200: Official Rank 8 (Bonus chapter for [Ao Jing of Delos]'s 50 gift points)

Looking at the another book Ancestor Chu had taken out, Chu Jingyu and Chu Shengfan felt almost numb. There were simply too many surprises today, leaving them somewhat at a loss.

“This book is quite special. Through it, you can investigate the detailed information of items and Source Beasts you encounter. You will find many uses for it in the academy; I hope it aids your rapid growth.”

Chu Shengfan extended both hands to respectfully receive the book. He still found Ancestor Chu's words somewhat hard to believe—that he could directly view information on other items and Source Beasts.

If this were taken to the academy, people would likely fight tooth and nail for it. Perhaps even those Great Sage Masters who had lived for ages would personally intervene.

The most precious things in the academy were knowledge and accumulation. To say that a single book could rival hundreds of years of research within the academy...

Moreover, if you encountered something unknown, you only needed to consume some Spirit Qi to know its detailed information. Then what have we been doing all these years?

Subconsciously, Chu Shengfan funneled Spirit Qi into the book, and the target the book investigated was none other than Chu Mu.

「Insufficient Spirit Qi consumed, unable to investigate.」

A corresponding string of characters quickly appeared upon the book.

Chu Mu's 'Death Stare' fell upon Chu Shengfan. He then walked up to Chu Shengfan and unceremoniously rapped him hard on the head with a flick of his finger.

“What are you doing?”

Naturally, Chu Shengfan did not dare to dodge Ancestor Chu's 'loving' strike. He awkwardly closed the book. “A mistake, a mistake, Ancestor Chu, I didn't do it on purpose.”

“Fine, fine. Use the book I gave you with caution. Note that the higher the rank of the item or Source Beast, the more Spirit Qi it consumes.”

“Control how you use it yourself, and never easily display it before others, otherwise it will easily invite disaster.”

As he spoke, Chu Mu seemed to grow weary. His figure transformed into ten thousand colorful silk threads, slowly receding back into the book on the offering table.

Chu Jingyu and Chu Shengfan bowed once more toward the offering table from a distance before slowly withdrawing from the ancestral hall.

「Spirit Origin Cloud Mother Evolution Path and Methods

1. Spirit Origin Cloud Mother → Elemental Spirit (Collect various elemental energies, infuse them into the body to reach a state of balance, then use various elements to refine the body until it becomes a pure Elemental Spirit.)

2. Spirit Origin Cloud Mother → Cloud Domain Spirit Lord (One portion of Rootless Spirit Water, one hundred clusters of Heavenly Haze Clouds, three Posuo Tree Hearts...)」

The two had just left the ancestral hall when the servant guarding outside immediately spoke respectfully to Chu Jingyu:

“Master, the Town Head has come to visit. Madam has arranged for him to wait in the front hall.”

After breakfast, Chu Qinhui had gone to the town to manage affairs, and since the two of them were in the ancestral hall, there really was no suitable person at home to receive guests for a moment.

With a thought, Chu Jingyu knew why Tang Cheng had come. Presumably, yesterday's events had already spread throughout Zhiyao County.

Thus, Chu Jingyu turned to look at Chu Shengfan. “Xiaofan, do you want to go see him? Your current status is extraordinary; it wouldn't matter if you didn't see him.”

Chu Shengfan smiled. “He was my direct superior before, after all. It wouldn't be right for me to hide at home and not see him. I'll go have a look.”

“Alright.” Chu Jingyu nodded.

A few minutes later, in the front hall of the Chu Family.

Tang Cheng sat in the guest seat. To be honest, his heart was currently filled with trepidation.

Yesterday, he had been blocked at the Town Head's Mansion by two people from Noble Families in the county city. He originally thought the Chu Family would not escape disaster, but he hadn't expected Chu Shengfan to suddenly return, and with an extremely noble status at that.

He even directly turned the three Eighth-Rank Noble Families in town into servants of the Chu Family. To be honest, the shift in status was too fast; it took him nearly the whole night to accept the news.

