C93 Zhao Jun Is Dead Right?!

Indeed, it was spiritual energy, distinct from those potions that contained a vast amount of power with only a trace of spiritual essence.

Arrayed before him were seven or eight types of fruit, each brimming with a concentration of spiritual energy that rivaled that found in Fourth Level potions.

Shocking, isn't it?

It certainly was.

Fourth Level potions...

Not even among the major powers were they treated casually, as they couldn't simply be purchased with money.

Each year, the allocation for everyone was set. Want more?

Simple. Contribute to the government by completing tasks, and with enough points, you could exchange them for whatever you desired.

And these fruits...

For Chu Yi, taking a Fourth Level potion might currently be more beneficial than these fruits, given that his Stellar Combat Body required less spiritual energy and had a slightly higher demand for power, much like today's warriors.

But Lee Zi was a different case!

Chu Yi had transformed her into the most pristine Immortal Demon Combat Body, the Original Battle Body of the Five Elements!

For such combat bodies, strength served merely as a supplement to sustain combat endurance, while spiritual energy was the essence!

So, when it comes to effectiveness, these fruits were undoubtedly more potent for Lee Zi than any Fourth Level potion!

To think these spiritually enriched fruits were being offered as hospitality?

Chu Yi was aware that if he weren't part of the Chu family, his great-uncle likely wouldn't have presented them.

But wasn't this gesture a bit too generous?

"Come on, have some."

"This is some fine stuff. I might not know its name, but judging by how those merchants treasure it, it's clearly extraordinary."

Chu Yi hesitated. Ignorance could be bliss, but now aware of the fruits' rarity, he couldn't feign indifference.

They were far too valuable.

Chu Yi enjoyed his freebies, but he maintained his principles.

After all, his freeloading was usually justified by his own merit. But this...

"Chu Yi, what's with the shyness?"

"Eat up!"

In the midst of conversation, Chu Yi's fourth uncle had already grabbed a handful of fruits and firmly placed them into Chu Yi's hands.

"Is this Lee Zi?"

"Go ahead and eat, help yourself. Make yourself at home."

Keeping an eye on Chu Yi, he was bound to recognize Lee Zi, given that the entire Chu family was aware of their lifelong friendship.

Chu Yi looked at the fruits in his hands and, after a brief hesitation, passed them to Lee Zi.

"Here, you eat..."

These fruits would be more beneficial to Lee Zi. With them, Chu Yi was confident that it wouldn't be long before Lee Zi could ascend to the peak of the Bronze rank or even advance to become a Silver Level Great Warrior.

And by then, Lee Zi would be even more formidable than before!

Since her arrival, Lee Zi had been silent, turning into a quiet presence, so she simply followed Chu Yi's lead.

Lee Zi took the fruit, gave a slight nod, but didn't rush to eat.

Meanwhile, her fourth uncle observed with interest. He seemed to grasp something but chose not to comment.

"Yi, do you realize your brothers and I have been longing for your return home for over twenty years?"

Chu Yi was moved, yet something didn't add up.

He was only eighteen years old; where did those extra years come from?

"Ah, if only the fifth brother hadn't been so headstrong, and the old man hadn't been so stubborn, we could have avoided this family tragedy..."

Chu Yi's mouth twitched slightly. It hardly seemed like a tragedy.

But still...

"Speaking of which, fourth uncle, what exactly caused the fallout between my father and grandfather?"

Chu Yi still hadn't learned the truth.

Chu Yun, his fourth uncle, fell silent, his expression shifting from one shade to another before he let out a deep sigh.

"The story is quite straightforward, really."

"The old man had chosen a bride for the fifth brother, who was against the idea. This upset the old man, and considering the fifth brother's stubborn nature, they reached an impasse."

"From then on, they couldn't see eye to eye, and after your grandmother passed away, the rift between father and son became irreparable."

Although Chu Yun spoke with a lack of enthusiasm, Chu Yi listened with a surge of emotion. The scenario was straight out of a novel. A family arranges a marriage for profit, compelling the protagonist's father to leave. Eventually, with his son's help, the protagonist triumphantly returns to the family fold, having made a name for himself. It was like a slap in the face to the doubters.

That's how those thrilling stories go, right? The only difference here was the current amiable nature of the Chu family. It seems my mother was right; the Chus are good people.

"Fourth Uncle, which young lady did Grandpa choose for the arranged marriage?" Chu Yi asked.

He was still trying to grasp the Chu family's standing, but he suspected they were among the elite in Redmarsh City. After all, who else would have the audacity to stand up to Adirang Academy? And the family allied with the Chus through marriage must have an impressive background.

