36: A tremendous opportunity

"Brother, you're back."

A weak voice came from the room, interrupting Chu Xuan's thoughts.

He quickly walked in, with Chen Xu following behind him.

The room was small, simply furnished, but meticulously tidy.

An oil lamp burned quietly on the table.

It illuminated a frail figure sitting by the bed.

The young girl's face was sallow, her lips devoid of color, and she was so thin that it seemed a gust of wind could knock her over.

She was bent over, laboriously embroidering a handkerchief.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up, and when she saw Chen Xu following her brother, her dim eyes instantly widened, filled with panic and helplessness.

"Yu'er, quickly, this is the Family Head!"

Chu Xuan quickly introduced him, his tone nervous.

"Fa... Family Head?"

Chu Yuer's body trembled violently, and she struggled to get out of bed to bow.

In her understanding, the Chen Family Head was the most noble person in all of Ninghai Town, and even the entire Shangya Prefecture, a lofty Immortal Master, and the savior of her and her brother.

How could such a prominent figure personally come to her small sickroom?

"No need for formalities."

Chen Xu spoke, his voice gentle.

He took a step forward, stopping Chu Yuer's movements: "Just lie down, I've come to examine you."

He naturally sat on the stool by the bed, his gaze falling on Chu Yuer's face.

Up close, although the young girl was emaciated from illness, her features were quite delicate.

Especially her eyes, though dim, were like a clear spring.

Without any Impurities.

"Extend your hand."

Chen Xu said.

Chu Yuer looked at her brother nervously.

Seeing Chu Xuan nod vigorously at her, she then carefully extended her bony wrist from under the quilt.

Chen Xu extended two fingers and gently placed them on her pulse.

A wisp of pure spiritual power, like a gentle stream, slowly probed into Chu Yuer's body through his fingertips.

Chu Xuan stood to the side, so nervous that he held his breath, his palms covered in sweat.

As the spiritual power probed deeper, Chen Xu's brows furrowed slightly.

Very strange.

The young girl's body, indeed as Chu Xuan had said, was rapidly losing vitality, and her internal organs showed signs of decay, like an oil lamp about to burn out.

But in stark contrast to this decaying scene were her Meridians.

Her Meridians, far from atrophying due to her physical weakness, were several times wider and tougher than those of an ordinary healthy person.

Spiritual Qi flowed through them with almost no obstruction.

This... was clearly an excellent Immortal Cultivation Physique!

A person with exceptional Cultivation Aptitude, yet their body was constantly deteriorating towards death.

These two aspects were themselves a huge contradiction.

Chen Xu withdrew his hand, already having some guesses in his mind.

"Family Head, how is it?"

Seeing him withdraw his hand, Chu Xuan quickly leaned in and asked nervously.

"The situation is a bit special."

Chen Xu didn't answer directly, but looked at Chu Yuer and said gently: "Don't be nervous, relax, let me take a closer look."

After speaking, with a thought, his Eye of Destiny quietly opened.

The world before him instantly changed.

Everything in the room turned into gray and white lines, only the light representing "Luck" was clearly visible in his sight.

On Chu Xuan's body, there was a blue and white intertwined Luck, solid and profound.

It represented that he was already a pillar of the Family.

And when Chen Xu's gaze fell on Chu Yuer on the sickbed, even though his Heart-Nature had been cultivated to the extreme.

His pupils couldn't help but contract sharply!

There was no dying gray, nor decaying black.

What he saw was a deep purple light cluster!

The purple light was so dense it was almost tangible, like a star dormant in the deep sea, quietly nestled in the young girl's Dantian area.

It was noble, powerful, and full of infinite potential.

However, the surface of this beautiful star was covered with tiny cracks.

Traces of extremely pure purple Luck.

Were constantly leaking out from those cracks.

And then dissipating into the air.

Her vitality was being carried away along with this leaking Luck!

Immediately after, a panel appeared above Chu Yuer's head.

[Name: Chu Yuer]

[Realm: None]

[Physique: Ice Jade Bones (Unawakened: Naturally contains extreme Yin and extreme cold Qi. Without corresponding Cultivation Technique guidance, the cold Qi will backlash and erode vitality. After Awakening, Cultivation of Water and Ice attribute Cultivation Techniques will advance a thousand miles a day, with infinite potential.)]

