C2 – Mysterious Small Cauldron
The warning echoed in Chu Yangxiang’s ears—a tuft of hair still ringing in his mind. His expression darkened. They shared the same ancestors, the same bloodline, yet because his father was not a warrior, he was subjected to their relentless bullying.
“I will have my revenge,” he vowed, his voice firm with resolve. “No one in this world can stop me from becoming a Martial Cultivator, and no one will strip away my determination to ensure my parents have a good life!”
Chu Yangxiang rose to his feet, wincing from the pain that enveloped his body. Their cruelty was evident; otherwise, he wouldn’t have lost consciousness for a whole half-hour before finally coming to.
Observing the sun’s position in the sky, Chu Yangxiang confirmed his suspicions—he had been out for at least thirty minutes. He quickly set about tidying himself up, erasing the marks of his ordeal; the last thing he wanted was to cause his parents any worry.
Not far ahead, he spotted the Xuanwu Spring. Named for the dark stone resembling a tortoise where the water bubbled forth, it was crowned by a stone shaped like a twisted Profound Snake, from whose mouth gushed a stream of crystal-clear water.
The spring was modest, its waters flowing continuously. Chu Yangxiang hastily washed his face and smoothed his disheveled hair, catching his reflection in the water. There, he noticed a black Little Tortoise, no larger than a chicken egg, gazing at him with a kind of kinship.
Chu Yangxiang was instantly fond of the Little Tortoise and reached into the spring to scoop it up. His fingers closed around the creature, its four little claws still wriggling. But as he was about to lift the Little Tortoise out of the water, it vanished from his grasp.
A searing heat surged through his right hand, traveling up his arm and toward his head. “The tortoise is poisonous—it bit me!” Chu Yangxiang exclaimed. But when he inspected his palm, there was no bite mark. Instead, The Small Black Cauldron had appeared, its Tortoise Shell Pattern etched distinctly into his skin.
“How did the Little Tortoise become a tattoo?” he wondered aloud. Chu Yangxiang scratched at his left hand vigorously, threatening to tear the skin on his right palm, yet the color of The Small Black Cauldron remained as vivid as ever.
At that moment, the pain became irrelevant to him.
The Small Black Cauldron appeared to be a genuine tattoo etched onto his right hand.
He found a spot to tidy up his clothes and decided to disregard the tattoo.
But as he turned around, he froze in shock.
Chu Tianwen was standing a short distance away, his gaze fixed on the multitude of wounds marring his son’s body.
Chu Yangxiang exchanged pleasantries with them before stepping into the house.
At the Chu Family Courtyard, Chu Qingyong watched Chu Yuexing, Chu Xiaoxiang, and Chu Tixiang pace back and forth. His complexion was dark and lackluster, a subtle indication that his health was compromised, or perhaps he had been poisoned.
Pointing at the trio, he rebuked, “Look at the fine examples you’ve raised. Today, just as Chu Yangxiang was identified as having a Grade 2 Martial Dao Talent, he was left unconscious by your sons. The incident has spread, bringing shame upon the Chu Family.”
“They are all Chu Family descendants. Before he could even receive support from the family, your sons extorted him. Is this your idea of upbringing?”
“Have them face the wall in contemplation for a month. They’ll be confined to the grounds for the same duration. If not, I assure you, the family will expel them and strip their names from our records.”
“They are all Chu Family descendants.”
Chu Yuexing gave his sons a stern glance, sighing deeply within. He bowed his head and assured, “Father, rest assured, I will deal with these two appropriately.”
As they departed, Chu Qingyong sighed, “With your temperament, how can I entrust the Chu Family to you with confidence?”
A prestigious visitor arrived at Chu Yangxiang’s home.
The guest was none other than Chu Zhongxiang, the Patriarch’s eldest grandson and Chu Yunxing’s firstborn.
Upon entering Chu Yangxiang’s abode, Chu Zhongxiang found it nearly bare. There were only three dilapidated thatched cottages, a broken pot beneath a grapevine, and a pile of kindling.
Inside, he discovered nothing more than two worn beds, a decrepit wardrobe, a battered table, and a few rickety stools.
He was deeply moved and sighed at the sight.
He brought Chu Yangxiang gifts of Healing Pills, Eight Treasures Tackle Paste, medicinal pills for cultivation, and Profound Qi Pills.
“Brother, don’t dwell on today’s events. Chu Xiaoxiang will be confined for a month. Once you become a Martial Cultivator for the family, they will look after your loved ones,” Chu Zhongxiang consoled him.