https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-277-Isn-t-Super-Rank-Skill-Just-About-Breeding-/12955818/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-279-The-Five-Saints-Egg-He-Managed-to-Get-It-/12955820/
Chapter 278: The Five Toxins Clan! Grandfather's Gift!
Chapter 278: The Five Toxins Clan! Grandfather's Gift!
At first glance, this residence seemed rather ordinary.
However, the term 'ordinary' was relative, especially when compared to modern and ancient standards in the Dragon Nation.
The mansion didn't have any towering buildings, resembling more of a traditional ancient residence. Yet, it didn't quite resemble the garden-style architecture of the Jiangnan region, with its red walls and green tiles. Instead, it had a touch of the grand courtyards of the north.
Of course, North Chill City, where they were, was already in the northernmost part of the country.
The only striking difference, something that would linger in one's memory after a single glance, was not the sculptures of stone lions or the like on either side of the entrance.
Instead, there were two peculiar objects.
Two enormous toads sitting cross-legged on stone pedestals.
Indeed, two large toad sculptures flanked the main gate.
They added an indescribable touch to the grand and solemn mansion.
But that wasn't all.
On the black lacquered gate, two things were carved as colorful patterns.
They were two multi-colored centipedes.
The blooming thousand legs formed a symmetrical pattern on the gate, connecting with the door seam to create a relatively odd shape.
Wow, just at the entrance, two of the Five Toxins were already present.
As Su Ping had expected, the Rong Family was indeed the outstanding lineage of the Poison Cultivation Master.
Although, over the past few decades, the suppression of the Cultivation Master lineages had weakened the Rong Family, their foundation remained.
As Su Ping carefully examined the toads on the stone pedestals, trying to identify their species, the gate was pushed open.
A man who looked young but had a rather weathered appearance walked out with a smile.
Behind him were Rong Qiu, whom Su Ping had met before, and another man who bore a strong resemblance to Rong Qiu.
The leading man immediately spotted Su Anyong, who had just returned, and the Cold Sir beside him. He hurriedly said:
"The Ghost Saint has come in person, and I apologize for not coming out to greet you immediately. Please don't take offense, Ghost Saint."
Cold Sir waved his hand, ignoring the man's overly courteous etiquette, and patted Su Ping's shoulder. "Xiao Ping, this is your 'cheap' maternal grandfather, Rong Bao. Call him Grandpa!"
"Grandpa!"
Su Ping called out with great enthusiasm.
Upon hearing this, Rong Bao, who had been smiling even in the face of Cold Sir, showed a slight tremor in his eyes when they met Su Ping's:
"He does look like you, even more so than in photos and on TV."
The man sighed, not seeming to mind Cold Sir's use of the term 'cheap' to describe him.
Cold Sir spoke again:
"Old Rong, this is your first time meeting your grandnephew. Have you prepared a gift for him?"
"Er..."
Upon hearing this, Rong Bao slightly froze, and his unfriendly gaze shifted to Su Anyong.
Obviously, Su Anyong hadn't informed him about this visit, and he hadn't thought of preparing any gifts.
Rong Bao thought for a moment and smiled, "My grandnephew's first visit, of course, I won't skimp on the gift. Ghost Saint, rest assured, I'll give it to Xiao Ping during dinner tonight!"
The man behind Rong Bao, who bore a resemblance to Rong Qiu and was likely his brother or uncle, smiled and said:
"If there's anything to discuss, Ghost Saint and Father, please go ahead. Xiao Ping, after your long journey, you should go and rest first."
The man's smile was elegant, and behind his gold-rimmed glasses was a handsome face.
"Tsk tsk, Old Rong, look at your Rong Xia, he's much more polite than you."
Cold Sir chuckled and then strode into the courtyard.
Rong Bao didn't seem to mind the sarcasm and turned to Rong Qiu, "Xiao Qiu, take my grandnephew to his room to rest. Xiao Ping, after your journey, go and rest. It's not too late to come for dinner later. We'll have plenty of time to chat."
Su Ping's first impression of this 'cheap' maternal grandfather was not bad.
It wasn't as distant as he had imagined.
After all, in the past twenty years, Su Ping had never seen this man, and he had never mentioned coming to Linzhou to visit his grandson.
To talk about any emotional bond was nonsense.
In Su Ping's eyes, his true family consisted of his soul pet and other pets, as well as Su Anyong and Old Sha.
As for the Rong Family members before him, he didn't feel any particular distance, but he also didn't feel the warmth of close family.
Grandfather, uncle, and even Rong Qiu, who led him to his room, were just people he had met.
Nevertheless, Su Ping was still grateful for their kindness and would repay it.
But as he always said, Su Ping had a good temper and seemed easy to get along with, but he was very clear-headed about relationships.
After not seeing each other for over twenty years, talking about blood ties being thicker than water was nonsense, especially for these ancient lineage families.
There might be some truth to it, but it wasn't the whole story.
The reason for such warmth and hospitality was not complicated.
Su Anyong had likely returned to North Chill, and Cold Sir, with his connections and strength, had helped Su Ping reach his current position.
Even with blood ties, if they weren't immediate family, one still needed to be strong for others to remember the so-called family ties.
