72: Rivals for the Son's throne

Deep within the Zong City of the Bei Ming Chu Family, inside a palace surrounded by rich spiritual energy.

The air here was bitingly cold but not piercing, instead, it brought a sense of tranquility to one's mind. This was the cultivation grounds of Chu Jingyun, the Holy Son of the Bei Ming Chu Family.

Chu Jingyun's aura was perfectly harmonious and restrained, having already reached the Golden Core Stage, fourth level.

He was currently meditating, seated cross-legged on a ten-thousand-year-old cold jade, with his eyes closed. Suddenly, his mind stirred slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes.

"Your Highness, Holy Son." A respectful voice came from outside the palace, "Chu Kuang is requesting an audience, saying he has urgent matters to report."

Chu Jingyun's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly: "What is he doing here?"

In his eyes, Chu Kuang was nothing more than a useless collateral branch member who relied on the Third Elder's influence to form gangs within the Zong City.

"Let him in."

A moment later, the palace doors opened, and two attendants helped a figure stagger inside.

When Chu Jingyun saw the person's appearance, even with his composure, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

At this moment, Chu Kuang bore no resemblance to his usual arrogant self.

He was covered in thick bandages, with blood seeping through in many places. His face was as pale as paper, and his aura was extremely weak.

He even needed assistance to walk, clearly severely injured, with his cultivation foundation possibly damaged.

"How did you end up in such a state?"

Upon seeing Chu Jingyun, Chu Kuang seemed to find his pillar of support. He struggled to push away the attendants and fell to his knees with a thud.

"Your Highness, Holy Son, you must uphold justice for me! The honor of our Bei Ming is almost shattered!"

Chu Jingyun's eyes flickered slightly: "What Bei Ming honor? What exactly happened?"

Hearing this, Chu Kuang's face twisted into an expression of pain and anger.

"Recently, a branch disciple named Chu Feng arrived in the Zong City. This person comes from a remote borderland called Furong Town in the Eastern Region.

I don't know what fortuitous encounter he had, but his strength is quite peculiar. This person is incredibly arrogant and completely disregards our Bei Ming."

As he spoke, he secretly observed Chu Jingyun's expression.

"My brothers from the Ice Wolf Society, seeing that he was new, originally intended to show him some hospitality as hosts.

Who knew that not only did he not appreciate it, but he also hurled insults, calling us parasites of the main lineage and wastes relying on ancestral blessings.

I couldn't stand it and argued with him, but he suddenly attacked me by surprise, severely injuring me to this extent.

Even my younger brother Han Feng was publicly humiliated by him, beaten beyond recognition!"

Chu Jingyun listened, his expression remaining calm, but his gaze gradually turned colder.

Internal strife within the Zong City was not uncommon, but such ruthless methods were indeed excessive.

Seeing that the Holy Son seemed displeased, Chu Kuang secretly rejoiced and immediately changed the subject, revealing his true trump card.

"The most important thing is that when this person tested his talent, he lit up the ninth floor of the Nine Aperture Exquisite Pagoda."

"Ninth floor?"

Fluctuations finally appeared on Chu Jingyun's calm face. As the Holy Son, his talent was exceptional, yet he had only lit up the eighth floor.

The ninth floor... that was the legendary talent of a Supreme Being!

"Is this true?"

"Absolutely true, many people witnessed it with their own eyes!" Chu Kuang nodded vigorously, his face showing indignation, "Precisely because of this, this person even publicly declared..."

He deliberately paused, as if finding it difficult to speak.

"Declared what?" Chu Jingyun's voice sank slightly.

Chu Kuang seemed to steel himself and gritted his teeth.

"He said... the Holy Son of the Bei Ming Chu Family only has an eighth-level talent, a mere empty reputation, not even worthy of carrying his shoes!

He also said that the Old Ancestor favors him greatly, and once he grows stronger, the position of Holy Son will inevitably change hands!

The future of the Bei Ming Chu Family is destined to be under his command. What Holy Son Your Highness, he will eventually be trampled underfoot!"

Boom!

These words directly touched Chu Jingyun's sore spot. The position of Holy Son, the future authority of the family, he would never allow anyone to covet it.

The calm on Chu Jingyun's face finally completely vanished, and a trace of extremely cold ice-blue color flashed in the depths of his eyes.

His aura instantly became chillingly cold, and the temperature of the entire hall abruptly dropped.

Although he remained seated and motionless, Chu Kuang clearly felt a heart-palpitating killing intent rush towards him.

Chu Kuang rejoiced inwardly, but his face still maintained an expression of grief and indignation.

"This person's talent is terrifying, and he is favored by the Old Ancestor. If he is allowed to grow, he will surely become a major hidden danger in the future!

If he dares to insult me like this today, tomorrow he will dare to challenge the Holy Son's authority.

For the future of the Bei Ming Chu Family, this person... must not be allowed to live!"

Chu Jingyun slowly closed his eyes. A moment later, when he opened them again, all the ripples in his eyes had subsided, returning to their previous placid state.

He looked at Chu Kuang kneeling below and said in a calm voice.

"I am aware of this matter. Your injuries are not light, go back and rest well first."

Chu Kuang was stunned, not expecting the Holy Son to tolerate it!

He couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, but he dared not ask further.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, Holy Son. I shall take my leave now."

Supported by the attendants, Chu Kuang exited the great hall.

The palace doors slowly closed.

Inside the empty hall, only Chu Jingyun remained.

He sat quietly on the cold jade platform, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knee.

"Ninth-level supreme talent, favored by the Old Ancestor... wants to replace me?"

A curve, containing endless killing intent, slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"The Chu Family is about to enter the Central Region. Any uncertain factor that could threaten the family's stability must be nipped in the bud."

"Chu Feng, blame yourself for being too dazzling..."

A cold light flashed in Chu Jingyun's eyes, and he had already made his decision.

With a thought, a communication jade slip appeared in his palm, and spiritual energy was injected into it.

"Senior Brother Mo, please come to my hall for a discussion."

Before long, a ghost-like figure silently appeared in the hall.

This person wore a black robe, his face shrouded in shadow, and his aura was obscure and profound. He was actually a cultivator who had reached the Golden Core Stage's Great Perfection realm.

He was a master among the Chu Family's dark guards, named Chu Mo, most skilled in assassination.

"Holy Son." Chu Mo bowed, his voice hoarse.

Chu Jingyun did not look at him, his gaze still fixed on the void ahead, as if talking to himself.

"Among the newly arrived branch disciples, there is one named Chu Feng.

This person's talent is acceptable, but his mind is not righteous. He publicly severely injured a fellow clan member and defied an elder, already showing signs of becoming a demon.

I am concerned that his existence will affect the family, and even disrupt our Chu Family's grand plan to enter the Central Region."

He paused, then continued.

"Make him disappear."

Chu Mo immediately bowed and said in a low voice.

"I understand."

In fact, the moment Chu Jingyun mentioned Chu Feng's name, he understood.

Chu Feng's name had already spread throughout the Chu Family. Even he had heard that this person possessed ninth-level talent.

This was a huge threat to the Holy Son.

One must know that Chu Feng's cultivation had already reached the Golden Core Stage's fourth level, the same as the Holy Son's realm.

But being the same now did not mean the two could still stand shoulder to shoulder in the future.

It wouldn't be long before Chu Feng's strength would surpass the Holy Son's. At that time, the Holy Son would gradually be replaced.

"Go." Chu Jingyun waved his hand, closing his eyes again. "Do it cleanly, leave no traces."

"Yes!"

Chu Mo's figure quietly merged into the shadows and disappeared.