Only I am Venerable

Chapter 286: Chapter 284: One Condor, Two Eagles

"Nineteen?"

It wasn’t just the Black-clothed Snake Woman. The Golden Eagle Burly Man and the two eagle women were also staring blankly at Qin Li. These Spirit Beasts, who had lived for thousands, even tens of thousands of years, had been so busy despising his weakness that they had completely overlooked the young human’s age.

They hadn’t even considered the question at all!

Take the Black-clothed Snake Woman, for example. When she went out, no one would dare say she was old. She looked just like a young beauty with a sizzling-hot figure!

Once one’s cultivation reached their realm, changing one’s appearance was something they could do as they pleased. Every breakthrough granted an opportunity to become younger!

Just like that Old Ape from before. Bai Zhonghuo called him big brother, yet based on their appearances, they clearly looked like grandfather and grandson!

The flirtatious expression on the Black-clothed Snake Woman’s face completely vanished. She suddenly felt that putting on a delicate and charming act for a little brat whose age wasn’t even a rounding error of a rounding error of her own was a bit... a bit embarrassing.

The muscles on the Golden Eagle Burly Man’s savage face twitched violently. His gaze flickered as he looked at Qin Li. "Kid, are you really... really not even twenty?"

"Of course. Do I have any reason to lie to you?" Qin Li smiled faintly. He never imagined that revealing his true age would be such a shock to these Ancient Demon Spirit Beasts.

"Heavens, is he really only nineteen? That’s so hard to believe!" The cute mouth of the delicate and charming eagle woman formed an "O." Her limpid eyes stared unblinkingly at Qin Li, shining with disbelief.

The other, a cold and elegant eagle woman, still had red-rimmed eyes from grieving her master’s demise. She wanted to curl her lip in disdain but realized that doing so would mean she couldn’t be true to her own heart.

A Martial Artist who could cultivate to the Venerable Realm, regardless of their character, had to at least dare to face their own heart and speak their true intentions. They had no need for pretense. For one, it was a reflection of their strength. For another, a Martial Artist who dared not face their own heart was destined never to achieve a greater breakthrough!

The Black-clothed Snake Woman stared blankly at Qin Li, then at the magnificent Golden Palace before them, and murmured, "No wonder Master chose you to be his successor. Nineteen... When I was nineteen, I was just a little snake, less than a meter long..."

"When I was nineteen, I was still in my nest, waiting for my father to bring back prey to eat..." The Golden Eagle Burly Man’s sharp, hawk-like eyes softened. He murmured, then looked up at Qin Li. "Kid, you are strong! I believe that in just a few years, you will become a true expert! I, Golden Eagle, swear in the name of my ancestors to acknowledge you as my master!"

The Black-clothed Snake Woman and the two eagle women were stunned. They never imagined that the Golden Eagle, who had always been so erratic and arrogant, would actually... be the first to acknowledge this human’s identity and status!

Swearing an oath in the name of one’s ancestors was no laughing matter. Once you acknowledged a master, you had to be prepared to go through hell and high water for them! Even if your master ordered you to your death, you could not refuse!

"Brother Golden Eagle, why...?"

The gentle-looking eagle woman beside the Golden Eagle asked, her face filled with confusion.

The other, the cold and elegant eagle woman, also had a disbelieving light flickering in her eyes.

The Black-clothed Snake Woman was the most vexed of all. Originally, she had planned to toy with this human kid for a bit, make him suffer until he feared her, and then present her demands. She believed that to gain an ally like her, the human brat would agree to many of her conditions!

But she never expected to be beaten to the punch by this crude brute, whom she’d never taken seriously. As a powerful Spirit Beast who had lived for countless years, the Black-clothed Snake Woman naturally understood what kind of future this human would have. She suddenly grasped the Golden Eagle’s plan and couldn’t help but shoot him a strange look, thinking, ’So, of Master’s seven Spirit Beasts, this little bird is actually the smartest!’

’That Three-headed White Ape... the eldest is arrogant and hot-tempered. The second one’s personality is decent, but he listens to the eldest completely. As for the third, that little lass, she could live another ten thousand years and she’d still be a little brat!’

’The two giant eagles have always followed the Golden Eagle’s lead; they have no minds of their own. Since the Golden Eagle is following Qin Li, they’re certain to agree as well.’

The Black-clothed Snake Woman realized with some sorrow that she, who had always considered herself the cleverest, had been outsmarted by this little bird. ’It’s just... too much!’

Just as she was about to speak, the two eagle women hesitated for a moment before saying in unison, "Since Brother Golden Eagle has decided to acknowledge you as master, we... we acknowledge your status as well!"

The Black-clothed Snake Woman felt the words catch in her throat, and her face flushed red. She saw those two damned little eagles actually blink innocently at her after they finished speaking.

’They must be doing it on purpose!’

The Black-clothed Snake Woman sneered. "If you want to follow, then go right ahead. I’m perfectly happy and free right here! With Master gone, I’m finally free from anyone’s control!"

