Su Xuanxuan really wanted to charge into the Gu Manor this instant, snatch the child back, strip off his Dharma Garment, and inspect him thoroughly.
But if Yuan’er had truly been possessed, such a reckless move would only force the possessor to destroy everything, taking the boy down with them.
Thinking on the bright side, if Yuan’er had not been possessed, she would only be exposing his identity as the Holy Son.
When that time came, it would be Chu Yunlan’s turn, that fake young master, to be on guard and disrupt her entire plan.
Looking down at the Time-Peering Orb, she rubbed her fingertips gently against the surface of the sphere.
The faint red halo swirled between her fingers, like some kind of silent urging.
As long as she used the secret technique to activate the [Time-Peering Orb] ahead of schedule, she would know whether her Yuan’er had been possessed or not.
But once she did that, the treasure would be unusable for 1,000 years.
Su Xuanxuan struggled internally:
‘There are still a few months left!’
‘A few months until the next time it can be used!’
‘But a few months… can Yuan’er wait that long?’
‘Will that possessor give him a few months of time?’
‘No, no, no!’
‘I should have confidence in the protective restrictions I set…’
Contradictory thoughts battled in Su Xuanxuan’s mind, and her hand gripping the Time-Peering Orb tightened involuntarily.
For a long time, she suppressed the urge to use the secret technique, choosing to believe that “the situation had not worsened to an irreversible point.”
Not to mention, if that [Shenbao] had truly possessed her Holy Son, confronting the other party directly would put her at a disadvantage.
The more she reached this point, the more Su Xuanxuan knew she had to take a long-term view.
Thinking of the instructions from Grand Elder Ziya, she decided to first send a sound transmission to the confidant she had planted by Chu Yunlan’s side.
Upon receiving the order, the confidant replied secretly:
[Yes! Fox Venerable, this subordinate knows what to do.]
—
At noon.
Chu Yunlan sat cross-legged in his room, regulating his breathing.
Recalling how the Crown Princess had been acting all lovey-dovey with that piece of trash these past few days—
The Jealousy Dao Seed within his body accelerated the flow of spiritual energy through his meridians, pouring endlessly into his Dantian and spiritual platform.
Although he realized he could prepare to condense his pellet and break through at any moment, Chu Yunlan still stopped the urge to enter seclusion.
Firstly, this branch of the Chu family was not a good place for seclusion; it was better to be stable.
This was just like the strategy he had employed inside and outside the Sacred Domain over the years—step by step, airtight and leakproof.
Tap, tap, tap!
Suddenly, urgent footsteps came from outside the door.
Chu Yunlan did not open his eyes, merely tilting his head slightly.
Judging by the rhythm of the footsteps, it was not hard for him to determine:
This was the confidant he had raised for many years, the one who had followed him all the way from the Sacred Domain to Xuanji City.
Before long, the footsteps stopped outside the door.
Knock, knock!
“Young Master! The items you requested have been prepared.”
Chu Yunlan opened his eyes:
“Come in.”
The door was pushed open gently, a gray-clad figure flashed in, and closed the door behind him.
The confidant took a silk scroll from his sleeve and presented it with both hands:
“Young Master, this is the manifest for the upcoming Divine Grade Auction.”
“Hmm!”
Chu Yunlan took the scroll and unfolded it to examine it.
The list contained the precious items for the upcoming Divine Grade Auction.
Each treasure was labeled with its origin, grade, and starting bid.
With the Divine Grade Auction approaching, he had to determine which items he needed and prepare his funds.
Scanning from top to bottom, Chu Yunlan’s gaze suddenly paused at the entry for [Dragon Egg].
One had to know that in the ancient era, the Dragon race was the most powerful monster race in the world, without exception.
Dragons could swallow clouds and spit mist, flip rivers and stir up seas; even cultivators at the Domain Transformation Realm dared not bear the brunt of their power.
In particular, adult dragons were ferocious and unyielding, preferring death to submission.
Even if they were severely wounded or trapped in a desperate situation, they would never bow their heads to humans.
Throughout history, countless powerful cultivators had attempted to tame dragons, only to end up dead and disintegrated.
A dragon egg, however, was different. According to the experience of beast tamers:
The first person a newly hatched dragon sees is its owner for life.
