28: Golden Flame Dragon Sparrow

"Original Ice Snow Maiden"

Where the wind and snow enveloped everything, a strange voice echoed in the hearts of all people and things, seemingly announcing the name of this mysterious entity that had just successfully advanced.

The instant this name rang out seemed to be a signal; the dark clouds gathered between heaven and earth and the fluttering snow slowly stopped at that moment.

All the unusual phenomena slowly retracted into the body of the entity calling herself the Original Ice Snow Maiden.

The dim, dark clouds transformed into a dark blue cloak behind her, and the sky-full of ice and snow became the diamond embellishments on her dress.

She slowly walked to the side of the Liu Family Head, and a strange rhythm infused from heaven and earth into the Liu Family Head's body.

The aura surrounding him also began to climb upward at this moment; this was the feedback granted due to the successful advancement of his Contracted Source Beast.

His appearance became younger, and the few grey hairs he had became glossy black at this moment. Clearly, his lifespan had been greatly extended after the advancement, allowing him to protect the Liu Family for many more years.

The long-awaited sunlight scattered across heaven and earth, and the temperature, which had been altered by the Original Ice Snow Maiden, quietly rose again.

Tang Cheng, who was bound, squinted under the sunlight, watching the Liu Family Head, who had successfully advanced to the Domain Rank. He frowned slightly, surprised that the Liu Family could succeed despite their actions.

As the light of day broke, a mass of golden light, even more dazzling than the sun in the sky, suddenly descended over this area. A clear cry of a bird spread throughout the land.

Following this unique rhythmic cry, the temperature, which had been slowly rising, instantly returned to the refreshing coolness of a typical autumn day.

In various corners of the town, residents who had survived the extreme cold emerged from their hiding places, touching the autumn sunlight with bewildered expressions.

Most of them, even those who had fortunately survived the catastrophe, still did not know the true cause behind this natural disaster.

Why were some spared? Who died for what reason?

However, at this moment, they collectively turned their gaze toward the golden mass of light in the sky, which was even brighter than the sun. As the dazzling radiance gradually receded, the true form of the object contained within was revealed.

A strange Source Beast, possessing a ferocious beast head but a body covered in golden feathers, appeared in the sky.

Its size was immense; even at high altitude, its complete outline could be clearly seen. Its golden wings looked as if they were forged from gold, and flickering yellow flames were born and extinguished between its wings with every flap.

"Golden Flame Dragon Sparrow"

Astonishment flashed in Tang Cheng's eyes. Why would the Royal Family's signature Source Beast appear here?

Then, the next second, hope appeared in his eyes. Perhaps someone from the Royal Family was passing by and intended to punish the Liu Family.

"The Liu Family of Heyu Town, whose Extreme Ice Snow Lotus successfully advanced to become the Original Ice Snow Maiden, is hereby granted the title of a Seventh-Rank Prestigious Clan today. The Liu Family is restricted to moving out of Heyu Town within one month and must proceed to the Silent Nether Desert to construct a new city. There must be no delay."

A deep yet unquestionable voice came from the back of the Golden Flame Dragon Sparrow.

It sounded less like a punishment and more like a reward for the Liu Family after their success.

Subsequently, a golden light shot out from the back of the Golden Flame Dragon Sparrow and quietly hovered in front of the Liu Family Head.

During this process, the Liu Family Head's expression changed several times before he finally lifted the jade plaque contained within the golden light with both hands and respectfully said:

"The Liu Family accepts the decree."

His attitude was respectful, but his tone did not sound particularly joyful, suggesting that the task of constructing a new city was not a favorable assignment.

Seeing that the Liu Family Head had accepted, the person atop the Golden Flame Dragon Sparrow did not show his face, seemingly uninterested in communicating further with this newly promoted Domain Rank expert.

The Dragon Sparrow's wings gently flapped, and it gradually transformed into a streak of golden light in the distance.

Seeing the Dragon Sparrow's owner depart, the Liu Family Head, with an uncertain and gloomy expression, put away the jade plaque.

"Gather all the Liu Family descendants and prepare for the clan migration."

This order was transmitted by the Hán Háo Strange Bird hovering in the air. The Liu Family disciples wandering throughout the town received the command and quickly gathered and returned to the location of the Liu Family mansion in town.

The unwarranted disaster for the residents of the entire Heyu Town had finally truly ended.

The ropes binding Tang Cheng were undone, and he was politely 'escorted' out of the Liu Family gates.

During this process, Tang Cheng finally searched his memory and found information regarding the "Silent Nether Desert."

The Silent Nether Desert belongs to a desert environment, which seems unsuitable for development for the Liu Family, whose overall focus is on Ice-type Source Beasts.

Moreover, many Source Beast groups possessing the Domain Rank live there. Building a new city there—it's truly hard to tell if this is meant to feed the Liu Family to the beasts or genuinely intended for the Liu Family's development.

It seems easy to understand: the Royal Family must welcome the birth of a new Seventh-Rank noble like the Liu Family, as the entire kingdom needs such top forces to guard its territories.

However, those established families certainly wouldn't share their existing rights, so for newly established noble families, acquiring territory can only be achieved through their own efforts.

But it is unknown if some family above has a grievance against the Liu Family, to assign them the least suitable environment for development.

The Liu Family will likely suffer in the future. Thinking of this, Tang Cheng's mood improved considerably, but seeing the utter devastation of Heyu Town, his slightly improved mood was once again clouded by shadow.

Ten days later.

True to their initial promise, the Liu Family relocated a large number of people from outside Heyu Town.

These people were quickly distributed across various sectors in Heyu Town. Watching the town gradually resume its bustling activity, Chu Shengfan felt a sense of having been separated from the world.

The continuous heavy snow from before seemed like a phantom dream, suppressed in the hearts of all the old residents of Heyu Town, yet like a sharp thorn embedded in soft flesh, causing unbearable dull pain whenever recalled.

After the new residents were relocated, the entire Liu Family embarked on their journey of migration the next day.

Immediately after the Liu Family members left, the Green Scale Spirit Tiger rushed into the Liu Family residence, destroying all the buildings into scattered rubble and tiles.

Perhaps as time passes, the people of Heyu Town will eventually forget that such a family once stood dominant over the entire Heyu Town.

With the relocation of new residents, the work of comforting the old residents and other miscellaneous tasks became intertwined.

Even Chu Shengfan, a newcomer who had only recently joined the logistics department, was assigned a lot of work.

After compiling the household registration, land, and other information for another batch of new residents, Chu Shengfan did not return to the Medicine Heart Hall after work, but instead left the town and hurried toward the direction of Fuhe Village.

Today, his grandfather had specifically sent word through someone, asking him to return home without fail.

Unsure if there was anything urgent, a slight worry arose in Chu Shengfan's heart.

He hadn't noticed while busy, but now he realized he hadn't returned home for nearly ten days, even though he had received news that everything was safe at home.

But since this was the first time he had been away from home for so long, he truly felt a bit homesick.

Chu Shengfan's pace was much faster than that of an ox cart. As the days since he became a Contract Master increased, his strength, endurance, spirit, and appetite had all been increasing rapidly recently.

Although he was only twelve years old now, in terms of sheer strength, he was already much stronger than those adults engaged in heavy labor.

Just as the last ray of sunset glow was about to recede, Chu Shengfan arrived in front of the familiar Chu Family compound.

He was about to push open the courtyard gate with some excitement, but the instant the gate opened, a sharp thorn shot straight toward his face.