READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 4
Chapter 004: The Ghost Courting Death:
The Perfect Primordial Pill—an incredibly rare treasure.
In his previous life, Lu Ye had only managed to acquire one, which he had given to Yue Hongling.
This time, it was clear he wouldn’t make the same mistake.
Lu Ye stood up and heard the Grand Dao Sect erupt with auspicious light. The sound of a Dao bell resonated, and the calls of spiritual beasts echoed throughout.
“The 92nd-generation disciple of the Grand Dao Sect, Yue Hongling, disciple of Bai Qiulan, has reached Qi Gathering perfection in one month and seventeen days, breaking the sect’s record. She is awarded a bottle of Supreme Primordial Pills, three treasured weapons, a direct disciple quota, and two divine techniques of her choosing!”
Hearing this announcement, Lu Ye chuckled.
She cultivated quickly—just two days slower than he had, having achieved it in one month and fifteen days.
After all, Yue Hongling had been an Empress in her previous life. Even with his system and his former Heavenly Sovereign cultivation, it still took him that long.
But Supreme Primordial Pills?
Yue Hongling might not care for them, but he had to secure the Perfect Primordial Pill himself.
By his calculations, Chu Ling should be reaching Chu Sword Manor soon.
He could only imagine how the people of the manor would react to Chu Ling’s return after her disappearance.
…
Outside Chu Sword Manor, Chu Ling stood in tattered clothing, gazing at the familiar estate through tear-filled eyes.
She was finally home!
Countless nights, she had longed for her parents and her brother, who had always treated her so well. From the moment her innate sword physique was discovered, the manor lord and lady had adopted her as their own, cherishing her even more than a biological daughter and giving her the best of everything.
Now, at last, she had returned.
The manor was as beautiful as it had been when she left, not the desolation she had seen in her previous life.
This time, she vowed to train diligently, to protect the manor and her family.
With excitement in her heart, she approached the gates of Chu Sword Manor.
Inside, the atmosphere was tense. Guards eyed each other warily, their hands ever ready on their sword hilts, prepared for a colleague to suddenly draw their blade.
The conflicts within the manor grew more heated by the day.
It all stemmed from the disappearance of that cursed maid!
Her vanishing act had prompted the patriarch to shift his sights to the young master for the forging of the demonic sword.
The manor lord and lady, having only one son, would never allow him to be sacrificed. Thus, conflict erupted between the lord and the patriarch.
As the forging of the demonic sword neared its critical stage, tensions worsened.
Guards were divided—some loyal to the patriarch, others to the lord. Everyone knew a great battle was inevitable.
The air was heavy with the storm’s approach.
At that moment, Chu Ling, in her ragged state, arrived at the gate.
“Where did this beggar come from? Chu Sword Manor isn’t a place you can just wander into. Leave now!” scolded a guard named Chu Si, a kindhearted man who didn’t want anyone caught in the brewing storm.
“I’m not a beggar. I’m the young mistress, Chu Ling!” she exclaimed excitedly.
The four guards at the gate froze in shock.
“Who… are you?”
“I’m Chu Ling! It’s me!”
“You—you—you…”
Their disbelief was clear. Hadn’t she escaped the nightmare? Why was she now returning with such a radiant smile?
Was she an idiot?
“Ridiculous! Some random girl claiming to be the young mistress? Leave immediately, or don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Chu Si drew his sword and shouted angrily.
The other three guards exchanged dangerous glances with Chu Si.
“Chu Si, don’t you remember me? I’m Chu Ling. When I was little, you often carried me and gave me treats. Look at my face—it’s me!”
“Chu Ling is back!”
One of the guards suddenly ran into the manor, shouting at the top of his lungs.
“Chu Ling is back!”
“The innate sword physique Chu Ling has returned!”
“Patriarch, patriarch! Chu Ling has come back!”
Instantly, auras erupted across Chu Sword Manor. Faces turned pale at the news, and everyone hurried toward the gate.
Chu Si stared at Chu Ling’s innocent and happy expression, then closed his eyes in pained silence.
This girl… this foolish girl…
…
“Boom!”
A figure dressed in a brocade robe appeared, his heavy steps leaving deep marks on the stone path. He stumbled as he reached the gate, nearly falling.
Chu Ling gasped in surprise, but the figure steadied himself and pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Ling’er, Ling’er, you’re back! You’ve finally come back! Your father missed you so much!”
His joy was palpable, his body trembling with emotion, and his tiger-like eyes were red.
This was Chu Xiongtian, the lord of Chu Sword Manor.
“Ling’er!”
A voice rang out, and Lady Zeng Shuiyue rushed over, joining in the embrace.
“You little troublemaker! Where have you been all this time? Not a single word—do you know how worried we’ve been?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I was taken to the Grand Dao Sect and wasn’t allowed to contact you. I’ve escaped now, and I’ll never leave you again!” Chu Ling’s emotions overflowed as she spoke.
In her parents’ arms, she felt a warmth she hadn’t known in a long time.
Chu Shi Fei, the young master of Chu Sword Manor, stared at Chu Ling’s return in disbelief.
Unable to believe his eyes, he slapped himself.
It hurt.
His legs went weak as he realized the truth.
She had returned—the scapegoat had returned.
He had narrowly escaped death!
…
Outside the Grand Dao Sect, Lu Ye left shortly after Yue Hongling’s achievements were announced.
He was heading to an ancient tomb located over a thousand kilometers west of the sect. The tomb had not yet been discovered and was predicted to emerge in a month when a chance battle would disrupt its protective array.
The tomb belonged to a Void Refinement realm cultivator from a bygone era. Its treasures had decayed with time, leaving only two valuable items: a fragment of the Nine-Lives Undying Heavenly Sutra and a Perfect Primordial Pill.
Wasting no time, Lu Ye traveled swiftly and reached the tomb in two days.
The array guarding it was damaged—though even if it were intact, it wouldn’t have posed a challenge for him.
Taking measured steps, he vanished into the tomb.
Ten minutes later, Yue Hongling arrived, alone.
She couldn’t let anyone else know about the Perfect Primordial Pill.
For most, the pill wasn’t particularly valuable, but for families with juniors preparing for Foundation Establishment, it was priceless.
Effortlessly entering the tomb, she noticed something immediately.
Someone had arrived before her.
Who?
She advanced cautiously. For an Empress in her past life, the traps left by a Void Refinement cultivator were hardly obstacles, especially after centuries of decay.
Suddenly, she paused.
Huh?
She was trapped.
Striking the air in front of her, the void trembled slightly.
This wasn’t part of the tomb’s original array. It had been set by someone else.
The tomb hadn’t yet been discovered—there shouldn’t have been anyone here.
If there was, it could only mean one thing…
“Senior Brother, I know it’s you! Come out!”