In another six months, it would be time for the Xuanling Empire's triennial enrollment. Selection teachers would travel to every town to recruit exceptionally gifted young geniuses. Any student recruited by these selection teachers could directly become an official student of the Xuanling Imperial Academy, bypassing the tedious freshman tests and the one-year probationary period. Therefore, every major family in every town placed great importance on this opportunity, and the Mu Family was no exception.
Mu Rongxuan and another youth named Xiao Tian walked out at the same time. Mu Rongxuan still had the air of a dapper gentleman, while the youth named Xiao Tian standing beside him exuded a brawny fierceness. He looked to be fifteen or sixteen years old, but he was a full head taller than Mu Rongxuan, with bulging muscles. He shot Mu Rongxuan a disdainful glance and whispered, "Insidious villain."
Mu Rongxuan completely ignored Mu Xiaotian's words, standing to the side with a modest smile.
This youth was Mu Xiaotian, the only son of Mufeng's eldest brother, Mu Yun. It was somewhat of a shame; back in the day, Mu Gu Tian had three sons: Mu Yun, Mu Yufan, and Mufeng.
For some reason, in this generation, each of the three brothers only had one son. With the exception of the second brother, Mu Yufan, who also had a daughter, the Mu Family's current generation was not particularly large.
Seeing the two walk out, Mu Gu Tian's eyes filled with deep appreciation. He smiled and said, "Not bad. Young Xiao Tian is usually quite diligent. He's already at the Eighth-Ring Martial Disciple level. With a little more training, he should be able to reach the Peak of Eight-Ring Martial Disciple in six months. Rongxuan is quite reassuring. He's already at the Peak of Seven Rings. In six months, he'll be at least an Eighth-Ring Martial Disciple."
The Grand Elder, seated in the first position to Mu Gu Tian's left, also revealed a smile. "Hehe, it seems this year's family competition against the Chen, Li, and Wang Families won't be a repeat of three years ago."
At this mention, the faces of the elders present flushed with excitement. After all, ever since the Mu Family arrived in Luofeng City, although they had managed to squeeze into the ranks of the four great families, they always ended up at the bottom. This made them feel a loss of face whenever they went out, always feeling a head shorter when encountering the other three families. Now that they had two promising talents like Mu Rongxuan and Mu Xiaotian, they were naturally delighted. As a result, they even found Mu Yufan and Mu Yun more pleasing to the eye.
However, when the crowd saw Mufeng, who had a perpetually dark expression, the smiles on their faces instantly vanished. The Second Elder huffed and said no more.
"Ahem! In that case, everyone is dismissed. By the way, Feng'Er, each family needs to send five people on the day of the competition. Have Bing'Er join as well. Although she's not blood-related, she is still a part of our Mu Family. And you two, don't get arrogant or slack off."
"Yes."
Mu Xiaotian and Mu Rongxuan answered in unison. Mufeng, however, merely nodded before turning and leaving the hall directly, leaving a crowd of frowning people behind. The Mu Family's Grand Elder, who had a red mark on his face, snorted coldly, "That boy Mufeng has less and less regard for us old folks."
Mu Gu Tian also felt that Mufeng's actions were indeed inappropriate, so he didn't refute the Grand Elder's words. On the other hand, Mu Yufan and Mu Yun were inwardly delighted to hear this.
Just then, an intense Barbaric Aura suddenly enveloped the Mu Family's main hall. The aura was exceptionally violent, surging wave after wave like a tide crashing onto the shore. Mu Gu Tian's and the three Elders' expressions changed drastically. They all released their Primordial Power to shield Mu Rongxuan and Mu Xiaotian. In just a few breaths, the violent aura vanished completely, as if it had never been there at all.
Mu Gu Tian asked in horror, "What level of expert released that aura?"
Although the three Elders looked grim, they remained relatively calm. The Grand Elder glanced into the distance and said, "There's no need to panic. Judging from the aura just now, that person bears us no ill will. It was most likely some great personage passing through Luofeng City who simply didn't restrain their aura."
Hearing this, everyone relaxed. Indeed, an expert capable of emitting such a terrifying aura could annihilate the current Mu Family without breaking a sweat.
"Yun'Er, Yu Fan, this matter must not be spread, lest you invite disaster. If you go out and hear people discussing it, just tell them it was merely a few of the Elders sparring," Mu Gu Tian said to Mu Yun and Mu Yufan. He knew that powerful experts often had eccentric personalities; a single wrong word could bring about the extermination of their entire family.
"Yes." Mu Yun and Mu Yufan answered and then withdrew, both still shaken.
"Master, what was that just now? HUFF! HUFF!" Mu Chen was panting heavily, his entire body already soaked in sweat. Just a moment ago, Mu Chen had felt a ferocious, baleful aura pinning him down so tightly that he couldn't even move a finger.
Profound Old Ghost let out a ghostly laugh. "My good apprentice, my apologies. I got a little overexcited just now and didn't control my aura."
Profound Old Ghost's words sent massive waves crashing through Mu Chen's heart. That oppressive feeling was just an aura Profound Old Ghost had released unintentionally? Just how powerful was Profound Old Ghost's true strength? Mu Chen didn't ask. He knew that if Profound Old Ghost wanted to tell him, he wouldn't need to. 'If he isn't telling me, perhaps it's because I'm not yet qualified to know.'
"Alright, enough of that. Since you are now my apprentice, it's time for this master to get down to business. Before that, I must state one thing," Profound Old Ghost said seriously.
Mu Chen wasn't confused. He knew what "business" Profound Old Ghost was talking about, and his heart filled with anticipation.
"My good apprentice, remember this: the Extreme Spirit Pearl has now acknowledged you as its master. From this day forward, you must not let anyone know that you possess it, not even your closest relatives. Otherwise, you will die very quickly." Profound Old Ghost suddenly said this with extreme seriousness.
"Rest assured, Master, I understand. But what exactly does this Extreme Spirit Pearl do?" Mu Chen wasn't a fool; on the contrary, he was very intelligent. Combined with the temperament he had honed over twelve years, he naturally understood the principle that a common man is made a criminal by the treasure he carries. But Mu Chen was extremely curious about the Extreme Spirit Pearl. What kind of effects did it possess to be called a Chaos Supreme Treasure?
Profound Old Ghost explained, "That's what I'm about to tell you. To be honest, the Extreme Spirit Pearl's own effects don't quite reach the level of a Chaos Supreme Treasure. It's actually a special kind of storage space. You know about Storage Rings, right?"
Mu Chen said, "Of course I do."
"Good. The Extreme Spirit Pearl's own function is identical to that of a Storage Ring. However, it's a bit more special. As everyone knows, Storage Rings cannot store living things. Even medicinal herbs can't be placed inside a Storage Ring without being put in an appropriate container."
Mu Chen nodded.
Profound Old Ghost paused for a moment before continuing, "But the Extreme Spirit Pearl is different. It can store medicinal herbs, and you can even grow them inside. In this aspect alone, a Storage Ring cannot compare. More importantly, as you upgrade it, the Extreme Spirit Pearl can also create an Illusory Mini World."
"An Illusory Mini World?"
"That's right. The first time you spoke with this master, you appeared in a vast, empty space. You even said it was hell," Profound Old Ghost chuckled. "That is the internal space of the Extreme Spirit Pearl, it just hasn't been developed yet. Once you develop it into its own world, you'll even be able to put beasts and… humans inside."
"What!?"