Chapter 54

The Estate of the Chu Spirit King

Surrounded by misty mountains and streams, the scenery here appears meticulously arranged, enveloped in a layer of fog as though a powerful spell has been cast, adding an air of mystery to the place.

Groups of black-armored soldiers patrol back and forth, emanating an intense aura of hostility. Shadows of figures occasionally stand within the fog, peering into the distance.

Suddenly, a mighty aura bursts forth from the central hall, turning the once colorful sky to a dull gray. Dark clouds gather, and the atmosphere becomes oppressive, almost suffocating.

Inside the hall, a middle-aged man dressed in a python-embroidered robe sits high on the throne. His face is cold, radiating an overwhelming aura of authority.

“A fine… fine young genius, to dare kill my son, the son of Chu Spirit King himself!”

This middle-aged man in the python robe is none other than a famous Divine Realm expert of the Great Yan Dynasty, a titled king by another name. Even the royal family of Great Yan must show him respect.

At this moment, everyone knew that one of the Great Yan Dynasty’s most powerful figures… was enraged!

A dark mist swirled out of the Chu Spirit King’s body, transforming into the shadow of a monstrous figure. “Kekeke, Chu Tianxiong, I’ve told you before, there’s no need for you to marry and have children. Even the son you birthed with your physique is a waste, destined to be slain.”

“One son dead means nothing; once I break free, you can have as many sons as you want.”

The creature’s voice was sharp and hoarse, hardly human, taunting Chu Tianxiong with its tone.

Chu Tianxiong looked coldly at the creature before him, his eyes turning blood-red, like an enraged lion. “Enough. I, Chu Tianxiong, don’t need you to tell me how to conduct my affairs.”

“A sixteen-year-old prodigy at the Qi Sea Realm has appeared in the Great Yan Dynasty. Do you know what this means?”

“If he isn’t killed in the cradle, if other powers come investigating, and if any clues are found, I might die, and you won’t fare any better!”

“You’re nothing but an ant, a dog I raised,” the black mist hissed, breaking apart and opening its terrifying fangs, like a bottomless abyss filled with a malicious aura that enveloped every corner of the hall.

Suddenly, a strange, blood-red mark appeared on Chu Tianxiong’s forehead, as if branded with fresh blood. The once enraged expression of Chu Tianxiong turned agonized, as though millions of needles were piercing every part of him, a searing pain that reached his very bones.

Despite the unbearable pain, Chu Tianxiong did not beg for mercy.

Watching Chu Tianxiong writhe in agony, the black shadow’s tone was icy. “Remember, Chu Tianxiong, you are nothing but a dog raised by me. As long as you obey, you’ll benefit when I am freed.”

“Otherwise, I can take back everything I gave to raise a useless ant like you into what you are now.”

The black shadow withdrew the spell on Chu Tianxiong’s forehead. Watching the half-kneeling, almost ghostly figure, the shadow’s gaze was indifferent. But it dared not kill Chu Tianxiong, for its own life was tied to his.

“That useless son of yours caused this trouble; you handle it. I don’t want such a trivial matter disrupting our plans.”

“I need the Soul Palace secret technique!” Chu Tianxiong snarled at the shadow. “A genius in the Qi Sea Realm couldn’t possibly lack support, likely from another Divine Realm expert. I need to reach the Soul Palace Realm to crush him in the cradle!”

“Otherwise, if I fail, we’ll both meet our end!”

“Surely, that isn’t what you want either, is it?”

The shadow’s fangs widened, a pitch-black tongue with countless eyes extended from it, encircling Chu Tianxiong and trembling the surrounding space, as though an unspeakable being was about to descend.

“Chu Tianxiong, are you… threatening me?”

Enduring the discomfort, Chu Tianxiong shook his head and calmly faced the terrifying figure. “It’s not a threat. I’m stating a fact. You need me, and I need you. We’re in this together. Help me reach the Soul Palace Realm, and it’ll quicken your pace. Besides, wouldn’t the flesh of a prodigy be far more enticing than the common rabble?”

“Haha, fine!” The shadow burst into laughter, and the thousands of eyes on its tongue blinked in unison, numb with both pain and indifference. “If you want to break into the Soul Palace Realm, I’ll grant you that chance!”

With a malicious glint, it let its disturbing tongue lick Chu Tianxiong’s face, its vile slime sliding down his cheek as a gray eye detached itself, sprouting eight legs, and crawled down Chu Tianxiong’s throat.

“This contains the Soul Palace technique. Practice it well.”

“Hahaha!!”

Amidst maniacal laughter, only the grimacing, tormented Chu Tianxiong remained. A terrifying change seemed to stir within his body at that moment…

“Feng’er… I will avenge you!”

Chu Tianxiong’s eyes turned blood-red, and countless blood vessels seemed to squirm as though alive, terrifying and frenzied.

——–

The Lin Family

Willows swayed, water murmured, and countless birds circled overhead, chirping melodiously.

The scent of herbs wafted in the air. A young man with a gentle, handsome face conjured a silver flame in his hands, as a mysterious rune rose up. Inside his alchemy furnace, a faint golden light began to take the shape of medicinal pills.

After about half an hour, a loud, earth-shaking bang resounded.

Boom!

The alchemy furnace before Lin Xuan suddenly exploded, sending fragments in all directions. Lin Xuan’s face twitched at the sight.

Luckily, he reacted quickly, keeping the last four pills suspended in the air.

As he gathered the four pills, Lin Xuan sighed, “Perhaps… this was fate.”

He had spent the entire week refining pills, and this was the last batch. Sadly, the Fifth Elder’s alchemy furnace had reached its limit; after all, it was only a second-grade furnace.

To have lasted this long was a miracle.

Lin Xuan looked into the distance, slowly rose to his feet, and walked away.