Chapter 8: Tiangang Sword Pavilion

"Chen Zigang."

"Chen Tu."

"Get out of the cell and get changed. The family elders summoned both of you." said the dungeon's supervisor. He had quite a curious expression plastered to his face like he was wondering about something.

They were supposed to be punished by getting locked inside the dungeon for three days. This was the decision made by Chen Tian Peng to teach them a lesson for acting secretly and endangering themselves.

But something happened because only two days had passed. They weren't informed about what happened, so the elders summoned them to the Family Hall.

After changing into clean clothing, the two made their way quickly to the Family Hall.

"The Chen Family is honored with your visit today, milord." Chen Tian Peng's voice can be heard clearly outside the Family Hall. Judging from his tone and manner of speech, the background of this guest is quite powerful.

After all, Chen Tian Peng is accepted to be the number one martial artist here in this Crimson River Town, with the cultivation of the Golden Core Layer. Even the patriarchs from the other four large families were in the middle to the peak of the Spiritual Condensation Layer.

It was said that in Body Tempering Layer, one will refine their Flesh, Bone, and Blood before they achieve the qualification to be addressed as a cultivator. There are nine levels here, with the first three focusing on refining the flesh, the second three on bones, and the last three on blood.

Crossing this threshold will bring the cultivator to the stage of the Spiritual Condensation Layer.

Like the previous layer, one will experience the process of gathering, accumulating, and stashing Spiritual Energy, which is divided into nine levels.

Only after one had achieved the peak of the Spiritual Condensation Layer could they attempt to form their Golden Core.

It was said that a level in Body Tempering Layer is equivalent to one Battle Prowess. As for those in the Spiritual Condensation Layer, each stage is equivalent to ten points.

Hence, this means a level in the Golden Core Layer is equivalent to a hundred points in Battle Prowess. But this is just a baseline of their ability, as it doesn't mean that a hundred-and-one Body Tempering Cultivator can defeat a Golden Core Layer expert.

From how fawning Chen Tian Peng sounded, the special guest could likely be an expert with similar cultivation strength to Chen Tian Peng, perhaps stronger. And if it's not the difference in power, the guest might be someone from the County's Government Office.

Of course, the latter would be more difficult to handle than the former.

An expression of shock could be seen on the two after they came inside the Family Hall. First and foremost, they had no idea that almost all the younger generation members were here. And secondly, it's because the guest was someone they knew.

It was precisely the same old man that stayed beside their prison cell when they got captured.

(What's wrong with father? Why would he show such respect to this elder who got captured and imprisoned in the cell beside ours?)

Chen Zigang secretly asked himself. Of course, the current situation doesn't permit him to run his mouth wildly.

As for Chen Tu, he could only show a stupefied expression while staring at the old man. He remembered that this elder looked disheveled, starved, and was a step away from walking into the coffin.

But right now, he doesn't look like one at all. In fact, the elder look like a noble right now, with a ridiculous life force coming out from him like escaping vapor.

Even weaklings like Chen Tu and Chen Zigang could feel the almighty intent pouring out like an immortal staring at a few ants.

"Elder Jian, allow me to introduce my youngest son, Chen Zigang, and his attendant, Chen Tu." Chen Tian Peng stood from his seat and introduced the two to this elder. Looking around, they'll notice that even Chen Zigang's six brothers and sisters are present.

"Zigang! Xiao Tu! Pay your respect to Elder Jian from the Tiangang Sword Pavilion!" Chen Tian Peng waved his hands and forced the two brats to kneel before the elder.

(Tiangang Sword Pavilion! But... Where is that?)

Even Chen Zigang, being the more educated among them, was clueless about the origin of this place.

"Hehehe... It's normal to have no idea where it was. The pavilion is located outside of this Crimson Cloud County, after all." Elder Jian chuckled. It only took him a gaze to read what Chen Zigang had in his head.

"Patriarch, could you order the kitchen to prepare something for this old man? I'm feeling a little heartbroken from seeing these two starving for the whole day..." the elder continued. It might be due to looking at Chen Tu, who was thinking nothing except what kind of buns he would get to eat later.

"Of... Of course!" the request stuns Chen Tian Peng for a split second before he nodded.

"Order the kitchen to prepare something for the elder!" Chen Tian Peng instructed. To ensure nothing goes wrong, even the second family head is sent to the kitchen to monitor them.

Soon, plates cover the table, leaving only three empty spots. Naturally, it's because the two brats have caught the elder's attention and now have the qualification to sit together at the same table.

"Eat. Treat me like an old man in the neighborhood.

"En!" the two nodded. Even to Chen Zigang, this was the first he could eat at a table with more than twenty dishes. Except for certain family members getting married, the chances for him to eat so many delicacies were during the new year.

While to Chen Tu, this is more than shocking. There's so much food on the table, but his hand only reaches for the steamed buns he fancied.

It allows the elder to make up his mind by looking at one glutton and another timid youngster.

"Xiao Zigang... Do you want to come with me to the Tiangang Sword Pavilion?" Elder Jian said. His question shocked everyone present in the hall.