Fortunately, he had never been on bad terms with the Chu Family. In fact, there were even some favors between them, so he wasn't very afraid of the Chu Family's rise to power.

However, the fact that a Domain Rank existence was guarding their home made it hard for him to imagine what kind of status Chu Shengfan held now. He was somewhat conflicted about what attitude to adopt.

Furthermore, seeing that Domain Rank existence step out to act, the favor Chu Shengfan received from such a power was extraordinary.

One must know that Tang Cheng also came from a Seventh-Rank Distinguished Clan, which had three Domain Rank existences. However, as a Disciple of the main branch, he was only assigned a Spirit Rank Upper Stage clan elder as a guardian when he went out for experience.

The other party directly had a Domain Rank guardian; the treatment was practically worlds apart.

It was amidst these thoughts of Tang Cheng's that steady footsteps sounded in the courtyard.

“The Town Head's visit went unannounced; it is my Chu Family's fault.” Chu Jingyu's hearty voice rang out.

Tang Cheng stood up and cupped his hands. “It is I who have intruded with this sudden visit.”

The host and guest exchanged pleasantries before sitting down.

“Yesterday, I was blocked in town by visitors from the county city. Only later did I learn that the Chu Family had actually encountered an assassination attempt by Noble Families from the county. Fortunately, Xiaofan returned in time to save the Chu Family from danger.”

“I feel guilty for not being able to help. I only thought of coming to see today if there is anything I, as Town Head, can assist with?”

These words were spoken very skillfully. Not only did he explain the reason for his absence when the Chu Family was attacked yesterday, but he also showed a posture of strong support now.

This way, whether or not the Chu Family accepted his goodwill, at least they wouldn't resent him.

“The Town Head has already helped my Chu Family a lot. You allowed my Xiaofan to serve in the town before, and later gave great support to the construction of Qixia Town. My Chu Family has kept these favors in our hearts and has never forgotten them.”

“If there are any difficulties in the town in the future, you can tell our Chu Family. Although we are currently just a small household, we will not refuse to help where we can.”

The Chu Family was not a Family that couldn't distinguish right from wrong or favors from grudges. Chu Jingyu mentioning these things also indicated that the Chu Family had never forgotten their roots.

Tang Cheng had a smile on his face. “Coming here today, I discovered that Xiaofan has actually promoted to the Spirit Rank. To have such talent at such an age is truly extraordinary. It so happens that I have brought the official seal with me.”

“I shall process the procedures for the Chu Family's promotion to an Eighth-Grade Magnate Family today, so the Chu Family can enjoy the various benefits exclusive to an Eighth-Rank Noble Family early on.”

“Then many thanks to Town Head Tang.” Chu Jingyu smiled and thanked him.

He took out the jade plaques distributed by the Town Head's Mansion when they became a Ninth-Rank Humble Family and handed them over.

Three jade plaques hovered in the void. Tang Cheng took out the official seal, and red seal marks fell from it onto the three plaques. The plaques changed from their original pure white to a faint pink.

Having done this, the three jade plaques returned to the tabletop beside Chu Jingyu.

Looking at those three jade plaques, Chu Jingyu felt a bit emotional. With such a simple process, their Chu Family had officially transformed from a Ninth-Rank Humble Family to an Eighth-Grade Magnate Family.

It felt somewhat too simple, as if it didn't quite match the hardships the Chu Family had experienced lately.

In reality, the process of promoting from a Ninth-Rank Humble Family to an Eighth-Grade Magnate Family was not this simple. It was only because Tang Cheng had simplified the matters.

He only did the core part. The subsequent information changes, new territory divisions, and reporting to the County Magistrate's Office would all require Tang Cheng to handle them personally after returning.

Just as the procedures for promotion to an Eighth-Rank Noble Family were finished, someone came to the hall to report.

“Family Head, someone claiming to be the Acting Head of the Zhang Family requests an audience.”