I Contracted Myself-Chapter 89 – Rotten Divine Bird

Although the two were technically relatives, their blood relation was very distant, far beyond the fifth degree of kinship.

If it weren't for needing Zhu Hongfang's ability, he certainly wouldn't be acting with her.

This woman had gathered quite a few talents within the family, and this time she came out without bringing anyone significant, only a few lackeys. How could he not be suspicious?

"We're almost there, everyone pick up the pace!" Zhu Hongfang suddenly called out, then started to jog.

Everyone immediately followed, Zhu Yuanlong frowning, a bad premonition in his heart.

"Stop, this smell is definitely not what Chen Junting should have," he suddenly halted and said.

Zhu Hongfang stopped and asked, "What did you smell?"

"The smell of decay!" Zhu Yuanlong said gravely.

The scent was faint, but the source seemed to be underground. He immediately thought of a possibility: a mass grave!

He had read the Zhu Family's past records, and indeed, to maintain their ruling position, the Zhu Family had resorted to many unconventional methods, some of which required mass graves for forbidden rituals.

"Someone up ahead is likely conducting some forbidden ritual. Let's retreat and not meddle in others' affairs," he said cautiously.

Zhu Hongfang frowned and said, "But there's only one person ahead."

"Don't worry about it, it's definitely not the target we're looking for," Zhu Yuanlong said bluntly.

"What if the target we're looking for is in decay?" Zhu Hongfang said calmly.

"…"

Zhu Yuanlong stared at Zhu Hongfang, realizing that the situation ahead might be related to this woman.

He squinted and asked, "You seem eager for me to go over there."

"Just being cautious. If she's already been harmed, searching aimlessly would be a waste of effort," Zhu Hongfang said seriously.

Zhu Yuanlong, confident in his own strength, gave Zhu Hongfang a deep look and said, "Then let's go take a look."

He took the lead, heading toward the source of the decaying smell, with Zhu Hongfang smiling slightly and following behind him.

"Are you so wary of me because you're afraid I'll control you?" she teased as they walked.

But Zhu Yuanlong had no desire to talk to her, keeping a vigilant eye on the path ahead.

The smell of decay grew stronger, and the surrounding trees became fewer, many appearing withered and dying.

"Indeed, some forbidden ritual is underway," Zhu Yuanlong thought to himself.

In Mingzhu City, few people now knew how to perform forbidden rituals. Even if Situ Shibai's Awakeners understood such knowledge, they would never use it.

Thus, the Zhu Family was the most suspicious!

Although Zhu Yuanlong was born into the Zhu Family, he had no fondness for these forbidden rituals, nor for the Zhu Family's past. He supported the Zhu Family's rule over Mingzhu City but didn't want these cruel rituals to be used again.

Of course, this wasn't because he was a good person, but because he was confident in his own power, believing that the Zhu Family could rule Mingzhu City without relying on such dark methods.

He continued forward, the ground turning a dark green, and the smell of decay becoming more pronounced.

"This place has been prepared for at least a year," he judged internally.

He glanced at Zhu Hongfang behind him, a cold smile in his heart. It seemed Zhu Hongfang and her group's target might be him. So, what did they want to do?

"There's a door ahead," Zhu Hongfang said in a surprised tone.

Zhu Yuanlong didn't need Zhu Hongfang's reminder; he had already seen the door on the ground. Clearly, this door led to an underground space, and the decaying smell was emanating from it.

"Let's go. Since we're here, let's go down and have a look!" Zhu Yuanlong said coldly.

He walked to the door, kicked it open, and descended the stairs.

"Truly worthy of being the genius closest to the ancestor Chiyang," Zhu Hongfang praised with a smile, following Zhu Yuanlong down.

In the Zhu Family, the Sun King Zhu Chiyang was everyone's pride.

Anyone labeled as the genius closest to the ancestor Chiyang was granted the highest honor.

The staircase leading underground was long, and Zhu Yuanlong and the others walked for a full half-hour before reaching the end. It was an extremely vast hall, at least the size of three football fields.

In the center of the hall, a massive skeleton exuded a terrifying aura, with countless corpses piled in its abdomen.

"This..."

Zhu Yuanlong's eyes widened slightly, recognizing the massive skeleton as a Mutated Beast.

He abruptly turned, grabbing Zhu Hongfang by the throat, staring at her intently, and said in a deep voice, "Did you find the remains of the Sunbird?"

"Cough, cough, how can I speak if you don't let go?" Zhu Hongfang said uncomfortably.

Zhu Yuanlong released her and said coldly, "Speak, what's going on here? What are you trying to do?"

"This is indeed the remains of a Sunbird, but not the one owned by the ancestor Chiyang. When we found it, it was already in this state. Fortunately, the power in its marrow hadn't completely dissipated, so we used a refining ritual to temporarily stabilize this state," Zhu Hongfang explained slowly.

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She walked to the massive skeleton, gently stroking it, and continued, "As for what we want to do, it's to rightfully reclaim Mingzhu City. It's just that... some people are no longer fit to lead the Zhu Family."

"I see, you want to seize power," Zhu Yuanlong realized.

At this moment, several young members of the Zhu Family emerged from the darkness around them. Zhu Yuanlong scanned them and noticed that these young people were all renowned talents within the family.

"It's not about seizing power; we just believe the Zhu Family should be led by more capable individuals, not a bunch of incompetent old fellows!" Zhu Hongfang stood among these talents, smiling confidently.

Zhu Yuanlong looked at the massive skeleton of the Sunbird and asked, "What do you plan to do? You didn't bring me here just to persuade me, did you?"