Chapter Fifty-Seven: In My Hand! (Desperate plea for recommendation tickets! Begging for member clicks!)

Inside the stone chamber.

Zuo Xu and Shi Jian looked on with grave solemnity, their eyes glittering with fierce light as they focused intently on Zuo Shi, whose hand rested in the groove of the tortoise shell.

Zuo Xu, as the head of the Zuo family, was visibly agitated at this moment, his fingers constantly stretching and clenching, his lips twitching occasionally.

Zuo Shi was the future hope of the Zuo family. Whether the family could rise in the future and maintain its prominent standing within the Merchant Alliance was directly tied to Zuo Shi's strength!

If Zuo Shi was strong, the Zuo family could maintain its dominance; if Zuo Shi was weak, the family might well fade into obscurity.

Instances of families rising and falling based on one crucial individual were countless; a family required a powerful figure to maintain its transcendent status.

The very reason Bei Ming Shang had Yin Kui and Jiu Shan flanking Bei Ming Ce constantly was to prevent any mishap befalling Bei Ming Ce before he became truly powerful—the ultimate goal being the future prosperity of the clan.

Shi Yan, however, remained aloof. At this juncture, he was subtly observing Zuo Xu's reaction.

Through the subtle shifts in Zuo Xu's expression, he realized that Zuo Xu truly regarded Zuo Shi as the most precious treasure of the family, and he understood profoundly the importance these elders placed on a future powerhouse.

...

A stream of strange cyan symbols drifted out from the tortoise shell, vanishing into Zuo Shi’s body.

Zuo Shi had long since closed her eyes, her exquisitely beautiful face now overlaid with a faint layer of cyan radiance.

Tiny points of light flickered incessantly on Zuo Shi’s cheeks, resembling living cyan fireflies, transmitting their thoughts directly into her mind.

Zuo Shi’s slender form suddenly trembled slightly, and the cyan light in her palm intensified brilliantly!

Zuo Xu’s expression shifted; he was about to blurt out in alarm, instinctively moving forward to shield Zuo Shi, fearful that some danger might befall her.

“Don’t!”

Shi Yan stepped forward and firmly restrained Zuo Xu, whispering, “It’s alright, Grandpa Zuo, don’t be too tense.”

Zuo Xu paused, glancing at Shi Yan with surprise. “Are you certain nothing will go wrong?”

“Yes, nothing will happen!” Shi Yan nodded with conviction. “These intermittent lights in the tortoise shell should be a form of memory transmission. If I’m guessing correctly, it might be the cultivation method for the 'Xuanwu True Gang,' so please don't worry, Elder Zuo, this is the infusion of memory.”

Shi Yan recalled the situation when he obtained the cultivation method for "Berserk" from the Blood Pattern Ring; the scene had been strikingly similar. Back then, numerous memory light motes had flown out from the ring, directly entering his mind and becoming indelible imprints of knowledge. Having experienced that, he now understood Zuo Shi’s current situation completely.

“Boy, don’t speak carelessly! This matter is extremely serious!” Shi Jian growled, his face stern.

Shi Jian was uncertain; he feared Shi Yan’s rash advice might harm Zuo Shi, and if that happened, the Shi family and the Zuo family might even turn hostile! Since the Zuo family had aligned with Chi Xiao because of Zuo Shi, they now possessed the capital to contend with the Bei Ming family. For the Shi family, having such a steadfast ally as the Zuo family was beneficial in dealing with both the Bei Ming and Mo families. Shi Jian did not wish to antagonize the Zuo family.

“It’s fine, Xiao Shi will definitely be alright. You can rest assured,” Shi Yan said calmly, reassuring Zuo Xu. “Congratulations, Grandpa Zuo, Zuo Shi is sure to gain immensely this time. You can start smiling secretly.”

“You rascal.” Hearing this, Zuo Xu indeed relaxed, chuckling, “If things turn out as you say this time, consider me indebted to you for a huge favor.”

“Grandpa, you really do owe him a favor now.”

Zuo Shi suddenly opened her eyes, pursing her lips into a smile, her expression joyful. “Those strange lights were indeed the cultivation information for the ‘Xuanwu True Gang.’ I now possess the complete cultivation method in my mind.”

“What grade of martial skill is it?” Zuo Xu asked excitedly, nearly jumping up.

Shaking her head, Zuo Shi replied, “I don’t know. I only received the cultivation method for the ‘Xuanwu True Gang’; it didn’t specify the skill’s rank.”

“The text on the tortoise shell is incredibly ancient! This should be a martial skill cultivated by practitioners in the distant past, when cultivation arts didn't have the detailed ranking systems we use now,” Shi Yan explained casually with a smile. “However, martial arts from that era are absolutely far more mysterious than ours. Xiao Shi has struck pure gold this time.”

“Hahahaha!”

Zuo Xu roared with laughter, slapping Shi Yan heartily on the shoulder. “You brat, I look at you and can't help but be pleased! With such a clever young man like you in the Shi family, why would you ever worry about rising up in the future?”

