95: Chapter 95 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (Forty-Three)

How could Chu Ming not see that he was intentionally holding back? He admired him even more in his heart.

As he placed a stone, he sighed, seemingly offhandedly:

"Come to think of it, it's really not easy for our Chu family disciples to establish a foothold in this Great Sun Holy Land.

When my father first joined, the highest-ranking elder from our clan in the Great Sun Holy Land was only at the early stage of Copper Bone.

With no one to back us up, we had to do all the dirty and tiring work, and we nearly lost our lives several times during training exercises."

He paused, looked up at Chu Shi, and said with a sincere tone:

"It's better now. With you here, our Chu family in the Great Sun Holy Land can finally hold our heads high.

In the future, cousin, if you have any needs, just say the word. Even if we have to give it our all, we will definitely get it done for you."

Chu Shi raised his eyes to look at him. He understood in his heart, but remained calm on the surface, only smiling faintly:

"We are all family, no need to say such formal things."

After the game of chess ended, the sky had completely darkened.

Footsteps and laughter gradually came from outside the courtyard gate, and Deacon Chu Feng led five or six men and women inside.

They were all elders of the Chu family in the Great Sun Holy Land, the lowest being at the early stage of Copper Bone. Most of them served as deacons in the outer sect's Canglan Courtyard and the miscellaneous service peaks. Upon seeing Chu Shi, their faces were full of excitement and warmth.

Deacon Chu Feng smiled and greeted everyone, leading Chu Shi toward the dining room in the courtyard.

This small courtyard was even more spacious than Chu Shi had imagined.

The dining room was set up separately, with a large pear-wood round table in the center, already filled with steaming hot food.

Delicacies from land and sea, spiritual rice, and spiritual vegetables—all were rare nourishing items, filling the room with fragrance.

"Nephew Shi, come, sit at the head of the table." Deacon Chu Feng pulled Chu Shi, intending to lead him to the main seat.

"Absolutely not."

Chu Shi quickly pressed his hand down and bowed to decline.

"Cousin Uncle and all the elders are here. As a junior, how can I sit in the main seat? This is against the rules and absolutely cannot be done."

After several refusals, Deacon Chu Feng eventually couldn't win against him and had to take the main seat himself.

Afterwards, he had Chu Shi sit at the head of the left side, which was the most honorable seat after the main seat at the table.

Aunt Cang sat on Deacon Chu Feng's right, Chu Qingyuan sat down as well, and Chu Ming sat below Chu Shi.

Everyone took their seats in order. Deacon Chu Feng waved his hand, and an invisible barrier instantly enveloped the entire dining room.

The sound-insulating formation activated in response, completely isolating the wind and voices inside the courtyard.

"Nephew Shi, let me formally introduce you first." Deacon Chu Feng smiled and looked at his wife beside him, his tone gentle and filled with a hint of pride.

"This is your Aunt, Cang Yuehua."

Chu Shi was slightly stunned, then quickly stood up and bowed to Cang Yuehua:

"This nephew has been rude. I have only called you Aunt all this time and forgot to ask for your name. Please forgive me, Aunt."

"We are family, why so many rules?" Cang Yuehua waved her hand with a smile and said gently, "Nephew, no need for formalities."

When Chu Shi sat down, several thoughts raced through his mind.

The surname Cang—he remembered it clearly. The Hall Master of the External Affairs Hall of Canglan Courtyard, who was also an outer sect elder, was indeed surnamed Cang.

Cang Yuehua saw through his confusion at a glance and smiled, explaining:

"My father is the External Affairs Hall Master of this Canglan Courtyard, Elder Cang Hai."

"So that's how it is." Chu Shi suddenly realized and quickly said, "This nephew was disrespectful."

"Hey, why bring that up?" Deacon Chu Feng waved his hand, his tone filled with a hint of emotion.

"Come to think of it, our Chu family has a shallow foundation, having only risen in the last few hundred years.

When I was young and joined the Great Sun Holy Land, the highest-ranking elder from our clan in the Great Sun Holy Land was only at the early stage of Copper Bone.

Chu family disciples here were bullied everywhere and struggled at every step; we couldn't even snatch a decent job."

He picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and looked at Cang Yuehua, his eyes filled with warmth and gratitude:

"Fortunately, when I was cultivating in the outer sect, I met your Aunt.

Later, we trained together. Several times in life-or-death situations, we supported each other and made it through, slowly developing feelings and starting a family.

For me to reach this position today, besides my own efforts, it was mostly thanks to your Aunt and the care of my father-in-law."

These words were half sincere, half intentionally spoken for Chu Shi to hear.

Chu Shi was as clear as a mirror in his heart, but he wasn't annoyed.

He looked up at Deacon Chu Feng. Although this cousin uncle was middle-aged, he still had a handsome appearance and an elegant, dashing demeanor.

When young, he must have been a brilliant young prodigy; it was no wonder he could win the heart of an outer sect elder's daughter.

"We are an old married couple now, why say such embarrassing things?" Cang Yuehua glared at him reproachfully and picked up the serving chopsticks to put a piece of spiritual deer meat into Chu Shi's bowl.

"Nephew Shi, don't listen to his sentimental talk, eat the food.

This is a spiritual deer that Chu Qingyuan went to hunt first thing this morning, specially made for you."

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyuan's ear tips turned red again, and she quickly lowered her head to take a bite of rice.

Deacon Chu Feng laughed and stopped talking, turning instead to introduce the other Chu family elders at the table to Chu Shi one by one.

Chu Shi listened very carefully. Every time one was introduced, he would stand up, hold his wine cup, and respectfully offer a toast.

His etiquette was impeccable, without a shred of a prodigy's arrogance.

The elders at the table nodded secretly as they watched.

After a round of toasts, Chu Shi stood up again, bowed to all the elders, and said solemnly:

"Elders, this nephew has been in the sect for many days and failed to come and pay my respects earlier. It is this nephew's oversight. I apologize to all the elders here."

"You mustn't, you mustn't!" Everyone quickly stood up to support him, speaking one after another.

"Worthy nephew, you are the unicorn child of our Chu family, a prodigy. You should prioritize your path of cultivation. What do these superficial forms of etiquette matter!"

"There is one more thing." Chu Shi straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and he spoke again in a calm tone:

"One month from now, Peak Master Lieyang will be holding my disciple-acceptance ceremony. I would like to invite all the elders to attend the ceremony and share a drink."

"That is only natural!"

"It is a huge joyous occasion for our Chu family, we must be there!"

"Don't worry, worthy nephew, even if the sky falls, we will definitely be there!"

Everyone responded, their tones full of excitement and joy. Their gazes toward Chu Shi were filled with anticipation.

This was the personal disciple of Peak Master Lieyang, a prodigy whom the entire Great Sun Holy Land was watching.

With him here, the Chu family's future path would only become wider and wider.

The atmosphere at the table became increasingly warm. After several rounds of drinks, Deacon Chu Feng put down his wine cup, looked at Chu Shi, and asked:

"Worthy nephew, has such a big matter been notified to the family? If you haven't sent word yet, I have a special communication channel to contact the family, which can quickly pass the message back."

"Thank you for your concern, Cousin Uncle, it has already been notified." Chu Shi replied with a smile.

"When I left home, my father gave me a ten-thousand-mile communication talisman.

The news about the entrance ceremony has already been sent back to the clan.

Calculating the time, in about twenty days or so, the family members will be able to arrive at the Great Sun Holy Land.

At that time, there will also be a family ancestor personally escorting them here."