Chu Yun pondered briefly, his brow furrowing. "I'm not sure which young lady it was. I think Grandpa took a fancy to her while he was dancing in the square."

Chu Yi was dumbfounded. Was Grandpa serious?

"Don't sweat the small stuff. I've seen the girl's photo, and she looks like she'd be a good mother!"

"Now that I think about it, I get irritated. Chu Yi, our family is small, and we were all hoping Fifth would carry on the lineage. But instead of marrying a perfectly good match, he had to go off in search of 'true love.' Isn't that just frustrating?"

Chu Yi was at a loss for words. If his father hadn't gone off in search of true love, Chu Yi wouldn't even be here.

"Sigh, Old Fifth is just too headstrong. I know all this talk of finding true love is just an excuse. He just didn't find her attractive, plain and simple."

"Chu Yi, can you believe that? As cultivators, should we really be so concerned with our partner's appearance?"

Watching Chu Yun, who was visibly agitated, and then glancing at his stunning aunt, Chu Yi fell silent. He finally understood where Chu Cencen got her double standards from.

This trait...

It's inherited!

"Cough, cough..."

My aunt seemed a bit embarrassed, trying to cut off Chu Yun's monologue.

Unfortunately, Chu Yun was too caught up in his own world to notice, no matter how much she coughed.

Then, suddenly—

Bang!

Watching my uncle rub his head as he awkwardly stood up with a sheepish grin, I fell silent.

Nicely done!

I couldn't help but feel a surge of elation.

"Look at me, getting so carried away that I forget myself. Chu Yi, please don't take it to heart..."

No, I didn't mind...

Chu Yun didn't bring up those topics again. Instead, she gave Chu Yi a brief overview of the Chu family's situation but didn't inquire about his circumstances.

After all, their interest in Chu Yi had begun from the moment of his birth.

"By the way, Chu Yi, is Lee Zi a genetic warrior? What's her status now?"

As one of Earth's most formidable beings, Chu Yun was undeniably a Great General at the Diamond Level, having mastered genetic power to its utmost extent.

I could sense that immediately upon meeting Chu Yun.

So, it wasn't surprising to me that Chu Yun could discern Lee Zi's condition.

Chu Cencen had already mentioned that the Chu family had been keeping a close eye on us over the years, aware of every little detail.

Knowing that Lee Zi was once a genetic warrior wasn't shocking at all.

After pondering for a moment, I decided to stick with the previous excuse.

Even though they were my blood relatives and Chu's mother had assured me that the Chu family were good people, I had been through too much since arriving in this world. Apart from my parents and Lee Zi, I remained cautious around others.

Maybe in the future, as my strength grows, I'll share more with the Chu family, but for now, I feel it's not the right time.

Chu Yun didn't react with anger to my explanation; instead, he gave me a peculiar look.

After a long pause, he finally exhaled, his eyes reflecting an indescribable emotion.

"Zhao Jun has passed away, hasn't he?"

I was taken aback, while Lee Zi beside me shuddered ever so slightly.

Zhao Jun was dead...

Before this revelation, the thought had never crossed anyone's mind.

Of course, not everyone took Chu Yi's previous words and excuses at face value; they suspected he was holding back some information. Yet, nobody had ever questioned the reality of Zhao Jun's death.

The reason was simple: neither Chu Yi nor Lee Zi stood a chance against Zhao Jun.

But now...

"Don't be surprised," Chu Yun said, gesturing dismissively.

"Given your relationship with Lee Zi, our Chu family has been keeping a watchful eye."

Chu Yun paused, then smiled at Lee Zi.

"Of course, Lee Zi's exceptional talent is another reason why our Chu family has taken such a keen interest."

Many factions were monitoring Lee Zi, and the Chu family was among them. However, due to Chu Yi, their scrutiny was even more intense.

As Lee Zi's protective mentor, the Chu family had conducted a thorough investigation into Zhao Jun.

"We've completely analyzed Zhao Jun's character. He would never act unless he was certain of success," Chu Yun explained.

"And should he choose to act, he would never leave any loose ends."

Chu Yun's gaze held a depth of meaning as he looked at Chu Yi and Lee Zi.

Chu Yi remained silent, reflecting on Zhao Jun's patience and strategy. He had to concede that Zhao Jun's plans were indeed flawless.

Had it not been for this unforeseen event, things might have played out exactly as Zhao Jun had intended.

"Moreover, Zhao Jun was a true pinnacle Gold General!"

This revelation shook Chu Yi.

He hadn't expected Chu Yun to be privy to such details.

"If Zhao Jun were merely an Elementary Gold General, then perhaps Lee Zi, with her shattered gene lock, might have had a chance to escape."

"But against a pinnacle Gold General..."