Chapter 39: Spirit Stones!

"Let's go back inside and talk," Wei Yuansheng said, looking around and realizing the area was now deserted. Xiao Feng had already left. Fortunately, Xiao Feng had only thrown a single punch, assuming Wei Qingqiu was dead, and hadn't bothered to check her body. Had he delivered another blow, even with the protective talisman, Wei Qingqiu would not have survived.

Two hours later, at the Wei family villa.

Chu Tian arrived in haste, bursting into the living room. "Mr. Chu, what brings you here?" Wei Yuansheng asked, surprised. He hadn't had a chance to inform Chu Tian about the incident, yet Chu Tian was already here, and judging by his anxious expression, it was clear he knew something had happened to the Wei family.

"I sensed fluctuations in Qingqiu's protective talisman. Is she alright?" Chu Tian scanned the room, his gaze settling on Wei Qingqiu. Only when he saw her safe did he finally relax.

"Don't worry. With your talisman safeguarding me, not a single hair will be harmed," Wei Qingqiu replied with a light laugh. Though she appeared composed, recalling the danger still left her shaken.

"Don't forget, you belong to me. Not even the slightest harm can come to you," Chu Tian said, stepping closer to Wei Qingqiu, his tone serious. Instantly, Wei Qingqiu blushed. Her grandfather was still present, yet Chu Tian showed no restraint.

Hearing their exchange, Wei Yuansheng was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood. A meaningful smile appeared on his face, as if he'd already guessed the nature of their relationship. Chu Tian was an eighteen-year-old master of internal cultivation, destined for greatness. If Wei Qingqiu truly ended up with him, it would be the Wei family who was benefiting from the connection. How could Wei Yuansheng not approve of their union? Of course, this was a matter for the young, and he decided not to say anything, simply smiling quietly.

"Qingqiu, what exactly happened?" Chu Tian pressed for answers.

"Better let Grandfather explain," Wei Qingqiu said, uncertain how to begin, looking to Wei Yuansheng for help.

This was a disgrace to the Wei family—partnering in business only to embezzle someone else's spirit stone. Ultimately, it was the family's fault, caused by Wei Changtian.

"Ah, it's all the fault of my disappointing son!" Wei Yuansheng sighed, turning to the middle-aged man in the living room, his expression filled with frustration.

"Father, what does this have to do with me?" protested the man. "I only wanted to open up another source of income for the family. How could I have known it would bring disaster?"

This man, in his forties with a square face, was visibly troubled. Chu Tian quickly deduced his identity: Wei Qingqiu's father, Wei Changtian. Unlike Wei Yuansheng, Wei Changtian lacked resilience. He was neither gifted in martial arts nor industrious, instead indulging in drink and pleasure, achieving nothing. A middle-aged wastrel—truly a disgrace to the Wei family.

In his previous life, after Wei Yuansheng's death, had it not been for Wei Qingqiu's efforts, the Wei family would have long since perished, never surviving another decade. Expecting Wei Changtian to uphold the family was nothing more than wishful thinking.

If Chu Tian remembered correctly, the same calamity befell the family in his past life. Only by Wei Yuansheng's intervention did the crisis resolve, though at a heavy cost, from which the family never recovered. As a result, other families took advantage, relentlessly suppressing the Wei family until all their assets were divided and lost.

In other words, the Wei family's destruction originated with Xiao Feng. From this perspective, Wei Changtian was undoubtedly the family's greatest offender.

"Mr. Chu, this matter is a shame to the Wei family and should not be disclosed to outsiders. But you are my savior, so I won't hide it from you," Wei Yuansheng said. "Changtian invested in a stone-gambling venture with others and accidentally discovered a spirit stone. Tempted by greed, he kept it for himself, provoking their anger. Xiao Feng attacked Qingqiu as a warning, intending to force us to surrender the stone."

Wei Yuansheng sighed again, laying out the matter of Xiao Feng. Yet Chu Tian's attention was not on Xiao Feng, but on a key detail in Wei Yuansheng's explanation.

"Spirit stone?" Chu Tian's eyes flashed with keen interest.

"Changtian, bring out the spirit stone for Mr. Chu to see," Wei Yuansheng ordered sternly.

Reluctantly, Wei Changtian complied, and at his father's urging, opened his suitcase. Inside lay a gleaming spirit stone, emitting a faint glow.

A spirit stone—indeed! Though not a top-grade specimen, its contained spiritual energy was precious, making it invaluable in the mundane world where such energy was scarce. Especially for a cultivator like Chu Tian, the potential of this stone was limitless. Even he couldn't help but covet it, let alone Wei Changtian. In truth, his greed was understandable—the stone was worth having.

"This stone is a treasure, but it's not something the Wei family should possess. By holding onto what isn't theirs, they invite disaster," Chu Tian said, withdrawing his gaze. Though tempted, he had no intention of taking it by force. After all, the Wei family was Qingqiu's own, and he had just taken her under his wing. How could he claim their treasure? Still, he felt obliged to warn them.

A man with wealth but no power attracts calamity. Without the means to protect it, this stone would bring nothing but ruin.

"Mr. Chu, I understand that well. But since we've already offended the other party, we are locked in a struggle with no way out," Wei Yuansheng replied bitterly. "Xiao Feng is a martial artist from abroad, rumored to be connected with the Black Dragon Society. He never leaves survivors, not even the old or weak. I'm afraid this is the end for our family."

"If you return the stone, won't they let you go?" Chu Tian asked, frowning in confusion.

"Qingqiu, show Mr. Chu the letter," Wei Yuansheng instructed.

Wei Qingqiu handed the letter to Chu Tian. He opened Xiao Feng's correspondence, and his expression changed…