Chapter 66: Chapter 66 Yuan Bao
Chapter 66 Yuan Bao
City Lord Manor
"It has been five hours, yet another investigation team hasn't returned. This is too abnormal; something must have happened." City Lord Fu Bo sat in his seat with an uneasy feeling.
"Call up the high-grade families. I will hold a meeting. We must raise this threat to another level; we can't deal with it lightly anymore," Fu Bo said to Old Liu.
Old Liu had a similarly grim expression; one of the missing investigators was his son, and he couldn't contact him at all. Unfortunately, his son wasn't a Core Formation Cultivator and hadn't condensed his life core to store in the Green Pearl. Otherwise, they would have known about his fate long ago.
"Yes, I will arrange this matter immediately. They will gather in the main hall by the morning," Old Liu acknowledged.
"It's a pity only Tie Tu left his life core in the Manor. Did you check it?" Fu Bo asked. He regretted not demanding that Xie Xie and others leave their life cores in the Manor. This incident highlighted a flaw in their system.
"I did check his life core. There's something abnormal with it," Old Liu replied.
The so-called life core was condensed when any cultivator broke through to the Core Formation Realm. It was the essence of a Core Formation Cultivator's life. Typically, in every organization, once someone became a Core Formation Cultivator, they would spend a year or two to split a few years of their lifespan into the Green Pearl. By doing this, when they faced danger or died, their organization would be notified and could seek revenge for them. However, this method was only popular in organizations, not among lone cultivators, as they treasured their lifespans the most.
"I see. You can leave now," Fu Bo said.
Old Liu bowed and left.
…
Meanwhile, at the Yuan Family
Yuan Bao was one of the sons of the Yuan Family Patriarch. He was a fat cultivator, aged 21. In terms of talent, he couldn't compare to his brothers and sisters; he had only reached level one Foundation Establishment by the age of 20. He was not loved by everyone in the family, not even by his father, and thus he was tasked with watching over the Ancestor Hall. Most of his time was spent there, without much opportunity to interact with others like his siblings.
"Hmph! Everyone in the family doesn't know what I'm truly capable of. Despite having low talent, the old technique I found by chance while sweeping the hall is a Celestial Technique. In just one year, I can cultivate from level 1 Foundation Establishment to level 5 without anyone knowing my progress. I must seize this chance to reach the Core Formation Realm. Then, no one will dare to look down on me, and everyone will accept me," Yuan Bao said with determination while sweeping the dust in the morning at the Ancestor Hall.
And when he cleaned the ancestor altar, he suddenly felt something abnormal. "Eh? I remember that there were five Green Pearls at the ancestor's altar, why are there only four now?"
Yuan Bao was confused for a while before checking carefully. In just a moment, what he discovered shocked him greatly. One of the Green Pearls was shattered and didn't emit any color like the other four Green Pearls.
"Hm? This..." Yuan Bao left the Ancestor Hall immediately and rushed to the Patriarch's residence.
While it was still morning, there were many servants on the way. Most of them bowed to Yuan Bao when they saw him.
"9th Young Master!"
"Greetings, 9th Young Master!"
Despite being unwelcomed by others, the status of a son of the Patriarch was not something servants could challenge. In fact, Yuan Bao was even well-received by the servants as he treated them kindly, unlike the other Young Masters who treated them like ants.
"Good morning, everyone. Continue your work. I have an urgent matter to deal with." Along the way, Yuan Bao didn't forget to greet them back.
When he drew closer to the Patriarch's residence, he was suddenly stopped by a tall and handsome young man, his age similar to Yuan Bao's.
"Yo, Little Nine. Why are you in such a rush? What's the matter? Tell your big brother." The tall and handsome youth spoke in a casual manner.
Seeing this youth, Yuan Bao's expression turned cold, and he snorted, "I won't bother Brother Eight."
With that, he ignored the youth and continued on his path.
Seeing that Yuan Bao ignored him, Yuan Ba was slightly enraged. He felt as if he had been slapped in the face by Yuan Bao.
With his level 3 Foundation Establishment cultivation, he quickly appeared in front of Yuan Bao and blocked his way.
