Groups of soldiers were moving around as they were keeping watch over a large number of tents. Night was approaching fast and the alertness of the soldiers were growing with time.

There was a huge tent pitched in the middle. A signia of three leaves could be seen at the top of it. The passing soldiers were looking at it with reverent eyes.

There were three men who were currently sitting inside the huge tent. The man in the middle had a frown on his face as he was reading a military report.

He shook his head lightly after reading the scroll in his hand.

“First brother, how is it? Is there any lead?”, the man to his left asked.

“It is still a dead end. It seems like Kai Chen doesn’t move his men at that night”, the man in the middle replied. A hint disappointment could be seen in his wise looking eyes.

“What should we do then? We have tried to use everything in our disposal. So that, we can find out the murderor of third brother but it seems like we have failed again”, the man who was sitting at the left corner spoke.

“Fourth brother, why are you not saying anything?”, he looked at the person who was sitting at the right side.

“Big brother, there is no need to be frustrated. Third brother must be avenged but now is not the time. We must strengthen ourselves further”, the person who was sitting at the right, spoke.

“Second brother, fourth brother is right. There is no need to be impatient. We must prepare ourselves. So that, we can avenge third brother even if the culprit is the member of a royal family”, the person in the middle spoke.

“Who is it?”, the man who was sitting in the right suddenly shouted. His gaze moved around as he cautiously observed his surrounding.

“Fourth brother, what happened?”, the person in the middle asked as he also started to survey his surrounding. The person who was sitting in the left didn’t say anything as he took out a battle axe from his waist and turned to look at his surrounding.

“A good seedling, indeed. No wonder you managed to give birth to that kiddo”, Zhan Lin chuckled as he didn’t want to hide anyfurther.

Earlier he had released his aura slightly. So that, he could test the three brothers of Zhan family. It was Zhan Chen’s father who managed to sense his aura first.

“Who are you”, the second uncle of Zhan Chen asked as he tightened his grip on the battle axe. Zhan Chen’s father also placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“Little brats, no need to show such reactions. We all are from Zhan clan. I will never harm the remaining descendants of my Zhan clan”, Zhan Lin spoke as he smiled at the three brothers.

“Senior, may I inquire who are you? Are you related to my Zhan family?”, the eldest uncle of Zhan Chen cautiously looked at Zhan Lin.

Zhan Lin felt a headache when he heard the question of Zhan Chen’s eldest uncle.

“You will learn everything after I bring you over to the Zhan family residence. For now, quickly say your good bye to your subordinates. I don’t want to keep those girls waiting for us”, Zhan Lin spoke in an impatient tone.

Before the eldest uncle of Zhan Chen could say anything, he saw some soldiers being pulled into the tent by an invisible force. “What is going on?”, he murmured as he saw some soldiers being pulled over through air.

“Ok, quickly tell them what you want to speak. I am taking you with me after three minutes”, Zhan Lin spoke. Zhan Chen’s eldest uncle felt his head spin by the sudden turns of event. He took a minute to digest everything. Then, looked towards Zhan Lin again. He couldn’t feel any malicious intention from Zhan Lin. Moreover, as a wise person, he knew his power power was nothing compared to the old man Infront of him. So, he decided to follow along the commands of the old man.

————-

“Chen-er, are you really planning to leave?”, Li Qingzhao asked after they went back to her room. Zhan Chen’s other aunts went over to arrange a family dinner for everyone. She chose to talk with Zhan Chen for a little before joining her sisters.

“Yes mother, I am prepared to leave. I can’t progress my cultivation if I stay in the Redcloud kingdom”, Zhan Chen replied.

“Then, when will you return?”, Li Qingzhao’s eyes misted over as she looked at Zhan Chen. Since giving birth to Zhan Chen, it was the first time Zhan Chen going to leave her side. So, her heart felt slight reluctant about it.

“Mother, I will come back to see you frequently. Moreover, father is also coming back. You will not be lonely even if I leave for a while”, Zhan Chen spoke.

Li Qingzhao blushed a little after she heard Zhan Chen talking about his father.

“How can not I be lonely? Your father loves to move around. If you are thinking about me, then you should give a grandson to me quickly”, Li Qingzhao spoke as she stared at Zhan Chen. Zhan Chen chuckled but didn’t say anything.

“How is Ruyan? Is she okay?”, Li Qingzhao asked.

She is busy in managing her Firecloud treasure pavilion”, Zhan Chen replied.

“Ask her to visit me. She can’t hide from me just because you two become lovers”, Li Qingzhao spoke.

“I will ask her then”, Zhan Chen replied. 

“Mother, how is your cultivation going? I have never found a suitable time to ask you about it”, Zhan Chen looked towards his mother. Now that he was leaving, he was planning to help her mother in her cultivation path.

“My cultivation? I am at fourth stage of True essence realm”, Li Qingzhao replied.

“Mother, your talent is decent enough. You are progressing slowly only because of the thin heaven and earth energy”, Zhan Chen spoke.

“What grade is your cultivation technique? Can I take a look at it?”, Zhan Chen asked.

