《"Sovereign of the Sword: A Tale of Cultivation"》


 Chapter 1: The Return

    Jiangzhou, one of the nineteen provinces of the empire, located near the East Sea, there are many lakes.


    In Jiangzhou, the city of Guangling.


    On the bustling Jinglou Street of the western district of Guangling City, pedestrians were everywhere, the street lively and prosperous.


    "It''s been six years," a young man in simple clothes, carrying a sword at his waist and leading a horse, walked down the street. "Finally back. After being away so long, I still feel like home is the best."


    Clop! Clop! Clop!


    The sound of galloping hooves echoed as a young man dressed in splendid clothes rode a tall horse down the busy street at full speed. Pedestrians quickly stepped aside to avoid him, while servants and guards on horseback followed behind. "Young master, slow down, slow down!"


    The young man in plain clothes watched this scene, leading his horse to the side to make way, and watched as the young man in splendid clothes rode past.


    "Which family is that boy from?" the young man in plain clothes mused. "Ah, it''s been six years since I left home. Six years ago, this kid was probably only seven or eight."


    He smiled and continued walking.


    As he looked around at his familiar hometown, he even recognized some of the street vendors.


    "Six years. When I left, I was just fifteen. Looking at myself now, I¡¯ve changed so much." The young man sighed.


    At fifteen, he had been full of youthful vigor and arrogance, hailed as the best of the younger generation in Guangling County. However, after traveling the world for six years, he now realized how naive he had been back then.


    As he walked, he passed familiar shops and inns, as well as the well-known stone bridges over the rivers.


    Finally, leading his horse, he arrived at a large estate.


    Returning to one''s hometown often brings a sense of hesitation. The young man took a deep breath before approaching the gate and knocking three times.


    Creek...


    The gate slowly opened, and an old man leaned out to look, his eyes widening in shock. "Second young master!"


    Although the young man was dressed in simple clothes, he was immediately recognized by the old man, who had watched him grow up. It was none other than the second young master, Qin Yun.


    "Li Bo," the young man smiled and greeted.


    "Second young master is back! Second young master is back!" The old man shouted excitedly, his voice echoing throughout the entire estate. He hurriedly opened the large gates.


    "Let me, let me, I''ll take the horse!" The old man took the reins from the young man.


    "Yun''er, Yun''er!" A middle-aged woman, dressed in luxurious clothing, ran out from the estate, followed by several maidservants. When she saw Qin Yun, tears of joy welled up in her eyes.


    "Mother."


    Qin Yun¡¯s eyes also became moist, and he rushed forward to meet her.


    The middle-aged woman carefully examined her son, touching his arm and face. "Good, good. You¡¯ve grown taller."


    "Second young master, the madam has cried so many times for you, every day she prays before the Buddha for your safety," the housekeeper said from the side.


    "I am unfilial. Only now have I returned," Qin Yun said, looking at his mother. She had more white hairs now, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were more pronounced. His heart ached. Unconsciously, his mother was already nearing fifty.


    "Enough of this. As long as you¡¯re back, it¡¯s enough." Though tears were in her eyes, her joy was evident. She quickly ordered, "Quickly, go tell your father and your older brother!"


    "Yes," the housekeeper replied and hurried off to inform them.


    The entire Qin estate was filled with joy, and soon the head of the family, Qin Liehu, returned.


    "Master!"


    "Master!" The servants and maidservants bowed respectfully, their faces full of joy. The return of the second young master was a cause for celebration, and everyone was happy.


    The one-armed man nodded slightly. His eyes were sharp as lightning, and he carried a single saber at his waist. The invisible aura of power he radiated made all the servants and maidservants act with utmost respect. This man was none other than Qin Liehu, the head of the Qin family, and also one of the three Silver Medals Captains in Guangling County.


    "Father." Qin Yun and his mother, Chang Lan, came out to greet him.


    "Yun''er." Qin Liehu¡¯s eyes softened as he looked at his son, a hint of moisture in his eyes.


    A son¡¯s journey of a thousand miles always worries the parents. Though Qin Liehu had never shown it, he had always been deeply concerned about his son. He knew that for his son''s future, it was right to let him venture out, but he still couldn¡¯t help but worry.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He feared that his son might never return.


    The world was vast, with dangerous creatures and monsters hiding in the deep mountains and swamps. The journey was fraught with peril.


    "It¡¯s good you¡¯re back. It¡¯s good you¡¯re back," Qin Liehu said, looking at his son. Compared to the sharp, arrogant young man he had been when he left, his son had clearly matured. His aura had become more restrained.


    "Have you broken through?" Qin Liehu asked. He knew well that his son practiced the legendary cultivation method of immortality, and achieving success in it was incredibly difficult.


    "Two and a half years ago," Qin Yun replied with a smile.


    Qin Liehu¡¯s eyes brightened. This breakthrough truly felt like a leap from a fish to a dragon.


    "Good, good, good! I, Qin Liehu, have a truly extraordinary son!" Qin Liehu was overwhelmed with excitement. This breakthrough was significant, and he hadn¡¯t even dared tell his wife, Chang Lan, about it.


    "You two can¡¯t sit down and talk in the house?" Chang Lan, the mother, said with a smile.


    "Come inside first, come inside first," Qin Liehu said, urging them to enter.


    After chatting for a while with his parents, Qin Yun suddenly heard a voice from outside.


    "Second brother! Second brother!" The joyful shout came from a distance.


    "Brother!" Qin Yun stood up. "Father, Mother, I¡¯ll go meet him."


    "Go ahead, go ahead. You and your brother haven¡¯t seen each other for six years," Chang Lan smiled.


    Qin Yun quickly walked out to greet him. Soon, he saw a family coming toward him¡ªhis elder brother, dressed in a brocade robe, was accompanied by his beautiful wife and two children, a boy and a girl.


    "Second brother!" The young man in brocade robes saw Qin Yun and immediately ran over, hugging him tightly.


    "Brother," Qin Yun also embraced his elder brother.


    He and his older brother shared a deep bond. When the Qin family was still in a humble state, they had grown up together in a village, enduring many hardships. Although Qin Yun was younger, his older brother had always taken care of him.


    "You brat! Six years, and you don¡¯t say a word when you leave! You said three years, then suddenly sent a letter saying you would stay for another three years?" The brocade-robed man said with some frustration. "Three years, then three years again! You really made the whole family worry."


    "It¡¯s my fault," Qin Yun quickly apologized. "I¡¯ve missed you all too. Let me meet my sister-in-law. Brother, these two little ones must be ¡®Shuyan¡¯ and ¡®Shubing,¡¯ right? My niece and nephew are looking so cute!" He reached over and pinched the little faces of the two children, making them cling to their parents¡¯ legs in fear.


    "Don¡¯t just stand there, hurry up and greet your uncle," the brocade-robed man said.


    "Uncle." The two children, about three or four years old, shyly called out.


    "Good, good. I have two protective amulets here, take them and keep them close. They¡¯ll keep you safe." Qin Yun had prepared these gifts in advance and took out two jade amulets from his pocket. The amulets were warm and white, with intricate runes engraved on them, giving off a calming aura.


    Qin An, the brocade-robed man, had a discerning eye and immediately recognized that the amulets were special. "Second brother, these are too precious."


    "Keep them close to the children. They¡¯re good for them," Qin Yun said.


    That afternoon, the Qin family gathered together for a hearty lunch. The meal was plentiful, and the servants were all cheerful, bringing dish after dish to the table. The Qin family was known for treating their staff kindly.


    Qin Yun felt happy as he spent time with his parents and older brother¡¯s family. This feeling of reunion and happiness was something he truly cherished.


    "Master! Master!" A shout came from outside after the meal.


    Everyone inside the hall heard it.


    "Can¡¯t we take one day to rest now that Yun¡¯er is back?" Chang Lan said with some displeasure.


    "Madam, I¡¯ll go and check," Qin Liehu said, standing up and heading for the door.


    Outside, a burly man, over eight feet tall with a tiger-like build, stood holding a heavy iron club that could easily crush a wall. He was none other than Captain Xu, one of the trusted subordinates of Qin Liehu.


    "Old Xu, what¡¯s going on?" Qin Liehu asked in a low voice as he approached.


    "Master, I didn¡¯t want to disturb you, but the county magistrate personally ordered me to


    summon you. There¡¯s an urgent matter. You might not be able to return home for a day or two," Captain Xu replied.


    "The county magistrate?" Qin Liehu frowned. "A day or two?"


    The county magistrate held supreme power in Guangling County, responsible for both military and civil affairs. In times of danger, he had the right to execute decisions without waiting for approval. No one dared challenge his authority.


    Qin Liehu quickly returned to the hall.


    "The county magistrate has asked me to go. I might be away for a day or two," Qin Liehu said, putting on his outer robe and hanging his saber at his waist.


    "Be careful," Chang Lan reminded him.


    "I¡¯ll send you off, Father," Qin Yun said, standing up.


    "No need. Go back and spend time with your mother," Qin Liehu said as he and his son headed toward the door.


    "Second young master, it¡¯s been six years, I really missed you," Captain Xu said with a smile.


    "Xu Uncle, looks like you¡¯ve gained quite a bit of strength. Your club¡¯s bigger than before," Qin Yun remarked.


    "Nothing special, nothing special," Captain Xu replied humbly.


    In front of Qin Yun, who had been recognized as the best of the younger generation in Guangling County at the age of fifteen, Captain Xu remained modest.


    "Father, if you¡¯ll be gone for a day or two, is it something serious? Do you need my help?" Qin Yun asked.


    Qin Liehu glanced at his son and smiled. "Don¡¯t worry. In Guangling County, the government is the strongest!"


    "Mm," Qin Yun nodded.


    He escorted his father to the gate of the estate, where horses were ready for both of them. They quickly mounted and rode off.


    Qin Yun stood there, watching his father leave, and then began to channel his internal energy to cast a spell.


    "Eye of Law, open!"


    Qin Yun¡¯s pupils seemed to deepen, and intricate law patterns appeared in his gaze. Though nothing outwardly changed, the world around him transformed!


    It was still afternoon, the sun hanging high in the sky. However, through Qin Yun¡¯s eyes, the air was filled with a greenish aura. His father, Qin Liehu, riding off in the distance, had six strange auras swirling around him¡ªlight pink, dark green, blood-red, and more, though each was faint and would likely dissipate with time.


    "My father, being one of the three Silver Medals Captains, occasionally encounters monsters. It¡¯s normal for some demonic energy to cling to him," Qin Yun thought, feeling relieved. The demonic energy was only on his father¡¯s surface and hadn¡¯t penetrated his body, so there was no immediate danger.


    Turning back, Qin Yun walked back into the estate.


    With the Eye of Law still active, he observed everything around him. Human life forces were clearly distinct, as were the energies of plants and animals, each with its own unique aura.


    Of course, within the estate, his father¡¯s life force was the most powerful, second only to his own. The servants and maidservants had much weaker life forces.


    "Yun¡¯er, come, come, don¡¯t worry about your father. He¡¯s always busy with official duties," his mother, Chang Lan, called from inside.


    As Qin Yun entered the hall, his Eye of Law detected something strange. His older brother¡¯s aura was weaker than usual, and there was a thick, evil green aura blending with his life force, completely entangling it.


    "That¡¯s demonic energy! So much of it, and it¡¯s already permeated his internal organs! This isn¡¯t just a one-time thing. My brother¡¯s life force is weak, and if this continues, he¡¯ll fall seriously ill!" Qin Yun¡¯s heart trembled with anger. "Who could have done this to my brother?"


    Qin Yun¡¯s mind raced with shock, fury, and fear. If he had been even half a year later, he might never have seen his older brother again.

 Chapter 2: Captured

    By evening, Elder Brother Qin An reluctantly bade farewell to his brothers, taking his wife and children by carriage toward the southern part of the city.


    Night fell.


    Qin Yun, dressed in black, arrived outside his brother Qin An¡¯s residence and stood in a shadowed corner.


    "Judging by the mark I left on my elder brother, this must be the place," Qin Yun thought as he observed the estate. "This is my first time visiting my brother''s home, and it¡¯s because of a demon."


    With a single step, he silently leaped over ten zhang (about 33 meters) and landed on the rooftop of a pavilion within the residence. He crouched low, scanning the entire estate.


    The residence covered several acres, patrolled by a few servants and guarded by hidden experts in the shadows.


    ¡°Eye of Truth, activate!¡±


    The pupils of Qin Yun¡¯s eyes lit up with intricate patterns as he reopened the Eye of Truth.


    Through this vision, the hidden guards, the six patrolling servants, and every life essence in the estate became visible. He could even see the life forces of his elder brother Qin An, his wife, and children, who were all likely asleep by now. Within his Eye of Truth¡¯s range, not even walls could obscure the presence of life forces.


    ¡°Found it.¡± Qin Yun soon detected a dense green demonic aura emanating from a maidservant¡¯s quarters.


    With a soft whoosh, his figure blurred, moving soundlessly over ten zhang to the door of the room. A light push of the door caused the latch to open effortlessly.


    Inside the Room


    A young woman dressed in fitted undergarments sat cross-legged on the bed, frowning.


    ¡°Hmph, it will still take three months for my demonic energy to fully merge into his three souls and seven spirits. Only then will my task be complete,¡± she thought, her eyes gleaming with a menacing light. ¡°I¡¯ve already spent six months here for this mere merchant. Becoming a maid for nine months? Once the leader¡¯s grand plan is achieved, everyone in this estate who insulted or bullied me will be eaten alive!¡±


    Being a vicious demon forced to endure menial servitude for half a year, how could she not harbor resentment?


    But for now, she suppressed it.


    ¡°When the night deepens and Qin An is sound asleep, I can absorb a bit more of his vitality.¡± She closed her eyes, patiently waiting.


    Suddenly¡ª


    The door silently creaked open without a sound.


    Yet, the girl¡¯s sharp instincts caused her to open her eyes. She immediately spotted a black-clad young man entering the room nonchalantly. As he stepped inside, an invisible force rippled out from him, spreading across the space.


    ¡°Seal!¡±


    The moment Qin Yun entered, he cast a spell. A luminous barrier expanded around them, enveloping both him and the girl. To the naked eye, this barrier was invisible.


    The sealing spell could isolate sound, trap enemies, and suppress their powers¡ªa formidable technique indeed.


    Qin Yun casually shut the door behind him.


    ¡°A spell?¡± The girl trembled inwardly.


    Spells were powerful techniques derived from Daoist and Buddhist insights into the natural world. They were extremely secretive and challenging to master, requiring great skill to execute. The fact that this black-clad youth could use one spoke volumes about his capabilities.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re a cat demon,¡± Qin Yun said softly, his eyes piercing through her.


    The girl, still in her fitted undergarments, timidly stepped off the bed. Barefooted, she stood there, looking weak and pitiful. ¡°Please, master, spare me! I may live here in the Qin family estate, but I have done no harm.¡±


    ¡°No harm?¡± Qin Yun¡¯s tone turned icy. ¡°Then why is your demonic energy so deeply entrenched in Qin An¡¯s body, permeating his muscles and organs? If this continues, he¡¯ll soon become gravely ill, beyond the help of any medicine, and eventually die.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± The girl¡¯s face turned pale, tears welling in her eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t! I never intended to harm Qin Lang!¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t?¡± Qin Yun glared at her. ¡°But that¡¯s exactly what you¡¯re doing.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t know¡­¡± the girl stammered in self-reproach. ¡°To be honest, Qin Lang and I truly love each other. How could I bear to harm him? But as a demon, I never dared to reveal my true nature. Could it be that¡­ our intimacy caused my demonic energy to seep into his body?¡±


    ¡°Intimacy?¡± Qin Yun sneered. ¡°His vitality is so weak, and it¡¯s not just from that. You¡¯ve been deliberately draining his essence. Why take only small amounts each time instead of draining it all at once? What are you plotting?¡±


    The girl¡¯s heart sank. ¡°This youth seems young, but his knowledge is extraordinary. I thought I could deceive him and find a chance to escape, but even my energy-draining tactics didn¡¯t escape his notice.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean any harm, truly,¡± the girl pleaded.


    ¡°Humans and demons have fallen in love and even had children before. Mere intimacy wouldn¡¯t weaken his vitality to such an extent,¡± Qin Yun said coldly. ¡°You¡¯d better stop lying and tell the truth.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± the girl said, tears streaming down her face.


    Suddenly, without warning, she darted toward the window with lightning speed. Her right hand transformed mid-air, sprouting fur and razor-sharp claws as she struck at the sealing barrier.


    Her speed was astonishing!


    But Qin Yun was faster. In an instant, he was beside her, reaching out with his left hand.


    The girl tried to dodge, but the seemingly simple hand was inescapable. Qin Yun¡¯s fingers closed around her neck effortlessly.


    The girl¡¯s appearance changed drastically. Fur covered her entire body, her ears turned into feline shapes, and her eyes glowed green with vertical pupils. Even her teeth became sharp fangs. She struggled fiercely, but Qin Yun channeled true energy into her, casting another sealing spell inside her body. The girl was immediately immobilized.


    With a thud, Qin Yun threw her onto the ground.


    ¡°Speak. There¡¯s no point in lying to me. If you don¡¯t give me a convincing reason, you¡¯ll die,¡± Qin Yun said coldly. He needed to uncover why his brother had been targeted.


    Demons absorbing human vitality was common. Most demons cultivated yin energy from the moon, but yin alone wasn¡¯t enough. Human vitality provided the perfect balance. However, for a demon to spend over a year absorbing tiny amounts and posing as a maid? That was inefficient and suspicious.


    ¡°Talk,¡± Qin Yun demanded, his aura exuding deadly pressure.


    The cat demon trembled, realizing he was no ordinary cultivator. Facing death, she calculated, ¡°If I stay silent, I¡¯ll die. But even if I talk, I might still die. My only hope is to gamble for survival.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wise, master,¡± the cat demon said. ¡°My efforts here weren¡¯t for mere essence. Over time, I¡¯ve been letting my demonic energy seep into his soul. In a few months, it will fully penetrate his three souls and seven spirits.¡±


    Qin Yun¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°When that happens, even the most skilled cultivators won¡¯t be able to save him. He¡¯ll either die of illness or live only under my control,¡± she explained. ¡°From then on, he¡¯ll rely on me to survive.¡±


    ¡°A demon servant?¡± Qin Yun¡¯s voice turned frosty.


    ¡°Yes, but if I wish, I can withdraw the energy and restore him to normal,¡± the demon hastily added.


    ¡°Withdraw it? Once it¡¯s in his soul, it¡¯d take you years to extract it. Qin An is just a small merchant¡ªwhy go to such lengths? Is it because of his father?¡± Qin Yun pressed.


    ¡°His father, Qin Lietu, is one of the three Silver Badge Captains and a powerful figure in Guangling County,¡± she admitted.


    ¡°I was acting under my leader¡¯s orders,¡± the cat demon said, ¡°but I don¡¯t know the full reasons.¡±


    ¡°Where is your leader?¡± Qin Yun asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s in Guangling County,¡± she replied, desperate to survive.


    ¡°Take me to him,¡± Qin Yun demanded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll lead the way if you spare my life. I¡¯m just a lowly demon, forced into this,¡± she pleaded.


    ¡°Enough talk. Lead the way,¡± Qin Yun said, grabbing her shoulder.


    ¡°If you won¡¯t promise my safety, I might as well die now,¡± the cat demon muttered, gritting her teeth.


    Qin Yun remained silent.


    The demon closed her eyes, bracing herself.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Qin Yun relented. ¡°If you take me to your leader and I confirm he¡¯s the one behind this, I¡¯ll spare your life.¡±


    Overjoyed, the cat demon nodded. ¡°Thank you, master! I¡¯ll take you there right away.¡±


    With that, Qin Yun silently left his brother¡¯s residence, the unconscious cat demon in tow. The estate¡¯s servants continued their patrols, unaware that a demon lurking among them for half a year had been captured.

 Chapter 3: The Monster Leader Chu Yong

    In just a moment, Qin Yun arrived outside the walls of a wealthy merchant''s mansion, dragging the cat demon girl whose demonic energy had been sealed. They hid in the shadows near the courtyard wall.


    ¡°This is the place. My leader resides here,¡± the cat demon girl whispered cautiously.


    Qin Yun activated his mystical eye, allowing him to peer through the walls and examine the mansion inside.


    ¡°No monsters?¡± Qin Yun felt puzzled. Within his range of observation, the mansion appeared to be an ordinary wealthy household, without the slightest trace of demonic energy.


    ¡°Are you certain your leader is here?¡± Qin Yun cast a sealing barrier around himself and the cat demon girl, ensuring no sound would escape.


    The cat demon girl nodded repeatedly. ¡°I¡¯m sure! This mansion seems normal, even housing a merchant¡¯s family to maintain appearances. But in reality, the mansion has inner and outer sections. My leader and his followers live in the inner courtyard, and beneath it lies an expansive underground palace where my leader resides long-term.¡±


    ¡°An underground palace?¡± Qin Yun was startled. ¡°Building such a luxurious palace underground without attracting government attention must have taken more than a few years. It seems your leader has been entrenched in Guangling County for quite some time.¡±


    ¡°It has been several decades,¡± the cat demon girl admitted obediently.


    Deep beneath the mansion, in the hidden underground palace, a rotund man in a yellow robe sat on an opulent throne, smiling. A woman in a pink robe leaned against him, feeding him pastries.


    Seated to his left and right were seven individuals of extraordinary bearing¡ªmen and women, young and old¡ªall enjoying fine food and wine while watching a dance performance.


    At the edges of the hall, musicians played instruments. The music alternated between grandeur and light-hearted joy.


    The dancers moved in harmony with the music, their performances shifting between solemnity, playful agility, and seductive allure.


    ¡°Excellent,¡± the yellow-robed man and his seven subordinates remarked in appreciation.


    ¡°My lord, try this. I made it myself,¡± the pink-robed woman said, offering a pastry.


    The yellow-robed man¡¯s attention, however, shifted to a black-robed elder who had just entered the hall through a side door.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it taste good?¡± the woman pouted.


    ¡°It¡¯s delicious, my dear. What you make is always delicious. Your lips are even sweeter,¡± the man said, kissing her lightly, eliciting a giggle.


    ¡°Everyone, leave,¡± he ordered suddenly.


    ¡°Yes, my lord.¡±


    The musicians and dancers ceased their performance, bowed, and departed. They had long lost hope; since arriving at this underground palace, they had never seen daylight. They lived in constant fear of the monsters¡¯ cruelty.


    The black-robed elder approached, carrying a wooden box. He bowed respectfully. ¡°Leader Chu, the star-patterned steel you requested has finally been obtained after eight years. There are 83 pounds in total.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Star-patterned steel?¡± The yellow-robed man¡¯s figure blurred, leaving afterimages as he crossed over thirty feet in an instant.


    In a flash, he stood before the elder.


    The elder trembled inwardly. So fast! He could kill me with a single move. But it¡¯s not just him¡ªany of his seven subordinates could easily take my life.


    The yellow-robed man grabbed the wooden box, opened it swiftly, and gazed at the silver-white metal blocks with intricate patterns inside. His eyes lit up as he laughed wickedly. ¡°Star-patterned steel is a forbidden material by the imperial court. If found in private hands, it would lead to the extermination of entire families.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why it¡¯s so difficult to obtain,¡± the elder explained. ¡°Over eight years, we¡¯ve tried every method, losing many brothers, to secure this batch. The moment we got it, I brought it straight to you.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, your loyalty won¡¯t go unrewarded. With me backing you, no one can touch your position as leader. For the next ten years, your gang is exempt from tribute,¡± the yellow-robed man declared generously.


    The elder was overjoyed. With the monster leader¡¯s support, his position was secure. Exemption from tribute? That meant more wealth for himself.


    ¡°Thank you, Leader Chu,¡± the elder said obsequiously.


    The yellow-robed man picked up a block of star-patterned steel and bit into it. His ordinary-looking teeth transformed into serrated edges, grinding the steel into pieces before he swallowed it. His teeth returned to normal.


    I¡¯m one of the top three experts in my gang, and even with an axe, I can barely scratch this steel. He just chewed through it! The elder was horrified.


    The yellow-robed man¡¯s body shimmered faintly with silver threads flowing beneath his skin after consuming the steel.


    ¡°Congratulations, Leader!¡±


    ¡°With this star-patterned steel, your strength will surely soar.¡±


    The seven subordinates rose to congratulate him. Materials like this were treasures reserved for celestial beings, gods, and monsters. The monster leader could consume it directly to enhance his powers.


    ¡°Ha ha ha...¡± The yellow-robed man laughed heartily, his voice shaking the hall.


    Suddenly, a black-clothed young man walked in through the side door, casually dragging a frail girl. It was Qin Yun, with the cat demon girl in tow.


    The hall fell silent as everyone turned to the unexpected guest.


    The yellow-robed man¡¯s expression shifted but quickly relaxed. Leaning back on his throne, he asked, ¡°My palace is protected by seven layers of defenses, complete with traps. I didn¡¯t expect someone to arrive here unnoticed with one of my subordinates in tow. I, Chu Yong, am impressed. May I ask, where are you from, and what brings you here?¡±


    Ignoring the leader, Qin Yun turned to the cat demon girl. ¡°Is this your leader? The one who ordered you to target Qin An?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered, head bowed.


    ¡°Are you here for Qin An?¡± Chu Yong asked in a booming voice.


    ¡°Yes, Qin An,¡± Qin Yun replied, turning his gaze to the monster leader. ¡°Why did you target him and attempt to control him?¡±


    Chu Yong laughed. ¡°Qin An¡¯s father is Qin Lietu, one of Guangling County¡¯s three silver-badge constables. While a single constable is no threat to me, the imperial court¡¯s forces and their weapons are troublesome. I sought to use his son to negotiate with him. But since you¡¯ve intervened, I¡¯m willing to let the matter go. May I ask where you hail from? A figure like you doesn¡¯t seem to belong to Guangling.¡±


    ¡°Oh? You think I¡¯m not from Guangling?¡± Qin Yun asked.


    ¡°Ha! I, Chu Yong, have been here for sixty-eight years. Be it humans or monsters, I know all the powerful ones.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Qin Yun smirked.


    He tossed the cat demon girl aside, her frail body hitting the ground. She scrambled up, pleading, ¡°I¡¯ve brought you here. Please keep your promise and spare me.¡±


    I must escape while they¡¯re distracted, she thought.


    Suddenly, her body trembled. The sealing energy in her heart shattered it instantly.


    ¡°You... you broke your...¡± she gasped, her eyes filled with anger and despair before collapsing, her body reverting to a black cat¡¯s corpse.


    Qin Yun looked at her coldly. ¡°Promises should be honored, even at the cost of one¡¯s life¡ªwhen made to the deserving. But with monsters, keeping promises is foolish. If I were that naive, I¡¯d have been dead many times over.¡±


    The atmosphere in the hall grew tense.


    ¡°You¡¯ve dealt with many monsters before?¡± Chu Yong muttered, his pupils contracting. ¡°Friend, can we let this matter rest? You¡¯ve already killed one of mine.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Qin Yun replied flatly.


    Chu Yong¡¯s eyes flashed with ferocity. ¡°Kill him!¡± he roared.


    The hall erupted into chaos as his seven subordinates lunged at Qin Yun. One transformed into mist, while another vanished entirely.


    ¡°Invisibility?¡± Qin Yun mused, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

 Chapter 4: I Am His Brother!

    The monsters revealing their true forms underwent various transformations. Some grew yellow fur, with green eyes glowing like emeralds. Others developed thickened skin or sprouted sharp horns. Each displayed distinct monster traits. Wielding their favored weapons¡ªdaggers, massive axes, and flexible swords¡ªtheir power was evident. Their speeds varied, yet even the slower ones left phantom images in the air, their quickness unimaginable.


    One among them transformed into a mist, its true form elusive and sinister. Another vanished entirely, drawing a gasp from the robed elder nearby. "Invisibility? How do we fight this? These monsters are terrifying!"


    The yellow-robed, portly man, Chu Yong, gave the command but stood at ease, observing from a distance. "My seven subordinates are no pushovers. Together, they''ll surely expose this mysterious expert¡¯s strengths and weaknesses."


    In a battle between experts, the smallest detail could determine victory.


    Understanding the opponent could provide a critical advantage.


    "Seven?" Qin Yun stood still, unmoved.


    ¡°Swish! Swish! Swish!¡±


    In a flash, he drew his sword, only to sheath it again in one fluid motion.


    A cold gleam streaked through the air like serpentine lightning. The five charging monsters dropped to the ground, lifeless. The eerie mist solidified, revealing the corpse of a leopard, while a female figure in midair also collapsed, reverting to a snow weasel. The seven monsters, now in their true forms¡ªwolves, leopards, and others¡ªlay dead on the ground, their weapons clattering loudly.


    The robed elder and the pink-robed woman stood frozen, pale with shock.


    ¡°They¡¯re dead? All seven monsters¡­ in an instant?¡± The elder''s voice trembled. ¡°His sword¡­ I couldn¡¯t even see it!¡±


    ¡°What incredible speed! Did you use a mystical eye technique to break the invisibility spell?¡±


    Chu Yong, the yellow-robed man, spoke in a deep tone, ¡°No wonder you dared to intrude alone. But entering my domain was the gravest mistake you¡¯ve ever made.¡±


    He slammed his hand against the armrest of his throne. The force was tremendous, causing the armrest to collapse with a crack. The walls of the grand hall began to shift, revealing countless holes in the walls and ceiling.


    ¡°This is bad,¡± the elder muttered, his face turning pale with despair.


    ¡°Master¡­¡± the pink-robed woman whimpered, hopeless.


    Chu Yong grinned menacingly as his head morphed into a grotesque pig¡¯s snout. Thick bristles sprouted across his body as he grew to over ten feet tall. His clothes shredded from the rapid transformation.


    With a sudden whoosh, dark projectiles, each the size of a palm, shot out from every hole in the walls and ceiling. The black rain of poisoned spikes covered the entire hall, leaving no place to hide¡ªeven Chu Yong himself stood amidst the deadly assault.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    The elder and the pink-robed woman were instantly pierced, their bodies riddled with holes. They died on the spot, despair frozen in their eyes.


    Thunk thunk thunk¡­


    The projectiles pierced stone tables with ease, leaving deep holes in the solid stone floors.


    ¡°This trap, designed for true experts, makes my underground palace impregnable,¡± Chu Yong remarked, watching intently.


    Qin Yun, however, walked forward unhurriedly.


    His pace varied slightly: a fraction faster, and a spike would graze his robe; a fraction slower, and another would narrowly miss his chest. Sometimes he tilted left to let one skim past his ear, or right to avoid one brushing his neck.


    Though the spikes came from all directions, Qin Yun moved as if he had eyes in the back of his head, dodging them effortlessly.


    ¡°How is this possible?¡± Chu Yong¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°He dodged the spikes coming from behind him! Can he¡­ sense them?¡±


    Indeed, Qin Yun had expanded his spiritual awareness, enveloping a radius of fifteen feet around him. Within this range, nothing escaped his perception¡ªnot even the tiniest speck of dust. With this buffer, evading the spikes became second nature.


    Even the rare ones that proved tricky to dodge were casually deflected with a flick of his hand.


    In less than a breath, the storm of spikes ceased. The hall fell silent, riddled with holes.


    Chu Yong brushed off the spikes embedded in his thick bristles, sending them clattering to the floor.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± Qin Yun said calmly. ¡°You¡¯ve got thick skin, befitting a wild boar.¡±


    Chu Yong sneered. ¡°Your dodging is extraordinary. You¡¯ve reached the pinnacle of flawlessness, haven¡¯t you? Spiritual projection¡­ just shy of becoming one with nature. I didn¡¯t expect such a master to show up here.¡±


    He grabbed an iron pillar beside the throne, effortlessly wielding the thirteen-foot-long column. It seemed as light to him as a simple stick. Twirling it casually, he whipped up gusts of wind, the sheer force terrifying. ¡°A high realm doesn¡¯t guarantee strength! I¡¯ve slain plenty of human experts more advanced than me.¡±


    With that, he charged, swinging the iron pillar in a horizontal arc. The crushing blow seemed unstoppable, powerful enough to kill with a mere graze.


    ¡°Whoosh.¡±


    Qin Yun ducked swiftly, dodging the deadly sweep. In the same motion, his sword flashed.


    Clang!


    The blade grazed Chu Yong¡¯s thick fur, struggling against its resistance. By the time it reached his skin, the blade barely left a pale scratch.


    ¡°Too thick!¡± Qin Yun muttered, dodging yet another strike from Chu Yong¡¯s iron pillar.


    Time and again, Qin Yun darted around Chu Yong, unleashing slashes and thrusts. Each attack fell short, penetrating mere inches into the boar demon¡¯s hide.


    ¡°Haha! I told you, high realms don¡¯t mean strong attacks,¡± Chu Yong boomed. ¡°Your sword can¡¯t pierce my skin! One hit from me, and you¡¯re finished.¡±


    ¡°Thick skin indeed,¡± Qin Yun smirked. ¡°But it¡¯s time for you to see my ¡®Misty Rain Sword.¡¯ This is a technique I created myself.¡±


    ¡°Self-created?¡± Chu Yong laughed. ¡°A proper technique takes years to hone. What can yours do?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡±


    Qin Yun advanced, his sword glowing faintly. Chu Yong lunged with the iron pillar, but Qin Yun weaved past it, his blade trailing a misty glow, light as a drizzle in spring.


    ¡°Clang.¡±


    The sword struck the iron pillar, deflecting it slightly. The misty blade spiraled forward, slipping past Chu Yong¡¯s defenses.


    Swoosh.


    A clean slash separated Chu Yong¡¯s upper body from his lower, blood gushing everywhere.


    Qin Yun calmly sheathed his sword.


    ¡°How¡­ how is this possible?¡± Chu Yong gasped, his body reverting to its boar form. ¡°You couldn¡¯t even scratch me before. Yet one strike¡­ This sword technique¡­ ¡®Misty Rain Sword¡¯¡­ was it really your creation?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Qin Yun nodded.


    Chu Yong¡¯s eyes filled with disbelief and anger. ¡°You killed me¡­ for Qin An? Who are you?¡±


    Qin Yun stared at him coldly. ¡°Yes, I killed you for Qin An. Because I¡­ am his brother.¡±

 Chapter 5: The Natal Flying Sword

    "His brother?" The boar demon, Chu Yong, muttered to himself before suddenly widening his eyes. "You¡¯re that Qin Yun?"


    He remembered now.


    Qin Liehu had two sons: Qin An and the once-renowned young swordsman Qin Yun. But six years ago, Qin Yun had left home to roam the world. Back then, Qin Yun''s strength was only noteworthy among his peers; to true powerhouses, he was still immature. Chu Yong, one of the most fearsome hidden demons of Guangling County, had scoffed at the idea of such a young upstart.


    "You killed me... the Water God will never let you go." Chu Yong''s consciousness dimmed as he roared in defiance, unwilling to succumb. "The Water God will avenge me! You won''t escape him!"


    "The Water God? In Guangling County, seven out of every ten demons are under his command." Qin Yun sneered. "Killing demons and fearing retribution? What a joke."


    Chu Yong''s upper body reverted to his true form¡ªa massive boar¡ªbefore finally succumbing to silence, lifeless.


    The grand hall fell into an eerie stillness.


    The demon leader, along with his eight followers, including the cat demon, and the pink-robed woman and black-robed elder, had all perished.


    Only Qin Yun stood in the hall, deep in thought.


    "Looking at this demon leader¡¯s corpse, a single sword strike cleaving his body is unmistakable. In all of Guangling County, few could achieve such a feat. My identity could easily be exposed. I just returned home after six years; it¡¯s not the time to openly confront the Water God yet," Qin Yun resolved silently. He quickly searched the hall and soon discovered a chest containing Star Pattern Steel.


