59 Where is My Great Granddaughter?! (1/2)

Deep inside the lair of the Crystal-veined Stream Lord, in the middle of the night, the whole clan was in an uproar! The crystal clear waters atop the northeastern mountain were soaring in large waves akin to a maddening thunderstorm in the middle of the ocean. Thunders rumbled and lightning flashed repeatedly at the top of the mountain as if highlighting the fury of the strongest Spirit-rank-Lord in the vicinity. Heavy raindrops as large as soy beans fell, further burgeoning the already harsh waters of the main spring. The main spring was the water source of the Crystal-veined Stream and the private pool of the Spirit-lord.

All living beings inside, regardless of fishes, reptiles nor freshwater crustaceans were trembling in fear while prostrating on the ground inside the spacious main spring where the Lord reside. Their numbers were in the thousands. Some were within the watery pool while the others littered the shallow edges and embankment. The weak ones spurted blood from internal injuries while the stronger ones were desperately withstanding the Lord's might with all they got.

A large shadowy figure, the size of a hill was emitting an imposing aura in the darkest part of the spring where it was the deepest. Two large red eyes, as big as lanterns shone inside the waters, illuminating the faces of everyone in front of him. The anxiousness in his heart had transformed into an amalgamation of extreme worry and seething anger.

Until this moment, his beloved great granddaughter has not been found yet!

The mischievous little descendant of his was very bright; always full of ideas. She was quite infamous for randomly causing trouble everywhere instead of cultivating. However, she did have a tiny semblance of propriety and knew how to please her elders. That was how she had managed to circumvent from being harshly punished every single time. He knew more than half of the elders doted over her secretly. He was one of her victims too, but he tried hard not to show it.

Until the event of three days ago.

He had fume up in rage and reprimanded her badly after she had forsaken the ultimate clan rules. No amount of secret appeals from the elders had budged him from punishing her by severe beating! He even prohibited others from giving her food and cultivation material just so that his message will be delivered loud and clear.

What would happen if the beasts out there ate his lovely little granddaughter?! Or worse, ravaged her?!

Unbeknownst to him, he was the main culprit who had spoilt his own great granddaughter too much. To his dismay, his spontaneous hard 'schooling' had backfired! The naughty girl had run away! And worse, she might've come across a mishap somewhere out there; scared and alone. If she died, he won't be able to forgive himself!

”Where is she! Where is that rebellious girl!? How can you not find her anywhere?!” A loud bellowing sound, as strong as thunder, laced with spirit suppression increased the fear in everyone's hearts.

A wizened old-looking gray catfish came forward and stood beside the fuming Lord. ”Remain calm, my Lord. I have dispatched all of our clansmen to check the whole length of our territory and we still couldn't find a trace of Lady Aranyella. However, we have discovered something of importance. Come forward.” He gestured over at a huge snakehead fish.

”Reporting to the exalted Spirit-Lord. I am but a puny servant who lived at the edge of your Lordship's territory. Earlier today, I had felt a surge of energy reminisced of your glorious powers at the lawless zone and had come forward to pay tribute. However, what I could find was bloody waters at the side of an inconspicuous tree roots dipped inside the stream water and some of these lying broken on the riverbed.” He took out the familiar shards of 'tava plate' Hana loved so much.

Everyone gasped!

The refined lifeguard treasure of the Spirit-Lord! They didn't know one of it was bestowed to the naughty descendant! This was a declaration that the missing offspring has an exalted position in the clan; groomed to be the successor of the Spirit-Lord. They now understood the graveness of the situation.

”After that, this humble one immediately embarked on a journey to the main clan's grounds to inform your Lordship. On the way, I've met with the exalted Grand Elder Watershade and was brought here.” He gestured towards the old catfish beside the Crystal-veined Stream Lord and started prostrating again.

Silence ensued.

”Very well. Elder Watershade, reward him with one spirit crystal.”

Everyone gasped again. Avarice gazes were shot at the young snakehead fish as he went forward to receive his reward nervously. A spirit crystal! It could help him evolved into a High-leveled spirit beast in one go, jumping two levels!

”Whoever snatch this young one's treasure will receive retribution directly from me!” The booming voice spoke again. ”Young one, cultivate inside the main clan's ground until all the essence of the crystal is finished before you go back.”

”Yes, your Lordship.” The young snakehead prostrated gratefully. In his heart, he had affirmed his loyalty yet again towards the Lord.