Deep within Marquis Zhendong's Manor.

Inside a grand seven-story ancient tower exuding a unique aura.

"The basic saber techniques have really been improved!"

Seven elderly men, each with an extraordinary presence and white hair, reacted with shock. Some stood up from their seats, some accidentally pulled out their white beards, and some spilled their tea, all feeling unsettled.

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The basic saber techniques, as the name suggests, are used to lay the foundation of the Martial Dao and are considered a fundamental method.

A person's combat strength and future potential are greatly related to the fundamental method.

Therefore, the basic saber techniques of the Marquis Manor are a closely guarded secret, only taught to the direct line descendants and exceptionally talented branch disciples who have passed rigorous tests.

This saber technique has been the cornerstone of the Xia family's prosperity for 600 years.

Every martial aristocratic family has its own unique fundamental method, all of which are closely guarded secrets to ensure their continued prosperity.

The Xia family's fundamental method was created by the ancestor Xia Xuanzhen and has been modified by successive family heads and elders. They believed this saber technique had long reached perfection.

It was not inferior to the royal basic saber techniques.

But now, it has been improved by a young member, which left them astonished.

Yet, looking at the scorching crack on the ground, left by Xia Chen's demonstration in front of them, they couldn't help but believe it, despite their initial skepticism.

Their strong reactions were simply due to the incredibility of it all.

"Well done, well done! Even though you have a crippled body, your contribution to the family surpasses that of your father, Xia Yuan!"

The leading elder, with graying hair, spoke directly with a hearty laugh.

His name was Xia Yu, the elder brother of Xia Chutian, Marquis Zhendong, and the uncle of Xia Qia and Xia Yuan, making him Xia Chen's granduncle by seniority.

Xia Chutian's generation consisted of eight brothers, with Xia Chutian being the third. Due to his exceptional talent and intelligence, he was chosen as the family head and inherited the Marquis Zhendong title, while the other seven brothers served in the army during their youth.

Thirty-six years ago, during the Battle of Huaiyang between Great Wu and Great Feng, Xia Chutian became a legend in a single battle. Eventually, he voluntarily returned his military power and withdrew from the army, while the other seven brothers gradually returned their military powers and took on roles as family elders, teaching the younger generation and enhancing the family's foundation...

"No amount of military achievements can compare to your creation of a new method!"

Another elder chimed in, Xia Chen's fifth granduncle, Xia Xuan.

The Marquis Manor has enjoyed 600 years of glory, producing generations of talented individuals. Over 300 years ago, the family was once again granted the title of Marquis Anwu due to great achievements, and 173 years ago, they received the title of Marquis Andong.

Thus, the Xia family became a family of three marquises.

For them, the family does not lack military achievements.

But Xia Chen's improvement of the fundamental method will ensure that future generations of the family will be even more outstanding, with faster cultivation progress.

The significance is immense!

***

Xia Chen left the Merit Tower. To be honest, it was his first time entering this tower, and it was also his first time meeting those granduncles in 17 years. But judging by their reactions, they must have heard of Xia Chen's reputation as a cripple.

"This time, I've made a strong impression, which will greatly benefit my status in the Marquis Manor. The seven elders have a good impression of me, and exchanging the Shouyang Demon-Breaking Saber for this was worth it!"

Xia Chen pondered. As for the mention of his name being written into the family history and being enshrined in the ancestral hall after his death, to be worshipped alongside the great talents of the family, Xia Chen didn't care much.

He only sought fame in life!

Posthumous fame was not something he needed to consider now.

Xia Chen wound his way through the winding back courtyard, passing through the Martial Training Ground. The ground was bustling with activity, with five or six-year-old children practicing foundational punches with martial instructors, and eleven or twelve-year-old youths practicing spear techniques, their long spears flashing with cold light, displaying impressive momentum.

There were also youths lifting thousand-pound stones, sweating profusely but with determined eyes, persevering relentlessly.

"Brother Chen!"

