Chapter 214: Chapter 212: Get Out Here and Die
At this thought, Qin Li’s eyes narrowed, his gaze flickering. It was impossible not to draw a connection between the two. Speaking of which, Profound Island was located on the border of the New Qin Kingdom. The New Qin Kingdom had risen to prominence with incredible speed, becoming a vast Empire in just a few short years. For that to happen without some powerful backing was almost impossible!
However, for the time being, Qin Li couldn’t be bothered to worry about it. Back in Fengsha City, it was unlikely that any major trouble would erupt in the short term. In his view, Patriarch Qinling Mountain would definitely make the best choice. Even if it meant selling the Pill Formula, as long as the family could be preserved, it was no big deal to Qin Li. He was confident that the Essence Pill formula in his possession was far superior to the one the Qin Family held!
He believed that with Qinling Mountain’s wisdom, the Qin Family would not fall into a truly irreversible crisis.
Shangguan Shiyu’s situation, however, was different. Although Shiyu possessed an Innate Spirit Body and her cultivation progressed even faster than his, she had been training for far too short a time. Her strength was limited. Surrounded by a pack of wolves, how could a lone, weak woman protect herself?
At this thought, Qin Li’s heart grew even more anxious, and he raced onward with renewed urgency.
「Ten days later, he arrived at Four Seasons Valley.」
Revisiting this place after a century, the old man, Xu Gui, was overcome with emotion. His old eyes grew red as he sighed softly, "It’s been over a hundred years, yet this place... it hasn’t changed much at all!"
Qin Li pointed to the tents at the entrance of Four Seasons Valley, which housed attendants and servants, and to the rows of luxurious carriages marked with family insignias. He said flatly, "There are some changes. It’s quite lively, isn’t it?"
Qin Li had Xiaohai hide ten li away. After all, brazenly showing up with such a powerful Spirit Beast would put anyone on high alert. If danger arose, Qin Li naturally had a way to contact Xiaohai.
For Xiaohai, a distance of ten li could be covered in mere moments.
The two female disciples at the Four Seasons Valley gate were, surprisingly, the same two Qin Li had met last time. Upon seeing him, they both looked as if they had seen a ghost, standing there petrified and dumbfounded, at a complete loss for words.
"It’s only been a little over a year. Have you two sisters already forgotten me? Or have there been so many important people coming here that you’ve started to look down on this little brother?" Qin Li teased the two young women with a smile on his face.
"Bah! Nothing good ever comes from a filthy mouth. I was just thinking how you’re still alive. What a joyous occasion!" the more spirited of the female disciples retorted, finally snapping out of her daze.
The other disciple, however, had been frightened by Qin Li’s actions that day and felt a degree of fear toward him. But seeing that he was the same as before and not wearing an expression of deep-seated hatred, she couldn’t help but say softly, "Young Master Qin, you... how do you still dare to come back? You should leave, quickly! The Grand Elder didn’t die, and she’s waiting for you to walk right into her trap. Right now, people from the Cui Family, the Lin Family, the Sword Concealment Manor, and the Thousand Mechanism Sect are all in the valley. Senior Sister Shangguan is still in seclusion, and she would never agree to marry anyone, but if you’re here, the Grand Elder will definitely not let you go!"
A look of worry also appeared on the other young woman’s face, and she spoke rapidly, "Yes, Young Master Qin, you should go, quickly! The Sect Leader may not be here, but the Grand Elder is, and the other Elders have all returned. Because you want to take Senior Sister Shangguan away, aside from Elder Ye, none of the others have a very good impression of you!"
Standing beside Qin Li, Xu Gui’s entire body trembled slightly when he heard the words ’Elder Ye’. His voice shook as he asked, "Elder Ye... Could she be... Ye Qianyu?"
The two young women and Qin Li were all stunned. Qin Li thought to himself, ’No way...’
The two disciples from Four Seasons Valley looked at Xu Gui, and the more cheerful one asked, "That is indeed our Elder Ye. May I ask who you are, old sir?"
Xu Gui stood there in a daze. After a long moment, he slowly exhaled and said, "Then I must trouble you, young lady, to announce my arrival. Just say... that an old friend is here to visit."
Qin Li let out a cold laugh. "Why go through all that trouble? We’re here to stir things up, anyway!"
With that, Qin Li threw his head back and bellowed at the top of his lungs, "Old hag, Sir Qin has returned! Get out here and die!"
In the reception hall, the gray-robed old woman, who had been chatting and laughing cheerfully with a group of young elites, trembled violently upon hearing this. A monstrous hatred flared in her eyes as she ground out through clenched teeth, "Qin Li, you actually dare to return!"
One of them, a handsome young man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight with a masculine aura, sword-like brows, and star-like eyes, appeared quite gentle. But this young man’s background was terrifying enough to shock anyone to death. He was a legitimate son of the Sword Killing Lin Family, one of the four great families of Profound Island! Among the legitimate sons of his generation, he was ranked fourth and was known as the Fourth Young Master Lin!
At thirty years old, his cultivation had already reached the Celestial Integration Realm! Even among the disciples of the great families on Profound Island, he could be considered a peerless talent.
Hearing the commotion, he simply smiled faintly and said, "Grand Elder, why be so angry? Is this Qin Li that fiancé of Shangguan Shiyu’s from the Mortal Realm?"