    "Star Pattern Steel?" Qin Yun gazed at the gleaming silver-white metal blocks revealed by the broken chest. "With these dozens of pounds of Star Pattern Steel, my Natal Flying Sword will have a stronger foundation, and the time required for its completion can be reduced by a month or two."


    After inspecting all the demon corpses in the hall, Qin Yun found nothing else as valuable as the Star Pattern Steel.


    He then retrieved a red silk pouch from his robes, opened it, and took out a small vial. Uncorking the vial, he carefully dripped the liquid onto the corpses¡ªseven or eight drops for Chu Yong''s body, while the others received only one or two drops.


    "Hiss, hiss, hiss."


    He then set the corpses ablaze.


    Typically, a boar demon like Chu Yong would leave behind bones even after days of burning, but the liquid produced ghostly blue flames that consumed the corpse within a dozen breaths, leaving only ashes. The other demon corpses, touched by just a drop or two, were similarly reduced to ash.


    "This ¡®Ghostwater¡¯ is running low. I¡¯ll need to prepare more," Qin Yun murmured. He moved to the throne¡¯s armrest, adjusted it slightly, and restored its original appearance.


    "Rumble~~~" The side doors of the hall, which had been sealed, reopened.


    With his magical vision, Qin Yun easily located Chu Yong''s living quarters. After a thorough search, he uncovered a cache of treasure chests filled with gemstones, pearls, and a stack of silver banknotes.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    "Six thousand three hundred taels?" Qin Yun counted the banknotes, pleasantly surprised. "This old demon served under the Water God, likely handing over much of his spoils as tribute. With his own cultivation expenses, it¡¯s impressive he managed to save this much."


    "In cultivation, the essentials are method, wealth, companionship, and location. Among these, method is paramount. Without a proper method, cultivation is impossible. Wealth comes second." Qin Yun shook his head. "As a Sword Immortal, my other expenditures are minimal, but the cost of nurturing my Natal Flying Sword is immense. Most of my earnings over the past six years have been poured into it. Fortunately, these banknotes and the Star Pattern Steel will sustain me for the next year."


    Cultivation was no small burden.


    For example, talisman practitioners needed costly materials like talisman paper and cinnabar, while alchemists and artifact forgers required vast investments just to practice.


    After ransacking the underground palace, Qin Yun carried two large bundles and prepared to leave. Before departing, he projected his voice throughout the palace, sounding like an elderly sage: "All demons here have been slain. Leave this place and save yourselves while you can." With that, he vanished.


    The underground palace, a haven of debauchery for demons, had been a living hell for humans.


    Despite hearing the earlier commotion, the dancers, musicians, and servants hid in terror. Only after hearing Qin Yun¡¯s proclamation did they cautiously emerge. Finding no resistance and seeing the opened gates, they fled to the streets, where patrolling constables discovered them. The underground palace was soon exposed.


    An investigation revealed that the palace''s master was none other than the notorious demon leader Chu Yong, who had terrorized Guangling County for decades while his lair remained elusive.


    The news shook the county¡¯s leadership.


    At Qin Yun¡¯s courtyard in the Qin Manor:


    Warm light filtered through the lampshade, illuminating the cozy room.


    "Thud." Qin Yun casually dropped the bundle of silver and jewels into a chest by his bed. The other bundle, containing the Star Pattern Steel, was opened on the bed, revealing blocks of the precious metal. "Star Pattern Steel. Possessing this privately is punishable by death and confiscation of property. But with my status, having a little is hardly a crime."


    He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and calmed his mind.


    In his dantian:


    The dantian was like a sea, with rivers of true essence flowing through it. Suspended within was a bright silver metallic sphere.


    Suddenly, the sphere began to spin and unfurl into a strand of ¡®metallic hair.¡¯ Though the sphere was the size of a grain of sand, the elongated strand was as fine as a hair.


    "Whoosh."


    The strand shot out from the dantian, traveling through the meridians and reaching Qin Yun¡¯s right index fingertip, where it pierced the skin, leaving a tiny mark that healed instantly.


    The strand then expanded rapidly, transforming into a three-inch-long silver sword that hovered before Qin Yun.


    "My Natal Flying Sword." Qin Yun gazed at the three-inch sword. "It¡¯ll take another year before it¡¯s fully completed. Then I won¡¯t have to handle it so cautiously."


    Currently, the sword remained unrefined, requiring careful storage in the dantian as a compressed ¡®sword pill.¡¯ In its current form, any mishandling could damage his dantian and cause irreversible harm.


    Once completed, the Natal Flying Sword would become a powerful magical artifact, capable of immense destruction and bound to him for life.


    "Go." Qin Yun tossed a ten-pound block of Star Pattern Steel into the air, which floated beneath the hovering sword, wrapped in threads of true essence.


    "Humm~~~"


    With a chant, the sword emitted a glowing aura, absorbing the essence of the Star Pattern Steel. Tiny fragments of light streamed into the sword, while debris fell away from the block.


    Half an hour later, the sword quivered, releasing a resonant hum.


    "That¡¯s enough for today." Qin Yun retrieved the diminished block, now reduced to two pounds. "Eight pounds absorbed in one session. At this rate, I¡¯ll refine all the steel in ten days, significantly strengthening my Natal Flying Sword."


    Crafting a Natal Flying Sword was no easy feat. For ordinary cultivators of the Sword Immortal lineage, it could take decades of effort. However, with his mastery of the ¡®Drizzle Sword Intent,¡¯ Qin Yun could expedite the process tenfold, completing it in a few years. Even so, the materials required were indispensable.


    "A mountain of gold and silver, all for a single sword," Qin Yun sighed, marveling at the cost.

 Chapter 6: Failing to Enter the Immortal Sect Before Twenty Means a Lifetime of Regret

    ¡°Come.¡±


    The three-inch flying sword hovering before him swiftly expanded to three feet long, resembling a typical longsword.


    Reaching out, Qin Yun grasped the divine sword.


    Although it wasn¡¯t fully complete, it was already unimaginably sharp, capable of slicing through iron and stone like tofu. However, Qin Yun was reluctant to use it casually, knowing any damage would be deeply regrettable.


    ¡°I inherited the Sword Immortal¡¯s legacy when I was thirteen, filled with joy and excitement, only to discover how incredibly difficult it was to knock on the gates of the Immortal Sect,¡± Qin Yun said with a sigh. ¡°If one doesn¡¯t enter the sect before twenty, there¡¯s no hope for a lifetime. I was nearly nineteen when I finally succeeded.¡±


    Cultivation is divided into three major realms: Postnatal, Prenatal, and Primordial Spirit.


    The Postnatal realm is further subdivided into twelve levels of Qi Refinement, each increasingly challenging.The Prenatal realm consists of three stages: Virtual Core, True Core, and Golden Core.As for the Primordial Spirit realm? That¡¯s the stuff of legends.


    ¡°Knocking on the gates of the Immortal Sect¡± refers to the breakthrough from the ninth to the tenth level of Qi Refinement. This critical step involves transforming true Qi into true essence¡ªa monumental milestone marking the true beginning of cultivation.


    But such a step incurs heavenly jealousy.


    For example, any attempt to record the tenth level¡¯s cultivation method on paper would result in the words vanishing instantly. Attempting to verbally teach it to others leaves one speechless, physically unable to articulate the words.


    The saying "Failing to enter the Immortal Sect before twenty means a lifetime of regret" stems from the fact that before twenty, the body is still growing, brimming with vitality and limitless potential. At this stage, one¡¯s chances of successfully forming true essence are highest. Once past twenty, as the body peaks and begins its decline, the possibility of knocking on the gates diminishes to near impossibility.


    ¡°At thirteen, I achieved the Unity of Sword and Body and reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement in the same year. Joining a second- or third-rate sect would have been effortless, and knocking on the gates of the Immortal Sect should have been simple. But the inheritance I received came from an eight-hundred-year-old Sword Immortal, Master Chen¡ªa legacy of the highest order among all cultivation paths. However, it¡¯s also ten to a hundred times more challenging than ordinary methods,¡± Qin Yun lamented.


    ¡°In the world of cultivation, they say, ¡®One sword breaks ten thousand techniques.¡¯ That sword refers to the flying sword of the Sword Immortal.¡± Qin Yun shook his head. ¡°But I had only the inheritance, no mentor to guide me. The Sword Immortal¡¯s legacy is far harder to master than ordinary techniques.¡±


    ¡°I received the legacy at thirteen, left home at fifteen, survived countless life-or-death battles, and even ventured to the northern frontier.¡±


    ¡°By nearly nineteen, I finally knocked on the gates of the Immortal Sect,¡± he said with a sigh, reflecting on his journey.


    Without a mentor or elder¡¯s guidance, Qin Yun had relied solely on his determination and hard work to forge his path.


    ¡°Hmm? Daybreak already?¡± Qin Yun noticed the faint light filtering through the window.


    ¡°Return.¡±


    With a thought, the three-foot divine sword in his hand rapidly shrank, becoming as thin as a strand of hair before burrowing into the skin of his forefinger. It traveled along his meridians, eventually returning to his dantian, where it spun into a compact, shiny silver ball, no larger than a grain of sand.


    The sword embryo rested within his dantian, nourished constantly by his soul and true essence.


    Getting up, Qin Yun glanced at the remnants of star-patterned steel on the ground, reduced to waste during the forging process. With a flick of his true essence, he swept the fragments into a small ball and discarded it into a nearby bamboo basket. He then placed the remaining star-patterned steel into a cloth pouch, carefully hiding it under his clothes in a locked chest imbued with his true essence seal.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Opening the door, he stepped outside.


    The morning air was crisp and cool. Servants at the Qin residence were already busy cleaning and preparing breakfast.


    ¡­


    After washing up, Qin Yun changed into a fine silk robe, adopting the demeanor of a nobleman. While traveling in foreign lands, he dressed modestly to avoid attention, but now that he was home, as the second son of the Qin family, he couldn¡¯t afford to tarnish their reputation.


    ¡°Good morning, Second Young Master.¡±


    ¡°Good morning, Second Young Master.¡±


    As Qin Yun strolled through the estate, the servants greeted him respectfully.


    Looking at the familiar paths, pavilions, and courtyards, he felt a deep sense of nostalgia. Before long, he arrived at the training yard.


    The yard featured weapon racks and archery targets along the far wall.


    ¡°The training yard.¡± Qin Yun smiled, recalling memories of his father and elder brother training there, as well as his own sweat-filled childhood spent mastering the sword. He could still see his mother seated by the stone table, smiling warmly as she watched them.


    The realm of ¡®Unity of Sword and Body¡¯ was a profound milestone, but beyond it lay the elusive ¡®Flawless¡¯ state.


    Flawless represented the pinnacle of a Postnatal being, granting perfect control over every aspect of one¡¯s body. Once achieved, even years of neglect couldn¡¯t erode one¡¯s mastery of the sword.


    Although daily training was no longer necessary, Qin Yun still maintained the habit of practicing each day.


    ¡°Whoosh.¡±


    The sword at his waist slid from its sheath.


    Standing still, he moved only slightly, wielding the sword with fluid precision. Despite its seemingly slow movements, the blade emitted a misty glow, akin to drizzling rain in March¡ªa mesmerizing, dreamlike performance that evoked the beauty of poetry and art.


    At the edge of the training yard, his elder brother, Qin An, watched curiously but refrained from interrupting.


    It wasn¡¯t until Qin Yun finished his practice and sheathed his sword that Qin An spoke. ¡°Second Brother, why is your swordplay so slow? Though it¡¯s undeniably beautiful¡ªmore so than the sword dances of those courtesans¡ªit¡¯s far too slow to kill anyone.¡±


    ¡°Haha,¡± Qin Yun laughed. ¡°This is my self-created ¡®Rain Sword Technique.¡¯ What you saw is only one facet of it.¡±


    ¡°One facet?¡± Qin An mused. ¡°Alright, you¡¯ve always been extraordinary. At ten, you defeated me. By fifteen, you were the undisputed leader of our generation in Guangling County. Back then, I could still somewhat comprehend your skill, but now I can¡¯t even begin to understand your swordsmanship.¡±


    With a chuckle, Qin Yun deflected, ¡°Big Brother, why are you here so early? It¡¯s not even time for breakfast, yet you¡¯ve come all the way from South City to West City?¡±


    ¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other in six years. Naturally, I want to spend more time with you,¡± Qin An said with emotion. ¡°I often worried about you while you were away, afraid you might never return. But enough of that! Strangely, for the past six months, I¡¯ve felt exhausted every morning despite no apparent illness. But today, I feel surprisingly refreshed.¡±


    Qin Yun¡¯s heart stirred.


    Today was different? Could it be because the cat demon didn¡¯t drain his energy last night?


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s because I was worried about you. Now that you¡¯re back, my heart is at ease, and I¡¯m fine again,¡± Qin An speculated.


    ¡°Worried about me? If that¡¯s the case, why only in the past six months, not the previous five years?¡± Qin Yun teased. ¡°You¡¯ve been afflicted by demonic energy.¡±


    ¡°Demonic energy?¡± Qin An¡¯s expression shifted.


    Qin Yun didn¡¯t hold back, knowing his brother¡¯s resilience. Having endured many hardships together in their youth, Qin An could handle such revelations.


    ¡°I noticed it yesterday,¡± Qin Yun explained.


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡± Qin An asked, puzzled.


    ¡°To avoid alerting the demon. A desperate creature is dangerous. I waited until I uncovered the truth and resolved the threat before telling you,¡± Qin Yun replied. ¡°Don¡¯t share this with anyone else.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Qin An agreed, ¡°but am I alright now?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re fine.¡± Qin Yun smirked.


    With that, he pulled out a prepared talisman. ¡°This is a ¡®Healing Charm¡¯ I borrowed from a friend. I can¡¯t draw these myself.¡± Infusing the talisman with his true essence, it ignited spontaneously, releasing an invisible force into Qin An¡¯s body. Qin An immediately felt a cool sensation washing over him, dispelling his lingering discomfort.


    ¡°Most of the demonic energy has been purged,¡± Qin Yun said. ¡°What remains is minor and will fade in a few months. Your body¡¯s natural vitality is remarkable.¡±


    Qin An sighed in relief but then asked, ¡°Why would a demon target me, a simple merchant? Could it be because of Father?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Qin Yun confirmed. ¡°I¡¯ll explain everything once Father returns.¡±


    Reassured, Qin An changed the subject. ¡°Thirteen years old and already at the ninth level of Qi Refinement¡ªI always knew you¡¯d enter the Immortal Sect. Judging by your abilities, you¡¯ve truly stepped into the path of cultivation.¡±


    Qin Yun smiled but offered only a modest reply. ¡°Knocking on the gates of the Immortal Sect wasn¡¯t easy.¡±


    ¡­


    After breakfast with their mother, the brothers chatted until a servant approached to report, ¡°Second Young Master, someone is here to see you. He claims to be a friend.¡±


    ¡°A friend? You just returned yesterday, and someone¡¯s already here to visit?¡± Qin An asked curiously.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see who it is,¡± Qin Yun said as he stood up.

 Chapter 7: West Mountain Sword Garden

    Qin Yun approached the gates of the residence and saw a bald man with a bushy beard standing by the door, holding the reins of a horse.


    "Brother Yun!" The bald man broke into a wide smile, his loud voice booming with excitement.


    Qin Yun stared in astonishment, scrutinizing the man closely. Bald head, thick beard¡ªonly his facial features were still recognizable. ¡°You¡¯re Xiaobo? Impossible! That shy and handsome young boy has turned into such a rough-looking brute?¡±


    Tian Bo had been one of Qin Yun¡¯s closest friends during his youth, a year younger than him. Back then, Tian Bo had been fair-skinned, handsome, and timid.


    Now he was bald, bearded, and brawny?


    "Brother Yun, how can you say that about me?" the bald man, Tian Bo, exclaimed. ¡°That¡¯s so hurtful¡ªit¡¯s breaking my heart!¡±


    "Cut it out," Qin Yun teased.


    Tian Bo chuckled, and the two hugged each other tightly.


    ¡°Brother Yun, it¡¯s been so long!¡± Tian Bo said.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been a long time,¡± Qin Yun replied, releasing his old friend. Then he added with a laugh, ¡°But Xiaobo, you¡¯ve changed so much. I almost didn¡¯t recognize you.¡±


    ¡°What can I do? My hair started falling out when I turned eighteen, and there was nothing I could do about it,¡± Tian Bo said helplessly, rubbing his head. ¡°My father was bald, and my grandfather was bald, so I guess I¡¯m destined to follow suit. And this beard of mine grows like crazy. But hey, doesn¡¯t it look imposing?¡±


    ¡°Imposing indeed,¡± Qin Yun laughed.


    The friends of their youth had all grown up.


    ¡°Brother Yun, you didn¡¯t even tell me you were back. I only found out because word spread through the Six Gates Bureau that you¡¯d returned. The Master of West Mountain Sword Garden, Young Master Wu Feng, has invited everyone to a gathering today at noon to welcome you back,¡± Tian Bo said with a grin. ¡°I volunteered to come and pick you up.¡±


    ¡°A welcome banquet?¡± Qin Yun was surprised. ¡°You guys are really well-informed.¡±


    ¡°One person hears, then ten, then a hundred,¡± Tian Bo replied. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go. All the old brothers are waiting for you.¡±


    Qin Yun¡¯s elder brother, Qin An, who was standing by the gate, smiled and said, ¡°Second Brother, your friends are waiting for you. You should go.¡±


    ¡°Alright, Brother, don¡¯t wait up for me. I¡¯ll probably be back late tonight,¡± Qin Yun said.


    Soon, the servants brought out a horse, and Qin Yun mounted it, riding off with Tian Bo.


    The West Mountain Sword Garden was located at the foot of West Mountain, just outside Guangling County.


    Riding leisurely, Qin Yun and Tian Bo chatted along the way.


    ¡°When I was younger, I dreamed of traveling the world like you. But with my limited skills, I got scared stiff after seeing a few bloody battles. So, I obediently took over my family¡¯s tavern business. By the way, I recently took in a concubine, and my father¡¯s been pushing me to marry this year,¡± Tian Bo said, shaking his head.


    ¡°You took in a concubine before getting married?¡± Qin Yun asked, surprised.


    ¡°Well, she got pregnant, so there wasn¡¯t much choice,¡± Tian Bo said. ¡°But my father¡¯s thrilled because she gave birth to a boy.¡±


    ¡°Old Master Tian must be overjoyed. You¡¯re his only son, so he¡¯s counting on you to carry on the family line,¡± Qin Yun teased.


    As they chatted, the two arrived at a serene lake at the foot of West Mountain. The lake was so calm it resembled a giant emerald, reflecting the mountain. At the far end of the lake stood pavilions and towers, where faint figures could be seen.


    Servants were already waiting by the shore, and upon seeing the two riders approach, they hurried forward to greet them.


    ¡°Young Master Tian, is this Young Master Qin?¡± a steward asked warmly. ¡°Please, follow me. My master and the others have been waiting for a while.¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Qin Yun and Tian Bo dismounted, leaving their horses with the servants. They then boarded a small but elegant boat, steered by a beautiful young woman. The boat glided across the still lake like a scene from a fairy tale.


    ¡°I remember the boatman used to be an old man. Now it¡¯s a young lady,¡± Qin Yun remarked.


    ¡°Young Master Wu Feng always knows how to enjoy life,¡± Tian Bo replied.


    The West Mountain Sword Garden was originally the private estate of Li Wu Feng, the eldest son of the prominent Li family in Guangling County. Passionate about swordsmanship, he had founded the Sword Garden in his youth, inviting only boys under sixteen to join. Qin Yun had been just ten years old when he was invited. Initially, the Sword Garden had been a casual club for like-minded youths, but over the years, it had grown in influence.


    On the other side of the lake, at the pavilions, a group of young men were drinking and chatting. They noticed the approaching boat.


    ¡°Hahaha¡­¡±


    Laughter rang out. ¡°The Sword God is here! The Sword God of our garden has arrived!¡±


    ¡°Hurry up, Qin Yun! Don¡¯t dawdle!¡± they called out, laughing and urging him on.


    ¡°Brother Yun, let¡¯s go!¡± Tian Bo leapt off the boat, sprinting across the water for twenty yards before landing gracefully on the pier.


    Qin Yun chuckled, stepping off the boat. Unlike Tian Bo, he moved effortlessly, barely causing ripples as he crossed the lake, as though taking a leisurely stroll.


    ¡°Brother Qin, long time no see!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been six years! Come, have a drink. We thought you might¡¯ve died out there, but you¡¯re alive and well!¡±


    The group laughed, handing him a wine flask.


    Qin Yun took it with a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s drink!¡±


    The old friends from their youth enjoyed an easy camaraderie.


    Around twenty people gathered, drinking and reminiscing.


    ¡°Second Brother, let¡¯s spar! Last time, I lost by a hair. Let¡¯s see if I¡¯ve improved,¡± one of them suggested.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m not afraid of you,¡± Qin Yun replied.


    The two set their wine flasks aside and leapt onto the lake, sparring atop the water. Sword lights flashed as their figures danced on the rippling surface.


    ¡°Impressive!¡±


    ¡°Second Brother¡¯s swordplay is even more refined now!¡±


    ¡°That last move was terrifyingly tricky!¡±


    The others watched, commenting and cheering as the bout ended with one of them falling into the lake.


    More pairs soon began sparring, turning the lake into a stage for swordplay.


    Drinking, chatting, and dueling¡ªit was the essence of the Sword Garden.


    Qin Yun sipped wine from a bamboo flask while casually chatting with his friends.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Crazy Zhang?¡± Qin Yun asked, remembering the young man who used to challenge him to sword duels relentlessly. ¡°He was always after me for a match, but I don¡¯t see him here this time.¡±


    ¡°Crazy Zhang spent his entire family fortune pursuing immortality,¡± someone answered. ¡°He actually managed to join the Chishan Sect. Unfortunately, he failed to open the immortal gates before he turned twenty. Now, he roams the land aimlessly.¡±


    ¡°I really admire him,¡± another added. ¡°When I was younger, I too wanted nothing more than to master the sword and ascend to immortality. But over time, that dream faded. Responsibilities piled up. My father grew old, and the family business needed someone to manage it. I just didn¡¯t have the freedom to chase dreams anymore.¡±


    ¡°Layers of chains, binding us to the mundane world,¡± someone murmured, and the group fell silent, lost in their own thoughts.


    Everyone present was a skilled swordsman, most having reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement. Each harbored a longing for the path of cultivation. In their youth, they had been full of ambition, but adulthood had wrapped them in the constraints of daily life. Reaching the ninth level of Qi Refinement was a prerequisite to even glimpse the immortal gates, and among them, only three or four had reached that level. Even then, joining an immortal sect remained an extraordinarily rare and difficult feat.


    ¡°What about Yuqing?¡± Qin Yun asked, his tone lighter. Yuqing had been the only girl among their Sword Pavilion group.


    ¡°She moved with her father when he was reassigned to Nanming County,¡± someone replied. ¡°It¡¯s unlikely we¡¯ll see her again.¡±


    ¡°I heard she got married,¡± another interjected. ¡°She¡¯s now the wife of a young master from the Guihai family¡ªa prominent clan in Nanming County.¡±


    ¡°Guihai?¡± someone echoed. ¡°That family is practically royalty there. But that young master is said to be frail and sickly. I doubt he has many years left.¡±


    ...


    ¡°What about Luo Bing? Why isn¡¯t he here?¡± Qin Yun asked.


    ¡°Luo Bing is dead,¡± came the grim response. ¡°One night, he was leaving a brothel with a friend, both drunk. They were ambushed and killed. No one knows who did it.¡±


    Qin Yun froze, stunned. The once-proud and ambitious boy he remembered had met such an end?


    ...


    ¡°And Jia Wu? Is he not here either?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s dead too,¡± someone sighed. ¡°On his way back from one of his family¡¯s estates, he encountered a demon. Everyone in his group was slaughtered.¡±


    Qin Yun¡¯s heart sank as he listened to the grim accounts.


    The brothers of the Sword Pavilion had taken different paths in life. Some had moved away, while others had died. Though they had once been close, with nearly forty members, bonds naturally varied. Over time, gaps in their relationships grew, and some hardly spoke anymore.


    Qin Yun himself had joined the Sword Pavilion at ten, back when his father, Qin Lietu, was just a humble constable. As children, they were strangers, often judging one another by family background. Sons of minor officials or small merchants, like Qin Yun, were often looked down upon.


    Qin Yun¡¯s obsession with the sword had earned him the nickname ¡°Mad Yun,¡± but he had only forged close bonds with two others who shared similar humble roots: Tian Bo¡ª¡°Little Bobo¡±¡ªand Xie Lei, known as the ¡°Maniac.¡±


    Though several of his peers had died, in this era, death was all too common. Monsters roamed unchecked, and lives were fragile. While saddened, Qin Yun¡¯s feelings were tempered by the reality of the world they lived in.


    ¡°What about the Maniac?¡± Qin Yun asked Tian Bo, who sat beside him. ¡°Is he off escorting another caravan?¡±

 Chapter8： Xie Shuang

    "Madman?" Tian Bo paused briefly, speaking softly. "Madman has been dead for almost three years."


    "Dead for three years?" Qin Yun''s expression shifted.


    Back when he first entered the West Mountain Sword Academy, he was just the son of a common constable, only ten years old.


    Tian Bo was the son of a modest merchant, merely nine.


    Xie Lei¡¯s family ran a security escort company; he was eleven.


    Xie Lei was fiercely competitive and impulsive, earning him the nickname "Xie the Madman." Tian Bo, on the other hand, was shy, delicate, and handsome, which led to him being teased as "Little Bo-Bo."


    Strictly speaking, Tian Bo was more of a sidekick. Qin Yun and "Xie the Madman" Xie Lei were the academy''s two most skilled swordsmen, often sparring and competing against one another. Xie Lei¡¯s younger sister, Xie Shuang, was someone Qin Yun treated as his own sibling. She reminded him of his little sister, who had died when he was eight. Xie Shuang''s appearance and temperament were uncannily similar.


    Qin Yun and Xie Lei were close friends, so it was hard to believe that someone as skilled and shrewd as Xie the Madman could meet such a tragic end.


    "What happened? How did he die?" Qin Yun¡¯s heart ached as scenes from their boyhood flashed in his mind, his eyes growing misty.


    "I planned to talk to you about it in private after today¡¯s gathering," Tian Bo said in a hushed tone. "You know how his father had been gravely ill for years. Just six months after you left town, his father passed away. But Madman, with his strength and leadership, managed to hold onto his position as the chief escort of their company. He even arranged a marriage with a girl from the most prominent family in Guangling County, the Hong family¡ªa concubine-born daughter, though still a strong alliance. But before the wedding, disaster struck."


    "What happened?" Qin Yun asked anxiously.


    "The Xie family took on a major escort mission," Tian Bo explained. "Madman personally led the convoy. Just as they neared their destination, they were ambushed by monsters. The battle was said to be fierce. Out of hundreds, only three survived. Two of the monsters were killed, and Madman died after driving his sword through one¡¯s skull. But not before it tore open his chest."


    Qin Yun fell silent.


    Monsters.


    Escort companies encountering monsters usually surrendered their cargo. Most monsters, being less intelligent, accepted the offering. But in cases where that wasn¡¯t an option, the only recourse was to fight to the death.


    "Where¡¯s Xiaoshuang?" Qin Yun asked, his voice tight.


    With Xie the Madman gone, only his younger sister, Xie Shuang, remained.


    "The escort mission was a huge loss. The Xie family had to compensate both for the lost cargo and the lives of the men who perished," Tian Bo said, shaking his head. "Xie Shuang, bless her, was honorable and compassionate. She disbanded the company, sold all their possessions, and compensated the families of the deceased. But even that wasn¡¯t enough. In the end, she sold herself to Yan Feng Pavilion to pay off the remaining debts."Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Sold herself to Yan Feng Pavilion?" Qin Yun¡¯s face turned pale.


    Madman was dead, and now Xie Shuang had sold herself to survive?


    Thankfully, Yan Feng Pavilion was Guangling County¡¯s most prestigious brothel, where the courtesans were known to sell their talents, not their bodies. Only lower-tier establishments dealt in flesh.


    "Xie Shuang was the Xie family¡¯s only daughter," Tian Bo continued. "She was skilled in sword dancing, played the pipa beautifully, and was exceptionally lovely. That earned her a high price." He sighed. "I wanted to help, but the Xie family needed nearly twenty thousand taels of silver. My family would have had to sell off half of our assets to afford it. My father would never agree to such a sacrifice."


    "Nearly twenty thousand taels?" Qin Yun nodded grimly. A fortune like that was beyond the reach of most families. That Yan Feng Pavilion was willing to pay it spoke volumes about Xie Shuang¡¯s worth.


    "We¡¯ll go to Yan Feng Pavilion tonight," Qin Yun said firmly.


    "I¡¯ll go with you," Tian Bo agreed.


    Though eager to see Xie Shuang, Qin Yun knew Yan Feng Pavilion wouldn¡¯t open its doors until evening. Since Xie Shuang had been there for over two years, waiting a few more hours wouldn¡¯t make much difference. For now, he forced himself to stay and drink with his old friends.


    Sitting by the railing, he sipped wine and watched as his companions sparred with swords over the shimmering lake.


    "Qin Yun, why not come over and give us some pointers?"


    "Yes, don¡¯t just sit there drinking!"


    They waved him over enthusiastically.


    "No need," Qin Yun replied with a faint smile. He lacked the heart for it, his thoughts consumed by the tragedy of Xie Shuang and the death of Xie the Madman.


    "Qin Yun," a carefree, elegant youth approached, sitting beside him. This was none other than "Young Master Wufeng," the founder of West Mountain Sword Academy. "At thirteen, you reached the ninth stage of Qi Refinement. By fifteen, you were traveling the world alone. Surely you¡¯ve already found a path to immortality and entered the gates of cultivation?"


    "After many hardships, I¡¯ve barely scratched the surface," Qin Yun admitted.


    Young Master Wufeng sighed in admiration. "Remarkable. You¡¯re the only one from Guangling County¡¯s younger generation to achieve this. Do you know what I admire most about you?"


    "What?" Qin Yun asked, puzzled.


    "Your courage," Wufeng said. "With your talent, joining one of the local sects would¡¯ve been easy, and reaching immortality just as simple. But you dismissed them all, wandering the world in search of a truly great sect. Such resolve¡ªperhaps that¡¯s what the path to immortality demands."


    Qin Yun shook his head. "Don¡¯t glorify me. At first, I just gritted my teeth and endured. Later, I wanted to go home, but I was already thousands of miles away. Returning was just as dangerous. I had no choice but to keep going."


    "Still impressive," Wufeng said, raising his wine flask. "To you."


    Qin Yun raised his flask, and they clinked them together.


    After a sip, Wufeng remarked, "You¡¯re different from us now. Even your lifespan is different. With immortality, you¡¯ll easily live over a century. Reach the Xiantian or Virtual Core stages, and you¡¯ll live two centuries. Legends of the Golden Core stage speak of lifespans of five centuries¡ªtrue immortality. By the time we¡¯re all dust, you¡¯ll still be young."


    Qin Yun stared into the lake, silently drinking.


    By dusk, Qin Yun declined further invitations to festivities and left with Tian Bo.


    "Let¡¯s go to Yan Feng Pavilion."


    The two rode off together.


    Yan Feng Pavilion, the most renowned brothel in Guangling County, attracted officials, aristocrats, and wealthy merchants alike. Even a single cup of tea cost a tael of silver¡ªa sum that could sustain an ordinary family for months.


    By the time they arrived, the pavilion was already open. Red lanterns adorned the entrance, and a group of beautiful maidservants stood ready to greet their esteemed guests.

 Chapter 9: Reunited

    Outside the Yan Feng Lou, the wealthy patrons entered in groups of two or three.


    At the corner of the street, two young men stood. Although their clothes were simple, they were clean.


    "Wang Lao''er, are you really going in? Even just sitting down for a cup of tea costs a silver coin. It would take us two months of hard labor to earn that much!" The two young men looked at the Yan Feng Lou, observing the alluring figures visible through the windows.


    "I¡¯m fine. As long as I can hear ¡®Qingqiu Xianzi¡¯ play a song, it¡¯s worth it. Are you coming or not? If you''re not, I¡¯m going in alone." A tall, handsome man with thick brows urged.


    "You mean that nagging wife of mine? She¡¯s been scolding me all night. Besides, you got money from a benefactor. They gave you a silver coin, and your wife doesn¡¯t know about it! Let¡¯s go." The shorter, stockier man hesitated before shaking his head.


    "You go ahead; it¡¯s too expensive." The shorter man waved his hand dismissively.


    "Don¡¯t regret it!" With that, the tall man strode towards the entrance of Yan Feng Lou.


    The stocky man watched him go, feeling an itch in his heart. After a moment of hesitation, he turned and followed: "One silver coin could buy more meat. Life would be a bit better. If Yingzi sees it, she¡¯ll surely be happy." A smile crept onto his face as he thought this.


    Meanwhile, Qin Yun and Tian Bo arrived at the entrance of Yan Feng Lou on horseback.


    "Young Master Tian, it¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen you! Please, come right in." A somewhat attractive madam, who had likely been a beauty in her youth, greeted them loudly. A eunuch immediately stepped forward to assist with their horses.


    "We¡¯ll go inside." Tian Bo dismounted and motioned for Qin Yun to follow him.


    "Quick, attend to our guests!" The madam led them with enthusiasm.


    A petite young maid approached them. "Young Master Tian, please follow me. This gentleman is visiting for the first time, isn¡¯t he?"


    "This is Young Master Qin. Arrange a seat close to the stage." Tian Bo ordered.


    "Don¡¯t worry, since Young Master Tian has spoken, we won¡¯t neglect him." The maid smiled.


    Yan Feng Lou consisted of five buildings: the main building, and four others in the east, south, west, and north. The main building welcomed guests from all directions, while the other four were reserved for distinguished patrons.


    At that moment, Qin Yun and Tian Bo entered the main building, where they were led to a table near the railing.


    The railing surrounded a central stage, where musicians played and two dancers performed gracefully.


    "Brother Yun, these are just ordinary girls. Later, the famous courtesans will come out. This table is quite close to the stage," Tian Bo said as they sat down. A tea table was placed before them, and Tian Bo skillfully instructed, "Bring out the fruits and snacks, and make a pot of tea."


    "Yes, Young Master." The young maid served the tea and instructed others to bring the fruits and snacks. She then began to massage Tian Bo¡¯s shoulders, "Young Master Tian, does Young Master Qin need a sister to attend to him?"


    "No need." Qin Yun replied. Having traveled the world for six years, he was naturally familiar with the rules of brothels. In places like Yan Feng Lou, the maids primarily offered services like shoulder massages or leg rubbing; they did not engage in anything more intimate.


    "Will Xiao Shuang come out tonight?" Qin Yun asked.


    "Xie Shuang entered the brothel and changed her name," Tian Bo explained. "Her stage name now is ¡®Chen Shuang.¡¯ She came in to repay debts, so Yan Feng Lou often lets her perform for guests."You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "Chen Shuang?" Qin Yun murmured softly, feeling a pang of pain in his heart. The girl he once knew had now been forced into a brothel.


    The seating arrangement in Yan Feng Lou was also carefully designed.


    Wealthy patrons sat in private rooms, which were more secluded but farther from the stage. Those sitting closer to the stage were generally served by beautiful maids, who massaged their legs and fed them fruit. The seats in the back were smaller, often offering nothing more than a simple pot of tea with no personal attendants. These were the least expensive options, costing only one silver coin.


    ¡­


    As time passed, various performers took the stage.


