34: Benefits of returning to the family

The Spirit Bone floated in mid-air, emitting a soft halo.

It was an arm bone.

Everyone's gaze couldn't help but focus on it.

Some people swallowed their saliva.

Some rubbed their eyes.

Others revealed looks of greed.

To a Spirit Master, a Spirit Bone was a priceless treasure that couldn't be bought even if one had the money.

No matter how much money you had, no one would necessarily sell one!

And how much effort had they put in just to obtain a single Spirit Bone?

They thought it was just an accident.

But now, a Spirit Bone had actually drifted out?

Yu Tianxin stared blankly at Yu Mengzhang. For some inexplicable reason, he believed it must have appeared because of Yu Mengzhang!

Yu Mengzhang knew even more clearly that the Spirit Bone was produced not because of the Spirit Beast's 'negative emotions,' but because of a strong sense of hope and gratitude.

The Single-Horned Thunder Dragon hoped Yu Mengzhang would take care of its cub.

That was why it left behind a gift after its death.

Yu Mengzhang raised his hand with a beckoning motion, and the Spirit Bone fell into his palm.

He didn't absorb it; instead, under the envious or greedy gazes of the crowd, he tucked it into his pocket.

"Your name is Mengzhang?"

A friendly smile appeared on Uncle Xiao Dong's face. Compared to his coldness and anger just now, he seemed like a completely different person!

"Truly impressive. We didn't know how much effort we put in, torturing one Spirit Beast after another to death, yet who would have thought that your single strike would actually yield a Spirit Bone..."

Yu Mengzhang said indifferently, "It wasn't because of torture, but its gratitude..."

Halfway through his explanation, he didn't want to say any more.

It was like playing a lute to a cow. Anyway, he didn't need to worry about them becoming even more excessive in the future.

Since he had come, and his parents' deaths back then were also because of this place...

...then it was impossible for him to let this place continue to exist.

"Gratitude?"

Uncle Xiao Dong and the other Spirit Masters looked at each other, none of them understanding.

Yu Tianxin quickly walked to Yu Mengzhang's side and said, "Let's go out, Mengzhang..."

Yu Mengzhang nodded. These were all Yu Luomian's subordinates; there was no need to get entangled with them.

Uncle Xiao Dong suddenly blocked the two of them, preventing them from leaving.

"Ahem, the Spirit Bone... We are working here under the Second in Command's orders specifically to produce Spirit Bones. Now that one has finally appeared, you can't just take it away."

Uncle Xiao Dong reached out his hand and nodded toward Yu Mengzhang.

Yu Mengzhang frowned slightly and looked up at Uncle Xiao Dong.

His golden eyes seemed to emit a dragon's roar that rang directly in Uncle Xiao Dong's mind.

Uncle Xiao Dong involuntarily averted his gaze.

But his body didn't move away. He still kept his hand extended, insisting on the Spirit Bone.

The other Spirit Masters didn't move, but they all used their gazes to pressure Yu Mengzhang.

Yu Tianxin hurriedly said:

"It's just a thousand-year Spirit Bone! Just let Mengzhang keep it. Grandfather will surely be willing; Mengzhang is the most honored guest!"

"When we get out, I will personally speak to Grandfather!"

Yu Tianxin looked at Uncle Xiao Dong and the others, vouching for Yu Mengzhang.

"..."

Uncle Xiao Dong fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Fine, then we'll do as you say. But you must promise me not to absorb it yet. You must wait until you truly have the Second in Command's approval."

"Alright!" Yu Tianxin hurriedly agreed on Yu Mengzhang's behalf.

Then, he took Yu Mengzhang's hand and walked quickly toward the exit.

Once they reached the surface, the two of them hurried back toward the Family's grounds.

Because they were moving so fast, Yu Tianxin was sweating profusely from exhaustion.

Looking back, Yu Mengzhang was acting as if nothing had happened—his face wasn't red, and he wasn't out of breath.

Immediately, Yu Tianxin realized the gap in their physical stamina.

