Outside Yougao County.


    By the ancestral tomb of the Jia family, hundreds of people, led by the County Governor, stood solemnly. A new grave had been erected beside the tomb of Jia Huairen’s father.


    “Uncle Qian.” Jia Huairen, clad in mourning attire, knelt before the grave, his eyes brimming with tears.


    “A monster who served two generations of masters with unwavering loyalty. All it asked for after death was to be buried beside its old master. Such a loyal and righteous creature,” the County Governor said with a sigh.


    Commander Fang nodded. “Truly rare.”


    Qin Yun silently gazed at the gravestone.


    “At least Jia Huairen has some conscience to mourn Qian Lao,” Yi Xiao said to Qin Yun via voice transmission.


    “After all, it was Qian Lao who raised him,” Qin Yun replied. “Not only did he raise him, but he also helped him embark on the path of cultivation. With Jia Huairen’s disposition, for him to even set foot into the immortal realm, Qian Lao must have sacrificed a great deal.”


    Yi Xiao nodded in agreement.


    “Jia Huairen, though you escaped alone, your loyal servant has indeed accomplished a great feat this time. The Hundred Poisons Blood I promised you will be delivered to your residence in a few days,” the County Governor said.


    “Thank you, County Governor.” Jia Huairen, still kneeling before the grave, turned to express his gratitude.


    “Grieve and move on,” the County Governor said, before turning to leave with his entourage.


    Qin Yun and Yi Xiao followed behind.


    Before long, the graveyard was left with only Jia Huairen. Despite the summer heat, his expression gradually darkened.


    “Uncle Qian, you served my family for decades and helped me enter the immortal realm. You were indeed a great benefactor to me. I’ve mourned for you in proper attire and will ensure offerings are made to you every year. Now, rest well here.” Jia Huairen’s voice grew cold.


    “Hmph.”


    He stood and glanced in the direction the County Governor’s group had departed. The group had long since disappeared down the official road. “If not for the White Tiger demon, Uncle Qian wouldn’t have died! Even so, a single portion of Hundred Poisons Blood? That’s all the County Governor offers? A single portion isn’t nearly enough to match Uncle Qian’s sacrifice. Even ten portions wouldn’t suffice!”


    “Now that Uncle Qian is gone, I must tread carefully.” Jia Huairen’s pupils contracted. “My previous domineering ways won’t do. I need to keep a low profile from now on.”


    “In Guangling County’s cultivation circles, the strongest were once Commander Fang and Master Meixia, both at the Connate False Core stage. But now, there’s a third—Qin Yun. His strength rivals the White Tiger demon, and even Commander Fang and Master Meixia may not be his match.” Jia Huairen frowned. “If I can build a good relationship with him, life in the cultivation world here will be much smoother.”


    “Yet I ruined that with my earlier behavior toward Yi Xiao, making Qin Yun hostile toward me. Only to find out later that Yi Xiao wasn’t even interested in me—what a waste.”


    “Still, we shared the experience of braving Cangya Mountain together. Besides, even if Qin Yun dislikes me, others don’t know that. As long as it appears that we’re on good terms, it’ll serve as a deterrent.”


    Jia Huairen’s thoughts raced.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Despite his greed and arrogance, he had always relied on the formidable Uncle Qian. Before, Qian Lao’s strength was nearly invincible in Guangling County unless a Connate-level cultivator appeared, giving Jia Huairen the confidence to act recklessly.


    But ultimately, Jia Huairen wasn’t a fool. At thirty-six years old and having entered an immortal sect, he had been influenced by the perspective of cultivators who valued strength above all else.


    This shift in mindset was why he chose to remain in Yougao County—here, he was the strongest.


    The group of hundreds headed toward Guangling County’s capital. Among them was a cart carrying the massive battle axe, wrapped in cloth and securely fastened, along with the tiger claws.


    As the procession traveled along the official road, Qin Yun’s attention was suddenly drawn to a commotion in the distance. A family of four was being chased by twenty or thirty men.


