Chapter Twelve: Torn by the Fox Spirit

After some time had passed since Chu Tianchen and Ye Nichang left, figures appeared from all directions, rushing overnight to the scene, only to find they had arrived too late.

Had Chu Tianchen still been present, he would have recognized two among them—two familiar silhouettes: Yin Taixu and Lin Yurou.

Yet the surroundings were utterly barren; there were no treasures, no people, nor any beast spirits to be seen.

“Taixu, do you sense something familiar here?” Lin Yurou asked.

“Familiar? No, I don’t,” he replied.

“What did you perceive then?” Yin Taixu inquired.

Lin Yurou smiled and shook her head. “Nothing really, maybe I was mistaken.”

In her mind, she pondered, Could that fool have been here? Or was last night’s strange phenomenon related to him?

But she quickly dismissed the thought. Even if that fool had regained his talent, there was no way he could have created such an extraordinary scene. Taixu had said the aura last night was at least that of a Sovereign-level being. There was no way it could be him!

She then linked arms with Yin Taixu as they inspected the area.

Not a single trace remained—not even a thread of purple-gold silk. After a brief search, the others departed in disappointment.

Just as Yin Taixu and Lin Yurou were about to leave, Lin Yurou’s gaze was suddenly drawn to a patch of empty ground where fragments of cloth lay.

Her eyes widened as she recognized the torn fabric.

“That’s his clothing!” she exclaimed.

“That fool was here!”

Upon hearing her, Yin Taixu sneered.

“The clothes are torn to this state—looks like he was torn apart by that force last night,” he said.

Lin Yurou exhaled in relief.

“Good that he’s dead, good that he’s dead,” she whispered.

“A mere insignificant ant. I don’t know what you worry about. Even at the height of the Chu family’s power, I could crush him effortlessly,” Yin Taixu remarked.

“Taixu, I knew I chose the right person. When you get that item you mentioned, make sure to take me with you to the Great World.”

“I, Lin Yurou, will never abandon you in this life,” she vowed.

Yin Taixu nodded in agreement.

“You woman, with just this little talent, you think you can marry into the Yin family? You’re only a plaything for me here.”

“If I really get that item, those saintesses and princesses will be mine to choose from,” he thought silently.

Then the two left the place.

Above the void stood a dozen or so figures, all emanating the aura of the Heavenly Gang realm.

“Even the Land Immortal Realm cultivators have come to our Great Qian Dynasty? Hurry and inform the Sovereign Emperor.”

“This is going to be a big problem. If I’m right, they’ve all come for that item in the imperial tomb.”

“We’ve just lost the National General’s Mansion. How are we to face this crisis?”

“Lost the General’s Mansion? Minister Yan, as the Sovereign Emperor’s uncle, you surely know the real reason? Don’t try to fool us,” came the retort.

Minister Yan looked at the royal family members with a complex expression.

“Let’s hope the Sovereign Emperor succeeds; then the sacrifice of those in the General’s Mansion won’t be in vain,” he sighed.

Perhaps only the Sovereign Emperor and a few close relatives knew the truth of what transpired in the Demon Burial Abyss that day.

An entire loyal family vanished without a trace overnight in the Abyss—too mysterious.

But with the imperial edict issued, who dared to question it except for the last surviving Chu heir?

Back at the bamboo grove courtyard, Chu Tianchen hurriedly brewed medicinal herbs into a healing elixir for his grandmother.

With the Dragon Emperor’s legacy, concocting such elixirs was effortless for him. Though not as potent as pills, it was enough to help suppress her injuries.

Next, he prepared six mountain pheasants, stewing a large pot full of chicken meat.

The two little ones were delighted.

“Brother Tianchen, the thunder last night was so loud it scared Ling’er to tears. Grandma said it was because you were transforming. Is that true?” Chu Linger asked as she ate.

“Brother Tianchen, can I have a drumstick too?” Li Qing’er looked longingly at the chicken leg in Chu Tianchen’s hand.

Li Qing’er was two years younger than Chu Linger, just over four years old, and the daughter of Chu Tianchen’s eldest aunt.

He gave her half of his chicken leg.

“Qing’er, be good and eat more,” he said kindly.

Then he looked at six-year-old Chu Linger.

“Ling’er, I will protect you both from now on. I will find grandpa and the others,” he said with resolute eyes.

“But didn’t the Sovereign Emperor say grandpa and father died in battle?” Chu Linger asked.

“They are not dead,” he said firmly.

“We will see each other again.”

Chu Linger nodded obediently, though her understanding was partial.

Yuan Minglan overheard everything clearly.

“Tianchen, when you transformed last night, did you sense something?” she asked.

Putting down the chicken, Chu Tianchen approached his grandmother and nodded heavily.

“Grandma, last night when my bloodline awakened, that new power opened my path in martial arts. I experienced the strength of the Land Immortal Realm. When I reached that realm, I sensed the presence of grandpa, father, mother, and my eldest aunt.”

“I am certain they are still alive.”

“Moreover, their aura comes from the royal family’s direction. I believe they are being held captive somewhere within the palace.”

“But their presence is faint. I don’t know what the Sovereign Emperor’s intentions are!”

Clenching his fists, his voice grew grave.

“Tianchen, I know what you’re thinking, but remember, you are the last hope of the Chu family.”

“You just awakened your bloodline; you must not reveal yourself too much. Otherwise, the Sovereign Emperor might…”

“Grandma, don’t worry. I know my limits.”

“But what I said stands: what grandpa dared not do back then, I will!”

“The Sovereign Emperor has been spreading rumors that the Chu family will rebel. If that’s the case, I’ll show him what rebellion really means!”

“I will bring grandpa and the others back,” Chu Tianchen declared.

Yuan Minglan smiled with relief.

“Eat quickly. After today, you must set off for Yunhai Academy. My injuries are not serious, and I’ll take care of these two little ones. You must take care of yourself at the academy. If you get into trouble, use this bracelet to find a man named Ling Santong. He will help you unconditionally.”

Chu Tianchen took the jade bracelet and put it away.

“By the way, what happened to your clothes? Why are they so torn?”

“When you get to the city, be sure to buy more clothes first,” Yuan Minglan reminded him.

Chu Tianchen glanced at his shredded garment, a bit embarrassed.

“Last night, while gathering herbs, I ran into a fox spirit that scratched me,” he explained hurriedly.