Chapter 233: Chapter 231: Tall Buildings? Topple Them
Qinling Mountain spoke, looking at Qin Li. "My dear great-grandson, is having four Celestial Embracing Realm experts go mad with you enough?"
A flicker of emotion touched Qin Li’s eyes. The Qin Family’s treatment of him, one of their own, was truly beyond reproach! This wasn’t just because the family valued his excellence and talent; more than that, they were considering the future of the entire family. It was clear that from the very beginning, the Qin family, led by Qinling Mountain, had placed immense importance on him, a junior member of their clan.
’You repay a peach with a plum!’ For the first time, Qin Li, an orphan in his past life, felt the warmth, strength, and support of a true family!
He nodded and said, "That’s more than enough. I’ll write down the formulas for those elixirs and seal them. If, by some chance, something happens this time... then it won’t take long for the Qin Family to rise!"
"Excellent, excellent, excellent!" Qinling Mountain repeated the word several times, then stood and turned to Qin Haiyang. "Father, may I be so bold as to make this decision?"
Qin Haiyang gave a faint smile, his aged face wrinkling like a blooming chrysanthemum. "If the little one isn’t afraid, then who have we old bones ever feared?"
Qin Suo knelt on the ground and declared in a solemn voice, "Please rest assured, esteemed ancestors. I will protect this family with my life!"
Qinling Mountain nodded, his gaze toward Qin Suo full of warmth. He then waved his hand, dismissing the others, and began to confer with Qin Li.
The invitation from the Thousand Kills Sect was for the ninth hour on the ninth day of the ninth month—an auspicious day and an auspicious hour.
That was less than a month away. The journey from Fengsha City would take about half a month, so time seemed relatively ample.
Over the next few days, Qin Li, Qinling Mountain, and the other elders received delegations from the families who had sent requests to meet. The Lin Family and the Thousand Mechanism Sect were fully represented by Fourth Young Master Lin Heng and Shen Le, respectively—a testament to their high standing within their clans.
Lin Heng and Shen Le had also learned through other channels of the Thousand Kills Sect’s move against the Qin Family. Ultimately, this was a matter of grievances within the Martial World, and such grievances were to be settled by the rules of the Martial World. Outsiders couldn’t easily interfere.
Therefore, in response to Lin Heng and Shen Le’s concern, Qin Li simply expressed his gratitude and asked for nothing more.
Having obtained the Elixir Formula they had been dreaming of, the Fire Sword Wang Family promptly delivered their payment for the Pill Formula to the Qin Family.
For their part, the Qin Family did not immediately send anyone to take control of the Five Nations in the Mortal Realm, located in the central part of the Celestial Essence Continent. A change in imperial power could destabilize an entire nation. Besides, there was no need for a member of their own family to become an emperor; it was simply a matter of the annual tribute from those Five Nations changing hands.
The Wang Family had already dispatched people to inform those five mortal nations. As for the two Spirit Stone Veins, on Qin Li’s suggestion, the Qin Family entrusted their management to the Wang Family, asking only for a thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones per year. The Wang Family was naturally delighted; although the two veins weren’t massive, they could produce one thousand five hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones and a large quantity of low-grade spirit stones annually without any issue.
They had paid a heavy price for that Pill Formula, and seeing the Qin Family act so reasonably, the Wang Family naturally displayed the magnanimity befitting a great house.
Following the lead of the Lin Family and the Thousand Mechanism Sect, the Wang Family publicly declared an alliance with the Qin Family as equal partners!
This news was like another boulder dropped into a placid pond. It was no exaggeration to say that on Profound Island, although the Qin Family was not yet a top-tier power, its new, elevated status was no less than that of any major faction!
Of course, all of this was thanks to their formidable allies, not a reflection of the Qin Family’s own true strength. Even so, it was enough to incite the envy and jealousy of countless others!
Ice Edge remained as mysterious as ever. After the auction, they simply sent a representative to meet with Qin Li, state that Ice Edge would welcome him as a guest, and then... left!
There were almost no pleasantries or small talk. Even as the representative from Ice Edge extended the invitation to Qin Li, their expression was frigid. This wasn’t an act; it was a result of the combat techniques and Heart Method they cultivated!
Qin Li naturally accepted with a polite nod. If he had the chance to visit such a mysterious and unfathomable place, it certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Most of the remaining families were there to curry favor with Qin Li. When faced with a peerless genius like him, one had two choices: either eliminate him or... get on his good side.
The local powers near Fengsha City that had been itching to make a move against the Qin Family were stunned by this series of developments. Now, they didn’t even dare entertain the thought of acting against them. In their hearts, however, they were secretly hoping: the higher the Qin Family was propped up, the harder they would fall. If anything happened to Qin Li, the junior on whom the family’s fortunes so heavily relied, the entire clan could be knocked back to square one in an instant.
However, not everyone saw it that way. If the Qin Family could develop one new elixir, they could certainly develop a second. A family like that still possessed a formidable foundation!
Finally, Qin Li met the Patriarch of the Wealthy Qian Family, Qian Duoduo. This elegant, middle-aged man was just as calm and composed as he had been at the auction, seemingly unflappable.
