"Our ancestor from a thousand years ago has returned. Our Chen family is about to prosper."

"That's right. With Ancestor Tianwen's strength, no one in the entire Yunzhou can rival him."

"Prosperity is the main family's business; we collateral branches can't even get a sip of soup."

"Yeah, none of this concerns us. Let's just go about our business."

The elders of the Fengshan Chen family sighed deeply.

"However, we still need to send someone to congratulate them, otherwise it will be embarrassing."

“That’s right. The ancestor’s return is a major event for the entire family. In principle, we should send someone to deliver a congratulatory gift.”

"If we can please our master, we might even get some benefits in return."

As the dominant family in the entire Western Region, the Chen family could feed themselves for a long time if they managed to get even a tiny bit of food from their own pockets.

The members of the Chen family began to discuss enthusiastically how to send gifts to their host family.

Chen Xiaogu knew that this matter was private and that it was inappropriate for an outsider like himself to continue listening, so he asked to leave.

Anyway, the person he came to tell Chen Yunxiang was that he planned to join his mercenary group.

Now he's just waiting for Chen Yunxiang to assign him a task.

"Brother Xiaogu!"

Chen Xiaogu had just stepped out the door when Chen Yunxiang called him back.

"Brother, there is something I need to discuss with you."

With that, Chen Yunxiang led Chen Xiaogu into a quiet, secluded room.

After the two sat down, Chen Yunxiang poured Chen Xiaogu a cup of hot tea and then said, "Brother, since you have decided to join us, we are going into the mountains to hunt a monster these next few days. Why don't you come along?"

"What kind of monster?"

Chen Xiaogu asked cautiously.

Mercenaries' missions are to hunt down monsters or take on missions in various cities.

If the target were just an ordinary monster, Chen Yunxiang wouldn't have bothered to find him alone.

A three-legged python

Chen Yunxiang said calmly.

Upon hearing this name, a hint of surprise flashed in Chen Xiaogu's eyes.

"A three-legged python, that's a demonic beast at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm!"

Although the Chen family of Fengshan had a glorious history.

He even once walked out of the Nascent Soul stage.

However, currently only one family head is at the early stage of the Golden Core realm.

Hunting a three-legged python in the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm is extremely dangerous.

"Don't worry."

Seeing the worry in his eyes, Chen Yunxiang gave him a reassuring smile and said, "This three-legged python has just laid eggs and is currently in a weakened state. Its strength is at most at the early stage of the Golden Core realm. With the patriarch personally taking action, plus your and my assistance, wouldn't it be a piece of cake?"

Upon hearing that it was a three-legged python in its breeding season, the worry in Chen Xiaogu's eyes immediately subsided.

While powerful, demonic beasts are not without weaknesses. For example, during their breeding season, they experience a period of weakness.

Combat strength will decrease by one stage.

Experienced mercenary groups and hunters usually choose this time to hunt and kill.

Is the information accurate?

It was Chen Xiaogu's first time hunting a monster that was a level above him, and he was still a little apprehensive.

Don't worry!

Chen Yunxiang gave him a reassuring look: "This three-legged python was discovered by our mercenary group by chance. We've been keeping an eye on it, so there's absolutely no problem."

Before Chen Xiaogu arrived, they weren't entirely confident they could capture the three-legged python.

Now, with Chen Xiaogu, two Foundation Establishment cultivators at the peak, plus their patriarch at the early Golden Core stage, they are more than capable of defeating the three-legged python in its weakened state.

Seeing that there was still some hesitation in Chen Xiaogu's eyes.

Chen Yunxiang continued, "This three-legged python is a treasure from head to toe. Its skin, scales, gallbladder, and tendons could fetch over a million spirit stones..."

Chen Yunxiang calculated the value of the three-legged python. As a mid-stage Golden Core demon beast, it could be sold for at least one million spirit stones. The python eggs could be hatched and raised as spirit pets, or sold to cultivators in need, with a value of around 500,000.

"If you go on this trip, you can get at least 100,000 spirit stones!"

After saying that, Chen Yunxiang delivered a devastating blow to Chen Xiaogu.

He knew that what Chen Xiaogu lacked most right now was spirit stones.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have needed to borrow even a mere ten thousand spirit stones.

As expected, upon hearing about the value of the three-legged python, the hesitation in Chen Xiaogu's eyes vanished immediately.

One hundred thousand spirit stones is already half of the Chen family's fortune.

With this money, the Chen family can settle down in Fengshan City.

There will also be an opportunity to buy Yu Meng a qualified foundation-building technique.

Compared to this, what is the slight risk of hunting a three-legged python?

Thinking of this, Chen Xiaogu nodded and asked, "When shall we set off?"

"Three days later!"

Chen Yunxiang smiled and said, "According to our information, the three-legged python will give birth in about ten days. We will set off a few days in advance and set up a formation to ensure that everything goes smoothly."

Chen Yunxiang is also a veteran mercenary, and his hunting plan is very well-thought-out. At least with Chen Xiaogu's skill level, there is nothing wrong with it.

"Alright, we'll set off in three days!"

Chen Xiaogu said firmly.

...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Chen Xiaogu, dressed in military uniform, followed the mercenary group of the Fengshan Chen family and marched into the depths of the mountains.

at the same time.

Jingjiang Cheng, Chen Family, Imperial Clan Court.

This is the department responsible for managing all matters related to the bloodline of the Chen family clan.

Responsible for recording the names of the collateral branches of the Chen family, as well as all matters related to weddings, funerals, and other important events.

Of course, this is only in name.

Because the Chen family had been passing down their skills for far too long.

The Chen family branches scattered across various regions number in the tens of thousands.

Less than 30% of the Chen family branches were recorded by the Imperial Clan Court.

In reality, the Imperial Clan Court now only has the function of receiving visiting members of the collateral branches of the imperial family.

Anyone who has recently visited the Lord's house will be recorded.

Therefore, the Imperial Clan Court has always been a quiet, secluded place, and apart from a few old stewards, no one comes here on weekdays.

However, the Imperial Clan Courtyard was bustling with people today.

Nearly half of the Nascent Soul elders of the Chen family gathered here, flipping through files that they would never normally even glance at.

"I want the Chen family from Qingzhou, not Lanzhou!"

"Did more than 300 branches visit in just one month last December?"

"Go check each and every one of them, you must find it for me!"

The entire Imperial Clan Court was in chaos, with people constantly flying in and out.

Suddenly, ripples appeared in the void, spreading outwards like waves, and a figure dressed in a purple and gold robe walked out of the void.

Everyone looked at the figure, and then they all knelt down.

"Greetings, Master of the Family."

Chen Mingxuan nodded, gesturing for everyone to stand up. He then approached an elder and asked, "How is the situation? Have you found the Chen family from Qingzhou?"