    With the sound of a flute playing, the most famous courtesan at Yan Feng Lou, ¡®Qingqiu Xianzi,¡¯ appeared on stage. Dressed in green, she sat quietly and began to play. The sound of the flute was soft, mournful, and gentle, as if telling a sorrowful story. It drew the listeners into a dream-like state, making the bustling world outside seem far away. Even Qin Yun couldn¡¯t help but be mesmerized by the music.


    When the music stopped, Qingqiu Xianzi stood and, with her flute still in hand, gracefully left the stage.


    "Where did Qingqiu Xianzi go?"


    "It¡¯s like a dream¡ªonce the music ends, she¡¯s gone."


    Many people sighed in regret. The tall, thick-browed young man in the corner exclaimed excitedly, "To hear Qingqiu Xianzi play, it was worth it. Worth it."


    Qin Yun nodded slightly. The skill of her flute playing was truly remarkable.


    "The flute music of Qingqiu Xianzi has become even more exceptional. I believe this time she will win the title of Hua Kui," someone nearby remarked.


    "Winning Hua Kui isn¡¯t that easy. Since Qingqiu Xianzi arrived in Guangling County, she¡¯s made it to the top three in the Hua Kui selection twice, but she¡¯s never won the title."


    "Last year, Xiang Yi won over Qingxiu Xianzi, which was acceptable. But the year before, ¡®Ru Meng Ge Master¡¯ won, which was a real injustice."


    Around them, people discussed.


    "Hua Kui selection?" Qin Yun knew that Guangling County was a large city with hundreds of thousands of people. The Hua Kui selection was a grand event! Famous brothels competed fiercely for the title. Just being named one of the top ten courtesans in such a contest would bring immense fame. And in a brothel, fame equaled money.


    "Yan Feng Lou is also fully supporting Qingqiu Xianzi¡¯s bid for Hua Kui," Tian Bo said. "She was originally a daughter of an official family, but her family fell on hard times, and she ended up here. However, she quickly gained great fame. Yan Feng Lou brought her in from Wu County, and even though she¡¯s a famous courtesan, she still has the freedom to leave if she wishes. If you want to meet her, it costs one hundred silver coins, and even then, it depends on whether Qingqiu Xianzi is willing."


    "Yan Feng Lou is doing everything to help her win Hua Kui, but unfortunately, she hasn¡¯t been successful in the past two years." Tian Bo shook his head.


    "What about Xiao Shuang? Has she entered the Hua Kui selection?" Qin Yun asked.


    "Xie Shuang only recently entered Yan Feng Lou, so her fame isn¡¯t big enough yet. She didn¡¯t even make it into the candidate list at first. Last year, she was a candidate, but didn¡¯t make it into the top ten." Tian Bo explained. "This year, there¡¯s no hope. After all, she¡¯s only ranked fifth in Yan Feng Lou."


    Qin Yun nodded without commenting further.


    Despite the snacks and fruits placed before him, Qin Yun didn¡¯t touch them. He simply drank his tea, finishing two cups before something caught his attention.


    "Whoosh!"


    A graceful figure in red dashed through the air. A sword flashed across the sky before she landed gracefully on the stage.


    It was ¡®Chen Shuang,¡¯ performing a sword dance.


    "Xiao Shuang." Qin Yun tightened his grip on his teacup. The girl he had parted with at the age of thirteen was now nineteen and had grown into a young woman.


    Back then, Xie Shuang was innocent and carefree. Her father had passed away due to prolonged illness, something she had prepared herself for. But the death of her only family member, her older brother Xie Lei, had been a devastating blow to her. At that time, she had even had to step forward and compensate the family of the deceased man, eventually selling herself into a brothel to gather the necessary silver.


    "She¡¯s grown up, into a young woman now." Qin Yun whispered. Xie Shuang had changed so much.


    Her sword-shaped eyebrows were full of determination, and her movements were sharp and precise. But her overall aura still carried a subtle softness, blending both strength and fragility.


    "It seems my teachings in swordsmanship have been altered in this way." Qin Yun shook his head, his thoughts complex.


    As the music played, Chen Shuang spun around and struck with her sword, only to notice a familiar figure at one of the tables.


    She froze.


    The figure... the man sitting with Tian Bo...


    Flashes of memories filled her mind.


    "Xiao Shuang, this is how you should perform this move." A thirteen-year-old Qin Yun had said, teaching her.


    "Brother Yun, I¡¯ve got it! Let me do it again for you." Eleven-year-old Xie Shuang had excitedly insisted.


    "Make sure you practice well. Your Brother Yun is now at the level of unity between man and sword. Even I¡¯m not as good as him." Xie Lei, who had been just fourteen


    at the time, laughed heartily.


    ...


    Chen Shuang¡¯s eyes grew moist. She could not stop the tears from welling up.


    Qin Yun looked at her.


    Their gazes met, and Qin Yun smiled gently, nodding slightly.

 Chapter 10: Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey

    The musicians at Yan Feng Lou were puzzled. Why had the sword dance stopped? They were about to repeat the same segment of the music when Miss Chen Shuang quickly resumed dancing without giving it much thought.


    After the sword dance finally ended, Miss Chen Shuang, dressed in red, glanced at Qin Yun before leaving.


    "I want to meet Miss Chen Shuang," Qin Yun said as he turned to the maid beside him. She smiled and replied, "Young Master Qin, it costs twenty taels of silver to meet our Miss Chen Shuang, but you cannot touch her. The meeting will last no more than half an hour. If Young Master Qin agrees, I will go and inform her if she''s willing. Also, there may be other guests wanting to meet her, so we must follow the order of arrival."


    "Go ahead," Tian Bo urged. "Make sure to say it''s Qin Gongzi requesting to meet her."


    "Of course, I¡¯ll go right away." The maid quickly went off to deliver the message.


    Qin Yun waited quietly.


    Twenty taels to meet her and have a chat, while the "Qing Qiu Immortal" would cost a hundred taels. This clearly showed the difference in status.


    "Miss Chen Shuang''s sword dance is truly remarkable. I¡¯ve seen many skilled sword fighters, and though they are stronger than her, none have the same elegance in their sword dance. It feels as though her sword strikes at my heart."


    "Her pipa playing is even more impressive. She excels in both the pipa and sword dance. I believe she could make it into the top ten among the courtesans in this contest."


    "In Yan Feng Lou, she¡¯s only second-tier. Among all the courtesans in Guangling County, it¡¯s nearly impossible for her to make it into the top ten."


    The guests nearby chatted casually.


    Qin Yun continued to wait.


    Soon, the maid returned with a cheerful step, smiling as she approached him. She whispered, "Young Master Qin, Miss Chen Shuang is willing to see you."


    "Alright, lead the way," Qin Yun said, taking a deep breath and standing up.


    "Please follow me," the maid said, leading the way.


    The main building was enormous, with winding corridors. After exiting the main building, they followed a hallway leading to the East Building.


    The four buildings of Yan Feng Lou¡ªNorth, South, East, and West¡ªcould only be entered by honored guests. The threshold for the East and South Buildings was relatively low; anyone could enter for a small fee. However, to meet Miss Chen Shuang in the East Building, one would need to pay twenty taels, which was still quite expensive¡ªabout the same as the cost of a modest house in Guangling County.


    "Creek." The maid pushed open a door and called out, "Miss Chen Shuang, Young Master Qin has arrived."


    "Young Master Qin, please come in," she said with a smile.


    Qin Yun entered the room, and the maid closed the door behind him as she left.


    Inside, Qin Yun immediately recognized a middle-aged woman standing to the side.


    "Aunt Xue?" Qin Yun was surprised.


    "Second Young Master," the middle-aged woman smiled warmly.


    At that moment, a delicate figure emerged from behind a curtain, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at Qin Yun.


    Qin Yun¡¯s heart trembled. He felt deep guilt¡ªwhy hadn''t he returned sooner?


    "Xiao Shuang," Qin Yun said softly.


    "Brother Yun," Miss Chen Shuang ran over and threw herself into Qin Yun''s arms.


    Qin Yun held her tightly and whispered, "I¡¯ve returned too late."


    "I was so scared, scared you might never return. It''s been six years, Brother Yun, and you¡¯ve finally come back." Miss Chen Shuang let go of Qin Yun and looked at him with tear-streaked cheeks, "The happiest day of my life was when my brother left, and now, it''s the day you returned."The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "I only returned yesterday, and I only heard about Xie Lei¡¯s death from Tian Bo today," Qin Yun sighed. "It''s better inside the city, where the government can provide some protection. Outside, in the rivers, lakes, or deep forests, you never know where monsters might lurk. Escorting goods has always been a dangerous job."


    "But the escort agency has been passed down through my family for generations. My brother was determined to restore its former glory," Miss Chen Shuang replied.


    Qin Yun silently nodded.


    Xie Kuang¡­


    With his temperament, he would never be afraid of death. A man like him would want to expand the escort agency, making it the number one in Guangling County, or even one of the best in all of Jiangzhou. But that pursuit came at the cost of his life.


    Suddenly, a shout came from outside.


    "Get out of the way!"


    "Hmm?" Qin Yun furrowed his brow as he heard a commotion outside.


    In the corridor outside, a fat man dressed in extravagant clothes strode in arrogantly, followed by two bodyguards.


    "Young Master Liu, there¡¯s already a guest inside," the maid said anxiously.


    "A guest? In Guangling County, how many people dare to make me, Liu Qi, wait? This Qin Gongzi¡ªmake him wait? He¡¯s not worthy!" The fat man shouted loudly. At the same time, a female manager from the hall hurried over, shouting from afar, "Young Master Liu, please don¡¯t be angry. Let me explain. I¡¯ll tell that Qin Gongzi to leave first."


    "Well, then tell him to leave quickly," the fat man said in a huff, still giving Yan Feng Lou some face.


    The female manager hurriedly opened the door and said, "Young Master Qin, I¡¯m sorry, but as you¡¯ve heard outside¡ª"


    "Get lost!"


    Qin Yun spoke coldly.


    The female manager froze.


    Hearing the commotion outside, the fat man scoffed and strode in. "I gave you face, and you refuse to leave? It looks like we¡¯ll have to resort to force. Go, throw this arrogant fool out of here!"


    "Yes," one of the burly bodyguards immediately stepped forward.


    "Don¡¯t be angry, Young Master Liu," Miss Chen Shuang quickly apologized, and then whispered to Qin Yun, "This Young Master Liu is from the Liu family, one of the three great families in Guangling County. You can''t provoke him."


    The Liu family, one of the top noble families in Guangling County. As Miss Chen Shuang knew, even the head of the Silver Badge Enforcement, Qin Liehu, could not stand up to the Liu family.


    "Did you hear that? Miss Chen Shuang knows what¡¯s what. I gave her face. Now get lost," the fat man shouted.


    "Liu family?" Qin Yun sneered. "Even if the head of the Liu family is here, they wouldn¡¯t dare speak to me like this. Let alone you, a small fry from the Liu family." Qin Yun shot him a glance. "You better jump down the stairs yourself, or I¡¯ll throw you down. There won¡¯t be any soft treatment then."


    The fat man was taken aback.


    Who was this person? How come I¡¯ve never heard of him?


    "Who are you?" the fat man demanded.


    "Get lost, quickly," Qin Yun frowned.


    "Are you threatening me?" The fat man glared. "You two, go teach him a lesson! Show him what happens when you mess with me!"


    "Yes."


    The two bodyguards, one at Qi Refining Level 7 and the other at Qi Refining Level 8, were both top-tier martial artists. This showed the immense power of the Liu family!


    Bang! Bang!


    Before the two bodyguards could even approach, they were knocked back like shadows, flying out of the door and crashing over the railing, falling to the floor below.


    "Not good!" The fat man turned pale with fear, not daring to speak arrogantly anymore. He turned and fled.


    "Go!" Qin Yun stepped forward and kicked the fat man in the back.


    "Ah!" The fat man let out a sharp scream as he was sent flying over the railing, landing hard on the ground. The two bodyguards, despite being top-tier martial artists, were too dazed to stand and could only watch as their master hit the ground, bleeding and with a bloodied face.


    The fat man groaned as he got up, shouting angrily, "Why didn¡¯t you two catch me?!"


    "Young Master, our bodies are too sore. We can barely stand," the two bodyguards said, struggling to rise.


    "Ha ha..."


    "That''s Liu Qi, from the Liu family."


    "What a disgrace."


    "Who did that? Who threw him out of the building?"


    Many of the guests in Yan Feng Lou had gathered at the railing, watching the embarrassing scene of Liu Qi. After all, Liu Qi was from the Liu family and had the power to act arrogantly in Guangling County.


    Qin Yun walked over to the railing, looking down at the fat man covered in blood.


    The fat man looked up, seeing a crowd around him, and his courage grew. He shouted loudly, "Qin, if you have the guts, reveal your name!"


    Qin Yun casually pointed.


    Whoosh!


    A strand of sword Qi shot toward the fat man, grazing his face, and hitting the ground with a deep, barely visible hole in the stone.


    The fat man touched his face and looked down at the dark hole, his throat tightening as his body trembled.


    The two bodyguards, who had just gotten up, were pale with fear.


    "True essence unleashed."


    "They¡¯ve reached the Immortal Gate!"


    "A cultivator! A cultivator!"


    The two bodyguards


    were terrified.


    "I''m sorry, I''m sorry, please, Young Master, I¡¯m just a fool. Let me go, I beg you!" The fat man forced out a smile, clearly understanding how terrifying a cultivator could be. If the Liu family head were here, he might have a chance to argue, but for him, a mere junior, he was completely outclassed.


    "You asked for my name, didn¡¯t you? Listen carefully. I¡¯m from the Qin residence¡ªQin Yun!" Qin Yun glanced around at the shocked guests. Everyone had fallen silent after witnessing the sword Qi, and no one dared to speak.


    "Miss Chen Shuang is my sister. If you offend her, you offend me, Qin Yun."


    With that, he turned and entered the room.


    "Close the door," he ordered the maid standing outside.


    "Yes, yes," the maid said, trembling as she quickly closed the door.

 Chapter 11: A Contract for Sale?

    In the distance, as the door to Lady Chen Shuang¡¯s room in the East Building closed, the once-silent spectators began whispering amongst themselves.


    ¡°That¡¯s the Qin Residence? Qin Yun? You mean the Second Young Master of Silver Badge Constable Qin¡¯s family? I¡¯ve heard of him! At the age of thirteen, he achieved the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement and became one with his sword. Such astonishing talent! And now, eight years later, he¡¯s practically a celestial being,¡± a plump, well-dressed man remarked, shaking his head in admiration. ¡°With just a casual flick of his finger, he demonstrated such immense power. Imagine what he could do with full mastery of his spells. Remarkable!¡±


    ¡°Look, Liu Qi from the Liu family has already slipped away in fear.¡±


    ¡°You must understand, Qin Yun is a native of Guangling County. That¡¯s probably why he showed mercy. If it were an itinerant cultivator with no ties, that Liu Qi would¡¯ve been obliterated with a single strike.¡±


    ¡°Lady Chen Shuang¡¯s situation has certainly changed. With Young Master Qin backing her, no one in Guangling County will dare lay a finger on her now.¡±


    The guests continued their chatter.


    Inside the Room.


    Tears glistened in Lady Chen Shuang¡¯s eyes as she whispered, ¡°Brother Yun, thank you.¡± She understood that Qin Yun¡¯s public display was deliberate¡ªto deter troublemakers and announce that the famed courtesan Lady Chen Shuang was under his protection.


    ¡°It was a trivial matter. I needed to make an example of someone, and that fat Liu happened to be the perfect target,¡± Qin Yun replied. ¡°Besides, his mouth was indeed foul.¡±


    ¡°But the Liu family is one of the three great families in Guangling County. Will this cause trouble for you?¡± Lady Chen Shuang asked, concerned.


    Qin Yun chuckled. ¡°True power in this world resides either in the imperial court, which wields immense authority, or among cultivators like us. Everything else is inconsequential.¡±


    In Guangling County, only a few posed a threat to Qin Yun.


    Foremost among them was the County Governor. Holding both military and administrative power, the governor could act with near impunity against threats, especially given the ever-present menace of monsters. Officials of the seventh rank and below could even be executed without prior approval. Such authority left no one in the county administration daring to defy him. Opposing the governor meant opposing the entire court.


    Even a formidable cultivator at the Golden Core stage would be hunted down relentlessly if they antagonized the court. Fortunately, the County Governor¡¯s tenure was limited to three years per term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms before mandatory relocation.


    ¡°By the way, I¡¯ll handle your contract with Yan Feng Pavilion. Prepare yourself. Tonight, you¡¯ll leave with me,¡± Qin Yun said decisively.


    Lady Chen Shuang was taken aback, as was Aunt Xue, who stood nearby, staring in shock.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°A contract for sale?¡± Lady Chen Shuang hesitated.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Qin Yun asked, puzzled.


    ¡°That contract¡­ actually¡­¡± Lady Chen Shuang stammered, ¡°doesn¡¯t exist.¡±


    Qin Yun was stunned. ¡°Didn¡¯t you enter Yan Feng Pavilion to repay a debt of nearly twenty thousand taels? Such a large sum¡ªhow could they not have made you sign a contract of sale?¡±


    Lady Chen Shuang smiled wryly. ¡°Brother Yun, I entered Yan Feng Pavilion on a simple employment contract. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask Aunt Xue.¡±


    Qin Yun turned to Aunt Xue, who was an old retainer of the Xie family. As the aunt of both Xie Lei and Xie Shuang, she had stepped in to care for the siblings after their mother¡¯s early death and their father¡¯s severe illness.


    ¡°It¡¯s true. It¡¯s merely an employment contract, not a contract for sale,¡± Aunt Xue affirmed. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have allowed Shuang¡¯er to sell herself.¡±


    ¡°Then why does everyone think it¡¯s a contract for sale?¡± Qin Yun asked.


    ¡°Brother Yun,¡± Lady Chen Shuang began, ¡°when my brother died on an escort mission, many of his colleagues also perished. My family went bankrupt compensating the widows and children of the deceased. That part is true. Later, the mysterious client who hired my brother¡¯s escort service learned of our tragedy and forgave our debt. Despite my insistence on repaying, they accepted only a single tael of silver and left.


    ¡°With no family left and the Xie family deeply indebted, I chose to join Yan Feng Pavilion. Our family¡¯s past in the escort business left us with numerous enemies. Alone and vulnerable, I might have been hunted down and killed.


    ¡°The claim of a twenty-thousand-tael debt was a deliberate fabrication,¡± she explained. ¡°By spreading this story, Yan Feng Pavilion ensured that any would-be assailants understood the high cost of crossing them. For their part, the pavilion was happy to let the rumor persist. It not only boosted my status but also their profits.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded in understanding. Yan Feng Pavilion, the most renowned establishment of its kind in Guangling County, was a hub for the wealthy and powerful. Such an establishment inevitably had formidable backing.


    ¡°You¡¯re not lying to me, are you? This isn¡¯t a trivial matter,¡± Qin Yun said cautiously.


    ¡°How could I deceive you, Brother Yun? If you¡¯re still doubtful, you can ask the steward of the East Building,¡± Lady Chen Shuang replied.


    ¡°I¡¯ll check.¡± Qin Yun left the room.


    Outside, not far from the door, a maid and the steward were waiting. Qin Yun called out, ¡°Steward, I have something to ask you.¡±


    The steward approached quickly. ¡°How can I assist you, Young Master Qin?¡±


    ¡°Lady Chen Shuang did not enter Yan Feng Pavilion under a contract for sale but on a regular employment agreement. Is that true?¡± Qin Yun asked directly.


    The steward hesitated but, under Qin Yun¡¯s commanding gaze, confessed, ¡°Yes, Young Master. It was just a standard contract. The claim of a twenty-thousand-tael debt was merely a public story to elevate Lady Chen Shuang¡¯s status.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded, dismissing the steward with a wave of his hand. ¡°You may go.¡±


    Returning to the room, he said with a chuckle, ¡°It seems the rumors were indeed exaggerated.¡±


    Lady Chen Shuang smiled. ¡°Brother Yun, back then, I had no choice.¡±


    ¡°Now that the truth is out, and with me here, you no longer need to fear your enemies. Come back to the Qin Residence with me. You can stay there in peace,¡± Qin Yun suggested.


    Lady Chen Shuang hesitated. ¡°And then? Stay in the residence day after day, doing nothing?¡±


    ¡°You could leave this life behind, find someone you like, and live a quiet life as a wife and mother,¡± Qin Yun said.


    ¡°Marry?¡± Lady Chen Shuang shook her head. ¡°Once I entered this world, I was marked forever. Who would marry me?¡±


    Qin Yun was silent.


    ¡°Even if someone were willing, it would only be a small household willing to take me as a concubine. I¡¯d rather remain unmarried than be someone¡¯s concubine,¡± she said firmly.


    Qin Yun sighed inwardly. Given her pride, she would never accept such a fate.


    ¡°Life here suits me better. I can learn music, dance, and swordsmanship. I have friends, admirers, and freedom. Brother Yun, do you understand?¡± she asked.


    Qin Yun nodded. ¡°Life is fleeting. If this makes you happy, so be it. Just remember, you¡¯ll always have a brother to support you. If you ever need help, come to me.¡±

 Chapter 12: Courtesan Chen Shuang

    "Mm."


    Chen Shuang nodded eagerly. She hadn''t expected Brother Yun to understand her so quickly; her biggest fear had been that he''d leave in anger.


    "By the way, while I was outside, I heard about the Flower Queen selection. Are you participating?" Qin Yun asked with a smile.


    "Yes, Brother Yun. Although the sisters in Yan Feng Pavilion live together, there''s always some rivalry," Chen Shuang replied with a laugh. "Even between courtesans from different establishments, competition is fierce. I¡¯m not one to admit defeat easily¡ªI have to fight for victory."


    Qin Yun smiled. "Where there are people, there¡¯s conflict. It seems even courtesans have their own intense rivalries."


    "Even fiercer than most other places," Chen Shuang chuckled. "The greater the fame, the more money we earn, so the stakes are high. Many courtesans have wealthy patrons backing them, which makes the competition even more intense. Outwardly, some may act like good friends, but who knows how much resentment they harbor in private! Brother Yun, don¡¯t you think such rivalry is quite amusing?"


    "As long as you¡¯re happy," Qin Yun said with a smile.


    Qin Yun and Chen Shuang chatted about her life in the pavilion and some of his interesting adventures during his travels.


    "It¡¯s about time I left. I¡¯ve already overstayed by half an hour," Qin Yun said, standing up. Yan Feng Pavilion showed him respect, so no one dared to disturb him.


    "Brother Yun, you don¡¯t need to visit me here anymore. It costs you money each time. If I have free time, I¡¯ll come to see you at Qin Manor during the day," Chen Shuang said with a radiant smile. "Madam Xue, please see Brother Yun out."


    "Take care of yourself. If you ever feel wronged, come to me," Qin Yun said, smiling as he stood.


    He left with Madam Xue accompanying him.


    Chen Shuang stood at the door, silently watching Qin Yun leave.


    Inside the main building of Yan Feng Pavilion.


    As Qin Yun walked out, he spoke to Madam Xue. "If anything happens to Chen Shuang, you must let me know immediately. I understand the troubles a famous courtesan might face in a place like this. Throughout history, countless people have lost their lives because of beauty."


    "I understand. We¡¯ve always been cautious. Yan Feng Pavilion provides good protection, and some veteran guards from the escort agency are always with her," Madam Xue replied.


    Qin Yun nodded. He walked over to Tian Bo. "Bo, let¡¯s go."


    "Not staying to watch more?" Tian Bo was still enjoying the performance.


    "Enough watching," Qin Yun urged.


    "Alright." Tian Bo grabbed a couple of pastries, stuffing some into his mouth and carrying more. "So much food left untouched."


    As they walked out, many guests looked at Qin Yun with awe. Moments earlier, he had thrown the young master of the Liu family, Liu Qi, out of the building. That display of sword energy had left everyone in shock, proving he was a cultivator.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Master Qin, Master Tian, please take care!" The brothel¡¯s madam greeted them warmly. Outside, servants had already prepared their horses.


    "Madam Xue, you may return," Qin Yun said with a smile, mounting his horse and leaving with Tian Bo.


    Madam Xue watched them leave.


    "Looks like life will be easier for Chen Shuang from now on," the brothel madam said with a smirk. "No one would dare openly trouble her now. By the way, Sister Xue, what¡¯s the relationship between your Chen Shuang and Master Qin?"


    Madam Xue smiled. "Childhood sweethearts."


    She then turned and returned to the pavilion.


    "Childhood sweethearts?" The madam sneered after Madam Xue left. "If that were true, he would¡¯ve taken her away long ago. Probably just a story to comfort Chen Shuang."


    On the way back, Qin Yun and Tian Bo rode side by side.


    "How did your talk with Sister Shuang go? Do you have any plans to deal with her contract? It¡¯s nearly 20,000 taels of debt. Even for a cultivator like you, it won¡¯t be easy," Tian Bo asked.


    The cool night breeze brushed their faces.


    Qin Yun shook his head. "She didn¡¯t sell herself to enter Yan Feng Pavilion; it¡¯s just a regular contract. I¡¯ve confirmed it with the pavilion, but don¡¯t spread this around."


    "Not a sell-body contract?" Tian Bo was surprised. "Then why didn¡¯t you take her out?"


    "She¡¯s already part of this world of dust and mist. Even if I take her out, she can¡¯t marry into a noble family as a proper wife. She¡¯s unwilling to be a concubine, and small families can¡¯t protect her. She told me she¡¯s happier now than living in lonely confinement within a manor. As long as she¡¯s content, I¡¯ll respect her choice. Since it¡¯s a simple contract, she can leave when she wants in the future."


    "If she can leave, why stay in the pavilion?" Tian Bo frowned. "Brother Yun, you¡¯re being foolish."


    "Life is short. Why care so much about others'' opinions? As long as she¡¯s happy, that¡¯s enough," Qin Yun replied.


    "But it¡¯s still a brothel," Tian Bo said. "How can you let her stay in such a place? No matter what, you should take her out. Don¡¯t let her have her way."


    "Do you look down on courtesans?" Qin Yun asked, glancing at Tian Bo.


    Tian Bo froze for a moment before muttering, "I think she¡¯s blinded by the glamour and the attention of her admirers. She can¡¯t go back and doesn¡¯t want to."


    Qin Yun thought of the look in Chen Shuang¡¯s eyes.


    "She¡¯s not blinded, nor has she lost her way," Qin Yun said quietly.


    Back at Yan Feng Pavilion, Madam Xue returned to Chen Shuang¡¯s room in the east wing.


    "Madam Xue." Chen Shuang sat writing quietly. "Has Brother Yun left?"


    "Yes, he¡¯s gone," Madam Xue replied. "Chen Shuang, why don¡¯t you just leave with Qin Yun and live a peaceful life?"


    "No!" Chen Shuang replied softly. "I can¡¯t forget my brother¡¯s death or the hundreds of brothers from the escort agency. I can¡¯t live a peaceful life!"


    "Then why don¡¯t you tell Qin Yun the truth? Your brother and the escort agency¡¯s deaths weren¡¯t just caused by monsters. The Bai Li family of East Gong County is behind it, colluding with monsters to commit atrocities," Madam Xue said urgently. "The Bai Li family is powerful, but Qin Yun is a cultivator. With his help, your chances of revenge would be much higher."


    "The Bai Li family," Chen Shuang murmured, her eyes icy.


    Monsters had caused havoc, but some powerful families had colluded with them, using their name as cover for murder and plunder.


    "The Bai Li family is the largest in East Gong County. Even the county governor fears them. Governors come and go, but the Bai Li family remains unshaken. Their patriarch is a cultivator in the Xiantian True Core Realm, over 200 years old, with many monsters under his command."


    "My Brother Yun has only just entered the path of cultivation. How could he oppose them? Asking for his help would only bring disaster upon him."


    "I¡¯ve already lost one brother. I won¡¯t lose another," Chen Shuang said softly. "I¡¯ll stick to my plan. Beauty has always been a powerful weapon¡ªenough to destroy families, cities, and even nations. I don¡¯t aim to bring down a kingdom or a city, but I refuse to believe I can¡¯t destroy a single family with my life¡¯s effort."


    "Chen Shuang, there¡¯s still time to change your mind. Even if you don¡¯t tell Qin Yun now, you can wait until he¡¯s strong enough. If you keep going like this, you¡¯ll fall deeper and deeper, and you might never be able to turn back," Madam Xue pleaded, her voice filled with heartache.


    "The day I entered Yan Feng Pavilion, the girl named Xie Shuang ceased to exist. Only Chen Shuang, the courtesan, remains," Chen Shuang said as she continued writing.


    Madam Xue sighed and shook her head. She had tried to dissuade Chen Shuang many times, but her resolve remained unshaken.


    "Brother Yun," Chen Shuang whispered with a faint smile, "I¡¯m so glad you came back."

 Chapter 13: Bound by Profit

    After copying a few poems, Lady Chenshuang asked, ¡°Aunt Xue, one of Jiangnan¡¯s Four Great Scholars, Yu Bai, has been in Guangling County for several days now. I imagine many courtesans have tried to meet him. Do you know if he has favored anyone yet?¡±


    Historically, the Jiang and Qian regions have been called Jiangnan, a land of cultural refinement with an abundance of scholars.


    The Four Great Scholars of Jiangnan are renowned throughout the land, adored by courtesans. Many would waive their fees or even spend their own money to entertain such luminaries. Some would go so far as to offer themselves to these men.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard anything yet,¡± Aunt Xue replied. ¡°I¡¯ve had Lao Shen keeping an eye on it.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Lady Chenshuang furrowed her elegant brows. ¡°This distinguished scholar arrived in Guangling precisely during the Flower Queen contest. Either he¡¯s here to involve himself in the event for some benefit, or it¡¯s just a coincidence.¡±


    ¡°Would someone of his stature really care about a local contest?¡± Aunt Xue asked, skeptical.


    ¡°If he has ulterior motives, persuading him to help me will be difficult,¡± Chenshuang said. ¡°But if it¡¯s truly just a coincidence, there¡¯s still hope he might lend a hand.¡±


    She let out a mocking laugh. ¡°Those courtesans, despite years in this trade, remain na?ve. Winning over a scholar of such renown is not as simple as batting their lashes and offering companionship.¡±


    ¡°Keep Lao Shen monitoring him. Report back on his every move,¡± Chenshuang instructed.


    ¡°Understood.¡± Aunt Xue nodded.


    Under the evening sky, Qin Yun and Tian Bo rode their horses back toward town.


    As they passed a stone bridge, Qin Yun noticed a painting boat on the quiet Huayang River below. The boat was lively with the sounds of music and chatter, and two men could be seen drinking with women attending them.


    ¡°That¡¯s Yu Bai, the great scholar,¡± Tian Bo remarked.


    ¡°Yu Bai? One of Jiangnan¡¯s Four Great Scholars? He¡¯s from Nanming County, isn¡¯t he? What¡¯s he doing here in Guangling?¡± Qin Yun asked. Unlike cultivators, who were rare and shrouded in mystery, scholars were more commonplace, though renowned ones like Yu Bai were a cut above the rest.


    ¡°Who knows why he¡¯s here? But the courtesans in Guangling have gone mad over him,¡± Tian Bo said with a grin. ¡°For men like us, seeing a courtesan costs silver. But for a scholar like him, it¡¯s the other way around. They¡¯d pay him for the privilege! Some even offer themselves for free.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Jiangnan¡¯s Four Great Scholars¡ªadmired by many. It¡¯s no wonder the courtesans are enamored,¡± Qin Yun remarked.


    ¡°You don¡¯t see the bigger picture, Yun,¡± Tian Bo said with a knowing smile. ¡°These scholars have fame that transcends borders. If a courtesan could ensnare someone like Yu Bai in a grand tale of love and heartbreak, her name would spread far and wide, just like his. She¡¯d no longer be confined to local fame but become a legend across the land! Imagine the prices she could command¡ªa single meeting might cost two to three hundred taels!¡±


    ¡°Such a dramatic tale? Surely Yu Bai wouldn¡¯t involve himself in something so undignified,¡± Qin Yun said, doubtful.


    ¡°When it comes to matters of the heart, who can say?¡± Tian Bo countered. ¡°Even if it doesn¡¯t turn into a grand romance, a single poem written for her by Yu Bai would elevate her fame. And if not even a poem, just being seen with him for a month or two could do the trick. People would talk: ¡®Yu Bai, the great scholar, was captivated by this courtesan, lingering for months before returning home.¡¯ That alone would be enough to make her name.¡±


    ¡°Fame is everything for a courtesan. The greater her fame, the more people will pay to see her,¡± Tian Bo explained. ¡°That¡¯s why they¡¯re all scrambling to win him over.¡±


    Qin Yun chuckled. ¡°You¡¯ve turned something as beautiful as ¡®talented scholar and charming lady¡¯ into a tale of pure profit.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just profit¡ªit¡¯s survival,¡± Tian Bo said earnestly. ¡°I used to believe in lofty ideals like loyalty and passion. But after taking over some of my father¡¯s taverns, experiencing setbacks, and learning the harsh realities of the world, I realized one thing: ¡®All the hustle and bustle of the world revolves around profit.¡¯ In this world, nine out of ten things are driven by self-interest.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t deny it,¡± Qin Yun replied with a smile. ¡°But I still believe true loyalty and passion exist.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s what makes them so precious,¡± Tian Bo agreed.


    Qin Yun glanced at his old friend. The shy, earnest boy who used to follow him around had matured into a pragmatic man.


    ¡°By the way,¡± Qin Yun said, a thought crossing his mind. ¡°If this great scholar were to help Chenshuang, could she win the Flower Queen title?¡±


    Tian Bo considered it. ¡°It depends on how much effort he puts in. If he genuinely supports her, she¡¯d almost certainly make it to the top ten, and maybe even the top three. But as for winning? That¡¯s tough. Courtesans like Qingqiu Fairy and Fragrant Garment are already well-known. Surpassing them won¡¯t be easy.¡±


    ¡°The top three, huh?¡± Qin Yun mused, deep in thought.


    ¡°If he does help her, though, meeting her might cost fifty taels instead of twenty in the future,¡± Tian Bo joked. ¡°But someone like Yu Bai treasures his reputation and wouldn¡¯t easily entangle himself with a courtesan. I¡¯ve heard that even Qingqiu Fairy sent an invitation, and he ignored it.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded slightly but thought to himself, Since Chenshuang enjoys the life of a courtesan, I¡¯ll help her rise in this world. At least she¡¯ll have an easier time.


    A courtesan¡¯s status depends entirely on her fame. Without it, she¡¯d fall from grace, perhaps even end up in a sordid brothel. It was a tragic fate Qin Yun didn¡¯t want for her.


    ¡°She¡¯s like a little sister to me,¡± Qin Yun thought. ¡°Though it pains me to see her in this life, all I can do now is support her.¡±


    At the Huayang River, the painting boat continued to drift under the moonlight, its laughter and music filling the night.

 Chapter 14: One Hundred Thousand Silver Taels

    Qin Yun and Tian Bo rode their horses out of town, eventually parting ways to return to their respective homes.


    Meanwhile, on the Huayang River they had just passed, a decorated pleasure boat finally docked at the shore.


    "Farewell, Brother Yu Bai.""Take care, Brother Wang. It''s already dark; mind your journey home."


    The renowned scholar Yu Bai exchanged farewells with a friend.


    Yu Bai, with his handsome and refined appearance, exuded a sense of charm tinged with melancholy. Just as he was about to leave with his servant and guard, a brothel madam disembarked from the boat and approached him. "Young Master Yu."


    "Oh? What is it?" Yu Bai responded indifferently.


    The madam smiled apologetically. "My mistress, the esteemed owner of the Ruyue Pavilion, has admired you for a long time. She has always cherished your poetry. Would you be willing to meet her?"


    "I am in Guangling on important business and cannot afford such meetings," Yu Bai replied nonchalantly.


