The Demon Hunter and a Panorama of Cangyuan Realm

The Meng family members who burst in were all running and shouting with excitement. They immediately drew the attention of many clansmen in the ancestral residence. The clansmen listened in stunned disbelief. What? Did they hear correctly? Meng Chuan had comprehended a secret technique?

"Stop right there," one clansman grabbed a fast-running youth and demanded, "Tell me clearly, what exactly happened?"

"Uncle, it's Brother Meng Chuan," the thirteen-year-old youth said joyfully. "Today was the day for selecting candidates at Jinghu Daoist Academy. Brother Meng Chuan went up to the arena for a match and displayed the secret technique 'Autumn Leaves' of the Falling Leaf Blade. Even the principal and the instructors were thrilled."

"The secret technique 'Autumn Leaves' of the Falling Leaf Blade?" The burly clansman's eyes widened. "Meng Chuan is only fifteen this year, right? He comprehended a secret technique at fifteen?"

The entire ancestral residence was abuzz as clansmen gathered around the youths, asking questions and growing increasingly excited.

A bald, skinny old man squinted as he listened to the youths chattering. His eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but murmur, "May heaven bless us, may heaven bless our Meng family."

"Third Presbyter, it's a joyous occasion. Meng Chuan has comprehended a secret technique," a clansman ran over to report.

"I know!" The bald, skinny old man still wore a cold expression as he turned and left.

He was known as the strictest among the Meng family's elders, but as he turned to leave, the corners of his mouth slightly curled upwards.

...

The Meng family ancestral residence covered a vast area, housing over two thousand clansmen.

In one of the training grounds within the ancestral residence, a group of youths were practicing with weapons like swords, axes, and spears. The chubby Meng Dajiang sat to the side, watching.

"Hmm, why is it so noisy outside?" Meng Dajiang frowned slightly, then the noise started approaching. With his strength as an Impervious Realm expert, he could hear the words 'Meng Chuan' and 'comprehended a secret technique' amidst the clamor.

Meng Dajiang shuddered.

It was as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water in the middle of winter. His head even felt a bit dizzy.

"Did I hear wrong?" Meng Dajiang felt uneasy but couldn't help standing up and walking towards the entrance of the training ground.

"Dajiang, Dajiang," an elegant old man and a group of clansmen approached together. The elegant old man's face was flushed with excitement and joy.

"Fifth Uncle," Meng Dajiang quickly greeted him, "What's going on?"

"Great news, great news," the elegant old man exclaimed.

"Oh?" Meng Dajiang was both excited and anxious. Although he had some guesses, he still wanted to hear the full story.

The elegant old man quickly said, "Some of the younger generation from our clan at Jinghu Daoist Academy came back to report that your son Meng Chuan displayed the secret technique 'Autumn Leaves' during the academy's candidate selection. It was witnessed by the principal, the instructors, and thousands of students. There's no way it's false. Hahaha... truly, may heaven bless our Meng family, may heaven bless our Meng family."

"Chuan'er displayed the secret technique 'Autumn Leaves'?" Meng Dajiang felt his head grow warm, and his heart swelled with emotion.

That was his son, after all!

"Dajiang, your son is truly remarkable."

"Our Meng family is about to prosper even more; it seems we might have two Divine Lords in one family," the clansmen excitedly said. Except for the clan leader and the presbyters, ordinary clansmen were unaware of Madam Meng's severe injury.

"Two presbyters, Madam Meng summons you," a clansman came to deliver the message.

"We'll be right there," Meng Dajiang and the elegant old man hurried over, though Meng Dajiang felt like he was floating as he walked.

...

Madam Meng and clan leader Meng Yanping were originally playing chess, but now they stopped. Eight presbyters gathered in the courtyard, all extremely excited, with some presbyters not at the ancestral residence yet unaware of the great news.

"Those youngsters are all in a hurry," the bald, thin old man was quite exhilarated. "They are all talking about Meng Chuan performing the secret technique Autumn Leaves."

"This is fantastic; comprehending a secret technique at fifteen... his talent is on par with Mei Yuanzhi's."

"Dajiang, you have raised a good son."

"Dajiang has the merit of teaching."

The family presbyters all spoke excitedly. Meng Dajiang chuckled foolishly, feeling this was the happiest day he had in many years.

"With this news, I can die in peace."