“It is a peak stage Profound grade cultivation manual. I don’t mind if you take a look at it”, Li Qingzhao spoke as she took out a cultivation manual from a secret place of her room.

“Chen-er, I have never given it to you because this manual is of water attribute”, Li Qingzhao spoke.

“Mother, no need to explain. I just felt curious to see your cultivation manual”, Zhan Chen replied as he picked up the thin book.

‘Seven springs manual’, Zhan Chen took a look at its front page. Then started to turn the pages. The content of the manual was extremely easy to understand. Zhan Chen took less than five minutes to memorize the entire manual.

“Fourth sister, what are you doing?”, the voice of the third aunt of Zhan Chen came.

“Chen-er, keep this manual with you. You can give it to me after reading it properly”, Li Qingzhao spoke as she went outside of her room. Zhan Chen’s third was waiting outside of her room. Both of them left towards outside after Li Qingzhao came over.

My understanding of water element was not good but it was still good enough to modify this manual. I can present a earth stage manual to her before leaving. Later I will find a heaven stage manual for her”, Zhan Chen thought to himself.

“Let’s check my spiritual cultivation while I am free”, Zhan Chen murmured and sat crosslegged inside the room of his mother. He closed his eyes and his consciousness submerged inside his mental world.

His mental world was no more barren like before. There were illusory spiritual drops which had gathered to create a puddle. 

“Let’s see, if I can use a mental attack now”, Zhan Chen thought to himself. With a thought of his mind, his spiritual energy turned into a spear like shape. Zhan Chen nodded his head in satisfaction after seeing the materialization of his spiritual energy. 

He kept doing experiment with his spiritual energy. He withdrew from his mental world after he noticed a powerful aura through his soul consciousness.

Zhan Chen’s aunts also felt the approaching aura of Zhan Lin. An excited look appeared in their eyes as they gathered in a place to welcome them.

“Ok, little brats. You can ask your wives whatever the question you wanted to ask. You only have one night to relax. I will watch over your cultivation from tomorrow”, Zhan Lin spoke and vanished from the sight.

“How is it possible? We have arrived at our Zhan family estate?”, the eldest uncle of Zhan Chen murmured with a dumbfounded look.

A little time has passed since they have left with the mysterious expert. But now they are already at their residence. Zhan Chen’s eldest uncle became stunned for a moment. But his expression changed quickly after he saw his wife looking at him with teary eyes.

“Ranqing”, he called out and quickly went towards her.

“Ranqing, it has been hard on you”, Zhan Chen’s eldest uncle spoke after wiping the tear drops from his wife’s face.

Zhan Chen’s second aunt was different. She resisted her tear stubbornly but her tear drops came out unceasingly after Zhan Chen’s second uncle leaned her towards him.

Li Qingzhao’s eyes were also misty as she didn’t resist the hug from Zhan Chen’s father.

“Zhan Long, what are you doing? Chen-er is watching from the side”, Li Qingzhao blushed as she freed herself from Zhan Long’s embrace.

Zhan Long didn’t seem to be ashamed at all as he looked towards Zhan Chen.

“Little brat, how are you doing?”, he smiled towards Zhan Chen.

“Father”, Zhan Chen bowed slightly after seeing his father smiling towards him. 

“Little brat, you seems to have become more cheeky after I have left”, Zhan Long chuckled after Zhan Chen bowed towards him.

Where is your manners? Bow to your uncles”, Zhan Long chided Zhan Chen.

“They are too busy to notice me”, Zhan Chen chuckled as he threw a glance at his eldest uncle and second uncle.

“Chen-er, don’t be impudent. How can you talk to your seniors like this?”, Li Qingzhao chided from the side.

“Sister Qingzhao, how have you been?”, Zhan Chen’s eldest uncle asked to Li Qingzhao. Li Qingzhao hurriedly bowed her head as she noticed Zhan Huan’s gaze towards her.

“Sister Qingzhao is as formal as ever”, Zhan Huan chuckled. His gaze shifted towards Zhan Chen as he smiled towards him.

“Little Chen, how have you been? Forgive your uncle for not attaining your coming of age ceremony”, Zhan Huan looked towards Zhan Chen.

“Uncle, it is no big deal. You should be more worried about the anger of big sis”, Zhan Chen smiled.

“Greetings, second uncle”, Zhan Chen bowed his head towards Zhan Fan. Zhan Fan was the father of Zhan Qingyue and the strictest amongst his uncles. 

Zhan Fan didn’t reply to him as he scanned Zhan Chen throughly with his hawk like eyes. A hint of astonishment appeared in his eyes after he observed Zhan Chen.

“Little Chen, you have changed. Looks like you have successfully managed to cultivate again”, Zhan Fan commented.

Everyone moved towards the dining hall which was not used since the three brothers had left for the war. The hall was wide as everyone took a seat in the grand hall.

“If it is possible I would like to see mother here”, Zhan Long murmured. His voice could not reach others ears but Zhan Chen could hear it as he was sitting next to his father.

“Father, no need to worry.. I will find a cure for grand mother before leaving for the Grand sect competition”, Zhan Chen spoke.