Chapter Fifty-Seven: In My Hands! (Desperately begging for recommendation votes! Please)

Chapter Fifty-Seven: In My Hands! (Desperately Seeking Recommendation Votes! Please Click for Membership!)

Inside the stone tower.

Zuo Xu and Shi Jian wore grave expressions, their eyes shining with anticipation as they stared intently at Zuo Shi, whose hand rested upon the groove of the tortoise shell.

As the head of the Zuo family, Zuo Xu was visibly agitated, his fingers constantly clenching and unclenching, his lips twitching from time to time.

Zuo Shi was the future hope of the Zuo family. Whether the family would rise in the future, whether it could continue to stand tall within the Merchant Alliance, was directly tied to Zuo Shi’s strength.

If Zuo Shi grew strong, the Zuo family would remain powerful; if she proved weak, the family might fade into obscurity.

Countless families have risen and fallen based on a single pivotal figure. For a family to maintain its exalted standing, it must possess a truly formidable individual.

It was for this reason that Beiming Shang kept Yin Kui and Jiu Shan constantly by Beiming Ce’s side—to shield him until he reached his full potential, all for the future strength of their clan.

As for Shi Yan, his expression remained indifferent; at this moment, he was quietly observing Zuo Xu’s reactions.

From the subtle changes in Zuo Xu’s features, Shi Yan realized that Zuo Xu truly regarded Zuo Shi as the family's most precious treasure. He understood just how important a future powerhouse was in the hearts of these elders.

One by one, strange cyan symbols floated out from the tortoise shell, disappearing into Zuo Shi’s body.

Her eyes had long since closed, and her face, delicate as if painted, was veiled in a faint blue glow.

Tiny points of light flickered and danced across her cheeks, like living cyan fireflies, transmitting their thoughts directly to her.

Suddenly, Zuo Shi’s slender figure trembled slightly. The azure light in her palm grew even more dazzling.

Zuo Xu’s face changed; he almost cried out in alarm and instinctively moved to shield her, fearing some unknown danger.

“Don’t!”

Shi Yan stepped forward and firmly held Zuo Xu back, speaking softly, “It’s all right, Grandpa Zuo, there’s no need to be so nervous.”

Zuo Xu was startled, glancing at Shi Yan in surprise. “Are you certain she’s in no danger?”

“Yes, there’s no danger,” Shi Yan replied with conviction. “The points of strange light from the tortoise shell are likely some kind of memory signal. If my guess is correct, they contain the cultivation method for the ‘Xuanwu True Armor.’ So please don’t worry—this is simply the transmission of memory.”

When Shi Yan acquired the cultivation method for “Berserk” from the Blood Vein Ring, the process had been much the same.

At that time, memory lights had also streamed into his mind, leaving behind indelible imprints.

Having experienced that himself, he now understood what Zuo Shi was undergoing.

“Boy, don’t speak carelessly—this matter is extremely serious!” Shi Jian chided sternly, his face tense.

Shi Jian, too, was uncertain. He feared Shi Yan would give reckless advice that might harm Zuo Shi. Should that happen, it could turn the Shi and Zuo families against one another.

Ever since Zuo Shi’s ascension to the Scarlet Sky rankings, the Zuo family had gained enough strength to rival the Beiming family. For the Shi family, having the Zuo family as a steadfast ally was beneficial, whether dealing with the Beiming or Mo families.

Shi Jian had no wish to see relations sour.

“Don’t worry, Xiao Shi will be absolutely fine,” Shi Yan assured them calmly, turning to Zuo Xu. “Congratulations, Grandpa Zuo. This time, Zuo Shi is sure to gain greatly—you should prepare for a pleasant surprise!”

“You rascal,” Zuo Xu said, his worries easing with Shi Yan’s words. He laughed, “If things turn out as you say, I’ll owe you a great debt.”

“Grandfather, you truly do owe him a favor,” Zuo Shi suddenly said, opening her eyes and smiling with delight. “Those strange lights were indeed the cultivation messages for the ‘Xuanwu True Armor.’ I now possess the complete cultivation method in my mind.”

“What grade is this martial art?” Zuo Xu asked, nearly leaping up with excitement.

Zuo Shi shook her head. “I don’t know. I received only the cultivation method; there’s no indication of its grade.”

“The script on the tortoise shell is extremely ancient—this must be a martial art from the distant past, before techniques were graded so meticulously,” Shi Yan explained with a smile. “But martial skills from that era are certainly more mysterious than what we have now. Xiao Shi, fortune truly favors you today.”

