“Hei Ming Yuan?”
Hearing the familiar name, Mu Chen froze, licking his lips. He hadn’t expected it to be that place.
Hei Ming Yuan, a notorious, perilous region throughout the Beiling Realm. That place was completely different from the Beiling Plains; at least in the Beiling Plains, exploration teams frequently ventured in for various tasks. But Hei Ming Yuan was an absolute forbidden zone for such teams. Even the bravest exploration teams in the Beiling Realm, gathering their manpower to enter, would find nine out of ten buried in the dark, muddy swamps. The one lucky survivor who managed to return would be utterly terrified, needing an extremely long period of recuperation to recover somewhat. Yet, whenever they heard the name Hei Ming Yuan, they would react as if seeing a ghost, becoming frantic and panicked.
“Entering Hei Ming Yuan won’t be easy.”
Zhou Ye frowned, naturally well aware of Hei Ming Yuan’s fierce reputation. That place was riddled with intricate swamps and endless dangers; even he would struggle to survive if he made the slightest mistake.
“If the target is the Nine Netherbird, no matter how dangerous, it’s worth a try. Moreover, if the Liu Territory gets their hands on the Nine Netherbird, it will be a huge problem for us,” Mu Feng said thoughtfully.
Zhou Ye nodded. The Nine Netherbird was too powerful, too alluring. If it were still in its prime, it was likely that even if all the talents of the Beiling Realm were gathered, no one would dare to harbor designs on it. But now there was news that the Nine Netherbird had failed its evolution and was at its weakest. With the Liu Territory’s ambition, they would certainly not miss this opportunity.
“So, what should we do?” Mu Feng pondered. “First, we send out a few highly skilled individuals to monitor the Liu Territory’s movements. This matter is definitely top secret; otherwise, it will attract the envy of many other factions. Therefore, they won’t act openly, only daring to proceed in secret.”
“Hei Ming Yuan is covered in poisonous mist year-round. It only weakens slightly in mid-summer. The Liu Territory will surely choose that time to make their move,” Zhou Ye added.
Mu Feng agreed. “We must also secretly gather our forces. If the opportunity arises, we will advance. Even if we can’t secure the Nine Netherbird, we must ensure the Liu Territory returns empty-handed!”
Given the animosity between the Mu Territory and the Liu Territory, simply preventing the other side from achieving their goal would be cause for celebration.
“Alright, I’ll take care of that.” Zhou Ye, known for his swift and decisive actions, immediately volunteered, patting his chest, and hurried away without hesitation.
Mu Feng watched Zhou Ye leave, then smiled and patted Mu Chen’s head. “You little rascal, I didn’t expect you to bring your father such a grand gift.”
“Father, when you go to Hei Ming Yuan, take me with you!” Mu Chen smiled, saying resolutely.
“That place is very dangerous, not suitable for you,” Mu Feng said, frowning slightly.
“After all, I’m someone who emerged from the Spiritual Road. Dad, the things there are no less dangerous than Hei Ming Yuan,” Mu Chen smiled lightly.
Mu Feng froze, lost in thought. He then carefully looked at the young man before him. The handsome, youthful face still held a hint of immaturity, but it had already inherited his own resolve and courage. A pang went through his heart; the little boy he had raised with his own hands had grown up so much.
“Since you insist, then come along, but remember not to act rashly.” Mu Feng smiled, feeling immensely proud and happy. His son would surely surpass his father.
Mu Chen nodded slightly, giving Mu Feng a knowing smile. “Also, there’s something else I need you to clear up for me, Dad.”
“What is it?” Mu Feng wondered.
"It's about my body. Ever since I started cultivating the Great Pagoda Art, I've felt as if something is hidden within me. Can you explain it to me a little, Dad?"
Mu Feng paused, then chuckled:
"Is that so?"
Mu Chen continued to stare intently at Mu Feng, knowing his father, the calmer he appeared, the less simple the matter truly was.
"Are you still trying to hide it from me, Dad?"
Mu Feng looked at his stubborn, persistent gaze, his amused smile gradually faded, becoming strained:
"I didn't expect you to realize it so quickly. I thought it would take at least another half a year..."
"I can't really say anything about this, because it was done by your mother."
"Just as I expected, this kind of method is still beyond your current strength, Dad."
