Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique

"Chen’Er?" Mu Gu Tian started, looking closer. "Chen’Er... Chen’Er is back?"

For a moment, Mu Gu Tian’s eyes grew moist. Even though Mu Chen had once been a good-for-nothing, and even though Mu Rongxuan and Mu Xiaotian had sometimes treated him unfairly, Mu Gu Tian had never truly looked down on him. After three years apart, a sense of longing was inevitable, no matter the circumstances. This feeling for one’s family only deepened with age.

"Hmph. You still have the nerve to come back? It’s been three years. Why didn’t you just die out there?"

A harsh voice came from behind Mu Gu Tian. Upon hearing it, Mu Gu Tian, Mufeng, and Bi Wan all frowned. They looked up to see that the newcomer was none other than the Second Elder, Mu Zheng. His expression was extremely foul, a look of pure disgust on his face.

Mufeng said in a low voice, "Second Elder, what is the meaning of this? Chen’Er has been gone for three years. His return today should be a happy occasion for everyone. I don’t see how Chen’Er has offended you. How could you say something so cruel?"

Mu Gu Tian’s expression was just as dark. "Second Elder, don’t you think you’re going too far? As an Elder of the family, please watch your words and actions."

"Words and actions? Decorum is reserved for those who have contributed to the family. As for him, Mu Chen, he isn’t worthy of my consideration! In these past three years, how many guards has our Mu Family lost looking for this good-for-nothing? How many of our businesses have we lost because of him? Gutian, are you telling me you don’t know?" The Second Elder’s voice grew louder and louder, but this time, no one rebuked him. After all, every word he spoke was in the name of the family.

"Enough. The decision to search for Chen’Er was mine. If anyone is to be blamed, it’s me, not Chen’Er. Second Elder, Chen’Er’s return should be a joyous occasion for everyone. This is not the time to be dwelling on such things." Mu Gu Tian snapped, flicking his sleeve.

"Heh, it seems we’ve really gotten old. Our words carry no weight anymore." The Second Elder gave a self-deprecating laugh, flicked his own sleeves, and left Bifeng Garden. Following him, the Grand Elder sighed, shot Mu Chen a cold glare, snorted, and also departed.

The Third Elder, Mu Yeqiu, did not stop them. He simply stood there in silence, his eyes fixed on Mu Chen, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face from time to time. Seeing the other two leave, Mu Gu Tian clasped his hands behind his back, looked at Mu Yeqiu, and said, "Third Elder, I know you’re angry too, but if you must blame someone, blame me. I simply can’t bear to see a child of my Mu Family wandering destitute outside."

To everyone’s surprise, Mu Yeqiu chuckled and said, "Gutian, do you really see me as the same as those two pedantic old fools? Chen’Er’s return is a good thing. Because of it, Feng’Er even broke through to the Martial Spirit Realm. This should have lessened the Mu Family’s burden considerably."

Mu Gu Tian paused, then suddenly laughed. "Right, I forgot about the most important thing! Feng’Er, you successfully broke through to the Martial Spirit Realm?"

Hearing this, Mufeng said respectfully, "Father, I have not disappointed you. I succeeded."

"Good! Good! Good! Haha! It seems the heavens haven’t completely abandoned my Mu Family after all. Now that you’ve broken through, this old man can finally relax a little." Mu Gu Tian, overjoyed, then turned with a faint smile. "Chen’Er, you must have suffered a great deal these past three years. Tonight, Grandpa will host a welcome-home dinner for you."

Mu Chen hadn’t said a word the entire time, simply standing to the side. Only now did he look at the old man whose hair was already flecked with gray. ’The Mu Gu Tian of the past treated me well enough, but he never valued me this much. From their conversation just now, I can tell Grandpa truly does dote on me. Besides, after three years, my own understanding of family and kinship has deepened considerably. Naturally, I won’t hold a grudge against the Second Elder and Grand Elder.’

