"I must say, Miss Yi, you’re truly impressive. To have mastered the Five Elements Lightning Arts at such a young age!" Jia Huairen exclaimed, showering her with compliments. Then he turned to Qin Yun. "And you, Daoist Qin—recently, I heard that someone named Qin Yun stood up for the famous courtesan, Miss Chen Shuang, at Yan Feng Pavilion. Would that be you?"


    "Indeed," Qin Yun replied calmly. "Daoist Jia, your sources seem quite up-to-date."


    "Miss Chen Shuang truly is exceptional. She even inspired the talented Yu Bai to compose the Ode to Chen Shuang. No wonder even someone like you, a cultivator, was moved," Jia Huairen said with a grin.


    "She’s my sister," Qin Yun replied flatly.


    "Your sister? A courtesan?" Jia Huairen’s surprise was palpable.


    Qin Yun frowned, glancing briefly at Yi Xiao. He seemed to understand Jia Huairen''s unspoken thoughts and said firmly, "Yes, she is my sister. Is there a problem?"


    "No, not at all," Jia Huairen quickly replied. "I was merely curious." He changed the subject. "Miss Yi excels in the Five Elements Lightning Arts. What about you, Daoist Qin?"


    "Swordsmanship," Qin Yun said tersely, unwilling to elaborate.


    Among the three of them, Jia Huairen was clearly the least impressive. Only his monster servant had some utility.


    "Oh? Swordsmanship?" Jia Huairen''s disdain deepened. In his eyes, swordplay was something for those who had not yet stepped onto the immortal path. True cultivators pursued techniques like Daoist spells or talismans—or at the very least, acquired magical artifacts. Few continued with close-combat techniques.


    "And you, Daoist Jia?" Yi Xiao asked politely.


    A smirk played on Jia Huairen''s lips. With a subtle hand seal, the curved blade at his waist flew out and hovered in front of him, its edge glinting with a faint green light. "This is a magical artifact I stumbled upon. I''ve even refined it with some witchcraft methods. If it so much as scratches a common monster, they''ll be poisoned to death instantly."


    "Witchcraft?" Yi Xiao was surprised.


    Nowadays, the orthodox paths were Daoism and Buddhism. The witchcraft lineage had long declined, though fragments of its techniques could still be found within Daoism and Buddhism. Even so, witchcraft methods were known to be troublesome.


    Yi Xiao, who had initially dismissed Jia Huairen, now looked at him with mild interest. It seemed he did have some skill.


    "Uncle Qian is an old servant of my family," Jia Huairen declared confidently. "Within ten miles, no living creature can escape his detection. As for strength, the water god’s nineteen commanders combined aren’t as formidable as Uncle Qian."


    "I merely have a keen nose for sensing life forces," the skinny old man said modestly.


    "We’ll rely on Uncle Qian during our journey to Mount Cangya," Yi Xiao said. "With so many monsters around, his abilities will help us avoid unnecessary confrontations."


    "Exactly," Jia Huairen agreed. "With Uncle Qian, we’ll easily find safe paths, and he can deal with most monsters we encounter."


    Qin Yun observed Jia Huairen’s displays with quiet indifference.


    In his experience, only novices or those untouched by real hardship would show off like this. Jia Huairen''s prized magical artifact? Qin Yun could break it with a single sword strike. If it wasn’t at the level of a true treasure, it wouldn’t last more than three or five strikes at most.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "Yes, breaking through to the innate stage is difficult," Jia Huairen lamented. "I opened the immortal gate at sixteen, yet twenty years later, I’m still stuck here. I’ve even avoided taking a wife, dedicating myself wholly to cultivation in hopes of advancing sooner."


    "No wife?" Qin Yun asked, feigning curiosity. "You’re from the Jia family in Yougao County, right? Your thirty-six concubines are quite renowned in Guangling Prefecture."


    Jia Huairen''s face stiffened. He glanced nervously at Yi Xiao and then forced a laugh. "Haha, they’re just concubines, nothing worth mentioning. Most were gifts from friends—refusing would’ve hurt their pride. I barely interact with many of them. Besides, cultivation requires one to experience the mortal world. They’re just ordinary mortals who’ll be dust in a few decades. Only fellow cultivators are true companions."


