2: Liu Family Courtyard and System Panel
General Manager Liu Yuan's steps were not fast, but exceptionally steady.
Mo Chu curled up in his palm, feeling the warmth emanating from beneath the thin layer of skin and flesh, as well as the gentle rhythm of his steps.
The surrounding scenery continuously receded; towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, and occasionally a few rays of sunlight filtered through gaps in the branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground. In the air, besides the scent of earth and vegetation, there was also a faint, bitter smell reminiscent of a Medicinal Pill.
This must be nearing a human settlement.
Mo Chu secretly looked up, assessing his temporary “master.”
General Manager Liu Yuan's Dao robe was somewhat faded, and even a few subtle patches could be seen, while the wooden staff in his hand was covered with the marks of time. But his back was held very straight, and although his eyes showed fatigue, they exuded a stubborn resilience.
"We're almost there," General Manager Liu Yuan seemed to sense the movement of the little one in his palm, lowered his head to look at it, and softened his voice even more, "Our Liu Family has declined now; we can't compare to those large Sects, and we're even worse off than the other small Families in the Qingmang Mountain Range. But the advantage is stability; as long as you are willing to stay, this old man guarantees you a life of comfort."
Mo Chu gently rubbed his finger, as if in response.
He could hear the desolation in General Manager Liu Yuan's words. The situation of a Family that required its Old Ancestor to personally seek out a contracted Spirit Beast was self-evident.
However, for him, this might actually be a good thing.
The more a Family declined, the more it might value an "intelligent" being.
About half an hour later, the forest ahead gradually thinned, and the outlines of some low-lying houses vaguely appeared.
It was a compound built against the mountain, with walls made of yellow mud mixed with crushed stones; some parts had already collapsed, revealing the rammed earth inside. Several wooden houses were scattered in a disorderly fashion, and many of the roof tiles were broken, making it appear somewhat dilapidated.
In the courtyard, a few young people dressed in coarse cloth could occasionally be seen practicing with wooden swords, their movements clumsy and their Qi chaotic, clearly indicating low cultivation.
"The Old Ancestor is back!"
Someone with sharp eyes spotted General Manager Liu Yuan's figure and immediately shouted.
The people in the courtyard stopped their actions and gathered around, their faces filled with anticipation and nervousness.
"Old Ancestor, have you found a suitable Spirit Beast?" a young man who looked to be in his twenties asked eagerly. He was General Manager Liu Yuan's eldest grandson, named Liu Zhi.
General Manager Liu Yuan shook his head, a hint of guilt flashing across his face: "I didn't find anything good, only this little fellow, who seems to possess some intelligence."
He opened his palm, revealing Mo Chu curled up inside.
Seeing only an ordinary small black snake, the faces of the people who had gathered showed disappointment.
"Old Ancestor, this... this is just a common snake, it doesn't even have a Spiritual Vein, how can it be a contracted Spirit Beast?" a middle-aged man couldn't help but say. He was Liu Zhi's father, Liu Shan, the Clan Chief of the Liu Family.
"Yes, Old Ancestor, with this effort, it would be better to let the children of the Clan Cultivate more..."
Murmurs gradually arose, mostly filled with frustration and incomprehension.
Mo Chu could feel the disdain and disappointment in these gazes, and his heart involuntarily tightened.
Just then, General Manager Liu Yuan said in a deep voice: "Enough!"
His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority that silenced everyone.
"Given the current difficulties of our Family, to have an intelligent being willing to stay is already a blessing," General Manager Liu Yuan looked at Mo Chu in his palm, his gaze firm, "Although Mo Chu is a common snake, his intelligence is not low. From today onwards, he will be the revered Spirit Beast of our Liu Family. Should anyone dare to disrespect him again, they will be dealt with according to Clan rules!"
Everyone was awed by his Aura and dared not speak further, though their gazes towards Mo Chu still held complexity.
General Manager Liu Yuan ignored the others and said to Liu Zhi: "Go tidy up a clean room, right next to mine, to make a home for Mo Chu. Also, prepare some fresh spiritual fruit juice; don't treat him poorly."
"Yes, Old Ancestor," Although Liu Zhi also felt this black snake was unreliable, he still respectfully agreed.
General Manager Liu Yuan then nodded with satisfaction, carrying Mo Chu, and walked directly towards a wooden house at the deepest part of the courtyard.
It was a very simple house, with only a wooden bed, a table, and a few worn-out cushions. Some herbs were piled in the corner, and the air was filled with a strong medicinal scent.
General Manager Liu Yuan placed Mo Chu on the table, found a clean porcelain bowl, poured some clear water, and then pulled out a shriveled red fruit from his bosom, crushed it, and put it into the water. Immediately, a faint Spiritual Qi emanated from it.
"This is a Scarlet Pulp Fruit; although it's low-Rank, it's good for little ones who have just developed intelligence. Drink some first," General Manager Liu Yuan said gently.
Mo Chu looked at the red liquid in the bowl and indeed felt a faint energy. His stomach also growled at the opportune moment (if a snake had such a function).
He crawled over, lowered his head, and began to lap at it in small sips.
The sweet juice slid into his abdomen, instantly transforming into a warm current that nourished his weak body.
【Ding! Absorbed Scarlet Pulp Fruit essence, life signs increased to 35%.】
The System's prompt sounded again.
Mo Chu's heart stirred. While General Manager Liu Yuan was turned away tidying herbs, he silently thought: "Open System panel."
A light blue virtual panel immediately appeared in his consciousness:
Host: Mo Chu
Species: Black Snake (Common)
Rank: Hatchling (Rank 0)
Life Signs: 35%
Abilities: None
Talent: Not Awakened
System Space: Physique Enhancement Liquid x1
Bound Family: Liu Family (Temporary)
Family Members: General Manager Liu Yuan, Liu Shan, Liu Zhi… (Subsequent members can be gradually unlocked)
Family Status: Declined (Lowest-tier Cultivation Family in the Qingmang Mountain Range, 12 members, highest Cultivation Qi Refining third Rank (General Manager Liu Yuan))
Looking at the information on the panel, Mo Chu felt more confident.
This Liu Family was indeed quite declined; with the highest Cultivation only at Qi Refining third Rank, they probably wouldn't even count as bottom-tier in the Immortal Realm.
And he himself was a standard "Trash start," common species, Rank zero, with no abilities.
"It seems that to survive, I still have to rely on this System," Mo Chu thought to himself.
He looked at the 【Physique Enhancement Liquid】 in the System Space and asked: "Use Physique Enhancement Liquid."
【Ding! Physique Enhancement Liquid is being used…】
A warm current, a hundred times more potent than the Scarlet Pulp Fruit, instantly surged from within his body, flowing through his limbs and bones. His previously somewhat stiff scales became smoother, his body also seemed to strengthen a little, and even his vision became much clearer.
【Ding! Physique Enhancement Liquid use complete. Host's Physique has slightly improved, life signs increased to 60%.】
Feeling the changes in his body, Mo Chu wagged his tail in satisfaction.
This System, although bound to a Family, its rewards were quite substantial.
Just then, General Manager Liu Yuan walked over, looking at the much more energetic Mo Chu, a smile appearing on his face: "It seems this Scarlet Pulp Fruit is still somewhat useful to you. Mo Chu, you can rest here in peace; from now on, this will be your home."
He paused, then sighed again: "It's just that I'm putting you through hardship, following our declining Family, I'm afraid you'll suffer."
Mo Chu raised his head and looked at General Manager Liu Yuan.