    "My mistress admires you greatly, Young Master. Why not meet her to ease her longing?" the madam pleaded.


    "No need." Yu Bai turned to leave without waiting for her to continue.


    The madam could only stomp her foot in frustration as she watched him leave, then returned to the pleasure boat.


    Yu Bai, flanked by his servant and guard, continued on his leisurely way.


    "Master, that Ruyue Pavilion mistress is truly persistent," the guard remarked with a chuckle. "This isn''t the first time she''s invited you, and she even planted her people on the pleasure boat where you met your friend. Yet she hasn''t shown herself in person."


    "Ah, the Ruyue Pavilion mistress," Yu Bai said with a slight smile. "She was once a courtesan in the capital, though not a famous one. The capital is filled with high-ranking officials and nobles. Over the years, she amassed some wealth and connections. When she grew older, she returned to her hometown in Guangling County and established the Ruyue Pavilion, naming herself its mistress. Two years ago, during the courtesan selection event, she used all her resources and connections to win the title of Flower Queen."


    "If she were still young, it might have been fair. But she''s past her prime, and many were unhappy with her victory, deeming it unjust."


    "She wants my help, but why should I help her?" Yu Bai chuckled derisively. "A woman should know her limits. Competing with younger girls at her age is pointless."


    "Master, how old is the Ruyue Pavilion mistress now?" the guard asked.


    "Although her cultivation has preserved her youth, she must be around thirty-five," Yu Bai replied. "For a courtesan, that''s far too old."


    "Thirty-five?"


    "That''s nearly as old as my mother!" another servant exclaimed in surprise.


    Yu Bai merely smiled.


    Strolling leisurely, Yu Bai soon reached his inn, which was close to where the pleasure boat had docked.


    "Master! Master!" A servant rushed out to meet him at the inn entrance.


    "What''s got you so worked up?" Yu Bai asked.


    "Master, I have news about an immortal cultivator!" the servant exclaimed excitedly.


    "An immortal cultivator?" Yu Bai''s eyes lit up. "Tell me quickly¡ªwho is it, and where can they be found?"


    "The information came from the Yan Feng House. The cultivator''s name is Qin Yun," the servant explained eagerly. "He''s a native of Guangling County. At thirteen, he achieved the ninth level of Qi Refinement with unity of man and sword. Six years ago, he left home to travel the world. Now he''s returned, having opened the gate to immortality and become one of the divine! Just tonight at Yan Feng House, this Qin Yun reportedly threw Liu Qi, the young master of the Liu family, out of a window, leaving him with a bloodied face. Qin Yun declared, ''Miss Chenshuang is my sister. Offend her, and you offend me, Qin Yun!''"If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The servant mimicked Qin Yun''s mannerisms as he recounted the story.


    "Yan Feng House and Miss Chenshuang?" Yu Bai''s thoughts raced. He asked, "Where does this Qin Yun live?"


    "He''s from the Qin Manor, the home of Silver Badge Constable Qin Lietu," the servant explained. "There''s only one Qin Manor in Guangling, so it''s easy to find."


    "Ah Fu, deliver my calling card to the Qin Manor tomorrow," Yu Bai instructed.


    "Understood, Master."


    Yu Bai''s gaze deepened as he thought to himself, I wonder how close this immortal Qin Yun is to the courtesan Miss Chenshuang. Does he have the capability to assist me?


    "Also, find out the nature of their relationship," Yu Bai added.


    "Leave it to me, Master," Ah Fu replied confidently.


    The next morning.


    At the Qin Manor¡¯s training grounds, Qin Yun was practicing his swordsmanship. His movements were slow, yet his sword seemed to weave illusions, creating a mesmerizing dreamlike effect. Unlike Miss Chenshuang''s elegant fusion of swordsmanship and dance, Qin Yun''s mastery lay purely in the art of the sword, enchanting onlookers with a sense of wonder that transcended mere skill.


    "Done." Qin Yun sheathed his sword and headed off for breakfast.


    As he sipped a bowl of thick porridge, voices from outside caught his attention. Soon, his father Qin Lietu and elder brother Qin An entered.


    "Father, you''ve been away for two nights," Qin Yun remarked with a smile. "Come, have some porridge."


    Qin Lietu sat down and drank half a bowl in a few gulps before dismissing the servants. "Leave us."


    The maids bowed and exited, leaving only Qin Lietu and his two sons.


    "Big Brother, you brought your wife and children here?" Qin Yun asked, noticing them for the first time that morning.


    "How could I not? Even though you assured me the danger is gone, how could I risk my family''s safety?" Qin An replied. "Here, with you and Father, I feel much more secure."


    Qin Yun nodded. Understandable. Ordinary people cannot help but fear demons.


    Qin Lietu turned to Qin Yun. "Yun''er, your brother mentioned that on the night you returned, you secretly dealt with the threat. Was it the old demon Chu Yong?"


    "A cat demon had been hiding in my brother''s residence for half a year, acting under orders," Qin Yun explained. "She was following the commands of the demon leader Chu Yong. That night, I captured the cat demon and tracked down Chu Yong''s lair. Once he confessed to his plans, I wiped out the entire group, including Chu Yong."


    "So it really was you." Qin Lietu sighed in amazement. "When I saw the lair, I suspected it might be your doing. But I thought you were still too young to defeat such an old demon."


    "Father, you underestimate Second Brother," Qin An said with a grin.


    "Six years have passed, and Yun''er''s strength is greater than I imagined," Qin Lietu admitted with a laugh.


    "Chu Yong was indeed tough. His hide could withstand a barrage of arrows and even powerful crossbows," Qin Yun commented.


    "Yun''er, you''ve rid Guangling of a great scourge," Qin Lietu praised. "That demon caused so much harm. His lair even contained a pit of bones¡ªremnants of those he devoured."


    "Devoured people? A pit of bones?" Qin An was horrified.


    "Demons eating humans is not uncommon," Qin Yun replied calmly. "Just as humans eat livestock, some demons feed on humans. There are good demons too, but Chu Yong deserved death."


    "An''er, keep this matter to yourself," Qin Lietu instructed.


    "I understand," Qin An replied solemnly.


    Meanwhile, at the Governor¡¯s residence, the atmosphere was tense.


    A richly dressed man, the head of the prominent Liu family, waited nervously in the courtyard. Despite his status, he knew his family relied heavily on the Governor¡¯s favor.


    "Why has the Governor summoned me so suddenly?" he wondered, growing increasingly anxious.


    "Master Liu, the Governor will see you now," an old steward announced.


    The Liu family head followed him to a garden, where the Governor sat with a martial officer dressed in blue.


    "Greetings, Governor, Commander Fang," he said, bowing deeply.


    The Governor, dressed simply in gray, spoke casually. "Liu Clan, your family¡¯s annual tribute will be needed earlier this year¡ªwithin half a month."


    "Understood, Governor," the Liu family head replied promptly.


    "And I need ten thousand silver taels," the Governor added.


    Though surprised¡ªthis was more than the usual eight thousand taels¡ªhe dared not protest. "Rest assured, Governor. I will have it ready in time."


    The Governor nodded. "I heard your son, Liu Qi, offended the second son of the Qin family at Yan Feng House last night."


    "Yes, yes. I have already punished him severely," the Liu family head stammered.


    "You''re fortunate the Qin family¡¯s second son held back," the Governor remarked dismissively. "You may go."


    Relieved, the Liu family head bowed deeply and left, though questions swirled in his mind. Why is the Governor so concerned about that Qin family boy? Even if he''s opened the gate to immortality, he''s still no match for Commander Fang, a Xudan-level cultivator.

 Chapter 15: Records in the Dossier

    The gray-robed elder watched as Clan Leader Liu departed and remarked with a chuckle, ¡°Old Fang, that second son of the Qin family returned and immediately demonstrated his prowess by eliminating that old demon, Chu Yong. Quite impressive.¡±


    ¡°As expected of someone who spent three years cultivating at the northern frontier,¡± said Fang Tongling, the blue-robed commander, his tone uncharacteristically cautious. ¡°According to the imperial dossier, he has slain 261 demons, including three of innate-level strength.¡±


    ¡°He likely had assistance from other cultivators,¡± the gray-robed elder said with a smile. ¡°After all, he¡¯s only recently opened his immortal gate. Facing an innate-level demon one-on-one might still be beyond him.¡±


    Fang Tongling shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve been to the northern frontier. It¡¯s the bloodiest battleground between humanity and the demons. Cultivators rarely survive long in such harsh conditions, but he lasted three years and killed so many demons. Frankly, I¡¯m not confident I could defeat him in a direct confrontation.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± The gray-robed elder was taken aback. ¡°Old Fang, you¡¯ve reached the Innate Pseudo-Core stage!¡±


    ¡°And so?¡± Fang Tongling replied with a wry smile. ¡°For cultivators, the cultivation method matters greatly. Those who train in the sacred grounds of Daoism or Buddhism receive the very best inheritances. Even a mere junior at the tenth or eleventh stage of Qi Refinement from such a place could easily suppress senior practitioners like us from smaller sects.¡±


    ¡°Top-tier inheritances provide incredibly strong foundations. Opening the immortal gate is extremely difficult, but once achieved, the resulting true essence is exceptionally pure. Take us, for instance¡ªwe¡¯ve reached the Innate Pseudo-Core stage, but the purity of our true essence might only match that of a junior at the tenth stage of Qi Refinement from one of those sacred grounds.¡±


    The gray-robed elder nodded. ¡°I understand disciples from Daoist or Buddhist sacred grounds are extraordinary, but is the second son of the Qin family truly at that level?¡±


    ¡°At thirteen, he reached the ninth stage of Qi Refinement but didn¡¯t join any nearby sects. Instead, he left home to travel the world, clearly aiming for greater ambitions,¡± Fang Tongling explained. ¡°If he managed to survive three years at the northern frontier, even if he hasn¡¯t joined one of Daoism¡¯s three great sacred grounds, he¡¯s likely part of another top-tier sect. And he¡¯s no novice¡ªhe¡¯s a veteran of countless battles, having slain over 200 demons on the battlefield.¡±


    ¡°Anyone facing such an opponent would tread carefully,¡± Fang Tongling concluded with a sigh.


    The gray-robed elder nodded thoughtfully before smiling. ¡°Then I have even more reason to ask for his assistance. With my niece and the second son of the Qin family involved, success seems assured.¡±


    ¡°Lord Governor,¡± Fang Tongling said with a serious tone, ¡°allow me to remind you: whether it¡¯s Daoism¡¯s three great sacred grounds or other top-tier sects, they treasure their disciples immensely. Cultivators with the talent and determination to open the immortal gate before the age of twenty are rare, even among these sacred grounds. The effort and resources invested in them are substantial. If anyone dares harm such a disciple, they may face the wrath of their elders.¡±


    ¡°I only seek his help, not to oppose him,¡± the gray-robed elder replied with a laugh.


    Elsewhere, at the Qin residence.


    It was a pleasant spring day, with sunlight filtering through the trees.


    Qin Yun lay on a reclining chair, basking in the warm rays. The sun¡¯s warmth made him feel utterly relaxed.


    ¡°Second Young Master, Second Young Master,¡± a servant approached, bowing. ¡°A man outside claims to be delivering a letter on behalf of his master, Yu Bai.¡±


    ¡°Yu Bai? One of Jiangnan¡¯s Four Great Scholars?¡± Qin Yun thought for a moment. ¡°Let him in.¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Soon after, a young man nervously stepped forward, holding a letter with both hands. ¡°My master, Yu Bai, has sent this invitation to you, Sir.¡±


    A servant took the letter and handed it to Qin Yun.


    ¡°Such fine handwriting,¡± Qin Yun remarked as he opened it. ¡°Yun Tower?¡±


    He smiled and said, ¡°Tell your master I will attend as scheduled.¡±


    At Yun Tower.


    Yun Tower was the most famous restaurant in Guangling County, an eight-story structure that was rare for its height. Visitors often came just to enjoy the panoramic view from the top floors. The sixth floor welcomed casual diners, while the seventh floor had six private rooms for smaller parties. However, the eighth floor was reserved as a single luxurious private room, offering a breathtaking view of Guangling County¡ªand at a steep price of dozens of silver taels for a meal.


    Today, Yu Bai, one of Jiangnan¡¯s Four Great Scholars, waited anxiously on the eighth floor.


    ¡°Master, the cultivator has arrived,¡± said a guard.


    ¡°Where is he?¡± Yu Bai asked, scanning the area.


    ¡°There,¡± the guard said, pointing to a figure in the distance.


    Yu Bai squinted and saw a nobleman riding a horse leisurely toward the tower, his figure partially obscured by willow branches.


    ¡°Still quite far. How can you see so clearly?¡± Yu Bai asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m at the eighth stage of Qi Refinement, so my eyesight is better than most,¡± the guard replied smugly.


    By the time Qin Yun arrived, Yu Bai had already finished an entire pot of tea. It wasn¡¯t just because Guangling County was vast¡ªQin Yun¡¯s leisurely pace on horseback had also delayed him.


    When he finally reached the eighth floor, Yu Bai was already waiting at the door.


    ¡°Master Qin,¡± Yu Bai greeted with a bow.


    Qin Yun smiled casually. ¡°Yu Bai, the great scholar of Guangling¡¯s March scenery! If you¡¯ve come all this way, you should explore more. On my ride here, I saw willows swaying like poetry in motion. Even after all these years, March in Guangling remains my favorite time of year.¡±


    They entered the private room and took their seats.


    ¡°I must agree. Guangling has beautiful scenery and even more beautiful people,¡± Yu Bai said with a smile. ¡°Today, Yun Tower has a rare delicacy: a 20-pound silver-whiskered fish from the Lanyang River, caught just this morning. It¡¯s a rare treat that I¡¯ve prepared for you.¡±


    ¡°A 20-pound silver-whiskered fish? That¡¯s a first for me. I¡¯ve only ever had one that was 12 pounds at most,¡± Qin Yun said. ¡°Looks like I¡¯m in for a feast.¡±


    As dish after dish was served, Qin Yun ate heartily, polishing off most of the meal without any sign of being full.


    ¡°Well, that was excellent,¡± Qin Yun said with a satisfied sigh. Then, glancing at Yu Bai with a knowing smile, he added, ¡°Now that I¡¯m full, it¡¯s time to leave.¡±


    ¡°Please wait, Master Qin,¡± Yu Bai said hurriedly.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Qin Yun leaned back in his chair. ¡°Yu Bai, you must have a reason for inviting me here. What is it?¡±


    Yu Bai sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve spent forty years living recklessly, but recently, some of my old friends have begun passing away. It¡¯s made me realize how close death is.¡±


    Qin Yun listened quietly. For ordinary people, life after forty often became fraught with decline. A serious illness could easily claim their lives, and living to seventy was considered exceptional.


    ¡°I have three children. My daughter is already married, and my eldest son has barely managed to pass the imperial exam, though his talent pales compared to mine. My youngest son, only nine years old, is at the fourth stage of Qi Refinement,¡± Yu Bai explained. ¡°I fear that after my death, neither of them will be able to preserve our family¡¯s legacy. My eldest is hopeless, but I hope to send my youngest to a cultivation sect. Even if he can¡¯t open the immortal gate, reaching the eighth or ninth stage of Qi Refinement would be enough to secure our family¡¯s future.¡±


    ¡°However, entering a sect is no easy task.¡±


    Yu Bai looked at Qin Yun pleadingly. ¡°As a cultivator, you must know many others in the same field. Could you help me get my son into a sect?¡±


    Qin Yun chuckled. ¡°Do you know how many people dream of joining a sect? These cultivation sects are far from welcoming. Most second- or third-tier sects barely have a handful of members. Do you know why?¡±


    Yu Bai listened attentively.


    ¡°Because we cultivators seek personal freedom and longevity¡ªnot to train disciples. Even mundane affairs are bothersome to us, let alone the burden of teaching. Training a disciple takes immense effort, often with no guarantee of success.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, cultivation requires resources¡ªlaw, wealth, companions, and a place to practice. While sects may provide techniques, the financial cost is staggering. Even a small sect like the Qishan Sect has only three members, including its leader.¡±


    ¡°To get your son into a sect, you have two options,¡± Qin Yun continued. ¡°One, your son must possess extraordinary talent, such as reaching the ninth stage of Qi Refinement by age twelve or thirteen. In that case, a sect would accept him without hesitation. Two, you offer 100,000 silver taels. That would likely open some doors.¡±


    Yu Bai sighed deeply. ¡°I¡¯ve earned my wealth through my reputation, not through business. Even if I sold everything, I¡¯d only have 20,000 or 30,000 taels.¡±


    Qin Yun shook his head. ¡°


    Then forget about it.¡±


    ¡°Master Qin, please help me. Name your price, and I¡¯ll do whatever it takes,¡± Yu Bai pleaded.


    ¡°Everything in life is about fairness,¡± Qin Yun replied. ¡°You want my help¡ªwhat can you offer me in return?¡±

 Chapter 16: Rising Fame

    Yu Bai looked at Qin Yun solemnly and said, ¡°A little silver, Brother Qin Yun, is beneath your notice. All I have are my talents, and that¡¯s what I can offer. I¡¯ve heard that Miss Chen Shuang shares a special bond with you, so I am willing to spare no effort in helping her.¡±


    Qin Yun casually poured himself a drink, then asked, ¡°Can you make her famous throughout the world?¡±


    Yu Bai shook his head, ¡°I can¡¯t achieve that, but making her famous throughout Jiangzhou is within my capabilities.¡±


    Qin Yun asked again, ¡°Can you make her the top courtesan in Guangling County in this year¡¯s competition?¡±


    Yu Bai sighed, ¡°It¡¯s too soon. The competition for the title of ¡®Top Courtesan¡¯ is to be decided in just one month. Building a reputation takes time to ferment. Plus, there are forces behind the scenes manipulating the selection. What I can promise is that Miss Chen Shuang will certainly make it into the top ten this year, and the top three is within reach. By next year, she will be the most famous courtesan in all of Guangling County!¡±


    ¡°And I will make her reputation spread through my writing, relying on my talent to bring her name to the public.¡± Yu Bai continued, ¡°Only with genuine fame will it last. Those who become top courtesans through manipulation will only make others feel the process is unfair.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded. ¡°How exactly do you plan to make her famous throughout Jiangzhou? Tell me more.¡±


    Yu Bai¡¯s eyes lit up, clearly pleased by the opportunity.


    ¡°This world of pleasure and flowers¡ªI¡¯ve spent half my life here and know its inner workings better than anyone.¡± Yu Bai immediately began to explain his plan.


    Qin Yun listened intently, his eyes gradually lighting up.


    ¡°Looks like you¡¯re really pulling all the stops for your son to enter a cultivation sect,¡± Qin Yun remarked with a smile after hearing the plan.


    Yu Bai smiled faintly. ¡°If not now, when? While I still have the strength, I must pave the way for them.¡±


    ¡°Alright, you help Miss Chen Shuang, and I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded. ¡°Prepare the necessary writing materials.¡±


    Yu Bai was overjoyed.


    Soon, Qin Yun wrote a letter.


    ¡°Send your son to the ¡®Dongshan Temple¡¯ in Nanjing County, Jiangzhou. Have him take my letter to meet with Daoist Jinguang.¡± Qin Yun said. ¡°Remember to bring one thousand taels of silver as a gift for the master. When Daoist Jinguang sees the letter, he¡¯ll understand.¡±


    ¡°Good, good!¡± Yu Bai said, clearly excited. ¡°One thousand taels won¡¯t be enough; I¡¯ll bring five thousand taels.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s up to you,¡± Qin Yun said.


    Dongshan Temple was located on a small island in the East Sea, the only sect in Nanjing County with a large influence.


    In fact, as long as one joined a cultivation sect and obtained the identity of a disciple, it was enough to protect one¡¯s family.


    ¡°Remember what you¡¯ve said,¡± Qin Yun warned.


    ¡°I¡¯ll head to Yan Feng Tower tonight,¡± Yu Bai said, filled with newfound determination.


    Qin Yun nodded. He felt pity for Miss Chen Shuang, and guilt too. He had not been there when she needed him most, leaving her to fall into hardship. He would try to make amends, as much as he could.


    That evening, Yu Bai, the great talent, went to Yan Feng Tower. After watching Miss ¡®Chen Shuang¡¯ perform her sword dance, he was so moved that, in front of his friends, he immediately composed the poem Chen Shuang Fu and then sought to meet her in person.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    This news quickly caught the attention of the famous courtesans in Guangling County.


    ¡°What? Yu Bai went to meet Chen Shuang? After watching her sword dance, he wrote a poem Chen Shuang Fu?¡±


    ¡°How lucky is she, this Chen Shuang?¡±


    The courtesans were all envious and jealous.


    Meanwhile, in Ru Meng Pavilion, the brothel was owned by the famous courtesan ¡®Ru Meng.¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯ve asked Yu Bai to meet me several times, but he always avoids me. Now, he¡¯s gone to see that young girl.¡± Ru Meng Pavilion¡¯s owner, a striking woman of thirty-five, lay on a couch, her pale skin and alluring eyes still exuding the charm of youth thanks to her cultivation. Though some had criticized her victory as unfair in the flower competition, she knew her strength would have secured her a place in the top five anyway. It was just that with the fame of ¡°Xiang Yi¡± and ¡°Qing Qiu Xian Zi¡± overshadowing her, her victory appeared unjust.


    ¡°Madam, here¡¯s Chen Shuang Fu that Master Yu Bai wrote. I¡¯ve had it copied and delivered to us.¡± A servant respectfully presented the manuscript.


    The owner of Ru Meng Pavilion casually took the manuscript and unfurled it.


    The handwriting was neat, but the prose seemed a bit stiff. However, upon reading it, her face changed.


    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t it mention me? Why is it about her?!¡± Ru Meng''s slender hands gripped the paper, her knuckles turning white, as blue veins popped on her wrists. ¡°Could it be that this is really about that little girl, Chen Shuang?¡±


    Ru Meng was skilled in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. While she couldn¡¯t write the best prose herself, she could tell that this was a work of master-level talent. She could hardly believe it.


    ¡°This must have been written with real emotions, only then could such a masterpiece come to be,¡± she murmured. ¡°Could it be that Chen Shuang really touched his heart?¡±


    A well-crafted poem could easily become famous.


    Even with the status of Jiangnan¡¯s four great scholars, very few of their poems and songs had gained widespread fame. Truly great works of art were often created in a moment of inspiration, while forced ones were usually quite mediocre.


    ¡°Second Master, Second Master! I¡¯ve been waiting outside Yan Feng Tower, and here is Chen Shuang Fu, written by Master Yu Bai. I bought it as soon as I got my hands on it and rushed back to you.¡± A servant quickly handed Qin Yun the poem.


    Qin Yun took it, unfolding it under the soft, warm light.


    ¡°What a great piece of writing, what excellent talent,¡± he said with a smile.


    He clearly remembered the plan that Yu Bai had described earlier. This poem wasn¡¯t just written now; it was a work Yu Bai had composed three years ago, inspired by a woman he once pined for, who eventually married another man. Yu Bai had written this poem in his unrequited love, which truly captured his emotions and was undoubtedly one of his finest works. However, after reading it three times, Qin Yun tore it up¡ªif it were to circulate, it would only bring trouble to the woman who had married someone else.


    Now, for the sake of his son, Yu Bai was truly going all out.


    He took that poem, made a few minor adjustments, and thus Chen Shuang Fu was born.


    Fearing it might leak, Yu Bai never even told Qin Yun about it. He had waited until it was written at Yan Feng Tower to reveal it.


    Qin Yun was only just learning of it.


    ¡°This is only the first poem, but there will be three more in the coming year,¡± Qin Yun said with anticipation. ¡°These were prepared by Yu Bai long ago.¡±


    Not only were there prose and poetry, but there would also be ¡®stories.¡¯


    Yu Bai would pretend to be in unrequited love with Miss Chen Shuang. The poem Chen Shuang Fu, combined with three more poems to be released over the next year, would convey his longing and deep emotions.


    ¡°From now on, whenever Yu Bai is mentioned, so too will Miss Chen Shuang. One poem Chen Shuang Fu and three more poems, and after a year of public circulation, her fame will certainly spread throughout Jiangzhou,¡± Qin Yun thought to himself. ¡°This great talent, Yu Bai, is using his own fame to build Chen Shuang¡¯s.¡±


    Day by day.


    As Chen Shuang Fu spread, Miss Chen Shuang¡¯s fame grew. The courtesans of Guangling County were envious and amazed. The poem described her so perfectly¡ªalmost like a celestial being descended from the heavens. The price to meet her continued to rise, and within just a few days, it had reached fifty taels of silver! Still, many wealthy young men and noble families fought to meet her.


    Even the son of the County Magistrate had come to visit, further increasing Chen Shuang¡¯s popularity.


    ¡°Little Shuang, what are you thinking about?¡± Aunt Xue asked with a smile.


    Miss Chen Shuang sat before her desk, absentmindedly writing. ¡°The past half month has felt like a dream,¡± she said quietly.


    ¡°Yes, it feels like a dream. First, Master Yu Bai pursued you, and then Chen Shuang Fu made your name soar. Now, even the County Magistrate¡¯s son and other influential figures are coming to see you,¡± Aunt Xue said.


    ¡°Someone is helping me,¡± Chen Shuang replied.


    Aunt Xue was taken aback. ¡°Helping you?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Chen Shuang nodded. ¡°Mr. Yu Bai hinted that he was doing this on someone else¡¯s behalf.¡±


    Aunt Xue was surprised. ¡°On someone else¡¯s behalf? Who has such power? Could it be Qin Yun? Or perhaps the County Magistrate¡¯s son or some other powerful figure?¡±


    Miss Chen Shuang said nothing, only continuing to write.

 Chapter 17: The Visit of the County Magistrate

    The spring sunlight was just right.


    Qin Yun lay back in his chair, sipping tea.


    "Xiao Shuang''s fame has been rising rapidly; she has made it into the top ten for the upcoming flower competition. In seven days, she will join the other nine famous courtesans on a painted boat for the final competition," Qin Yun said, shaking his head slightly. "But her fame hasn''t had enough time to spread; the true followers may still not compare to Qingqiu Xianzi and Xiangyi Girl. Getting into the top three will be difficult, let alone becoming the Flower Queen."


    The real competition for the title of Flower Queen would take place seven days later.


    At that time, the ten courtesans would board a painted boat to display their talents and vie for the title, each using their own methods to stand out. The crowds of onlookers would be enormous, and the top three would be determined by the end of the day, with the Flower Queen crowned. This would be a grand event for the entire Guangling County!


    "The star-patterned steel I acquired last time has been refined, and the materials I originally brought will only last a few more days," Qin Yun thought. "It seems I¡¯ll need to make a large purchase to continue cultivating my life-bound flying sword. I cannot afford to stop. Once my life-bound flying sword is forged, my strength will increase greatly."


    "Hmm?"


    A deep tremor rumbled from the ground, something most people would not feel, but with Qin Yun¡¯s sharp senses, his expression changed slightly. "So many people are coming to the Qin residence?"


    On the street.


    "It''s the County Magistrate!"


    "Quick, get out of the way, get out of the way!"


    "Move farther away."


    Whether commoners, thugs, wealthy merchants, or the children of noble families, everyone quickly moved aside, not daring to offend.


    In Guangling County, the County Magistrate was a figure of absolute power¡ªan unquestioned ruler, akin to a local emperor!


    A luxurious carriage, drawn by two fine steeds, slowly advanced, surrounded by a large group of armored guards. Each guard exuded immense authority. Even a powerful demon like the old monster Chu Yong would think twice before daring to collide with the County Magistrate''s personal guard¡ªdoing so would result in utter annihilation!


    "Where is the County Magistrate going?"


    "The only notable place nearby is the Qin residence, but the County Magistrate has never been there before, has he?"


    "You don¡¯t know? The second son of the Qin family, Qin Yun, is a legendary figure. The County Magistrate must be coming for him."


    "Even if you¡¯ve entered the Immortal Gate, so what? The County Magistrate governs millions of people and has no time to be frivolous with just any cultivator."


    People murmured in low voices.


    ...


    At the Qin residence.


    Qin Liehu, his wife, Chang Lan, the eldest son, Qin An, and the second son, Qin Yun, were already waiting.


    Lady Chang Lan asked, puzzled, "Liehu, we¡¯ve been in Guangling County for many years now, but the County Magistrate has never come to our home. Even if he wanted to see you, he would just send someone to summon you. Why would he come personally?"


    Qin Liehu lowered his voice, replying, "I don¡¯t think he''s here to see me. It¡¯s likely to see our son."


    "See Yun¡¯er?" Lady Chang Lan was taken aback. "He just returned. Why would the County Magistrate come to see him?"


    Qin Liehu said, "How would I know? But Yun¡¯er is only twenty-one, and has only recently entered the path of cultivation. There¡¯s no reason for such an important figure like the County Magistrate to pay him special attention. But since he has come, it¡¯s likely he wants something. Yun¡¯er, if he asks anything of you, it¡¯s probably not a small matter. You must be cautious."


    "Understood, Father," Qin Yun nodded.


    Qin Liehu gave a slight nod.


    In his heart, his son¡¯s safety was always the most important.


    Qin Yun looked off into the distance. He could immediately tell that the luxurious carriage was no ordinary vehicle; the carriage itself emitted a strange glow, likely impervious to even strong bows and crossbows. Next to the carriage stood five individuals: an elderly man, a woman, and three others, all mounted on horses, with an extraordinary presence. Surrounding them were over a hundred personal guards, each emanating an impressive aura.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    "County Magistrate¡¯s personal guard," Qin Yun thought to himself. "It¡¯s said that half of the greatest experts in Guangling County are in the County Magistrate¡¯s service. Though that might be an exaggeration, it¡¯s not far from the truth. If I were to face the personal guard, I would have no choice but to run for my life."


    "Clop, clop, clop~~~"


    The carriage came to a halt.


    A middle-aged man dismounted first, followed by an elderly person whom he helped down carefully.


    "Qin Liehu pays his respects to the County Magistrate," Qin Liehu immediately bowed respectfully. His wife and two sons also bowed, with Qin Yun standing slightly behind, following suit.


    The hundreds of people around them stood in complete silence.


    The elderly man was clearly of advanced age, with gray hair and cloudy eyes. He looked at Qin Liehu and smiled, saying, "No need for such formalities. Today, I¡¯ve come to visit the great hero and noble of Guangling County." His gaze shifted to Qin Yun, and he smiled again.


    "Great hero and noble?" Qin Liehu was puzzled. His son was a cultivator, but that didn¡¯t make him a hero or a noble, did it?


    "County Magistrate, please come in," Qin Liehu said, not having time to think further. He immediately led the way.


    The group entered the residence.


    They arrived at the main hall.


    The elderly County Magistrate sat at the head of the table, with Qin Liehu and Qin Yun seated at one side. The other two middle-aged men sat on the opposite side.


    "Let me introduce," the County Magistrate said, pointing to the man nearest him in a green robe. "This is Brother Fang, who has temporarily taken up the position of commander of my personal guard."


    "Commander Fang."


    Qin Liehu and Qin Yun immediately cupped their hands in respect.


    Qin Liehu added, "Yun¡¯er, Commander Fang is the greatest expert in Guangling County, and also a cultivator in the Innate Void Dan realm."


    "In front of Qin Yun, I¡¯m not really much of an expert," Commander Fang said with a smile.


    "I¡¯ve heard of two senior cultivators in the Innate Void Dan realm in Guangling County. One is Commander Fang, and the other is Master Mei Xia," Qin Yun said with a smile. "Commander Fang is stationed here to ensure the safety of the region, and I have great respect for him."


    There were only two cultivators in the Innate Void Dan realm in Guangling County, and one of them served as the commander of the County Magistrate¡¯s personal guard! Across the land, nearly every county¡¯s personal guard commander was an expert in the Innate Void Dan realm, showing how much the imperial court valued the position of "County Magistrate."


    After all, the imperial court was also concerned that the "County Magistrate" might be ambushed by demons.


    Thus, the military power under the County Magistrate¡¯s command ranked first in the region¡ªhis forces numbered in the thousands and were well-equipped with powerful weapons. Second were the elite personal guards, only 600 in number, but each was an expert in their own right, with the commander being a master in the Innate Void Dan realm. Third came the constables from the Six Doors, who maintained order in the city.


    "You''re too modest," Commander Fang said with a smile. "I¡¯m nothing compared to Qin Yun here, who truly ensures the safety of so many lives."


    "Both of you are being humble," the County Magistrate said, pointing to the scholarly middle-aged man sitting next to Commander Fang. "This is my son, Wen Chong."


    They exchanged pleasantries.


    Wen Chong immediately said, "Ever since I heard about Brother Qin Yun, I¡¯ve wanted to visit. I¡¯m glad I finally have the chance. Brother Qin, may I ask what the ''demon plague'' at the northern frontier is like? I¡¯ve heard it¡¯s truly terrifying?"


    "The northern frontier?" Qin Liehu was surprised.


    "Has Qin Liehu not heard?" The County Magistrate laughed.


    Qin Liehu looked to his son for an answer.


    Qin Yun sighed inwardly.


    He hadn¡¯t wanted to worry his parents, so he had kept quiet about it.


    Wen Chong immediately added, "It¡¯s my fault for asking."


    "Eventually, I¡¯ll have to tell them," Qin Yun shook his head and said. "When I traveled the world, I reached the northern frontier to see the legendary front lines against the demon plague. But after seeing the horrors caused by the demons, I was enraged and joined the military. I stayed for three years."


    "Three years?" Qin Liehu was shocked. "You stayed at the northern frontier for three years?"


    "That place is brutal. Every day, there are many casualties, and the demons are constantly dying as well," the County Magistrate said. "To stay there for three years is no small feat. Truly impressive."


    Commander Fang added, "According to the imperial records, Qin Yun here has killed many demons."


    "It was the military''s work," Qin Yun shook his head. "It was a coordinated effort. It wasn''t just me."


    "To kill so many and survive is


    no small achievement," Commander Fang said.


    Qin Yun was taken aback, then nodded slightly. "Yes, surviving wasn¡¯t easy."


    The friends who had joined him, whether to hone their skills, accumulate merit, or out of anger, had all come from all corners of the world to the northern frontier to fight the demon plague.


    In those three years, over half of them died in battle. Many others were heavily injured. Only two or three out of every ten managed to leave unscathed, and he had stayed the longest. Because of a promise, he stayed for three years before leaving!


    Scenes from those days flashed in his mind.


    The smiling faces.


    The madness in life and death.


    The heroic figures singing as they faced death.


    "Cultivators, seclusion is cultivation, the mundane world is cultivation, and the army is also cultivation," Qin Yun said softly.


    "Haha, Qin Gongzi is right, cultivation can be found everywhere. I came here today to meet a true hero like Qin Gongzi, and also to ask for a favor," the County Magistrate said with a smile.


    "Here it comes," Qin Liehu thought anxiously.


    "County Magistrate, please speak," Qin Yun said calmly.


    The County Magistrate smiled. "On the highest mountain in Guangling County, Mount Cangya, deep within the mountain, there is a spiritual fruit that will ripen in a little over a month. I would like to ask Qin Gongzi to retrieve the fruit for me when it ripens. Of course, you won¡¯t go alone; there will be two others accompanying you. And I won¡¯t let you leave empty-handed."


    Wen Chong immediately took out a thick stack of silver notes from his chest and placed them on the tea table beside Qin Yun. Qin Yun glanced at them; the top note was for a thousand taels.


    "Altogether, it¡¯s one hundred thousand taels," Wen Chong smiled.


    Qin Liehu gasped in shock.


    One hundred thousand taels?

 Chapter 18: The Spiritual Fruit

    One hundred thousand taels of silver was an eye-popping sum. The Liu family, one of the three major families in Guangling County, would only be able to scrape together twenty to thirty thousand taels even if they drained their entire fortune! Despite their vast influence, much of the money they earned was paid to the County Magistrate. The Magistrate himself also had many expenses, and giving out one hundred thousand taels would cause him some pain. But this time, even though it was difficult, he was willing to part with it.


