Chapter 144: Blood as Array Points

"Where is the Second Brother? Didn't they say he is back? Hurry up and take me to see him, quickly!"

"What are you dilly-dallying for? Hurry up! I'm telling you, if you dare to lie, the consequences aren't something a mere tavern waiter can bear!"

"Sigh, there's no need to scare the poor fellow. Let's just go."

A bustling noise echoed through the lobby. Gu Shenyu heard it clearly. He turned his head to look at his master, who was sipping tea with his eyes closed. At this moment, Grandpa Beggar Chicken wore no particular expression on his face, as if he were reminiscing about the wonderful taste of Maojian tea, or as if he had not heard the commotion downstairs at all.

Had Gu Shenyu not been watching closely and caught the subtle movement of Grandpa Beggar Chicken's eyelids, he would have almost thought the old man truly hadn't heard a thing!

Gu Shenyu cocked his ear to listen to the footsteps ascending the stairs. The footsteps were hurried and powerful—there should be five people! Subtracting the waiter who led the way, that left four people. Those four must be Grandpa Beggar Chicken's sworn brothers!

The door was pushed open abruptly, and five figures came into view. Gu Shenyu lowered his head, stood obediently to the side, and decided to keep quiet.

"You... you've finally returned." One white-haired elder looked at Grandpa Beggar Chicken's closed eyes, let out a sigh of relief from the depths of his heart, and spoke with a trace of bitterness.

"Second Brother." The voice carried a hint of weeping. Who said a real man's tears do not fall easily? It is merely because they have not yet reached the depth of sorrow.

Grandpa Beggar Chicken, who had kept his eyes closed all this time, felt his eyelids twitch upon hearing these voices. He was deeply moved. Trembling almost imperceptibly, he opened his eyes, turned around to face his four brothers, and said, "I am back."

Seeing this scene, Gu Shenyu felt an inexplicable stirring. Infected by the atmosphere, his eye sockets inexplicably grew hot. He quickly lowered his head, and by the way, gently guided the leading waiter out of the room, leaving the space entirely to the five brothers.

The ground floor lobby was exceptionally lively. All eyes were cast toward the private room on the second floor where Grandpa Beggar Chicken was. Gu Shenyu found an empty seat and sat down.

The discussions of the guests drifted into his ears. For the first time, Gu Shenyu learned that the seemingly eccentric Grandpa Beggar Chicken—his wonderful master—was actually the Second Master of the Tiger Clan, the once-sensational Tiger Second Master! The very Tiger Family that held sway over the Tiger Clan!

His genius, his pride, his unbridled youth...

So his master had so many stories of his own...

It was unknown how much time had passed. Night had already deepened, and the guests had all dispersed, but the lights in Grandpa Beggar Chicken's private room remained brightly lit. Gu Shenyu did not use his own spiritual power to eavesdrop; besides, he wouldn't have been able to hear anything anyway...

The female proprietor of the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion had already retired with the servants. Gu Shenyu also felt a wave of drowsiness. After all, having traveled day and night over the past few days without much rest, fatigue finally caught up with him, and he slumped against the edge of the table and fell fast asleep.

Gu Shenyu woke up very early the next morning. He stretched lazily and looked up toward that private room. The lights were still on, and because he had awakened so early, the people of the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion had not yet risen.

Finding some water for a simple wash, Gu Shenyu stepped toward the second floor. He figured that a whole night had passed, so their reunion chat should be nearly over by now! Moreover, silhouettes were still flickering under the lamplight, which meant those elders probably hadn't rested yet.

Inside the private room, Grandpa Beggar Chicken looked at his four brothers and smiled. Then, the other four broke into relaxed smiles as well. A night of deep conversation had been enough.

Seeming to remember his unruly young disciple, Grandpa Beggar Chicken looked toward the inner room, but Gu Shenyu's figure was nowhere to be seen. He must have gone downstairs last night.

Gu Shenyu did not deliberately soften his footsteps. Therefore, Grandpa Beggar Chicken, who was already thoroughly familiar with him, instantly knew who was coming. He smiled at his sworn brothers and said, "Ah, right, I brought someone back with me this time. I think you'll be interested."

"Oh? Let me guess, is it the young man from the room yesterday?"

"Big Brother has a fine memory. Brat, come in, I know you're outside," Grandpa Beggar Chicken called out toward the door.

Following the order, Gu Shenyu pushed the door open and stepped inside, bowing respectfully to Grandpa Beggar Chicken: "Good morning, Master. Good morning, Martial Uncles."

Everyone nodded, sizing Gu Shenyu up. Naturally, Gu Shenyu was no simple character either; otherwise, his days spent in the Barren Continent would have been in vain. His gaze was calm, open, and untroubled.

The four elders smiled in approval. Grandpa Beggar Chicken gestured for Gu Shenyu to walk over, and Gu Shenyu naturally acted the part of an obedient and well-behaved disciple.

"Gu Shenyu pays his respects to all Martial Uncles."

"Second Brother, make the introductions."

