Who is spreading rumors that my filial piety towards them has changed?

Chu Mingkong left the Immortal Treasure Pavilion and picked up some souvenirs from Qingse to take back to the little girl. He originally planned to have Qingse go with him to see the little girl, but Qingse was probably really afraid that the little girl would ask her questions like "What do you do, sister?" which would be too hurtful.

For the time being, she only asked Chu Mingkong to deliver the gifts and greetings on her behalf. When she successfully retired from her business and separated her assets smoothly, she could explain to others that she had a well-known name and claimed that she sold medicinal herbs and rare treasures. She might have a side business, but this was her real business!

Chu Mingkong didn't bother to make things difficult for her, so he grabbed the food and left.

"Qingse has arrived, so there's no time to delay the departure. We should get back and start preparing to set off."

The trip is now confirmed for half a month, which is much better than the uncertain situation when we went to the Crescent Kingdom before.

But deciding who to take is also a problem. It's hard to predict what might happen if there are too many people, and it's certainly not as convenient for him to act as it is for a small group of people.

Since it was such a rare and grand event, Chu Mingkong really wanted to bring his family along to join in the fun.

Return to Qingxin Mansion.

Chu Mingkong released his senses to detect the atmosphere in the mansion and found that the women were all playing with the two little ones in the front hall.

This was a rather rare sight; it was the first time so many people had gathered together to be with them since Yuehe Maomao's moon-viewing welcome party.

A group of beautiful women sat in the living room, their bodies exuding fragrances, each with its own unique scent. It was as if one were in a spring flower garden, where the flowers were in full bloom, each displaying its own unique beauty, and one could not help but be captivated by their fragrances.

Each of them possessed unique beauty and charm, but their facial expressions were similar, even synchronized, as they all wore kind, maternal smiles as they watched the two exquisitely beautiful little girls play and frolic.

Although their expressions were understandable, their expressions were too similar, which made Chu Mingkong, who arrived at the front hall later, find it quite comical.

I admired their reactions for most of the day. When the little ones got tired of playing, they came over to their dad when he arrived, seeking a hug from this strong man.

"People outside are saying how fierce you are, Mingkong. But because you're so low-key, many people in Xiling don't know the truth. As a result, the two little girls aren't afraid at all. They cling to you whenever they see you. I'm so envious. I've barely even held them a few times!" Zhong Feihuang was as feisty as ever.

This side of him hasn't been shown for quite some time.

Firstly, having just arrived in Xiling, she was unfamiliar with the place and its people, so she naturally restrained herself. Being outspoken and bold is part of her personality, but if she didn't know how to behave appropriately, she would be foolish. Secondly, she felt guilty. After all, she had that kind of illicit relationship with Chu Mingkong, and with a guilty conscience, and surrounded by former empresses and princesses, she didn't dare to raise her voice.

However, after adapting for so long, I've somewhat rediscovered my "true nature."

Ke Qing was still slightly inferior, giving her a reproachful look and muttering to herself how dare she speak so recklessly!

Zhong Feihuang's words just now implied that she hadn't held the little girl many times, but did she mean that Chu Mingkong was too busy taking care of his daughter and hadn't held her much?

Regardless of the true meaning of those words, Chu Mingkong understood some of it, even if he didn't actually mean it, he could take it as if it did.

He held his daughters' chubby little hands and said happily:

"Let me hold the cat and the darling a little longer, then I'll share the little girls with you all and give them some pampering~ By the way, what day is it today? Why are so many people here looking at the little girls?"

When there are many people, apart from Xiao Yunhan, whose situation is rather special, Yongzhen and Shangguan Rong are the two girls who are the most aloof and taciturn.

She often sits quietly to the side, watching people around her talk, but rarely says a word. The two women also have different aloofness; Yongzhen is an arrogant princess with pride etched into her bones, while Shangguan Rong is an overly knowledgeable and meticulous girl.

But one thing is certain: they are all well-intentioned towards the people around Xiling now; it's just their personality. Even so, the two girls spoke up for them.

"I heard that Maomao and Jiao'er were crying and restless at night. After learning about it this morning, they came to visit the little girls. Fortunately, everything is alright." Yongzhen was truly relieved for the two little ones. Her beautiful face was without makeup, and the faint smile hidden deep in her eyes carried a hint of sweetness.

"Well, I originally came to visit and keep Maomao and Jiao'er company, but seeing them playing so quietly and happily, I unconsciously sat down to watch them play. When I came to my senses, everyone was already seated in the front hall."