    "No wonder the County Magistrate would be willing to spend such a large sum," Qin Liehu said with a worried expression. "This mission must be extremely dangerous."


    "One hundred thousand taels, such a huge sum." Qin Yun, however, remained calm and smiled. "May I ask, Magistrate, what is the spiritual fruit that you want me to retrieve?"


    The elderly County Magistrate hesitated before glancing at Qin Liehu. "Lord Qin, please, do not let this information spread."


    "Naturally, naturally," Qin Liehu quickly agreed.


    "The Thousand-Year Ice Jade Fruit," the County Magistrate whispered.


    Qin Yun¡¯s expression subtly changed.


    The Ice Jade Fruit tree was as clear as ice and sculpted in appearance. It bore fruit once every century, with only one fruit per cycle. The fruit was usually green, but turned red only when it matured. The maturation period lasted just an hour, after which the tree withered, and the fruit would fall to the ground. If it touched the soil, the flesh of the fruit would dissolve, leaving only the seed behind.


    The seed would then sprout anew after a hundred years, and the cycle would repeat. After a thousand years, the fruit would finally be worthy of the name "Thousand-Year Ice Jade Fruit." When ripe, it emitted a purple glow and was a rare treasure of heaven and earth, incredibly mystical.


    It was most often used for alchemy, though it could also be consumed directly. Eating one would have miraculous effects. For someone in their thirties or forties, who might have no hope of entering the immortal realm, eating a Thousand-Year Ice Jade Fruit would completely rejuvenate the body and give them a chance to open the Immortal Gate. For older individuals, it could extend their life by twenty years.


    Longevity!


    How many people yearn for it? The closer one gets to death, the stronger the desire to live. A fruit that could extend life by twenty years would drive many to madness.


    Money has a price, but life has no price.


    "No wonder the Magistrate is willing to part with one hundred thousand taels," Qin Yun said thoughtfully. "But Mount Cangya, the highest peak in Guangling County, is filled with countless demons. Retrieving this fruit will be extremely difficult."


    "There are also two others who will accompany you, and they are not ordinary people," the County Magistrate continued. "One is from Guangling County and commands a demon beast that follows his every command. This beast is more powerful than even the old demon Chu Yong. As for the other, she is my niece, and her strength is likely comparable to yours, Young Master Qin."


    "Oh?" Qin Yun was taken aback.


    As a local official, the County Magistrate would have access to information about others, but to claim that a mere niece could rival his strength?


    "Your niece? Has she entered the Innate Realm?" Qin Yun asked.


    "Not quite the Innate Realm," the County Magistrate replied with a smile. "You three are not in the Innate Realm because, if you were, your presence would have a distinct aura that would alert the demons. If they sensed Innate experts coming to steal the fruit, they might destroy it rather than let it fall into your hands."


    "You are all in the acquired realm, which is why the demons will underestimate you. I need you to take advantage of their misjudgment and seize the fruit," the County Magistrate explained.


    Qin Yun was curious.


    A woman who hadn¡¯t even reached the Innate Realm, yet the County Magistrate seemed confident that she was his match in strength? She must be from one of the top sects, possibly a disciple of a Taoist or Buddhist holy land.


    "Mount Cangya is filled with demons, and we¡¯ll be deep in their lairs. Too many variables are involved. One hundred thousand taels of silver?" Qin Yun shook his head lightly. "I¡¯m not interested."


    "Please feel free to state any conditions you may have," the County Magistrate said.


    "I do not require the silver notes," Qin Yun replied. "What I need is ''Cold Essence Liquid''¡ªten jin (about 5 kg) of it."


    Cold Essence Liquid was essential for Qin Yun.


    His life-bound flying sword was currently being refined with common materials, and its progress was slow. If he had ten jin of Cold Essence Liquid, his sword could be completed within a month! Unfortunately, Cold Essence Liquid was rare and generally only available in the top sects or powerful factions. As a wandering cultivator, Qin Yun had never been able to gather any.Stolen story; please report.


    The County Magistrate furrowed his brow. "Cold Essence Liquid is rare. It can only be found deep beneath the North Sea. Ten jin is not expensive, but gathering that much is troublesome. It should be ready within a month, at the latest, two months."


    Qin Yun''s eyes brightened. "That will do. The fruit will not be ripe until a little over a month from now, so if you can provide me with some Cold Essence Liquid before we depart for Mount Cangya, I will be satisfied."


    "We will provide you with whatever we have at the time," the County Magistrate said. "Are we agreed?"


    "I agree to go," Qin Yun said with a nod.


    He felt quite pleased.


    Just as the star-patterned steel had shortened the time required to refine his life-bound flying sword, Cold Essence Liquid would enhance the sword''s foundation and accelerate the refining process, potentially finishing in a month.


    "This County Magistrate is indeed no simple figure," Qin Yun thought to himself. "He must have connections with top-tier cultivation sects or holy lands. Cold Essence Liquid is difficult to obtain, but he can manage it. His network is extraordinary."


    "Ha ha..." The County Magistrate laughed heartily. "Young Master Qin is indeed a straightforward person."


    Qin Liehu, however, felt helpless. He exchanged a look with his son, who had already agreed.


    "Brother Qin Yun, my father was worried you wouldn''t agree," Wen Chong remarked with a smile. "By the way, I heard you and Miss Chen Shuang from Yan Feng Lou are quite close?"


    "Chen Shuang and I grew up together," Qin Yun replied simply.


    The County Magistrate looked up and asked, "Is she the same Chen Shuang from the ''Chen Shuang Fu'' written by the talented Yu Bai?"


    "Yes, that''s the one," Wen Chong smiled. "Today is the first time I¡¯ve met Brother Qin Yun, and I have a gift for you."


    "Oh?" Qin Yun was curious.


    "In seven days, the flower competition in Guangling County will take place. I plan to give the Flower Queen title to your sister. How does that sound?" Wen Chong said, laughing.


    Qin Yun was stunned.


    The County Magistrate nodded approvingly. "Hmm, Wen Chong, it¡¯s just the Flower Queen. You can arrange it now."


    The Flower Queen?


    For the County Magistrate, it was hardly a big deal.


    "I¡¯ll handle it right away. Half an hour is all I need," Wen Chong said, grinning, and immediately left.


    As a cultivator, Qin Yun understood that the Flower Queen title, especially in a county like this, was more of a fun diversion for the powerful and influential figures, rather than a significant achievement. The County Magistrate¡¯s proactive offer to help was no doubt a sign that Qin Yun''s participation in the mission to Mount Cangya was critical¡ªthis was a life-and-death venture, and the Magistrate wanted to ensure Qin Yun''s full commitment.


    "Thank you, Magistrate," Qin Yun said with a smile.


    "It¡¯s a small matter," the elderly County Magistrate replied with a grin. "I only want you to remember this favor."


    In the Dreamlike Pavilion.


    Inside the fragrant curtains, a soft, delicate body was leaning against a man¡¯s chest.


    "I never expected that the flower competition would have a contender like Chen Shuang," the Mistress of the Pavilion sighed with some regret. "If I don¡¯t make it into the top three in seven days, I won¡¯t be able to face anyone. I might as well throw myself into the Flower Yang River."


    "Don¡¯t worry, don¡¯t worry, Ru Meng. While the Flower Queen title is uncertain, I¡¯ve told you before, I guarantee you¡¯ll make it into the top three," the man said, gently caressing her smooth skin.


    Ru Meng raised her head. "Wang Lang, don¡¯t let me have false hopes."


    The man smiled. "How could I bear to see you upset?"


    For some reason, even though Ru Meng was a little older, her beauty and skin were as youthful as a young maiden, and her charm was captivating. The man found himself irresistibly drawn to her.


    "Master, Master! The County Magistrate requests your presence!" A voice urgently called from outside.


    "The County Magistrate?" The man shuddered in surprise.


    "The County Magistrate wants to see you, Wang Lang? You should hurry," Ru Meng urged.


    "I¡¯m going now."


    The man quickly dressed and rushed out.


    Ru Meng sat up, wrapping herself in a thin blanket, and moved to the vanity. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled softly. "A little girl trying to compete with me? She¡¯s still too young!"


    Within half an hour, the three¡ªtwo men and a woman¡ªwere all brought to Qin Yun¡¯s residence.


    "Greetings, Magistrate," they said respectfully, bowing before standing to one side, filled with curiosity.


    Wen Chong smiled and said, "Brother Qin Yun, how does one choose the Flower Queen? They judge based on looks, talent, and charm... But in the end, the Flower Queen Association, composed of one hundred people, makes the final decision. These people are either famous figures in Guangling County, members of prominent families, respected scholars, or wealthy clients who frequent the brothels. Their decision is supposed to be fair."


    "But in reality, some of these scholars and famous people have their own agendas. Some of the wealthy merchants and patrons also exert influence."


    "These three," Wen Chong introduced, "Yu Niang, who manages five brothels in Guangling County, including Yan Feng Lou. Many scholars are supported by her."


    The woman gave Qin Yun a slight smile.


    "Wang Shilang, the deputy president of our Guangling County Chamber of Commerce. Many of the wealthy merchants and patrons in the Flower Queen Association listen to his advice," Wen Chong added.


    The man, Wang Shilang, immediately flashed a friendly smile at Qin Yun.


    "And this is Young Master Hong," Wen Chong continued. "The Hong family is the most powerful in Guangling County, and their influence is enormous. Many people in the Flower Queen Association don¡¯t dare to ignore the Hong family¡¯s wishes."


    "Greetings, Young Master Qin," Young Master Hong said with a smile. "I¡¯ve heard of your actions¡ªhow you made Liu Qi fall on his face just for a lady¡¯s honor."


    "These three have enough power to sway the Flower Queen Association," Wen Chong explained. "If they all agree on a candidate, that person will definitely become the Flower Queen. My father has high hopes for Miss Chen Shuang. What do you all think?"


    Yu Niang responded first. "Chen Shuang is already famous, and I¡¯ve supported her from the beginning. I¡¯m confident she¡¯ll win the Flower Queen title this year."


    Young Master Hong nodded in agreement. "She¡¯s unparalleled in both sword dancing and playing the pipa. If she¡¯s not the Flower Queen, then who is?"


    "Yes, yes," Wang Shilang added. "Even the talented Yu Bai wrote the ''Chen Shuang Fu'' about her. Of course, she deserves to be the Flower Queen. If she doesn¡¯t win, I¡¯ll be the first to protest."


    "Ha ha..." Wen Chong chuckled. "Brother Qin Yun, you see? It¡¯s all settled! Miss Chen Shuang is the Flower Queen this year."


    Qin Yun watched all this unfold.


    No matter how the other courtesans competed in seven days, today, the Flower Queen title was already decided.

 Chapter 19: The Flower Queen

    Yu Niang, Wang Shilang, and Young Master Hong quickly left Qin''s residence and made their way out of the house.


    "This Qin Er Gongzi, who is he? Isn''t he just a cultivator who has just opened the Immortal Gate? Why does Lord Magistrate treat him with such respect?" Wang Shilang muttered quietly.


    "No matter who he is, we can''t afford to offend him," Yu Niang replied.


    Young Master Hong spoke up, "Don¡¯t think too much. Since the Magistrate has made up his mind, we should just do our part."


    "Of course," both Wang Shilang and Yu Niang nodded in agreement.


    Lord Magistrate could easily crush them if he wished. They certainly wouldn''t dare to disobey.


    In the Dreamlike Pavilion.


    "Has Wang Lang returned?" the Mistress of the Pavilion asked, greeting him warmly with a cup of tea. "Here, drink some tea and quench your thirst."


    Wang Shilang sat down and drank the tea in one go, then said, "Ru Meng, forget about being in the top three for the Flower Queen selection!"


    "Why? What¡¯s happened?" the Mistress of the Pavilion, known as Ru Meng, asked, a bit confused. "Didn''t we discuss this before?"


    "Qingqiu and Xiangyi are definitely in the top three; otherwise, people will say the Flower Queen selection was unfair," Wang Shilang said. Ru Meng nodded in agreement.


    "But there¡¯s one more spot, isn''t there?" she asked.


    "That last spot belongs to Chen Shuang!" Wang Shilang replied.


    "What?!" Ru Meng was shocked. "That little girl? Isn¡¯t she the one Yu Bai fawned over and wrote a poem about?"


    "Her fame now rivals yours," Wang Shilang said. "In fact, in a few months, Qingqiu and Xiangyi might not even be able to surpass her, considering how well that poem was written."


    "So what if her fame is bigger than mine? It¡¯s still the Flower Queen Association that decides," Ru Meng said. "Wang Lang, even if you help me, can I still not make the top three?"


    "I can help you, but she has people helping her too," Wang Shilang replied.


    "Who?" Ru Meng asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "Qin Yun, the second son of the Qin family," Wang Shilang said.


    "I¡¯ve heard he¡¯s a cultivator, but can he really influence the Flower Queen contest?" Ru Meng asked, pressing on.


    "He¡¯s a guest of the Magistrate, and the Magistrate wants to establish a good relationship with him. It¡¯s already settled that this year''s Flower Queen will be Chen Shuang," Wang Shilang said. "If you want to survive, don¡¯t cause any trouble."


    "The Magistrate?" Ru Meng¡¯s face turned pale.


    "Anyway, I just wanted to remind you to stay composed during the Flower Queen selection," Wang Shilang said with a smile. "I couldn¡¯t secure your position this time, Ru Meng, but I will make it up to you later. I have other matters to attend to, so I¡¯ll be leaving now."


    With that, he stood up and left.


    "I¡¯ll see you out," Ru Meng said as she rose and accompanied him to the door.


    After seeing him off, she returned to her room, her steps a little unsteady.


    "Unfair, it¡¯s so unfair..." Ru Meng muttered to herself. She had forgotten that, at one point, her fame had been even less than Chen Shuang¡¯s, and she was older now. She had used all sorts of underhanded tactics to claim the title of Flower Queen. Many people had whispered that her victory had been unfair.


    "Qin Yun, the second son of the Qin family?" Ru Meng realized the situation and sighed. No matter what, she would have to bear it.


    Days passed by.


    The day of the Flower Queen selection was drawing near.


    With the help of Magistrate¡¯s son Wen Chong, "Chen Shuang Fu" spread quickly. It became common to hear it recited in taverns along the roads. People listened to the descriptions in the poem and imagined what kind of fairy-like figure Chen Shuang must be to captivate one of Jiangnan¡¯s Four Talented Scholars, Yu Bai. Chen Shuang¡¯s fame soared, quickly catching up to Qingqiu and Xiangyi.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Finally, the day of the Flower Queen contest arrived.


    The banks of Huayang River were already crowded with people. Some of the upstairs rooms of taverns had been reserved by wealthy merchants, packed with guests.


    "Qin Yun, please." Wen Chong invited Qin Yun into a tavern, where the second floor had been entirely booked for three people: Wen Chong, Young Master Hong, and Qin Yun.


    After they sat down, serving maids brought them tea.


    Through the balcony, they could easily see a large, decorated boat on the river. The famous courtesans were not yet visible, but vague shapes could be made out inside.


    "Flower Queen day is always the most lively," Young Master Hong said with a smile. "Countless common folk come to catch a glimpse of the famous courtesans."


    "Ordinary people can¡¯t afford to go to the brothels, but they certainly can''t miss Flower Queen day," Wen Chong added.


    Qin Yun watched the crowds of young people gathered along the riverbank, their cheers filling the air.


    "Qingqiu Fairy!"


    "Xiangyi!"


    "Chen Shuang!"


    The cheers were deafening.


    Qin Yun envied the joy and excitement of the common folk. As a cultivator who had traveled the world, he had seen too much ugliness in human nature and death on the northern borders. Compared to the courtesans, the excitement and joy of the people affected him more.


    "With so many people here, shouldn''t we be more careful?" Qin Yun asked. "If demons attack, there will be many casualties."


    "Don¡¯t worry," Wen Chong reassured him. "The Flower Queen contest is a major event in Guangling County. The area is heavily guarded. My father has stationed a large force around here. The gates at both ends of the Huayang River are also reinforced to prevent any water demons from attacking. As for the rest? If demons really want to cause trouble, we can¡¯t stop them. Many have hidden in the city for years, and we can¡¯t keep an eye on everything. But if they dare to show themselves, they will all die."


    "That''s right," Young Master Hong chimed in. "We have a large force here, with powerful weapons. If demons dare to come, they won¡¯t leave alive."


    Qin Yun nodded.


    In Guangling County, the city and county were relatively safe, thanks to the deterrence of military power. Demons dared not openly challenge the authorities.


    As for the areas outside the city? The government had set up inspection offices, but demons still roamed freely. Life outside the city was much harder. Qin Yun himself had grown up in a rural village before the age of eight, experiencing the harshness of life.


    "Boom¡ª"


    The cheering outside suddenly swelled, as though a tidal wave had crashed.


    Thousands of common folk cheered with excitement.


    From the large decorated boat on the river, a group of famous courtesans emerged, stepping onto the top deck. The boat was three stories high, and the top deck was completely open, allowing the people on the riverbanks to see clearly.


    "They¡¯re out!" Young Master Hong laughed.


    Ten courtesans appeared, all with beautiful figures and enchanting manners. To the common folk, each one looked like a celestial being. Many young men blushed and cheered loudly.


    Qin Yun, seated in the tavern, could clearly see the courtesans¡¯ every move from above. "No wonder many wealthy patrons are willing to spend fortunes. Even young people are willing to pour all their money into the hands of these courtesans."


    Some young men pursued courtesans to the point of spending all their wealth.


    When they had money, the brothel would welcome them; when they had none, they would be kicked out.


    At a simple house near Huayang River, five men were gathered together. They could hear the uproar from the riverbank, the cheers like a thunderstorm.


    "The famous courtesans should be out now," one of the men, a chubby fellow, said with a grin. "You three should head out now."


    "Remember, once the Flower Queen is chosen and the human crowd is most excited, that¡¯s when you strike," another man, with a rat-like face, instructed. "All the courtesans, including the Flower Queen, kill them all. Once you¡¯re done, go on and kill as many humans as you can."


    "Yes."


    "We¡¯ve been waiting for this."


    The three men¡¯s eyes burned with enthusiasm.


    "Go ahead," the rat-faced man waved his hand. "Remember, strike when the Flower Queen is chosen."


    The three men nodded, then turned and left the house.


    Watching them leave, the chubby man muttered in shock, "Where did these idiots come from? On Flower Queen day, the humans have many guards and weapons in place. Even the leaders won¡¯t survive if they show their faces. These three idiots, are they not afraid of death?"


    "Those three? They¡¯re demon servants," the rat-faced man sneered. "They were small demons who angered the Water God and were turned into demon servants. They don¡¯t fear death at all. They follow the Water God¡¯s orders without question. The Water God sent them here to cause a massacre during the Flower Queen selection..."


    The chubby man trembled. "Not afraid of death? How is that possible? These small demons who became demon servants... don¡¯t they remember their past lives?"


    The rat-faced man


    whispered, "They don¡¯t remember."


    "They don¡¯t remember their past lives, so it¡¯s like they¡¯re dead?" the chubby man¡¯s heart trembled. As a demon, he was naturally afraid of death.


    "This is the punishment for angering the Water God," the rat-faced man said, his voice tinged with fear. "Most demons in Guangling County are under the Water God¡¯s command. The Water God is terrifying."


    "Don¡¯t forget the big picture," the rat-faced man reminded him. "Make sure you have your human subordinates watching closely. Record everything about these demon servants when they act recklessly, and I¡¯ll report it back to the Water God."


    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve arranged for several subordinates to be watching," the chubby man said quickly.


    Demons were terrifying, and many humans, either through fear or temptation, obediently followed their commands.


    "This is going to be a slaughter," the rat-faced man grinned. "I¡¯m off now." With that, he grabbed the ground with both hands and instantly burrowed underground, disappearing from sight.


    The chubby man kicked at the dirt, then quickly left the area, heading far away from the scene.

 Chapter 20: Offending the Water God

    In Guangling County, with a population of several hundred thousand, tens of thousands gathered to watch the selection of the top courtesan. The banks of the Huayang River, from south to north, were packed with people.


    The painted boat sailed slowly from south to north. Upon reaching the northern end, the boat would turn and move closer to the opposite bank, traveling from north to south, allowing the people on the shore to clearly see the famous courtesans on board. As the boat passed a location, the people there became excited and eagerly looked up at the ten fairy-like figures on the top deck.


    The famous courtesans occasionally danced gracefully, played the zither, or the guzheng...


    When the boat approached a location near Qin Yun, it just so happened that Miss Chenshuang began her sword dance, though it was unclear whether it was a coincidence or a deliberate arrangement.


    "Miss Chenshuang¡¯s sword dance truly resembles a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world. With every swing of her sword, the heavens and earth grow cold with light," someone in the crowd on the shore praised. The onlookers were spellbound, their eyes full of admiration.


    "Compared to the sword dance..." In the restaurant, Wen Chong sighed, "I prefer Miss Chenshuang¡¯s pipa playing. I used to love the flute music of the Qingqiu Immortal, thinking it distant and tranquil, as if it could take one away from the mortal world. But after hearing Miss Chenshuang play the pipa, I realize that the other famous courtesans didn¡¯t play the pipa well enough. Miss Chenshuang¡¯s pipa... It¡¯s as if it tells a story of love, hatred, entanglement, and longing¡ªimpossible to sever, like a heart in turmoil. It¡¯s the most chaotic thing, yet also the most captivating. It¡¯s like that unforgettable smile, where even the coldest of hearts can soften. The Qingqiu Immortal¡¯s flute takes you far from the mortal world, but Miss Chenshuang¡¯s pipa makes you lost in it, unwilling to wake up."


    Wen Chong looked at Qin Yun and said, "Qin Yun, I¡¯m not flattering her, this is from the heart. I truly admire her. Recently, I¡¯ve been visiting Miss Chenshuang almost every day, asking her to play a tune for me."


    "Brother Wen, how come I didn¡¯t notice?" Young Master Hong asked, puzzled. "I feel like the flute music of the Qingqiu Immortal attracts me more."


    "That¡¯s because you¡¯re still young. When you reach my age, you¡¯ll appreciate Miss Chenshuang¡¯s pipa," Wen Chong said.


    "I also like Miss Chenshuang, but I admire her sword dance. There¡¯s a spirit about her that other women don¡¯t have, and yet there¡¯s a softness to it. It really tugs at my heart," Young Master Hong said.


    Qin Yun smiled. "Previously, she wasn¡¯t well-known, so there were few who liked her. Now that her reputation has spread, many people have started to follow her."


    "She truly is wonderful," Wen Chong continued. "I¡¯ve heard pipa masters play before, and it had an ethereal quality. But Miss Chenshuang¡¯s pipa, though not at the master level, is so filled with emotions¡ªlove, hatred, and everything in between. It¡¯s as if steel can turn soft under her touch."


    "Is it really that good? I¡¯ll have to listen carefully later," Young Master Hong remarked.


    "To be honest, I haven¡¯t heard Little Shuang play the pipa in a long time. The last time was six years ago," Qin Yun added. "She played for me when I was leaving my hometown to travel the world. Back then, she was only thirteen and still rather inexperienced. But even then, it moved me deeply."


    At the banks of the Huayang River, amidst the sea of people, a woman in a pale blue robe appeared from the distance, walking leisurely. Even though she was in the rear of the crowd, people who saw her quickly forgot her appearance, unaware that something was amiss.


    "Guangling in March is truly enchanting. The scenery is lovely, and the courtesans¡¯ skills are extraordinary," the woman in the pale blue robe smiled as she admired the view ahead. Though at the back of the crowd, she could still clearly see every courtesan on the boat, including the graceful dance of the fragrant-clad lady.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "The scenery is beautiful, the people are lovely, but unfortunately, the Water God has caused trouble in Guangling for over two hundred years."


    The woman in the pale blue robe shook her head gently. "Once my master arrives, with his help, it will be the end of this great monster."


    Though she spoke quietly, no one around her heard a word.


    As time passed, it was finally time to announce the winner of the flower selection.


    A woman on the bow of the boat, who had once been a famous courtesan herself, spoke gently, "The top three are... Qingqiu Immortal, Fragrant-Clad Lady, and Miss Chenshuang."


    As soon as the names were announced, cheers erupted from the crowd.


    The other seven courtesans on the top deck, though a little disheartened, maintained their composure and walked down the stairs into the cabin. Only the top three¡ªQingqiu Immortal, Fragrant-Clad Lady, and Miss Chenshuang¡ªremained.


    "The top three."


    Miss Chenshuang stood with her pipa in hand, looking at the cheers from the masses, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. "I really made it to the top three."


    Hearing the cheers, she realized that her fame had now rivaled that of Qingqiu Immortal and Fragrant-Clad Lady. However, her experience was still limited, and she had never been sure she would make it to the top three. Now that it had happened, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a rush of emotion.


    The three courtesans stood there¡ªQingqiu Immortal holding her flute with one hand, Miss Chenshuang with her pipa, and Fragrant-Clad Lady standing delicately, exuding her own charm.


    "Our Guangling County''s Flower Queen this year is... Yanfeng Tower¡¯s Miss Chenshuang!" The voice from the bow of the boat echoed across the riverbanks.


    "Chenshuang!"


    "Chenshuang!"


    "Miss Chenshuang!"


    The cheers soared to the heavens.


    Miss Chenshuang, still holding her pipa, felt her head spin and her scalp tingle. "I? I¡¯ve won the title of Flower Queen?"


    The joy was overwhelming and came too suddenly!


    At that moment, Miss Chenshuang looked around. She desperately wanted to see the one person she cared about most¡ªher Yun Gege. But with the crowd so dense, she couldn¡¯t spot him anywhere.


    The banks of Huayang River were crowded for miles. When the name of the Flower Queen was announced, the cheers reached their peak. Yet, no one noticed... among the crowded people at the bank closest to the large painted boat, there were three unremarkable men.


    These three men, upon hearing the announcement of the Flower Queen, exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.


    "Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"


    The three figures shot out like arrows, instantly scattering the crowd. Many people were thrown into the air by the impact, and a dozen or so were sent flying, blood spraying through the air.


    The three figures transformed in mid-air. One of them grew a vicious dog head, a wild dog demon, brandishing a large blade as it leapt through the air toward the painted boat. Another became a mighty wolf demon, swinging its claws and slicing through the air, even swatting a common person into pieces mid-flight. The last one grew to an enormous size, around ten feet tall, a massive and imposing rhinoceros demon. This demon was so large that normal weapons couldn¡¯t be carried by him, but his fists alone could crush anything.


    The three demons suddenly broke out, leaping toward the painted boat only seven or eight meters away.


    The scene stunned everyone.


    "You have angered the Water God, and now you shall all die!" The rhinoceros demon let out a deafening roar, shaking the ground and causing the river to tremble. The nearby civilians covered their ears in pain, while Miss Chenshuang, Qingqiu Immortal, and Fragrant-Clad Lady on the painted boat also staggered, covering their ears in disorientation.


    "What? Three demons?"


    "The Water God sent demons?"


    Even the nearby guards were shocked. Although they had always prepared for such crowds during the flower selection, demons had not dared to attack in recent years. It had been too long since they¡¯d dared to appear.


    Because once they attacked, the monsters would undoubtedly die.


    At the tavern, Qin Yun had been watching the Flower Queen selection, smiling at the announcement of the winner, when his face suddenly changed. He saw the three demons charging through the crowd.


    "Demons!"


    Qin Yun¡¯s true essence surged, flowing into the talismans tied to his legs¡ªhis most expensive talismans¡ªSwift Travel Talismans! Ordinary talismans were one-time use only, like those for curing sickness, but talismans that could be used repeatedly were precious, and the Swift Travel Talisman was a low-tier talisman in the cultivation world. Despite being basic, it was extremely valuable because it could be used multiple times over a long period!


    This was also why Qin Yun had survived on the northern border battlefield for three years¡ªSwift Travel Talismans. They didn¡¯t have many other uses, but one thing they excelled at: speed!


    "Whoosh"


    Qin Yun disappeared in an instant, shooting out of the tavern and across the surface of the river like a flash of light, heading toward the painted boat at an extraordinary speed!


    His speed was unimaginable!


    However, the three demons were already too close to the boat, only seven or eight meters away. With one leap, they would be upon it. By the time Qin Yun noticed and acted, they would already be on the boat. And he was still over seventy or eighty meters away!


    "This is bad!" Qin Yun¡¯s heart raced with anxiety, but he could do nothing but watch as the situation unfolded.

 Chapter 21: Thunderbolt from the Palm

    At this moment, the three women on the top deck of the pleasure boat¡ªMiss Chen Shuang, Fairy Qingqiu, and Miss Xiang Yi¡ªwere shaken by a furious roar that left their ears ringing and their heads spinning. They could barely stay on their feet and were unsteady as they stood. They also saw the grotesque and ferocious three-headed monster charging toward them.


    ¡°Demons! Three demons!¡± The three women shivered, their legs turning weak from fear.


    Suddenly, a streak of light shot across the surface of the lake from afar. Miss Chen Shuang spotted it. Although the figure was blurry, she recognized it instantly.


    ¡°Brother Yun!¡± Miss Chen Shuang felt her heart leap as she sensed that Brother Yun was racing toward them desperately. But the demons were too close.


    ¡°There¡¯s no time!¡± Qin Yun¡¯s heart was filled with anxiety and grief.


    This wasn¡¯t the first time he had encountered such a situation.


    On the battlefield along the northern border, he had watched comrades who had shared life and death with him fall into desperate situations. Helpless, he could only stand by and witness their deaths, unable to save them.


    ¡°Xiao Shuang¡­¡± Qin Yun clenched his fists. He couldn¡¯t bear to see Xiao Shuang meet the same fate as those lost brothers.


    At that very moment, a woman in a pale green robe, standing amidst the crowd on the riverbank, furrowed her brows slightly. ¡°Demons?¡± A glint of sharpness flashed in her eyes. She stepped lightly over the crowd, and as she rose into the air, she extended her left hand. Her fingers were slender and fair, but her palm suddenly crackled with streaks of electricity, appearing out of thin air.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Thunder roared as the lightning in her palm split into three streaks, shooting toward the three demons at lightning speed.


    The dog demon wielding a large blade let out a miserable scream. Its body convulsed in midair before falling powerlessly to the ground. Under Qin Yun¡¯s Dharma Eyes, the demon¡¯s aura dispersed entirely, signaling its death.


    The wolf demon, struck by lightning, had its robes torn to shreds and its fur singed black. It fell into the river but remained alive, as its demonic aura persisted.


    The most massive of the three, the rhino demon, was struck by the lightning as well. Though its thick black hide crackled with residual sparks, it merely staggered and fell onto the water¡¯s surface before regaining its footing and charging toward the pleasure boat once more. Under Qin Yun¡¯s Dharma Eyes, it was clear that the rhino demon possessed the strongest demonic aura, and the lightning had only minimally affected it.


    Even so, Qin Yun felt a surge of relief.


    The rhino demon¡¯s fall and subsequent recovery had bought him some time.


    ¡°Palm Thunder?¡± Qin Yun silently expressed his gratitude and glanced toward the riverbank.


    There, a woman in a pale green robe stood on the railing, her robe fluttering in the wind.


    ¡°She¡¯s stunning.¡±


    Even Qin Yun, who had traveled extensively and met many people, was momentarily awestruck. This woman in green was among the top three most beautiful women he had ever seen. Coupled with the ethereal aura of a cultivator, she seemed to him the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Such a woman would undoubtedly attract a crowd wherever she went. However, as a cultivator, her presence seemed to elude the memories of ordinary people, who would perceive her as no different from a common woman.


    ¡°Thunder is the command of heaven and earth. Among the myriad Daoist arts, thunder magic reigns supreme. This female Daoist¡­ to wield Palm Thunder with such ease, splitting it into three strikes¡ªimpressive!¡± Qin Yun thought to himself.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Though his mind raced with thoughts, Qin Yun didn¡¯t slow down, rushing straight toward the pleasure boat.


    The Flower Queen Selection was a grand event in Guangling County, drawing massive crowds. The security was tight, with the pleasure boat hosting the ten most famous courtesans being the focal point. Naturally, court-appointed military experts were stationed to guard it.


    ¡°Demons sent by the Water God? Such audacity!¡±


    The corridors and decks on both sides of the pleasure boat were lined with skilled soldiers from the imperial army.


    If the demons had reached the pleasure boat unimpeded, it would have been troublesome. But with one demon dead, one injured, and the rhino demon momentarily delayed by the Palm Thunder, the soldiers were quick to mount a counterattack.


    ¡°Shoot!¡±


    Several of the soldiers armed themselves with crossbows¡ªthese were the imperial court¡¯s standard-issue Demon-Slaying Crossbows. Possessing one privately was a crime punishable by death.


    Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!


    Twelve crossbows fired simultaneously. Most of the bolts were aimed at the rhino demon, with a few targeting the injured wolf demon that had emerged from the water again.


    Thud, thud, thud¡­


    The wolf demon¡¯s body was pierced by three bolts, its aura dissipating as it fell back into the river, dead.


    The remaining bolts struck the rhino demon. The distance was short, and the Demon-Slaying Crossbows fired at an incredible speed. The rhino demon made no attempt to dodge¡ªor perhaps it simply didn¡¯t care.


    Thud, thud, thud¡­


    The bolts embedded themselves in the rhino demon¡¯s hide, but only managed to penetrate a finger¡¯s depth into its thick skin, drawing no blood. They were completely ineffective.


    ¡°What? It can resist the Demon-Slaying Crossbows? Why would such a powerful demon willingly throw its life away?¡± The soldiers were stunned. The Demon-Slaying Crossbows were lethal weapons, effective even against the lieutenants of the Water God¡¯s forces. Only a handful of demons under the Water God¡¯s command could withstand them. Why would such a formidable demon be sent on a suicide mission? Even if forced, such a demon would likely flee Guangling County rather than face certain death.


    After all, demons feared death as much as anyone else.


    ¡°Take this!¡± The leader of the soldiers on the pleasure boat pulled out a black crossbow¡ªan exceedingly rare Star-Chasing Crossbow, worth a hundred times more than a Demon-Slaying Crossbow. The bolt was inscribed with countless runes, and when the trigger was pulled, the runes activated, turning the bolt into a fiery meteor.


    The rhino demon only managed to twist its body slightly before the fiery meteor pierced its chest, leaving a gaping hole.


    ¡°Die!¡± The towering rhino demon, even with a hole in its chest, remained full of vitality as it charged onto the pleasure boat.


    ¡°It¡¯s here! That terrifying demon is on the boat!¡±


    Inside the cabins of the pleasure boat, servants and maids huddled together with fear-stricken faces. Among them were the other seven famous courtesans, including Mistress Rumeng. They had been too stunned to react initially but were now trembling in terror as the monstrous figure loomed closer.


    ¡°Am I going to die here?¡± Mistress Rumeng¡¯s heart was filled with dread.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to block it head-on!¡±


    ¡°Hold it off!¡± The soldiers were panicked. The rhino demon¡¯s resilience¡ªshrugging off Demon-Slaying Crossbows and surviving a direct hit from the Star-Chasing Crossbow¡ªleft even their most skilled fighter, a ninth-level Qi Refinement cultivator, feeling hopeless.


    From her vantage point on the riverbank railing, the woman in the pale green robe prepared to unleash another Palm Thunder. However, noticing Qin Yun¡¯s streaking figure, she hesitated and withdrew her hand. ¡°So fast. Did he use some kind of movement technique?¡± A cultivator who had opened their Daoist Gate wouldn¡¯t normally possess such speed before reaching the innate stage. It had to be a special technique.


    Qin Yun didn¡¯t understand such techniques, but he carried a Talisman of Swift Travel with him!