[Spiritual Root: Heaven-Grade Low Grade (Obscured by Profound Yin Qi)]

[Lifespan: 14 / 15]

[Loyalty: -- (Non-Family member)]

[Luck: Deep Purple (Hidden Dragon in the Abyss, waiting for its time to soar)]

Ice Jade Bones!

Heaven-Grade Low Grade Spiritual Root!

He never would have thought that Chu Xuan's sister was such a peerless Genius, a jade obscured by dust!

This was not an illness; this was clearly an immense Opportunity!

Chen Xu closed his Eye of Destiny, and the world in his eyes returned to normal.

"Family Head... my sister... is she beyond saving?"

Chu Xuan saw Chen Xu remain silent for a long time, his expression changing, and that last shred of hope in his heart began to waver.

His voice trembled.

"Who said she's beyond saving?"

Chen Xu looked up and smiled gently.

He looked at Chu Xuan: "Chu Xuan, I have good news for you."

"Your sister, she isn't sick at all."

"What?"

Chu Xuan and Chu Yuer were both stunned, completely not understanding Chen Xu's meaning.

"She isn't sick, but was born with an immense blessing."

Chen Xu's gaze turned to Chu Yuer, with a hint of admiration: "Your body is like a box filled with peerless treasures, but this box has no key, and it can't be closed tightly."

"The aura of the treasure constantly leaks out, which is what has been eroding your body."

This analogy was easy to understand, and both siblings grasped its meaning.

"Family Head, do you mean...?"

Chu Xuan's voice trembled with excitement.

"It means that as long as we find the right key, not only can it seal the treasure Qi and restore her health, but it can also allow her to open the treasure box and gain power unimaginable to ordinary people."

Chen Xu looked at Chu Yuer's pale little face and said solemnly: "Chu Yuer, are you willing to Cultivate?"

Boom!

This sentence, like a clap of thunder, exploded in the minds of the two siblings.

Cultivate!

To become an Immortal Master like the Family Head!

This was something they had never dared to even imagine before.

Chu Yuer had always thought of herself as a useless person who burdened her brother.

A sickly person who could die at any moment.

But now, the Chen Family Head, this true Immortal Master, personally told her that she could Cultivate!

The immense surprise left her mind blank.

"Family Head, my sister... does she really have a Spiritual Root?"

Chu Xuan asked tremblingly.

He himself only had a Yellow Grade Low-Rank Spiritual Root, which was already a lucky one in thousands; he didn't dare to hope his sister would also have such Luck.

"More than just having one."

Chen Xu smiled, not explaining too clearly: "Her Aptitude is far above yours."

Receiving the affirmative answer, Chu Xuan could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart.

He looked at his sister on the sickbed, and his eyes instantly reddened.

The great mountain that had weighed on his heart for many years seemed to have been effortlessly moved by the Family Head at this moment.

"I... I am willing!"

Chu Yuer finally reacted, and she used all her strength to say this sentence.

After speaking, her tears fell uncontrollably like broken pearls from the corners of her eyes.

These were tears of joy, tears of renewed life.

"Good."

Chen Xu nodded in satisfaction: "However, the key that suits you, which is the Cultivation Technique, is quite special. Ordinary Cultivation Techniques would not only be useless but would harm you."

"I need to take some time to find the Cultivation Technique that best suits you."

"Before that..."

Chen Xu took out a warm, white jade pendant from his Storage Pouch and handed it over, "Wear this first; it can help you temporarily stabilize your Qi and slow down the loss of vitality."

This was a good quality Warm Sun Jade, though not a supreme treasure.

But it had an immediate effect on suppressing the cold Qi within Chu Yuer's body.

Chu Yuer carefully took the jade pendant; a warm and comfortable feeling instantly spread throughout her limbs and bones from where she held it.

It brought a long-lost warmth to her body, which had been cold due to prolonged weakness.

"From today onwards, you are no longer a patient taken in by the Chen Family."

Chen Xu stood up, his voice becoming solemn: "As the Chen Family Head, I intend to accept you as a core Disciple of the Chen Family. Your food, clothing, shelter, and Cultivation resources will all be borne by the Family. All you need to do is recuperate and await the Cultivation Technique that belongs to you."

