Vol. 1 - Ch. 143 - Investigation

Words : 1169 Updated : Oct 8th, 2025

"We can seek help from the Divine Tree." Chen Changming’s reminder echoed in his ears, but Chen Xingzhen’s expression showed no joy, only doubt. "Even with the Divine Tree’s aid, I fear Qingyu’s cultivation won’t improve by much." The Divine Tree’s power was potent, but its granted time was fleeting, and the clan's offerings were meager. Last time, during their mountain expedition, it had taken both the Locust Leaf and the Five Viscera Ascension Technique just to push Chen Qingyu into the mid-stage of the Innate Realm. Given the clan’s current situation, a single mid-stage Innate cultivator was far from enough to make the four great clans wary. Chen Changming smiled again. "The Divine Tree’s power is unpredictable. Before I came, it had already given a sign." Hearing this, a trace of joy flickered across Chen Xingzhen’s face. Selling the Blood Rice was meant as a test, yet the four great clans reacted faster and more aggressively than he had anticipated. With the Divine Tree’s aid, perhaps the situation could change. … The next day, not far from the clan’s fertile fields, a man in black stood atop a hill, surveying the scene below. The farmers toiling in the fields remained oblivious to his presence. "So, this is the place." Xie Yanwu muttered under his breath, a cold smile curling at his lips. In just half a day, he had thoroughly investigated the Chaotic Burial Mountain and the so-called Chen Clan, successfully pinpointing the location of the Blood Rice plantation. His eyes swept across the fields, locking onto the red-hued soil. As an Innate Realm cultivator of his clan, he had traveled far, read extensively, and acquired knowledge beyond the grasp of common warriors. The anomaly in this land bore an uncanny resemblance—at least eighty percent—to the Natural Blood Springs recorded in his clan’s ancient texts. So that’s the reason the Chen Clan possesses Blood Rice. Sёarch* The nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without hesitation, Xie Yanwu turned toward the direction of the Chen Clan’s residence. Now that the situation was clear, it was time to assess their strength. Just as he was about to leave, his brow furrowed. A familiar figure emerged from the opposite side—Shi Potian of the Shi clan, who had come along with him. Noticing Xie Yanwu’s gaze, Shi Potian gave a faint smile as a greeting. But Xie Yanwu’s expression remained unreadable as he swiftly departed. He was fast, but the other three clans weren’t slow either. Shi Potian had found this place, which meant the other two wouldn’t be far behind. Speed was everything. A single step ahead could secure a greater advantage for his clan. He needed to probe the Chen Clan’s strength as quickly as possible and relay the information home before the others could act. … As night fell, the Chen Clan was bathed in peace. Laughter and chatter occasionally drifted beyond the walls. In the shadows, Xie Yanwu gazed at the Chen residence but made no move to enter. Instead, he retrieved a pristine white feather from his sleeve. He clasped the feather between his palms in a prayer-like gesture and murmured, "Xie Yanwu of the clan, I beseech the totem’s aid." A faint glow flickered across the feather. In the next instant, Xie Yanwu underwent a profound transformation. Though his body remained motionless, his presence dissolved into the surroundings, seamless and undetectable. This was the power of his clan’s totem. Though he was only at the mid-stage of the Innate Realm, this ability allowed him to momentarily experience the 'Innate State'—a perception only accessible to those at the peak of the realm. His senses sharpened tenfold. Without stepping foot inside, he could still unravel the Chen Clan’s secrets. His awareness expanded, turning almost tangible. His gaze pierced walls as though they didn’t exist, revealing the depths of the Chen Clan’s stronghold. He scanned the warriors within, easily discerning their cultivation levels through the flow of their blood and qi. The ‘Innate State’ wouldn’t last long, so his eyes swept swiftly across the compound. Then, he saw it—only one early-stage Innate cultivator. A faint, contemptuous smile tugged at his lips. With such meager strength, they dare claim ownership of a Natural Blood Spring? How laughable. His gaze shifted to the Chen Clan’s ancestral hall. "Hm?" A flicker of something unseen stirred within the hall, catching his attention. Surprise crossed his face. Could such a minor clan truly possess a spiritual totem? Good thing I was cautious, he thought. Had he recklessly barged in, who knows what might have happened? But now, he would see for himself—what kind of totem did the Chen Clan possess? His vision pushed past the ancestral hall’s walls. A locust tree, no more than a few meters tall, stood shrouded in darkness. Its branches were thick and healthy, though nothing remarkable. Yet around it, something unseen pulsed. Xie Yanwu frowned. He was just about to probe deeper when a brilliant light erupted from the tree. A searing force crashed into his mind, shattering his perception. His consciousness reeled, the ‘Innate State’ unraveling instantly. "Argh! Damn it!" Outside the Chen Clan’s walls, Xie Yanwu staggered back, blood seeping from his eyes. His aura plummeted. Not daring to linger, he leapt away, vanishing into the night. On the opposite hill, the remaining three envoys—watching from afar—were stunned. They had arrived late, but their intentions were the same: assess the Chen Clan’s strength and report back. They had never expected to witness such a scene. Shock flickered across their faces. What did Xie Yanwu see? Could it be that the Chen Clan truly had an expert among them? Though curiosity burned within them, even they weren’t reckless enough to step where a mid-stage Innate cultivator had failed. A wave of relief washed over them. Had they arrived earlier, it could’ve been them suffering Xie Yanwu’s fate. Still, they were unwilling to leave empty-handed. After a moment of hesitation, Shen He spoke first. "Brother Shi, Brother Gan, why don’t we cooperate?" "Exactly my thought!" "Agreed. Let’s see what you’ve got, Brother Shen." They dared not act alone, but together, they might stand a chance. As prominent clans of Yong’an City, they too possessed clan totems. The power of a totem was extraordinary, though each had its own strengths. And the Shen clan’s totem was uniquely suited for situations like this. "Alright. Please guard me while I work." "Understood." "Don’t worry, Brother Shen." With their assurances, Shen He felt emboldened. He carefully retrieved a small wooden box from his robe. Inside lay a delicate wooden hairpin, its end carved into the shape of a bird. Hello readers! Read up to 12 advance chapters by joining us on Patreon! Support us and read ahead[Join Patreon]Enjoying the story? Help more readers discover it by leaving a rating and reviews on NovelUpdate! Every review counts. [Rate on NovelUpdate]Thanks for your support and happy reading!

Vol. 1 - Ch. 143 - Investigation

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