Mu Chen wasn't surprised by the answer at all; he merely smiled.
"You brat, looking for a beating, are you!"
Mu Feng's slightly aged, middle-aged face flushed red; he hadn't expected his only son to speak so bluntly, without any regard for him.
"What did Mother do to me?"
Mu Chen feigned ignorance, lowered his head to look at the ground, and, appearing thoughtful, asked with doubt.
"Because you are her son, your body carries her bloodline. The moment you were born, she set up a sealing array within your body. That's also why, for all these years, no one, not even you yourself, has been able to detect the Spiritual Veins within you."
Mu Feng recounted calmly, his expression tinged with reminiscence.
"My Spiritual Veins were sealed? Why?"
Mu Chen was astonished. He had his suspicions, but he never imagined those things were his Spiritual Veins, and sealed by his own mother at that.
"There are two reasons. Although Spiritual Veins can make your cultivation soar like a tiger with wings, your potential far surpasses that of a genius, and they would become an obstacle. To become a true powerhouse, you must possess a temperament befitting your abilities. In today's mortal world, geniuses sprout like mushrooms after rain, but how many can truly stand tall among the heroes?"
Mu Feng gave a faint smile:
"You've also heard of those supreme legends who broke through their shackles, ascending from lower planes into the Great Thousand World. Those people are true powerhouses. Their temperament is unshakable by anything. To become a powerhouse capable of facing them, you need to possess such a temperament."
"And the other reason?"
Mu Chen nodded. He had already known about that issue since participating in the Spiritual Road, and continued to ask, puzzled.
"The other reason..."
Mu Feng sighed sadly:
"If she hadn't sealed your Spiritual Veins, both your paternal and maternal families would have faced great trouble, and you wouldn't have had the chance to grow up so smoothly..."
Mu Chen frowned:
"What does that mean?"
"What needed to be said, your father has said it all, but there are some things you shouldn't know yet. Just remember, your mother did this to protect you and allow you to grow up."
Mu Feng's emotions stirred, and he looked straight at his son.
"Furthermore... you must not act rashly. Your mother paid a great price, so before you have sufficient strength, you must not impulsively break the seal within your body!"
Mu Feng sternly instructed Mu Chen.
"Mother..."
Mu Chen murmured to himself, his hand gently touching his chest. The word 'Mother' filled him with warmth deep in his soul, a gentle, ethereal figure appearing in his mind. Though he had never met her, the feeling of their shared bloodline moved him deeply.
What had happened in his childhood that tore his family apart, leaving a child like him unable to recall his gentle mother's figure...?
"Once you truly step into the ranks of powerhouses, everything will naturally become clear."
Mu Feng patted Mu Chen’s shoulder, saying gently.
"When can the seal in my body be removed?" Mu Chen hesitated for a moment, then asked.
"Haha, removed? Do you think the seal your mother left behind can be so easily broken? ...However, she did leave a key for you. As long as you have enough ability, you’ll be able to unlock it yourself," Mu Feng said with a laugh.
"A key?" A flicker of doubt appeared in Mu Chen’s eyes. "Is it the Great Pagoda Art?"
"Yes," Mu Feng nodded in confirmation. "When your Great Pagoda Art cultivates to the Tower Transformation realm, you should be able to break the seal your mother designed."
"Tower Transformation..." His mouth twitched. He had experienced the difficulty of cultivating the Great Pagoda Art for over a month now, and had only just entered the first realm. To reach Tower Transformation, he truly didn’t know how much longer he would need to cultivate.
"Also, in the coming days, you must learn more about spirit formations. I’ll find a Spirit Formation Master to teach you," Mu Feng said casually.
"Spirit formations?" Mu Chen was taken aback, scratching his head. "I’ve never learned them before! Dad, you want me to become a Spirit Formation Master?"
"Your mother achieved great things in that regard. You’re her son, so how could you not learn even a little? If we meet her again in the future, she’ll blame me for not teaching you well, so try hard and learn." Mu Feng proudly ruffled Mu Chen’s hair, then slowly left the living room, leaving his son grumbling to himself, "How could becoming a Spirit Formation Master be so easy?"
The more he learned about his mother’s formidable abilities, the more he wondered why someone so outstanding would choose his old man...