The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

Chapter 283: Chapter 282: Parting on Bad Terms

Sea View Tower was named for its unique scenery, offering a view of the distant Celestial Dragon Sea Region.

At this moment, the tower was empty save for a few waiters, but the tables laden with food and wine spoke to how packed it had been just moments before.

Upstairs, four people were seated at a long table piled high with fine wine and delicacies.

"Brother Qin, I was unaware you were the renowned young prodigy of the Celestial Dragon Sea Region. I have been truly blind. I’ll punish myself with three cups." After speaking, Shangguan Hao picked up his cup and wine pot and downed three cups of fine wine in quick succession.

"Seventh Young Master, you’re too kind," Qin Ya said indifferently. He stared at Shangguan Hao, his eyes as sharp as blades. "Let’s cut to the chase. Why did you seek me out?"

"Haha, Brother Qin is as straightforward as they say."

Shangguan Hao laughed. "I heard that in the Celestial Dragon Sea Region, Brother Qin was surrounded by numerous Extraordinary experts because you possessed a Spiritual Artifact. Among them were six Celestial Humans."

"That’s right." Qin Ya’s eyes narrowed slightly. A flash of understanding crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by a cold chill. His tone became frosty. "One of them was a large man with the surname Shangguan. He wouldn’t happen to be from your Shangguan Family, would he?"

"You got it."

Shangguan Hao snapped his fingers, seemingly oblivious to the faint chill emanating from Qin Ya, and continued speaking as if to himself, "That man is indeed the Second Elder of my Shangguan Family. He was representing our family at the Ancient King’s banquet. I never expected he would come into conflict with Brother Qin. After he returned, he couldn’t stop praising you."

"He said you were a peerless genius, a talent unrivaled throughout history. He even said that if you were to join the Shangguan Family, you would surely become one of our pillars in the future. Unfortunately, Brother Qin is a dragon among dragons, destined to soar through the nine heavens. How could a humble family like mine possibly hold on to you? Ah, what a pity."

Shangguan Hao’s tone was filled with a sour, jealous tang. "In his entire life, the Second Elder has never given anyone such a high evaluation. Brother Qin, you truly are incredible."

"What... is his name?"

Faced with Shangguan Hao’s endless stream of praise, Qin Ya’s expression remained indifferent, betraying no hint of joy or anger. The coldness in his voice, however, was unmistakable.

"Shangguan Ze Yun," Shangguan Hao said with a smile.

"Shangguan Ze Yun... Shangguan Ze Yun," Qin Ya murmured, his voice turning as frigid as Cold Ice. "You can prepare his gravestone."

The expressions of Shangguan Hao and the gray-robed old man beside him changed at once. The old man, in particular, began to faintly emit wisps of Evil Qi. In an instant, the entire Sea View Tower was enveloped in a terrifying pressure. Downstairs, the owner, the waiters, and the few other people present trembled uncontrollably, as if they had been thrown into the Cold Ice Hell of the Nine Netherworld.

Facing this oppressive Evil Qi from a Celestial Human, Qin Ya’s expression remained unchanged. Wisps of cold energy seeped from his body, and the air around him instantly began to crystallize with specks of Frost. Beside him, Lin Liyu remained silent, but his pitch-black pupils held a murderous intent even more terrifying than the gray-robed old man’s, restrained but ready to be unleashed.

"Haha."

Despite the heavy, solemn atmosphere, Shangguan Hao burst out laughing. He turned to Qin Ya and said, "Brother Qin, you love to joke. Come, let’s have a drink."

Shangguan Hao poured a cup of wine and drained it in one gulp.

"I don’t have a habit of telling jokes," Qin Ya said indifferently.

"Then perhaps this can persuade Brother Qin to make an exception, just this once?" As he spoke, Shangguan Hao took out a Storage Ring and handed it to Qin Ya. "Inside are 1.5 million catties of Primordial Stones, a set of Ninth-Grade Profound Soldiers, and twelve Ninth-Grade Pills."

"What is the meaning of this?" Qin Ya’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Shangguan Hao said, "Second Elder was gravely injured while fighting for the Spiritual Artifact and is currently in seclusion to recover. Therefore, I have come to apologize to Brother Qin on his behalf. This is just a small token of our sincerity, a humble gesture. I hope Brother Qin will accept it so that we can resolve this grudge."

