates.

"Your aunt heard that your injuries healed, so she cooked a great meal today and is waiting at home. As soon as my patrol ended, I hurried to call you," Gu Chengfeng said with a smile.

Gu Chen thought for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, Second Uncle, wait for me a bit while I get ready, and I'll come with you."

"Okay, but hurry, don't keep your aunt and sister waiting," Gu Chengfeng urged.

"Don't worry, Second Uncle."

Gu Chen said as he went to the inner room, quickly changed clothes, and followed Gu Chengfeng, passing through the bustling streets and shops, arriving at the Gu Mansion.

As a seventh-grade official in Da Xia, Gu Chengfeng had an annual salary of more than two hundred taels of silver. Though Tiandu was the best city in the world, sooner or later, he bought a courtyard here with three entrances and courtyards, with some servants and maids, housing about a dozen people overall.

"Master is back."

At the entrance of the mansion, an old servant saw Gu Chengfeng's return and hurriedly opened the main gates.

"Hmm."

Gu Chengfeng nodded and stepped in, letting a maid quickly take his official robes and saber.

"Young Master," a young maid greeted Gu Chen cutely.

Gu Chen smiled and nodded, acknowledging her.

Gu Chengfeng, seeing this, had a fleeting look of surprise in his eyes but said nothing, leading Gu Chen through the outer courtyard into the inner hall.

Overall, the Gu Mansion was quite good. Though it couldn't compare to the residences of some high-ranking officials and nobles within Tiandu, it was quite decent in the outer city.

The young maid was also somewhat flattered. Usually, Gu Chen had always been cold-faced here, rarely showing warmth, except in front of Gu Chengfeng's family.

It couldn't be helped, as the original Gu Chen had lost his parents early. Despite Gu Chengfeng's care, he still grew up with a solitary disposition.

In the inner hall, there was a woman and a young girl seated, with seven or eight dishes on the table, colorful and aromatic.

The woman had an oval face, fair skin, beautiful looks. It was clear she was a beauty in her youth. Even now, nearing forty, she maintained herself well, exuding a mature charm, though a few crow's feet at the corners of her eyes betrayed her age.

This beautiful woman was Gu Chengfeng's wife and Gu Chen's aunt, Xu Qinge.

Beside Xu Qinge sat the young girl, Gu Chengfeng's daughter and Gu Chen's sister, Gu Qingyan.

Gu Qingyan, inheriting her mother Xu Qinge's looks, was even more beautiful. She had an oval face, fair and radiant skin, large lively eyes with fluttering lashes, a high nose, and fresh lips, making her a rare beauty in the world.

"Dalong is here, come sit," Xu Qinge said warmly, her face lighting up with a smile upon seeing Gu Chen.

"Aunt."

Gu Chen greeted Xu Qinge and then sat beside Gu Qingyan at the table.

"Qingyan, long time no see," Gu Chen smiled at his sister.