Previously on Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting with brother's wife and young sister...
The Stone Tribe's appearance led to Great Yu's defeat. Emperor Yu orders more scouts to find the tribes, but they vanish. Meanwhile, Zhan Tian is assigned to the dangerous Blood Cry Realm, where a powerful ancient creature has awakened and the Blood Race is on the offensive. Zhan Tian entrusts his responsibilities to Liu Sheng, fearing he may not survive.
"Is it truly that perilous?" Chen Xuan inquired, settling down and placing a hand on Liu Sheng’s wrist for a pulse check.
"You yourself witnessed it; an Early Ninth Layer cultivator effortlessly dispatched a Peak Eighth Layer opponent as if they were mere vegetables," Liu Sheng responded.
"Even with his utmost effort, the National Preceptor could barely manage to shatter the phantom conjured by that old fellow."
"The disparity between the Early and Middle stages of the Ninth Layer is even more immense!"
"Hiss..." Chen Xuan drew a sharp breath. He had previously discussed the National Preceptor with Liu Sheng, and while not explicitly stated, he understood that the National Preceptor could, at his absolute limit, temporarily unleash strength comparable to an Early Ninth Layer cultivator. However, this came at a considerable cost.
If that were the case, then Zhan Tian was genuinely facing grave danger by venturing into the Blood Cry Realm this time.
"Never mind. You should proceed to the Three Judicial Departments. The Ritual Department has Kang Bai, so there is no need for excessive worry. However, the Three Judicial Departments govern the Great Yu Hundred Mansions; go and lend them your assistance!" Zhan Tian had not explicitly stated this yesterday, but knowing his character, he had such intentions. It was simply that the current circumstances within the Ritual Department made it difficult for him to voice them directly. Even without his direct intervention now, a starved camel is still larger than a horse; with him overseeing the Ritual Department, no major mishaps would occur. Nonetheless, the Three Judicial Departments required a capable leader to oversee them.
Chen Xuan’s cultivation at the Early Eighth Layer was precisely what was needed!
"Understood!" He nodded before departing the room. Prior to proceeding to the Three Judicial Departments, he briefly informed Kang Bai and then left the Ritual Department to make his way there.
Upon his arrival at the Three Judicial Departments.
Wu Yue informed him that Zhan Tian and Xiaoqi were still on the tenth floor of the Library Pavilion. Consequently, the two of them waited by the entrance of the Library Pavilion.
Until noon.
Zhan Tian and Xiaoqi emerged from the entrance of the tenth floor. In the next moment, even Ye Chen, who had been on the ninth floor, came out.
"This spatial distortion..." Chen Xuan immediately detected the instability in the surrounding space; it was no longer as tranquil as it had been previously.
"Zhan Tian has taken the Enlightenment Stone!" At this very instant, a figure darted into his embrace, exclaiming, "Daddy!"
"Hmm!" Chen Xuan replied, patting Xiaoqi's head. "Not bad, not bad! Your realm has stabilized." He was astonished that in such a brief period, his cultivation realm had fully stabilized, clearly indicating the presence of numerous secrets on the tenth floor!
"Why are you here?" Zhan Tian looked at him. "Just in time to accompany me to the Star Hall!"
"Certainly!" Chen Xuan nodded.
At this juncture, Zhan Tian’s gaze shifted to Wu Yue and then to Ye Chen. "While I am away from the Three Judicial Departments, you two must remain vigilant, especially you!" He directed his attention to Ye Chen. "Do not continue to be as indolent as you were before."
"Elder Zhan..." Ye Chen’s heart trembled. Although he was unaware of the specifics, he surmised that a significant event had transpired when the Enlightenment Stone was removed. Coupled with the present circumstances... it felt like final instructions.
"I understand, Elder Zhan. With me here, the Three Judicial Departments will undoubtedly remain secure."
"Hmm!" Zhan Tian was, for once, satisfied with him; at least this affirmation was pleasing to him.
"Let us depart!" The trio then left the premises of the Three Judicial Departments.
On the tenth floor of the Library Pavilion.
"What transpired?" Ye Chen inquired of Wu Yue.
"I do not know; Elder Zhan offered no explanation. However, the situation in the Blood Cry Realm has been dire recently; I suspect something must have occurred there," Wu Yue replied with a serious expression.
"He must be aware, right?"
... In the carriage.
Xiaoqi sat beside Elder Zhan, and despite his young age, he sensed that something was amiss. Zhan Tian gently patted Xiaoqi’s head, a sense of reluctance washing over him. He truly wished to witness his growth with his own eyes, but he was uncertain if fate would permit it.
He then turned to Chen Xuan. "If necessary, oversee matters at the Three Judicial Departments."
"Rest assured, Elder Zhan!" In the subsequent moment, a beam of light emanated from his sea of consciousness, materializing in his hand. "Take this with you!" It was the Profound Yellow Tower!
"Is this not the defensive artifact of the Pang Family? How did it come into your possession?" Chen Xuan chuckled, "Pang Sida, in exchange for my protection of the Pang Family, bestowed this Profound Yellow Tower upon me."
"Its defensive capabilities are exceptionally potent, and its strength increases proportionally with the power of its wielder!"
"The Blood Cry Realm is exceedingly dangerous, Elder Zhan; bringing this along might prove beneficial." One had to admit, the Profound Yellow Tower was indeed the most formidable treasure Chen Xuan had ever encountered.
"Very well!" Zhan Tian accepted. "Then I shall accept this without hesitation; it is truly formidable."
"It is said to have originated from antiquity, and the Pang Family acquired it by chance."
He possessed some knowledge of the Profound Yellow Tower.
Zhan Tian accepted the Profound Yellow Tower and then gazed at him. "Liu Sheng must have informed you that the ancient Blood Race entity has awakened, its power is immense, and my return is uncertain. Should anything happen..."
"Look after the three Judicial Departments well!"
"Regardless, the position of head is temporarily Xiaoqi's, which amounts to being yours."
"In the future, with you and your son in Great Yu, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it would be under your command."
He voiced these words not out of pessimism, but genuine uncertainty. Of course, he wasn't afraid of death, having lived long enough to deem his life already fulfilled.
"Rest assured, Elder Zhan, if the need arises, I will not stand idly by."
Chen Xuan responded calmly.
As for words of comfort, he refrained from speaking them aloud, as even he harbored doubts, rendering such pronouncements futile.
However....
"Elder Zhan, might the Hall Master perform a divination?"
Upon hearing this, Zhan Tian's eyes flickered with hope, only to dim immediately. "Lord Hall Master... never mind!"
After a brief contemplation, he ultimately shook his head.
More than half an hour elapsed.
The trio entered the Star Hall and convened with the Hall Master.
"I apologize for troubling you, Lord Hall Master. I shall entrust Xiaoqi to your care."
Zhan Tian offered a slight bow to the Hall Master. Unlike before, he was now unsure if he would return alive, and his gesture felt more akin to entrusting Xiaoqi to the Hall Master's protection.
"Grandpa Zhan!"
Xiaoqi tilted his head slightly, his expression sorrowful, unaware of the grave event that had transpired. Yet, deep within his heart, a premonition stirred, suggesting they might never meet again.