At this moment, a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy dropped the giant stone in his hands and, with the agility of a monkey, quickly approached Xia Chen.

"Brother Chen, did you come to see me?"

The boy, with a naive and endearing demeanor, scratched his head and smiled.

This boy was named Xia Wen, the son of Xia Chen's third uncle, Xia Han. Although Xia Han was born into a martial aristocratic family, he preferred literature over martial arts and pursued a scholarly path.

He named his son Xia Wen, hoping he would be a scholarly prodigy. However, Xia Wen loved martial arts from a young age and had extraordinary talent in the Martial Dao, while his academic performance was less than satisfactory.

Since Xia Chen was born with a crippled body and had no hope in the Martial Dao, Xia Han took him under his wing, teaching him to read and cultivate a righteous aura, following the Confucian path of cultivation, nurturing his spirit and establishing his words.

Therefore, before the age of ten, Xia Chen often dined at his third uncle's courtyard and naturally became familiar and had a good relationship with his third uncle's children.

"I was on my way to the Skill Repository Pavilion to choose a technique and thought I'd stop by to see you."

Xia Chen smiled. The children of the Marquis Manor, regardless of gender, were required to train at the Martial Training Ground from the age of five, enduring the elements and persevering daily.

But Xia Chen, born with a crippled body, was granted an exemption from attending the Martial Training Ground.

In his childhood, Xia Chen was unwilling to accept this and stubbornly went to the Martial Training Ground, but as his peers progressed rapidly each day while he struggled even with the basics, he gradually stopped going.

Xia Chen glanced around and noticed that the Martial Training Ground was filled with young faces. Most of those who were his age or even a year or two younger were no longer there.

Xia Chen knew that most of them had already broken through to the eighth grade Essence Refining Realm and had begun honing their skills in the army, a tradition in the Marquis Manor that valued cultivation level over age.

Once they reached the eighth grade Essence Refining Realm, they could venture into the world and make their mark.

"Brother Chen!"

Another voice called out. Xia Chen turned to see a delicate little girl, about ten years old, wearing simple clothes, timidly approaching.

Her cheeks were flushed, having just finished a set of punches.

This was Xia Qia and Cui Mengrou's youngest daughter, named Xia Yuxi.

"Brother Chen!"

"Brother Chen!"

***

Several more people approached, all descendants of the seven elders' branches, as well as a few outstandingly talented youths from the collateral branches. Seeing everyone greeting Xia Chen, they hesitated for a moment before following suit.

Listening to the whispers around him, they knew this was a direct line descendant.

Although Xia Chen had been somewhat of a minor figure in the Marquis Manor over the years, his reputation was not small.

After all, the Marquis Manor was built on martial prowess, and it was the first time in so many years that a child with no martial talent had appeared.

Some greeted Xia Chen with smiles, while others remained calm, merely nodding without making friends or enemies. No one mocked him, as most of them were mature beyond their years, with high intelligence and emotional intelligence.

No one would easily offend a direct line descendant, even if that person had no martial talent. Moreover, everyone knew that Xia Chen had become a consort, making it even less reasonable to mock or suppress him just because he lacked martial talent.

Furthermore, in terms of seniority, Xia Chen was the elder brother of everyone present. The Marquis Manor, with its 600-year legacy, placed great importance on brotherly harmony.

Xia Chen greeted everyone with a warm smile, his tone gentle, making people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze. His gaze fell on several youths present, his expression serious.

These individuals would shine brightly in the future!

***

["Xia Wen, styled Xuanba, was the brother of the Heavenly Emperor. The Heavenly Emperor taught him from a young age, so Xia Wen was both close to and respectful of the Heavenly Emperor.

In his youth, the Emperor was like a hidden dragon in the abyss, biding his time, waiting for the right moment, and thus did not stand out among his peers.

Within the imperial family, only Wen remained unaffected by the outside world, staying close to the Heavenly Emperor, with a deep bond of friendship and brotherhood."]

—The Xia Chronicles, Volume 1, Family Records, Section 3

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