The Grand Elder’s left hand, hidden in her sleeve, trembled slightly. How could she possibly admit to such a shameful matter? Hearing his question, she said, "Fourth Young Master Lin, you may not be aware, but that boy cultivates some unknown combat technique. His Body Technique is extremely agile, making him as slippery as an eel. He also carries a treasure that resists spiritual pressure, so he’s very difficult to catch. Moreover, he is vulgar and has a vicious mouth. What I hate most in this life are uncultured curs like him!"
Fourth Young Master Lin replied, "Then let’s go out together and meet this legendary young genius!"
As he spoke, the other young men exchanged smiles, each seeing the deep disdain for the boy named Qin Li in the others’ eyes.
This was the innate sense of superiority that came with being a disciple of a great family!
Even if that Qin Li possessed talent comparable to their own, they would never take someone without roots or backing seriously. Their knowledge of this Qin Li was limited to him being a descendant of the Qin Family from Fengsha City.
Never mind that the Qin Family could barely protect itself now; even if they were at their peak, what guts would they have to contend with the four great families and three great sects?
Although these few young men were secretly competing with one another, when faced with what they saw as one of the Commoners’ Descendants like Qin Li, their feelings of contempt were identical.
Shangguan Shiyu, who was in the middle of her cultivation, trembled slightly. She immediately stood up and glanced around her seclusion chamber, her lips pursing. Without a hint of reluctance, her figure moved like a graceful Fairy, flowing like clouds and water as she rushed toward the valley entrance.
When the gray-robed old woman arrived with the disciples of the great families, the first thing they saw was Shangguan Shiyu and Qin Li locked in a tight embrace. Instantly, a monstrous rage flared in the old woman’s eyes.
As for the disciples of the great families beside her, they all watched this scene with dark expressions.
They had been here for nearly a month and hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Shangguan Shiyu. Yet, the moment this boy arrived, such a peerless beauty threw herself into his arms... This was truly one of life’s greatest injustices!
The young man with the surname Cui, in particular, had a slight twitch on his handsome, gentle face, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
Aside from Ye Qianyu, there were four other Elders from the Four Seasons Sect. It was the first time any of them had seen Qin Li, and their gazes all held a certain degree of disgust. It wasn’t that they had a personal aversion to him, but that this man wanted to take away Shangguan Shiyu—the greatest genius the Four Seasons Sect had discovered in its entire history! This alone was enough to make them despise him.
One had to understand, even the legitimate sons from Profound Island’s super-powers like the Cui Family, the Lin Family, the Sword Concealment Manor, and the Thousand Mechanism Sect had all stated that if they could marry Shangguan Shiyu, not only would they not take her away, but they would also use the power of their backing to vigorously develop the Four Seasons Sect!
This was the kind of attitude that satisfied the Elders of the Four Seasons Sect!
Qin Li’s hand rested on Shangguan Shiyu’s supple, slender waist, holding her tightly. He whispered in her ear, "My darling wife, you’ve gotten thin again. This won’t do. From now on, I’m going to feed you until you’re nice and plump!"
Shangguan Shiyu’s face flushed crimson. Her ear tickled, and a strange feeling rose in her heart, making her unbearably shy. Hearing Qin Li’s last sentence, she couldn’t help but protest, "What do you mean, ’nice and plump’? I’m not a little pig!"
"Hehe, even if you turned into a little pig, I’d still love you!" Qin Li said with a relaxed smile, showing no sign that he was facing powerful enemies.
Although the two of them were speaking softly, how could their conversation possibly escape the ears of the Martial Artists present, the weakest of whom was at the Celestial Shattering Realm?
Hearing their conversation, the gray-robed old woman became even more furious, unable to contain her rage. The faces of the young elites beside her also turned incomparably dark.
One of the disciples from the Thousand Mechanism Sect, who had been quiet until now, glanced at the gray-robed old woman and said flatly, "Grand Elder, are you trying to make fools of us? Shangguan Shiyu’s fiancé is clearly alive and well, and their feelings for each other run deep. What was your purpose in spreading that news? Were you trying to use our hands to kill that Qin Li? Grand Elder, what a devious scheme! In that case... please excuse me for not playing along!"
After speaking, the disciple from the Thousand Mechanism Sect gave the gray-robed old woman a cupped-fist salute and walked a distance away. At the same time, he looked at the other three young men and said, "My brothers, if you wish to stay, then stay. I will not be participating any further. Farewell!"
"Hey..." The gray-robed old woman watched the mercilessly blunt disciple from the Thousand Mechanism Sect, wanting to say something but finding no words. She muttered to herself, "I’m doing this for Shiyu’s own good. Her soul has been bewitched by that little bastard!"
The other three young men weren’t fools, either. They exchanged glances. Although none of them were happy with Qin Li, they were all extremely displeased that the gray-robed old woman had dared to use them. They spoke up one after another, "It seems this matter is a private grudge between your Four Seasons Sect and Qin Li. We are fond of Miss Shiyu, but we will wait until this grudge between you is settled before we say any more."
With that, the four young men all retreated to the side. Over the past few days, they had already scared off many other young elites who had come to propose marriage. Now that they had finally seen the legendary Qin Li and understood the grudge between him and the Four Seasons Sect, they naturally chose to watch the show from the sidelines.
The gray-robed old woman gritted her teeth and said, "Fine! I’ll kill this Qin Li first, and then I will speak with you young masters!"