"This is Gu Shenyu, the unruly brat of a disciple I took in..."

Once Gu Shenyu's identity was introduced, the gazes the four elders directed at him carried profound meaning. Yet Grandpa Beggar Chicken continued to smile with carefree ease, completely unafraid that his sworn brothers might swallow Gu Shenyu whole.

...

Having stayed in the Tiger Clan for a day, Grandpa Beggar Chicken kept his promise with remarkable integrity this time, taking Gu Shenyu to search for his friends. As for what transpired along the way, no one could say for sure, but suffice it to say that Gu Shenyu now carried the title of the Tiger Clan's next patriarch resting upon his head.

Gu Shenyu never imagined in his wildest dreams that Grandpa Beggar Chicken was actually grooming him to be the patriarch. To make matters even more infuriating, Grandpa Beggar Chicken's sworn brothers were all of the exact same mind! Once they gave their approval, they calmly and casually announced the news that he was the next successor.

As it turned out, Grandpa Beggar Chicken's brothers had all been wanting to shed their titles and travel the wider world, and now, lo and behold, someone had arrived to take their place! It was just that this brat wouldn't return to officially take office until half a year later...

"Master, did you plan this all along?" Gu Shenyu wailed toward the heavens.

"Be a good disciple now. Countless people would kill for this position, and look how good Master is to you—I specially snatched this position for you!" Grandpa Beggar Chicken sipped his small cup of wine, smiling mischievously.

Gu Shenyu continued to wail silently. He didn't want it! Yet he had no choice but to take over... Could he really never escape a life of endless toil?

Meanwhile, Yin Su had already gathered intelligence through the latest news from the Phoenix Clan concerning Yin Yao, Ji Xuanyu, and Li Su, and was now hastening toward the White Fox Clan with her objectives in mind.

According to the intelligence, Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu were together, while Li Su had returned to the reclusive Li Family.

As night fell, Yin transformed back into human form and stood beside Li Su. "Li Su, next we must make a trip to the Dragon Clan! The Water Spirit resides within the lineage of the Dragon Clan that commands the waters of the world."

"Hmm, won't that be quite difficult? They certainly won't hand over the Water Spirit easily!" Li Su flipped through the map in his hand, lost in thought.

Yin nodded. "That is a given. The Water Spirit is their precious treasure. We only have one way to obtain it at the fastest possible speed!"

"What way?"

"Steal it."

...

"Mother, where are we going now?" Yin Yao looked up at the sky. Recently, she noticed that her strength was advancing rapidly; even after dark, she could temporarily resume human form. In other words, at certain moments, her physical body existed in both forms simultaneously.

"To the border area closest between the Dragon Clan and our Spirit Fox Clan." Yin Hu's mane of silver hair was exceptionally striking in the dark night. She glanced at the sky, estimating the time. "Alright, Yao'er, you will transform into a fox very soon. Say no more, let us rest here for the night."

The moment she finished speaking, Yin Yao vanished from the spot. A white nine-tailed fox materialized in mid-air, its nine tails swaying gracefully. Ji Xuanyu reached out and caught the nine-tailed fox in his arms. Yin Yao's transformation into the nine-tailed fox was somewhat unexpected.

Holding the nine-tailed fox gently, Ji Xuanyu moved with utmost care. Once transformed into the nine-tailed fox, more than half of Yin Yao's power would be stripped away, leaving her entirely dependent on Ji Xuanyu.

"Senior Silver Fox, are you certain that Senior Mo Qin is located at the border junction between the Dragon Clan and the Spirit Fox Clan?" Ji Xuanyu gazed into the distance, toward the place where Senior Mo Qin was said to be.

Silver Fox nodded. "Yes, Mo said that if a day ever came when everyone lost contact with him, they should head to the boundary between the Dragon Clan and the Spirit Fox Clan. There is a tear in the barrier there, and he used it to create a sealed world where one can only enter and never leave! Had he possessed sufficient time, he could have perfected the barrier and gained freedom of movement in and out. Alas, time was short, so he must have had no choice but to hide inside!"

"Then does Senior Silver Fox know how to break the seal?" The nine-tailed fox in Ji Xuanyu's arms nuzzled against him, prompting Ji Xuanyu to instantly adjust his posture so she could lie more comfortably.

Seeing Ji Xuanyu's tender actions, Silver Fox smiled faintly. "Naturally. The only ones who can break it are myself, Yin Yao, and that yet-unseen child."

"How so?"

"Our blood is the anchor point of the barrier's formation! Because Mo hoped that the one who rescued him would be none other than a direct blood relative carrying my lineage." Silver Fox looked into the distance and shook her head with a smile.

Ji Xuanyu nodded and said nothing more, whereupon Silver Fox closed her eyes as well.

---Note---
This chapter is a bit lengthy, but as we are nearing the conclusion, please understand.
Mili hasn't been able to finish it as quickly as hoped and can only update every two days due to a rather busy schedule. However, barring any accidents, it will conclude this weekend because Mili has accelerated the pace~
Sit back and wait for the ending!