“Haha!” Zuo Xu laughed heartily, clapping Shi Yan on the shoulder. “The more I look at you, the more I like you! With such a clever boy in the Shi family, how could you not rise in the future?”

Shi Jian’s eyes brightened. He glanced at Zuo Shi, a radiant smile spreading across his face as if struck by a sudden thought.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

As Zuo Shi withdrew her hand, the tortoise shell suddenly split apart, scattering into fragments.

Each piece had grown thin, glowing with a strange blue light. One segment resembled a dragon’s head, another a dragon’s tail, as if forming a shoulder guard—utterly extraordinary.

At the center of the shell were three walnut-sized, glittering blue pills, each shaped like a clumsy dragon-tortoise, vivid and lifelike.

A rich, refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted from the pills, so potent that just inhaling it left everyone present invigorated.

“These three are ‘Dragon Tortoise Pills,’ specially made for cultivating the ‘Xuanwu True Armor.’ This set of tortoise shell armor is the ‘Dragon Tortoise Spirit Armor,’ said to possess immense defensive power,” Zuo Shi explained. She picked up the three pills without hesitation and tucked them away. “I’ll need these pills to master the Xuanwu True Armor—three is exactly the number I’ll require.”

Zuo Xu’s face shone with even greater joy. He clapped his hands and laughed, unable to contain his delight.

Shi Jian, on the other hand, looked slightly disappointed, watching as Zuo Shi collected all the Dragon Tortoise Pills. He licked his lips and, unable to help himself, muttered, “Shi Yan did play his part in this…”

“Give the Dragon Tortoise Spirit Armor to him,” Zuo Shi said, nudging the armor on the ground with her foot and wrinkling her nose adorably. “I have no desire to wear a turtle shell—far too cumbersome! Anyone who wants it can have it.”

Shi Jian barked out, signaling to Shi Yan with his eyes, urging him to pick up the armor.

“I’m not sure that’s right—they’re meant to be a set,” Zuo Xu said, gritting his teeth, reluctant despite his fondness for Shi Yan.

But Shi Yan did not move. He shook his head. “I don’t need it. The Shi family’s Martial Spirit is already defense-oriented. I see no reason to burden myself with such heavy armor.”

“You!” Shi Jian snapped, stamping his foot. “You don’t know what’s good for you!”

If you don’t want it, you could give it to someone else! Fool! Shi Jian cursed inwardly.

“Boy, I like you!” Zuo Xu laughed, winking at Shi Jian. “It’s not that I’m too stingy to give it away—Shi Yan himself refused. Now you can’t blame me!” With that, he hurried to gather up the tortoise shell fragments, his smile growing even wider.

“Grandfather, if you put on that Dragon Tortoise Spirit Armor, you’d look just like an old turtle. Why not try it on?” Zuo Shi giggled.

“The girl’s right, Brother Zuo—why don’t you try it on?” Shi Jian added, gloating.

“Impudent! You brat, what nonsense are you spouting?” Zuo Xu’s face turned green as he glared at Zuo Shi. “If you keep talking nonsense, next time I won’t come to pick you up from the Cloud Mist Mountains. I’ll let you die of boredom in Scarlet Sky!”

“I won’t do it again,” Zuo Shi said, sticking out her tongue and shrinking back.

“Ahem, brother, it’s about time we headed back,” Zuo Xu said, smiling at Shi Jian. “Rest assured, our Zuo family will keep a close watch in the Dark Forest. If there’s any news of Karu, I’ll send word immediately. You do the same—let’s keep each other informed.”

“Of course. Who would have thought that someone as insignificant as Karu could steal Mu Xun’s treasure map? Now that the Misty Pavilion has issued another, whoever manages to obtain both will have no trouble opening the ‘Heaven’s Gate.’ What a pity…” Shi Jian sighed.

“Karu?” Shi Yan frowned, thinking for a moment before asking tentatively, “Is this Karu an alchemist of the common fifth grade?”

“Oh? You know about Karu?” Zuo Xu asked curiously.

“Is he very important?” Shi Yan replied with another question.

“He’s not important, but the half of the treasure map pointing to ‘Heaven’s Gate’ in his possession is priceless!” Zuo Xu said.

“Karu was killed by me. That half of the treasure map—well, it’s in my hands now.”

“What?!”

Zuo Xu, Shi Jian, and Zuo Shi all stared at him wide-eyed, exclaiming in shock.

...

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