Chapter 16: Effortless Blame-Shifting
The stone first emitted a dazzling golden light, followed by cyan, then pale blue, and other bright hues - indicating Mu Lichuan possessed all five spiritual roots, completely contrary to the test conducted at his birth.
"Pseudo-spiritual roots?" Mu Xiaoran frowned, then shook his head. "Xiwang, do you think one’s innate constitution can change?" This was the biggest reason he had rushed to test his great-grandson.
When Lichuan was born, he had held high hopes, only to be bitterly disappointed. Yet now, fifteen years later, not only did the boy possess Yin-Yang Eyes, but his once-worthless constitution had also transformed into one with spiritual roots.
"Father, I truly don’t know," Mu Xiwang replied. Though well-read, even he found his grandson’s situation baffling.
Mu Xiaoran studied the young man intently. "Lichuan, tell me, have you encountered anything unusual?" Cultivators were exceedingly rare. If anyone could alter their innate constitution, the supremacy of cultivators would collapse.
Mu Lichuan shook his head. "Other than seeing those transparent hands, nothing else happened."
In his past life, he hadn’t known about the test. Perhaps his body had gradually changed without the family’s knowledge. Otherwise, why would his soul have been such a nourishing prize for Mu Xiaolin?
His answer deepened Mu Xiaoran’s frown. "If we were in the cultivation world, even with pseudo-spiritual roots, your thunder and wood attributes are remarkably distinct. Given time, you could become a decent cultivator. But the Mu family’s techniques are earth-based, completely unsuitable for Lichuan."
What puzzled him more was that their lineage had never produced a thunder-attribute descendant. Yet with so many mixed spiritual roots, cultivation would be arduous, especially on this spiritually barren planet.
"Your Yin-Yang Eyes are also peculiar. We’ll need the Mo family to examine them." Mu Xiaoran suspected the boy’s eyes had been sealed, and the trauma of his mother’s death broke the seal, though the theory felt flimsy.
"Indeed, the Mo family’s direct-line daughter is even betrothed to our Lichuan," added Mu Xiwang, oblivious to the flash of disgust in his grandson’s eyes.
Whether Mo Shanshan had met Mu Xiaolin after their engagement or conspired with him from the start, Mu Lichuan would never spare such a woman.
"Lichuan, since you can see what others cannot, keep it secret. Revealing it invites calamity, not even the Mo family can know," Mu Xiaoran warned sternly. He would personally consult the Mo family.
Mu Lichuan nodded but ventured, "Great-Grandfather… can the Mo family truly be trusted?" His expression was all innocence.
Mu Xiaoran paused, then chuckled. "Old Man Mo and I are sworn brothers. There should be no issue."
"Great-Grandfather, human hearts are unfathomable. And with Mother’s unjust death, every family is suspect." Mu Lichuan’s clear eyes burned with conviction.
"Lichuan! How dare you speak to your great-grandfather like that?" Mu Xiwang hissed.
"No matter. Lichuan speaks truth, the human heart is ever-changeable," Mu Xiaoran said, smiling. Regardless, the Mu family would soon have another cultivator, it was a monumental blessing.
Mu Lichuan was surprised his great-grandfather agreed. In his past life, he’d never met him, nor unraveled his mother’s death. It was a mystery that persisted until his own demise. No, in his memory, she had committed suicide. But now, even her past death seemed suspicious.
Mu Lichuan felt light-headed, grappling with the revelation. His worthless constitution had changed in this life? Yet something felt off. He’d have to wait for the spirit to awaken for answers.
If constitutions couldn’t change, then he was still trash. But, the stone had glowed. Was it due to the spirit inside him? Or were these truly his spiritual roots?
"Lichuan, from now on, leave worldly affairs behind. You’ve started late, focus on cultivation," Mu Xiwang instructed firmly. "As for your father, I’ll handle him."
Mu Lichuan’s mind raced. "But… I’ve already taken over the company. If I withdraw—" He left the implication hanging.
"Let Mu Xiaolin manage mundane matters." Mu Xiwang favored this eldest legitimate grandson. As for Mu Xiaolin? A grandson he was, but bloodlines mattered.
"Grandfather, Father may not agree. After all, younger brother might be a genius," Mu Lichuan said, testing the waters.
"Genius? That boy’s mother seduced men, what good could come from such stock?" Mu Xiwang’s disdain was palpable.
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