    ¡°Are we going to die here?¡± The soldiers on the pleasure boat were trembling. ¡°Why would such a powerful demon willingly sacrifice itself?¡±


    Perhaps this demon could kill everyone on the boat, but it wouldn¡¯t escape the massive reinforcements gathering around the area. Its death was certain. The soldiers couldn¡¯t fathom its motives.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to die! I don¡¯t want to die!¡± Mistress Rumeng was trembling, and the other courtesans were equally terrified.


    At that moment, Qin Yun arrived! From nearly a hundred feet away, his figure streaked toward the boat like a ray of light. The moment he landed on the deck, he unsheathed his sword.


    Swish¡ª


    A dazzling arc of sword light cut through the air, tracing a curved trajectory and slicing through the rhino demon¡¯s waist.


    The scene was one that the soldiers, the servants, the courtesans, and the onlookers on the riverbank would never forget for the rest of their lives. The sword light lingered in the air, leaving a shimmering trail that gradually faded.


    The rhino demon, which had been roaring and prepared to wreak havoc, suddenly froze. Its bull-like eyes widened in shock before its body split in two at the waist, and blood gushed forth.

 Chapter 22: Yi Xiao

    ¡°Whew.¡± Qin Yun stood on the deck of the pleasure boat. With a wave of his sleeve, his true essence swept out, flinging the bisected body of the rhino demon off the boat and into the river.


    The rhino demon¡¯s vitality was astonishing. Even after being cut in half and flung into the water, there was still a trace of life lingering in its body.


    "Those who anger the Water God deserve death!" The rhino demon roared furiously, even as its upper half was being hurled away. With its mouth wide open, a heart emerged directly from it. Unlike a normal demon''s heart, this one was covered in dense, sinister black runes.


    ¡°Not good.¡±


    Both Qin Yun and the light green-robed woman standing on the riverbank paled at the sight.


    The rhino demon¡¯s bloodshot eyes were filled with madness.


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    The heart with its black runes suddenly radiated a blinding light before erupting with a loud explosion. It disintegrated into countless black droplets that scattered in all directions.


    Qin Yun immediately raised his hand. ¡°Seal!¡±


    The sealing spell was instantly cast, enveloping the majority of the black droplets. However, with a sharp ¡°hiss,¡± the barrier of light created by the spell was penetrated, and some of the black liquid continued to splatter outward.


    Qin Yun stepped forward swiftly, his sword flashing in an arc. The sword light formed a protective screen, blocking the black liquid heading toward the pleasure boat. The sound of ¡°hiss, hiss, hiss¡± filled the air as the corrosive liquid eroded his sword light, but it held firm.


    ¡°Such a vicious poison,¡± Qin Yun thought with a jolt of alarm.


    The light green-robed woman also extended her left hand, emitting a soft green glow that enveloped the surrounding area. The black venom splashing toward her side of the riverbank was similarly blocked by the green light.


    However, on the opposite bank, a few droplets managed to bypass the barrier and landed on several people. Screams of agony erupted as their bodies were rapidly corroded, turning into puddles of thick fluid within moments. Witnessing this horrifying scene, the surrounding commoners turned pale with fear and backed away in panic.


    ¡°These demons¡­¡± Qin Yun recalled scenes from the northern border, his gaze growing more somber.


    ¡°Master Qin, thank you for saving our lives.¡±


    The group of soldiers aboard the pleasure boat heaved a sigh of relief and quickly bowed to express their gratitude.


    Footsteps echoed as Miss Chen Shuang hurriedly descended from the upper deck, her face filled with gratitude as she addressed Qin Yun. ¡°Brother Yun.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Master Qin.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for saving our lives, Master Qin,¡± said seven courtesans, emerging from the cabin to bow in thanks.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine now,¡± Qin Yun reassured them, glancing at Miss Chen Shuang and then at the others. ¡°But if you want to thank someone, you should thank another individual.¡± He thought to himself, Without the initial delay caused by her Palm Lightning, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to intervene in time.


    ¡°Move back, move back!¡±


    ¡°Everyone, step away!¡±


    The crowds that had gathered to watch the courtesan selection were now being shooed away by constables and soldiers. Earlier, the deafening roar of ¡°You¡¯ve angered the Water God, all of you shall die!¡± had sent waves of terror through the crowd. Although many fled in panic, the narrow streets and throngs of people made it difficult to escape quickly. Now, however, the urgency seemed to have subsided, as the three demons had been killed and the danger eliminated.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Did you hear? They said the Water God sent demons in a fit of rage.¡±


    ¡°So what? With so many experts around for the courtesan selection, the demons were just courting death.¡±


    ¡°Still, ten or twenty people lost their lives.¡±


    The commoners sighed and chatted amongst themselves. Yet they were far from panicking; in this era, tragedies far worse than this were all too common. Had this occurred outside the city, it wouldn¡¯t have been unusual at all.


    ¡°I saw lightning earlier¡ªthree strikes, each blasting those three demons.¡±


    ¡°Lightning? Where did it come from?¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t see clearly.¡±


    ¡°Look, that gentleman on the pleasure boat. He arrived in an instant from afar and killed that powerful demon with a single strike.¡±


    The crowd¡¯s discussions grew livelier. Although Qin Yun had been famous in Guangling County six years ago, time had changed him. With his growth in stature and appearance, only a few locals recognized him upon his return.


    On the riverbank, soldiers stood guard while commoners watched from a distance.


    The county magistrate¡¯s son, Wen Chong, stood nearby, visibly anxious as he observed the patches of corrosive sludge on the ground.


    ¡°Brother Qin, just a few drops of that venom turned them into sludge?¡± Wen Chong asked, his voice trembling. ¡°When did demons become this terrifying?¡±


    ¡°How many demons have you actually seen?¡± Qin Yun replied.


    ¡°Not many, but I¡¯ve heard plenty of stories,¡± Wen Chong admitted.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t have experts by your side, it¡¯s best to keep your distance from demons,¡± Qin Yun advised briefly before walking toward the now-retrieved demon corpses. The three demons had reverted to their true forms.


    The light green-robed woman stood by the corpses, using a branch to prod and examine them closely. Qin Yun approached and formally clasped his hands in salute. ¡°I am Qin Yun. Thank you for your assistance, fellow cultivator.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t helping you. I was saving innocent people,¡± the woman replied without lifting her head, focusing on her examination of the corpses.


    ¡°These are magic servants,¡± Qin Yun remarked.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    The woman finally looked up, astonishment flashing across her face. ¡°I¡¯ve read about them in ancient records and suspected as much, but this is my first time seeing them.¡±


    ¡°Magic servants are indeed rare. I¡¯ve only encountered them during my travels near the northern border,¡± Qin Yun explained.


    The woman nodded before realizing something. She quickly introduced herself, saying, ¡°My surname is Yi. Greetings, Brother Qin.¡±


    ¡°Miss Yi.¡± Qin Yun smiled.


    ¡°Brother Qin, you¡¯ve seen magic servants before?¡± she asked eagerly.


    Qin Yun nodded. ¡°I have.¡±


    ¡°Could you tell me more?¡± she pressed.


    Qin Yun glanced at the demon corpses and explained, ¡°As you know, cultivators and demons alike have techniques to refine their physical bodies. But in our normal practice, we are cautious, avoiding anything that could damage our bodies and halt our cultivation.¡±


    Miss Yi nodded.


    ¡°But magic servants are different. They¡¯re created by powerful demons who use extreme methods to forcibly enhance the bodies of lesser demons. Through poison, alchemical techniques, and other sinister means, they forge these servants,¡± Qin Yun said. ¡°Magic servants lack past memories, fear no death, and obey their masters completely.¡±


    ¡°They are also fearsome in battle,¡± Qin Yun continued. ¡°Since they do not fear death, they often resort to suicidal tactics. For instance, that rhino demon spat out its heart even though it knew it was doomed, just to kill as many people as possible.¡±


    Miss Yi nodded. ¡°Indeed. Normally, being cleaved in two would mean certain death, and an opponent might relax. But it still managed to launch a desperate counterattack.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the nature of magic servants,¡± Qin Yun said, his tone tinged with sorrow.


    The thought of magic servants brought back memories of the northern border¡ªmemories of comrades injured or killed by them.


    Suddenly, the ground quivered slightly.


    Qin Yun looked into the distance, where a group of mounted riders was approaching swiftly. Leading them was the county magistrate himself, accompanied by Commander Fang and over a hundred personal guards.


    The magistrate, an older man, dismounted and approached.


    ¡°Father,¡± Wen Chong greeted him eagerly.


    The magistrate nodded before glancing at the demon corpses. His gaze then shifted to the light green-robed woman. Hesitantly, he asked, ¡°Yi Xiao?¡±


    ¡°Uncle Wen,¡± the woman said, a faint smile gracing her lips.


    Qin Yun¡¯s eyes widened slightly.


    Yi Xiao?


    ¡°The last time I saw you, you were just a little girl. You¡¯ve grown up,¡± the magistrate said warmly. ¡°Let me introduce you to someone¡ªthis is the Qin Yun I mentioned in my letters.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve already met,¡± Yi Xiao said with a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯ve seen Master Qin¡¯s skill firsthand.¡±


    The magistrate turned to Qin Yun. ¡°Master Qin, as I mentioned before, one of our traveling companions is my niece here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve also witnessed Miss Yi¡¯s Palm Lightning technique,¡± Qin Yun replied with a smile.

 Chapter 23: No Room for Failure

    Qin Yun could see that splitting thunderbolts was only a glimpse of Miss Yi Xiao¡¯s power; her mastery of the Thunder Palm was clearly just the tip of the iceberg.


    "Strange," muttered the elderly governor as he examined the corpses of the three demons before him. His clouded eyes showed a trace of doubt. "The Flower Queen contest attracts large crowds, but we always deploy numerous experts to guard the area. Demons, being creatures who value their lives, wouldn¡¯t come just to throw them away. Why would these three dare to die here?"


    "Father, it¡¯s not just that," Wen Chong added. "That rhino demon was already sliced in half by Brother Qin Yun, yet it managed to spit out its heart, causing it to explode and splash venom everywhere. Just a few drops of the venom that landed on the riverbank turned several people into pools of pus." Wen Chong pointed to a distant puddle of sludge, avoiding getting too close. "Brother Qin Yun said these weren¡¯t ordinary demons¡ªthey were demonic servants."


    "Demonic servants?" The elderly governor¡¯s face tightened with shock. "Impossible. Our Guangling County hasn¡¯t seen a single demonic servant in hundreds of years."


    "Uncle Wen, they are indeed demonic servants," Yi Xiao affirmed from the side.


    "The Water God demon has plagued Guangling County for over two hundred years," Qin Yun said. "It¡¯s not surprising that he¡¯s learned the method to refine demonic servants after such a long time cultivating."


    The elderly governor frowned deeply. "If that¡¯s the case, this is troubling. In the past, demons, while ferocious, still feared death. If forced into a life-threatening situation, they¡¯d rather betray the Water God demon than die for him. But demonic servants are fearless. Things will become much more dangerous, and assassination attempts on me might increase."


    Wen Chong, the governor¡¯s son, visibly tensed.


    "And it¡¯s not just that," the governor continued gravely. "Since both of you¡ªQin Yun and Yi Xiao¡ªintervened today, the Water God might soon find out and seek revenge against you two."


    "I¡¯ve come here alone, and those demons can do nothing to me," Yi Xiao said with a faint smile.


    Qin Yun, however, furrowed his brow. "Governor, I¡¯m not worried about attacks while I¡¯m at home, but I¡¯m concerned about when I leave the house."


    "Then I¡¯ll arrange for twenty Demon-Slaying Crossbows and one Star-Chasing Crossbow to be sent to the Qin estate," the governor said after a moment of thought.


    "Thank you, Governor," Qin Yun said gratefully. His father, being a Silver Badge Constable, had already equipped the Qin estate with numerous guards and three Demon-Slaying Crossbows. Adding twenty more, along with the precious Star-Chasing Crossbow, significantly bolstered their defense. The Star-Chasing Crossbow was powerful enough to threaten experts of Qin Yun¡¯s level. Even a leader among demons like Chu Yong could be killed instantly if hit in a vital spot.


    As for Qin Yun himself, if over a hundred Star-Chasing Crossbows targeted him simultaneously, even he would have to flee for his life. However, a mere ten or so wouldn¡¯t trouble him much.


    Demonic servants? Qin Yun wasn¡¯t too worried.


    First, it was unlikely they would target him lightly.Second, refining demonic servants was no easy feat. It required sacrificing demons, costing their lives, which meant even the Water God would need a solid excuse to capture lesser demons for refinement. If he overdid it, the demons might rebel or flee. Moreover, the process was financially draining, comparable to refining pills or forging weapons. Most importantly, refining successful demonic servants was an arduous task¡ªfailures were far more common than successes. Given the Water God¡¯s inexperience, he might need ten demons to produce just one demonic servant.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    "The Water God must have sent these three newly refined demonic servants as a test to evaluate their power," Qin Yun speculated. "Their strength varies significantly. The weakest one couldn¡¯t even withstand a single split Thunder Palm before dying. The wolf demon was slightly stronger but still fell to the Demon-Slaying Crossbow. Only the rhino demon was formidable and even had a self-destructive technique."


    Qin Yun¡¯s expressed concerns were partly genuine but also aimed at securing more resources for the Qin estate.


    "Constable Qin has served Guangling County faithfully, and Young Master Qin has achieved great merit for the court. Providing additional crossbows is only right," the governor said with a smile.


    "Since Yi Xiao is here today, why don¡¯t you both visit my governor¡¯s residence?" the governor suggested. "I¡¯ll also summon a third companion who¡¯s been waiting in Guangling City. You three should meet and coordinate for better collaboration in the future."


    Qin Yun and Yi Xiao nodded in agreement.


    ¡­


    The elderly governor led Qin Yun, Yi Xiao, and their entourage back to the governor¡¯s residence. He then sent someone to invite the third companion, Jia Huairen.


    As soon as they returned, before the governor could settle into his study, Wen Chong hurried in.


    "Father! Father!" Wen Chong called urgently.


    "What¡¯s the matter? Why are you so flustered?" the governor asked, setting down his tea with a frown.


    "Senior Zhang just sent a letter," Wen Chong said. "He wrote that very few cultivators require Cold Essence Spirit Liquid, so the Lingbao Mountain sect has only a small stock. He says it¡¯s difficult to gather ten catties all at once and requests a six-month extension."


    Lingbao Mountain, one of the three great Daoist sanctuaries, was the oldest among them.


    "Here¡¯s the letter," Wen Chong said, handing it over.


    The governor quickly scanned its contents.


    "Impossible!" he roared, his previously calm face twisting in anger. "That old ghost Zhang has taken so many benefits from me. Now that I ask for something, he dares to delay! Lingbao Mountain is one of the three great sanctuaries; how could their stock of Cold Essence Spirit Liquid be so small? He¡¯s just too lazy to bother!"


    "You! Write to him immediately," the governor ordered Wen Chong. "Tell him he must deliver at least six catties within a month and the remaining four within two months. If he can¡¯t do it, he can forget about asking me for favors in the future! No, I¡¯ll write it myself."


    Wen Chong hesitated. "Father, is it wise to risk falling out with him?"


    "He¡¯s merely at the Xudan level of cultivation. Do you think I fear him?" the governor snapped, his eyes glinting with ferocity. "I¡¯ve tolerated him only because he¡¯s a disciple of Lingbao Mountain. But my lifespan is running out. I need that Millennium Ice Jade Fruit!"


    The governor¡¯s expression softened as he looked at his son. "Chong¡¯er, if I can extend my life by twenty years, I¡¯ll be able to rise further in rank, leaving behind a deeper legacy for our family and for you and your brothers."


    "I understand, Father," Wen Chong said solemnly.


    The governor¡¯s gaze turned cold. "Zhang will have to obey, or I¡¯ll make him pay back everything he¡¯s taken from me over the years!"


    Seated at his desk, the governor poured his anger into the letter, the words on the page practically blazing with fury.


    "Take this and send it immediately," he said, handing the letter to Wen Chong.


    Wen Chong glanced at it and nodded. "If Zhang doesn¡¯t want to break ties with you, he¡¯ll have no choice but to comply."


    "Our relationship has always been more to his benefit than mine," the governor said coolly. "Does he think the Wen family¡¯s resources come without a price?"


    "I¡¯ll send it right away," Wen Chong replied, hurrying off with the letter.


    The governor watched his son leave, his eyes sharp as blades. "This time, I will not fail to secure the Ice Jade Fruit!"


    The Millennium Ice Jade Fruit represented not only his twenty additional years of life but also the future of his lineage. For that, he was willing to crush anyone who stood in his way.

 Chapter 24: Jia Huairen’s Desires

    In a refined residence within Guangling County City, the third companion, Jia Huairen, was staying temporarily. The county magistrate had arranged for guards, servants, and several beauties to attend to him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t run, my beauty, I¡¯m going to catch you!¡±


    ¡°Young master, I¡¯m over here.¡±


    Several women were playing hide-and-seek in the courtyard, some crouching by the flower beds, others hiding behind the artificial rocks. Each one called out sweetly, ¡°Young master, young master¡­¡±


    A pale-faced young man, blindfolded, stumbled around with outstretched hands, saying, ¡°Here, here, I know it¡¯s... here! Haha, I¡¯ve got you!¡± He grabbed hold of a voluptuous woman, pulled off his blindfold, and looked at her with a grin. ¡°Ah, Xiaoye, the moment I held you, I knew it was you. Hehe, you¡¯ve lost! You know how to serve your young master now, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Young master, you¡¯re always bullying me,¡± the woman said coyly.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, I love ¡®bullying¡¯ you.¡± The young man chuckled and planted a kiss on her.


    ¡°Huairen.¡±


    A gentle voice called from outside, and a thin elderly man appeared at the entrance to the garden.


    ¡°Uncle Qian.¡± The other women quickly bowed respectfully and didn¡¯t dare to breathe too loudly.


    Still holding the beauty, the young man laughed, ¡°Uncle Qian, what brings you here?¡±


    The thin elder smiled and said, ¡°The county magistrate has summoned you. He says the other two companions have arrived, and he wants everyone to meet.¡±


    ¡°The county magistrate?¡± The young man was startled. He released the woman in his arms and ordered, ¡°All of you, leave now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, young master.¡± The group of women answered in unison and left immediately.


    Watching the women retreat, Jia Huairen chuckled and said, ¡°The county magistrate sure knows how to pick beauties to serve me. They¡¯re as good as, if not better than, my concubines. Truly, power has its perks.¡±


    ¡°Huairen, hurry up and prepare to leave,¡± urged the thin elder.


    ¡°I know, I know,¡± Jia Huairen replied as he turned and walked into a nearby room.


    The room was dimly lit.


    On an altar stood a curved blade, placed inside a circular basin filled with murky blood. The blood slowly seeped into the blade, causing intricate, blood-red patterns to appear on its surface.


    ¡°Come to me, my precious,¡± Jia Huairen said with a smile, forming a hand seal.


    The curved blade floated into the air, spinning before slotting itself into the sheath at his waist. He then took a lid from the side and covered the blood-filled basin.


    ¡°Huairen, relying on the power of magical tools is not the righteous path,¡± the thin elder frowned and advised. ¡°You should focus on cultivating Daoist techniques and studying talismans to strengthen your foundation. Only then will you have a chance at achieving the Innate Realm in the future.¡±


    ¡°I know, I know, Uncle Qian,¡± Jia Huairen said with a grin. ¡°Cultivation takes time. Many spend their whole lives failing to reach the Innate Realm. Some only manage it in their old age. I¡¯m just thirty-six¡ªstill young. While my spells and talismans progress, having a powerful magical tool is a big help.¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. The county magistrate is waiting,¡± Jia Huairen said. ¡°After we return from Cangya Mountain with the Hundred Poison Blood, my magical tool¡¯s power will increase even more.¡±


    The thin elder shook his head silently and followed Jia Huairen as they left the residence and headed toward the county magistrate¡¯s mansion.


    In a serene courtyard within the county magistrate¡¯s mansion, Qin Yun and Yi Xiao were seated at a stone table, chatting about cultivation.


    ¡°Brother Qin,¡± Yi Xiao said softly, changing the subject. ¡°There¡¯s something I need to remind you about.¡±


    ¡°Please, go ahead,¡± Qin Yun replied.


    ¡°This trip to Cangya Mountain, where we¡¯re helping Lord Wen obtain the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit,¡± Yi Xiao said, ¡°is for his own use. He¡¯s running out of time and needs the fruit to extend his life.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded slightly.


    ¡°You understand what I mean,¡± Yi Xiao continued. ¡°Lord Wen¡¯s life depends on this. If we fail to retrieve the fruit, even though he wouldn¡¯t dare harm you out of fear of offending a sect disciple, he might still take it out on your family. Life in Guangling might become difficult for the Qin family.¡±


    Qin Yun considered her words.


    A sect disciple?


    Many assumed he was a disciple of a great sect due to his mastery of sword techniques. True Sword Immortal legacies were among the rarest and most prestigious, typically found only in top-tier sects like the ancient Daoist holy land Lingbao Mountain or the Sword Pavilion of Shu Prefecture, known as the premier sword sect.


    As a self-taught Sword Immortal, Qin Yun was a rare anomaly. Others¡¯ speculation about his origins as a sect disciple worked in his favor, granting him certain protections and benefits¡ªsuch as deterring the county magistrate this time.


    ¡°When I first met Lord Wen, I noticed his dwindling lifespan,¡± Qin Yun said. ¡°I guessed that he wanted the fruit for life extension. It¡¯s not an easy task to refuse, especially without offending him.¡±


    Yi Xiao nodded in agreement.


    ¡°So, I made sure to ask for appropriate compensation before setting out for Cangya Mountain,¡± Qin Yun said. ¡°Having agreed, I¡¯ll do my best to see it through.¡±


    ¡°Lord Wen once saved my father¡¯s life,¡± Yi Xiao said, shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯m doing this to repay that debt. It¡¯s a risky endeavor¡ªsuccess is good, but failure could sour the relationship.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll need your help at that time,¡± Qin Yun said.


    ¡°This mission will rely on you and me,¡± Yi Xiao said. ¡°The third companion isn¡¯t very strong. Only his demon servant might be of some use.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded, already aware of this.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡± Laughter rang out as Young Master Wen Chong walked in, accompanied by a pale-faced youth and the thin elder.


    ¡°Our third companion for the Cangya Mountain expedition is here,¡± Wen Chong said, laughing.


    Jia Huairen entered and immediately spotted Yi Xiao, his eyes lighting up.


    What a stunning beauty!


    For Qin Yun, Yi Xiao was one of the three most beautiful women he had ever seen. With her ethereal aura as a cultivator, she was undoubtedly extraordinary. To Jia Huairen, who had little exposure to truly refined women, Yi Xiao¡¯s beauty was overwhelming¡ªespecially given his lascivious nature.


    ¡°A beauty, a rare beauty!¡± Jia Huairen¡¯s heart raced, though he wore an even brighter smile.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you cultivators to discuss,¡± Wen Chong said, laughing as he excused himself.


    ¡°Fellow Daoists,¡± Jia Huairen said, stepping forward with a grin. ¡°I¡¯m Jia Huairen. I look forward to working together on this expedition to Cangya Mountain.¡±


    ¡°Please have a seat, Daoist Jia,¡± Qin Yun said. ¡°And this is¡­?¡±


    The thin elder bowed. ¡°I¡¯m just a minor demon named Qian Bao, serving my young master.¡±


    ¡°Qian Bao?¡± Yi Xiao¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile.


    Even Qin Yun couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. Qian Bao sounded almost identical to ¡°wallet.¡±


    ¡°This name was given by my father,¡± Jia Huairen said with a smile.


    ¡°Please have a seat, Mr. Qian,¡± Yi Xiao said. ¡°Your assistance will be valuable.¡±


    ¡°Such a pleasant voice,¡± Jia Huairen thought, captivated.


    ¡°It¡¯s my honor to be of service,¡± the thin elder replied humbly, taking a low-profile seat.


    Jia Huairen quickly spoke up. ¡°Everyone, this mission to Cangya Mountain is fraught with danger. The mountain is filled with demons, and we¡¯ll need to work closely together to retrieve the spirit fruit. It¡¯s important for us to understand each other¡¯s strengths to cooperate effectively. May I ask the name and specialty of this fair Daoist lady?¡±


    Yi Xiao frowned slightly but answered, ¡°My surname is Yi. I specialize in Thunder Techniques, specifically the Five Elements Thunder Technique.¡±


    ¡°The Five Elements Thunder Technique?¡± Qin Yun was taken aback.


    This was a top-tier thunder method. The interwoven powers of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth made it exceptionally powerful. It was also the foundation of the world-renowned Divine Firmament Thunder Technique.


    Jia Huairen trembled internally, exclaiming silently, ¡°The Five Elements Thunder Technique? A disciple of a top-tier sect, perhaps even from a Daoist holy land! If I could make her my Daoist partner, reaching the Innate Realm might actually be within my grasp!¡±


    Between her beauty and her distinguished background, Jia Huairen¡¯s desires only burned brighter.

 Chapter 25: The Monster Servant, "Uncle Qian"

    "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¡ªrecently, 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¡ªor 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¡ªrefusing 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¡ªeven 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¡ªnone 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¡ªmonster-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¡ªone 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¡ªwell, fair competition is only natural."


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

 Chapter 26: Cold Essence Elixir

    As the days passed, the time to leave for Cangya Mountain drew closer.


    Qin Residence.


    In the study, Qin Yun sat at his desk, practicing calligraphy. Each stroke he made carried the strength of iron and the elegance of silver, exuding the sharpness of a sword and the softness of a willow in the spring breeze. His handwriting was exceptional, comparable to that of a master calligrapher.


    In his childhood, he practiced writing while learning characters, copying numerous calligraphy models but achieving little success. However, after reaching the "Flawless Realm" in his sword practice, where he could perfectly control every strand of his strength¡ªeven every strand of hair¡ªhis writing became aesthetically pleasing. Yet, it lacked soul.


    It wasn¡¯t until he comprehended the "Rainy Mist Sword Intent" that his calligraphy transcended. The sword intent naturally infused itself into his writing, elevating it and granting it spirit, earning him the title of a true calligraphy master.


    Practicing calligraphy had become another form of sword training for Qin Yun.


    ¡°My Rainy Mist Sword Intent still falls short in instantaneous strikes; the sword intent isn¡¯t restrained enough.¡± Qin Yun frowned slightly, each brushstroke seeming like a sword move in itself.


    ¡°Second Young Master! Second Young Master! Someone from the Governor¡¯s Mansion has arrived!¡± A servant hurriedly reported from outside the study.


    ¡°The Governor¡¯s Mansion?¡± Qin Yun put down his brush and walked outside.


    Soon, he met the visitor.


    ¡°Qin Yun! Qin Yun! Good news! Great news!¡± The governor¡¯s son, Wen Chong, called out excitedly from a distance. Two guards accompanied him.


    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s the good news?¡± Qin Yun, having a guess, couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of anticipation.


    Wen Chong, grinning mysteriously, pulled out a jade-green bottle from his robe. In a low voice, he said, ¡°The treasure you wanted. My father went through considerable trouble to gather these six jin and three liang. He even had to seek help from an Innate Daoist expert from a Daoist sanctuary. That expert also expended significant effort¡ªit wasn¡¯t easy. As for the remaining Cold Essence Elixir, it should be ready within a month after we return from Cangya Mountain.¡±


    Taking the cold jade bottle in his hand, Qin Yun felt its chill and couldn¡¯t suppress his delight. ¡°Wonderful! I know how difficult it is to gather the Cold Essence Elixir. Please convey my thanks to Governor Wen.¡±


    ¡°As long as you bring back the Spirit Fruit from Cangya Mountain, it will all be worth it,¡± Wen Chong said with a smile.


    ¡°Rest assured, I will do my utmost on this trip to Cangya Mountain,¡± Qin Yun replied earnestly.


    ¡°Then I won¡¯t disturb you further. Don¡¯t forget¡ªmeet at the Governor¡¯s Mansion early the day after tomorrow,¡± Wen Chong reminded him.


    ¡°The day after tomorrow, early morning,¡± Qin Yun nodded. That was the scheduled departure time.


    After Wen Chong left, Qin Yun immediately ordered no one to disturb him and went into seclusion in his room, shutting the door behind him.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    In the inner chamber, Qin Yun sat cross-legged on his bed, holding the jade-green bottle. Pulling out the stopper, a white mist visible to the naked eye spread out, rapidly cooling the room. Frost formed on the furniture and windows.


    ¡°Cold Essence Elixir,¡± Qin Yun smiled. ¡°What a treasure! The Wen Clan truly has incredible resources.¡±


    He had previously tried to obtain the elixir himself but failed. The Cold Essence Elixir could only be found in the depths of the northern seabed, making deliberate searching akin to finding a needle in a haystack. It was usually discovered by high-level cultivators who chanced upon it during their ventures, and even then, it was hoarded by top sects.


    ¡°Release.¡±


    Qin Yun extended his right hand, and a metal strand flew out from his fingertip. It quickly expanded into a three-inch-long, bright silver flying sword, hovering in front of him.


    ¡°Go.¡± With a thought, his true essence penetrated the jade bottle, drawing out a stream of deep blue liquid that sparkled faintly. The cold mist spread, forming frost even on the furniture. This stream of Cold Essence Elixir enveloped the life-bound flying sword.


    Qin Yun activated a secret technique, causing the flying sword to emit a radiant glow as it absorbed the elixir like a parched desert drinking water. Within moments, the entire stream of Cold Essence Elixir had been consumed.


    ¡°My life-bound flying sword has been starved for too long,¡± Qin Yun remarked, smiling.


    The sword had previously absorbed materials with metallic and wooden attributes. However, treasures with water attributes¡ªsuch as the Cold Essence Elixir¡ªwere exceedingly rare in the sword cultivator''s repertoire. The elixir not only strengthened the sword''s resilience but also enriched its essence, increasing its potential to reach the eighth grade upon becoming a magical artifact.


    Magical artifacts were classified into nine grades, with the ninth being the lowest and the first the highest.


    For sword cultivators, even subpar materials like scrap iron could eventually refine a life-bound flying sword into a magical artifact, though it would barely qualify as ninth grade. However, incorporating treasures from different elemental attributes greatly enhanced its quality.


    ¡°This elixir will make the flying sword tougher and more profound in its foundation. If I¡¯m lucky, it might reach eighth grade as a magical artifact,¡± Qin Yun mused.


    Over the next few hours, he continued feeding the sword, allowing it to absorb five jin and two liang of Cold Essence Elixir before stopping.


    ¡°My sword has truly been thirsty for too long,¡± Qin Yun chuckled. ¡°With this infusion, even without more elixir, I could fully refine it into a magical artifact within three to four months. But with the next batch of Cold Essence Elixir, I can complete it in half a month!¡±


    For a sword cultivator, having a life-bound flying sword was essential. Without one, could they even call themselves a sword cultivator?


    Meanwhile, at the Governor''s Mansion.


    ¡°Father, the Cold Essence Elixir has been delivered to Qin Yun,¡± Wen Chong reported.


    ¡°Good,¡± the old governor replied, trimming a bonsai tree with precision.


    ¡°But Father, we¡¯ve given benefits to Qin Yun and Lady Yi Xiao, yet offered nothing to Jia Huairen. And we¡¯ve only promised him the Hundred Poison Blood after the Spirit Fruit is retrieved. Won¡¯t he resent this and refuse to do his best during the mission?¡± Wen Chong asked worriedly.


    The governor paused and looked at his son, smiling. ¡°Different cultivators require different approaches. Jia Huairen is overly reliant on his monster servant and has never faced true hardship. Such people only comply when they feel the threat of death. Besides, we¡¯ve already offered him both the stick and the carrot¡ªa beautiful woman now, and the Hundred Poison Blood after the mission. He won¡¯t dare act out.¡±


    ¡°As for Yi Xiao and Qin Yun, they¡¯re different.¡±


    The governor continued, ¡°Yi Xiao hails from the Yi Clan of Kunlun Prefecture, a family with deeper roots than even our Wen Clan. She¡¯s also a disciple of the Daoist holy land, Shenxiao Sect. To influence her, we must use favors.¡±


    ¡°And Qin Yun? He¡¯s likely of the sword immortal lineage. Most importantly, he¡¯s a man forged in the blood of countless battles. Threats won¡¯t work on him. Showing him goodwill with the Cold Essence Elixir ensures he will give his all.¡±


    The governor resumed trimming the bonsai. ¡°As for Jia Huairen, his monster servant has some value, but he himself? The number of monsters he¡¯s seen probably doesn¡¯t even match the number Qin Yun has killed.¡±


    ¡°True!¡± Wen Chong laughed. ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed the records¡ªJia Huairen hasn¡¯t encountered nearly as many monsters as Qin Yun has slain.¡±


    ¡°In three days, we¡¯ll know the outcome.¡± The governor¡¯s eyes gleamed with anticipation. The Spirit Fruit could extend his life by twenty years. Without it, he had only a few years left to live.


    ¡°Three days,¡± he muttered under his breath.

 Chapter 27: Entering the Mountain

    The day of departure arrived in the blink of an eye.


    At the break of dawn, Qin Yun left the Qin residence, mounted his horse, and headed to the Governor¡¯s Manor.


    ¡°Everyone,¡± the governor said solemnly, addressing Yi Xiao, Qin Yun, and Jia Huairen with his servant.


    ¡°The Thousand-Year Frost Jade Fruit determines my very survival,¡± the governor stated earnestly. ¡°I beseech you all to do everything in your power to retrieve the spiritual fruit. If this mission succeeds, I will forever be indebted to you.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Wen, we promised to help, so we will do our utmost,¡± Yi Xiao replied.


    ¡°Governor, rest assured and await our good news,¡± Qin Yun added.


    ¡°We will secure the fruit for you, Governor,¡± Jia Huairen said confidently.


    A servant approached with a tray carrying five bronze cups filled with wine.


    The governor took one, while Yi Xiao, Qin Yun, Jia Huairen, and the demon servant Qian Shu each took a cup as well.


    ¡°When you reach Cangya Mountain, follow Yi Xiao¡¯s lead and avoid acting on your own. I will travel to the foot of Cangya Mountain tomorrow to await your return,¡± the governor said, raising his cup. ¡°I entrust everything to you.¡±


    The four of them raised their cups, drank the wine, and bade farewell.


    ¡°Uncle Wen, we¡¯ll take our leave now,¡± Yi Xiao said before exiting the hall.


    The group mounted their horses and quickly departed from the Governor¡¯s Manor. The governor stood outside, watching them ride away.


    ¡°Father, the Thousand-Year Frost Jade Fruit will surely be retrieved,¡± Wen Chong, his son, said softly.


    The four riders galloped north along the official road after leaving Guangling County. The city, bustling and densely populated, stood in stark contrast to the sparse settlements outside its walls. Beyond the city limits, villages were rare, and even the larger ones housed several thousand residents who formed militias armed with bows and crossbows to fend off minor demons. The presence of patrol teams offered additional protection, allowing humans to survive in these dangerous lands.


    Inside the city, the imperial court maintained absolute control. Outside, the land was divided between humans and demons.


    ¡°Up ahead is Yu¡¯an County,¡± Yi Xiao said as they arrived near noon without encountering any danger. Demons, though powerful, were far less numerous than humans, and chance encounters were uncommon.


    ¡°Cangya Mountain is just over twenty miles west of Yu¡¯an County,¡± Yi Xiao continued. ¡°Let¡¯s stay in the county overnight and enter the mountain at dawn.¡±


    Jia Huairen quickly agreed, ¡°We¡¯ll follow your lead, Miss Yi.¡±


    After entering the county, they chose a quality inn to settle in for the night.


