Return to the Tang Household

The dark clouds scattered, and sunlight spilled over the sea of clouds once more.

Tang Yao stood in midair, feeling the surging power of her Golden Core within her. The Qi Household's crimson airship had long since shattered into countless fragments and plunged from the sky.

Just then, a voice she had not heard in a long time came from her sea of consciousness, a little girl's voice. "Hi~"

"Congratulations on successfully breaking through to the Golden Core Realm, Master! You've unlocked the second level of the Complete Collection of Talismans. You can make mid-tier talismans now!"

The sudden voice startled Tang Yao.

Tang Yao replied in her sea of consciousness, You're nowhere to be seen normally, but now you show up?

The book spirit was a little fawning. She felt she had chosen the right person. A sixteen-year-old Golden Core cultivator was sure to have boundless prospects! Following her would surely undo the portion sealed by the demon general!

With a hint of tears in her voice, she said, "As for me, Shushu... sigh, my strength has been sealed, so I can only make low-tier talismans. Against someone in the Golden Core Realm, low-tier talismans barely even tickle!"

"Master, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!"

Tang Yao fell silent. "..." That did seem to make some sense?

"Replace all those Crawling Talismans, Devil Sound Circling the Ears Talismans, and whatever else I made before with mid-tier ones. Make plenty," Tang Yao said with an extremely serious expression. "All right, go back. No slacking."

Shushu: ...?

A magnificent sacred artifact like her had to make these things every day?? She might as well not recover.

The artifact spirit swallowed the urge to cough up blood.

A great artifact spirit knew when to bend and when to stand tall!

Then she flashed a bright, obedient smile. "Yes, Master!"

Strange. Why did she keep feeling someone watching her? She could not help shivering and turned her head slightly-

Vermilion Bird's resentful gaze remained fixed on the artifact spirit, flames rising behind him as he said nothing.

Like a startled cat, Shushu blurted out without a moment's hesitation, "Master, this task of yours... I must work without stopping to finish it! I'm off!"

Seeing the artifact spirit flee like a wisp of smoke, leaving only an autumn leaf spinning behind her, Vermilion Bird could only demand of Tang Yao indignantly, "Just! How many more are there!"

"How many did you take in while I was asleep!?" Vermilion Bird puffed out his little cheeks, furious and disgruntled.

A Taotie and a lousy sword were bad enough, but what was this now?

Tang Yao coughed lightly. "There aren't any more..."

But Vermilion Bird did not believe her. He returned to her sea of consciousness, vowing to turn it upside down.

Just then, Tang Yao's expression suddenly froze.

Oh no, there's still that demon general I hoodwinked with Shushu...

Vermilion Bird watched Tang Yao's expression, his mouth falling open with an I-knew-it look.

Hey! No! Tang Yao hurriedly waved her hands!

"Anyway, no more from now on! Or ask me first!!"

Tang Yao nodded at lightning speed and blinked.

Seeing Tang Yao remain motionless, the Tang Household guards gathered around, their gazes filled with awe as they looked at her.

The Golden Core Realm! A sixteen-year-old Golden Core cultivator! This was exceedingly rare even in the history of the Eastern Continent.

The Tang Household guards had all suffered injuries of varying severity. Her gaze passed over them-

Tang Xin was injured too.

She still had some pills in her Storage Bag from when she had fleeced Xiao Linyu last time. Tang Yao took them all out and distributed them among everyone.

The Qi Household's actions this time had been strange.

It was as though they had known their route.

"Turn back immediately. Return to the Tang Household," Tang Yao ordered. She lowered her head in thought, her fingers rubbing the railing, then suddenly looked up and smiled. "The Qi Household dared to intercept and kill us along the way."

"There's an eighty percent chance the Tang Household has someone working with them."

Tang Xin froze at her words. "You mean..."

"That's right." Tang Yao nodded. "Our movements were leaked."

After hearing this, everyone thought it made sense. Otherwise, it would have been far too much of a coincidence.

Although the Tang Household's flying boat was badly damaged, it could still barely fly.

"Don't mention the Qi Household," Tang Yao instructed everyone quietly. "Just say we encountered bandits."

One of the guards spoke hesitantly. "Young master, why hide it? The Qi Household is declaring war on us!"

"Would you dare entrust your backs to a traitor?"

"We'll go home and clean house first."

Everyone immediately agreed. "Yes! Young master, we'll follow your arrangements!"

The flying boat continued forward, teetering on the verge of falling. Half a day later, the Tang Household's grand estate drew ever closer.

The Tang Household was situated in Heavenly Mist City and occupied a thousand mu. Viewed from above, its pavilions and towers lay amid spiritual mist. As one of the five great Aristocratic Clans, the Tang Household had deep foundations, but talent had dwindled in recent years, leaving its standing precarious.

The flying boat gradually descended onto the main courtyard's bustling square. Members of the household were already waiting, led by the head of the Tang Household. Several elders followed behind him, and a group of boys and girls gathered nearby.

Tang Hua grinned from ear to ear. He truly had not expected this fine son of his to spring such a huge surprise on him. He normally seemed so frivolous. Truly, one could not judge a person by appearances!

Even if his son really was a cut-sleeve!

He would accept it!

A group of children chattered.

"It's the young master! The young master's back! I saw him!"

"Why does the flying boat look like that? Did something happen?"

Tang Hua immediately stopped smiling. Looking at the battered flying boat, what had happened went without saying.

This was the Tang Household's only flying boat, but compared with the two children, it hardly mattered.

Once everyone had disembarked.

Seeing the injuries covering the group, Tang Hua's expression changed drastically, his eyes widening in anger. "What happened?!"

"What's going on?"

The elders also hurried over, asking anxiously.

Tang Yao cupped her hands. "We encountered bandits along the way and won by a narrow margin."

Tang Hua's brows knitted tightly. His gaze swept over everyone before finally settling on Tang Yao. He said gravely, "Bandits? What sort of bandits would dare attack the Tang Household?"

Although their Tang Household was no longer what it once was, ordinary bandits would not dare confront them head-on.

"They were masked. Their identities are unknown." Tang Yao's gaze swept over everyone as she spoke helplessly.

A sharp glint flashed through Tang Hua's eyes. He waved his hand. "Take the injured to have their wounds treated first. We'll discuss this later."

Everyone withdrew, but Tang Hua stopped Tang Yao.

"Yao'er, come with me."

Tang Yao followed Tang Hua all the way to the study. Once she had entered as well, he closed the door and set up a soundproof barrier.

Tang Hua looked solemn. "What exactly happened?"

Tang Yao said, "It was the Qi Household."

"Just as I thought! That old bastard Qi Yi is a cunning, treacherous snake. He's had his eye on the Tang Household's position for ages!" Tang Hua clenched his fist and slammed it onto the table. "Attacking the younger generation! He really has outdone himself!"

"Father, more importantly, which of you knew the airship's route this time?"

Tang Yao frowned. "Don't you think it was too much of a coincidence?"

At her words, Tang Hua's face abruptly darkened, and a cold glint flashed through his eyes. He instantly understood what Tang Yao meant.

There was someone on the inside.

"Without knowing the flying boat's route and schedule, the Qi Household could still set such a precise ambush?" Tang Yao shook her head. "If that's the case, the Qi Household is practically divine."

Tang Hua was silent for a moment. "This must be investigated thoroughly."

The Lineage had declined greatly over the years. Those harboring ulterior motives had likely colluded long ago. Yao'er had shown a little talent.

And already, they could no longer sit still.