Chen Chang'an in Action

"Young Master Cheng? You've finally arrived."

Upon seeing the newcomer, the Lord of the Great Zhou Kingdom couldn't help but brighten with delight.

The Cheng Family of the Northern Domain was a true aristocratic clan and the backbone behind the Great Zhou Kingdom.

"Isn't this an engagement banquet? Why has it turned into a fight?"

"Was this arranged specifically for my arrival?"

"Still, it's quite entertaining."

Cheng Yushu glanced at the three figures engaged in combat, his heart brimming with curiosity.

After all, the young man in the midst of the battle couldn't be much younger than himself—how was his combat prowess so formidable?

Cheng Yushu prided himself on being exceptional, believing that few among the younger generation in the Northern Domain could rival him.

But after witnessing Chen Yunxuan in action, he couldn't help but feel somewhat inadequate.

At Chen Yunxuan's age, he certainly couldn't have taken on two peak-level experts of the ninth stage of the Transcendent Realm.

Moreover, he hadn't even broken through to the first stage of the Transcendent Realm in his teens!

"Uncle Liu, what do you think—will this young man win?" Cheng Yushu asked with a smile.

The elderly man behind him, upon hearing this, shook his head.

"This young man's aura is fierce, his techniques domineering and immensely powerful."

"However, his combat experience seems somewhat lacking—a notable weakness."

"Yet, his cultivation technique is undoubtedly extraordinary."

"At present, the outcome is uncertain, but the longer this drags on, the more disadvantageous it becomes for him. Once his stamina depletes, defeat will be inevitable." After observing for a while, Uncle Liu shared his assessment.

"Hmm, that aligns with my thoughts."

Nodding, Cheng Yushu then turned his gaze to the Lord of the Great Zhou Kingdom and asked, "An enemy?"

"Indeed. His name is Chen Yunxuan, a descendant of the Chen Family."

"Young Master Cheng, will he truly lose?" The Lord of the Great Zhou Kingdom asked with concern.

"If Uncle Liu says so, then it shouldn't be an issue."

"In that case, I can rest easy."

"Young Master Cheng, please take the seat of honor."

Though most eyes were fixed on Chen Yunxuan and the other two combatants, some still noticed Cheng Yushu's arrival.

"Who is this man? Does anyone know?"

"Not sure. Who in the Great Zhou Kingdom could command such deference from the Lord himself?"

"Look at where he's seated!"

"What? Even the two Supreme Elders of the Supreme Purity Sect aren't seated as prominently as him? Just who is he, to hold such high status?"

"Do you think the Lord anticipated the Chen Family's disruption and called for reinforcements in advance?"

"Nonsense! Even if he had, would the Lord fear the Chen Family? Besides, who could have predicted the Chen Family would produce such a monstrous talent?"

"Fair point. So, what exactly is his identity?"

The crowd buzzed with curiosity about Cheng Yushu's background, but after a few murmurs, their attention returned to the battle.

Meanwhile, deep within the palace, Chen Chang'an and Da Huang had been searching tirelessly for the lost fetal pearl.

"Can you actually find it or not?"

"We've been at this for ages. Aren't you worried Chen Yunxuan might get himself killed?"

After fruitless searching, even Da Huang grew impatient.

"If he dies, that's his fate."

"Besides, the Chen Family has plenty of members. If one dies, we'll just raise another." Chen Chang'an replied indifferently.

"Damn, you're even more ruthless than me—wait, no, I'm not ruthless, I'm a divine beast!"

"Are you seriously not worried about that kid at all?" Da Huang asked curiously.

"If he wants to grow, he must face all kinds of trials. If he can't even handle a small kingdom like the Great Zhou, how will he ever make his mark in the wider world?"

"Can you focus on helping me find the fetal pearl instead of worrying about trivial matters?"

Chen Chang'an was also growing frustrated. Was the fetal pearl really in the royal family's possession? After searching for so long, he had found nothing.

"I've told you—this thing has no aura. I can't sense it at all."

"Finding it is entirely up to you. At best, I can mask your presence so no one detects us."

"This is ridiculous. We've combed through every treasure vault in the palace."

"Could it no longer be in the royal family's hands?"

Given how long the fetal pearl had been in their possession, it wasn't impossible that it had been discarded.

"Don't you find one thing strange?" Da Huang suddenly asked.

"What?"

"What use would the royal family even have for this thing?"

Use?

That was a good point. To anyone else, the fetal pearl was utterly useless—only Chen Chang'an could fuse with it.

So why would anyone else take it? What purpose could it serve?

As the thought lingered, man and dog locked eyes.

"Heh heh heh!"

Da Huang couldn't help but snicker, earning a glare from Chen Chang'an.

"Don't give me that look—it's not like I'm part of your damn Chen Family," Da Huang retorted disdainfully.

"Damn those ungrateful descendants."

"Wasteful brats!"

"Isn't that just how it goes? Your Chen Family has lasted for so many generations."

"Along the way, a few rotten apples were bound to appear. Not everyone could be like Chen Zhengyuan."

"Otherwise, your family wouldn't have lost eight of the nine fetal pearls." Though Da Huang's words sounded like consolation, his tone dripped with mockery.

Chen Chang'an had finally been screwed over by his own descendants—what sweet justice!

Faced with Da Huang's taunts, Chen Chang'an could only sigh. This was an unavoidable reality.

Ten thousand years—an entire ten millennia. How the Chen Family had managed to lose the fetal pearls before, he didn't know.

But the one lost to the Great Zhou Kingdom? He had a rough idea.

The Chen Family had declined, desperate for a place to settle. They chose the Great Zhou Kingdom.

As newcomers, they needed to forge connections, and the royal family was an essential link.

By then, the Chen Family likely had little of value left to offer. So what was the most prestigious gift they could present?

The fetal pearl!

After all, it was a treasure passed down for nearly ten thousand years—surely that would impress.

Moreover, the fetal pearl was crystalline and exquisite in appearance, yet devoid of any detectable aura.

Anyone who saw it would immediately assume it was a priceless artifact, worthy of thorough study.

The fetal pearl had undoubtedly been a gift from the Chen Family to the royal court.

"At first, the royal family might have been intrigued by such an item."

"But as time passed and they failed to uncover its secrets, it would become nothing more than a curiosity."

"What happens to beautiful but useless objects?"

"Crowns. Queen's tiaras."

"Ugh, how revolting!"

The mere thought of his fetal pearl being embedded in a royal crown or diadem made Chen Chang'an shudder.

But this was just one possibility—perhaps it wasn't the case.

"So, what's your plan now?" Da Huang asked.

"Well... the palace is full of noblewomen."

"How about... heh heh heh... we pay them a little visit first?" Chen Chang'an grinned mischievously.

"Heh heh heh, now that's more like it."

"Let's go!"