[Phantom], Chen Family Conflict (Tuesday PK, please read more these two days, orz)

[Soul Essence: Water Ghoul · Phantom]

Luo Bin's consciousness seemed to extend a tentacle, silently pressing down on the Crimson panel.

The [Phantom] talent activated.

As the black text on the panel flickered, an indescribable ethereal feeling arose in Luo Bin's mind, as if the weight of his soul had lightened slightly. He tensed his heartstrings, sensing the information transmitted by the panel.

After a moment, Luo Bin exhaled a mouthful of Turbid Qi, having basically figured out the specific abilities of this talent.

The foremost ability of [Phantom] was "Breath Concealment." When activated, it could actively suppress his own blood energy, heartbeat, and vital aura. Martial Masters of the same rank would find it difficult to perceive Luo Bin's presence. The duration of this state depended on the thickness of his blood energy.

In layman's terms, the thicker the health bar, the better he could turtle, and the stronger the surprise effect.

Thinking of this, Luo Bin silently grumbled to himself—this was too shady... A thick blood energy already signified formidable strength, and adding such an overpowered skill... it was practically a must-have for sucker punches.

This "Breath Concealment" counted as an active skill, very helpful in critical situations if used well.

The second ability was a permanent passive called "Water Affinity." In water-adjacent environments, such as rivers, lakes, seas, rainy days, humid areas, or mist, movement speed and aura concealment effects were increased by 30%.

Underwater breath-holding time was greatly extended, and water resistance was slightly reduced.

It was essentially a simplified replica of the Water Mountain Ghoul's native aquatic instincts.

A few words popped unbidden into Luo Bin's mind: Carrying a blade in the rain, no umbrella in hand.

At noon, the sun was mildly warm, and the white mourning silks in the Chen Residence had all been taken down one after another.

After the incident at the Moon Veil Nightclub, Chen Tianren knew that the Sun and Jiang families were stirring restlessly behind the Chen family's back. Coupled with Ran Shaohua's betrayal, even if the Black Sheath Hall left the Green Bamboo Gang and still remained loyal to the Chen family, it couldn't change the fact that their power was now waning.

Ping City bordered the Li River, a key waterway, and had many tributaries. It was like a cake that the Chen family had built up, but because they weren't strong enough to hold it, Chen Tianren had to share many interests with others...

After his old father Chen Shuo died, many business channels and backers had withered. Fortunately, he could still hold steady for now... but as time went on, the decline would inevitably grow.

Now, if the Chen family wanted to continue sitting firmly in Ping City, an unavoidable topic was to put forward another leader who could suppress the petty troublemakers...

Ideally, a powerful Great Martial Master. As Chen Tianren thought this, the figure of Jiang Ling appeared in his mind, but he shook his head on his own... The tone of Jiang Ling's praise for Luo Bin surfaced again in his memory.

"Pale golden 'Qi,' good character, decisive and brave..."

"Manqing's marriage needs to be put on the agenda."

A group of Chen family dependents from the estate outside the city had to wait an extra two quarters of an hour because Chen Manqing slept in, so they didn't return to the Chen Residence until noon.

Chen Tianren had already had servants prepare a lavish meal in the main hall of the residence.

Chen Jing and Chen Mansheng tried to persuade Luo Bin to stay and eat, but he felt it was somewhat inappropriate. This scale was clearly a family banquet. No matter how close his relationship with the Chen family was, he wouldn't just barge in now and make them think less of him.

Luo Bin only said, "A few days have passed. I want to go back and see my family and friends."

"Alright then, Brother Luo, you have to come train in martial arts soon!"

"Don't worry."

So Chen Jing reluctantly saw him to the door, hailed a rickshaw for Luo Bin, and only turned back after watching him disappear into the distance.

"Ya!"

"Second Sister, are you a ghost? Appearing silently behind someone's back like that—you'll scare people to death!"

Chen Mansheng poked Chen Jing's forehead with interest. This young man, barely over 1.6 meters, was still shorter than her, yet he had latched onto an outsider. This kind of situation was extremely rare under normal circumstances.

"Is your Brother Luo really that great?" Chen Mansheng asked curiously.

Chen Jing's face darkened. "Is Brother Luo not great? Did you see how that Duan Gong who attacked you last night died?

Is it because our Chen family only deals in interests with others all day that you've forgotten we're the ones who need Brother Luo's help? Have you forgotten the warmth and coldness of human feelings?"

Chen Mansheng hadn't expected Chen Jing to react so strongly. She pursed her lips awkwardly, scenes from last night flashing through her mind, and she smiled lightly. "Alright, I asked the wrong question. Your Brother Luo is the best... Go back and eat now."

In the Chen family hall.

Though the table wasn't laden with dragon liver or phoenix marrow, dishes like French foie gras terrine, crab meat lion's head, and braised shark fin were dazzling to the eye, along with many small side dishes.

Unfortunately, poverty had temporarily limited Luo Bin's horizons; otherwise, he would have shamelessly stayed for a meal to gain some Spirit Charm.

Chen Manqing still had that sleepy look about her, sitting in the middle of the long table as the family chatted and ate happily. When Chen Tianren suddenly said "Manqing," all eyes instantly focused on her.

The weather was warm and dry. Today, she wore a dark green brocade sleeveless long cheongsam. The fabric's pattern rippled like lake water, the cut fitting perfectly, with exaggerated curves from her shoulders and neck down to her waist and hips—voluptuous and well-proportioned.

"Father, what is it?"

Chen Tianren took a bite of rice and said, "You haven't been in good spirits lately?"

Chen Manqing paused with her chopsticks and bowl, replying, "Maybe it's the heat lately. I get drowsy easily..."

Chen Tianren didn't want to beat around the bush and cut straight to the point. "Let me ask you something. What do you think of Luo Bin?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the scene fell silent instantly. Everyone knew this soul-searching question had arrived—a pivotal question concerning the Chen family's future.

Chen Manqing's thoughts were slightly flustered, still not quite understanding what was going on, but her gaze swept across the table to Ji Xuan, Chen Jing, Chen Mansheng... all watching her, as if waiting for an answer.

She snapped to clarity in an instant, a hint of sarcasm curling at the corner of her lips. "What do you mean by 'what do I think'?"

Chen Tianren believed the simplest method was the most effective path, and continued, "Marrying Luo Bin—what do you think about that?"

Chen Manqing had caught wind of rumors from the maids and servants around her these past two days, but she never expected this day to come so soon—so soon it left her dazed and distracted. She had guessed beforehand, assuming the target would be one of the other young masters in Ping City.

Yet it turned out to be a nobody of no renown...

"Not happening. I don't want to marry him!"

Chen Tianren seemed to have anticipated this. A small surge of anger simmered beneath his calm, but he still asked with a faint smile:

"Don't want to marry? The Primordial Stance is the prerequisite technique for that extraordinary skill, the Yellow Court Inner Landscape. Everyone in the Chen Family knows this. Do you still remember what level your eldest brother has reached?"

Chen Manqing paused for a moment, then said uncertainly, "The third layer?"

Chen Tianren chuckled softly and set down his chopsticks and bowl. "Correct. The third layer represents minor success. Now, do you know how far Luo Bin has progressed in his training?"

Chen Manqing began to recall that day of the Black Sheath Hall's Elite Selection—the youth Chen Jing had vied with her over. Though his gaze was sharp, his clothes were tattered and patched. Any discerning eye could tell at a glance he was a mud-legged wretch who scraped by at the bottom rung year after year.

From what Uncle Luo said, he was even a "house slave" of the Pei Family...

"Just entered the threshold? Father, you don't need to persuade me. In these two years I spent in the Yingluo Kingdom, I may not have delved deep into my studies, but I know my own true needs. What I want is free love..."

"Not this arranged marriage decided by a single word from people like you!"

Chen Tianren slapped his chopsticks down on the table with a crack. The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

"Luo Bin took a single night to go from having never entered the Primordial Stance to reaching the second layer. Among all the talents my Chen Family has gathered over the years, this is nearly impossible!"

"A natural-born martial prodigy like this must be firmly bound to my Chen Family. As for whether you like him or not... as you live together over time, feelings will naturally develop, just like between your mother and me."

In the future, the bloodline you produce will also be Chen Family members, capable of cultivating this extraordinary skill, safeguarding the family's prosperity..." When Chen Tianren mentioned Chen Manqing's mother, he suppressed his restless emotions.

Now, with wolves encircling the Chen Family from all sides, one misstep could lead to total defeat. If no one stood guard then, forget about these juniors living in luxury—even keeping their lives would be a stroke of luck.

Chen Jing realized the gravity of the situation. He was mature for his age, and as a man, he could better understand his father's long-term strategic vision.

"Big Sister, Brother Luo isn't just gifted in martial training—he carries that pride and nobility in his bones. Maybe he's from some noble house of the former dynasty... That's a good thing."

Chen Mansheng just kept shoveling rice into her mouth, and Ji Xuan didn't dare interject a single word.

Chen Manqing's hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly. She suddenly stood up and shouted at Chen Tianren:

"I won't marry him! How does a mud-legged wretch like him deserve me? What I want is mutual affection, not your stale, outdated rules!"

"So what if he lucked his way through two layers of the Primordial Stance in one go? The training only gets harder from here. How can you be so sure he'll amount to anything? And why should I gamble my marriage on it?

I have a subordinate named Wu Gou. He's no worse than that mud-legged brat. His grandfather was even the General of Martial Might of the former dynasty..."