Listening to Old Master Gu’s words, the others nodded in agreement: "Yes, we shouldn’t let benefits slip away to outsiders. What if it acknowledges someone from our Gu Family?"
Gu Yuan found this a bit unnecessary. He genuinely felt annoyed just looking at the Ancient Bronze Seal.
But seeing his grandfather’s clearly cautionary gaze, Gu Yuan ultimately held back the words that were about to spill from his lips.
That very night, the Gu Family issued a Summon Order for the disciples training outside.
All the promising young ones were called back, even those who were overseas were urgently contacted to return.
The next day, the martial arts arena at the old residence became lively.
Familiar young members of the Gu Family started whispering in small groups. Thıs content belongs to N()velFire.net
"Do you know what’s going on? The Clan Leader actually used the emergency Summon Order, and I was only halfway through my training."
"Who knows, I had just made plans with my companions. Now I had to cancel on them, and who knows if they’ll even want to hang out with me next time."
"Well, I heard a bit that it might be related to a Magic Artifact previously worshiped in the ancestral hall."
"Could it be that the Magic Artifact was stolen? Surely they’re not suspecting us? That would be so unfair, I haven’t been back here in seven years!"
Various speculative ’rumors’ kept coming to Gu Yuan’s ears, and he couldn’t hold back, rolling his eyes.
Then he looked at his cousin, who was specifically in charge of managing these training disciples.
"Who would’ve thought, our Gu Family members are such blabbermouths, spreading countless rumors !"
His cousin gave an awkward laugh and quietly shifted his position.
He really didn’t want to get too close to this changeable, high-ranking family member.
For fear that, if the other got beaten up for having a venomous tongue, the blood might splatter on him.
Fortunately, the Gu Family elders were not the type to engage in proceduralism, with impassioned speeches and ideological education.
Once everyone on the list had arrived, the Great Clan Elder stepped forward and succinctly explained the matter in a few sentences.
Finally, he said: "That’s the situation. Now, anyone interested can step forward and give it a try."
The implication was that whoever could make the Ancient Bronze Seal recognize them would essentially receive the Magic Artifact for free.
The previously speculative Gu Family disciples were now somewhat taken aback, and a new wave of discussions erupted.
"Whoa, is there really such a good thing? This is a self-concealing Magic Artifact, absolutely amazing!"
"Whoever gets recognized by this Magic Artifact would be the absolute top dog among their peers!"
"I’ve always been lucky. I think I have a good chance. Everyone, let’s just rely on our own skills!"
Sitting on the high platform, the Gu Family elders watched the confident and lively younger generation below, nodding in satisfaction at their spirited outlook.
The Great Elder smiled and said to Old Master Gu, "Your idea was indeed brilliant, openly allowing the young ones to compete for a good item.
Showing them our fairness and justice can also strengthen their cohesion towards the family."
Another elder quickly chimed in, "The Great Elder speaks wisely."
Old Master Gu chuckled lightly, his tone carrying a hint of humility.
"Benefits should naturally go to our Gu Family first. I’d hope that one of them can tame this Magic Artifact."
Someone immediately echoed Old Master Gu’s words: "That’s for sure. Our Gu Family’s legacy is not just for show; the children are very outstanding."
"Exactly, every child of our Gu Family is outstanding!"
The imagination was beautiful, but reality was cruel.
The young Gu Family members who had tested the seal showed no exception; none could decipher the totem atop it.
At this moment, Old Master Gu’s expression dulled significantly; it seemed his grandson was right all along about this ungrateful Magic Artifact—better to sell it!
Seeing that the Gu Family juniors were nearly finished testing, Gu Yuan was not surprised at all.
This Magic Artifact didn’t even recognize his talented sister Yun Ran, so how could it easily acknowledge others several Levels inferior?
Though early or late, it was a sale anyhow, but going through this formality might better help Old Master Gu manage people’s hearts, like making use of a useless thing.
As there were only a few left, Gu Yuan decided not to watch anymore and stood up.
That’s when he noticed his cousin, known as the Little Spiritual Child, suddenly coughed up blood with a "wow".
Gu Yuan’s face changed instantly and he quickly rushed to his little cousin’s side.
He quickly stuffed a few Healing Medicines into his little cousin’s mouth and anxiously said, "Gu Ling, how are you!"
Gu Ling, only fifteen years old, clutched his chest and painfully squeezed out a sentence.
"Brother... the Magic Artifact got angry, so it hurt me..."
Old Master Gu and the other elders had already approached Gu Ling by this point.
Hearing Gu Ling’s words, Old Master Gu’s face turned somber: "What did you say?"
Some of the tested Gu Family juniors also gathered around, their faces filled with shock.
"What? A Magic Artifact can get angry and hurt people? This defies the heavens!"
If not for the presence of elders, the Gu Family juniors might have lost their temper.
Having taken the Healing Medicine from Gu Yuan, the intense pain in Gu Ling’s chest gradually subsided, though his youthful face became somewhat tense.
He was the only one of his generation in the Gu Family who could communicate with spirits without using any Xuan Sect techniques.
Whether with spiritually intelligent beings or sentient Magic Artifacts, he could easily converse with them.
"Grandpa, this Magic Artifact is very displeased right now. It hates us disturbing it and didn’t want to bother with the other brothers. It just wanted to give me a warning."
With Gu Ling’s words, the Gu Family members’ anger was even harder to control!
Hell, this broken Magic Artifact, after being worshipped by them for so many years, wasn’t willing to show its Divine Skills and protect them?
And just because it was unhappy, it injured the 15-year-old Gu Ling to warn them?
If this isn’t ingratitude, then what is!
Just when others wanted to curse out loud, they were silenced by a gesture from Old Master Gu.
"Can you communicate with it? Do you know its origin?"
Gu Ling nodded, then shook his head.
"It just warned me one-sidedly and didn’t communicate with me. I also don’t know its origin.
However, it didn’t really mean to hurt me; it was just a warning. I’m just too weak to withstand its warning..."
With that, Gu Ling lowered his head somewhat sheepishly, acknowledging that although known as a genius Little Spiritual Child, he was still too young.
Compared to other powerful brothers and sisters, there were still gaps. Being injured was also due to lacking skills.