    Qin Yun said no more, but Jia Huairen fumed inwardly. This Qin Yun is deliberately sabotaging me!


    That evening, the prefect hosted a banquet.


    Afterwards, Jia Huairen and his monster servant, Uncle Qian, returned to their quarters.


    “Bang!” Jia Huairen slammed his hand down, sending the teapot and cups on the table flying.


    "That Qin Yun! Ruining my plans!" Jia Huairen seethed with anger.


    Uncle Qian, the monster servant, spoke calmly, "Young master, it wasn’t wise to antagonize Qin Yun today. You’ll need to rely on each other during the journey to Mount Cangya."


    "You don’t understand," Jia Huairen retorted impatiently. "Miss Yi is from a major sect. If I can marry her, I’ll gain countless benefits—even breaking through to the innate stage might be within reach. This is my top priority!"


    "Marriage?" Uncle Qian was taken aback. "But your thirty-six concubines were just exposed. Do you still think you have a chance with her?"


    "Why not?" Jia Huairen sneered. "Those women are mere mortals—none can compare to Miss Yi. And they’re only concubines. I’ve never taken a wife!"


    To Jia Huairen, mortal women were beneath consideration. His goal had always been to marry a fellow cultivator.


    "If you can win her over, it will certainly benefit your cultivation," Uncle Qian conceded. "But swaying Miss Yi’s heart won’t be easy."


    "Hmph, she’s young. Cultivator or not, she’s still a woman," Jia Huairen chuckled. "With her sheltered life of cultivation, she probably knows little about matters of the heart. It might actually make her easier to win over. Once she’s mine…"


    Uncle Qian said nothing. He didn’t understand such matters himself.


    "Our sect’s techniques are shallow, and even the best only reach the Innate Void Core Realm," Jia Huairen grumbled. "Our spells and talismans are incomplete, and even the witchcraft methods you found are fragmented!"


    "True. Small sects and rogue cultivators often lack comprehensive teachings," Uncle Qian admitted with a sigh.


    "You’ve already done so much for me, Uncle Qian," Jia Huairen said earnestly. "Without you, I wouldn’t have even started on this path."


    "But Miss Yi won’t stay in Guangling Prefecture for long," Jia Huairen said resolutely. "I must seize this opportunity. Qin Yun is my only obstacle."


    He scoffed. "A cultivator who still relies on swordsmanship? Laughable."


    Just then, a servant entered hurriedly.


    "Master, something happened during the flower competition today!"


    "What is it?" Jia Huairen asked with a frown.


    "Three monsters attacked during the event!"


    "Were they there to die?" Jia Huairen asked, intrigued.


    The servant recounted, "The first monster was struck down by three lightning bolts. The second fell to a volley of enchanted arrows—monster-slaying crossbows. But the third, a rhinoceros demon as large as a house, was unharmed even by the arrows."


    "Unharmed by enchanted arrows?" Uncle Qian’s interest was piqued.


    "And then?" Jia Huairen asked.


    "Then, a streak of light flashed—one sword strike, and the rhino demon was cut clean in half!"


    "Who did it?" Jia Huairen pressed.


    "Young Master Qin Yun of the Qin family."


    Jia Huairen’s face turned pale. "One sword strike?"


    Uncle Qian, too, was stunned. "Just one strike?"


    "Yes," the servant affirmed. "The demon was cleaved in two by a single stroke."


    After dismissing the servant, Jia Huairen turned to Uncle Qian. "Could you defeat Qin Yun?"


    "Judging from the description, that rhino demon’s toughness rivals mine," Uncle Qian said gravely. "It would take me at least ten moves to kill it. For Qin Yun to do it with one strike…"


    "You can’t match him?" Jia Huairen’s voice wavered.


    Uncle Qian shook his head. "Without facing him, I can’t say for sure. But it’s clear he’s not someone to provoke. You wouldn’t last a single move against him."


    "I have no intention of provoking him," Jia Huairen said quickly. "We’re from the same prefecture. Why make enemies? As for Miss Yi—well, fair competition is only natural."


    Uncle Qian nodded. "Besides, Qin Yun might not even be interested in pursuing her."