Jin'an Country's territory was much more vast compared to Qingque Kingdom, which Chen Yan was most familiar with.
Its economic and cultural development levels were also far more prosperous.
Chen Yan, of course, knew the development level of Qingque Kingdom very well.
Because, thinking back to those years, across several cycles of reincarnation after the Kongshan Sect's destruction, Chen Yan and Ding Qiu could be said to have almost traversed every inch of Qingque Kingdom's land.
But now, he was facing a completely new starting point.
After this recent period of recuperation, Chen Yan's physical functions had become considerably stronger compared to before.
The Xing Family.
A top-tier martial arts family renowned throughout Jin'an Country, it had provided many talents and generals for Jin'an Country's border cavalry and imperial guards.
Currently, Xing Zichang, the eldest son of the Xing Mansion's second branch and Xing Ziang's biological older brother, held the position of Deputy General within Jin'an Country's border cavalry.
He discovered that, in fact, the Xing family had always had a tradition of adopting orphans or beggar children.
Then, among these orphans and beggar children, those with better bone structure and aptitude would be trained by the Xing family to become martial artists.
As for those children with poorer aptitude, most would be trained to become servants of the Xing family.
Almost no one had any complaints about the Xing Mansion's arrangements.
After all, even being a servant for a martial arts family as prestigious as the Xing family was far better than a life of destitution on the streets, where having a full stomach was a luxury.
As for Chen Yan...
"Ha!"
Wooden sticks collided, producing a crisp sound.
Chen Yan raised his hand to block the stick strike from the youth in front of him, then deliberately shifted his foot slightly to the side, revealing an obvious opening.
The youth in front clearly noticed the opening Chen Yan exposed and thrust his stick towards Chen Yan's side.
Chen Yan's footing became unsteady, and he retreated several steps in succession before plopping down on his butt.
"I lost."
Looking as if he was quite unwilling, Chen Yan shook his head.
The youth in front of him, however, revealed a brilliant smile and extended his ash wood stick towards Chen Yan.
Chen Yan grabbed the stick the youth offered, and the youth pulled back, hauling Chen Yan up from the ground.
"Yan Chen, you rascal, your progress has been really fast lately."
That spirited youth laughed.
"Compared to the young master, I'm still far behind."
Chen Yan replied.
Hearing Chen Yan's flattery, the smile on the youth's face grew even brighter.
The youth who had just sparred with Chen Yan was named Xing Zimo, the third son of the Xing family's third branch.
Compared to the second branch, which produced the two brothers Xing Zichang and Xing Ziang, the descendants of the Xing family's main branch and third branch appeared somewhat inferior.
But it was only relatively inferior.
Xing Zimo's martial arts talent was sufficient to surpass the vast majority of Xing family disciples within the Xing Mansion.
"Less than two months left..."
Propping the wooden stick beside him, the youth in front of Chen Yan said with full of longing:
"Yan Chen, do you think I can also enter the Biqiu Sect like Brother Ziang?"
"I dare not recklessly discuss matters of the immortal families. What follows is merely my humble opinion..."
Chen Yan said, pausing briefly again:
"I believe that with the young master's natural talent, you will certainly become an inner disciple of an immortal family."
"Haha, if only that were true."
In response, Xing Zimo just laughed.
The path of immortality.
If the Xing family hadn't produced a Xing Ziang, matters of seeking immortality and inquiring about the Dao would be absolutely unthinkable for the Xing family.
Ever since Xing Zimo could remember, he would often hear the name Xing Ziang.
It could be said that the reason the Xing family could have its present status, earning deference even from the immortal cultivation families within Yunyang City, was all because of this cousin of his.
But the one pursued as a goal by the Xing family's disciples was not Xing Ziang, but his other cousin, Xing Zichang, who currently served as a Deputy General in Jin'an Country's border army.
Because the existence of immortal cultivators was simply too ethereal and unreachable for mortals.
Even though his own cousin was an immortal master.
Entering the Biqiu Sect was absolutely Xing Zimo's greatest dream, but he himself also clearly understood it wasn't easy, even somewhat wishful thinking.
He didn't take Chen Yan's flattery too seriously either.
"Xing Zimo!"
A rough, middle-aged man's voice rang out, loudly calling Xing Zimo's name.
"Here, Drill Instructor Zhang!"
Xing Zimo responded.
"Come with me for a moment."
Drill Instructor Zhang said, then turned and left.
This Drill Instructor Zhang's full name was Zhang Quan. Like many people adopted by the Xing family, thirty-five years ago, he was originally an orphan in a village around Yunyang City, discovered by a passing Xing family escort and brought back to the Xing Mansion.
And this Zhang Quan had been born with immense brute strength and robust sinews and bones since childhood, making him excellent material for martial arts training.
Whether joining the military or establishing his own family, he could have achieved greater success than his current position, but he wholeheartedly wanted to stay at the Xing Mansion to repay their kindness, remaining a drill instructor in the training grounds until now.
This also made the Xing family disciples hold great respect for this Drill Instructor Zhang.
Even the young masters of the Xing family's main bloodline were always addressed by their full names by Drill Instructor Zhang, and no one had ever held any grievance against him for it.
Xing Zimo followed in the drill instructor's direction. He had only taken a few steps when he turned back to look towards Chen Yan:
"Oh right, Yan Chen, the Duan family's second young master invited me to Jianghe Tower for a meal a couple of days ago. You'll accompany me then."
"As you command."
Yan Chen said.
The Duan family's second young master was named Duan Ruijie, eighteen years old this year, two years older than Xing Zimo.
And this Duan family was one of the four great immortal cultivation families in Yunyang City, and also the one with the strongest foundation among these four families in recent years.
It was said Duan Ruijie first entered the Body Forging Realm at fourteen, and now he was already eighteen.
Unless facing those top-tier martial arts grandmasters, if anyone else went up against this Duan Ruijie, they probably wouldn't gain any advantage.
As for why Duan Ruijie sought out Xing Zimo, Chen Yan didn't know and didn't care.
Since Xing Zimo told him to go along, he would just act as his attendant and accompany him on the trip.
Chen Yan deliberately wanted to build a good relationship with Xing Zimo.
Within the Xing family compound, being on good terms with a young master from the main bloodline made many things much more convenient.
As for how to build a good relationship with Xing Zimo, it was all too simple for Chen Yan.
He was just a teenager, a mere kid.
Not just Xing Zimo, even the current head of the Xing family, Xing Kai, seemed no different from a little kid in Chen Yan's eyes.
Immortals and mortals walked different paths.
"Hey, you surnamed Yan!"
After Xing Zimo left, several bare-chested youths holding ash wood sticks in their hands walked up.
With aggressive postures, they surrounded Chen Yan.
"What's the matter?"
Chen Yan's expression remained unchanged as he asked calmly.