    The summer night was cool but plagued by mosquitoes.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Sitting alone on the inn''s rooftop, Qin Yun drank wine. For once, he took a break from training his life-bound flying sword, using the evening to relax with a bottle of wine he borrowed from the innkeeper.


    Suddenly, a figure descended gracefully onto the rooftop like a celestial maiden.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you sleeping, Brother Qin?¡± Yi Xiao asked with a smile as she sat beside him. ¡°Are you worried about tomorrow¡¯s mission?¡±


    ¡°Just enjoying the night. Beautiful scenery, fine wine, and Miss Yi¡¯s company¡ªhow could I waste such a moment by sleeping early?¡± Qin Yun chuckled.


    Yi Xiao laughed softly. ¡°Don¡¯t drink alone; let me have some.¡±


    Qin Yun tossed her the wine flask, which she caught. Taking a large swig, she choked slightly and coughed, wiping the wine from her lips.


    ¡°Not used to drinking?¡± Qin Yun asked.


    ¡°In the sect, my master was very strict,¡± Yi Xiao replied briefly before changing the subject. ¡°By the way, Brother Qin, regarding tomorrow¡¯s mission, while Jia Huairen¡¯s demon servant has some utility, we must remain cautious. If he shows any signs of treachery, we must not hesitate to eliminate him.¡±


    ¡°Cangya Mountain is teeming with demons. If he betrays us, we can¡¯t afford to be merciful,¡± Qin Yun agreed. ¡°The governor has entrusted this mission to you. We¡¯ll follow your lead.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because Uncle Wen trusts me,¡± Yi Xiao said. ¡°But your experience surpasses mine, so I hope you¡¯ll guide me so we can ensure the mission¡¯s success.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing complicated about it,¡± Qin Yun replied.


    ¡°Please, Brother Qin, share your thoughts. It would ease my nerves,¡± Yi Xiao urged.


    Qin Yun explained, ¡°The key to retrieving the fruit is stealth at the start. We must avoid exposing our presence and sneak as close as possible to the fruit¡¯s location. If discovered, we should reveal only part of our strength, ensuring the demons don¡¯t perceive us as a major threat. If they think they can¡¯t stop us, they might destroy the fruit.¡±


    ¡°Once the fruit ripens, we must act swiftly to snatch it. Speed and subtlety are crucial because the fruit will surely be guarded. If the guards think they¡¯ll lose it, they may destroy it.¡±


    ¡°After securing the fruit, our priority will be to escape. The demons will undoubtedly go berserk,¡± Qin Yun concluded.


    Yi Xiao nodded. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I was thinking.¡±


    ¡°The process is straightforward, but execution requires boldness, caution, and decisiveness,¡± Qin Yun added. ¡°Should any unexpected situations arise, we¡¯ll adapt as needed. By the way, do the demons know the exact time the fruit will ripen?¡±


    ¡°The Thousand-Year Frost Jade Fruit matures once every hundred years, reaching full maturity after ten cycles. Since it¡¯s been so long, the demons can¡¯t pinpoint the exact day or hour. Uncle Wen consulted a master diviner to determine the fruit will ripen tomorrow during the si hour,¡± Yi Xiao explained.


    Qin Yun nodded. ¡°Good. If the demons don¡¯t know the exact timing, our chances are much better.¡±


    ¡°If they knew, sneaking in would be far more difficult,¡± Yi Xiao smiled. ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll count on you, Brother Qin.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be helping each other,¡± Qin Yun replied. ¡°I excel at close combat but lack proficiency in ranged attacks.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the opposite. I avoid close combat,¡± Yi Xiao said with a smile. Most spell cultivators preferred to maintain distance from demons, whose close-range strength was often formidable. Qin Yun¡¯s expertise in melee combat against demons was indeed rare.


    At dawn the next day, the group left the inn as the county gates opened, heading straight for Cangya Mountain.


    ¡°Cangya Mountain,¡± Qin Yun murmured as they arrived after a short ride. The towering peaks loomed before them, shrouded in clouds, their depths concealing an unknown number of demons.


    They tethered their horses in a nearby grove and prepared to enter on foot.


    ¡°Listen closely,¡± Yi Xiao said, addressing Qin Yun, Jia Huairen, and Qian Shu. ¡°Let me be clear: we must proceed with utmost caution, avoiding any unnecessary noise or actions that might alert the demons. If anyone disobeys or deliberately causes trouble, I won¡¯t hesitate to unleash the Five Elements Divine Thunder.¡±


    Jia Huairen, visibly intimidated, quickly assured her, ¡°Of course, Miss Yi. We¡¯ll follow your orders.¡±


    ¡°Everything as Miss Yi says,¡± Qian Shu, the demon servant, agreed. Even he dared not defy the formidable Five Elements Divine Thunder.


    ¡°A disciple of a top sect is indeed extraordinary,¡± Qin Yun thought to himself.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. Into the mountain,¡± Yi Xiao commanded.


    The four moved silently into the dense forest. Even the weakest among them, Jia Huairen, who had already stepped into the cultivation path, could traverse mountains and ridges with ease.

 Chapter 28: The Secret Letter

    The Cangya Mountains stretched endlessly, their peaks shrouded in mist.


    ¡°We¡¯re heading to Misty Lake Canyon,¡± Yi Xiao commanded. ¡°Uncle Qian, scout ahead to find a route that avoids the monsters.¡±


    ¡°Understood, I¡¯ll investigate.¡±


    The lean demon servant, Uncle Qian, transformed his nose into a black canine snout. Sniffing the air, he carefully discerned countless scents.


    Qin Yun observed from the side. Even ordinary dogs had sharp noses, and for a canine demon like Uncle Qian, his olfactory sense was far more acute. Not to mention, this demon servant''s strength surpassed that of the 19 demon leaders under the Water God.


    ¡°These Cangya Mountains truly deserve their reputation as the largest mountain range in Guangling Prefecture. There are indeed many demons lurking here. I¡¯ve already detected several within a ten-mile radius,¡± Uncle Qian said. ¡°Follow me; I¡¯ll lead the way.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Yi Xiao, Qin Yun, and Jia Huairen quickly followed behind.


    With Uncle Qian leading the way, they didn¡¯t encounter a single demon on their journey.


    After traveling deep into the mountains for half an hour, Uncle Qian periodically sniffed the air. Suddenly, he stopped and said in a low voice, ¡°Miss Yi, Misty Lake Canyon is three miles ahead. The area is heavy with demonic energy, indicating a large congregation of demons. I can¡¯t distinguish all their numbers, but there are at least a hundred demons residing there.¡±


    ¡°A single Misty Lake Canyon is home to over a hundred demons?¡± Yi Xiao¡¯s expression shifted slightly.


    Even the weakest of these demons would have the strength equivalent to a cultivator at the tenth level of Qi Refinement.


    Qin Yun recalled when he fought Old Demon Chu Yong in the underground palace. The seven minor demons who attacked him back then were already formidable adversaries. Facing over a hundred such demons would intimidate even seasoned cultivators.


    ¡°The Millennium Ice Jade Fruit is in Misty Lake Canyon. These demons must be stationed here to guard it,¡± Yi Xiao deduced. ¡°It seems the demons highly value this spiritual fruit.¡±


    ¡°What should we do next, Miss Yi?¡± Uncle Qian asked. ¡°There are too many demons in Misty Lake Canyon.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll first infiltrate the canyon and find a vantage point where we can observe the Ice Jade Fruit tree,¡± Yi Xiao replied solemnly. ¡°We need to confirm when the fruit ripens.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Without hesitation, Uncle Qian led the way.


    ¡°Are we entering the canyon now?¡± Jia Huairen whispered nervously. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we wait until si hour?¡±


    ¡°If we wait until si hour to enter, the fruit might already be ripe and plucked by the time we arrive. That would be too late. Besides, once inside, we still need to determine the best method for retrieving the fruit. We must go in ahead of time,¡± Yi Xiao said, casting a glance at Jia Huairen. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you scared?¡±


    ¡°No, not at all! How could I be scared?¡± Jia Huairen quickly denied, knowing he had no choice but to proceed.


    Qin Yun remained composed, having spent three years in the northern borderlands. Such situations didn¡¯t faze him.


    Despite the short distance of three miles, the group advanced cautiously, minimizing any noise to avoid detection.


    ¡°There it is.¡±


    From a mountainside vantage point, the group peered into the canyon below.


    The most striking feature of Misty Lake Canyon was a lake emitting wisps of steam. The lake¡¯s warm waters created a constant mist, earning it the name ¡°Misty Lake.¡± Not far from the lake stood a tree that seemed carved from ice, its crystalline form refracting sunlight even through the mist.


    The tree bore a single green fruit¡ªjust one.


    Around the tree, more than a dozen demons loitered idly. Scanning the canyon, Qin Yun could spot twenty or thirty more demons scattered about. Even the mountain slopes flanking the canyon had demon sentinels stationed on them. These demons, free from the need to disguise themselves as humans, revealed their beastly heads. Many carried weapons in hand or strapped to their waists.


    ¡°There are also seven or eight demons hidden within the cliff walls, likely serving as lookouts,¡± Uncle Qian said softly. ¡°About forty demons are patrolling the canyon, while the central residence seems to be their resting quarters. Most of the demonic energy emanates from there.¡±


    From his perch, Qin Yun noted that the large but crudely built residence was likely a temporary structure erected to guard the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit.


    ¡°How do we retrieve the spiritual fruit?¡± Qin Yun asked.


    ¡°The area around the fruit tree is flat,¡± Yi Xiao replied, frowning. ¡°A dozen demons are stationed around it, with another thirty or so nearby. Any commotion would alert the numerous demons in the residence. The canyon is too open, leaving no cover. To retrieve the fruit, we¡¯ll need to rely on an invisibility spell.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Invisibility spell?¡± Qin Yun¡¯s interest piqued.


    The invisibility spell was an advanced technique, typically mastered only by innate talents. Some demons possessed innate abilities like burrowing, flight, or invisibility, which humans often envied. Similarly, demons envied the superior comprehension abilities of human cultivators.


    A demon might need a thousand years to achieve what a talented human cultivator could accomplish in a decade.


    Yet humans envied demons for their long lifespans. Even a cultivator at the Golden Core stage could only live for five centuries.


    Each had their advantages.


    ¡°This task falls to you, Brother Qin,¡± Yi Xiao said. ¡°Jia Huairen lacks the courage, and Uncle Qian cannot use talismans.¡±


    ¡°Brother Qin, it¡¯s all up to you,¡± Jia Huairen chimed in nervously.


    Approaching the tree was fraught with danger. A single misstep could mean discovery. Even if one successfully retrieved the fruit, the demons would immediately notice its absence and launch an attack.


    ¡°Leave it to me,¡± Qin Yun agreed, knowing he was the only suitable candidate for the task.


    Yi Xiao retrieved an invisibility talisman from her pouch.


    Qin Yun recognized it immediately. He owned one as well, though it was a precious item he was reluctant to use as a solitary cultivator with limited resources.


    ¡°Brother Qin, this mission is dangerous. If things go awry, abandon the fruit and prioritize your safety,¡± Yi Xiao said as she handed over the talisman.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll prioritize survival,¡± Qin Yun assured her, accepting the talisman.


    ¡°We¡¯re counting on you,¡± Jia Huairen said with a fawning smile. Since witnessing Qin Yun¡¯s ability to slay a formidable rhino demon with a single strike, Jia Huairen had treated him with a mix of fear and respect.


    Qin Yun gazed down at the canyon, mapping out a potential route.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move closer,¡± Yi Xiao said. ¡°We need to be ready to assist Brother Qin.¡±


    ¡°Move closer?¡± Jia Huairen¡¯s face paled.


    ¡°If we¡¯re hundreds of feet away, we won¡¯t be able to provide support when he retrieves the fruit,¡± Yi Xiao explained. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Qin Yun admired Yi Xiao¡¯s decisiveness.


    The group advanced even more cautiously this time, with Qin Yun and Yi Xiao relying on their spiritual vision while Uncle Qian used his acute senses to detect any threats.


    Finally, Uncle Qian halted and whispered, ¡°We can¡¯t go any closer. We¡¯re about sixty feet from the tree now. Fortunately, the demons are lax in their patrols, making this approach possible. If this were a human military encampment, we wouldn¡¯t have gotten this far.¡±


    ¡°Sixty feet is close enough,¡± Yi Xiao said. At this range, her lightning techniques could reach effectively.


    ¡°Now, we wait for the fruit to ripen,¡± she instructed.


    The group settled in, suppressing all movement as they awaited the moment of the fruit¡¯s maturity.


    Meanwhile, on the official road, the prefectural governor¡¯s entourage, which had secretly left Guangling Prefecture City in the dead of night, was nearing Yu¡¯an County. However, as per their plan, they would bypass the county and proceed directly to the foot of Cangya Mountain.


    Inside the governor¡¯s carriage, the old official sat surrounded by his elite guards.


    ¡°Whoosh.¡±


    A hawk descended from the sky.


    One of the guards extended his arm, allowing the bird to land. He retrieved a message tied to its leg and handed it to the governor¡¯s son, Wen Chong.


    ¡°A letter?¡± Wen Chong¡¯s expression darkened as he unfolded the message and read it.


    ¡°Stop! Father, father!¡± Wen Chong called urgently.


    The entire procession halted.


    ¡°What is it?¡± the governor asked, pulling back the carriage curtain.


    Wordlessly, Wen Chong handed over the letter.


    The governor unfolded the missive and read its simple contents:


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard the Water God has summoned his junior disciple, the White Tiger Great Demon, to Guangling Prefecture to guard the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit.¡±


    Just one sentence, but it chilled the governor to the core.


    "White Tiger Great Demon?"


    "The Water God invited his junior disciple, the White Tiger Great Demon, to assist him?"


    The elderly prefectural governor trembled uncontrollably, his hands shaking as he spoke.


    "How could this happen? How could this happen? Heaven wants me dead, Heaven wants me dead..." he murmured softly.


    "Isn''t the White Tiger Great Demon said to reside long-term in the Black Wind Ridge area of Zhenshan County? With three thousand minor demons under his command, he''s known for his mastery over wind, capable of soaring through the heavens and earth. Such a powerful demon being the Water God''s junior disciple... And now he¡¯s been invited to guard the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit?" Wen Chong''s voice wavered. After all, if the fruit couldn¡¯t be obtained, his father might not have many years left to live.


    "Such great demons possess cultivation techniques," the elderly governor said grimly. "And cultivation techniques naturally have lineages, with masters, senior brothers, and junior brothers. It''s not surprising at all. I originally thought... the Water God, causing so much havoc, wouldn¡¯t dare stray far from rivers, lakes, and waterways. I expected the Cangya Mountains to simply have an abundance of demons, nothing more. But I never anticipated he would invite the White Tiger Great Demon!"


    "Could the information be false?" Wen Chong couldn''t help but ask.


    Some humans sought refuge with demons, and conversely, some minor demons allied themselves with humans, gaining various benefits in return. The confidential report this time had come from a demon that had pledged loyalty to the prefectural governor.


    "If it specifically names the White Tiger Great Demon, then there''s an 80% chance it''s true," the elderly governor replied, unwilling to believe it but recognizing the high probability of accuracy. "The Water God might not know the exact moment the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit will ripen, but he could estimate a rough timeframe within ten days or so. He must have summoned his junior disciple, the White Tiger Great Demon, to guard the fruit during this critical period."


    "But the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit is for extending life. Why would a demon need it? Their lifespans are already so long!" The governor¡¯s expression contorted with frustration.


    "What do we do now?" Wen Chong asked in panic.


    "If the White Tiger Great Demon is there, Yi Xiao and Qin Yun have no chance," the governor said gravely. "What troubles me more is whether they''ll even make it back alive. Especially Yi Xiao¡ªif she dies in the Cangya Mountains, the Yi family and the Divine Firmament Sect will not let this go easily."


    "I¡¯ll send someone to deliver the message immediately," Wen Chong offered hastily.


    The elderly governor glanced out the carriage window, sighed, and said, "It¡¯s too late. It¡¯s almost si hour (9¨C11 a.m.). From here to the Cangya Mountains, then into the mountains, and finally to Misty Lake Canyon¡ªit¡¯ll be too late, far too late!"


    With that, the governor closed the window curtain.


    "Shall we continue onward?" Wen Chong asked.


    "Yes, continue. Head to the base of the Cangya Mountains and wait there. Perhaps we¡¯ll see them come out," the governor replied, his voice suddenly sounding much older. If the White Tiger Great Demon was truly there, the governor himself saw no hope of obtaining the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit. The hope of extending his life by twenty years¡ªwas it truly gone?


    "White Tiger Great Demon, White Tiger Great Demon..." the murmur echoed inside the carriage.


    Wen Chong''s face turned grim as well. He immediately shouted, "Continue forward!"

 Chapter 29: The Spirit Fruit Ripens

    In the Misty Lake Canyon of the Cangya Mountains, within a residence occupied by numerous minor demons, the atmosphere was mixed. Some demons snored loudly as they slept, while others indulged in food and drink.


    "When will this endless guarding of the spirit fruit tree finally end? Back when we started, we could at least come and go as we pleased. But for the past year, we''ve been forbidden to leave the Misty Lake Canyon! I''m going crazy from being stuck here."


    "Bear with it. It''s only May¡ªwe have until the end of the year."


    "What kind of spirit fruit tree is this, anyway? It¡¯s got so many of us guarding it, and even the White Tiger King of Black Wind Ridge in Zhenshan County has been called in?"


    "The White Tiger King only arrived in the past two weeks. It must be a critical time now. Everyone, stay vigilant and don¡¯t ruin the Water God¡¯s plans. If you mess things up... hmph, you''ll regret it when you''re turned into a demon servant."


    "Yes, yes, understood."


    The minor demons all nodded in agreement.


    Rumors had spread: in the past, offending the Water God might have resulted in death. But now, those who angered him were often turned into demon servants. According to other demons who had assisted in the process, the transformation was excruciatingly painful, with many victims collapsing and dying from the torment.


    Inside a quiet chamber in the demon-occupied residence, incense burned, filling the room with its fragrance. A painting of a tiger descending a mountain hung on the wall.


    In the center of the room sat a stout man cross-legged on a cushion, barefoot.


    "Hiss... hiss..." Black mist swirled over his body, rising from his skin in wisps before being inhaled back through his nostrils.


    This cycle of exhalation and inhalation continued for a long time until the man opened his eyes. His golden, slit-pupiled eyes glinted briefly before returning to a human-like appearance.


    "According to Senior Brother Water God¡¯s calculations, the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit will ripen this month. Just a little longer," the man muttered coldly. He rose and opened the door, stepping into a tranquil courtyard. Though the residence housed dozens of demons, they only occupied a small portion; the rest was reserved for the White Tiger Great Demon.


    In the corner of the courtyard lay two massive axes, each larger than a typical house.


    The stout man walked over, his hands growing white fur and enlarging into tiger-like claws. He grabbed the axe handles effortlessly and lifted the weapons.


    "Magnificent treasures," he said with a grin, looking at the axes in his hands. "It wasn¡¯t easy obtaining these."


    Indeed, it hadn¡¯t been easy. Each axe weighed 1,800 pounds. The materials needed to forge such weapons were rare and precious, resulting in divine weapons of extraordinary quality. For comparison, the sword carried by Qin Yun¡ªrenowned for its craftsmanship¡ªwas only a little over ten pounds. These axes, by contrast, required a fortune in materials, even making the White Tiger Great Demon wince at the expense.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    He had forged one axe first, then spent 30 painstaking years and countless resources to create the second.


    With both axes in hand, the White Tiger Great Demon exuded an unmatched aura. His reputation as the fearsome ruler of Black Wind Ridge was well-deserved.


    Although the axes fell short of true magical artifacts, they were still formidable weapons. To the White Tiger Great Demon, they were better suited to him than most magical treasures. For someone like him¡ªoriginally a white tiger that became a demon and later ascended to innate demon status¡ªthese heavy axes complemented his immense strength perfectly. Even human cultivators at the Void Core level would be wary upon seeing him wield them.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..." The demon swung the axes leisurely, each motion as effortless as if they weighed nothing.


    In the Misty Lake Canyon, four figures stood vigil around the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit Tree: Qin Yun, Yi Xiao, Jia Huairen, and the demon servant, Uncle Qian.


    Suddenly¡ª


    As if in the blink of an eye, the tree, which resembled a sculpture carved from ice, underwent a startling transformation. The lone green fruit on the tree turned a brilliant red, its surface glowing with a purple sheen. The entire fruit now looked like a giant ruby.


    "The Millennium Ice Jade Fruit has ripened!" Qin Yun¡¯s heart leaped. Yi Xiao, Jia Huairen, and Uncle Qian all tensed up as the moment they had been waiting for finally arrived.


    "Be careful, Qin," Yi Xiao warned telepathically.


    "Understood."


    Without hesitation, Qin Yun pulled out an invisibility talisman and channeled his true essence into it. The talisman disintegrated instantly, forming an invisible shield that cloaked him completely, adhering closely to his body. The moment it activated, he became entirely invisible to the naked eye.


    Simultaneously, Qin Yun activated two speed-enhancing talismans tied to his legs.


    Harvesting the fruit required speed! He couldn¡¯t afford to hold back.


    Though the process seemed slow in description, activating the talismans took only a split second.


    "Go!"


    With a light step, Qin Yun darted forward.


    Yi Xiao, Jia Huairen, and Uncle Qian watched as Qin Yun vanished before their eyes. However, both Yi Xiao and Uncle Qian could sense his presence nearby through their spiritual perception and see traces of his life force using their mystical vision.


    The invisibility talisman mainly worked against ordinary sight.


    "Huairen, prepare to assist. Things are about to get intense," Uncle Qian said gravely via telepathy.


    Jia Huairen, though nervous, maintained a calm exterior and replied telepathically, "Uncle Qian, what should I do?"


    "When Qin Yun retrieves the fruit, we¡¯ll focus on helping him escape the canyon. Stay close to me, and follow Yi Xiao¡¯s orders. When she says to flee, we run immediately. Don¡¯t worry. Though there are over a hundred demons here, with Qin Yun and Yi Xiao, escaping won¡¯t be a problem. Also, remember to use your magical artifact¡ªit has some power, so don¡¯t hesitate to wield it."


    "Understood," Jia Huairen replied.


    Meanwhile, Qin Yun moved cautiously. He avoided creating strong winds that might alert the demons.


    "Steady," he thought, suppressing his aura and moving silently toward the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit Tree at only a third of his maximum speed.


    Nearby, over a dozen minor demons stood guard around the tree.


    One demon sniffed the air, its nose twitching as it turned toward the tree. Its eyes widened in shock upon noticing the fruit¡¯s transformation. "Look, look! The spirit fruit has ripened!"


    The other demons, some dozing off, immediately snapped to attention and stared at the tree.


    "It¡¯s ripe!"


    "The spirit fruit has ripened!"


    The scent of the fruit was intoxicating, stirring a primal urge to devour it. However, the demons knew better than to act on such impulses.


    "Finally, the fruit has ripened. Our time here is almost over."


    "Wait here. I¡¯ll report to the White Tiger King."


    Excitement spread among the demons as one of them dashed off toward the residence.

 Chapter 30: The White Tiger Demon

    Qin Yun remained invisible as he moved through the valley with a refined agility that left no trace, as if walking on snow without a sound.


    Demons were highly sensitive to their surroundings, and even the faintest hint of human presence could alert them if they were close. Thus, Qin Yun carefully avoided the demons along a winding path to approach the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit Tree.


    ¡°Lord White Tiger! Lord White Tiger!¡±


    A small demon ran towards the courtyard, shouting as it saw a burly man emerging from the backyard gate.


    Qin Yun''s ears twitched at the sound, and his heart tightened.


    "Lord White Tiger?" Qin Yun glanced into the distance at the burly figure.


    From this distance, even his mystical sight could not discern any aura from the man. However, the title "Lord White Tiger" immediately raised alarm bells in Qin Yun¡¯s mind.


    ¡°Lord White Tiger? Who in Guangling County could bear such a title?¡± Qin Yun mused, then suddenly realized.


    Not Guangling County¡ªbut in the neighboring Zhenshan County of Jiangzhou Province¡ªthere was indeed a renowned and formidable demon: the "White Tiger Demon" of Black Wind Ridge.


    "Could it really be the White Tiger Demon of Zhenshan County?" Qin Yun felt a heavy weight settle in his chest. The reputation of this great demon preceded him, and for good reason.


    ¡°If it¡¯s really him, this is trouble. I need to get the spiritual fruit and leave immediately.¡±


    Without hesitation, Qin Yun pressed forward with his plan.


    Once close to the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit Tree, Qin Yun leapt over the guarding circle of a dozen small demons and landed beside the tree. In an instant, he plucked the radiant, red "Millennium Ice Jade Fruit," which shimmered with a purple hue, and stashed it into a jade box he carried. He then tucked the box into his robe.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Qin Yun thought with relief.


    In the Misty Lake Valley, the gathered demons erupted in excitement as they noticed the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit ripen before their eyes.


    ¡°The fruit is ripe!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s finally ready!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s turning red!¡± The small demons were ecstatic, relieved that their days of tedious guarding were over.


    This commotion reached the courtyard, where the White Tiger Demon, swinging a pair of large axes, suddenly paused. He tossed the axes to the ground with a thunderous boom and leisurely pushed open the courtyard gate to step outside.


    The courtyard gate led to the back entrance of the manor. Standing there barefoot in a loose white robe, the White Tiger Demon gazed toward the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit Tree in the distance, a faint smile on his lips.


    ¡°Lord White Tiger! Lord White Tiger!¡± The small demon delivering the message ran over breathlessly.


    ¡°At last, it¡¯s ripe,¡± said the White Tiger Demon, his eyes fixed on the distant tree.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    But in that very moment¡ªSnap!


    The crimson fruit, shimmering with purple light, was plucked from the tree right under the White Tiger Demon¡¯s and the other demons¡¯ watchful eyes, vanishing instantly.


    The valley fell into an eerie silence as the demons stared at the now-empty branch where the fruit once hung. Only a crystal-clear, broken twig remained.


    ¡°Someone stole it!¡±


    ¡°A thief!¡±


    A cacophony of furious shouts broke out among the demons.


    Standing barefoot outside the courtyard, the White Tiger Demon¡¯s eyes flashed with cold malice as he roared, ¡°Show yourself!¡±


    The roar sent visible ripples through the air, spreading like waves across the valley.


    ¡°Show yourself!¡± ¡°Show yourself!¡± ¡°Show yourself!¡±


    The sound echoed, growing louder with each repetition, like a rolling thunderclap. The shockwave spread hundreds of meters, shaking the area violently. Many small demons clutched their heads in pain. The ripple also swept through Qin Yun, Yi Xiao, Jia Huairen, and their demon servant Qian Shu¡ªall within less than a hundred meters of the White Tiger Demon.


    Crack!


    The concealment barrier around Qin Yun shattered under the wave, exposing his figure. The invisibility spell was fragile¡ªeasily broken, even by ordinary attacks. Its strength lay in stealth, not defense.


    Nearby, Yi Xiao, Jia Huairen, and Qian Shu¡¯s hiding spot was also exposed as the shockwave rustled the surrounding vegetation.


    ¡°Lord White Tiger?¡± Qian Shu''s face turned pale. He quickly transmitted to Yi Xiao, ¡°Miss Yi, this is likely the White Tiger Demon of Zhenshan County!¡±


    ¡°The White Tiger Demon?¡± Jia Huairen¡¯s face turned ashen, his legs trembling uncontrollably.


    Although Yi Xiao hailed from Kunlun Prefecture and was less familiar with Jiangzhou Province, she had memorized key intelligence about prominent local threats.


    The White Tiger Demon was one such notable figure¡ªa fearsome demon of Zhenshan County. Though not as infamous as the Water God, who had plagued Guangling County for over two centuries, the White Tiger Demon¡¯s ability to fly and wield wind made him an equally formidable foe. Even most innate-level cultivators could not best him, and only senior experts of the Nascent Core stage could force him into retreat.


    ¡°Encountering the White Tiger Demon in Guangling County... this is troublesome,¡± Yi Xiao said with a frown, transmitting her thoughts. ¡°Qian Shu, Jia Huairen, your mission is complete. This demon is too strong. Escape while you can.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Qian Shu and Jia Huairen both felt a wave of relief and responded immediately.


    The White Tiger Demon¡¯s presence was overwhelming, leaving the two no choice but to flee.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Qian Shu said, transforming into his true form¡ªa humanoid dog demon. He grabbed Jia Huairen and bolted towards the valley¡¯s exit at full speed.


    Meanwhile, Yi Xiao moved toward Qin Yun, who was already heading in her direction. Both understood that their best chance lay in working together, combining Qin Yun¡¯s melee prowess with Yi Xiao¡¯s mastery of ranged spells.


    ¡°Three humans and a demon traitor?¡± The White Tiger Demon sneered.


    Without moving from his spot, he casually waved his hand.


    Swish! Swish! Swish!


    Nine star-like lights shot forth, growing into large, deep-blue stones about the size of a human head. The stones, covered in intricate runes and shrouded in black winds, streaked across the air like nine meteors¡ªthree targeting Qian Shu and Jia Huairen, three aimed at Yi Xiao, and the remaining three hurtling toward Qin Yun.


    ¡°It¡¯s Wind Thunder Stones!¡± Qian Shu cried in alarm.


    ¡°Huairen, run!¡±


    Qian Shu¡¯s body erupted in fur as he fully transformed, grabbing Jia Huairen and darting away at his fastest speed.


    Meanwhile, Qin Yun activated a talisman, transforming into a streak of light to evade the incoming stones.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    Three stones hurtled toward Qin Yun, but his sword flashed in response, each strike precisely intercepting a stone. Despite their fierce momentum, Qin Yun¡¯s strikes disrupted the rune patterns inscribed on their surfaces, destabilizing the stones.


    ¡°What?¡± The White Tiger Demon¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°These stones are being damaged? His strikes aren¡¯t strong, but they disrupt the stones¡¯ inscriptions. Is he from a top-tier sect?¡±


    Realizing the danger, the White Tiger Demon recalled the three stones targeting Qin Yun.


    Meanwhile, Qian Shu was struggling. After hurling Jia Huairen further away, he braced himself to block the stones. Though he fought valiantly, one stone eventually struck him, sending him crashing into the mountainside and coughing up blood.


    At the same time, Yi Xiao unleashed a brilliant five-colored lightning spell at the White Tiger Demon, momentarily forcing him to defend and easing the pressure on Qian Shu.


    Finally, Qin Yun reached Yi Xiao¡¯s side.


    ¡°This demon is formidable,¡± Yi Xiao said through telepathy. ¡°Even my Five Elements Divine Lightning barely injured him.¡±

 Chapter 31: Gathering of the Monsters

    "Summon the monsters," the White Tiger Demon King commanded calmly.


    "Yes, Great White Tiger King," replied a monster leader, pulling out a horn from his waist. This horn was no ordinary item; it was a unique magical artifact.


    "Whooooo¡ª"


    A deep and resonant sound erupted from the horn, amplified by demonic energy, swiftly spreading across the mountain peaks and throughout the vast expanse of Cangya Mountain.


    Cangya Mountain, the largest mountain in Guangling County, was home to a multitude of monsters, numbering over a thousand. As the horn''s sound echoed across the region, monsters from all corners¡ªwhether they were resting, feasting on human flesh, or toying with captive human women¡ªstopped their actions and turned toward the source of the horn''s call.


    "The Water God commands us. When the horn sounds, we must gather to assist."


    "Let¡¯s go."


    "Hurry up."


    The horn, wielded by the chief leader of Cangya Mountain, had the power to summon all its monsters.


    Some creatures leapt through the dense forests, others¡ªavian demons¡ªunfurled their wings and soared into the skies, and a select few burrowed underground, moving with astounding speed.


    In no time, the monsters from all the peaks and caves of Cangya Mountain employed their various means to converge at the source of the horn''s sound.


    At the Foot of Cangya Mountain.


    A large contingent of humans was marching steadily forward.


    "Hmm?" The governor of the county lifted the curtain of his carriage window, his ears catching the faint yet ominous sound of the horn.


    The low, reverberating notes of the horn sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it, raising goosebumps.


    "It¡¯s the horn of Cangya Mountain," said Fang, the chief commander, with a grave expression. "When the horn is blown, all the monsters of Cangya Mountain are summoned to battle. It seems the fight has already begun."


    "The entire mountain''s worth of monsters..."


    The governor shook his head lightly.


    Wen Chong quickly interjected, "Commander Fang, is there any way we can help them?"


    "No," Fang replied decisively. "Our elite guard may be formidable on open ground, where we can form military formations and use crossbows to slaughter the monsters en masse. But once we step into the forest, where formations are impossible, the monsters would surround and slaughter us in moments. Our guard force would be annihilated before we could achieve anything."


    "Even the weakest monsters possess the strength of the tenth level of Qi Refinement," Fang sighed.


    The six hundred elite guards comprised mostly soldiers at the fifth or sixth level of Qi Refinement, with a few reaching the seventh or eighth levels. There were even several who had opened the gates to immortality.


    However, monsters¡ªeach comparable to cultivators at the peak of the tenth level of Qi Refinement¡ªwere a far greater threat. Even someone like Jia Huairen, who had trained longer and wielded magical artifacts, could barely hold his own against a few monsters.


    "Moreover, they number over a thousand. Some can burrow underground, others can fly, and some can turn invisible. Their array of abilities is vast," Fang shook his head. "Entering the forest is a death sentence. Only large-scale formations and heavy crossbow fire can handle them."


    "We can only wait," the governor said, gazing at the towering mountains before him, their peaks shrouded in clouds.


    Elsewhere£¬Misty Lake Canyon.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Qin Yun and Yi Xiao''s expressions turned grim as they heard the horn.


    Qin Yun quickly transmitted his thoughts, "That¡¯s the horn of Cangya Mountain. Once it sounds, every monster in the mountain must gather. There could be over a thousand."


    "I¡¯ve done my research," Yi Xiao said with a serious expression. "A single monster isn¡¯t much, but we humans are physically weaker. Even an ordinary monster¡¯s attack could be fatal. A hundred monsters are terrifying enough, and a thousand would be impossible to fend off if we were surrounded."


    "Though their numbers are daunting, they¡¯ll take time to arrive. For now, the immediate threat is this Tiger Demon," Qin Yun said, his tone cautious. "This Tiger Demon is a powerful creature from Heifeng Ridge in Zhenshan County. He commands three thousand minions and possesses a magical artifact called the ''Wind Thunder Stones.'' He has nine of them, each deadly enough to crush even a seasoned cultivator instantly. Be on guard¡ªhe¡¯ll likely use them against you soon."


    "Understood," Yi Xiao replied. She had only faced three of the Wind Thunder Stones earlier, and nine would significantly escalate the danger.


    "The Wind Thunder Stones are just one of his many tools," Qin Yun warned. "As the saying goes, ¡®Dragons ride the clouds; tigers summon the wind.¡¯ Every Tiger Demon excels in controlling the wind, and this White Tiger Demon King is no exception. With his mastery of wind, he can soar into the skies. Even in combat, his speed far surpasses that of most innate demons. To my knowledge, even the Water God is only half as fast as him. I¡¯ll do my best to hold him off, but his speed makes it difficult. Stay alert."


    Yi Xiao nodded, her face tense.


    The White Tiger Demon King stood tall, retrieving the nine Wind Thunder Stones with a wave of his hand.


    As the horn fell silent, he issued his command, "Kill the fleeing man and beast first. As for these two soft-skinned humans, I¡¯ll deal with them myself."


    "Yes, Great White Tiger King!"


    "Kill them!"


    "Kill the two escapees!"


    The monsters howled and roared, scattering to hunt down Jia Huairen and his old servant, Qian Shu.


