[Ding! The Child of Destiny has completely severed ties with his early-stage allies and female lead. Luck Points critical hit. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining 10,000 Luck Points.]
In the clouds above, the system notification echoed in Chu Junge’s mind.
Meanwhile, Chu Bashan’s story had reached its conclusion.
The whole tale was actually very simple—and very cliché.
Several decades ago, not long after Chu Junge was born, the Chu Clan was ambushed. To ensure Chu Junge’s safety, his parents—who are the current Clan Leader and Matriarch of the Chu Clan—were forced to send him away first.
The original plan was simple: defeat the external enemies and then bring Chu Junge back.
But unexpectedly, Chu Junge was taken in by the Sect Master of the Star River Sect, Liu Haitian, making it nearly impossible to locate him again.
If it were just that, it could still be handled—after all, their clan could deduce his whereabouts through divination.
But the real problem lay here.
Liu Haitian had only taken Chu Junge in to use him as a tool. That’s why Chu Junge had been forced to live in the Demon Cave all this time.
Being hidden in a small world, shielded from fate, and with his Imperial bloodline not yet awakened, Chu Junge’s parents had no way of tracking him.
It wasn’t until recently, when Chu Junge activated his bloodline, that the Chu Clan immediately sensed it.
As his parents were still in secluded cultivation, Chu Junge’s Third Uncle—Chu Bashan, the younger brother of his father—volunteered to lead a team to find him.
Cliché?
Absolutely. It was absurdly dramatic—something that could only happen in novels.
What? This is a novel written by a brainless author just trying to write a wish-fulfillment story?
Oh, then it all makes perfect sense now.
“Nephew, it’s not that we didn’t try to find you. The enemies we faced were too strong, and we couldn’t make a big commotion, or they might have discovered you.”
“Your mother—my sister-in-law—cries every day, filled with guilt and grief over losing you.”
“To distract themselves, your parents have stayed in closed-door cultivation all this time.”
“But when your bloodline awakened, the entire clan was shaken. It won’t be long before your father and mother receive the news and emerge. Junge, I hope you won’t hold it against them or the family.”
Chu Bashan spoke with genuine remorse.
“Third Uncle, I understand. Why would I blame them?”
Chu Junge smiled.
Everyone knew this: protagonist clans were full of internal strife and mockery, while villain clans were always united and fiercely protective of their own. Naturally, the Chu Clan was the latter.
In the original novel, the Chu Clan would risk their lives to protect the former version of Chu Junge. Whether it was his parents or the whole clan, they were unconditionally loyal.
Anyone who learned they had this kind of background would laugh even in their dreams. It was a total jackpot!
“Good, good!”
Chu Bashan sighed in relief and clapped his chest with pride. “The family has already investigated everything you’ve been through. Don’t worry—whatever you decide to do, the family will support you.”
“Elder Chen was sent by the clan to follow your command. If anything happens, just give him instructions.”
“Elder Chen helped raise your father and all of us brothers. Treat him with respect. And if you need anything, contact me immediately. I’ll come right away.”
“Once things are settled here, be sure to return to the clan. Everyone’s waiting to welcome you back.”
While speaking, Chu Bashan introduced Elder Chen and handed Chu Junge a clan imprint.
After some thought, he decided that wasn’t enough. So he gave Chu Junge a divine weapon as a gift.
What was a divine weapon?
In this world of fantasy, magic treasures ranked from low to high as follows: Mortal Tool, Profound Tool, Treasure Artifact, Dao Artifact, War Weapon, Divine Weapon, Supreme Heaven-Tier Treasure, and Extreme Dao Imperial Weapon.
In this era—where even the Extreme Dao Imperial Weapons were sealed as guardian relics of top powers—Supreme Heaven-Tier Treasures were rare beyond imagination, and even Divine Weapons were something many Immortal Platform Realm experts had never touched.
This… was the true foundation of the Imperial Clan!
“Thank you, Third Uncle.”
Chu Junge didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted the divine weapon with a smile.
Chu Bashan was clearly pleased. He didn’t like family members being overly formal. Chu Junge’s personality fit his taste perfectly—unlike…
Thinking of a certain younger generation in the family, Chu Bashan frowned slightly, but then relaxed. Now that his elder brother’s son had returned, that other boy had outlived his usefulness and didn’t need further attention.
“Well then, nephew, I’ll take my leave.”
Chu Bashan laughed heartily and vanished as his figure blurred into the void.
“Elder Chen, I’ll be counting on you.”
Chu Junge respectfully bowed to Elder Chen.
“Young Master, you’re too kind. It’s my honor to serve you.”
Elder Chen quickly supported him with a kind smile and said, “Young Master, I discovered something on Li Fan’s body as you asked. He possesses an ancient teleportation talisman—likely something he acquired by chance.”
“If I hadn’t intercepted him earlier, he probably could have used it to break through the barrier. Should I take further action?”
Chu Junge raised an eyebrow at that.
Li Fan had a teleportation talisman?
Of course, novels didn’t always cover such specifics—it was understandable.
As expected of the Child of Destiny, the protagonist aura was truly overpowered. But in the face of absolute strength, that aura meant nothing. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been caught in the first place.
“It’s even better that he has a teleportation talisman. Elder Chen, please mark him with a tracking seal, but make sure he doesn’t notice it.”
“As for the talisman itself, don’t stop him from using it. But… I need you to spread some information…”
Chu Junge calmly revealed his plan.
“Yes, please rest assured, Young Master. I’ll arrange everything accordingly.”
Elder Chen’s eyes lit up with admiration. In his heart, he marveled—this was truly the son of the clan’s heir. Intelligent and ruthless. The younger generation these days really knew how to play the game… even he was impressed.
…
Li Fan was missing!
This news quickly reached the upper ranks of the Star River Sect.
Liu Haitian and the others immediately realized they had been fooled. That bastard had never intended to fight alongside the sect!
“You fool! Look at the man you chose! He sold us out without a second thought!”
Eyes bulging in rage, Liu Haitian slapped Liu Yan’er hard across the face.
Holding her cheek, Liu Yan’er was devastated, her eyes filled with sorrow and a trace of hatred.
Not toward her father, but toward Li Fan… and toward herself.
How blind was she? How could she have fallen for Li Fan?
That ungrateful traitor had abandoned both the sect and her!
“Find him! Find Li Fan! Everything started because of him. Run away? In your dreams! He couldn’t have gotten far. If we’re dying, he’s dying with us! Don’t let him escape!”
Liu Haitian roared furiously.
Just as he finished speaking, a deafening explosion erupted from the entrance of the Demon Cave.
In an instant, monstrous demonic energy surged into the sky. The area above the Star River Sect’s main gate was plunged into darkness. A suffocating aura blanketed the land.
The Demon Race… had broken free from the cave!
“The Demon Race has arrived…”
“We’re finished.”
“The sect is finished…”
“It’s all over…”
“We’re sinners—every one of us!!!”