"Are you willing!"

After speaking, his gaze shifted from Chu Yuer to Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan could no longer hold back; his knees went soft, and he knelt down straight!

Immediately, he bowed deeply to Chen Xu, striking his head against the ground with a loud thud.

"Family Head's grace of rebirth, Chu Xuan, Chu Yuer, will never forget it for all eternity! We are willing to serve the Family Head until death in this life, without hesitation!"

This time, Chen Xu did not help him up.

He calmly accepted the bow.

Before his eyes, the System panel reappeared.

[Ding! Detected that the host has bestowed favor upon a Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root holder, and intends to incorporate her into the Family. Her brother Chu Xuan is deeply grateful, and his Heart-Nature is strengthened. Guest Chu Xuan's sense of belonging to the Family has greatly increased.]

[Ding! Chu Yuer has developed immense trust and gratitude towards the host, and has become a Family member.]

[Name: Chu Yuer]

[Realm: None]

[Physique: Ice Jade Bones (Unawakened)]

[Spiritual Root: Heaven-Grade Low Grade (Obscured by cold Qi)]

[Lifespan: 14 / 15 (Physique initially stabilized)]

[Loyalty: 95 (Life and Death Intertwined: Regards the host as a parent who gave new life, willing to give everything for him.)]

[Luck: Deep Purple (Hidden Dragon in the Abyss, waiting for its time to soar)]

It's done!

Looking at the high Loyalty of 95, the smile on Chen Xu's lips deepened.

He knew that he had not only gained the absolute loyalty of a fierce general.

But also found a peerless Genius who could become a pillar of the Family in the future.

This investment paid off handsomely... After leaving the quiet courtyard, Chen Xu and Chu Xuan walked on the stone path under the night sky, the atmosphere already completely different from when they arrived.

"Tomorrow morning, I will have someone prepare the Tingyu Pavilion. You and Yu'er can move in there."

Chen Xu said.

Chu Xuan was startled.

He knew the Tingyu Pavilion; it was one of the few courtyards in the Chen Family Mansion with the most abundant Spiritual Qi, usually only the Family Head, a few madams, and the Family Head's children were qualified to live there.

"Family Head, this is too generous..."

"Her Physique is special; it requires Spiritual Qi to nourish her."

Chen Xu interrupted him, "Outwardly, just say that I saw her frail and specially allowed her to go there to recuperate, using Spiritual Qi to regulate her body. Remember, regarding her talent, before we find a suitable Cultivation Technique, you must not mention it to anyone, including your closest colleagues."

"Yes, Chu Xuan understands!"

Chu Xuan nodded heavily; he knew this matter was of great importance.

If news of a Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root were to spread, it would likely invite disaster.

The two walked in silence all the way back to the study.

Chen Xu sat in the main seat and pointed below, "Sit."

Chu Xuan hesitated for a moment but still sat down as instructed.

However, he only sat on half of the chair, his back ramrod straight.

"Your sister's matter is an Opportunity, but also a test."

"The Cultivation Technique she needs is of an extremely High Grade, extraordinary. It might not even be found in Ninghai Town, or even the entire Shangya Prefecture."

Chu Xuan's heart, which had just settled, instantly rose again.

"However, I have my own way."

Chen Xu's tone was calm, "I have a deep connection with the Qingyun Immortal Sect; perhaps I can ask them to help search. But this will take time and also requires leverage."

He looked at Chu Xuan, his eyes sharp, "And you, along with the team you are about to assemble, are one of my most important leverages.

The better you perform, and the greater your merits, the greater my chances of securing a Cultivation Technique for your sister. Your future determines her future. Do you understand?"

"Chu Xuan understands!"

Chu Xuan suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Chen Xu, "Family Head, rest assured, Chu Xuan will not fail his mission!"

"Very good."

Chen Xu took out a black iron plate from his Storage Pouch and handed it over. The iron plate felt cold to the touch. The front was engraved with an ancient character "Chen," and the back was a blurred shadow pattern.

"This is the Shadow Guards Token. Seeing this token is like seeing me."

"From today onwards, you are the first commander of the Chen Family's Shadow Guards. You may personally select twenty people from the guard team, without needing to report to anyone."

