Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

Many people quickly noticed the strange change in Wu Cheng, and they all stood with their mouths agape, unsure of what to do.

What was happening?

Could he have suffered such a blow that he… changed?

"Senior Brother Qin Zi, something isn't right. Let's go," Shui Qingrou said cautiously, casting a wary glance at Wu Cheng. Then, with a swift movement of her right hand, she wrapped Qin Zi in a protective energy, lifting him onto the chariot.

"Squawk—!"

The phoenix pulling the chariot let out a piercing cry, spreading its wings and swiftly taking flight, racing away in the direction they had come from.

Shui Qingrou's actions were fluid and seamless, her connection to the phoenix deep, allowing them to react instantly. By the time the others realized what was happening, the two of them were already speeding away.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

"Trying to run!"

Several elderly figures shot into the air from various corners, brimming with fury as they chased after the fleeing chariot.

"Let them go," Wu Cheng's voice suddenly rang out, calm yet laced with an undeniable authority.

The advancing elders halted immediately.

Wu Cheng slowly lifted his head. His long black hair now hung loosely, and his eyes had turned a light purple, as clear and radiant as polished glass, shimmering with an otherworldly glow.

"Young Master, you—!"

The elders gasped in shock.

"It's nothing," Wu Cheng replied with a serene smile, his violet eyes exuding a calm and collected demeanor.

The elders exchanged glances, their eyes flickering, but said nothing more and quietly withdrew.

"Heh, my actions earlier must have made a fool of myself in front of everyone. But victory and defeat are part of the game, and I have nothing to be ashamed of," Wu Cheng said with a self-deprecating smile.

"But regardless, I've embarrassed myself thoroughly today, so I'll take my leave."

With a wave of his hand, a chariot pulled by a fierce beast ascended from a distance, flying toward him.

"Young Master, allow us to escort you," the elders offered.

"No need. I can return on my own," Wu Cheng said with a smile, shaking his head.

"But…"

The elders hesitated.

Wu Cheng chuckled and teased, "I may have lost, but I'm not so weak that I need protection to return home, am I? You're the ones responsible for hosting the guests here—make sure they're well taken care of and treated with courtesy."

"Yes, Young Master," the elders responded awkwardly, bowing their heads.

"Farewell, everyone!" Wu Cheng clasped his hands and then gracefully leaped onto his chariot, driving it away with a loud rumble.

The crowd stared at his departing figure in a daze, only snapping back to their senses after a long moment.

"Why does it feel like… he's more dignified after losing than if he had won?"

"Yeah, it's like he's even more charming now."

"I think I might have a crush on him."

"Hiss! Brother, be careful with your words…"

The gathered onlookers whispered among themselves. Although many noticed that Wu Cheng seemed to have acquired a more "feminine" air, none dared voice this thought aloud. The Northern Region was vast, and they had seen much, including people with unusual preferences. But such matters were never spoken of openly—doing so would be a direct affront and could easily lead to fierce conflict.

…

High in the sky, Qin Zi and Shui Qingrou were riding the chariot as they made their escape.

They knew the situation wasn't simple—after all, turning someone's son into a different person was no small offense. The Wu family wouldn't easily forgive such a thing.

"Phew… that was close," Qin Zi sighed in relief, then grinned and said, "Qingrou, it's a good thing you acted quickly. We'd have been in real trouble otherwise."

Shui Qingrou pursed her lips but didn't reply.

Qin Zi blinked, suddenly recalling his earlier act of lifting Wu Cheng's chin, as well as Wu Cheng's delicate expression in the aftermath. An awkward smile crept onto his face.

Maybe he had been too impulsive.

He would need to be more careful in the future.

"Rumble!"

Suddenly, a thunderous noise erupted from behind them, and a powerful aura surged toward them.

They both turned sharply.

Behind them, a fierce beast was pulling a chariot, gaining rapidly. The chariot's sides glowed, emanating a pair of massive purple wings made of energy, which propelled it forward at incredible speed, closing the distance in moments.

"Please wait," came a soft, lilting voice with a hint of seduction.

"What do you want?" Qin Zi asked warily, his brows furrowed as he examined the person closely, sensing an eerie energy from them.

It wasn't simply a matter of someone having changed.

It was as if this person had become someone else entirely.

"You don't need to be on guard. I bear no ill will. In fact, I should thank you for setting me free," Wu Cheng said with a smile.

