Eternal Beast Taming Family

He glanced at the sky outside, which was beginning to brighten, and realized that it was almost dawn.

Chu Shengyuan looked somewhat bewildered. "Ancestor Chu? Is he our Chu family's ancestor?"

Chu Jingyu laughed and pinched Chu Shengyuan's doughy cheeks. "This title means that you should respect him as if he were an ancestor."

Chu Shengyuan bounced around a bit, then put the little guy down on the ground and said to them:

"You've been busy all night, go and get some rest. We can talk about it after you've rested."

Chu Shengyuan muttered the words "Ancestor Chu" before being pulled out to rest by his elder brother, Chu Shengfan.

Because Chu Jingyu kicked down the door to Chu Shengyuan's room, the two of them went to Chu Shengfan's room to rest.

Jiang Nian glanced at her husband, then silently led her daughter Chu Shenghan out of the room.

At this moment, only Chu Jingyu and his son Chu Qinhui remained in the main room.

Chu Qinhui covered his lips with his fingers and coughed lightly twice. He glanced at the stone book, which had returned to its ordinary appearance, and asked in a low voice:

"Father, that so-called spirit of the source artifact, it shouldn't be something that originally existed within the source artifact. Is it really harmless to our family?"

Chu Jingyu paused, then sighed quietly. Yes, it was perfectly normal for Qin Hui to notice his strange behavior earlier, given that he had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood.

Chu Jingyu glanced at the room next door and gestured for Chu Qinhui to go to the room next door to talk. Then he walked out of the main room first, and Chu Qinhui followed closely behind.

Chu Mu, silently observing the scene inside the main hall from within the "Nameless Book," shook his head slightly. This sickly young man from the Chu family was quite observant.

But this is for the best; at least smart people can recognize the situation and won't do things that harm others without benefiting themselves.

Side room.

Chu Jingyu looked at the thin and frail Chu Qinhui, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes.

He originally intended to give this opportunity to Chu Qinhui to see if he could take this chance to remove the curse from Chu Qinhui's body.

However, perhaps to warn himself about his distrust of Chu Mu, he subtly hinted at his preference for his grandson, Chu Shengfan.

Although there was no intention to force him to make a choice, if his first request was not met, then there would likely be additional problems in the subsequent missions.

"Previously... that family's source artifact did not have a source artifact spirit, and the families in the surrounding prefectures had never heard of such a situation. He meant that he had a higher-level source artifact, but I had no way of judging whether it was true or not."

Chu Qinhui frowned slightly. He had fled that family when he was a teenager, and spent most of his childhood in a small courtyard. He didn't know much about source artifacts or contract masters.

He asked his father softly, "So... what is Chu Zu's personality like?"

"He appears easygoing, yet possesses a sharp edge, but he always gives me a feeling of being both young and world-weary." As he finished speaking, Chu Jingyu's expression became somewhat bewildered.

Chu Qinhui's eyes flashed with thought, "According to what Father said, perhaps this Ancestor Chu can be trusted for the time being. Besides, given our family's current situation, there shouldn't be anything else we can scheme against."

Chu Jingyu nodded. "That's what I think too. The world is so big, the existence of such miraculous source artifacts may not be too rare. Let's wait and see in the future."

Chu Qinhui nodded, stood up as if to leave, but then looked at Chu Jingyu as if remembering something, "Did Father show the Golden Jade Beast to him? Can its injuries be healed?"

"I didn't ask. I'll wait until we spend more time together before bringing it up."

Looking at Chu Qinhui's pale face, Chu Jingyu sighed and said, "Ancestor Chu promised to hold a spirit-opening ceremony for one of our family members in three days. The implication in his words is that he prefers Xiaofan."

Upon hearing this, Chu Qinhui gave a sincere smile, "Fan'er is twelve years old now, which is a perfect age. This choice couldn't be more appropriate."

Seeing the sigh on Chu Jingyu's face, Chu Qinhui seemed to understand something.

"Father, I have been a burden to the family for too long. Even if you force me to accept this opportunity, I will not accept it. Besides, once the family has developed, there will be a greater chance that my illness can be cured."

Compared to Chu Jingyu's melancholy, Chu Qinhui appeared much more open-minded.

Chu Jingyu watched Chu Qinhui's slender figure disappear outside the door.

Just then, a ray of sunlight shone through the door and fell on Chu Jingyu's overly aged face.