"You may use this token to mobilize all resources within your authority from the Family's treasury and accounts office."

"I have only one request."

Chen Xu's voice grew cold, "I want the people you select to not only be strong in terms of ability but also tight-lipped, ruthless enough, and most importantly, absolutely loyal."

"I would rather have a loyal mediocrity than a wavering Genius."

"Yes!"

Chu Xuan received the token with both hands, as if he were taking on a heavy burden, and also the hope for his sister.

"Go. Before dawn, finalize the preliminary list of candidates and handle the moving arrangements. Starting tomorrow, you will no longer be the Chief of the Guard Corps; your identity will be erased from the Chen Family's official records."

Chu Xuan said no more, only gripping the token tightly in his hand.

He bowed again, then turned and exited the study... Chu Xuan returned to his residence, sleepless through the night.

He first personally went to the Listening Rain Pavilion, conveying the Family Head's order to the servants responsible for cleaning, instructing them to ensure the courtyard was spotless and all furnishings were replaced with new ones.

Afterward, he returned to his room, and by the lamplight, spread a blank sheet of paper on the table.

He didn't immediately start writing but closed his eyes, and the faces of every member of the guard team appeared in his mind.

For the past three years, he had spent day and night with these people, training together and carrying out missions together.

He had a clear understanding of who was lazy during training, who cherished their life in battle, who complained privately, and who could risk their life at critical moments.

The Family Head's requirement was very clear: loyalty first.

Names flashed through his mind, and he crossed them out one by one.

After a long time, he opened his eyes and picked up his brush, writing down the first name on the paper.

Wang Wu.

A taciturn man, at Qi Refining Layer Four, with mediocre Aptitude, but he always charged to the front in every mission. Three years ago, his old mother was critically ill, and it was the Chen Family's money that saved her life.

The second name: Zhao Tiezhu.

A somewhat simple and honest-looking young man, at Qi Refining Layer Three, not particularly bright, but obedient. If told to go east, he would never go west...

He wrote very slowly, each name carefully considered.

When the sky was slightly bright, the paper was finally filled with twenty names.

He looked at the list, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes... After sending off Chu Xuan, Chen Xu sat quietly in the study alone.

From his Storage Pouch, he carefully took out a palm-sized cyan Jade Talisman.

This was a sound transmission talisman Liu Jingyao had left behind when she departed.

She said that if there were urgent matters involving demonic Cultivators, he could contact her directly through this talisman.

Requesting a Cultivation Technique for Chu Yuer was not considered an urgent matter.

But Chen Xu knew that to make others value you, you had to demonstrate your own worth.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly injected a stream of magical power into the Jade Talisman.

He didn't directly ask for a Heaven-Grade Cultivation Technique; that would be too foolish.

His wording was very clever. He first reported that he had begun to assemble a secret team to monitor developments within the prefecture, as a testament to the Sect's trust.

Then, he shifted the topic, saying that during the process of forming the team, he discovered a "promising talent" with a special Physique.

This person was born with a special Physique; if guided by a suitable Cultivation Technique, she would surely achieve great things in the future.

She could play an unexpected role when he carried out his monitoring missions.

It was just a pity that his Family lacked such profound Cultivation Techniques, causing this "pearl to be covered in dust."

He feared delaying the Opportunity to serve the Sect.

He never mentioned a Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root, only saying "special talent" and "special Physique," perfectly packaging his personal request as being for the sake of better fulfilling the Sect's missions.

This was both a request and a test.

A test of how much the Qingyun Immortal Sect valued him as a pawn, and how much weight that promise of "generous rewards" truly held.

With the activation of magical power, the cyan Jade Talisman glowed faintly.

It transformed into a streak of light, instantly vanishing into the sky... Qingyun Immortal Sect, Qingyun Peak.

Liu Jingyao, holding a Jade Talisman whose spiritual light had just extinguished, quickly walked onto the Star-Gazing Platform.

"Sect Master, Chen Xu from Ninghai Town has sent a message."

The wind on the mountaintop ruffled the Sect Master's simple cyan robe.

She didn't turn around, her voice still ethereal, "Speak."

