C38 It Was Useless Even If He Shouted

As Chu Yan's gaze settled back on the inscription paper, the intricate design that had once adorned it had vanished. The paper had lost its former resilience and sheen, now indistinguishable from an ordinary sheet.

Turning his attention back to the silver scale spear, Chu Yan scrutinized it closely and immediately noticed an additional layer of complex etchings on its surface, as if they were an original part of the spear.

With the emergence of these markings, the spear seemed to gain a newfound sense of weightiness it hadn't possessed before.

"It must have worked," Chu Yan mused, giving the spear a couple of test swings. It didn't feel any heavier, though that was to be expected.

He then triggered the mechanism within the time-space cage, and shortly after, a stone figure emerged from what had been smooth ground.

Chu Yan lifted the silver scale spear and brought it crashing down on the stone golem.

The impact was thunderous. The golem's head and chest shattered, its waist split apart in an instant, and its thigh snapped, sending fragments flying. Only two legs remained upright on the ground.

Chu Yan blinked, let out a breath, and smiled in satisfaction. It was a success! Before, a single strike from the spear could only break the golem's head and chest, but now, the force behind his swings had more than doubled.

The two defiant legs still standing were a testament to his achievement. The legacy was correct, and more crucially, he had triumphed.

Yet, in that moment, Chu Yan was oblivious to the astounding feat he had accomplished.

He resumed his usual training within the confines of the time-space cage.

That evening, in Lin Chongtian's quarters, the patriarch of the Lin Family, a servant stood with his hands at his sides, whispering something to his master.

Before Lin Chongtian lay a small note bearing three bold and forceful characters: "You decide."

After the servant concluded his report, Lin Chongtian set the note aside and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table before inquiring, "Apart from practicing in his room, has he done anything else?"

"Pretty much confirmed," the servant stated.

Lin Chongtian furrowed his brow in thought, then the corners of his mouth quirked into a half-smile. "This kid, he's quite adept at concealing his talents. Made such a scene upon his arrival, then vanished as if he never existed—made everyone inadvertently forget him. Interesting. It seems Father's choice to pick him wasn't a mere whim. By the way, did the Old Master mention anything else besides those three words?"

The servant spoke softly, "The Old Master mentioned he's at a critical point in his boundary breakthrough. If he succeeds, he should return in about ten days. Until then, you have full authority as the Patriarch."

"All up to me, huh—" Lin Chongtian's brow creased, "I understand you want him to be qualified, but right now, he lacks both recognition and a compelling reason to lead. If I make a unilateral decision, the dissent will be significant, and managing the fallout could be tricky. He needs to achieve something more, so I have a solid pretext to back my decision."

While Lin Chongtian mused aloud, the servant stood silently at his side.

"Oh, that reminds me," Lin Chongtian suddenly said, "Any word from Miao Ran?"

"The young miss is still in seclusion at Langya Pavilion; no news has come through," replied the servant.

Lin Chongtian huffed, "That girl, always out and about, never home."

His tone softened the next moment, "Well, I can't really manage her affairs now. If you get a chance, send her a message. Tell her Chu Yan has arrived. She should at least come back to see him. It's not proper for her to keep hiding away like this."

After speaking, Lin Chongtian waved his hand dismissively.

The servant nodded and quietly withdrew.

In the candlelight's glow, a fleeting weariness crossed Lin Chongtian's face, but it quickly vanished without a trace.

After a night of intense training, Chu Yan emerged from the Return to the Ruins Tower and drew several buckets of water from the courtyard well to cleanse himself. He could feel that without the absorption of vital blood energy, his body's conditioning had hit a plateau.

"A martial artist at the fourth level of the True Martial Realm can shatter rocks with a palm and snap steel rods as thick as fingers with a kick. My strength surpasses that, but with a sufficient supply of blood energy to fortify my body, breaking rocks would be the least of my feats—I could even burst steel with the Raging Dragon's Bow technique," Chu Yan mused as he changed into fresh clothes, pocketed the three Heavy Equipment Inscription Patterns he had prepared, slung his silver scale spear over his shoulder, and made his way out of the Lin Family estate.

His plan for the day was to sell the inscription patterns for Spirit Money and purchase wild animal meat to replenish his blood energy. Though these items could be stored in the echo loop, Chu Yan couldn't risk revealing its secrets by retrieving them in public, so he opted to carry them instead.

Preferring to keep a low profile, Chu Yan avoided the Lin Family's main gate and headed for the side exit. Yet, as he attempted to leave, he was intercepted by a Lin Family member in his thirties.

"Lin Liqiang," the man introduced himself, hands clasped behind his back as he eyed Chu Yan. "Chu Yan, have you forgotten the Young Master's instructions?"

"Young Master? Which one?" Chu Yan replied, his smile tinged with irony.

Lin Liqiang's brow furrowed. "Don't play dumb with me! Young Master Lin Ao ordered you to stay within your bounds. Are you choosing to ignore his advice and face the consequences?"

"Since when does stepping outside equate to overstepping my bounds?" Chu Yan's smile widened, though his eyes turned icy. "Lin Ao, you challenged me before, and I let it slide out of magnanimity. Don't mistake my patience for fear."

"The clan leader has important matters to announce soon, and all clan members are expected to be on their best behavior. This is a command. And yet, here you are, trying to leave. Are you up to something dishonorable?" Lin Liqiang's frown deepened, and with a swift motion, he reached for Chu Yan. "Carrying a weapon violates the rules! I'll be holding onto this triplex for now."

Chu Yan stepped back, smoothly evading Lin Liqiang's grasp. His face set in a hard line, he retorted, "No one mentioned I couldn't leave. And this weapon? It was a gift from the Patriarch. What gives you the right to try and take it?"

"You think you, a mere in-law, deserve to wield such a weapon? Hand it over quietly and maybe you'll avoid some unnecessary pain," Lin Liqiang taunted, his sneer echoing. "Don't think I'm like that incompetent steward you thrashed without him being able to lay a finger on you. Plus, this side door? It's deserted during the day. I've already sent everyone away. So, if you don't comply, you can scream all you want—no one will come to your aid."