45: The village bell suddenly rang

Chu Yuan suddenly thought of something, and his eyes involuntarily looked toward the direction of the Ancestral Hall.

“Perhaps, the surrounding Yao Beasts don’t need to be dealt with, and can be left for the Cultivators in the village to practice on?”

He muttered, an immature idea faintly forming in his mind.

If it was feasible, perhaps he wouldn’t need to go outside the village to clear out the Yao Beasts anymore.

Thinking of this, Chu Yuan slightly shifted his steps, and his figure vanished.

On the other side.

After watching Chu Yuan leave, Zhang Xiangwen and the other two returned to the main hall.

Zhang Yan was about to return to the inner room to Cultivate, but Zhang Xiangwen suddenly said, “Yaner, what are your thoughts on Chu Yuan?”

As soon as he said this, a blush involuntarily crept onto Zhang Yan’s beautiful face.

“Father! I…”

Zhang Yan lowered her head shyly, unsure how to answer for a moment.

Xu Jing watched this scene and sighed softly in her heart. How could she not understand her daughter’s feelings?

But could there really be a future between the two of them?

Chu Yuan’s current attitude already showed that he intended to go out and explore the world.

Moreover, Chu Yuan’s talent was excellent. If nothing unexpected happened, he would certainly go very far in the future.

If Zhang Yan had no talent for Cultivation, she would eventually grow old and frail.

Even if Zhang Yan had some talent, the gap was too large, and the two of them would ultimately not be traveling the same Dao!

Would her daughter’s affection lead to a result?

Zhang Xiangwen’s expression was complicated, and his voice was slightly low. “Yaner, you should have heard it just now. Chu Yuan will eventually leave.”

Zhang Yan’s expression froze, and a hint of worry appeared in her eyes. “Father, what are you trying to say?”

Zhang Xiangwen hesitated for a moment and continued, “Do you know why Chu Yuan went out alone to take risks yesterday?”

Zhang Yan lowered her head and said, “He said he went to look for a treasure that would allow me to Cultivate early!”

“Mm!”

Zhang Xiangwen nodded and recounted the conversation he had with Chu Yuan the day before yesterday, along with the guesses he and Zhao Jun had made.

Afterward, he said, “I don’t object to you having feelings for him, but I need to make these things clear to you, and you must understand them yourself.”

“I understand, Father!”

Zhang Yan nodded, her heart filled with emotion. Was it all because of her that Brother Chu Yuan risked going outside the village?

“You…”

Zhang Xiangwen wanted to say something, but he paused and changed his words, saying, “Cultivate properly. Whatever you want to do, we will support you!”

“Father, Mother, you are so kind!”

Zhang Yan instantly smiled radiantly, turned around, and skipped back to the inner room.

Zhang Xiangwen and his wife watched this scene, exchanged glances, and sighed softly.

At the same time.

At the location of the Ancestral Hall, Chu Yuan quietly walked inside and arrived at the depths of the Ancestral Hall.

The sky was starting to darken. Although Xiao Huang Village was protected by the village protecting bell, the villagers of Xiao Huang Village were all staying inside their homes at this time, with their doors tightly shut.

Naturally, no one would have thought that someone would enter the Ancestral Hall at this moment.

Chu Yuan’s steps were light as he arrived before a slightly solemn pavilion.

He pushed the door open and walked in, only to see an altar situated in the center of the dim pavilion.

Above the altar, a half-man-tall, bronze ancient bell quietly hung on a horizontal bar made of refined iron.

“Is this the village protecting bell?”

Chu Yuan murmured softly, slowly walked forward, and fixed his gaze upon the ancient bell.

“I hope this works!”

Chu Yuan muttered, walked onto the altar, and took the ancient bell down.

What felt strange to him was that when he lifted the ancient bell and shook it, it didn't ring.

“Does it identify the Qi of Demons, monsters, ghosts, and ghouls, automatically ring, and use sound waves to specifically deter them?”

“A bit interesting!”

