C17 Earth Spiritual Bead

Chunhong and Xiaocheng knelt before Chu Yangxiang and his companions, their hearts brimming with gratitude. They were afforded the special privilege of visiting home for three days each month, a luxury not extended to any other maid or servant. How could they not be overwhelmed with appreciation for their master's kindness?

"Master, rest assured, we will spare no effort in managing the household well," they promised.

Chu Tianwen offered a gentle smile. "Rise, there's no need for such formality. We're all family here."

Meanwhile, Hu Yewan was at home, overseeing the household.

Chu Yangxiang left his courtyard and made his way to the family's arsenal, which was under the care of the Fourth Elder. Upon seeing Chu Yangxiang, the Fourth Elder burst into laughter. "My boy, you truly astounded me with your performance today."

"Come now, choose any weapon you desire," he invited.

The arsenal was a simple stone structure. Inside, the Fourth Elder lit the oil lamp, casting a warm glow over the array of weapons. Chu Yangxiang surveyed them meticulously, reverently refraining from touching. Each weapon was a precious artifact.

The Fourth Elder chuckled. "Which weapon do you fancy? I'd be happy to make a recommendation."

After a moment's contemplation, the image of an Ancient Halberd surfaced in Chu Yangxiang's mind. "I wish to wield the Ancient Halberd," he declared.

Typically, most people favored sabers and swords, while only battlefield generals opted for spears and the Ancient Halberd.

The Fourth Elder, taken aback by Chu Yangxiang's choice of the Big Halberd, laughed heartily. "Very well, come with me."

They descended into a secret chamber housing over thirty Ancient Halberds. Chu Yangxiang reached out and selected one, its blade etched with scenes of armies in battle.

After examining each halberd, he settled on a dark one that seemed to exude an aura of ancient wilderness.

The head of this dark Big Halberd was adorned with the image of a Profound Snake engulfing the sun. The depiction of the mystical Profound Snake poised to devour the sun was so ferocious it was almost beyond belief.

The entire Big Halberd weighed a hefty seventy-two kilograms and measured two meters in length. As Chu Yangxiang grasped the Big Halberd, he felt an uncanny alignment between his intentions and the weapon itself. It was as if he could sense the Big Halberd trembling in response.

"This is the one," Chu Yangxiang declared with excitement.

The Fourth Elder burst into hearty laughter, "You have a keen eye. This Big Halberd is known as the Swallow Sky Halberd, the very weapon wielded by the first Zhenhai Marquis of our Chu Family. The Swallow Sky Halberd has tasted the blood of innumerable foes on the battlefield. It has lain dormant here for a century."

"The emperor has issued a decree to reinstate our Chu Family's title, perhaps by some divine arrangement. Our ancestor once predicted, 'With the appearance of the Big Halberd, the Chu Family shall rise.' This secret is known only to the six of us. My child, could you be the hero destined to lead our Chu Family to its resurgence?"

The Fourth Elder was brimming with excitement, sensing that all was part of a cosmic design, heralding the imminent revival of the Chu Family.

"You need not visit the Martial Skill Pavilion. Since you've chosen this Big Halberd, you shall cultivate the 'Lord-halberd' technique bequeathed by our ancestors."

With these words, The Fourth Elder cautiously retrieved an ancient tome from a hidden passage in the room. The book was not crafted from paper but from the hide of a Demonic Beast. Its surface was smooth and resilient, exuding a sense of quality. The cover bore the inscription "Lord-halberd."

Opening the book, Chu Yangxiang was struck by a powerful statement: "Those who master the Halberd Skill can dominate the world, unmatched in battle."

Realizing the formidable potential of the Halberd Skill, Chu Yangxiang expressed his gratitude to The Fourth Elder, who had placed the martial technique of the Lord-halberd into his garment.

After bidding The Fourth Elder farewell, Chu Yangxiang was filled with joy. Clutching the Swallow Sky Halberd, he felt a profound connection with the weapon.

What's more, this was the very halberd his ancestor had used to secure his legacy. With it, his forebear had pacified the realm and earned the noble title of Zhenhai Marquis. Now that the halberd had come into his possession, Chu Yangxiang knew it was nothing short of destiny.

The Treasure Room was a modest little house, where The Great Elder stood beaming with joy. It was clear that he was the custodian of this hidden trove.

Upon seeing the Swallow Sky Halberd in Chu Yangxiang's grasp, The Great Elder felt a shiver deep within. The halberd had lain dormant in the storeroom for over a century, and today it had made its grand reappearance. It seemed as though it was destined to emerge.

"The rise of the Big Halberd heralds the prosperity of the Chu Family." The prophecy left by their forebears shimmered in The Great Elder's thoughts. He had never imagined that the day would come when the Swallow Sky Halberd would resurface.

"Enter, and choose but one item from within."

Chu Yangxiang stepped into the Treasure Pavilion, which was a stark contrast to its exterior.

Inside lay warm-scented jade, Profound Crystal Stones, Heavenly Star Stones, and millennia-old ginseng among others. These were the Chu Family's cherished collection, amassed over two centuries, totaling no more than a hundred pieces.

Each item was exquisite, and each was invaluable.

Chu Yangxiang marveled inwardly; he had not anticipated that his family possessed such an array of magnificent items, each one more appealing than the last.

The final piece rested within a Jade Box, crafted from ice jade—valuable in its own right.

He recalled from his studies that ice jade could maintain the essence of treasures. What marvel lay within this one?

Gently, Chu Yangxiang lifted the lid, and a profound aura billowed forth, causing his insides to quiver.

Within the ice jade box lay a terra-cotta-colored bead, from which tendrils of yellow mist ascended.

Chu Yangxiang's hand shook uncontrollably as he reached for the bead. Then, in an instant, the bead vanished from his palm.

Startled, he flipped his hand over to discover a small, dark cauldron radiating black and earthy yellow light, flickering ceaselessly in his palm.

"The Small Cauldron has devoured the bead," Chu Yangxiang thought with a pang of sadness.