In another six months, it would be time for the Xuanling Empire's triennial recruitment. Scouts would be sent to every town to enlist the most talented young geniuses. Any student they selected would immediately become an official student of the Xuanling Imperial Academy, bypassing the tedious entrance exams and the one-year probationary period. For this reason, every major family in every town placed immense importance on this opportunity, and the Mu Family was no exception.
Mu Rongxuan and another youth named Xiao Tian walked out at the same time. Mu Rongxuan still had the air of a refined gentleman, while the youth named Xiao Tian standing beside him was filled with a rugged ferocity. He looked to be about fifteen or sixteen, yet he was a full head taller than Mu Rongxuan, with a body of corded muscle. He shot a disdainful glance at Mu Rongxuan and whispered, "Insidious little snake."
Mu Rongxuan completely ignored Mu Xiaotian's words, simply smiling humbly as he stood to the side.
This youth was Mu Xiaotian, the only son of Mufeng's older brother, Mu Yun. It was something of a shame; back in the day, Mu Gu Tian had three sons: Mu Yun, Mu Yufan, and Mufeng.
For some reason, in this generation, each of the three brothers had only one son. Apart from the second brother, Mu Yufan, who also had a daughter, the Mu Family's current generation was not very large.
When Mu Gu Tian saw the two of them walk out, his eyes filled with deep appreciation. He smiled and said, "Not bad. This boy, Xiao Tian, has been quite diligent. He already possesses the strength of an Eighth-Ring Martial Disciple. With a bit more training, he should be able to reach the Peak of Eight-Ring Martial Disciple in half a year. Rongxuan, on the other hand, is as reliable as ever. He's already at the Peak of Seven Rings. In six months, he will be an Eighth-Ring Martial Disciple at the very least."
The Grand Elder, seated in the place of honor to Mu Gu Tian's left, also broke into a smile and chuckled. "It seems this year's family competition against the Chen, Li, and Wang Families won't be a repeat of three years ago."
At this, the faces of the several men present flushed with excitement. After all, ever since the Mu Family had arrived in Luofeng City, although they had squeezed into the ranks of the four great families, they were always at the bottom. This made them feel disgraced whenever they went out, as if they were a cut below the other three families. Now that they had two promising talents like Mu Rongxuan and Mu Xiaotian, they were naturally overjoyed. As a result, they even started looking upon Mu Yufan and Mu Yun more favorably.
However, when the crowd saw Mufeng, who had a perpetually dark expression, the smiles on their faces instantly vanished. The Second Elder snorted and said no more.
"Ahem! In that case, everyone is dismissed. By the way, Feng'Er, each family needs to send five people for the competition. You should have Bing'Er join as well. Although she's not family by blood, she is still considered a part of our Mu Family. And you two," he added, looking at the boys, "do not grow arrogant or slack off."
"Yes."
Mu Xiaotian and Mu Rongxuan answered in unison. Mufeng, however, merely nodded before turning and leaving the hall directly, leaving a crowd of frowning people behind. The Mu Family's Grand Elder, the one with the red mark on his face, snorted coldly. "That boy Mufeng pays us old-timers less and less respect."
Mu Gu Tian also felt that Mufeng's actions were indeed a bit improper, so he didn't refute the Grand Elder's words. Mu Yufan and Mu Yun, however, were quite pleased to hear this.
Just then, an intense Barbaric Aura suddenly enveloped the Mu Family's main hall. The aura was exceptionally violent, crashing down in waves like a torrential tide. The expressions of Mu Gu Tian and the three Elders changed drastically. They all unleashed their Primordial Power to shield Mu Rongxuan and Mu Xiaotian behind them. After only a few breaths, the violent aura vanished completely, as if it had never been there at all.
Mu Gu Tian asked in horror, "What level of expert could release such an aura?"
Although the three Elders looked grim, they were relatively calm. The Grand Elder gazed into the distance and said, "There's no need to panic. Judging from the aura just now, that person bears us no ill will. It was most likely some great expert passing through Luofeng City who simply didn't bother to restrain their aura."
Hearing this, everyone relaxed. Indeed, an expert capable of emitting such a terrifying aura could annihilate the current Mu Family without lifting a finger.
"Yun'Er, Yu Fan, this matter must not be spread, lest you invite disaster upon us. If you go out and hear people discussing it, just tell them it was merely a few of the Elders sparring," Mu Gu Tian said to Mu Yun and Mu Yufan. He knew that powerful experts often had eccentric personalities; a single wrong word could lead to the annihilation of their entire family.
"Yes." Mu Yun and Mu Yufan replied before retreating, their hearts still pounding with lingering fear.
…
"Master, what was that just now? HUFF... PUFF..." Mu Chen was panting heavily, his whole body already drenched in sweat. A moment ago, he had felt a malevolent aura press down on him so hard that he couldn't even move a finger.
Profound Old Ghost gave a strange laugh and said, "My good disciple, my apologies. I got a little too excited just now and lost control of my aura for a moment."
Profound Old Ghost's words undoubtedly set off a tidal wave in Mu Chen's heart. 'That oppressive force was just an aura Profound Old Ghost released unintentionally? Just how powerful is his true strength?' Mu Chen didn't ask. He knew that if Profound Old Ghost wanted to tell him, he wouldn't need to be asked. If he didn't say, it was probably because Mu Chen wasn't yet qualified to know.
"Alright, enough of that. Since you are now my disciple, it's time for this master to get down to business. But before that, there's one thing I must declare," Profound Old Ghost said seriously.
Mu Chen wasn't confused. He knew what "business" Profound Old Ghost was talking about, and his heart filled with anticipation.
"My good disciple, you must remember this. The Extreme Spirit Pearl has now acknowledged you as its master. From this day forward, you must not let anyone know that you possess it—not even your closest family. Otherwise, you will die a very quick death," Profound Old Ghost said with sudden gravity.
"Rest assured, Master. I understand. But what exactly does this Extreme Spirit Pearl do?" Mu Chen was no fool. On the contrary, he was very intelligent, and with the disposition he had honed over the past twelve years, he certainly understood the principle that possessing a treasure is a crime in itself. But he was extremely curious about the Extreme Spirit Pearl. What kind of power did it possess to be called a Chaos Supreme Treasure?
Profound Old Ghost explained, "That is precisely what I'm about to tell you. To be honest, the functions of the Extreme Spirit Pearl itself don't quite reach the level of a Chaos Supreme Treasure. It's actually just a special Storage Space. You know what a Storage Ring is, don't you?"
Mu Chen said, "Of course I do."
"Good. The basic function of the Extreme Spirit Pearl is identical to that of a Storage Ring. However, it is more special. As everyone knows, a Storage Ring cannot store living things. Even medicinal herbs can't be placed inside a Storage Ring without a corresponding container."
Mu Chen nodded.
Profound Old Ghost paused for a moment before continuing, "But the Extreme Spirit Pearl is different. It can store medicinal herbs, and you can even grow them inside it. A Storage Ring can't compare on this point alone. More importantly, as you upgrade it, the Extreme Spirit Pearl can even form an Illusory Mini World."
"An Illusory Mini World?"
"That's right. The first time you spoke with me, you appeared in a vast, empty space. You even said it was hell," Profound Old Ghost chuckled. "That is the internal space of the Extreme Spirit Pearl, it just hasn't been developed yet. Once you develop it into its own world, you'll even be able to put beasts and… humans inside."
"What!?"
…