Only I am Venerable

Chapter 273: Chapter 271: On Black Tortoise Peak

"Old Ancestor, could you tell me again about the rules for the Supreme Competition?"

Inside Qinling Mountain’s inconspicuous carriage, Qin Li asked softly, his expression calm.

The carriage wasn’t large, and its interior was simply decorated, yet it exuded a sense of peace and tranquility. Clearly, the wood used to build it was no ordinary material.

Having reached Qinling Mountain’s age and cultivation realm, he preferred to be closer to nature, so the old master had no fondness for luxurious things.

"Hm? Why the sudden question?" Qinling Mountain looked at Qin Li, somewhat puzzled.

"I heard the Golden Palace’s rule is that only those under one hundred years old and below the Venerable Realm can participate. But Cui Leng is clearly already at the Venerable Realm, so why is he allowed to compete?"

Qinling Mountain shook his head. "You’re mistaken. The rule is this: those over one hundred years old or above the Venerable Realm cannot participate. It doesn’t say that Venerables can’t compete, but that Martial Artists *above* the Venerable Realm are barred. For many years, this rule was considered rather useless. First, throughout history, almost no one has ever reached the Venerable Realm within a hundred years. Second, while there are legends of Martial Artists who have surpassed the Venerable Realm, no one has ever actually seen or even heard of one. I never believed it was possible for a Martial Artist to surpass the Venerable Realm in under a century. So, for many years, I didn’t understand this regulation at all."

"So you’re saying that a Supreme Martial Artist under one hundred years old can participate in the Supreme Competition?"

"Of course! You have to look at this regulation in two parts. First, participants must be Martial Artists under one hundred years old; that’s a hard and fast rule. Second, Martial Artists above the Venerable Realm cannot participate! In other words, even if you were to surpass the Venerable Realm before turning one hundred, you would still be barred from competing!"

Qinling Mountain said with a frown, then added with a wry smile, "To be honest, no one ever really paid much attention to this rule. At least, I’ve never heard of any Martial Artist reaching the Venerable Realm within a hundred years. This Cui Leng from the Cui Family is truly the first! Frankly, I’m a bit worried. Even though he seemed to be at a disadvantage today, I have a feeling he’s still holding something back. So, if you run into him, you must be extremely careful!"

Qin Li nodded. "Old Ancestor, I understand. You can rest assured."

Black Tortoise Peak, majestic and imposing, was situated on the southeastern edge of Profound Island. A giant rock formation resembling the head of a Xuanwu faced proudly toward the sunrise. Less than a hundred li beyond it lay the edge of Profound Island, a region of endless void. Ordinary Martial Artists couldn’t enter it at all, and even if they managed to, they would become hopelessly lost. No one knew what truly lay within that land of nothingness.

Black Tortoise Peak was immense. Even with over one hundred thousand people from across Profound Island gathered here, it didn’t feel the least bit crowded.

The various families and Sects had all selected their camping grounds on Black Tortoise Peak. For the most part, these locations had been established long ago. In fact, major players like the Seven Great Powers and some High-Level families and Sects had constructed their own private lodges on Profound Island many years prior!

The difficulty and immense resources required to build such lodges here were far beyond what an ordinary power could afford. For factions that could control entire countries at a whim, however, it was a trivial expense.

On the southeastern face of Black Tortoise Peak, halfway up the mountain, was a massive platform. This semi-circular terrace had a diameter of a full twenty li! The side of the platform bordering the mountain was a sheer cliff face rising fifty li high!

A mountain of this scale was many times taller than any Qin Li had seen in his previous life!

Standing on the platform and gazing up at the endless cliff face, the visual impact was simply overwhelming. It was no wonder the Golden Palace chose to descend upon this very spot.

The road only led as far as this platform, so all the families set up camp here. The Qin Family chose a spot right against the cliff. With dozens of tents pitched, their encampment was quite an impressive sight.

Shangguan Shiyu stood beside Qin Li, gazing up at the cliff whose peak was lost to sight. Countless layers of swirling mist and white clouds wreathed its upper reaches, making the mountain seem as if it pierced the very heavens.

"It’s so beautiful here!" Shangguan Shiyu marveled.

Standing beside her, Qin Li wrapped an arm around Shangguan Shiyu’s slender, supple waist. "How about we go up and take a look?" he suggested.

"You mustn’t!" Qinling Mountain’s voice rang out from nearby.

Shangguan Shiyu, her face flushing crimson, wriggled out of Qin Li’s embrace. Though their relationship was long established, they weren’t officially married yet. Such intimacy was reserved for when they were alone; in front of others, she was still quite shy.

"This Black Tortoise Peak is the Holy Mountain of Profound Island! Legend has it that immortals took pity on humankind, and so every seventy years they send the Golden Palace to appear and impart knowledge, allowing civilization to continue. Originally, Profound Island was the domain of all manner of tyrannical Spirit Beasts! And this very peak is home to Spirit Beasts of inconceivable power! This platform is under a form of protection, so Spirit Beasts won’t attack here. But the rest of Black Tortoise Peak... you absolutely must not go up there!"