"Brother Nine, you didn't answer my question yet. Why the hurry to leave?" Yuan Ba's intention was clear; he demanded an answer from Yuan Bao.
Yuan Bao looked at Yuan Ba coldly. He had no good impression of this guy, who had always bullied him since childhood. Every time, everyone would take Yuan Ba's side due to his rare talent.
"I will tell you one more time: get out of my way, or you won't be able to bear the consequences," Yuan Bao said coldly, his face expressionless.
Yuan Ba didn't expect Yuan Bao to be this brave. He was momentarily stunned. "Good, good! What a Yuan Bao! You dare speak to me with this tone. I'm too curious to know what consequences I will face if I'm unwilling to let you go."
"I warned you with good intentions. Since you didn't cherish it, don't blame me when Father finds out later," Yuan Bao said seriously.
"En, you dare to use Father's name to threaten me? Just tell me, Yuan Bao! What is so important that you must rush to Father's residence?" Yuan Ba demanded, his voice rising. He didn't call him Little Nine anymore but directly used his name.
"You don't have the qualifications to know," Yuan Bao replied coldly. "This matter is too important."
Yuan Ba's patience snapped. "You dare look down on me, Yuan Bao? I'll make you regret it!"
With that, Yuan Ba launched an attack. Despite his level 3 Foundation Establishment cultivation, he found himself facing a surprisingly strong opponent. Yuan Bao, once considered weak and unremarkable, moved with unexpected speed and precision.
Yuan Ba's fist came rushing towards Yuan Bao, who deftly sidestepped, causing Yuan Ba to miss entirely. Yuan Bao countered with a swift strike to Yuan Ba's midsection, forcing the air out of his lungs. Yuan Ba staggered but quickly regained his balance, launching a series of rapid punches.
Yuan Bao dodged each strike effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise. He parried Yuan Ba's final punch and retaliated with a powerful kick to his opponent's knee, causing Yuan Ba to stumble. As Yuan Ba tried to recover, Yuan Bao unleashed a combination of punches and kicks, each one landing with calculated precision.
In just five moves, Yuan Ba was on the ground, clutching his chest in pain, his face contorted in shock and disbelief. The fight had ended almost as soon as it began, with Yuan Bao standing victorious over his fallen brother.
"How... How is this possible?" Yuan Ba gasped, staring up at Yuan Bao in shock.
Yuan Bao stood over him, his expression stern. "I told you, you don't have the qualifications."
Meanwhile, inside the Yuan Family's grand hall, Yuan Han, the Patriarch, was holding a meeting with the family elders. They were discussing the alarming news brought by Old Liu about the missing investigation team.
"We cannot take this matter lightly," Yuan Han stated. "Regarding this matter, I feel the same as Lord Fu Bo."
Just then, the sound of a commotion outside caught their attention. Yuan Han frowned. "What is happening out there?"
One of the elders stood up. "I'll go and see."
Yuan Han nodded, and the elder quickly exited the hall, followed by a few others. As they stepped outside, they saw Yuan Ba on the ground, defeated, with Yuan Bao standing over him.
"What is the meaning of this?" the elder demanded.
Yuan Bao turned to face them, his expression serious. "Patriarch, elders, I have discovered something critical in the Ancestor Hall. One of the Green Pearls is shattered."
A murmur of shock rippled through the gathered family members. Yuan Han's eyes narrowed. "Explain yourself, Yuan Bao."
Yuan Bao bowed respectfully. "While cleaning the altar, I noticed that one of the Green Pearls was shattered. I believe it signifies the death of one of our Core Formation ancestors."
The elders exchanged worried glances. Yuan Han's expression turned grim. "This is a grave matter. Are you sure?"
Yuan Bao nodded. "Everyone can go and check."
Yuan Han turned to the elder who had initially gone to check the commotion. "Everyone, follow me to the Ancestor Hall."
…
Meanwhile, the same in the Tang and Song Families, the news of the shattered Green Pearls reached them.
"What? The Green Pearls of the ancestor have shattered?"
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