    A husband and wife each carried a child, fleeing desperately along a field ridge.


    “Stop! Second Brother, you can’t escape!”“Second Brother, give up already!”


    The pursuers shouted as they closed the gap. The wife, burdened by a child, lagged behind, allowing the group to draw ever closer.


    “Xiao’e,” the husband called, glancing back at his wife.


    “We can’t outrun them,” she said, her face filled with unwillingness.


    Suddenly, a tall, thin man among the pursuers sped up and leaped ahead, blocking the family’s path. “Second Brother, there’s no escape.”


    The rest of the group quickly surrounded the family.


    “Brothers, please, let my family go!” The man dropped to his knees, kowtowing desperately. “I beg you, spare us!”


    The wife also knelt, clutching their child. “Please, fellow villagers, have mercy on us!”


    The tall, thin man gritted his teeth. “Second Brother, it’s not that we don’t want to let you go. But if your child isn’t sacrificed to the demon, another family’s child will have to be. Sacrificing children is the water god’s decree! If we defy it, the entire village will be slaughtered!”


    Tears streamed down the man’s face. “Children are the parents’ hearts and souls. I know it’s the water god’s rule, but watching them take my child is like taking my life!”


    “We can’t let them take our child!” the wife cried. “Please, spare us!”


    “The entire village draws lots every year. The chosen one has no choice—that’s fate!” The tall man’s voice hardened. “If you refuse, how can the village maintain order?”


    “You’re forcing me,” the man growled, standing and drawing a blade. “Whoever dares approach, don’t blame me for what happens!”


    “Don’t be rash, Second Brother,” the tall man warned, stepping forward with his own blade.In three moves, the man was disarmed and kicked to the ground.


    “Take them back,” the tall man ordered.


    The villagers rushed to bind the man and seize his family.


    “No! No!” the wife sobbed, while the children wailed.


    The tall man, his heart heavy, looked at the bound man and sighed. “Second Brother, blame fate, not me.”


    “Curse you, heavens!” the man roared.


    From the distant official road, Qin Yun silently watched the scene unfold.


    “Sacrificing children,” Wen Chong muttered, his face grim.


    “This water god plagues the region, demanding child sacrifices from villages,” Yi Xiao said coldly. “Every month, numerous children are offered.”


    Qin Yun nodded, his eyes icy. “Without the water god, the imperial inspectors could aid the villages, and life would improve. But with the water god reigning over the Lan Yang River and controlling most of the local demons, even the imperial authorities are powerless. For over two centuries, the villagers here have lived under a dark sky.”


    “The court has tried to deal with it,” Wen Chong added. “Even Daoist and Buddhist masters at the Connate Golden Core level have come, but the water god is cunning, retreating into the river whenever threatened.”


    “Two centuries,” Qin Yun said, shaking his head.


    Unlike Yi Xiao and Wen Chong, who knew of these events only through records, Qin Yun had lived in a village until he was eight.


    Late that night, the group arrived at Guangling County’s capital. The city gates had closed, but they reopened for the County Governor to let the group in.


    “It’s quite late now,” the County Governor said after dismounting his carriage. “Qin Yun, let us part here. You should return to the Qin Manor. Tomorrow, I’ll host a banquet for you.”


    He then leaned closer and said in a low voice, “Qin Yun, I owe you a great favor for helping with the spirit fruit expedition. If you ever need anything, come to me, and I’ll do everything in my power to help.”


    “Understood,” Qin Yun replied with a smile.


    “Miss Yi, farewell,” Qin Yun said to Yi Xiao.


    She smiled back. “I’ll be staying in Guangling for a while. If you’re free, come visit me at the Governor’s residence.”


    “Certainly,” Qin Yun replied.


    The two parted ways.


    Qin Yun rode off, accompanied by two guards escorting the cart carrying the massive battle axe and tiger claws to the Qin Manor.