However, Chu Wenyuan still shook his head indifferently and refused.

"Second Elder, your hard work and contributions are acknowledged by me.

I can promise you that Chu Qingzhi will stay in the Chu Family with all her current privileges unchanged.

But Chu Qingyun absolutely cannot remain in the Chu Family!"

Chu Qianshan and Chu Qingzhi both frowned and instinctively asked, "Why not?"

Chu Wenyuan's gaze was sharp as lightning, and he spoke with authority, "I just received news that Chu Qingyun has been practicing demonic arts and caused the death of the Second Young Master of the Ling Family.

You just returned from the Abandoned Garden and have confronted Ling Zhan, so you can't be unaware of this."

Chu Qianshan's body trembled, and his fists clenched tightly within his robe sleeves.

The Great Elder and the Third Elder breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but reveal a smug sneer.

"That's right! After being severely injured and crippled, Chu Qingyun fell into the path of evil and practiced demonic arts, which is truly disgraceful!

The reputation and honor of the Chu Family must not be tainted by him!"

"If we keep Chu Qingyun in the Chu Family, the world will surely think that the Chu Family is colluding with demons.

At that time, not only will the Chu Family's reputation be damaged, but we will also become the target of public criticism and be besieged!

Family Head, I suggest we capture Chu Qingyun and hand him over to the Ling Family for them to deal with.

This will not only quell the Ling Family's anger but also demonstrate our determination to draw a clear line between the Chu Family and the demonic path, showing that we are irreconcilable enemies..."

Kicking someone when they're down is what the Great Elder and the Third Elder are best at.

Hearing their proposal, Chu Wenyuan's eyes flickered, and he seemed somewhat tempted.

Seeing his reaction, Chu Qianshan completely lost hope and then burst into furious laughter.

"Hahaha... So, this is the true Chu Family!"

The Great Elder and the Third Elder looked at him with disdain, their eyes full of contempt.

Unexpectedly, Chu Qianshan's laughter abruptly stopped, and he suddenly glared at everyone, shouting, "Do you think I came here to discuss with you?

Open your eyes wide and see what this is!"

As he finished speaking, a flash of light appeared in his palm, revealing a small golden sword the length of a chopstick.

Chu Wenyuan and the four elders immediately focused their attention on the golden sword.

Upon seeing the mysterious patterns and inscriptions on the small sword, everyone widened their eyes and exclaimed in shock.

"The Chu Family Sword Token?"

"Impossible! How did the Sword Token end up in your hands?"

All the Chu Family disciples knew that the Sword Token was personally crafted by the Chu Family's ancestor and was given as a token of reward to the greatest hero of the Chu Family.

The Sword Token's function was equivalent to the imperial sword of the Kingdom Qian, akin to a pardon token.

The holder of the Sword Token was as if the Chu Family's ancestor was present, and no matter how great the crime, they could be spared from death.

It also granted a one-time privilege to issue orders to the Chu Family.

However, the hero who obtained the Sword Token back then never used it.

Over time, the Chu Family gradually forgot about the existence of the Sword Token.

But no one expected that after three hundred years, the Sword Token would appear in Chu Qianshan's hands!

Everyone was stunned, taking a while to regain their composure.

Chu Wenyuan stared intently at the golden sword, his expression grave as he asked, "Chu Qianshan, why is the Sword Token in your hands?"

Chu Qianshan replied proudly, "The hero who obtained the Sword Token back then was my great-grandfather!"

Chu Wenyuan and the elders were momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized.

Holding the Sword Token, Chu Qianshan asked authoritatively, "Family Head, the Sword Token is here. I ask you to retract your decision. Is there any problem?"

Before Chu Wenyuan could respond, the Great Elder coldly said, "The Sword Token hasn't appeared in nearly three hundred years. Who can verify whether the Sword Token in your hand is real or fake?"

Chu Qianshan ignored him disdainfully and tossed the Sword Token into Chu Wenyuan's hands.

Chu Wenyuan took the Sword Token, examined it repeatedly, and used the Chu Family's secret method to investigate it before nodding, "It contains the aura and restrictions left by the ancestor. This Sword Token is genuine."

The Great Elder had nothing to say and could only grit his teeth in silence.

Chu Wenyuan held the Sword Token, his gaze burning as he stared at Chu Qianshan, asking solemnly, "Chu Qianshan, the Sword Token can only be used once.

Since your great-grandfather obtained the Sword Token, for nearly three hundred years, your family has never used it.

Just to let Chu Qingyun and Chu Qingzhi return to the Chu Family and continue enjoying the privileges of direct descendants, are you sure you want to waste this incredibly precious opportunity?"

Chu Qianshan replied expressionlessly, "Then if I ask you to restore Qingyun's position as Young Master, would you agree?"

For the full version, visit pawread dot com.

"Consider it as if I never asked." Chu Wenyuan raised an eyebrow and said no more.

At this moment, Chu Qingyun and Chu Qingzhi both grabbed Chu Qianshan's arm, shaking their heads in refusal.

"Grandfather, the Sword Token is too precious. You don't need to use it!"

"Please take back the Sword Token, Grandfather. We'll find another way."

Chu Qianshan looked at the siblings, a kind smile on his face, and said gently, "You silly kids, I won't be able to use the Sword Token forever. It will eventually be passed on to you.

Since that's the case, it's better to use the Sword Token now and let it serve its purpose at this critical moment."

The siblings understood their grandfather's good intentions but still felt it was not worth it.

Before they could persuade him further, Chu Qianshan looked at Chu Wenyuan and said firmly, "I have made up my mind. Please, Family Head, issue the order."