Qinling Mountain’s expression was stern as he approached. He looked at Qin Li and said, ’I know this great-grandson of mine is excellent in every way, but his audacity is just too much! It’s simply heaven-defying! It seems there’s nothing in this world that can make him feel fear.’ Therefore, Qinling Mountain could only resort to using the legends he’d heard as a child to try and frighten Qin Li.

Unexpectedly, however, this only served to pique the curiosity of the younger Qin Family members. A number of them immediately gathered around. Qin Suo looked at Qinling Mountain with a hopeful expression and said, "Old Ancestor, please tell us! What kind of powerful Spirit Beasts are on Black Tortoise Peak?"

"You bunch of little brats, what’s all this commotion about!" Qinling Mountain glared, but inwardly he was delighted. ’The Qin Family hasn’t had this kind of vitality in who knows how many years. These young people before me... they represent the future and hope of the Qin Family!’

And Qin Li, in particular, was the idol worshipped by all the youth of the Qin Family! As long as he could continue to grow like this, the resurgence of the Qin Family was imminent.

"Come on, Old Ancestor, just tell us!"

"Yeah, yeah, Old Ancestor! We all love hearing stories like this."

"That’s right, Old Ancestor, tell us!"

The young Qin Family members could all see that Qinling Mountain was only pretending to be stern, so they all laughed and playfully egged him on.

"Alright, alright! I’ll tell you some of the legends about Black Tortoise Peak. But you all better listen closely. These aren’t all just baseless tales. For the next few days, I want all of you to stay put right here. No wandering off, and no causing trouble! If anyone disobeys, don’t blame me for punishing you according to family law!"

"We’ll remember!" the Qin Family youths roared in unison.

This drew sidelong glances from the other families and Sects camped nearby. Young people are always drawn to admire those much stronger than themselves. As such, many youths from other factions practically worshipped Qin Li, a young man who could hold his own against a Supreme Martial Artist. Some even wished they could have been born into the Qin Family.

The members of the Qin Family were well aware of this, and for the past few days, every single one of them had been walking with their heads held high and their chests puffed out with pride.

The Cui Family’s encampment was several li away. After arriving at Xuanwu Platform, they had become exceptionally low-key. To most observers, this was a sign of low morale, but Qin Li knew very well that the Cui Family was merely trying to divert attention.

"During a Supreme Competition two thousand one hundred years ago, a disciple from a certain Sect, driven by curiosity, climbed Black Tortoise Peak from the edge of the Xuanwu Platform. He encountered a massive python a full hundred meters long. That python was as thick as a water cistern and black as ink, with two sharp horns sprouting from its head. Its scales shimmered like polished black jade, a truly terrifying sight! The disciple was nearly scared to death on the spot and fled in a panic. Fortunately for him, the giant python had no interest in him. Otherwise, that Martial Artist, despite being at the Celestial Integration Realm, would have surely died! The aura emanating from that python was simply unfathomable!"

"Old Ancestor, was that giant python at the Venerable Realm?" Qin Suo asked.

"I fear it was stronger than that!" A look of longing flickered in Qinling Mountain’s eyes as he continued, "Since ancient times, a story has been passed down on Black Tortoise Peak: ’One Python, one Vulture, two Eagles, and the Three Monkeys.’ Legend says these are all Spirit Beasts that have reached at least the Venerable Realm, and they may have even surpassed it! Of course, besides them, there are many other tyrannical Spirit Beasts occupying this peak. What we’ve heard is merely the tip of the iceberg. Just as Profound Island is only one of countless Mysterious Lands on the Celestial Essence Continent, there is still so, so much that remains unknown to us!"

The young Qin Family members were all frightened by Qinling Mountain’s tale. As strong as their curiosity was, they had to stay alive to indulge it. After all, the dead have no curiosity.

Qin Li, however, felt a growing yearning to explore Black Tortoise Peak. Xiaohai had remained behind at the Qin Family estate in Fengsha City, partly to protect the family and partly to focus on his cultivation, hoping to break through to the Venerable Realm. Once he reached the Venerable Realm, Xiaohai could finally go and exact his revenge. Because of this, the little guy had been training relentlessly.

It was precisely because Qin Li had dealt with many Spirit Beasts before that he felt this way. The Innate Purple Qi in his body seemed to hold a magical attraction for them, which made him yearn to meet the legendary Spirit Beasts of Black Tortoise Peak.

’Just imagine,’ he thought, ’having a Venerable Realm Spirit Beast as a companion... wouldn’t that be incredible?’

Qin Li had never been one to play by the rules, a fact Shangguan Shiyu knew all too well. After they returned to Qin Li’s tent, her eyes were shining brightly.

"Darling, take me with you, won’t you?"

Qin Li looked speechlessly at Shangguan Shiyu’s hopeful gaze and played dumb. "But I already brought you here, didn’t I?"

"Hmph! I’m talking about going up the mountain! Are you telling me you’re not interested in those Spirit Beasts?" Shangguan Shiyu pouted. Just as Qin Li knew her, she knew him all too well.

"Not interested!" Qin Li replied firmly. ’Are you kidding me? I only dare go up the mountain because I have the Innate Purple Qi. Shiyu might have an Innate Spirit Body, but that’s precisely why I can’t take her with me.’

’That bunch from the Cui Family already wants to refine her into medicine, let alone the far more perceptive Spirit Beasts... They’d probably want to eat her on the spot!’