Shi Jian’s eyes lit up. He glanced at Zuo Shi, perhaps remembering something, and his face also broke into a brilliant smile.

“Crack, crack, crack!”

As Zuo Shi withdrew her hand, the tortoise shell suddenly shattered, dispersing into numerous shell fragments. The pieces were extremely thin, shimmering with that peculiar cyan light. One fragment took the shape of a dragon's head, and another displayed the form of a dragon's tail, resembling shoulder guards—truly strange. In the center of the shell fragments now lay three walnut-sized pills, glowing vividly with cyan light. The pills were molded into the likeness of a clumsy dragon-turtle: dragon head, turtle body, vivid and lifelike.

A heart-refreshing medicinal fragrance emanated from the three pills. The aroma was intensely rich; just inhaling a few breaths caused everyone’s spirits to soar.

“These three are the ‘Dragon Turtle Pills,’ specifically formulated to aid in cultivating the ‘Xuanwu True Gang.’ This set of shell pieces is the ‘Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor,’ rumored to possess formidable defensive power,” Zuo Shi said, picking up the three Dragon Turtle Pills without ceremony and tucking them away. “I need the Dragon Turtle Pills to cultivate the Xuanwu True Gang, and three pills should be just enough to help me master it well.”

The joy on Zuo Xu’s face deepened; he clapped his hands and laughed aloud, thrilled beyond measure.

Shi Jian, however, felt a touch of melancholy. He watched Zuo Shi stash all the Dragon Turtle Pills, smacking his lips, unable to hold back his words any longer. He muttered, “Shi Yan the boy did contribute something…”

“Give the Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor to him,” Zuo Shi said, lightly kicking the set of spirit armor lying on the ground with her small foot, wrinkling her cute nose as she smiled slightly. “I have no desire to wear this tortoise shell. It’s too clunky! Whoever wants it can have it.”

“Good!” Shi Jian roared, hurriedly gesturing with his eyes to Shi Yan, urging him to quickly pick up the ‘Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor.’

“This doesn’t seem right? They are a matching set,” Zuo Xu gritted his teeth, looking genuinely pained. Although he favored Shi Yan, he was reluctant to part with the ‘Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor.’

Shi Yan also remained motionless, shaking his head. “I don’t want it. My Shi family’s martial spirit excels in defense; I have no need to encumber myself with such heavy armor.”

“You!” Shi Jian grew angry, stamping his foot. “You don't know what’s good for you!” If you don’t want it, you could give it to someone else? Idiot! Shi Jian cursed inwardly.

“Boy! I like you!” Zuo Xu burst into laughter, winking conspiratorially at Shi Jian. “It’s not that I’m unwilling to give it, but Shi Yan himself refused it. Now you can’t blame me,” he finished, quickly gathering the tortoise shell pieces, his smile regaining its depth.

“Grandpa, if you wear this ‘Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor,’ you’ll look a lot like an old turtle. Why don’t you try it on?” Zuo Shi chuckled playfully.

“Hmm, the girl has a point, Elder Zuo, why don't you try putting it on?” Shi Jian muttered inwardly with glee, enjoying Shi Jian’s predicament.

“Insolent! You wicked girl, what nonsense are you spouting?” Zuo Xu’s face turned green, and he glared fiercely at Zuo Shi. “Keep talking nonsense, and I swear I won’t pick you up from the Cloud Mist Mountain Range next time. I’ll leave you to rot out of boredom at Chi Xiao!”

“Xiao Shi didn't dare,” Zuo Shi replied, sticking out her small, delicate tongue and shrinking back in mock surrender.

“Ahem, old brother, um, that’s about all for now. We should be heading back,” Zuo Xu said with a sweet smile toward Shi Jian. “Rest assured, people from our Zuo family will be keeping watch in the Gloomy Forest area too. If there’s any news of Karu, I will dispatch someone to notify you immediately. Likewise, if you get any news, remember to share it instantly.”

“Of course. Alas, I never imagined that Karu, such a minor figure, could steal Mu Xun’s treasure map. Now that the Misty Pavilion has another portion, whoever can acquire both pieces of the map will find the opening of the ‘Heavenly Gate’ effortless. What a pity…” Shi Jian sighed regretfully.

“Karu?”

Shi Yan frowned, whispering the name softly. After a moment’s thought, he tentatively asked, “That Karu, is he a Rank Five Mortal Alchemist?”

“Oh? You know about Karu?” Zuo Xu asked with curiosity.

“Is he important?” Shi Yan countered, not answering the question directly.

“He himself is not important, but the half of the treasure map on him that points to the ‘Heavenly Gate’ is extremely important!” Zuo Xu exclaimed sharply.

“Karu was killed by me long ago. That half of the treasure map—well, it happens to be in my hand right now.”

“What?!”

Zuo Xu, Shi Jian, and Zuo Shi all widened their eyes simultaneously, crying out in unison.

...

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