Chu Wenyuan nodded, holding the golden Sword Token with both hands, and announced solemnly, "I hereby declare that from this moment on, the status and privileges of Chu Qingyun and Chu Qingzhi as direct descendants are restored..."

Hearing the series of orders announced by Chu Wenyuan, Chu Qianshan finally felt at ease.

Meanwhile, the Great Elder and the Third Elder's faces were dark as ice, their eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness.

Once Chu Wenyuan finished announcing his orders, the Sword Token glowed with golden light, leaving his hands and flying back to the ancestral shrine of the Chu Family.

Everything was settled.

"Let's go."

The Great Elder and the Third Elder, their faces ashen, left the Council Hall first, exuding a chilling aura.

The Fourth Elder and the Fifth Elder nodded to Chu Qianshan, bid farewell, and followed suit.

Only Chu Wenyuan, Chu Qianshan, and the siblings remained in the hall.

Chu Wenyuan stared at Chu Qingyun, speaking coldly, "Chu Qingyun, the Second Elder wasted a precious Sword Token to help you.

I hope you stay quietly in the residence, don't cause any more trouble, and never use demonic arts to harm others again!

If you persist in your ways, even the Second Elder won't be able to protect you!"

After leaving these words, Chu Wenyuan swept his sleeves and left.

Chu Qingyun remained silent, his gaze indifferent as he watched him leave.

Chu Wenyuan's attitude towards him had always been stern and rigid, rarely showing any kindness, something he had long been accustomed to.

After this incident, he saw through everyone in the Chu Family.

Except for his grandfather and sister, who truly cared for him, the rest... were not worth mentioning.

"Let's go."

Chu Qianshan patted Chu Qingyun on the shoulder, leading him and Chu Qingzhi out of the hall.

...

The Chu Residence was vast, covering thousands of acres, with over a dozen palaces and dozens of courtyards.

Chu Qingyun and Chu Qingzhi were assigned to the Green Bamboo Courtyard on the western side of the Chu Residence.

This small courtyard spanned thirty meters in diameter, surrounded by clusters of bamboo groves.

It wasn't large, nor was it lavishly decorated, with only two guards and two maidservants.

This was the standard for direct descendants, but it was far inferior to the Yunlong Courtyard where Chu Qingyun lived as the Young Master.

However, the Green Bamboo Courtyard was quiet and elegant.

After settling the siblings in, Chu Qianshan advised, "Qingyun, Qingzhi, Grandfather has some matters to attend to.

Stay in the Green Bamboo Courtyard, rest and recover, and try not to go out.

If anything happens, remember to inform Grandfather."

"Alright, take care, Grandfather."

The siblings nodded in understanding and then saw Chu Qianshan out of the Green Bamboo Courtyard.

With the courtyard quiet, the siblings could finally have a peaceful meal.

From yesterday morning until now, they hadn't eaten a single grain of rice or drunk a drop of water.

Chu Qingyun, being a martial artist with a strong physique and spiritual power, didn't feel hungry.

But Chu Qingzhi, with her frail constitution and having experienced a cold poison outbreak last night, was already weak and exhausted.

After eating, Chu Qingzhi went to her room to rest.

Chu Qingyun also returned to his room, took out two Spirit Stones and two Elixirs, and continued to heal his injuries.

Three hours later, he had fully absorbed the medicinal power.

His internal injuries were mostly healed and no longer a concern.

He then used his mind to inspect the changes in the mysterious vortex.

Previously, in the Abandoned Garden, he had absorbed the spiritual power of several guards and felt his strength increase.

Now, after absorbing the spiritual power of two Spirit Stones, he noticed that the color of the fourth ring of the vortex was gradually deepening.

"It seems it won't be long before I can recover to the fourth level of the Hualing Realm.

However, just increasing my strength isn't enough.

I must fully comprehend the Heaven Devouring Art and understand it clearly."

Everyone mistakenly believed he practiced demonic arts, but in his view, the Heaven Devouring Art was incredibly profound. How could it be an evil demonic art?

The misunderstanding of the world was due to their limited understanding, leading to rumors and misconceptions.

He had to find a way to prove he hadn't fallen into the demonic path and clear up the misunderstanding.

Otherwise, he would soon become a target for everyone, like a rat crossing the street.

And the prerequisite for clearing up the misunderstanding was to first understand the Heaven Devouring Art.

With this in mind, Chu Qingyun began to focus on comprehending the Heaven Devouring Art, pondering its true meaning.

Time passed silently.

Unbeknownst to him, night had fallen.

However, despite his earnest contemplation, Chu Qingyun made no progress.

His understanding of the Heaven Devouring Art remained superficial, with no breakthroughs.

Such aimless pondering was a waste of time and served no purpose.

Chu Qingyun had no choice but to stop and end his practice.

The moonlight outside was bright, and he planned to take a stroll in the courtyard to clear his mind.

However, just as he was about to get out of bed, he noticed an unfamiliar figure in the dimly lit room.

It was a tall, slender woman who had appeared in the room without a sound.

In the moonlight, Chu Qingyun could tell she was around twenty years old, wearing a fiery red floor-length dress, her bare feet as white as snow lotus.

She wore a black veil that covered her face.

Only her watery peach blossom eyes were visible, with a tear mole at the corner, adding a touch of allure and charm.

Even though the red dress was loose, it couldn't hide her curvaceous figure and captivating curves.

Though she was only about twenty, she exuded an enticing aura like a ripe peach.

Even without doing anything, just standing with her arms crossed and slightly tilting her head to observe Chu Qingyun, she exuded an irresistible, enchanting aura that made hearts race.