This bond ran deep into the bone marrow, firmer than any Soul Covenant.
You could raise it yourself, teach it cultivation, teach it combat, and teach it loyalty.
When it grew up, it would be your most reliable assistant.
Unlike the Imperial Dynasty that revered the “Phoenix,” according to the legends of the Chu Taixu Sacred Domain—
A dragon, after all, is the proof of an emperor!
Among the ancient sacred emperors, which one of them did not ride dragons and drive clouds, wielding supreme authority over the world?
If he could obtain this dragon egg and raise a true dragon…
The corners of his lips curled up slightly.
At that time, whether it was the current Empress or the current Crown Princess… they would all be trampled under his feet.
At the mere thought of that scene, Chu Yunlan’s heart surged with excitement.
Scanning further down the scroll, however, he gave a light hum of surprise:
“Why is the starting bid for this dragon egg only 800,000 Spirit Stones? Is there some flaw?”
The confidant bowed:
“Yes! Young Master, according to the Chu family’s internal appraisal: This dragon egg does not originate from a purebred dragon; there is a great risk of it hatching a hybrid dragon species. That is why the starting bid is so low.”
Hearing him say this, Chu Yunlan realized:
“Oh~! Then that is not surprising.”
Dragons were known for their lust, and since ancient times, they had mated with many monster races.
This had led to the existence of many sub-dragon species in the world.
While there were a very small number of powerful hybrids, the vast majority of sub-dragons were not as strong as the purebloods.
For a sub-dragon egg of unknown origin, one had to put a big question mark over what would hatch.
If it hatched into a hybrid with a chicken that could only rap, sing, and play basketball, that would be hilarious.
In Chu Yunlan’s view, gambling 800,000 on a possibility was not worth it.
Especially since this was the Divine Grade Auction, which featured many good things; there was no need to waste his budget on it.
Having made his decision, Chu Yunlan began scanning other items, not forgetting to tell his confidant:
“You may withdraw first! I will summon you again if there is anything!”
Hearing this, the confidant did not withdraw immediately:
“Young Master, this subordinate has one more matter to report.”
Chu Yunlan glanced at him:
“Speak!”
The confidant stepped a half-step closer, lowering his voice:
“I have discovered that the Second Princess has secretly come to Xuanji City and has been inquiring about your room at the Divine Grade Auction from that branch of the Chu family from time to time. She seems interested in befriending you, Young Master.”
Chu Yunlan’s expression turned strange:
Oh?
The Second Princess?
Wants to befriend me?
He had heard of that Second Princess of the Imperial Dynasty.
Unlike the famous Crown Princess, she, as the younger sister, had always been low-key in the imperial court.
The Second Princess’s inconspicuous appearance made her seem like a shadow living under her older sister.
But a shadow… might also have the uses of a shadow.
He lifted his teacup and took a light sip.
The tea was warm, carrying a faint scent of osmanthus, which made Chu Yunlan feel refreshed.
Seeing that the Young Master seemed quite interested in this, the confidant pressed his advantage:
“Young Master, if you are interested, why not play along? When the Divine Grade Auction starts, this subordinate can arrange for the Second Princess’s private room to be next to yours, to facilitate a secret meeting?”
Chu Yunlan set down his teacup, a playful smile on his face:
“Arrange it.”
He was also quite curious about the intentions of this Second Princess.
Perhaps her existence could help in forming an alliance against the Crown Princess.
The confidant understood and bowed to withdraw.
The moment he closed the door again, the confidant immediately sent a sound transmission to Su Xuanxuan:
[Fox Venerable, the matter you ordered has been handled! The Young Master has agreed to meet secretly with the Second Princess during the Divine Grade Auction.]
Su Xuanxuan nodded slightly:
[Good! I understand!]
She had finally completed the commission entrusted by Grand Elder Ziya.
However, Su Xuanxuan was not in a hurry to report; her Divine Sense continued to monitor her Yuan’er.
As night fell, she sensed something:
Chu Yuan, who had yet to recover, was actually heading toward the West Courtyard, where the Crown Princess resided.
Su Xuanxuan’s heart suddenly tightened:
‘Why is Yuan’er going to the Crown Princess’s place when it’s so late…???’