164: Gift Selection

The dark clouds in mid-air dispersed, revealing Tang Cheng's figure. Beside him was a swarm of Source Beasts that looked like a swarm of bees, flapping their wings and emitting a peculiar rhythm.

Chu Jingyu held the "Extreme Ice Snow Lotus" in one hand and stopped his pursuit, retracting the ice crystal storms from the surrounding space back into the lotus petals.

Tang Cheng glanced at the still-chaotic scene on the ground (which was actually the Golden Armored Jade Pupil Beast unilaterally hunting down the Zhang Family members). He frowned deeply and spoke in a cold voice, "Have you not stopped yet?"

Chu Jingyu sent a mental message to the Golden Armored Jade Pupil Beast, telling it to stop its pursuit of the Zhang Family's low-rank Contract Masters.

Only then did the chaotic scene on the ground calm down. Otherwise, the Golden Armored Jade Pupil Beast wouldn't care whether you were a town head or not; its simple mind was entirely focused on completing Chu Jingyu's previous command.

Tang Cheng let out a slow sigh of relief as he saw the situation finally stabilize.

He turned to look at the somewhat panicked Family Head. "Patriarch Zhang, you gathered Zhang Family disciples to attack the Chu Family without cause. Even if this matter is brought before the County Magistrate, you would be in the wrong."

Family Head controlled his body to land slowly on the ground and glared at Chu Jingyu. "The Chu Family attacked and killed my Zhang Family disciples first. My Zhang Family was merely seeking justice."

Chu Jingyu and Tang Cheng also landed on the ground one after another. Hearing Family Head's words, Tang Cheng frowned and asked, "Is there any evidence?"

Family Head froze for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Evidence? What evidence would a Spirit Rank Contract Master leave behind when killing several Uncommon Rank Contract Masters?"

Tang Cheng turned to look at Chu Jingyu on the other side. "Does Patriarch Chu have anything to say?"

"The innocent remain innocent. If the Zhang Family Head insists on pinning this matter on my Chu Family, nothing I say will matter."

"However, if the Zhang Family Head wants to fight, our Chu Family will certainly accompany you to the end."

Tang Cheng felt a headache coming on. Choosing to come to Heyu Town for experience was the most regrettable thing he had done in his life. Look at the things he had encountered since he arrived!

"Without clear evidence, one is deemed innocent. Patriarch Zhang, you were indeed reckless in this matter. You attacked the Zhang Family's ancestral grounds today without cause. As Town Head, I judge that you are fully responsible for the Chu Family's losses. Do you have any objections?"

Hearing Tang Cheng's words, Family Head's eyes widened, and he laughed out of extreme anger. "Hehehe, losses? What losses does his Chu Family have? Those lying on the ground are all my Zhang Family's sons!"

"Fine, Chu Family. Today my Zhang Family admits defeat. Just wait... just you wait."

He glanced at a Zhang Family member beside him, who then called over several clansmen who were still in relatively good condition to gather the bodies of the Zhang Family disciples and Source Beasts on the ground.

The Chu Family Members just watched all this silently without stopping them. In this clan war, the Chu Family had achieved a complete victory.

With Tang Cheng watching from the side, the Chu Family had no reason to take action again.

Tang Cheng watched the scene of the bodies being collected, a flash of sentiment in his eyes. "Patriarch Zhang should still restrain his temper. Being too impulsive is truly detrimental to the development of a Family."

Hearing Tang Cheng's words, a flash of shame and anger crossed Family Head's eyes. His actions today were indeed impulsive; he hadn't known that Chu Jingyu actually had two Spirit Rank Source Beasts in his hands. However, next time, after he was prepared, he would definitely nail the Chu Family to the ground in one go.

"Thank you for the guidance, Town Head Tang," Family Head thanked Tang Cheng in a flat tone, then led the way back toward the town.

Tang Cheng sighed helplessly, then turned to look at the Chu Family Members and changed his tone to praise: "In the conflict between the two families, I favor your Chu Family more. Every one of your disciples is a talent."

Chu Jingyu slowly shook his head. "Our Chu Family is sparsely populated; Town Head Tang overpraises us."

"However, the Zhang Family does have some connection with the County Magistrate after all. It's better not to take certain things too far. I do have a rumor here—I heard the County Magistrate is fond of rare Spirit Treasures. If you cater to his preferences, it might be of great use at certain times."

Hearing this, Chu Jingyu's eyes lit up. "Thank you for the tip, Town Head."

Tang Cheng shook his head slightly and left the place, accompanied by the swarm of bee Source Beasts that turned into a dark cloud.

Chu Qinhui looked at the devastation caused by the Source Beast skills everywhere and the damaged medicinal fields on both sides of the road, letting out a regretful sigh.

"I wonder how long the Zhang Family will remain peaceful after receiving this lesson?"

Chu Jingyu's eyes narrowed slightly. "Qin Hui, go to the Treasure Pavilion later, find some precious collectibles, and go to the county city today."

Chu Qinhui quickly agreed and hurried up the mountain alone. The devastation left by the battle was left to several stewards and Guards to handle.

About an hour later, Chu Qinhui appeared at the Taici Courtyard. Chu Jingyu looked up at him. "Have you chosen the treasures?"

Chu Qinhui looked somewhat hesitant. "I took the most precious items from the Treasure Pavilion, but I'm not sure if these things count as rare to a County Magistrate who is used to seeing treasures?"

"Bring the items out and let me see."

Upon hearing this, Chu Qinhui's palm lightly brushed across the table, and several items appeared on it.

The first item looked like both gold and jade. Tapping it lightly would produce a sound that refreshed the spirit. It was the 'Echoing Soul Jade' auctioned from the Treasure Pavilion and was one of the main Materials for the next stage of the Golden Armored Jade Pupil Beast's evolution.

The second item was a bone, only about the size of a palm. It emitted a primordial aura, and even though it was dead, it seemed to release a fierce nature into its surroundings. This was a required material for one of the evolution paths of the Extreme Ice Snow Lotus.

The third item was a long feather. According to the people at the Treasure Pavilion, the feather came from a high-tier Spirit Rank Source Beast, the 'Scarlet Flame Firebird'. Even as just a single feather, it still released warmth into the surroundings.

For the Chu Family, these were the only three items that possessed spirituality and could be considered rare, and they had been painstakingly gathered by the Chu Family over the past few months.

Chu Jingyu looked at these three items and let out a soft sigh. These items would likely be hard to catch the County Magistrate's eye.

"How about choosing two Source Beasts from the backyard? The Moon Worshipping Rabbit should be considered rare. I see that two of them are about to Breakthrough to the Uncommon Rank."

Hearing Chu Qinhui's suggestion, Chu Jingyu first looked up and then slowly shook his head.

"The Moon Worshipping Rabbit is rare, but if the County Magistrate wants to obtain one, the Treasure Pavilion would surely not refuse to sell him a favor. It wouldn't be difficult for him to get one."

"Let's go to the ancestral hall first to pay respects to the Old Ancestor and ask for instructions. If there's no better way, we can only send a pair of Moon Worshipping Rabbits. Even if the gift isn't considered rare, we won't be kicked out after all."

Two minutes later, in the ancestral hall, Chu Jingyu and Chu Qinhui offered incense and then recounted the Chu Family's encounter today and their intention to send a gift to the County Magistrate.

Faint colored threads gathered in front of the two, and Chu Mu's figure condensed. His aura was still ethereal, making it impossible for anyone to discern what kind of existence he was.

"Bring a hundred Source Spirit Stone."