……

Three days passed quickly.

During this period, only on the first day did the Chu family rest for a longer period of time during the day, and then they lived their lives as usual, as if the contract source artifact had not brought any changes to their family.

However, Chu Jingyu went out once during these three days, going to the back mountain with the village's mining team. He returned after a night, and was noticeably more tired when he came back.

After a day of rest, Chu Jingyu felt much better, and the entire Chu family gathered together again.

No one spoke; they simply waited quietly for time to pass.

Chu Jingyu's expression was calm, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Chu Qinhui's face held a hint of anticipation as he looked at Chu Shengfan.

The expressions on the face of twelve-year-old Chu Shengfan were much more varied, showing a mix of anticipation, nervousness, and a little fear.

When sunlight streams into the room through the doorway, at a certain moment, the stone-carved books placed on the octagonal table emit their colorful radiance.

Chu Mu's voice came from within the book.

"Chieftain, has the candidate been decided?" The voice was young, but the tone was flat, revealing no emotion.

With a quiet sigh, Chu Jingyu led Chu Shengfan to the octagonal table.

"We humbly request Ancestor Chu to perform the ritual to awaken the spirit of Chu Shengfan."

He was unaware that Chu Mu knew the ages and names of all the members of the Chu family, so he did not call him Xiao Fan as usual, but addressed him by his full name in a proper manner.

"As you wish."

These four words conveyed a sense of lightness, allowing Chu Jingyu to clearly hear Chu Mu's satisfaction.

A thread of white fluorescent light pierced through the inside of the stone-carved book and went straight into Chu Shengfan's brow.

Chu Jingyu raised his hand and then lowered it again, while Chu Qinhui and Jiang Nian's eyes were filled with worry.

However, the eyes of the two children, Chu Shenghan and Chu Shengyuan, were full of curiosity.

A faint white glow emanated from between Chu Shengfan's brows, spreading to his eyes, neck, and body, and then his entire body shimmered with a soft light.

The whole process lasted for about ten seconds, and then the light completely disappeared.

Chu Shengfan opened his eyes, a sharp glint hidden deep within them.

Chu Jingyu patted Chu Shengfan's shoulder and nodded, "Not bad, not bad."

Then Chu Shengfan bowed towards the book and excitedly thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Ancestor Chu, for opening the spirit."

"No need for thanks. Your active contribution to the development of the family is the best way to repay us."

Chu Mu's voice sounded somewhat tired, as if he had just exerted himself too much.

Chu Jingyu, sensing the situation, cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Then we won't disturb Ancestor Chu's rest any longer."

"Step back." Chu Mu took the entire hall as his private domain as a matter of course, even though he was currently at the mortal artifact level and could not leave the "Nameless Book".

In the courtyard, Chu Jingyu looked at his family members and gave them instructions:

"I'm taking Xiao Fan to town to choose the first Source Beast he wants to contract. You all stay at home and don't go out before I return, and don't announce Chu Zu's existence."

Chu Qinhui nodded. "You can rest assured about your father at home. But you must be careful on the road."

Chu Jingyu nodded, and then felt a sudden weight on his thigh as an object appeared.

It turned out that Chu Shengyuan had grabbed his leg and said, "Grandfather, I want to go to town too, please take me with you."

Chu Jingyu gave a wry smile and patted the little ball of flesh on his lap's head. "Little Yuan, Grandpa has important business to attend to this time. How about we take you to town next time?"

However, Chu Shengyuan was clearly not someone who could be persuaded with just a few words; he clung to his leg and wouldn't let go.

"I know there will be a next time, but adults always like to lie to children like this."

Jiang Nian stepped forward, grabbed Chu Shengyuan by the back of his collar, and said in a soft, threatening tone, "Get down."

Chu Shengyuan's body stiffened. He could throw a tantrum in front of his grandfather without any problem, but this tactic would be absolutely unacceptable in front of his mother.

Chu Jingyu patted Chu Shengyuan's head. "How about I bring you some delicious food and fun things from town this time?"

With his grandfather's promise, Chu Shengyuan knew when to stop and obediently let go of his hands. Otherwise, if his grandfather left and his mother held a grudge, it would be really hard to bear.

Chu Shenghan stood silently beside her father, a hint of envy in her eyes as she looked at her younger brother.

……

Chu Mu was oblivious to what was happening in the courtyard; his attention was now focused on the page of the book where Chu Shengfan's information had changed.