With such physical fitness, was Yu Mengzhang really a Waste Spirit?

Yu Tianxin began to doubt himself.

"Mengzhang, aren't you tired?"

Yu Mengzhang shook his head.

Yu Tianxin added, "You should hurry and absorb the Spirit Bone. Otherwise, once we're back in the Family and my grandfather asks about it, he might not necessarily let you have it..."

Yu Mengzhang looked at the Spirit Bone in his hand and raised an eyebrow slightly. "You're not tempted?"

Yu Tianxin's expression shifted for a moment before he forced himself to look away.

"It would be a lie to say I'm not tempted. But when I think about how my grandfather secretly planned this Spirit Beast farming project and accidentally caused the death of your parents, I... I'm too ashamed to face you. How could I dare covet your things?"

Yu Tianxin said, feeling even more dejected.

He was still a hot-blooded youth, unlike his grandfather who was obsessed with power and schemes.

Yu Mengzhang said indifferently, "It will come to an end."

"Maybe. If Eldest Grandfather knew, he would definitely stop it. But Eldest Grandfather has never cared for Family affairs, so..."

Yu Tianxin maintained a pessimistic attitude... The two of them returned to the clan lands in silence, where a Spirit Master was already waiting for them.

"Tianxin, where did you two run off to? Why are you just getting back? Come, bring Mengzhang along. Let's see what gift the Second in Command has prepared for him."

The Spirit Master said with a chuckle.

Yu Tianxin introduced him, "This is Uncle Xiao Qiang. He's the Family's manager, and Grandfather thinks very highly of him..."

Yu Mengzhang glanced at the man, showing little interest.

Uncle Xiao Qiang explained, "The Second in Command will be here in a moment. I'll show you around first... By the way, Mengzhang, Tianxin probably told you, right? He also received a divine edict from the Azure Dragon Divine Lord."

"!!!"

Yu Tianxin's face turned beet red. He didn't dare look at Yu Mengzhang and shook his head slightly. He truly wished he could find a hole to crawl into right now!

Yu Mengzhang glanced at Yu Tianxin.

A divine edict from the Azure Dragon Divine Lord?

He didn't recall giving Yu Tianxin any divine edict.

"Don't, don't say any more, Uncle Xiao Qiang..."

Yu Tianxin said awkwardly.

"What's there to be embarrassed about? You kids just think too much and are too thin-skinned. Isn't there still a little girl in the Divine Dragon Hall? She's an outsider. If you become the High Priest, Tianxin, won't we all be one Family?"

Uncle Xiao Qiang said dismissively.

"!!!" Yu Tianxin's face was so red it was practically steaming!

Yu Mengzhang didn't respond. He only secretly mobilized Dragon Qi to come from the Divine Dragon Hall.

Since Yu Luomian was so fixated on the power of the Divine Temple...

...then he would satisfy him in a moment!

At this moment, the Dragon Qi arrived almost instantly, lurking underground... In a luxuriously decorated, bright room.

Uncle Xiao Qiang led the two of them inside and said with a beaming smile, "See? This is your house... From now on, you'll have a stipend provided by the clan. You're no longer the same as those commoners outside!"

"In the future, when we truly take back the land from those commoners, you might even get a share. Those commoners will become your 'field slaves.'"

Uncle Xiao Qiang said with a chuckle.

"Don't say that! Uncle Xiao Qiang!" Yu Tianxin hurriedly interrupted. He could faintly sense that Yu Mengzhang was getting angry.

"What's the big deal? Since Mengzhang is valued by the Second in Command, as long as he listens to him, he'll no longer be a commoner. Instead, he'll be like us, enjoying their offerings."

Uncle Xiao Qiang winked and added in a playful tone, "In the future, you might even be able to be little local emperors. Don't you kids like playing house?"

"..."

Yu Tianxin's face was pale. For some reason, he felt a strong sense of dread.

Just then, the sound of footsteps suddenly rang out from outside.

"Are you all back...?"