Shangguan Rong smiled happily at the little girls, her smile as pure and beautiful as a lotus emerging from water. Even though she was always insistent on the girls' upbringing, she hadn't been disliked by them yet, largely thanks to her pretty face.

Children are even more obsessed with appearances than adults. They don't care about inner beauty or anything like that. If someone looks fierce, they won't dare to get close to them.

Even the two who were usually the quietest started talking, and the rest of the group inevitably engaged in a discussion.

Chu Mingkong originally wanted to talk about the arrangements for the next two weeks of travel, but seeing the atmosphere, he was too embarrassed to bring it up, lest he spoil the mood.

He took out the two immortal crabs he had snatched from Cai Qingse. They were fed with medicinal herbs that were at least half a hundred years old, and the crabs that grew out of them were as big as washbasins, making them extremely valuable.

At this price point, it definitely deserves to be called a "generous gift crab".

"This was given to you by a lady from the Immortal Treasure Pavilion. We'll have someone prepare an extra meal for you later." Chu Mingkong let the hairy crabs out for a spin.

The little foodie cat has already developed an instinct for eating; it's already drooling.

Jiao'er's mirage form seemed to have a restraint on these aquatic creatures. The two crabs, which were slightly intelligent, even bared their teeth and claws a few times when they heard that they were about to be eaten. However, after being glared at by Jiao'er's "fierce" round eyes, they immediately pretended to be dead and flipped over.

Chu Mingkong decided not to take up any more of the young lady's time. Since it wasn't convenient to discuss the topic for the time being, he decided to go and check on the situation at the Wei family's place first. He would discuss the "business trip" privately later when the women had "disbanded."

"Here, I'll pass this around to you. I'm going to check on Qingning."

Chu Mingkong "separated" the cat and the girl from the group, and joked with them:

"You two need to be more careful and not let one person hold you for too long. Let your aunties and sisters take turns holding you, okay?"

Yongzhen stared at Chu Mingkong expressionlessly and retorted ruthlessly:

"Don't learn to be chaste from your father, or you'll go astray."

Hey, you're in front of your daughter, have some self-respect!

Princess, could you please tone down your aggression...?

Chu Mingkong shrank back sheepishly and left Qingxin Mansion to check on the situation at the Wei family's place.

----------

A large open space was cleared near where the Wei family and Xiling soldiers had originally camped, with vegetation removed and potholes left from the fighting filled in.

On this flat open space, many animal bone totems were placed, forming a circle around the altar. Blackened grass ropes were hung on the totems, woven into the shape of bells. Pools of animal blood were splattered on the ground, the bloodstains glaring and the marks jarring.

The luminous mirage pearl, placed in the center of the sacrificial site, mysteriously floated up, while the golden light it had emitted upon detecting the treasure earlier dimmed and faded.

When Chu Mingkong arrived, the treasure-hunting ceremony using the Night-Shining Mirage Pearl had already begun. Wei Qingning did not join in to protect the ceremony, but instead observed from the sidelines.

He leaned closer and whispered, "Qingning, are the materials needed for this ceremony ready so quickly?"

Wei Qingning glanced at Chu Mingkong's side, thinking he would bring the little girl with him. She was even thinking of holding the two little girls, but it was rare to see her brother's side empty.

She replied, “Because many traditions were abolished by our ancestors, the remaining rituals have long been studied by the elders in search of irreplaceable materials, so most of the materials for many rituals are already prepared.”

It's good that it can start sooner... Chu Mingkong nodded: "How is the ceremony going?"

The girl watched the ceremony intently, a little unsure: "This time it went fairly smoothly..."

Chu Mingkong was taken aback: "This time?"

"Yes, we've failed twice before, but the Night-Shining Mirage Pearl wasn't damaged. This time, we've changed the ritual."

Suddenly, the bell woven from straw rope began to shake without wind, even producing a clear and melodious sound. The pools of blood on the ground twitched, transforming into countless fine threads that spread, climbed, and adhered to the luminous mirage pearl, dividing its smooth surface into many irregular "grids."

Subsequently, the luminous mirage pearl, which was radiating golden light, began to dim in some areas, and the golden light on some of the "grids" went out, with more and more of them fading away.

"This is... to help the Night-Shining Mirage Pearl pinpoint its exact location?" Chu Mingkong guessed.

"Yes, there should be some bloodline talents among the Mirage Dragons who can use the Night-Shining Mirage Pearl. Unfortunately, even if we obtain that kind of technique, we can't use it. Jiao'er is also a bit young. This ritual is to make the Night-Shining Mirage Pearl reveal the location of the treasure more specifically."