Chu Yuan murmured softly, then tossed the ancient bell into the primal origin space.

After that, he quickly copied one out and began strengthening the replica.

After three enhancements, the replicated ancient bell, according to Chu Yuan’s attribute screen, had already transformed from a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact into a Peak Grade Spiritual Artifact.

“Low Grade, Medium Grade, High Grade, and Peak Grade? Then what is above a Peak Grade Spiritual Artifact?”

Chu Yuan narrowed his eyes, his gaze shifting, and he activated the enhancement again.

But after the enhancement, the Rank still didn't change.

His gaze shifted, and he continued the enhancement.

Finally, after the sixth enhancement, the Rank of the ancient bell finally changed.

Low-grade Spirit Treasure!

“That should be enough!”

Chu Yuan muttered, not continuing the enhancement further.

He had a feeling that a Low-grade Spirit Treasure was acceptable, but if it were any higher, it might attract the covetousness of passing Cultivators.

It was even possible that Cultivators of poor character might covet this Low-grade Spirit Treasure.

Taking out the Low-grade Spirit Treasure Rank ancient bell, Chu Yuan was about to hang it back up.

But at this moment, a sudden change occurred.

“Dong!”

The ancient bell suddenly vibrated, letting out a high-pitched ring.

Chu Yuan’s expression changed in surprise, and he quickly closed his eyes to fully sense the situation in the village.

But what puzzled him was that he didn't sense the Qi of demons or ghouls within Xiao Huang Village.

“What is going on?”

Chu Yuan was puzzled, but suddenly thought of something, and couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

“Could it be like this?”

He muttered, hung the ancient bell back up, and immediately left the Ancestral Hall.

At the same time.

In the various households throughout Xiao Huang Village, people were startled when they heard the village protecting bell suddenly ring.

Zhang Xiangwen’s eyes widened in shock. “You all stay properly inside the house, I’m going out to take a look!”

“Be careful!”

Xu Jing instructed him. Zhang Xiangwen nodded, then immediately opened the door and walked out of the main hall.

A moment later.

He saw Zhao Jun, as well as the remaining seven members of the Guard Team.

“Uncle Zhao, what’s the situation?”

Zhang Xiangwen asked with a solemn expression, his eyes filled with worry.

“No abnormalities found!”

Zhao Jun shook his head.

But then a young man nearby said, “Grandpa Zhao, there’s nothing abnormal found in the village, but there is something abnormal about me.”

“Hm?”

Zhang Xiangwen and the others all changed color, their gazes turning toward the young man.

“Sun Daniu, what do you mean by that?”

Sun Daniu’s eyes showed a hint of confusion as he looked at the group, puzzled.

“Uncle Zhang, when you were injured before, there should have been residual Demonic Evil Qi in your bodies, right? Is there any left now?”

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of the few people present instantly changed slightly.

Zhang Xiangwen reacted quickly.

“If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have overlooked it. The remaining trace of Demonic Evil Qi seemed to be instantly dispelled the moment the bell rang.”

The others also nodded one after another.

Zhao Jun looked surprised. “Could it be that the disappearance of the Demonic Evil Qi we felt earlier was because the village protecting bell changed?”

“This…”

Zhang Xiangwen frowned. “That shouldn’t be possible, right? How could the village protecting bell change?”

Everyone frowned.

“Forget it!”

Zhang Xiangwen shook his head and said, “We’ll check if there’s a problem with the village protecting bell tomorrow. Uncle Zhao, you and I will each take a few people to check on the situation in every household.”

“Alright!”

Zhao Jun nodded. The nine people split into two groups and began inquiring from house to house.

On Chu Yuan’s side.

He had just returned home and was preparing to rest when he heard movement outside.

He got up and walked out of the room, only to see Zhang Xiangwen leading people and knocking on doors house by house.

Seeing this, Chu Yuan slightly raised his eyebrows.

He walked over and asked, “Uncle Zhang, what are you doing?”