The gray-robed old man beside him glanced at the Storage Ring on the table, a flicker of greed flashing in his eyes. As he looked at Qin Ya, he couldn’t suppress a feeling of jealousy. ’Such a treasure trove would be an immense fortune even for a Celestial Human, let alone a Sky-Controlling cultivator. In my opinion, there’s no way Qin Ya can resist this temptation.’

’If he accepts, he’ll not only get a massive windfall but also build a connection with the Shangguan Family. With such a powerful ally, his path in Martial Arts will surely be a smooth one.’

’If he refuses, he’ll make an enemy of the Shangguan Family. With his Sky-Controlling cultivation, he’s nothing but an ant before the Shangguan Family, an ant we could crush with a single move.’

’Hmph, no matter how much of a genius he is, he’s just a Loose Cultivator, a mere Sky-Controlling Martial Artist. With no power backing him, how could he possibly stand against the Shangguan Family?’

The gray-robed old man sneered inwardly, looking at Qin Ya with disdain.

"How disappointing. Truly, utterly disappointing."

But Qin Ya just shook his head faintly, his face filled with disappointment.

Both the gray-robed old man’s and Shangguan Hao’s expressions changed. For the first time, Shangguan Hao’s face darkened. "Brother Qin, can it be that you’re still not satisfied?"

Such a generous gift was arguably the limit of what the Shangguan Family would offer Qin Ya.

He was confident that no Sky-Controlling Martial Artist could resist this temptation. Even if Qin Ya was a peerless prodigy, he wouldn’t be able to acquire such treasures easily.

Setting aside everything else, the 1.5 million catties of Primordial Stones alone were equivalent to the entire fortune of a Celestial Human. Then there was the set of Ninth-Grade Profound Soldiers. A single Ninth-Grade Profound Soldier was rare, but a complete set was even rarer. Its value was comparable to a Pseudo-Spiritual Artifact.

And the twelve Ninth-Grade Pills—each one was worth over 100,000 catties of Primordial Stones. The three items combined were valuable enough to buy an entire Martial Artist Family.

"Is this the extent of the Shangguan Family’s methods? Heh, how laughable."

Qin Ya stood up, not even sparing a glance at the Storage Ring on the table, and turned to leave. Shangguan Hao’s face instantly grew grim. He abruptly called out to stop Qin Ya, "Brother Qin, do you really intend to make an enemy of the Shangguan Family?"

Hearing this, Qin Ya turned back and looked at Shangguan Hao indifferently. "I have no intention of making an enemy of the Shangguan Family. But Shangguan Ze Yun tried to steal my Spiritual Artifact and, more importantly, my life. If you hand him over, the grudge between me and the Shangguan Family will be settled."

Shangguan Hao’s brows furrowed, and a murderous aura emanated from him. His voice seemed to carry the stench of blood as he spoke coldly, "It seems there’s no possibility of reconciliation between us."

"So this is your true self. Heh." Qin Ya gave a faint, indifferent smile. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "That Spiritual Artifact... who ended up with it?"

"An unknown Celestial Human," Shangguan Hao said coldly.

"So there was a seventh person there at the time." Qin Ya was somewhat surprised.

"Shangguan Family, you’d best watch yourselves!"

With that, Qin Ya left. Lin Liyu glanced at Shangguan Hao and said, "Heh, I never thought Young Master Shangguan would be one to play the wolf in sheep’s clothing."

After saying his piece, he left with Qin Ya.

Shangguan Hao stood frozen in place, his expression cold and a glacial killing intent flashing in his eyes. The old man stepped forward. "Young Master, why didn’t you stop him?"

"With Lin Liyu here, could you have stopped him?"

Shangguan Hao’s retort left the old man speechless.

"I didn’t expect that in just a few short days, Qin Ya would have already befriended someone like Lin Liyu. Heh, his methods are truly extraordinary," Shangguan Hao said indifferently.

"Investigate! Find out the relationship between Qin Ya and Lin Liyu! Put a tail on Qin Ya; Lin Liyu can’t be with him at all times. Also... contact the Blood Nether Association!"

When Shangguan Hao spoke the three words "Blood Nether Association," the gray-robed old man’s body trembled, as if the name was a great taboo. "Yes, sir."