Returning to the Clan

Chapter 1: Returning to the Clan. After enduring countless hardships and perils on the Spirit Road, Mu Chen finally set out on the journey back to his clan. Along the way, his heart brimmed with longing for his family, while he also carried the growth and gains he had earned on the Spirit Road. He looked forward to showing his family how much stronger he had become, and yearned for the clan's warm embrace to soothe the nerves that had been stretched taut throughout his time on the Spirit Road. When Mu Chen saw the familiar outline of the clan compound in the distance, an indescribable excitement surged through him. Yet as he drew closer, his keen senses caught something amiss. The peaceful, harmonious atmosphere that had once surrounded the compound was gone, replaced by an oppressive tension. A faint smell of battle smoke lingered in the air, as though a fight had just taken place. Mu Chen's heart tightened, and he quickened his pace, rushing into the compound. A scene of devastation greeted him. Many of the clan's buildings had been damaged, traces of spiritual energy attacks remained on the walls, and deep furrows scarred the ground, as though an immense force had torn it apart. The clan guards patrolled with tense expressions, exhaustion and vigilance written across every face. "What happened here?" Mu Chen asked, catching hold of a passing guard. At the sight of Mu Chen, a flicker of delighted surprise crossed the guard's eyes, but worry soon replaced it. "Young master, you're finally back. Ever since you left for the Spirit Road, the clan has suffered repeated attacks from a mysterious, sinister force. They're powerful and ruthless, and our losses have already been severe." Mu Chen's brows knitted tightly, anger flashing in his eyes. "What sort of sinister force?" "We don't know. Every time they appear, their faces are covered, and their bodies are shrouded in black mist. When they fight us, their spiritual energy carries a strange corrosive power. Once someone is struck, the wounds are difficult to heal, and their spiritual energy gradually falls into disorder," the guard replied. Mu Chen clenched his fists. He knew he could not stand idly by. He immediately headed for the clan's council hall, the heart of its decision-making, certain that the clan elders would be discussing countermeasures there. When he arrived, the atmosphere inside was heavy. The elders and key figures of the clan had all gathered, clouds of worry darkening every face. "Mu Chen? You're back!" A trace of relief appeared in the clan chief's eyes when he saw Mu Chen, but concern quickly overshadowed it. "Grandfather, I heard about the clan's situation on my way back. Just who is attacking us?" Mu Chen asked. The clan chief sighed deeply. "We don't know where they come from, either. They seem to have come prepared, and our clan is their target. Every attack is sudden, and their strength is not to be underestimated. Many of our people have already been injured or even killed." "Do we have any clues?" Mu Chen pressed. An elder stepped forward. "Judging by their methods of attack and the nature of their spiritual energy, they bear some resemblance to sinister forces we've encountered before, but they aren't quite the same. They seem to be searching for something. During every attack, they search all the important locations in the compound." "Searching for something? What does our clan have that would make them go to such lengths?" Mu Chen asked in bewilderment. "That is what we're investigating as well. We suspect it may concern an ancestral treasure or confidential information," another elder replied. After a moment's thought, Mu Chen said, "Whatever they're looking for, we can't let them succeed. I encountered some evil powers on the Spirit Road, too, so I know something about them. We need to strengthen the clan's defenses while also taking the initiative and tracking them down." "What exactly do you have in mind?" the clan chief asked, looking at Mu Chen. "We can set up concealed spiritual energy traps and early-warning devices around the compound. That way, we'll know in advance when they attack. Then we can organize elite squads to patrol and scout the surrounding area, leaving no suspicious clue unchecked," Mu Chen said. "Yes, that's a good approach." The clan chief nodded in agreement. "We'll act immediately. We cannot let the clan suffer any more harm." Following Mu Chen's suggestions, the clan swiftly sprang into action. The guards and the clan's cultivators worked together to place traps and early-warning devices around the compound. Mu Chen took part himself, drawing on the knowledge and experience he had gained on the Spirit Road to devise clever trap layouts that made them both better concealed and more lethal. Meanwhile, Mu Chen selected several strong, experienced clan members to form elite squads. Leading one of those squads himself, he began patrolling the area around the compound. They carefully searched every corner, letting no thread of evidence or trace of a clue escape them. During one patrol, Mu Chen's squad discovered some suspicious footprints. They led toward the mountain behind the compound, and the vegetation around them had withered, as though corroded by some evil power. "Stay alert, everyone. Follow me," Mu Chen said quietly, leading his squad along the trail. When they reached the mountain, they found the sinister aura even thicker there. Black mist swirled before a cave, and faint, low murmurs drifted from within it, sending chills down their spines. "There's definitely something wrong here. Let's go in and take a look," Mu Chen said. They approached the cave cautiously. Just as they drew near, several black spiritual energy arrows suddenly shot from the mist. The arrows were blindingly fast and carried a powerful corrosive force. "Watch out!" Mu Chen shouted. He swiftly unleashed his Spiritual Energy Shield, sheltering the squad members within it. The arrows struck the shield with a sizzling hiss, and black spots appeared across its surface, signs that its spiritual energy was being corroded. "Everyone, fall back. I'll deal with this mist," Mu Chen said, unleashing Star Transformation and infusing his attacks with Star Power. He sent several spiritual energy blades sweeping toward the black mist. Starlight flashed within it, and beneath that radiance, the mist slowly began to disperse. As it cleared, the scene inside the cave gradually came into view. Several Black-Robed People were performing some kind of ritual, gathered around a stone platform that emitted a sinister glow. Strange objects lay upon it, giving off the same spiritual energy fluctuations as the sinister force that had attacked the clan. "Who are you? Why are you attacking my clan?" Mu Chen demanded loudly. Hearing his voice, the Black-Robed People stopped their ritual. They turned to face him, surprise flickering in their eyes before greed and viciousness quickly replaced it. "Hmph, so you're Mu Chen? I didn't expect you to return. Still, that changes nothing about our plan. We've come to take back what belongs to us," one of the Black-Robed People said. "What belongs to you? Our clan has nothing of yours. Don't even dream of succeeding!" Mu Chen said angrily. "Then don't blame us for showing no mercy!" With those words, the Black-Robed People attacked Mu Chen and his squad together. A fierce battle erupted before the cave. Mu Chen knew full well how much this fight mattered. He had to protect his clan, defeat these sinister forces, uncover the secrets behind them, and rescue his clan from peril.