29: Ninth-Rank Poor Family

The sharp stone spike brought with it a strong gust of wind, causing the hair on Chu Shengfan's forehead to flutter upwards.

Just when the spike was a finger's width away, a thin layer of dust gathered in the air before him, condensing into a thin light shield.

'Clang.'

A crisp sound of collision rang out.

The seemingly fragile transparent light shield collided with the stone spike but was surprisingly not pierced.

The next moment, an adult palm-sized butterfly, purple-pink all over, flew out from behind Chu Shengfan. As its wings vibrated, more purple phosphorescent powder scattered around Chu Shengfan.

The light shield, which had been illusory and transparent moments ago, was dyed purple-pink this time, then adhered to the outside of Chu Shengfan's body and its own body like a layer of scales.

Chu Shengfan focused his gaze inside the courtyard, wanting to know who exactly was ambushing him in his own home.

A hearty laugh came from within the courtyard, "Not bad, not bad. It seems he hasn't neglected his training during these days he's been away."

Chu Jingyu stood beneath the lantern in the main hall, looking at Chu Shengfan with a face full of affection.

The stone spike that had just been launched at him originated from the Golden Jade Beast perched on Chu Jingyu's shoulder.

So it had been his grandfather testing him; the anger in Chu Shengfan's heart was instantly suppressed, and he commanded the Flower Medicine Butterfly to retract the light shield attached to his body.

The next second, a human cannonball rushed into his arms, and a pair of small, chubby hands restlessly patted him all over.

"Huh, Big Brother, where did that cool battle armor go?"

Seeing Chu Shengyuan look up at him inquisitively from his arms, Chu Shengfan rubbed his head.

"That wasn't battle armor, it was a shield. I put it away."

"Ah?" The little guy's expression instantly changed to disappointment; he wasn't sure if it was because he hadn't gotten to touch it, or because the ability wasn't the battle armor he had imagined.

Chu Shengfan glanced sideways at the Flower Medicine Butterfly beside his head, and saw the Flower Medicine Butterfly fly in front of Chu Shengyuan, gently fluttering its wings a few times before his eyes. The beautiful phosphorescent powder instantly diverted the little guy's attention.

Walking through the courtyard and entering the main hall, Chu Shengfan felt himself subconsciously relax upon seeing that everyone in the family was safe and well.

"Grandpa, why did you specifically call me back today? Is there something you need to tell me?"

Chu Jingyu smiled slightly and did not answer directly. "You rushed back, you must be hungry. Let's eat first, and we can talk after dinner."

Although curious, seeing that his grandfather and father's attitudes did not suggest anything bad, Chu Shengfan stopped his questioning and called back Chu Shengyuan and the Flower Medicine Butterfly, who were still playing outside.

Soon, dinner was finished.

The bright moonlight shone through the window into the room, and the dappled candlelight shone from various directions within the room, leaving shifting shadows on the walls and floor.

Chu Jingyu and Chu Shengfan's parents inquired about Chu Shengfan's life in the town for a while, and only after receiving his assurance that everything was fine did they feel relieved.

"When is your day off?" Chu Qinhui asked after drinking a cup of water, interrupting his wife's incessant instructions.

"Originally, tomorrow was supposed to be my day off, but recently the town has been waiting for everything to be rebuilt, and there are many new residents who need to be settled, so the holiday has been canceled."

As he spoke, a hint of numbness appeared on Chu Shengfan's slightly youthful face.

"No matter how busy they are, they shouldn't stop people from resting," muttered Jiang Nian, who was complaining quietly nearby.

Chu Jingyu nodded, "That's how it should be, but no matter how busy you are, don't forget to train your Source Beast skills and your own absorption of the energy of heaven and earth."

Chu Shengfan nodded, "I won't."

"It's a pity that we are a family without deep foundations. I heard that those major families have special cultivation methods that allow them to actively draw energy from the outside world, making their realm advancement very rapid.

Now, Xiaofan can only compensate through daily natural recovery and eating." A sigh flashed across Chu Jingyu's face as he spoke.

"Cultivation methods?" Chu Shengfan exclaimed in surprise. "Is Grandpa talking about things like the Zhong Geng Cultivation Method? I think I saw cultivation methods being sold over at the Town Chiefs Mansion."

Hearing Chu Shengfan's words, Chu Jingyu stood up excitedly and pressed, "Is it really a cultivation method? Xiaofan, are you sure?"

"Since the Liu Family moved away, the Town Head, in order to encourage the birth of new family powers in Heyu Town, provided three types of cultivation methods. One only needs to pay a certain fee to copy and practice them, but they seem to be divided into individual and family versions."

"In a few days, this news will probably spread throughout the town."

"What is the price?" Chu Jingyu clenched his fists, showing how excited he was internally.

"Ranging from five hundred to three thousand Source Spirit Stone."

Upon learning the price, Chu Jingyu sat back down. "The price is not cheap, but for something that can serve as a family inheritance, this price is reasonable. Even the lowest-grade cultivation method is worth it."

"Grandpa, how many Source Spirit Stone does our family have?"

Hearing Chu Shengfan's question, Chu Jingyu awkwardly rubbed his palms, "Well... currently, not a single one."

A momentary blank expression appeared on Chu Shengfan's face upon hearing the answer.

"The situation in Heyu Town is currently stable. I plan to take a trip outside the border to see if I can acquire some resources."

"Outside the border?" Having spent some time in the Town Chiefs Mansion, Chu Shengfan was no longer the ignorant novice he once was. "No, outside the border is full of terrifying and powerful Source Beasts. It's too dangerous."

Chu Qinhui, standing nearby, also looked highly disapproving. "Father, our family is just starting out. You really shouldn't put yourself in such a dangerous situation."

Chu Jingyu looked out the window. "Even if I don't go outside the border now, once we apply to become a true Noble Family, we will still have to send people to guard the border. At that time, it won't be voluntary anymore."

"Grandpa, I saw that too, but as a newly promoted Ninth-Rank Humble Family, don't we have a one-year protection period where we won't be forcibly conscripted to guard the border?"

"Silly child, look at the Liu Family. They were also newly promoted to Seventh-Rank, yet weren't they forced by a single order to go construct the new city?

So-called regulations are just a matter of a word from certain people. Furthermore, Heyu Town needs manpower right now. Even if I hide at home, it probably won't be long before the Town Head sends people to find me."

Chu Qinhui and Chu Shengfan looked somewhat silent.

"Instead of waiting for the Town Head to recruit us, we should go ourselves. The reason I called you back this time was also to discuss this matter. Tomorrow, I will go to the town to officially apply for our Chu Family to become a Ninth-Rank Humble Family. This way, you can be prepared."

"That fast?" Previously, family decisions were essentially his grandfather's sole decree, but since Chu Shengfan became a Contract Master, he could clearly feel his grandfather's increased regard for him, informing him before undertaking any major matters.

"If Heyu Town had remained dominated by a single power, it would have been most appropriate for our Chu Family to keep a low profile, but now that Heyu Town is undergoing succession, and the division of power is unstable, it is the perfect opportunity for our family to rise.

If we miss this chance, it will be difficult to find such an opportunity again." Chu Jingyu's expression was calm, and the light in his eyes was sharp; he had clearly made up his mind.

Infected by his grandfather's resolute spirit, Chu Shengfan's heart was filled with soaring ambition, and even his manner of address became more formal. "Alright, Grandfather, what do you need me to do?"