A thread of Spiritual Power extended from beneath Mu Chen’s feet, swiftly enveloping Mu Gu Tian. Mu Gu Tian’s Martial Artist Realm was then clearly reflected in Mu Chen’s mind.

’Peak of Nine-Ring Great Martial Master, and he already has one foot in the Martial Spirit Realm.’

’From the conversation just now, it’s clear I’ve caused the Mu Family a lot of trouble over the years.’ "Grandpa, I’ve made you worry all these years. As for the welcome-home dinner, let’s just forget it. I don’t want to cause more trouble for everyone when the family is already under so much pressure."

Mu Gu Tian frowned. "No, the matter is settled. I am the Patriarch. Since I’ve decided, that’s how it will be. Feng’Er, come out for a moment. I have something to discuss with you alone."

Mufeng nodded, glanced at Mu Chen, and followed Mu Gu Tian outside. Mu Yeqiu was left alone, sizing up Mu Chen with curiosity. After the two had left, Mu Yeqiu smiled. "Chen’Er, do you still remember your Third Grandpa?"

Mu Chen nodded politely and said, "Of course, I remember."

Mu Yeqiu was the only one of the three Elders who was willing to speak up for Mu Chen. That was true in the past, and it was true now. He gave Mu Chen a deep look and then said, "You’ve changed so much in these three years. I find that I can’t quite see through you anymore." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Mu Chen just smiled, neither confirming nor denying it. At that moment, Mufeng and Mu Gu Tian came back in. Mu Gu Tian exchanged a look with the Third Elder and said, "Alright, now that Chen’Er is back, your family is finally reunited. The Third Elder and I won’t disturb you any longer."

With his eyes full of delight, Mu Gu Tian left Bifeng Garden together with Mu Yeqiu. Bi Wan and Mufeng saw the two of them to the courtyard gate before closing it behind them.

"Chen’Er, quickly, tell Mom how you’ve been these past three years. You must have suffered so much, my poor child." As soon as the others had gone, Bi Wan pulled Mu Chen into another embrace. Although Mu Chen enjoyed the feeling, at fifteen, he still found it a bit embarrassing and couldn’t help but blush.

Seeing Mu Chen’s awkward expression, Mu Bingling covered her mouth and giggled. Mufeng’s lips also curled into a smile. What could be more joyous than a family reunited?

Over the next while, Mu Chen told Mufeng and Bi Wan everything that had happened over the past three years. He explained that he had a Master, a very powerful one, but he didn’t reveal his Master’s identity. He also concealed the existence of the Extreme Spirit Pearl and the White Dragon Cauldron. These were secrets that couldn’t be revealed just yet, not even to his own parents. Mu Chen was afraid that if they knew, it would bring them unnecessary trouble.

"You’re saying you spent almost the entire three years in the Demon Beast Forest? And now you’ve even entered the Imperial Academy?" Mufeng looked at Mu Chen in disbelief. The Demon Beast Forest... a place where even a large Mercenary Corps wouldn’t dare stay for more than a month. Yet his own son had stayed inside for two whole years. ’But isn’t he unable to cultivate?’

"Yes, you could say I spent all three years in the Demon Beast Forest. As for how I can cultivate now... to be honest, I’m not entirely sure myself. I just remember eating a strange-looking fruit, and after that, I could communicate with the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. That fruit was given to me by my Master." To hide the Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique, Mu Chen had to weave a lie that wasn’t entirely a lie. ’The Profound Old Ghost gave me the Extreme Spirit Pearl, and within the pearl, I found the Cultivation Technique to repair my Dantian. That’s not so different from saying the Profound Old Ghost gave me a strange fruit that allowed me to cultivate.’

Although the explanation seemed a bit fantastical, the fact that Mu Chen’s Dantian could be restored was a miracle in itself. Thus, they believed his mystical explanation.

"Then where did your Master go? He’s our benefactor; we should thank him properly." Bi Wan pulled Mu Chen and Mu Bingling to sit on the stone benches.

