Chapter 455: Chapter 455 The Sword God Cried Because I Used His Blade to Open a Jar of Pickles (Bonus Chapter for weekly Webnovel Power Stone ranking! Thank you so much for voting!)

It was also at this time that Qiao Mei and Chu Jiangyue arrived back at their clan.

The hidden Chu Clan looked as lively and majestic as ever.

The two women passed through the enormous gates without obstruction, and soon after, the natural formation surrounding the clan closed once more, completely concealing the ancient clan from the eyes of both mortals and cultivators alike. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Great news! Young Miss Chu Jiangyue has returned!"

"Quickly, inform the Master!"

"Is that really her? How did her strength rise so quickly?"

"You’re right! Just a few weeks ago, she was only at the first stage of the Core Formation Realm, yet now she has already reached the peak of the realm. She must have encountered an incredible fortuitous opportunity outside the clan."

The elders and clansmen gathered around, greeting both Qiao Mei and Chu Jiangyue with great enthusiasm.

However, most of their attention was focused on Chu Jiangyue’s shocking rise in cultivation.

One had to know that she was only eighteen years old this year.

Reaching the peak of the Core Formation Realm at such an age was enough to astonish even the old monsters hidden within the clan.

Many gazes filled with disbelief swept over her graceful figure.

Some elders even secretly used their spiritual sense to confirm her cultivation, only for their hearts to tremble even more after verifying it.

"Incredible..." one elder muttered under his breath. "With such talent, Young Miss may truly become the greatest genius our Chu Clan has produced in thousands of years."

The younger disciples nearby looked at Chu Jiangyue with admiration and envy.

To them, she now appeared like an unreachable fairy standing above her generation.

Even the clan’s proud heavenly talents would pale in comparison before her current achievements.

Meanwhile, Qiao Mei quietly stood beside Chu Jiangyue with a calm expression, though inwardly she found the reactions somewhat amusing.

If these people knew the true reason behind Chu Jiangyue’s rapid breakthrough, they would probably be even more shocked beyond words.

A few minutes later, a beautiful woman with long silver hair arrived at the scene.

The moment her eyes landed on Chu Jiangyue, they immediately softened with warmth and joy.

Without hesitation, she walked forward and pulled her daughter into a loving embrace.

"Yue’er, you’re finally back," the silver-haired woman said happily, her voice carrying clear affection.

"Mother, I missed you," Chu Jiangyue replied softly as she hugged her mother back.

The scene was warm and emotional, causing many nearby elders and disciples to smile faintly.

It had not been a long time since mother and daughter had last seen each other but it felt like forever to both.

Chu Jiangyue did not ask about her father since she already knew that the old man was currently in secluded cultivation.

Reaching his level meant that a single session of seclusion could last months or even years.

Still, his absence did not lessen the joy of this reunion in the slightest.

That very night, the Chu Clan held a grand feast in honor of Chu Jiangyue’s return.

The brightly lit halls were filled with laughter, music, and countless dishes made from precious spiritual ingredients.

Even many elders who rarely appeared in public personally attended the banquet.

Qiao Mei was naturally present as well, seated beside Chu Jiangyue, though the attention of nearly everyone remained fixed on the young woman and her astonishing future.

Her talent had already shocked the clan before, but after this trip outside, she had become even more extraordinary.

During the feast, discussions soon shifted toward Lin Feng, Ming Ye, and Old Xi, as well as everything that had happened during Chu Jiangyue’s adventures beyond the clan.

Chu Jiangyue calmly recounted her experiences while the elders listened attentively, especially when the topic turned to Lin Feng.

The more they heard, the more solemn their expressions became.

"A man capable of suppressing Ming Ye and Old Xi so effortlessly..." one elder muttered in disbelief.

"And according to Yue’er, he is still incredibly young?" another elder asked with narrowed eyes.

Qiao Mei added to the discussion. "Master Lin Feng’s strength is simply unfathomable." Qiao Mei of course did not reveal the many more abilities of Lin Feng.

There was no need since just him being a medicine king was more than enough for everyone to take him seriously.

The banquet hall gradually quieted down.

The Chu Clan elders exchanged meaningful glances with one another.

Someone like Lin Feng was no ordinary genius anymore.

Such a figure could very well shake the balance of the hidden clans in the future.

The feast lasted an entire day and night.

By the time everyone finally returned to their respective chambers, smiles could still be seen on many faces.

The return of Chu Jiangyue had greatly lifted the spirits of the Chu Clan.

However, not everyone felt at ease.

Thud!

Inside her private chamber, Chu Jiangyue’s mother suddenly took a deep breath.

She slowly raised her right hand and stared at the black snake imprint resting on the back of it.

The strange mark seemed darker than before, almost as though it were alive.

"Mn..."

A soft moan escaped her lips as a wave of heat spread throughout her body once more.

Her skin felt unbearably sensitive, and an intense warmth burned within her lower abdomen like raging fire.

Ordinary women would have long since lost themselves to such overwhelming urges, but Chu Jiangyue’s mother was far from ordinary.

As a powerful cultivator, her willpower and self-control were exceptionally strong.

Even so, resisting the strange effects of the snake mark was becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day.

"The urges are growing stronger over time," she muttered with slightly furrowed brows. "I can still suppress them for now... but eventually, I will need to find a solution."

Her gaze briefly drifted toward the direction of her husband’s secluded cultivation chamber.

For a moment, hesitation appeared in her beautiful eyes.

She could seek him out, yet she quickly dismissed the thought.

Her husband was currently at a critical juncture in his cultivation, and disturbing him carelessly could have severe consequences.

Unless absolutely necessary, she did not wish to interrupt his seclusion.

Taking another deep breath, she forcefully calmed the restless energy within her body.

Soon after, she sat down cross-legged upon her bed and assumed a lotus position.

Spiritual energy slowly circulated around her as she began meditating, using her cultivation to suppress the increasingly dangerous lewd erotic effects of the mysterious snake mark.