Chapter 11: Earth Fire? Seeds?

Chen Yuan said jokingly: "Really, I see that Hongxue this girl is better than her sister in every way, and moreover, this girl has a fondness for you; you might consider Hongxue this girl, your mother and I both like Hongxue this girl, if you two were together, perhaps it would be better."

The two are about the same, neither being outstanding talents; together they make the best choice.

Chen Yuan also likes Shang Hongxue as a daughter-in-law; if she could become his daughter-in-law, that would naturally be best. That girl Hongxue is gentle and kind, with a good temperament, and matches Chen Chuyang in every way—she is practically a wife tailor-made for him. To discard such a woman would be a great loss.

As a father, he naturally also needs to think about his own future; he has taken note of suitable girls in Longshe Cheng, on one hand to find a suitable wife for his eldest son, and on the other hand, naturally for Chen Chuyang.

Both sons have reached marriageable age and need to find suitable girls, considering personality, temperament, and all aspects; for Chen Chusheng, there are more things to consider, and it's not so easy to succeed.

On the other hand, his younger son Chen Chuyang is easy to get married, with fewer considerations and not needing to worry too much; basically, any girl he takes a liking to, if there aren't major problems, has a high chance of success—their Chen Clan's status and strength speak for themselves; even if Chen Chuyang were an ordinary person, he would still be someone those people look up to.

The Shang Clan has always been the best choice, and Shang Hongxue is the most suitable.

"Father, Hongxue is still young."

"She's not young; the matter can be settled now, and we can hold the wedding in two or three years—just fine, by then you'll have matured."

Chen Yuan had an idea: his son has just reached the right age but isn't very mature yet; they could wait two or three years, and compared to Hongchen, Hongxue is far more suitable.

If Chen Chuyang has no objections, he could go sound out Shang Yingnian's attitude—maybe it would work out.

"I, the son, currently have no intention of marrying."

Chen Yuan gazed at his son's eyes for a long time, then he did not continue the topic.

Instead, he changed the subject.

"Chuyang, the news you had me inquire about has come in."

"Oh?"

Chen Chuyang's eyes flickered, flashing a hint of excitement.

"Indeed, there are traces of earth fire outside Longshe Cheng, right outside Longshe Cheng on the northern side of Longshe Shan."

"About several dozen li from here there is a mountain peak, and beneath that peak an earth fire is brewing."

"However, that place is unsafe; it is one of the deadly zones of Longshe Cheng."

"Moreover, that earth fire is filled with killing qi, making it hard to absorb."

"Earth fire, the fire of heaven and earth."

"Existing beneath mountain ranges, it belongs to the earth's fire, born of the earth; thus earth fire possesses a rich killing qi. The killing qi of the earth's veins poses a danger to cultivators at a distance—even a slight touch cannot be dispelled; lightly, it reduces one's cultivation; severely, it leads to death and the disappearance of the Dao."

"Furthermore, the danger of earth fire is not limited to this: its flame temperature is high, the surrounding area covered by earth fire forms a relatively dangerous deadly zone; anyone at the Condensed Pill level or below who steps into this region will be completely burned away by the earth fire."

"A single strand of earth fire is enough to incinerate all cultivators below the Condensed Pill level."

"Let alone the earth fire of that mountain—its power is terrifying."

"If you want to collect earth fire, Father advises you best not to go; that place is not something you can approach."

"Outside the earth fire, within a one-li radius is a deadly zone; anyone who approaches must endure the scorching of the earth fire."

"The most terrifying aspect is the killing qi within the earth fire—that is truly deadly; once true qi becomes attached to the killing qi, the consequences are unimaginable."

"The danger of earth fire is not only aimed at humans."

"All who approach will be burned by the earth fire."

"No distinction between you and me."

"I know, Father."

Chen Chuyang nodded; he naturally knows the danger of earth fire and also knows its terror.

But he needs earth fire; after his cultivation improves, he wants to advance quickly, which requires refining pills and weapons.

Earth fire plays an indispensable role here; Chen Chuyang must seize a strand of earth fire, nurture it within his dantian, and make it one of his flames—this is also the foundation of his pill refining and weapon forging.

"Be careful; if you must approach, Father will go with you."

"I understand, son."

Chen Chuyang agreed on the surface, but in fact he did not intend to let his father accompany him.

Chen Yuan repeatedly urged, telling Chen Chuyang not to act impulsively and furthermore not to approach alone.

Seeing his father off, Chen Chuyang exhaled a breath.

"Earth fire?"

"I am determined to obtain it."

"Several dozen li away, Chen Chuyang can make a trip."

"Whether it's dangerous or not, only by going will one know."

"This concerns his future and also his plan; he must make the trip."

"The Chen Clan."

Long Ming saw his husband return and immediately went to greet him.

"How is it? What did that brat Chuyang say?"

Chen Yuan briefly said, then sighed: "This kid probably is interested, but just doesn't dare say it out loud; that girl Hongxue is fine, I think we can give it a try?"

"The compensation promised by Shang Yingnian hasn't been given yet; we might……"

Long Ming frowned: "I think Shang Yingnian won't agree; he dotes on these two daughters, especially Hongxue, who is his treasure in his palm, and he's reluctant to marry her off to Chuyang."

"On the other hand, we could work on Shang Yingnian's wife; she should…… agree."

Chen Yuan shook his head: "We've already agreed to call off the engagement; if she hasn't agreed yet, perhaps we could force her consent, but now this matter is not easy to handle."

Long Ming laughed: "Don't worry, she will agree; in Longshe Cheng, no one is more suitable for her than our Chuyang; Shang Hongxue marrying Chuyang is the best choice, and besides, our Chuyang is no slouch—given his relationship with that girl Hongxue, Jiang Luolan will to some extent follow Hongxue's wishes."

"Now I just want to know what that girl Hongxue thinks; I'll find a time to talk with her alone."

Chen Yuan said: "That girl Hongxue has always been in the Shang Clan; if you want to talk with her privately, it's not easy."

"Not easy, but we should try; who knows……"

Long Ming narrowed his eyes.

"She knows her son well; between the two daughters Shang Hongxue and Shang Hongchen, her son prefers Shang Hongxue."

Shang Hongchen is indeed not suitable for Chuyang; she can see that as well.

"After all, this concerns your son's major affair; don't you want to hold a grandson?"

Chen Yuan heard this and nodded with a cheerful smile: "Naturally I want to hold a grandson, but it's a pity—neither of these two brats gives me any peace."

"The elder won't marry, and the younger is the same, alas."

Long Ming and Chen Yuan share the same thought: wanting to hold a grandson, but the eldest son has little hope—there are too many things to consider, and besides, the eldest son is a cultivation maniac, with no mood for romance, so naturally it's unlikely he'll marry.

The younger son, however, can be dealt with—although he is the same, hiding out in Longshe Shan and not participating in any of the Chen Clan's affairs.

The two of them have no intention of letting this son off just because he's their child; they must have him produce a grandson for them, otherwise hiding won't help.