Chapter 1102: Placement of Chen Xudong

After announcing the results, Wang Changsheng publicly distributed the rewards. Besides Chen Xudong, over ten other cultivators not bearing the Wang surname also entered the top thirty, and all of them received generous rewards.

"Our Wang family will never mistreat its own. Regardless of whether you bear the Wang surname or not, as long as you work diligently and are loyal to our family, we will treat everyone equally. However, anyone who betrays our Wang family will be severely punished, no exceptions." Wang Changsheng said in a deep voice, his words carrying far.

"Yes, Patriarch (Senior Wang)," everyone replied in unison, their voices echoing widely.

After the clan competition concluded, the Wang family cultivators dispersed to their respective duties.

Wang Mengfen brought Chen Xudong to Wang Changsheng's residence. Chen Xudong appeared very nervous. He knew very well that concealing his talent was a serious matter. While it might not be a major issue for an immortal cultivation sect, it was absolutely critical for an immortal cultivation family. The Chen family had also recruited many cultivators in the past, and loyalty was always paramount.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were seated in the main positions, with Ye Haitang sitting to the side.

"There's no one else here. This is your last chance: tell us your background and why you concealed your talent."

Wang Changsheng's expression was grim. If Chen Xudong hadn't hidden his talent, and a background check revealed no issues, Wang Changsheng would certainly have entrusted him with important responsibilities. Years ago, they had recruited Ye Lin, who used his expertise to help the Wang family develop. When Wang Qingshan and others attempted to form their core, they had access to third-tier defensive formations, which significantly increased their chances of success.

Chen Xudong concealed his talent when he joined the Wang family. During the second and third days of the clan competition, he didn't attempt the challenges. He only did so on the final day, when Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were present. This indicated his deep strategic thinking. Of course, Wang Changsheng would not deny his achievements in front of so many people. Having publicly declared his loyalty, Wang Changsheng wouldn't make things difficult for him.

For cultivators in the Wang family, loyalty was paramount; talent and ability came second. If one was disloyal to the Wang family, even exceptional talent and great ability were useless.

This incident exposed a serious flaw: there were loopholes in the Wang family's screening process for external cultivators. Generally, anyone joining an immortal cultivation sect or family would undergo scrutiny, and the Wang family was no exception. The Wang family typically used special magic tools, formations, and talismans to question newcomers. If an outsider lied, it would be difficult to evade detection, unless they carried a special treasure that could bypass the detection of magic tools, formations, and talismans. If that were the case, they would be an enemy spy, and exposure would mean certain death.

Spies usually wouldn't draw too much attention. Even making it into the top ten would be conspicuous enough for Chen Xudong; ranking second would guarantee rigorous scrutiny from the Wang family. If he were a spy, he would have to be insane to act this way. When various forces developed spies, they typically chose experienced cultivators who could withstand scrutiny, rather than newly joined ones like him.

"Step onto the formation and honestly explain your background. You only have one chance," Ye Haitang said, pointing to a golden formation several zhang wide on the ground, her tone indifferent.

Chen Xudong took a deep breath and stepped onto the formation. Wang Changsheng took out a pale blue mirror, releasing a blue aura that enveloped Chen Xudong. Wang Ruyan flicked her wrist, and a shimmering silver talisman flew out, adhering to Chen Xudong's body. Ye Haitang took out a golden formation plate and cast a spell. The formation lit up with countless golden runes, which flew up and enveloped Chen Xudong. Unless Chen Xudong carried a special spirit treasure, he absolutely could not deceive the three of them. Wang Ruyan had already observed him with her Black Phoenix Eye, and Chen Xudong was not wearing any magic treasures.

Chen Xudong felt he had no secrets left. He knew very well that if he failed this test, death awaited him. He dared not delay and meticulously recounted his origins.

He hailed from the Chen family of Qingyang Island in the Fire Dolphin Sea Region. The Chen family had a legacy of over 800 years and two Core Formation cultivators. When foreign races invaded, the Chen family received a conscription order. The Chen family patriarch led a group to the front lines, while the second Core Formation cultivator remained to guard the family. Not long after the Chen family patriarch reached the front, he died at the hands of the demon race. Both humans sending high-level cultivators to raid the rear and foreign races doing the same led to the second Chen family Core Formation cultivator dying amidst the chaos. With both Core Formation cultivators and most of the Chen family's Foundation Establishment cultivators killed in battle, the family suffered a severe blow to its vitality.