It seemed that Wu Cheng's outward appearance had also started changing along with his inner state, making him look increasingly feminine.

"You're not Wu Cheng, are you?!" Qin Zi's mind flashed to his master, Ye Lingshuang.

His master had once attempted to take over his body but had given up after some unexpected events, ultimately accepting him as a disciple instead of seizing his body.

"Heh, you figured it out," Wu Cheng chuckled, covering his mouth with a delicate hand. His features were so fine that whether as a man or a woman, there was little sense of incongruity. In fact, with his delicate purple eyes gleaming, he seemed almost enchanting, making hearts flutter without cause.

"I'm just a faint remnant soul. I attempted to take over Wu Cheng's body many years ago and nearly succeeded, but his father discovered me and interrupted the process. By that time, my soul had already fused with Wu Cheng's, and his father didn't dare destroy me, so he sealed me away with a secret technique."

"Originally, as Wu Cheng grew stronger and more resolute in his will, my soul would have eventually been erased. However… your actions today shattered his willpower, allowing me to take over instead."

Hearing this, Qin Zi and Shui Qingrou felt chills running down their spines—this was an ancient spirit that had taken over someone's body!

"Ahem, well… my father always said helping others is a virtue. It was just a small matter, no need to thank me," Qin Zi said, forcing a smile.

"I know. I don't intend to thank you. Actually, I'd like to ask for your help with something," Wu Cheng replied, still smiling.

Qin Zi's smile stiffened. "What kind of help?"

"I can sense something inside you that's connected to my ancestor. Could you give it to me?" Wu Cheng said, his smile as charming as ever.

Qin Zi's face changed. He too could feel it—the crimson furnace inside him, which normally slept like a pig, was now trembling slightly.

That furnace was an imperial artifact of the Tianheng Clan.

Which meant this person was likely the descendant of a fallen Tianheng Emperor, now reborn through this remnant soul!

"Heh, there must be some mistake. I'm dirt-poor—how could I possibly possess something belonging to your ancestor?" Qin Zi chuckled nervously.

Wu Cheng didn't seem offended. Instead, he smiled gently and said, "No need to worry. The artifact might be something small and inconspicuous that you've overlooked. I have a way to draw it out."

As he spoke, Wu Cheng swiftly formed hand seals, his fingers weaving intricate patterns as radiant light danced around them.

He chanted something under his breath. The words were soft and unfamiliar, likely some ancient, arcane language.

"Humm!!"

Soon, Qin Zi felt the crimson furnace inside him begin to tremble violently. It slowly shifted from its resting position, as though waking from a long slumber.

It was like a sleeping pig beginning to stir.

"No…" Qin Zi's anxiety spiked. That furnace was his imperial weapon, his greatest treasure. How could he just let someone take it?

Absolutely not!

He couldn't allow it!

But the furnace continued to move, as though Wu Cheng's incantation was summoning its power. If the imperial artifact unleashed even a fraction of its strength, Qin Zi wouldn't be able to resist.

"Don't be afraid. It will come out soon," Wu Cheng said, his purple eyes glinting with a strange light as he glanced seductively at Qin Zi, even licking his lips slightly.

His hands continued moving, faster and faster, as the furnace inside Qin Zi shook more violently, causing Qin Zi's entire body to tremble.

"Come on, great one, please don't wake up! You love sleeping, right? Just keep sleeping!" Qin Zi silently pleaded in his heart.

The furnace continued trembling.

"Why can't you just stay lying down? What's the rush to get up? What's in it for you?" Qin Zi kept trying to reason with it.

The furnace's trembling grew even more intense.

"Is your former master really that important? She's just one of your master's descendants. Do you really need to work so hard for her?" Qin Zi mentally shouted.

The furnace's quivering reached a fever pitch, with red light beginning to leak out, signaling its imminent awakening.

Qin Zi took a deep breath, deciding to give it one last desperate try. In his mind, he shouted, "Free food and lodging!!!"

Whoosh!

The furnace's trembling stopped abruptly. The glowing red light vanished in an instant, and the furnace collapsed back into place, falling into a deep sleep once more.

An imperial artifact never betrays its master, unless offered free food and lodging!

"Huh?" Wu Cheng's smile froze.

His hands stopped moving, his mouth slightly agape, while a trace of confusion and helplessness flickered in his bright purple eyes.