Likely sensing Qin Li’s interest in his name, the witty and humorous Patriarch explained, "Since the Ancient Era, my Qian Family has been the top merchant house on Profound Island! Back then, other families focused on cultivating Martial Arts, but the Qian Family specialized in making money. When other families were called wealthy, they were said to be ’as rich as a kingdom,’ but the Qian Family’s fortune was greater than many kingdoms combined! Generation after generation, the wealth accumulated, growing more and more. By my time, we had so much money we honestly didn’t know how to spend it all. And so, my father gave me this name."
The Qian Family Patriarch said this with a broad grin, leaving Qin Li rather speechless. Still, he found he had a very favorable impression of the man.
He promised Patriarch Qian he would certainly pay the Qian Family a visit when he had the time.
After several busy days, the whirlwind of various matters finally settled down for Qin Li. In truth, most of the hosting duties had been handled by the Qin Family’s new Patriarch, Qin Suo; Qin Li was merely in attendance.
But in reality, everyone knew that those powerful families and Sects were only there because of Qin Li.
News of the upcoming grand wedding of the Thousand Kills Sect’s young master also began to circulate. However, many families paid it little mind. Although the Thousand Kills Sect was considered a high-level Sect on Profound Island, their reputation was terrible due to years of arrogance and tyranny, so not many people planned to attend the wedding.
The day of departure finally arrived. To Qin Li’s surprise, Shangguan Shiyu, who had been completely silent on the matter beforehand, announced that she was coming with him.
"Shiyu, it’s simply too dangerous this time," Qin Li said, looking at Shangguan Shiyu with a heavy heart. "To be honest, I have no guarantee of success. But Linghu Feiyue is my friend. I can’t just stand by and watch her die."
"It’s because it’s dangerous that I have to go! Husband, although our marriage is not yet consummated, in my heart, I, Shiyu, have long since decided that I am yours, in life and in death. You can go to great lengths for a friend... well, for a ’friend’—so why can’t I brave fire and water for the man I love?"
Shangguan Shiyu faltered for a moment at the word "friend," then rolled her star-like eyes at Qin Li. Clearly, Miss Shangguan didn’t quite approve of that term. ’Even if she is a Spirit Beast that has undergone Transformation, she’s a human now!’
"Besides, Husband, even though my Suppression Technique isn’t as powerful as yours, I can still suppress an ordinary Celestial Integration Realm Martial Artist. We aren’t lacking for Spirit Stones, and I won’t be a burden. So, I must go!" Shangguan Shiyu stared deeply into Qin Li’s eyes and said slowly, "We will be together in life, and we will be together in death!"
Qin Li took a deep breath and pulled Shangguan Shiyu into his embrace. As their hearts seemed to melt into one, he whispered, "Alright. Then we’ll go together!"
...
The Thousand Kills Sect was nestled amidst a range of lush, verdant mountains. The Spiritual Qi was abundant, and Spirit Flowers and Herbs were innumerable. The sect’s main gate alone was over fifty meters wide and a hundred meters tall!
It was massive and towering, exuding an air of ancient, rugged power!
Carved entirely from massive, off-white stones, its surface was not smooth but possessed a rugged beauty that was visually arresting.
Standing beneath it, one couldn’t help but feel insignificant.
Qin Li and Shangguan Shiyu, with Xiaohai at their side—two humans and a panther—now stood before the main gate of the Thousand Kills Sect. Not far behind them were the four ancestors of the Qin Family.
Two disciples emerged from the Thousand Kills Sect’s gate. They had likely already received descriptions of Qin Li’s group, and the sight of the terrifying Black Panther especially left no room for doubt.
"Might you be Young Master Qin of Fengsha City?"
"I am."
"Our Sect Leader and the Elders have been awaiting you for some time! This way, please!" one of the disciples said. He had some nerve, not flinching under Xiaohai’s ferocious glare.
As Qin Li led his party forward, the other disciple suddenly moved to block their path. "Apologies, but the Sect Leader’s invitation was for Young Master Qin alone..."
Qin Li narrowed his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. "You? You think you have the right to give me trouble? Get out of my way!"
A blast of force sent the disciple flying into the trees beside the mountain path. Qin Li turned to the other disciple. "Aren’t you going to lead the way?"
Intimidated by Qin Li’s power, the disciple couldn’t help but lead the way, all the while thinking, ’Arrogant brat. We’ve laid an inescapable net inside the gates. Let’s see how long you can keep this up!’
The mountain path wound upwards. After walking for a full half-hour, the party arrived before a valley. The mountainsides on either side were covered with towering, terraced buildings!
The towers were built entirely from massive blocks of bluestone, with the tallest soaring a hundred meters into the air!
’They’re no less impressive than the skyscrapers I saw in my past life,’ Qin Li thought. ’In fact, towers built from massive bluestone blocks like this are even more visually striking.’
Thinking back to the grand gate at the entrance, a cold sneer formed on Qin Li’s lips. ’All for show. Soon, I’ll bring it all crashing down!’
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In the afternoon, Gao Lou told me he wanted to write about Little Knife Sharp and then have him get broken. I was furious! Let’s just knock *him* down first, hahahaha... (To be continued. To find out what happens next, please log on to www.qidian.com for more Chapters and to support the author and legitimate reading!)
