Chu Chen shot a cold glance at Luo Qianyun, then raised his head to look at Luo Changhe.
"I heard you wanted to cripple my dantian?"
Luo Changhe's expression flickered. He let out a cold snort, "Chen'er, since you're back.
Then this matter is settled between us!
I won't pursue it any further!"
His sudden change in attitude stunned the Luo Qian Yue sisters.
Chu Chen scoffed, "My life was given to me by my mother. Do you want to take it back? Did you ask my mother's permission?"
"Insolent! I am the Patriarch of the Luo Clan. How dare you question my decision?"
Luo Changhe roared, "Chu Chen, you are nothing but a bastard. What right do you have to question my words?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Chen's expression changed, and the hatred in his heart erupted completely.
"Hahaha, did you hear that? My father wants to cripple this bastard!"
Luo Qianyun laughed gleefully.
"Enough! Shut up!" Luo Changhe bellowed.
"Chu Chen, I don't want to create more bloodshed. As long as you leave immediately and depart from the Luo family forever.
I promise I won't pursue this matter, nor will I hold grudges against the Luo family. How about it?"
Chu Chen remained silent for a moment, then slowly uttered a few words: "I'm not leaving. I won't leave this place."
This was his mother's only dying wish, and he would protect the Luo Mansion even if it meant being shattered to pieces.
...
Time passed, and Chu Chen began his new trial.
This trial was rated at an eight-star danger level, but the difficulty still couldn't stop his progress.
Three months later, Chu Chen finally completed the trial mission and successfully advanced to become a second-grade alchemist!
And at this very moment, a piece of news had already spread throughout the outside world.
Chu Chen was expelled from the Luo family for colluding with the Demonic Sect and harming his kin!
The Great Elder of the Chu family acted swiftly and announced the matter to the public!
Chu Chen became a stray dog, fleeing in disgrace!
...
One day, the sun was shining brightly.
In the Chu family's training grounds, there was a commotion.
The Chu Clan held a sacrificial ceremony to celebrate Chu Chen's departure.
At this moment, Chu Chen stood in front of the plaza of the Chu Clan Ancestral Hall.
He wore coarse linen clothes, his figure was thin, but his back was as straight as a spear.
His pair of deep, dark eyes held endless coldness and murderous intent.
Over the years, he had been hiding in the shadows, silently observing the Chu family.
The Chu family's actions made him feel like a stranger.
They were cruel and overbearing, cold-blooded and bloodthirsty, showing no mercy to their enemies, and even relentlessly pursuing their own people.
If it weren't for his good luck and encountering a benefactor of the Chu family, he would have long since died in the desolate mountains.
"For all these years, the Chu family has neglected us siblings. I truly feel wronged for Mother."
Luo Qianyu murmured, a mist forming in her beautiful eyes.
Beside her stood a handsome young man, dressed in blue, with a silver saber at his waist.
His eyes were deep and sharp, as if containing myriad stars sinking within them.
"Chu Chen."
Qian Yue looked at him and said with concern.
"I'm back."
Four simple words, filled with longing.
Qian Xue pursed her red lips, a pang of pain in her heart, tears welling up.
She couldn't help but recall the year Chu Chen left. Chu Chen was only seven years old, his young face etched with determination.
"Sister, I'm back."
The young man grinned at his sister, his face beaming with a radiant smile.
"I won't leave again."
"Good."
Chu Chen and Qian Yue held hands and walked towards the high platform of the altar.
"Bow to the ancestors."
Qian Yu reminded them softly, then knelt down with Qian Xue.
"Bang."
The young man bent his knees and kowtowed respectfully.
He knew that within this stone statue was buried the remains of his mother.
Although he didn't know his mother's true identity.
This stone statue was personally chosen by his father, so there must be a reason for it.
"Rise."
A gentle and melodious female voice entered their minds.
Qian Yu was stunned.
It was Mother's voice! Mother had come back to life!
"Mother!"
Luo Qianyu excitedly threw herself into her mother's arms and wept.
Qian Xue also hugged her mother's neck with excitement.
The two sisters wept tears of joy.
They had waited for too long, for this day, for a full five years!
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Qian Xue stopped crying. She wiped away her tears and looked up at the altar.
"Huh?"
"Why do I feel that the sculpture looks a bit strange?"
Qian Xue frowned. She carefully examined the stone statue and discovered something peculiar.
Qian Yu also looked up and saw a strange expression on the statue's face.
She couldn't help but ask suspiciously, "Does the face of this statue... look like it's smiling?"
Chu Chen looked at the faint smile on the statue's face and his heart trembled.
This statue was clearly his mother's!
But why would this statue's face show a smile? Was it his imagination?
"Miss, this statue is so strange, it can actually show human-like expressions!"
The maid Qiu Yu leaned over and muttered.
At this moment, Qian Xue seemed to have thought of something, her face turning pale.
Qiu Yu was frightened and quickly supported her young lady.
She asked with concern, "Miss, what's wrong?"
"No, this is not an illusion, it's definitely not an illusion!"
Qian Xue gritted her teeth, tears welling up in her eyes. She forcefully pushed Qiu Yu away.
Rumble!
The entire stone statue rumbled and vibrated!
A powerful pressure descended, sweeping across the entire venue.
"Thump."
To everyone's shocked gaze, the stone statue opened its eyes, which were as scarlet as a demon's.
In an instant, the sky and earth seemed to crack.
The hundreds of guests present, including many experts at the Innate realm.
Were all forced back by this powerful pressure!
"Hiss! So terrifying!" Everyone's hearts pounded.
A stone statue actually possessed such pressure!
This was no ordinary object!
"Run!"
Everyone shouted in panic and retreated rapidly.
This stone statue seemed to have awakened!
It was clad in armor, exuding a chilling killing intent, and launched a punch.
Chu Chen's expression changed drastically.
The attack of this stone statue was something even the peak Innate realm couldn't resist!
Boom!
The air exploded, like thunder in a clear sky.
This stone statue was simply too terrifying.
With its physical strength alone, it possessed combat power exceeding that of an ordinary half-step King.
More importantly, it not only had terrifying combat power but also possessed intelligence!
"Roar!"
A roar echoed like muffled thunder!
The stone statue's entire body erupted with blazing golden light, like a sun!
"Dong dong dong!"
The void trembled as it took steps, like a great bell striking the soul!
"Crack!"
The ground cracked and shattered inch by inch.
"Puchi!"
Under the stone statue's onslaught, an Innate realm guard had his abdomen pierced, screaming as he was sent flying!
At the same time, the stone statue swung its iron fists, ferociously smashing down, creating a gust of wind that tore through the air!
"Not good! Quickly save them!"
"Quick, stop him!"
"Damn it, what is going on?"
Many martial artists were enraged and charged forward.
However, the highest cultivation among them was only at the ninth level of the Acquired realm. Facing a stone statue of a King-level fierce beast, they were no match.
"Boom boom boom!"
With earth-shattering roars.
Chu Chen watched helplessly as several guards were blown apart by the stone statue, leaving no ashes behind, their blood splattering the ground.
At this point, the guests also reacted. They unleashed secret techniques and attacked with various spiritual artifacts and swords.