Chapter 786 - 273: Golden Skeleton
The biting cold had penetrated to the marrow and internal organs.
Xu Zhan could clearly feel these parts of his body slowly losing sensation and vitality.
At this moment, the formidable strength of a Fifth Realm Body Cultivator had instead become an accomplice in his torture.
The terrifying chill surrounding him, if it were an ordinary person, would freeze them to death in an instant, sparing them such prolonged suffering.
Yet, he possessed the strength of a Fifth Realm Body Cultivator, his resilient Divine Spirit able to consciously perceive his life force being slowly extinguished.
Time seemed to pass with a few breaths, yet also felt like it stretched on indefinitely.
Xu Zhan’s eyes were also covered with frost, followed by his head.
Once his body was entirely encased in a thick layer of dark purple ice, the massive block of ice carried his corpse further into the depths of the Laishui River.
...
Yunshui City.
Xu Jingzhe, who was practicing body techniques in the courtyard, suddenly felt an inexplicable anxiety.
He slowly withdrew from his stance and looked far into the distance with confusion.
The young man frowned and pondered for a long time, but could not determine the source of this sudden, mysterious unease.
He could only vaguely feel his heart was somewhat clogged with some inexplicable panic.
After standing in a daze for a moment, Xu Jingzhe grabbed the clothes beside him and ran out of the Martial Arts Arena.
As the courtyard door opened, Shen You walked in from outside and collided with the hurried Xu Jingzhe.
"Oh!"
"What are you rushing for, child?"
Bumping into her body, Shen You asked in confusion.
Though Xu Jingzhe was only seven years old, he had always been calm and steady. Such rash actions were unheard of from him until today.
"Mother."
Xu Jingzhe bowed and quickly steadied her.
"What’s the matter?"
Seeing the worry on her son’s face, Shen You asked in a serious tone.
Xu Jingzhe hesitated slightly and bowed, saying, "Father has left seclusion."
"He spoke with me briefly and then left again."
"Just now, while I was practicing in the Martial Arts Arena, I suddenly felt an inexplicable tremor in my heart, very uncomfortable."
Pausing for a moment, Xu Jingzhe continued, "Mother, do you think something might have happened?"
Something happened?
Shen You frowned slightly but then reassured him, "Your father is a Fifth Realm Body Cultivator, what could happen to him in Yunshui City?"
"Alright, quickly put your clothes on, I’ll go ask where he went."
After helping her son put on his clothes, Shen You left the house.
It wasn’t hard to inquire about Xu Zhan’s whereabouts in the city, as many clan soldiers and cultivators patrolling the streets had seen him.
After some inquiries, Shen You arrived at the South City Gate of Yunshui City.
"Miss."
Seeing her, the clan soldiers guarding the city immediately bowed and saluted.
Shen You nodded and asked, "Has Lord Xu left the city?"
The soldiers were momentarily stunned, then the Body Cultivator among them, wearing standard armor and wielding a large copper hammer, spoke in a gruff voice, "Miss, the lord left two hours ago. I was planning to accompany him with others."
"But the lord said he was just going for a stroll outside the city."
Hearing this, Shen You’s expression turned slightly serious.
If Xu Zhan were still in the city, she was sure nothing would happen.
But leaving the city, it’s uncertain.
After some thought, she told the nearby clan soldier and cultivator, "Go to the old residence and inform the Patriarch now."
The clan soldier and cultivator bowed and rushed to the old residence.
"Tang Long, take a group of clan soldiers and follow me out of the city to have a look."
Upon hearing Shen You’s order, Tang Long, clad in armor, responded with a bow, and called for a team of over twenty soldiers to gather outside the gate.
Shen You moved to the front, scanned the group, and said in a deep voice, "Pay attention to details, we must first determine where Lord Xu has gone."
"Yes!"
The soldiers bowed and followed her out of the city.
In the old residence within the city.
Shen Chongming had just returned from the Clan Court when he saw a clan soldier hastily approaching and bowing before him.
"Greetings, Patriarch."
"Patriarch, it seems something has happened to Lord Xu. Miss You just arrived at the South City Gate and is now planning to take people out of the city to search."
Something happened to Xu Zhan?
Shen Chongming frowned slightly.
"Wasn’t he in seclusion?"
The cultivator shook his head, "I don’t know, but Lord Xu was indeed at the South City Gate earlier, chatting with us for a few moments before he went out."
Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming lowered his head in thought.
"Hmm, you go ahead."
He shared the same thoughts as Shen You.
With Xu Zhan’s Fifth Realm Body Cultivator strength, unless ambushed by someone in the Purple Mansion Realm, it was impossible for him to be killed or kidnapped without causing any disturbance.
Moreover, with Shen You personally taking people out to search now, there shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Not dwelling on the matter, he returned to his room for a cup of tea. Once Shen Xiuyan brought the newly prepared clan rules, the two of them headed to the Black Water Pavilion together.
In these two years, although Shen Xiuyan was only ten, both his character and manner of dealing with matters had undergone significant changes.
Steady in nature, and not readily showing emotions.
Under Shen Chongming’s guidance, he already showed the initial demeanor of a young leader.
The two arrived on the second floor of the Black Water Pavilion.
"Grandfather."
"Great Grandfather."
Shen Yuan opened his eyes slowly upon hearing the voices and motioned for the two to sit down.
After they were seated, Shen Chongming respectfully handed over the newly amended clan rules.
"Grandfather, this is a revision of the clan rules that Xiuyan and I have been discussing over the past two years."
"Li’Er is in seclusion at the Clan Court and hasn’t seen it yet."
"Please take a look first, Grandfather, and see if there are any issues."
Shen Yuan took the clan rules and browsed through them carefully, sighing inwardly.
He could immediately tell that about eighty percent of this new revision came from Shen Xiuyan’s suggestions.