"May heaven bless our Meng family."

The presbyters had always feared the family would decline. Although many of them were not far from the end of their lifespans, they still hoped the family would prosper.

If the family prospers, their brothers, clansmen, their children, and grandchildren would live well. Over the long years, they had become one with the family.

"Look at all of you," Madam Meng, sitting there, smiled. "Meng Chuan comprehending a secret technique is indeed a joyous event, but you are celebrating too early."

The presbyters were stunned.

Madam Meng said, "Meng Chuan has only taken the first step; he is still far from becoming a Divine Lord. He still needs to comprehend the blade momentum, achieve Elixir Formation, and finally pass the life-and-death gate! These are three major thresholds... Don't praise him too highly now, making him lose himself. What he needs to do is to cultivate more seriously. It would be best if he comprehends the blade momentum before twenty. Then there is still a third chance to enter Primordial Mountain. If he can enter Primordial Mountain, he will definitely become a Divine Lord."

"Primordial Mountain!" Clan leader Meng Yanping and the presbyters all lit up.

That is the most ancient cultivation place in the entire world. It is both mysterious and powerful.

In Dongning City, only the Zhang family's ancestor successfully entered Primordial Mountain in the past hundred years, making the Zhang family the leader of the five Divine Lord families in Dongning City.

"If he cannot enter Primordial Mountain, Meng Chuan's cultivation path will be difficult," Madam Meng said. "Back then, I comprehended a secret technique at sixteen, but only grasped blade momentum at twenty-two, unable to enter Primordial Mountain, only becoming an outer disciple of Primordial Mountain. After going through life-and-death situations, I barely became a Divine Lord. Among those in my team, all had talents similar to mine, but only I became a Divine Lord; the others all died."

"Meng Chuan not only has the three major thresholds of blade momentum, Elixir Formation, and the life-and-death gate. He must also comprehend blade momentum before twenty, another cultivation speed threshold," Madam Meng said solemnly.

The presbyters present also calmed down.

Becoming a Divine Lord is truly difficult.

Right now, Meng Chuan is just a promising talent for becoming a Divine Lord, giving the family hope.

"Dajiang," Madam Meng instructed, "you go to Jinghu Taoist Academy to pick up Meng Chuan, prepare well for the Yuyang Palace Demon-Slaying Festival. After the festival, Meng Chuan should have calmed down, then bring him to see me."

"Yes," Meng Dajiang respectfully replied.

"You may all leave now," Madam Meng instructed. "Remember, do not praise Meng Chuan too much, making him arrogant, that would ruin him."

"Yes," the presbyters solemnly responded in unison.

Anyone who dares to ruin Meng Chuan is the mortal enemy of the entire Meng family!

Soon, the presbyters had all left, and the courtyard was left with only Madam Meng and the clan leader siblings.

"Elder sister, you almost scared them," clan leader Meng Yanping laughed. "I know you are very happy."

"Of course I am happy," Madam Meng sighed. "I have been a Divine Lord for nearly eighty years, accumulating great merits in Primordial Mountain, and have many friends! If the family does not have a good talent, all my accumulation would be wasted. Now Meng Chuan has high talent, and I will fully support him; he will surely have a smoother path than I did."

"Yes, he will definitely become a Divine Lord," Meng Yanping said.

"He will!" Madam Meng's eyes were full of anticipation.

Jinghu Taoist Academy

Meng Chuan was walking out, and along the way, the disciples of the academy kept calling out, "Senior Brother Meng," with great enthusiasm.

Meng Chuan nodded slightly and continued on his way.

"Hmm?"

Just as he reached the main entrance, he saw a group of people standing outside the academy gate. At the forefront was the chubby Meng Dajiang, accompanied by a bald, thin old man, a scholarly-looking elder, and several other family elders.

"Father, Elders," Meng Chuan walked over.

"You little rascal," Meng Dajiang reached out and ruffled Meng Chuan's head, laughing, "You really gave your father a fright."

Being ruffled by his father, Meng Chuan could only endure it obediently, looking a bit pitiful, though in reality, he was in an exceptionally good mood.

"Haha, even we were taken aback."

"Meng Chuan, well done," the family elders said with smiles, clearly very pleased.

"Let's go home," Meng Dajiang said happily. With a son like this, what more could anyone ask for?

"Mm."

Meng Chuan agreed and followed them home.