Zhongtian Domain, Langya

"I thought you'd stay with the Chen Family, waiting for them to grow stronger and for Chen Yunxuan to mature."

"Leaving now—aren’t you worried about that kid, Chen Yunxuan?"

"He’s the most monstrous talent among your Chen Family’s younger generation."

Hearing Da Huang’s words, Chen Chang'an replied indifferently, "Chen Yunxuan has his own path to walk."

"He needs to face challenges and grow on his own."

"If he truly meets an early end, then that’s his fate."

"Besides… staying with the Chen Family forever is too dull."

"The outside world is far more exciting."

Da Huang shook his head helplessly. He had thought Chen Chang'an’s temperament had changed after returning to the Chen Family this time.

Turns out, the moment they left, he reverted to his true self.

"So, where are we headed?" Da Huang asked curiously.

"Central Heaven Domain—Langya."

Langya?

The name sounded familiar to Da Huang, as if he’d heard it somewhere before.

But he was certain they had never visited that place during their past escapades.

"Wait!"

"If I remember correctly, isn’t Langya Lin Xiangliu’s hometown?" Da Huang suddenly asked.

"Mm. The Lin Family of Langya—that’s where Lin Xiangliu comes from."

"It’s been so many years. I wonder if he’s still with the Lin Family or has gone elsewhere."

"Though by now, he’s probably reached the status of a family ancestor."

After all, a thousand years had passed. Lin Xiangliu was no longer the young man Chen Chang'an had once met.

"So, you’re going to Langya to catch up with Lin Xiangliu?" Da Huang asked.

"Yes, and no."

"Langya is much larger than the Northern Domain. My main goal is still the fetal beads."

Chen Chang'an chose Langya for two reasons: first, he’d never been there and wanted to explore, and second—the fetal beads.

"You’ve got news about the fetal beads?" Da Huang looked at Chen Chang'an in surprise.

Aside from the one in the Great Zhou Kingdom’s royal family, where else had he gotten information about them?

Could he now sense the general location of the fetal beads?

Chen Chang'an shook his head. "No news. But I’ve read the Chen Family’s historical records."

A family as ancient as the Chen Family, existing for millennia, naturally kept detailed records.

Each clan leader was required to document their life experiences and major events during their tenure.

The purpose was to pass down knowledge—helping future generations avoid past mistakes or learn how to handle similar crises.

"Did the Chen Family’s records mention the circumstances of the fetal beads being lost?"

"No."

"No? Then how do you know they’re in Langya?"

"Deduction."

From the records, Chen Chang'an discovered that before the Chen Family settled in the Northern Domain, they had lived in Langya.

Though there was no explicit mention of the fetal beads, certain clues stood out.

During that period, the Chen Family faced covetous enemies, leading to violent conflicts that forced them out of Langya.

Strangely, the records omitted specifics about what exactly happened—something that should have been documented.

"So what? Even if the Chen Family had enemies in Langya, that still doesn’t point to the fetal beads," Da Huang argued.

"Brother, use your brain for once."

"I was born without fetal beads—why should I think? That’s your job," Da Huang scoffed.

"The records say the conflict arose because others coveted the Chen Family’s treasures."

"By the time the Chen Family declined to Langya, what treasures could they possibly have left?"

"The only ancestral heirloom passed down for generations was the fetal beads," Chen Chang'an said irritably.

"Seriously? What’s wrong with these people?"

"What use do the fetal beads even have? Why would they fight over them?"

"Are they insane?"

Da Huang couldn’t comprehend it. The fetal beads had no energy fluctuations, no detectable aura.

As far as he knew, they served no purpose to anyone else.

Starting a war with the Chen Family over something so trivial?

Utter madness!

"That’s human nature."

"The beads were a Chen Family heirloom, passed down for millennia."

"If you didn’t know they were fetal beads, what would you assume?"

"People would inevitably believe it was an invaluable treasure—otherwise, why would the Chen Family guard it so fiercely?"

"The Chen Family might deny it, but would others believe them?"

"So, they’d attack first, seize the treasure, and figure it out later."

"Even if they later realized it was useless, the damage to the Chen Family would already be done."

As he spoke, Chen Chang'an suddenly frowned.

Had the Chen Family’s decline over the centuries been entirely because of the fetal beads?

Constantly targeted, constantly weakened—generation after generation dying until they were reduced to a backwater like the Great Zhou Kingdom?

If that were true… then wasn’t he the Chen Family’s greatest sinner?

"Why’d you stop? Your analysis makes perfect sense."

Noticing Chen Chang'an’s expression, Da Huang also furrowed his brow.

"Nothing."

"Either way, we must go to Langya."

"And I suspect the Chen Family’s attackers weren’t just one family or faction."

"That’s likely why the clan leader at the time left no record—to prevent future generations from seeking revenge and plunging the family into ruin again."

Da Huang agreed with the reasoning, but one thing still puzzled him:

Why were the beads taken one at a time?

If they were being stolen, why not take them all at once?

Chen Chang'an had considered this too, but there was no definitive answer.

Perhaps his father had prepared for the worst, storing each of the nine fetal beads separately.

Or maybe the attackers didn’t know there were nine—grabbing one and assuming they’d succeeded.

Whatever the reason, it no longer mattered.

"Let’s go. It’s a long way to Langya."

"Da Huang, grow bigger. Riding you is uncomfortable when you’re small."

Huh?

Riding a dog again?

"You can cultivate now—walk on your own."

"Too slow."

"Are you in a hurry to reincarnate or something?"

"If possible, why not?"

"Go to hell, you damn..."

Da Huang unleashed a torrent of curses, but Chen Chang'an simply watched calmly, completely unruffled.

"Finished venting?"

"Feel better now?"

"Tell me, how has my master treated me? If I were to..."

"Sir, please take a seat. We'll set off right away."

The moment Mu Yunyao was mentioned, Da Huang's attitude flipped instantly. His face lit up with an ingratiating smile, as if the one hurling insults earlier wasn't him at all.

"Alright then, let's get moving."

"Just leave it to me!"

Central Heaven Domain, Tianji Pavilion

"Pavilion Master, we've just received word that Chen Chang'an seems to have left the Northern Domain."

"Chen Yunxuan is now roaming the Northern Domain alone."

He left already?

Wang Tianji hadn't expected Chen Chang'an to depart so quickly. With the newly unveiled Human Rankings, logic dictated he should have stayed in the Northern Domain to mentor Chen Yunxuan.

"Understood."

"Have our people continue shadowing Chen Yunxuan."

"Remember, if he faces a life-or-death crisis, intervene without fail."

"Yes, Pavilion Master."

"What about Chen Chang'an's side?"

"Chen Chang'an... keep your distance. That Da Huang by his side is no ordinary threat."

"Understood."