Saying this, she transformed into a streak of black light, shot toward the cliff, and vanished in an instant.

It all happened in an instant. Qin Li barely had time to react before everything was over. He could tell, however, that these three flying beasts had seemingly used a ploy to drive away the proud Black-clothed Snake Woman... Qin Li couldn’t help but purse his lips. ’Conflict really is everywhere!’

Sure enough, the moment the Black-clothed Snake Woman was gone, the two eagle women couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief. The pressure she put on them was immense!

"You’ve all really decided to follow me? To take me as your master?" Qin Li asked, looking at the Golden Eagle.

"Of course. You are our master now. Please do not doubt the dignity and pride of a Spirit Beast!" A flash of anger crossed the Golden Eagle’s sharp, hawk-like eyes.

"That’s right," the gentle eagle woman said with a light chuckle. "When we Spirit Beasts swear an oath in the name of our ancestors, we never go back on our word!"

"That’s wonderful. Will you come down with me?" Qin Li let out a sigh of relief. Even though only three Spirit Beasts had decided to follow him, it was already far beyond his expectations.

"If we go down with you now, we will definitely arouse suspicion. Young Master, you may not be aware, but the super-factions here on Profound Island are not what they appear to be. Every family is guarded by incredibly powerful individuals! So, it’s better if we wait until after this Venerable competition ends. Then we can find an opportunity to quietly join you. That way, no one will suspect our identities!"

Although the Golden Eagle had a savage appearance, his mind was indeed exceptionally sharp. Beneath his coarse exterior lay an incredibly meticulous mind.

’As expected of an old monster who’s lived for tens of thousands of years!’

Qin Li marveled inwardly, then nodded and asked, "So... what are your power levels? And, what should I call you?"

"Young Master can just call me Golden Eagle. I broke through to the Celestial Venerable Realm three hundred years ago!" By now, the Golden Eagle Burly Man’s prejudice against Qin Li had mostly vanished. He actually managed to squeeze out a smile, though no one had likely ever told him that his smile was uglier than his scowl... With that savage face and sharp gaze, he could scare not just children, but adults too.

"My name is Spiritual Eagle, and she is Ink Eagle," the gentle eagle woman said, pointing to the cold and elegant one. "We are both at the peak of the Earth Venerable realm and haven’t broken through in many years."

Judging by her expression, she seemed quite dissatisfied with her progress, which left Qin Li rather speechless. A Spirit Beast was generally slightly stronger than a human Martial Artist of the same rank. These three were truly incredible backup!

At this thought, Qin Li grew excited again and said with a smile, "Great. I’m Qin Li. You don’t have to keep calling me Young Master. My name, or Young Lord, is fine!"

"We’ll call you Young Lord, then!" said the Golden Eagle. He then added, "The Venerable Competition should be starting soon. Allow me to take you down. Once the competition is over, we will naturally follow you when you leave this place!"

As the Golden Eagle spoke, a hint of sadness crept into his voice. After all, he had lived on this Black Tortoise Peak for countless years, ever since he was young.

However, as a powerful Spirit Beast that could soar through the Nine Heavens, the Golden Eagle had once flown toward the Land of the Far West. After sensing an overwhelmingly tyrannical aura there, he had fled back. He had always yearned in his heart to truly see what those experts were like. He believed that the successor his master had chosen would surely help them realize this wish.

Even if it didn’t come true, it wouldn’t matter. They had been confined to Black Tortoise Peak for far too many years. Just being able to go out and see the outside world would be a great boon to their cultivation.

...

"It’s been two days, and Qin Li... he still hasn’t returned." Qin Wenxuan’s face was etched with worry as he paced back and forth in the room, sighing.

Qin Hanyue said softly, "I believe our son will be fine! It’s just a shame that Qin Li’s Lifebound Plate is back with the family. We can’t write to inquire about it now. If we actually asked, everyone back home would immediately panic."

Qinling Mountain said nonchalantly, "What are you so worried about? I’m certain he’ll be fine."

"I believe so too," Shangguan Shiyu said softly, sitting beside Qin Hanyue. "He has never let us down."

Qin Suo, who was qualified to be in the room for this discussion, said resentfully, "Hmph. Over the past two days, many people have been speculating that Qin Li is gone. Some people who were on good terms with our family have already started to change their tune! The Cui Family has also taken the opportunity to flaunt their power. A few Venerables, is that so amazing? Those people are already scrambling to suck up to them!"

Qinling Mountain waved his hand dismissively. "They’re just fair-weather friends. Why bother with them? If not for this, we wouldn’t have seen their true colors! Look at the Thousand Mechanism Sect, and look at the Lin Family. Have their attitudes changed?"

Qin Suo pursed his lips and said quietly, "The Thousand Mechanism Sect hasn’t changed, but the Lin Family..."

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Ugh, I was out running errands all day and walked a ton. I got home feeling tired and ended up oversleeping. Damn it, I’ll write first and eat later!

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