Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

As they recalled Qin Chuan's previous words and considered the bald elder's attitude, the Supreme Elders of the Six Great Sects began to feel a chill run down their spines.

Especially the red-haired elder from Crippled Sun Blade Sect (Que Ri Dao Zong).

Thinking back to how he had demanded Qin Chuan kneel before him, his heart was filled with regret—he had definitely chosen the right sect!

At this moment, everyone's gaze was locked on the Seven Martial Sect, eagerly awaiting Qin Chuan's appearance, especially the royal family's experts.

They were curious—who exactly was this Qin Chuan, to warrant such respect from their ancient ancestor?

Whoosh!

Before long, Qin Chuan appeared, and he wasn't alone—he brought Qin Zi with him, as if deliberately allowing his son to experience the world...

"Ah, Qin Chuan, it's a pleasure to meet you," the bald elder greeted him with a warm smile, like a friendly grandfather. His gaze then fell on Qin Zi, and he immediately offered a gift.

"So this is Qin Zi. Indeed, a handsome and talented young man, with extraordinary potential. Here, this is my cultivation journal—please, accept it as a token of my admiration."

With a wave of his hand, a yellowed, thread-bound book floated toward Qin Zi, hovering in front of him.

"Uh..."

Qin Zi was stunned.

Qin Chuan was also caught off guard. Internally, he sighed in resignation. The strategic value of his son had just gone out the window...

"Take it," Qin Chuan said flatly to Qin Zi, his face expressionless. Then, he turned to the elder and cupped his hands. "Thank you. May I ask, what brings you here, my friend?"

He addressed the elder as "my friend" without any hint of deference, as though they were equals.

What was remarkable was that no one around found it inappropriate. On the contrary, it felt completely natural.

Perhaps it was the elder's attitude. Or perhaps… it was Qin Chuan's natural confidence that justified it!

"Hahaha, I've been in seclusion for many years. Upon coming out recently, I heard about you, Qin Chuan, and became curious. I wanted to meet you," the bald elder explained with a laugh.

He was speaking the truth!

Qin Chuan was far too mysterious. Even now, the royal family hadn't figured out how this man had risen to such heights.

His cultivation seemed to increase with every passing day, yet there appeared to be no obvious stroke of fortune behind it.

According to the royal family's secret investigations, they had uncovered that Qin Chuan often engaged in strange behavior.

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't understand why he did some of these seemingly meaningless things. It left them utterly baffled.

The only explanation they could come up with was… that he was training his son!

But even then, such an explanation felt inadequate when faced with some of his inexplicable actions.

It made no sense.

They couldn't figure him out.

And they certainly couldn't see through him!

For someone like the bald elder, who had lived for over two thousand years and weathered countless storms, one truth was deeply ingrained: If you can't understand someone… then they are probably someone you can't afford to provoke!

Thus, from the very beginning, the royal family had never intended to antagonize Qin Chuan. In fact, they had long been plotting to befriend him.

If they could make him an ally, it would be a powerful asset for the royal family's future revival.

The royal family's mobilization against the Seven Martial Sect this time was nothing more than a pretense, and it had two purposes.

First, it was to openly display their weakening strength, thereby lulling their enemies within the Yang family's main branch into complacency and buying the royal family more time to recover.

Second, it was a calculated move to win Qin Chuan's favor through a "carrot-and-stick" approach.

The younger generation of the royal family played the role of the "bad guy," while the elder himself took on the role of the "good guy," creating a contrast that would make him appear more amicable.

"I see," Qin Chuan nodded meaningfully, smiling as he said, "So you weren't here to kill me, old friend?"

"You're joking. I may be old and feeble, but even in my prime, I'm not sure I could have killed you," the bald elder said with a wry smile, but his gaze was carefully studying Qin Chuan's reaction.

He was testing!

He wanted to gauge the depth of Qin Chuan's strength.

But after speaking, he found that Qin Chuan's expression remained unchanged—no sign of nervousness, no hint of insecurity. Instead, Qin Chuan appeared completely calm… as if such confidence was only natural.

At that moment, the bald elder's heart shook—Qin Chuan was indeed no ordinary man!

Because such poise and confidence could not be faked. It came from a thorough understanding of the balance of power between both sides—an unshakable self-assurance.

"You're too modest," Qin Chuan replied calmly before saying, "Come now, you're a guest. Let's go inside and talk."

"Very well."

The bald elder nodded with a smile, then turned his head toward the royal family's experts, speaking in a casual tone, "You can all head back. This matter ends here. Tell the emperor to stop causing such a ruckus."

With that, he followed Qin Chuan into the Seven Martial Sect.

Meanwhile, the royal family's experts and the Supreme Elders of the Six Great Sects stood in stunned silence.

They stared at each other in disbelief.

What was happening?

Where was the fierce battle they had expected? The intense confrontation? Why did it feel like they had just been background characters in this whole affair?

Still, the Supreme Elders of the Six Great Sects were quietly relieved.

If they had truly fought the bald elder, it would have cost them a significant amount of their sect's ancient treasures.

Yes, their founding ancestors had once been powerful adventurers, Saint Realm experts, who eventually returned to their homeland and established their sects. Naturally, they had left behind protective measures—like grand defensive formations, sacred treasures, and talismans that contained the full power of a Saint Realm strike...

These trump cards were what had given the Six Great Sects the confidence to test the royal family. Without them, they wouldn't have dared to risk provoking a Saint Realm expert!

"Sigh, let's go."

"Haha, turns out the joke was on us."

"It's time to head back."

The royal family's elders sighed and shook their heads before departing with their "celestial soldiers" in tow.

The Supreme Elders of the Six Great Sects also exchanged glances before dispersing.

There was no point in staying for tea.

After all, Qin Chuan and the bald elder were now sharing tea and conversation inside the Seven Martial Sect. If they stayed, it would only be awkward.

Inside Qin Chuan's palace.

Seated on the floor, Qin Chuan and the bald elder sipped the tea that Qin Zi had served. After a few pleasantries, they got down to business.

"Qin Chuan, I'm here on behalf of the royal family's Yang clan, hoping to forge a friendship with you. I trust you've already realized this."

The bald elder smiled warmly.

"Yes."

Qin Chuan nodded.

"Naturally, when we extend a hand in friendship, we don't do so empty-handed. We come with sincerity."

The bald elder continued, "The emperor controls a miraculous spirit pool, said to have been formed from the remains of an ancient, fallen beast. The liquid produced in this pool can enhance one's physical constitution."

Qin Chuan's brow raised slightly.

The elder smiled and added, "The pool is only opened once every ten years, with five spots available each time. I've reserved one spot for Qin Zi."

"This… doesn't seem appropriate," Qin Chuan replied, adopting the classic style of humble refusal.

"It's true that it's not entirely appropriate," the elder said with a nod. Then, with a twist of his words and a smile, he added, "But if it were too appropriate, it wouldn't be called sincerity."

Qin Chuan was momentarily taken aback.

That actually made a lot of sense.

He glanced at his son, Qin Zi, who was looking at him with eager anticipation, his eyes brimming with desire.

"Useless boy," Qin Chuan muttered, rolling his eyes before raising his cup and smiling. "I'll gladly accept your friendship!"

His reasoning was simple.

Everything was for the child!

Everything for the child!