Liu Jingyao briefly recounted the content of Chen Xu's Jade Talisman, finally saying, "He said that while assembling the monitoring team, he discovered a junior with special talent and a rare Physique. If she has a suitable Cultivation Technique, she will surely achieve great things in the future and be able to serve the Sect."

"It's just that his Family's foundation is shallow, lacking profound Cultivation Techniques, fearing that the pearl will be covered in dust, so he specially seeks help from the Sect."

"Oh?"

The Sect Master slowly turned around and smiled lightly, "A junior with special talent? I think he wants to test the sincerity of my promise of generous rewards, doesn't he?"

Liu Jingyao's heart trembled; she dared not reply.

She had naturally seen through Chen Xu's little scheme, but she hadn't expected the Sect Master to expose it directly.

"This child is quite interesting. He is neither humble nor overbearing, and he even packaged his request as being for the sake of better serving the Sect."

The Sect Master smiled faintly, "This Heart-Nature is indeed suitable for navigating the Mortal world. If he were to be timid and hesitant, he would find it difficult to achieve great things."

"Then, what does the Sect Master mean..."

"Since he dared to ask, I cannot disappoint him."

The Sect Master pondered for a moment, then flicked her finger, and an ice-blue Jade Slip flew to Liu Jingyao's front.

"This is a Profound Ice Soul Condensation Art, a Heaven-Grade High Grade Cultivation Technique, specifically prepared for Cultivators with extremely Yin and cold Physiques."

"Although it cannot compare to the Sect's true core Legacy, in the outside world, it is enough to attract the covetous gaze of Golden Core Cultivators."

Heaven-Grade High Grade!

Liu Jingyao's heart was startled.

She had originally thought the Sect Master would at most bestow a Heaven-Grade Low Grade or Medium Grade Cultivation Technique as a warning.

She hadn't expected such a generous hand.

"You make another trip and personally deliver it to him."

The Sect Master instructed, "Tell him that this is the Sect's initial investment in him, and also an investment in that promising talent. What we want to see is a return."

"This Disciple understands!"

Liu Jingyao took the Jade Slip, her heart already in turmoil... Two days later, Ninghai Town, Chen Family.

Liu Jingyao's second visit made everyone in the Chen Family feel an unusual atmosphere.

In the study, Chen Xu looked at the ice-blue Jade Slip on the table, which emitted faint wisps of cold air.

He couldn't help but feel a little excited.

Heaven-Grade High Grade Cultivation Technique, Profound Ice Soul Condensation Art.

The value of this item could no longer be measured by Spirit Stones.

The Qingyun Immortal Sect's reaction was even faster than he had anticipated.

Their generosity was also much greater than he had expected.

"The Sect Master asked me to tell you that she greatly appreciates your honesty and is optimistic about your abilities."

Liu Jingyao looked at Chen Xu, her expression complex, "The Cultivation Technique has been given to you. The Sect wants to see your results."

"The area around Shangya Prefecture has been a bit restless recently. Several small towns have reported cases of missing Mortals. The local Families have suppressed the news, but behind it, there are likely shadows of demonic Cultivators."

"I understand."

Chen Xu put away the Jade Slip and nodded solemnly, "Please tell the Sect Master that within three months, the Chen Family will give the Sect an explanation."

"Good."

Liu Jingyao nodded. She didn't stay long; her purpose for this trip had been achieved.

After sending off Liu Jingyao, Chen Xu immediately called for Chu Xuan.

When Chu Xuan saw the ice-blue Jade Slip and heard Chen Xu explain its origin and Grade.

The man's eyes instantly turned red.

He said nothing, only knelt straight down before Chen Xu again.

"Get up."

Chen Xu didn't make him kneel for long this time, "Go call Yu'er. Right now, I will personally act as her Protector and help her guide Qi into her body."

...Inside the Listening Rain Pavilion, Spiritual Qi was dense.

Chu Yuer sat nervously on the meditation cushion, her small body trembling slightly.

In front of her were her brother Chu Xuan, with a solemn expression, and the Family Head Chen Xu, with a calm demeanor.

"Yu'er, don't be afraid."

Chen Xu's voice was gentle as he said, "This Cultivation Technique perfectly matches your Physique. Guiding Qi into your body will be a natural process. You only need to clear your mind and follow the methods in the Jade Slip to sense the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth."