Chen Family Village, the Song-Style Courtyard House.
In the pavilion in the back courtyard, Chen Lin reclined in a Grand Master's Chair, toying with a deep blue Demon Core. Qin Chuxia had dug it out of the head of that early Core Formation False Flood Dragon on Magic City's defensive line.
The women's bright laughter drifted over from the front courtyard. Qin Chuxia was vividly recounting how she had torn the giant serpent apart to Chen Qianqian and Second Aunt. The television was on, and an impassioned news anchor was reporting on the signing ceremony for the agreement granting Huaxia full control over the global strategic mineral veins.
The entire nation rejoiced.
Yet there was no smile on Chen Lin's face. He stared at the Demon Core in his hand, his fingertips rubbing its slightly rough markings.
"Something's wrong," Chen Lin murmured.
He sat upright and stirred his divine sense.
Moments later, four streaks of light swept into the courtyard from different directions and landed steadily outside the pavilion.
Heavenly Hatred True Lord, Changqingzi, Yun Sheng, and Star Moon Demon Saint, who occupied the Deity-Transformation Shell. All four Nascent Soul-level combatants bowed their heads respectfully.
"My lord, what are your orders?" Changqingzi spoke first, his voice weary from having just finished refining pills.
Chen Lin tossed the deep blue Demon Core onto the Stone Table. It rolled twice, giving off a faint fishy odor and the power of lightning.
"Take a look at this." Chen Lin lifted his chin slightly.
Changqingzi picked up the Demon Core, examined it briefly with his senses, and replied, "An early Core Formation Demon Beast's Demon Core, with both lightning and water attributes. Its foundation is somewhat unstable. Clearly, it only formed its core recently. Still, reaching this level in the present age shows exceptional