When the war ended, various powers began annexing smaller factions to replenish their losses. The Chen family was annihilated by their old rival, the Li family, because the Chen family possessed a Fire Dragon Token. The Chen family elders covered Chen Xudong's escape from the encirclement, sending him to their in-laws, the Zhao family. However, when the Zhao family demanded the Fire Dragon Token, which had already fallen into the Li family's hands, Chen Xudong couldn't produce it. The Zhao family then intended to hand Chen Xudong over to the Li family in exchange for a piece of territory. When news of this leaked, the elders covered Chen Xudong's escape, dying on the spot. Chen Xudong dared not remain in the Fire Dolphin Sea Region and traveled to other sea regions. Coincidentally, the Wang family was recruiting, so he joined them.

A family of century-long acquaintances had betrayed Chen Xudong for profit, making him unwilling to trust anyone else. Of course, he was just being cautious; who knew the Wang family's screening of external cultivators would be so negligent? They only asked about his background, not his talent, and relied too heavily on the spirit-measuring ruler for talent assessment. Had any Wang family cultivator been a bit stricter, he wouldn't have been able to slip through.

Chen Xudong concealed his talent primarily to cultivate in peace. Triple Spirit Root cultivators were very common, but if he were a Dual Spirit Root cultivator, the Wang family would certainly interrogate him thoroughly. At that point, who knew if the Wang family might sell him out? The Li family had the backing of Tianhai Sect, which was an affiliate of the Four Seas Sect, one of the Ten Great Sects of the South Sea. He had already been betrayed once by his in-laws, so he truly dared not trust the Wang family.

Not long after he joined the Wang family, they unexpectedly held a clan competition. The top three would be rewarded with Divine Ability Fruits and priority in Core Formation. This temptation was too great. Chen Xudong thought about it for two days and two nights, deciding to go all out. Relying on a proto-magic treasure and a set of third-tier enemy-trapping formation talismans, he entered the ninth floor, stayed for over half a quarter of an hour, and secured second place. He was well aware of the consequences of his actions and also intended to use this opportunity to confess. When he initially joined the Wang family, having just been betrayed by his in-laws, he genuinely couldn't trust them. However, after joining the Wang family, he regretted his decision. He couldn't hide it for long; his talent would be discovered eventually, unless he was willing to die as a Foundation Establishment cultivator. The longer he concealed it, the less the Wang family would trust him. It was better to confess early. A Dual Spirit Root cultivator, if properly nurtured, could certainly achieve Core Formation. As long as he remained loyal to the Wang family, even if they didn't heavily rely on him, they wouldn't kill him, right?

The magic tools, formations, and talismans showed no abnormalities; Chen Xudong was speaking the truth.

"Even if you feared betrayal, by concealing your talent and infiltrating our Wang family, did you think we were all fools?" Wang Changsheng narrowed his eyes and sneered.

Terrified, Chen Xudong fell to his knees, kowtowed three times with heavy thuds, and explained, "Senior Wang, you flatter this junior. This junior never had such a thought, nor would I dare to."

"Do you still wish to remain in our Wang family? Concealing your talent is disloyal. Would your Chen family have heavily relied on someone disloyal?" Wang Ruyan asked with a cold expression. Chen Xudong's talent was indeed good, but his concealment of it was a very serious issue. If he dared to hide his talent now, who could guarantee he wouldn't do something outrageous in the future?

"Beyond the Wang family, this junior will go nowhere else. I only hope Senior Wang will take me in. Also, this junior possesses a map, said to be a topographical map of the Five Dragons Secret Realm." Chen Xudong wasn't foolish; if he dared to suggest leaving the Wang family, he would surely die. He suddenly remembered something, took out a yellowish animal hide from his bosom, and handed it to Wang Changsheng. Wang Changsheng took the hide, glanced at it, and then passed it to Wang Ruyan.

"Since you are a talisman master, go work in the Talisman Hall for now. As long as you perform well, we will not mistreat you."

"Yes, this junior thanks Senior Wang for taking me in." Chen Xudong kowtowed deeply, expressing his gratitude.

Wang Mengfen sent someone to escort Chen Xudong away and assigned him to refine talismans for the Wang family.

"This grandson is guilty. I beg Patriarch to punish me." Wang Mengfen knelt down, his expression tense. The family had just relocated to Qinglian Island, and such a significant oversight had occurred. Wang Mengfen could not shirk his responsibility.