As he entered the courtyard, Su Ping wasn't surprised to see various sculptures and markings of toads, spiders, centipedes, scorpions, snakes, and pythons—the most representative poison-type pets—everywhere, just as he had expected.
It seems that this is a distinctive feature of the Rong Family.
Previously, Su Ping had also heard that the Rong Family is also known as one of the Five Sacred Families, or the Five Poison Families.
"Su Ping, since it's your first time returning home, this used to be your sister's room, or rather, your mother's room. Since you're in North Chill City, you can stay here for a while. If there's nothing urgent at home, you can stay for an extended period."
Aunt Rongqiu smiled as she spoke.
When this woman first went to the Wood of Hearts, she pretended as if she were something else.
"How's the research on the Frostwater Wolf going?" she continued to ask.
"It's going well. With your expertise in breeding and the use of special resources, you've managed to stimulate the development of the Snow Wolf's poison glands. It's a truly unique and insightful approach to breeding!"
"Haha, to receive praise from the top breeding genius of the Breeding Competition, I'm truly fortunate, Aunt! And what about the evolution of your Forest Wolf? How are the preparations coming along?"
Aunt Rongqiu led Su Ping to a separate courtyard and spoke.
"I've already decided. I'll continue the promotion and evolution using the Wood and Poison dual lineage. As for special abilities and forms, I've already got some ideas."
"That's right. With your exceptional breeding talent, you certainly don't need much guidance from the Rong Family when it comes to pet breeding. But since I've already promised your father, I'll definitely provide the necessary assistance! So, if there's anything you need regarding resources, just let me know."
Su Ping nodded, not holding back at all:
"Indeed, there's some help I require. Poison-type resources are hard to come by in the market, and the Breeding Association has strict restrictions. Since the Rong Family is renowned for its Poison-type pets, I want a top-grade resource for the Poison lineage."
Aunt Rongqiu was slightly taken aback but quickly nodded after some thought, "No problem, I'll talk to Father about this."
Su Ping spent half the day chatting with Aunt Rongqiu.
It was only then that Su Ping gained some understanding of the Rong Family.
Such a vast mansion naturally couldn't accommodate just Grandfather Rongbao, Uncle Rongxia, and Aunt Rongqiu.
Apart from Uncle Rongxia's family, there were several other branches of the family.
Just the direct lineage and their dependents numbered over a hundred people.
This matched Su Ping's imagination of a massive family.
However, in the past, members of the Rong Family held important positions in various situations in the Dragon Nation.
But now, they could only hold minor positions or struggle in the business world.
This was the Dragon Nation's suppression of the aristocratic families.
Of course, the younger generation, like Su Ping's generation, had it a bit easier. In the Rong Family, some served in the military or studied in academies.
Apart from discussing the Rong Family matters, what Su Ping and Aunt Rongqiu talked about the most was undoubtedly his inquiries about Tian Mountain.
Little Qing was a pet discovered by the Rong Family in the Tian Mountain Large Wild Park.
Of course, the legendary-level resource, the Green Demon Ginseng, was also there.
Tian Mountain was located less than a hundred kilometers south of North Chill City, but its area was not small.
The continuous mountains connected several cities.
Finding the Green Demon Ginseng there, even with Little Qing's ability to sense it, would not be easy.
However, they had to try, no matter the difficulty.
Su Ping had already made up his mind.
If nothing unexpected happened, most of his time in Bei Yuan Province would be spent at Tian Mountain.
Whether he could find the Green Demon Ginseng, or even if he could find it, was unknown.
Even Su Ping himself wasn't sure. But with even a slim chance, Su Ping wouldn't let it pass.
At the night banquet, Su Ping didn't have to wait long.
After all, he had arrived in North Chill City in the afternoon.
The Rong Family's night banquet began, with Cold Sir in attendance. As the first time a direct descendant, Su Ping, attended the banquet, he saw the chaotic Rong Family's seven aunts and eight uncles, as Aunt Rongqiu had mentioned.
Not to mention, there were quite a few young members of the Rong Family, of the same generation as Su Ping.
Compared to the Dong Family, which Dong Muchun said had suffered a significant decline in numbers, the Rong Family, one of the Five Sacred Families, seemed to be thriving.
As the host of the banquet, Su Ping received a warm welcome from Grandfather Rongbao, not only sitting between his great-grandfather and Cold Sir at the head of the long family table but also being proudly introduced by his great-grandfather to everyone.
At least, that was the case on the surface.
However, when Grandfather Rongbao, this great-grandfather, spoke the next sentence in front of everyone, many people's expressions changed:
"The early passing of my daughter, Spring, is one of the few regrets in my life. Su Ping, as my great-grandson, has returned to the Rong Family for the first time. As his great-grandfather, I must express my feelings! Therefore, I, as the head of this generation of the Rong Family, have decided that one of the Five Sacred Eggs produced in the Five Sacred Sanctuary will be given to Su Ping for incubation and nurturing."
Upon hearing this, Su Ping was bewildered, Su Anyong frowned slightly, and Cold Sir's mouth curled up in a faint smile, as if he had long expected this profound outcome.
As for the other members of the Rong Family, aside from Aunt Rongqiu, even the nominal Uncle Rongxia's expression turned sour.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
