Sword Sovereign of the Celestial Emperor

After some exchanged pleasantries, the members of the Celestial Travel Sect left, leaving only the Chu Family. Chu Ming sat aside, quietly listening to the elders of the Chu Family reporting his current situation.

After hearing the report, Chu Ming's heart was filled with astonishment. He hadn't expected that in just four to five years, the Chu Family had become the number one family in the nearby regions. Moreover, the Chu Family had even established marriage alliances with several neighboring empires. The relationships were complicated, but overall, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

When the other members of the Chu Family had left, only Chu He, Yu Guxue, and the infant Chu Xiaodie remained in the living room with Chu Ming.

"Ming'er, are you planning to stay this time?"

Chu He asked with anticipation as he looked at Chu Ming.

"This time, I plan to stay with the Chu Family permanently!"

Chu Ming gently nodded his head. Although the Chu Family was considered a prominent family in the Celestial Realm, they were still vulnerable against demons. With the continent in chaos, he naturally wanted to protect the Chu Family as much as possible.

"That's good!"

Chu He and Yu Guxue both breathed a sigh of relief. It's natural for parents to worry about a child traveling far away, especially someone as outstanding as Chu Ming. On the surface, he was brilliant and dazzling, but beneath that, there were many who wished for his death.

That night, after having dinner with Chu He and Yu Guxue, Chu Ming followed a maid back to his courtyard.

"I've only just reached the First Layer of the Hidden Dragon Blood Formation Technique. Progressing further will probably get increasingly difficult!"

In his room, Chu Ming felt the vast and terrifying blood energy within his body, silently contemplating.

The Hidden Dragon Blood Formation Technique was indeed a top-tier Secret Technique. Although he had activated all the blood and flesh particles in his body with the help of the Ice Extreme Feather, stepping into the First Layer was only the beginning; he was far from mastering the technique. To continue strengthening his physical body, he would need to refine a large amount of precious items that could replenish his blood energy.

At his current realm, ordinary heavenly materials and earthly treasures were of little use. However, high-tier treasures were too difficult to find, which gave Chu Ming a headache.

With no conclusion from his thoughts, Chu Ming could only continue practicing the Blood Gang Explosion Flame Needle step by step.

For several days, Chu Ming stayed in his room, quietly cultivating. Despite this, news of his return to the Celestial Travel Sect still spread throughout the Celestial Realm and even to neighboring realms. Many Kings of the Life and Death Realm were on the move, hoping to meet Chu Ming.

At the Celestial Travel Sect, within the Celestial Hall.

Originally, with Chu Ming's return, the entire Celestial Travel Sect had a festive atmosphere. However, the Celestial Hall was filled with endless oppression at this moment. More than a dozen high-ranking members of the sect were gathered there.

At the foremost seat, Sect Leader Yan Nanxing had a furrowed brow and remained silent with a solemn expression. Beside him, Grand Elder Kong Qianren had an equally grim look. On the ground in front of them was a withered mummy.

The mummy appeared to have been dead for a long time. Its skin was shriveled, tightly wrapping around the bones. Although its appearance was unrecognizable, from the clothes it wore, one could faintly make out that it belonged to the Celestial Travel Sect.

"What's the result?"

Yan Nanxing's eyes were dark as he asked the Fourth Elder in a low voice.

"Sect Leader, based on my examination, although the corpse is heavily damaged, judging by its physical characteristics and clothing, it should belong to Hall Master Miao of the Law Enforcement Hall. However, the culprit was extremely vicious, extracting all the vital blood from Elder Miao in an instant, a method typical of a Demon Dao master!"

The Fourth Elder adjusted Elder Miao's clothes, took a deep breath, and then relayed his findings.

"Could it be the old figures from the Nine Prisons Demon Sect?"

The face of Grand Elder Kong Qianren was slightly tense as he spoke coldly.

The Nine Prisons Demon Sect was the top demon sect in the Celestial Realm. If anyone were to dare provoke the Celestial Travel Sect, the Nine Prisons Demon Sect would certainly be among them.

"It shouldn't be the Nine Prisons Demon Sect. Little Junior Brother has already returned. Do they dare to kill our people now? The King of Nine Prisons is not that stupid!"

Yan Nanxing sighed and shook his head slightly.

The King of Nine Prisons was the half-step King of the Life and Death Realm behind the Nine Prisons Demon Sect. Had it not been for his existence, the Celestial Travel Sect would have eradicated the Nine Prisons Demon Sect long ago.

Due to Chu Ming's growing fame, even becoming a titled prodigy, the Nine Prisons Demon Sect's activities in the Celestial Realm had diminished significantly, almost fading into obscurity.

"Then who could it be? Elder Miao may only be at the Third Heaven of the Realm of Transcendence, but it would take at least a Seventh Heaven transcendence master to instantly drain all his blood. There are not many such powerful figures in the Celestial Realm!"

Grand Elder Kong Qianren's face turned frosty. Though not particularly fearful due to Chu Ming's top-tier King status, the matter concerned the sect's reputation, and they couldn't afford to be careless.

"What about the disciples sent out to investigate?"

Yan Nanxing continued to inquire indifferently.

"We centered our search around Elder Miao's corpse, scouring thousands of miles without finding any anomalies!"

Reported the Fourth Elder.

Yan Nanxing was at his wits' end. This matter was indeed tricky. If mishandled, it would undoubtedly cause panic in the Celestial Realm.

"Why don't we consult Chu Ming for his opinion?"

Grand Elder Kong Qianren hesitated for a moment before suggesting.

"No!"

Yan Nanxing vehemently opposed, waving his sleeve as he continued, "Little Junior Brother has just returned. This minor matter shouldn't trouble him."

Hearing this, Grand Elder Kong Qianren nodded slightly, agreeing with Yan Nanxing. Unless it was absolutely necessary, they did not want to bother Chu Ming. Relying on him for every issue would make them seem utterly incompetent.

"Dispatch more people to search the entire Celestial Realm, especially the Hanfeng Empire!"

Finally, Yan Nanxing reluctantly ordered.

...

In the blink of an eye, a month passed quickly. The Chu Family became exceptionally lively as many members returned from afar, anticipating the upcoming year-end family competition.

Now, the disciples of the Chu Family were no longer confined to the Celestial Realm; their footprints extended to several neighboring Great Domains.

As for Chu Ming, he was the legendary figure of the Chu Family. The younger generation of the family saw him as their idol and target.

"Chu Ming, the Grand Elder seems to have something important to discuss with you!"

Chu Ming was in seclusion when Chu He's anxious voice came from outside. Knowing it must be something urgent, Chu Ming realized Chu He wouldn't disturb his seclusion otherwise.

Emerging from his seclusion, Chu Ming gently opened the door to find Chu He standing outside.