A trace of nostalgia flickered in Mu Chen’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant. His expression quickly returned to normal as he said calmly, "My Master is an elusive man. It’s rare for even me to see him."

"Sigh, experts are all like that. So, Chen’Er, what is your Martial Artist Realm now?" Mufeng sighed, then asked a question he was very interested in.

Before Mu Chen could even speak this time, Mu Bingling cut in, feigning annoyance, "My little brother’s realm is *only* a Sixth-Ring Martial Master."

"A Sixth-Ring Martial Master?! Heavens, you went from an ordinary person to a Sixth-Ring Martial Master in just three years?!" Mufeng and Bi Wan saw a look of utter shock in each other’s eyes.

"And that’s not all. As a Sixth-Ring Martial Master, my little brother defeated Kong Ye Ming, a fourth-year student from the Academy’s Holy Hall. And he’s a Three-Ring Martial Spirit!" Mu Bingling shot Mu Chen a playful look and continued.

This time, the two of them were completely silent. A Sixth-Ring Martial Master defeating a Three-Ring Martial Spirit—and a Holy Hall Student specially groomed by the Xuanling Imperial Academy at that. Such strength was truly unheard of.

"This... This is too demoralizing. I thought that by advancing to a Three-Ring Martial Spirit, I would be the strongest in the Mu Family. I never expected this kid to be even stronger than me. The new generation truly surpasses the old." Mufeng wasn’t overly shocked; instead, he was remarkably calm. A reaction like this either meant he didn’t believe Mu Bingling’s words, or he had absolute faith in Mu Chen. Clearly, judging by how Mu Chen had helped him earlier, it wasn’t impossible for Mu Chen to possess such strength.

Mu Chen rubbed his nose sheepishly and said, "It wasn’t as exaggerated as my sister makes it sound. Kong Ye Ming is actually very strong. He didn’t use a single Combat Skill when he fought me, so he was clearly caught off guard. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have won so easily. Um... let’s not talk about that. By the way, Dad, what did Grandpa call you out to talk about just now?"

Mufeng thought for a moment and decided there was no need to hide it from Mu Chen. After all, there was hardly anyone left in Luofeng City who didn’t know about it. "It’s like this," he began. "A month ago, some disciples from the Wang Family were out on a mission and accidentally discovered some relics. These relics happen to be located within the territory of Luofeng City, and they suspect it might be an Emperor’s Relics. Originally, they planned to investigate it themselves, but unexpectedly, spies from the Chen and Li Families got wind of the news from the Wang Family. Left with no choice, the Wang Family had to announce the existence of the Emperor’s Relics and explore it jointly with the four families."

At this point, Mufeng paused, sighed, and continued, "Chen’Er, you might not know this, but the Luofeng City of today is not as peaceful as it was three years ago. The secret struggles of the past have gradually come out into the open. Coupled with the Mu Family’s decline over these three years, even the Wang Family’s protection isn’t enough to stop the encroachment of the Chen and Li families. Therefore, our family must obtain some treasures from this Emperor’s Relics to survive this crisis."

Mu Chen frowned slightly and asked, "Why have the Chen and Li families suddenly become so arrogant? Even if our Mu Family’s strength is a little less than theirs, we shouldn’t be afraid of them. If it really came down to an all-out fight, both of their families would definitely suffer enormous losses, wouldn’t they?"

Mufeng gave a bitter smile. "Chen’Er, you’ve been away for three years, so there’s much you don’t know. In the year after you left, the Chen Family’s Patriarch, Chen Wenfu, broke through to the Martial Spirit Realm. This was undoubtedly terrible news for both the Mu and Wang Families. However, with only a single Martial Spirit, the Chen Family didn’t dare make a move against us directly. But they did become much more arrogant than before. While a third of the Mu Family’s guards were out searching for you, they took the opportunity to seize a fifth of our businesses."