Chapter 50: The Visitors from Douhun City (Part 2)

"Was there anything unexpected during your trip to the Moyang Sect?" Chen Yu asked about the recent operation.

"Father, here's what happened…" Naturally, it wasn't up to Chen Hong to report; Chen Xun gave an honest and detailed account of the events.

"Old Hong, not bad! I thought you'd never awaken a domain in this lifetime," Chen Yu said, shooting him a sidelong glance.

"Pfft, that just proves you're blind! Back in the day, I was a peerless genius too!" Chen Hong retorted grumpily.

"Well, at least you've resolved a long-standing regret," Chen Yu replied mildly.

He then turned to glare at Chen Xun.

"If you'd learned even one move from the Sword Steps technique properly, your Uncle Hong wouldn't have needed to save you!"

Chen Xun gave an awkward laugh. His father wasn't wrong—he truly hadn't been able to master it.

Chen Hong chimed in at that moment:

"Xun'er, why didn't you choose a soul bone from the Moyang Sect's treasury? Why did you pick that bottle of blood instead?"

"Uncle Hong, look."

Chen Xun retrieved a dark golden bottle of blood from his soul tool.

"Even through the container, I can feel my blood boiling."

"Oh? A resonance. No one else felt that—just you. So, why is that?" Chen Hong was puzzled.

Chen Xun circulated his soul power, and his left arm radiated the same dark golden brilliance.

"I think it's because of my Titan Giant Ape left-arm soul bone. That's why I suspect this is the essence blood of a Titan Giant Ape or a similar high-level soul beast. I believe using this would greatly enhance the user's physique."

Chen Yu nodded in agreement.

"That's reasonable. Still, go visit your Second Uncle and let him study it. See if he can identify the soul beast before deciding how to use it."

"Understood, Father."

"Xun'er, give this damaged jade crown to your Second Uncle too."

Chen Hong handed over the broken jade crown he had picked.

Then, Chen Hong brought out the soul bone he had obtained from killing Hersus Weiss and said:

"Old Tuber, we got two head soul bones this time—one from a 40,000-year Dark Blood Demon Wolf, and another from a 60,000-year Three-Eyed Demon Goat. Quite the haul."

Chen Yu couldn't help but sigh.

"As the saying goes, 'crime pays well.' Keep them both. That dark attribute headbone is fairly suitable for our Seven Kill Sword. Xun'er, you keep yours as well."

The Seven Kill Sword had a powerful killing intent; although not a perfect match, the dark-attribute headbone was a decent fit.

"This soul bone isn't that useful for me. Let's put it in the clan treasury," said Chen Hong, shaking his head.

"If you won't use it, surely Jianzun can," Chen Yu countered, making Chen Hong reconsider.

Outside, Ma Zhibin saw Xue Tianming returning and casually wandered back inside, no invitation needed.

"Well? What brings you here this time?" Chen Yu asked, clearly less patient with him.

He had dealt with Ma Zhibin often enough over the years to know what to expect—his late father had been blood brothers with Ma Zhibin's father.

"Uncle Yu, I just tagged along with the others. It's the Chen clan's celebration, after all—I figured I should make an appearance," Ma Zhibin replied with a big grin.

"Speak plainly!"

"Hehe… I've got a personal favor to ask."

"Out with it!"

"Well, during the Moyang Sect operation, I got a 20,000-year fire-attribute right arm bone. But I already have one. I tried to trade for a different one through my clan, but they said they had nothing available. Since our families are close, I thought maybe we could swap?"

"Isn't your family closer to the Long family?" Chen Yu replied gruffly.

"Sure, but I only get along with Long Wenkai. I can't stand the rest of them. And this is a personal matter. You, on the other hand, were sworn brothers with my dad, Ma Tianyang. I'm just here to shamelessly call in a favor."

"Hah! Now you're playing the 'old favor' card? Weren't you just a dashing, youthful gentleman a moment ago?" Chen Yu heard his earlier jabs at Xue Tianming.

"Well, still no match for you, Uncle—an immortal among mortals, unfazed by the world, even blossoming again in your old age."

Ma Zhibin, ever the flatterer, laid it on thick.

"Alright, that's enough…" Chen Yu sighed. He knew better than to expect tact from this guy. Ma Zhibin's father probably exiled him to Douhun City just to save himself the headache.

"Old Hong, do we have any fire-type soul bones he could use?" Chen Yu asked Chen Hong, who managed the clan's treasury.

"We rarely use fire soul bones, but last time we received a left-leg soul bone from a Purple Flame Crane, about 18,000 years old. It's not as good as your 20,000-year one, but do you want it?" Chen Hong looked to Ma Zhibin for the decision.

"Yes, yes, yes! Not swapping would be foolish!" Ma Zhibin didn't care about the small gap—any compatible bone was a win. The Purple Flame Crane's left leg bone was still excellent.

"Xun, go fetch it from the treasury," Chen Yu instructed.

Ten minutes later, Chen Xun returned with a radiant, purple-red soul bone.

"Now get lost," Chen Yu said with mock irritation.

"Got it!" Ma Zhibin replied cheerfully.

"Hahaha, 'blossoming again in old age,' really?" Chen Hong couldn't hold in his laughter.

"Has his idiocy rubbed off on you too?" Chen Yu rolled his eyes.

"About Xue Tianming's proposal—Xun, what do you think?"

It was clear that if they were sending someone this year, Jianjun would be the only suitable candidate, so they sought Chen Xun's opinion first.

"I think it's a good idea. Jianjun was planning to leave this year anyway. He could consider enrolling in Douhun Academy," Chen Xun said with a nod.

"Jianzun went to Sword Rain Academy last year. We originally planned for Jianjun to go this year, so they could grow and push each other," Chen Yu sighed.

Sword Rain Academy, located in the Star Luo Empire, was backed by the extended Chen clan. Many branch families studied there. The academy gathered elite sword-type martial soul users and was famous across the continent—a sacred ground for sword-type soul masters.

The Chen family's main base was in the Heaven Dou Empire, while Sword Rain Academy was in the Star Luo Empire—classic risk diversification.

Chen Hong thought for a moment.

"That's fine. It could be good for him to face off against others as well. Jianjun is our heir apparent. Meeting other branches is useful, but going to Douhun Academy will give him exposure to more elite soul masters."

"Zhang'er, what do you think?" Chen Yu turned to Chen Zhang, who had remained quiet the whole time.

Chen Zhang resembled Chen Yu more than Xun did—chiseled features, and a masculine and handsome appearance. He wore a fitted dark blue suit with a light gray-blue high-collared robe. Based in Douhun City, he had a better grasp of current affairs.

"We can't exactly say no—don't forget it was our clan that proposed punishing the Moyang Sect in the first place."

Indeed. Punishment was how Douhun City officially referred to it.

"Right, and they came from Douhun City just to see us first—there are plenty of clans closer than ours," Chen Xun added.

"That's why consulting us first feels… expected. If we agree, things will go smoother," Chen Hong followed up.

"Alright then. Let Jianjun go," Chen Yu concluded.

"What about Ning Ze's request?" Chen Yu asked, turning to Chen Hong. As clan leader, Chen Yu couldn't leave easily—Chen Hong was the only suitable candidate. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had always been at the center of political turbulence—it was risky.

"According to our agreement back then, we haven't sent anyone to the clan in years. I'm still relatively young. It's worth considering—and honestly, the Ning family's offer is quite generous," Chen Hong replied calmly.

"Rich bastards!" Chen Xun blurted out, exhaling deeply in amazement.