The "grids" of the luminous mirage pearl that are now glowing with golden light are facing downwards.

With a clear direction, the people around quickly got to work. Elder Wei Satu, who was kind and gentle with the earth spirit, displayed his divine power. With a gentle flick of his old hand, he created a pit five or six meters deep.

This was the result of deliberately controlling the force, for fear of using too much force and sweeping the treasure away.

As the old man dug, he muttered to himself in bewilderment, "It doesn't make sense. It's so close, how could I not sense it?"

After digging for several dozen meters, the old man unearthed a mass grave, with bones densely packed together, buried like garbage. Judging from the clothing, the age was not far off; it still belonged to the Tianji Empire, probably within the last two or three hundred years.

The excavation work in Weisatu was much more meticulous, and he sighed at the chaotic sight of the remains.

Soon, something unusual appeared in the middle of the pile of bones. Some of the skeletons still had "fresh" flesh and blood attached to them, with healthy skin, as if they were still alive.

Unfortunately, only a small part of the skeleton had this feature. Upon uncovering the strange pile of white bones, Chu Mingkong found a simple and unadorned amber bracelet.

He reached out and grasped the bracelet. The strangely fresh flesh and blood quickly withered and decayed, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"So this is the treasure?"

Staring closely at the amber stone, Chu Mingkong noticed a trace of fine sand sealed inside, leaving him completely baffled.

"What is this thing?"

The system mom, who hadn't spoken for a long time, suddenly spoke, almost startling Chu Mingkong, who was deep in thought.

The sands of time have fallen into such a place.

Chapter Sixty: The Witch Ancestor's Grand Vow

The Sands of Time – just from the name, you can tell it's related to time.

Considering the towns that "revived" before, this speculation is by no means unfounded, but does this force really exist?

Looking back at what happened in the past, although it could only affect the area of ​​a small town, Chu Mingkong had been active in that town and was even more aware of how terrifying this power was.

Throughout history, countless powerful ancestors have pursued longevity, and the desire for long life has become the ultimate goal for them.

If such abilities as controlling time truly existed, then the pursuit of these powerful individuals would become a joke.

Chu Mingkong really wanted to ask the system immediately, but he couldn't just leave the Wei family, who had worked so hard for so long, standing aside and run home to do his own thing.

The Wei family members were equally curious about the mysterious bracelet, and several elders came over to examine it.

At a glance, the old men's beards were quite distinctive; even if you couldn't recognize the men, you could still recognize their beards.

“Although that mass grave was less than five hundred years old, the existence of this bracelet is hard to ascertain or sense. Even when I look at this bracelet, I have a sense of unreality, as if it cannot be retained in my memory!” Elder with the braided beard closed his eyes, and sure enough, his memory of the bracelet quickly faded. Within a few breaths, he could not recall what it looked like.

"It really is true. The texture of this amber is mostly from an ancient tree that is over six thousand years old, right? The resin of this old man is priceless, and he actually used it to seal the sand inside? Is this the treasure that created the miracle of this town? What is its origin?" Elder with the mustache muttered in amazement.

“There are words on the hole of this bracelet. They look like ancient characters. Elders, do you recognize them?” Wei Qingning was standing at an angle where she could see the hole perfectly.

There happened to be an elderly man in the Wei family who was an expert in various ancient characters. His beard was black and white, and very curly, like... an extended version of armpit hair.

"Let this old man do it! Why are these characters carved in such a remote corner? Are you shy... Oh! Some of the characters from the ancestors of the Wu tribe are still lost!"

That ethereal and sacred voice rang in Chu Mingkong's ears:

May there be no more separation of life and death in this world... The shamanic tribe is a very strange group. Some pursue the power of gods and ghosts, seeking the crazy forces of the world and causing many great disasters, while others act with a pure and noble aspiration.

Does the preceding sentence refer to the meaning of the ancient characters on the bracelet?

Chu Mingkong tentatively asked, "Do you wish there were no more separations of life and death in this world?"

The old man with the armpit hair and beard raised his eyebrows, blinked in surprise at Chu Mingkong, and his expression was full of disbelief.

Besides the mysterious amber stone, there are several other small decorative amber stones on this bracelet. The words are distributed in the holes of each amber stone, making it difficult to determine where to start reading.

He, who had been studying ancient characters for so many years, had just determined the meaning of a few ancient characters, and after guessing at the characters he didn't recognize, he vaguely made up a general idea of ​​the sentence meaning, but Chu Mingkong just said it out loud.

"Does Your Highness recognize these ancient characters of the Wu tribe?"