    In another part of the canyon, Qin Yun and Yi Xiao faced a single opponent¡ªan enemy far more fearsome than the hundred monsters chasing Jia Huairen.


    The White Tiger Demon King sneered, his voice rumbling like thunder, "A sword practitioner of the Sword Immortal lineage, and a Five Elements Lightning Technique user. Both of you are disciples of your human race¡¯s top sects. What a delightful surprise to encounter such esteemed opponents here in this backwater mountain! Killing you two will be a grand achievement."


    He grinned maliciously. "Are you ready to die?"


    His form began to shift, growing larger and more fearsome.


    His clothes tore apart as he transformed into a monstrous figure over two zhang tall, covered in white fur. His head was that of a tiger, his limbs bulging with muscles, thicker than the columns of a grand temple. His legs were so massive that a human couldn¡¯t wrap their arms around them, and the walls of nearby buildings barely reached his knees. A whirlwind of black wind swirled around him, an aura of raw power and menace.


    Stretching out his massive arms, two gigantic axes flew into his hands, carried by a gust of wind. Each axe was a zhang long, and in his enormous hands, they seemed perfectly proportioned.


    The White Tiger Demon King¡¯s golden eyes gleamed with killing intent as he locked onto Qin Yun and Yi Xiao. "Disciples of top human sects? Killing you will be a joy!"


    At that moment, he cast aside all thoughts of the spiritual fruit.


    The White Tiger Great Demon only wanted to kill these elite disciples of humanity''s top sects!


    He took a step forward.


    Boom!


    The air was torn apart!


    His figure moved like a meteor streaking through the sky.


    "Clouds follow the dragon, wind follows the tiger!" The White Tiger Great Demon charged forward, with black winds howling. With just one step, he leaped dozens of meters, and in merely three steps, he had closed the distance to Qin Yun and Yi Xiao. His speed surpassed Qin Yun''s "Swift Movement Talisman" by two or three times. While the distant demons were still rushing toward Jia Huairen and his servant, the White Tiger Great Demon had already arrived in front of Qin Yun and Yi Xiao.


    "Too fast!" Yi Xiao''s usually calm face revealed a trace of astonishment. This speed was terrifying. She barely managed to evade and reflexively unleashed her Five Elements Divine Lightning in retaliation.


    Qin Yun, however, remained rooted to his spot.


    He had anticipated the White Tiger Great Demon''s speed, but experiencing it firsthand still sent a chill down his spine. It was overwhelming! At this speed, escaping was impossible¡ªhe simply couldn''t outrun him. If the White Tiger Great Demon chose, he could even take to the skies, making it even easier to pursue him. Thus, there was no choice but to confront him head-on.


    Boom!


    The Five Elements Divine Lightning struck the White Tiger Great Demon. While many of his white hairs turned charred and blackened, he paid no heed to the attack. Instead, his face twisted into an even more ferocious grin, his golden eyes radiating murderous intent.


    Qin Yun''s left hand gripped the hilt of his sword while his right hand rested on the scabbard. His legs shifted slightly, adopting a combat stance with one foot forward and the other back.


    Yi Xiao, retreating quickly, was shocked at his stance and sent him a mental message: "You can''t face him head-on!"


    But Qin Yun stood motionless, calmly awaiting the moment.


    "Die!" The White Tiger Great Demon charged forward. His massive body, like a small mountain, bore down upon them. The gigantic axe in his hand, larger than an average house, descended in a ferocious slash.


    Qin Yun raised his head, watching the descending axe. His eyes remained unblinking, meticulously tracking every movement and trajectory of the weapon.


    Clang!


    In an instant, Qin Yun surged forward. He drew his sword, and a flash of dazzling swordlight lit up the scene!

 Chapter 32: A Magical Treasure? Misty Rain Sword Intent!

    Yi Xiao watched from the side, her expression changing drastically: ¡°Brother Qin is being too reckless. This White Tiger Great Demon is simply too ferocious. One must exploit strengths and avoid weaknesses; confronting him with raw power is unwise.¡±


    Boom!!!


    The White Tiger Great Demon brought down his massive axe with full force. When he saw the opponent drawing his sword to meet the attack head-on, he sneered inwardly: ¡°Even the magical treasures of some innate cultivators can be cleaved by my axe. And this junior, not even at the innate realm, dares to take me head-on? Utter foolishness!¡±


    But at the moment of impact¡ª


    The White Tiger Great Demon felt as though his axe had struck into a series of whirlpools. His force seemed to dissipate, with layer upon layer of spirals twisting and redirecting the energy. Though his strength was immense, the majority of it was neutralized. Furthermore, the collision between the sword light and his axe sent a terrifying penetrating force through the weapon into his tiger claws, traveling up his arm and spreading into his body.


    Even with his robust body, the White Tiger Great Demon couldn¡¯t help but shudder.


    Boom!


    The point of impact between their weapons sent a terrifying shockwave in all directions, scattering sand and stones into the air.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± The White Tiger Great Demon, unable to break through with his axe, was forced to halt his previously unstoppable charge. A stifled feeling rose in his chest, making him very uncomfortable.


    Qin Yun, on the other hand, felt the sheer absurdity of the White Tiger¡¯s strength. Even with the use of the Misty Rain Sword Intent, the gap in raw power was too large. He couldn¡¯t help but take three steps back, each step cracking the stones beneath his feet.


    The White Tiger Great Demon paused. He stared in shock at the diminutive figure before him¡ªthe human youth.


    His chest felt heavy, his body slightly trembling.


    Even in a head-on clash, the White Tiger Great Demon was stunned.


    ¡°You blocked me? And you¡¯re not even at the innate realm, yet you blocked my axe?¡± The White Tiger Great Demon was incredulous. After all, he was an innate Great Demon.


    ¡°Brother Qin, you actually blocked him head-on?¡± Behind him, Yi Xiao was equally astounded.


    Qin Yun, however, smiled and sighed: ¡°Overwhelming strength truly is formidable.¡±


    In terms of technique and mastery, he far surpassed the demon.


    Against foes like the old demon Zhu Yong or the demonic servant Rhinoceros Demon, Qin Yun could slay them with a single sword strike before they could even retaliate. But the White Tiger Great Demon¡¯s strength was simply overwhelming. Combined with the massive axe, even Qin Yun¡¯s peerlessly exquisite swordsmanship was suppressed.


    ¡°You¡¯re not even at the innate realm.¡± The White Tiger Great Demon¡¯s golden eyes widened as he looked at Qin Yun, then at the divine sword in his hand. ¡°The disciples of the Sword Immortal lineage are this powerful? No, no, your sword must be a remarkable magical treasure. Only with the power of that treasure could you withstand my axe.¡±


    ¡°A remarkable magical treasure?¡± Qin Yun was speechless.


    As a rogue cultivator in the Sword Immortal lineage, he didn¡¯t even own a ninth-grade magical treasure!


    His lifebound flying sword wasn¡¯t even fully refined yet! Without the support of a sect, and without gifts from a master, where would he get a magical treasure? What he relied on was the Misty Rain Sword Intent that he had comprehended himself.


    Sword Intent was extremely rare.


    When nurturing a flying sword, it could enhance its speed by tenfold. Even an ordinary branch imbued with Sword Intent could cut through iron like mud.


    It was precisely because of this unparalleled talent that Qin Yun, as a rogue cultivator, managed to open the gates to the Sword Immortal path. One must know that in sacred Daoist grounds, where disciples received immense support from elders and countless treasures, even the most talented and determined struggled to step into the immortal path. When traveling the mortal world, Sword Immortal disciples were often gifted flying swords as protective treasures.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    But Qin Yun? He relied entirely on himself!


    ¡°Still, you¡¯ve only blocked one strike from me. Let¡¯s see you take another!¡± The White Tiger Great Demon stepped forward and attacked again.


    ¡°Good timing.¡± Qin Yun charged forward as well. On the northern border, he and his companions had slain three innate Great Demons together! He had also personally fought many innate Great Demons head-on. How could he fear a tiger demon?


    Whoosh.


    The massive axe came down again.


    Qin Yun twisted his body, evading the strike, and countered with a slash of his sword. The White Tiger, however, skillfully used his second axe as a shield to block.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The two engaged in a rapid series of clashes, their speed astonishing.


    The White Tiger¡¯s two axes alternated between relentless attacks and seamless defense. His axe techniques reached a flawless state, demonstrating a mastery so precise it left no openings. With his terrifying physical strength, even innate Void Core cultivators like Commander Fang Da would hesitate to face him.


    Rip!


    A single strike cleaved through the rocky ground, leaving a massive crack over ten meters long.


    Boom.


    A large tree exploded into splinters as the axe¡¯s force created a crater in the earth.


    Still, many of the White Tiger¡¯s strikes missed their mark.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    When their weapons collided, ripples of force radiated outward. After the first direct clash, Qin Yun relied on his skill and unleashed killing moves relentlessly.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± the White Tiger Great Demon cursed as his axe met the divine sword once more. The force of his swing was redirected and even borrowed against him. The divine sword merely grazed his axe before slashing toward his leg, aiming to sever it. Each move was ruthless and merciless.


    Boom.


    The White Tiger barely managed to block the strike with his other axe.


    ¡°So that¡¯s it. The White Tiger Great Demon may excel in manipulating wind, giving him speed, but that¡¯s only when charging directly! In confined spaces, with his massive body, how could he possibly be faster than me?¡± Qin Yun let out a breath of relief. This aligned with common sense. Smaller bodies were generally better at swift and agile movements. The larger the body, the less flexibility it had. Even though the tiger demon excelled in wind manipulation and was an innate Void Core Great Demon, his enormous size made him slightly less agile than Qin Yun.


    ¡­


    The stark contrast in size between the two, as well as the difference in weapon dimensions, made their fight even more striking.


    Their battle caused massive destruction within the Misty Lake Gorge. Trees were shattered into splinters, and giant rocks were smashed to rubble.


    From halfway up the mountain, Jia Huairen glanced back at the pursuing demons. His old servant, Uncle Qian, was desperately holding them off. Jia Huairen also noticed the commotion in the gorge below and was dumbfounded. ¡°Qin Yun is this terrifying?¡±


    Earlier, Qin Yun¡¯s casual strike had effortlessly slain the Rhinoceros Demon. That had merely been a warm-up.


    Now his true strength was on full display.


    Jia Huairen didn¡¯t dare dwell on it and continued his frantic escape.


    ¡°So this is Brother Qin¡¯s true power.¡± Yi Xiao¡¯s eyes glimmered as she watched. ¡°It¡¯s said that Sword Immortals can break all techniques with a single sword strike, specializing in offense! Brother Qin must be among the very best of the younger generation of Sword Immortals.¡±


    Yi Xiao raised her hand, summoning her Five Elements Lightning Technique.


    With the thunder within her five internal organs as the source, she channeled the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth. Her fair palm crackled with five-colored lightning, which she then hurled toward the White Tiger Great Demon with a boom¡ª


    The lightning struck the White Tiger.


    Humph.


    The White Tiger¡¯s golden vertical pupils glanced at Yi Xiao. He endured the Five Elements Lightning with his body alone, unwilling to divide his focus. Both axes were fully committed to defending against Qin Yun. He even felt a faint sense of gratitude¡ªhad he only wielded one axe, he might have already been severely injured.


    ¡°Brother Qin, this White Tiger Great Demon¡¯s body is extraordinarily resilient. My Five Elements Lightning can¡¯t hurt him much. I need time to prepare the Heavenly Thunder Technique. Can you guard me?¡± Yi Xiao sent him a mental message.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll protect you. Focus on your spell.¡± Qin Yun began retreating, moving closer to Yi Xiao.


    As long as he stayed near her, his agility and swordsmanship were enough to ensure her safety.


    Yi Xiao immediately composed herself. She took a Dao talisman from her robes, waved her hand, and shouted, ¡°Wind, rise!¡± The talisman ignited without fire, glowing with intricate runes as it summoned an unseen power.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    A wind began to stir, not the black wind controlled by the tiger demon, but a natural wind born from the heavens and earth. Its strength wasn¡¯t overwhelming but steady.


    Although the White Tiger Great Demon was fiercely battling Qin Yun, his years of experience made him naturally cautious. He kept an eye on his surroundings, especially Yi Xiao


    . Though his primary focus was on Qin Yun, he didn¡¯t underestimate her. As the wind began to rise, his heart tightened.


    ¡°Not good. She¡¯s preparing a spell.¡±


    The White Tiger felt an ominous foreboding.


    ¡°This girl can instantly unleash the Five Elements Lightning, showcasing a deep understanding of Daoist techniques. If she¡¯s casting a spell now, its power will surely surpass the Five Elements Lightning.¡± The White Tiger Great Demon knew he was in trouble.

 Chapter 33: The Loyal Servant Qian Bao

    Instantly casting a spell reflects a cultivator¡¯s profound mastery of Daoist techniques. Such spells consume only a small amount of internal true essence. In contrast, spells cast using talismans require expensive materials and intricate craftsmanship. Drawing a single talisman is no easy feat, often fraught with failure, which renders the materials wasted.


    For someone like Qin Yun, who cannot draw talismans, they must find ways to acquire them.


    Using a talisman, simply put, is akin to throwing money away. A basic talisman costs a hundred taels of silver per use, while a more potent one could cost a thousand taels. Who wouldn¡¯t feel the pinch? How long could anyone endure such expenses? This is why reusable ¡°amulets¡± are so highly valued; when properly nurtured, they can last a lifetime. However, their price is astronomical. Qin Yun only had a low-tier pair of movement speed amulets.


    ¡°She¡¯s casting a Daoist spell, starting to summon the wind. This is merely the prelude,¡± the White Tiger Great Demon thought, unwilling to waste time. He lunged toward Yi Xiao with a single stride, swinging his axe furiously. However, Qin Yun intercepted the axe with his sword, swiftly countering with a thrust aimed at the demon¡¯s vital area. The move startled the White Tiger Great Demon into a hurried defense.


    ¡°This sword immortal is too agile, and the artifact in his hand is far too powerful. He¡¯s completely blocking me¡ªI can¡¯t stop that girl from completing her spell,¡± the White Tiger Great Demon realized.


    As for using the Wind Thunder Stone?


    In the heat of battle with Qin Yun, he had no spare focus to control the stone effectively. Its power would be significantly diminished and would pose no threat to Yi Xiao.


    ¡°Minions!¡± the White Tiger Great Demon bellowed, ¡°All of you, come here and kill that female cultivator for me!¡±


    Unable to free himself to deal with Yi Xiao, he called on the nearly hundred demon soldiers nearby. Daoist practitioners are often weak in close combat; three to five demons in close quarters could disrupt her casting, even if they couldn¡¯t kill her.


    ¡°Yes, White Tiger King!¡±


    ¡°Kill the female cultivator!¡±


    The demons immediately abandoned their assault on Jia Huairen and his servant, rushing toward Yi Xiao.


    Moments earlier, the battlefield at Misty Lake Gorge had two fronts. On one side, the White Tiger Great Demon, brimming with confidence, swung his axe at Qin Yun, who directly engaged him. On the other, over a hundred demons surrounded and charged at Jia Huairen and his loyal servant.


    ¡°Run!¡±


    The old servant Qian Shu darted forward, steadily closing the distance to Jia Huairen.


    ¡°You think you can escape?¡± Several demons leapt down from the mountaintop, intercepting them from above.


    ¡°Those who block my path will die!¡± Qian Shu roared menacingly. In a flash, he reached one demon, plunging his claw into its skull, killing it instantly.


    ¡°Be careful!¡± the other demons cried out in alarm.


    Despite his severe injuries, Qian Shu moved with terrifying agility. His relentless attacks frightened the demons into retreating, though not before he tore out another demon¡¯s heart.


    The surrounding demons kept their distance, forming a circle around him without retreating further.


    ¡°I know you¡ªyou¡¯re that old dog from Yougao County! You¡¯re heavily injured and still want to fight us?¡±


    ¡°You think you can protect that human?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t. You¡¯ll both die today.¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    As more demons gathered, their numbers grew from several to over ten and continued to rise. The demons recognized Qian Shu as a formidable dog demon, stronger than any of the nineteen lieutenants under the local Water God. Despite his injuries, his reputation as a loyal servant of the Jia family in Yougao County was well known.


    Yet the demons also saw his dire condition. After all, he had suffered a blow from a powerful artifact controlled by the White Tiger Great Demon¡ªa force of immense destruction.


    ¡°Get back! Even if I die, I¡¯ll take you down with me. Come if you dare!¡± Qian Shu roared, launching a ferocious counterattack.


    Because he knew very well:


    He had to fight.


    Rip! Old Servant Qian Shu tore open the chest of a demon with a single claw, leaving a deep, gaping wound.


    Crunch. With a bite, he snapped the neck of another demon.


    "This time, I''m going to die. But Huairen must survive. He must!" Old Servant Qian Shu went completely berserk.


    "This old dog has gone mad!"


    "Attack him together!"


    "Surround him and kill him!"


    The surrounding demons, who had initially planned to wait until enough of their kind had gathered to ensure an overwhelming advantage, could no longer hold back. If they didn¡¯t attack, Old Servant Qian Shu would continue slaughtering them!


    "Charge!"


    "Kill him!" The demons launched a frenzied assault.


    "Come on, come on! If you come, you¡¯ll die!" Old Servant Qian Shu flashed in and out like a phantom, his speed astonishing. Speed was his greatest strength. Each time he moved, his sharp claws either ripped deep wounds into the demons or struck fatal blows to their vital points. Occasionally, he even bit them to death.


    Despite being swarmed, the demons¡¯ attacks continued to land on Old Servant Qian Shu. Even after being struck by the Wind-Thunder Stone earlier, he retained incredible strength. His body was extremely resilient, comparable to that of the powerful demon Chuyong. The demons¡¯ attacks kept adding wounds to his body, but they were far from enough to bring him down.


    Roar! A lizard demon bit into Old Servant Qian Shu''s thigh.


    Old Servant Qian Shu spun around and thrust a claw into the lizard demon¡¯s neck. With a vicious yank, he tore its head off! But a large chunk of flesh had already been torn from his leg, severely slowing him down.


    Boom! A bear demon struck the now-slower Qian Shu with a powerful slap, sending him flying. Blood spurted from his mouth, but even as he tumbled in mid-air, he flipped and used his claw to kill another demon that tried to ambush him.


    "This old dog is finished."


    "He''s slowing down."


    The demons became even angrier. In just a short time, over a dozen of their kind had fallen to his counterattacks.


    Old Servant Qian Shu, however, grew even more crazed. The fur on his head stood on end, and his bloodshot eyes burned with madness. Any demon that dared approach Jia Huairen was met with his ferocious counterattacks.


    A large chunk of flesh had been torn from his leg?


    Move! Move faster!


    Driven by sheer willpower, Old Servant Qian Shu somehow managed to maintain seventy to eighty percent of his peak speed.


    Yet¡ª


    The number of demons gathering continued to grow, and Old Servant Qian Shu¡¯s injuries worsened. As his strength declined and their numbers increased, despair began to creep into his heart.


    "No, no. Even if I die, Huairen must survive!" Images from the past flashed through Old Servant Qian Shu¡¯s mind.


    -------


    ¡°Qian Bao, come hold him.¡± An elderly man handed a swaddled infant to Qian Shu.


    Taking the baby, Qian Shu¡¯s weathered hands trembled as he gently touched the infant¡¯s chubby cheek.


    ¡°What will you name him, Master?¡± Qian Shu asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m just a poor scholar, Qian Bao. Without your help, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to establish a family. Now, in my old age, I¡¯ve been blessed with this child.¡± The old man gazed lovingly at the baby. ¡°I can¡¯t care for him for long. I only hope he grows up to uphold righteousness and bring honor to the Jia family. Let¡¯s name him Huairen.¡±


    ¡°Huairen? A name of great virtue,¡± Qian Shu repeated, beaming with joy.


    ¡°Father...¡±


    A child knelt by a deathly pale old man lying on his bed. The old man weakly turned to Qian Shu. ¡°Qian Bao, I entrust Huairen to you. There¡¯s no one else I can rely on. Promise me you¡¯ll take care of him.¡±


    ¡°I will, Master. I swear to take care of him,¡± Qian Shu vowed, tears streaming down his face.


    Even after Jia Huairen grew older and became harder to control, Qian Shu did everything he could¡ªarranging private tutors, procuring cultivation manuals, and even securing him a place in a sect. Though it was a third-rate sect, it was the best Qian Shu could manage.


    ¡°Pfft!¡± A scorpion tail pierced Qian Shu¡¯s abdomen, leaving a gaping wound. Poison seeped into his body, but with one furious swipe, he ripped off the scorpion demon¡¯s tail, killing it instantly.


    He stood amidst thirty demons who circled him, each looking for an opening to strike. They all knew: the old dog was on the verge of collapse.


    Just then, a commanding roar echoed through the gorge:


    ¡°Minions! All of you, come kill that female cultivator!¡±


    At the White Tiger Great Demon¡¯s order, the surrounding demons ceased their attack on Qian Shu and retreated in waves toward Yi Xiao.


    Qian Shu stood motionless, his mind reeling. Slowly, he staggered to the top of the cliff, collapsing against a boulder.


    From this vantage point, he could see Jia Huairen¡¯s figure growing smaller and smaller as he fled into the distant forest.


    ¡°Huairen¡­ you¡¯ve made it out alive,¡± Qian Shu muttered, a faint smile spreading across his face as he quietly awaited the end.

 Chapter 34: A Fight to the Death

    On the other side, Qin Yun and Yi Xiao were also fighting with all their might to survive. The White Tiger demon was a tremendous threat, and if they delayed any longer, the thousands of demons rushing over from all corners of Mount Cangya would become an even greater danger.


    "We have to leave as quickly as possible. We can¡¯t afford to be delayed. If we get surrounded by thousands of demons, it¡¯s over. But to leave, we must at least drive off this White Tiger demon!" Qin Yun understood this clearly, and so did Yi Xiao. The White Tiger demon was too tenacious and adept at flying with the wind. If it kept pursuing them, escape would be impossible.


    Yi Xiao glanced at the darkening sky. The wind was picking up, becoming stronger by the moment.


    "Kill!"


    "Kill the female cultivator!"


    Demons surged in from all directions.


    Yi Xiao suddenly flipped her left hand, and five-colored lightning appeared in her palm, crackling violently before shooting out. The lightning split into five bolts, targeting the five closest demons charging toward her. These demons were reckless lesser demons, and her Five Elements Lightning Art was incredibly powerful. Even the White Tiger demon would suffer minor injuries from it, and ordinary demon leaders would be instantly obliterated.


    Though the spell was divided into five, it was more than enough to deal with the lesser demons.


    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Thunder roared as the five demons were instantly charred and lifeless. The nearby demons, terrified, retreated in haste.


    Earlier, when they fought Old Servant Qian Shu, they had believed his severe injuries made him an easy target, emboldening their ferocity. But they hadn¡¯t expected him to unleash such strength even while grievously wounded, costing them over twenty lives. This had left fewer than a hundred demons in Misty Lake Gorge.


    However, the Five Elements Lightning Art was terrifying. Lesser demons couldn¡¯t even dodge it, and those struck would certainly die.


    "Stay a hundred meters away from her. She can¡¯t attack from that far," the White Tiger demon¡¯s voice echoed through the gorge. "Flying demons, go up high and drop rocks on her! Archers, shoot her from a distance. Strong ones, hurl boulders and crush her!"


    "Yes, White Tiger King!"


    The demons obeyed at once.


    Whoosh!


    Six flying demons grabbed large rocks and soared high into the air. Once in position, they began dropping the rocks toward Yi Xiao.


    Among the demons, there were also a few naturally skilled with bows. Even ordinary demons, with strength equivalent to the tenth level of Qi Refinement, could exert over ten thousand pounds of force. While they could barely lift massive battleaxes weighing over three thousand pounds, wielding them effectively was impossible. Yet, paired with a strong bow and natural talent, their arrows could be devastating.


    There were only two demons armed with bows. Unlike Qian Shu, whose body was as tough as Old Demon Chuyong''s and impervious to such attacks, Yi Xiao was a human cultivator¡ªfragile by comparison.


    Whoosh!


    An arrow shot through the air from one of the archers, tearing toward Yi Xiao.


    At the same time, several boulder-wielding demons¡ªlike bear demons and bull demons¡ªstood at a distance of a hundred meters, hurling hundred-pound rocks with the force of catapults. The stones arced through the sky, hurtling toward Yi Xiao.


    ¡­


    In an instant, falling rocks, arrows, and hurled boulders converged on Yi Xiao.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Qin Yun, locked in combat with the White Tiger demon, watched in alarm but was powerless to intervene. He was already exerting every ounce of strength to hold back the White Tiger demon, whose twin battleaxes could easily cleave a small mountain. The axes spun like the forces of yin and yang, leaving Qin Yun struggling to defend himself without inflicting any injury on the White Tiger demon.


    "Yi Xiao is a disciple of a prestigious sect. She should be able to handle these threats easily," Qin Yun thought to reassure himself.


    Yi Xiao, dressed in a pale green robe, stood calmly in place without moving.


    She stretched out her slender hand. On her wrist was a bracelet, now glowing with golden runes.


    Buzz!


    Three layers of invisible energy flowed outward, forming a protective barrier around her.


    Boom! Boom! Boom! Large rocks struck the outermost layer, causing it to deform slightly before losing momentum and falling harmlessly aside. The arrows failed to penetrate even the first layer, falling to the ground. The boulders, too, had no effect.


    "What!" The demons stared in shock from afar, utterly dumbfounded.


    "A magic treasure?" The White Tiger demon¡¯s expression shifted. With his extensive experience, he immediately recognized the bracelet as a magic treasure.


    After all, no mere magical tool could provide such a powerful defense.


    Three layers of protection, and none of the attacks had even breached the first!


    Yi Xiao remained serene.


    Her lightning techniques were her forte, but her defensive skills were weaker. That¡¯s why her sect had given her this life-saving treasure.


    "Top-tier sect disciples all have protective treasures," the White Tiger demon muttered bitterly. "That sword immortal is the same. He hasn¡¯t even reached the Innate realm, can¡¯t even use flying sword techniques, and still he has such a powerful treasure sword! I¡¯d wager that sword isn¡¯t ninth-grade¡ªit¡¯s at least eighth-grade, maybe even seventh."


    Little did he know, his own battleaxe was worth a hundred times more than Qin Yun¡¯s divine sword.


    ¡­


    Yi Xiao glanced at the darkening sky, where strong winds howled.


    "It¡¯s time," she said softly, pulling out a talisman from her robes. She tossed it into the air. "Gather the clouds!"


    The talisman ignited without flame, glowing brightly as it summoned another force from the heavens.


    Boom!


    Dark clouds began gathering in the stormy sky, growing denser and heavier, seemingly pressing closer to the ground.


    The White Tiger demon felt a sense of dread. "How can this girl¡¯s spell be so powerful when she hasn¡¯t even opened the Immortal Gate?"


    "Kill her now!"


    The White Tiger demon swung his massive axes in fury, aiming to kill Qin Yun while simultaneously growing a long, bushy tail behind him. This white tiger¡¯s tail, thick as a barrel and over three meters long, whipped toward Yi Xiao with tremendous force.


    Thwack!


    Qin Yun, blocking one of the axes, immediately turned his sword to intercept the tail.


    Roar! The White Tiger demon let out a low growl of pain. Though his tail was incredibly tough, Qin Yun¡¯s sword light was sharp and ferocious, cutting a third of the way through. The tail quickly recoiled and disappeared from sight.


    "Even ordinary tigers have three great moves: pounce, swipe, and crush. You, a mighty White Tiger demon¡ªdid you think I wouldn¡¯t guard against your ¡®crush¡¯ move?" Qin Yun said coldly, though inwardly, he was astonished. "What an incredible tail! Even my full-strength strike could only cut this deep?"


    He had already given it his all, holding back nothing.


    As for his ultimate life-risking move? That was reserved for situations where victory or death was certain, not to be used lightly.


    "Curse you!"


    The White Tiger demon, now enraged by his injured tail, roared in anger.


    Above, the dark clouds grew thicker and darker, as if about to descend. Of course, that was merely an illusion; the clouds were still far above the ground.


    Crackle! Lightning flickered faintly within the black clouds, accompanied by the roaring wind.


    "It¡¯s ready!"


    Yi Xiao¡¯s eyes lit up with delight.


    Harnessing the power of the heavens, she could now unleash the Heavenly Thunder Technique!


    She retrieved her final Heavenly Thunder Talisman, a talisman that took her five or six attempts to create a single successful one¡ªa costly undertaking.


    "Five Elements, Five Directions!" Yi Xiao¡¯s voice was clear and resounding. "Summon the Thunder Gods of the Five Directions! By the decree of the Lingbao Heavenly Sovereign, command the wind and clouds, strike down with thunder, and annihilate these demons! By the celestial order, let it be done!"


    Infused with her true essence, the talisman¡¯s runes shone brightly, drawing upon the thunderous power within the black clouds.


    A thick, blinding bolt of lightning shot down from the sky.


    BOOM!!!


    The deafening thunder sent shivers through the nearby demons. The lightning was so fast that even the White Tiger demon couldn¡¯t evade it. In desperation, he swung one of his massive axes, imbued with demonic energy, at the descending bolt.


    Boom! The heavens flashed white as the lightning struck the axe, blasting it away before slamming into the White Tiger demon¡¯s body.


    His body charred, his flesh torn, the White Tiger demon reeled in pain.


    "Die!"


    Qin Yun seized the moment. With a glint of determination in his eyes, he leaped forward and unleashed his ultimate life-risking attack!


    A strike with no retreat! It was now or never!


    His sword flashed with blinding speed, aiming directly for the White Tiger demon¡¯s neck to sever its head!

 Chapter 35: The Tiger Demon’s Severed Claw

    The White Tiger Demon felt his head ringing from the impact, his body wracked with intense pain. His skin was torn, his bones cracked, and his blood had turned black from the wounds. But when Qin Yun''s life-threatening sword attack came rushing toward him, the White Tiger Demon¡¯s heart trembled. His instinct to survive made his eyes widen in horror. He could only barely make out the blurry image of Qin Yun¡¯s sword as it approached, and in a panic, he instinctively raised his left claw holding the battle axe to block.


    Despite being severely wounded, the White Tiger Demon reacted quickly, using his battle axe as a shield in front of him.


    ¡°Damn it, I can¡¯t strike at his vital spot now,¡± Qin Yun thought, his expression changing slightly. Yet, his sword did not hesitate and continued its deadly course. He swiftly redirected it to slash at the White Tiger Demon¡¯s arm that was gripping the battle axe.


    ¡°I¡¯ll sever your claw first!¡±


    Swish!


    Qin Yun¡¯s sword was incredibly fast, fierce and relentless. The White Tiger Demon, despite his injury, managed to block his vital areas with the battle axe. However, he had no time to react this time, and the sword directly slashed into the demon''s arm.


    The White Tiger Demon thought, ¡°Judging from the power of the previous strike to my tail, this should only injure my arm¡­¡±


    Before his thought could finish, an intense pain shot through him.


    Thud!


    The sword slashed through with tremendous force, and the claw holding the battle axe dropped to the ground with a sickening thud. The White Tiger Demon could hardly believe what had just happened. His arm, strong as it was, had been severed with a single stroke. Qin Yun¡¯s sword was brutal and unstoppable.


    The moment his claw fell, Qin Yun, using the full momentum of his attack, was about to swing for another strike when¡ª


    Boom!


    A gust of black wind swept around the White Tiger Demon, and in an instant, he shot backward.


    ¡°Quick escape,¡± Qin Yun muttered, his gaze narrowing. He did not give chase. After all, if the White Tiger Demon truly wanted to escape, even with his own speed, Qin Yun knew he wouldn''t be able to catch up. Even high-level cultivators at the Innate Golden Elixir realm would have difficulty keeping up with the White Tiger Demon¡¯s speed. The legendary ¡°Water God,¡± who had terrorized Guangling County for more than two centuries, had only about half the speed of the White Tiger Demon.


    As the White Tiger Demon retreated, he quickly passed by the battle axe that had been struck by the thunder, snatched it up with his right claw, and soared into the air.


    Harnessing the black wind, the White Tiger Demon hovered high above and let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°My hand¡­¡± He looked at his severed left claw and then glanced down at the battle axe that Qin Yun was stepping on. ¡°My axe!¡±


    Though his claw was severed and his injuries severe, with his formidable physical cultivation, he could regenerate the lost claw over time, especially with the help of his master. However, that would require consuming a lot of precious supplements and would take time.


    But compared to his severed claw, the White Tiger Demon was far more distressed about losing his battle axe.


    The two axes were the result of years of accumulation. He had spent thirty years saving up to obtain the second battle axe.


    ¡°Damn you,¡± the White Tiger Demon growled. He glared at Qin Yun and said, ¡°You¡¯ll regret this.¡±


    His thoughts churned. "I could only block his sword with both of my axes before! Now I¡¯m left with just one, and even in my prime, I wouldn¡¯t be able to defend against that sword. Not to mention, I¡¯ve been hit by thunder, badly wounded, and lost a claw. I¡¯m barely at thirty percent of my strength. If I stay down there, I¡¯ll only die.¡±


    ¡°That last sword was too powerful! My physical strength, especially my front claws, is unrivaled, and yet he managed to sever my claw with a single blow? Did he hide his strength when he struck my tail earlier?¡± The White Tiger Demon also recalled the previous battle. During Qin Yun¡¯s life-threatening strike, there had indeed been a moment where his technique seemed to have reached its limit, unlike the earlier attacks, which had a mystical, unpredictable flow.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°It must have been his killing move. Though it had a flaw, the power was immense,¡± the White Tiger Demon thought grimly.


    ¡°Damn it! If not for the thunder striking me, I could have blocked his attack with both axes! Now, with only one left, I can¡¯t defend. I never thought that I¡¯d lose a claw¡­¡±


    He looked down once more, his eyes falling on the faintly visible figure of the young woman, Yi Xiao, beside Qin Yun. A flash of hatred flickered in his eyes.


    Back at the foggy lake canyon, Qin Yun looked up at the White Tiger Demon hovering in the sky, holding one battle axe and manipulating the black wind. He wasn¡¯t coming down.


    ¡°He¡¯s too afraid to come down,¡± Qin Yun said. ¡°These demons are all cautious. I heard that the Water God, who¡¯s caused so much chaos, is afraid of encountering a high-level Innate Golden Elixir cultivator, which is why he never ventures far from the rivers.¡±


    ¡°Same with the White Tiger Demon. Once the situation turns against him, he¡¯ll retreat to the sky.¡±


    On the ground, the White Tiger Demon was already fast enough to escape. But in the air, he was even harder to catch. He was a natural wind controller, and after years of training, his flight skills were unmatched. To chase him down was nearly impossible.


    Yi Xiao stepped forward. ¡°These major demons are always cautious. My master has several senior cultivators who want to deal with the Water God. Even the Water God, for all his tyranny, stays near the river and flees as soon as he senses danger.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded. ¡°It¡¯s true. Those who are weak can¡¯t defeat the Water God, and those who are strong can¡¯t catch him in the water.¡±


    The White Tiger Demon, hovering in the sky, flew toward a group of nearly a hundred demons gathered below. He grabbed the horn of Cangya Mountain.


    ¡°Retreat! All of you retreat to the outer area of the Fog Lake Canyon! Hold the line and wait for the thousands of demons to arrive. Then we¡¯ll see how they stop us!¡± The White Tiger Demon¡¯s voice echoed, filled with fury, as he gave orders.


    ¡°Understood, White Tiger King,¡± the demons quickly responded, retreating as commanded.


    The more demons there were, the more terrifying the threat. The airborne ones, those burrowing underground, and those with various strange abilities would soon surround Qin Yun and Yi Xiao.


    ¡°Humph! The Sword Immortal is just one person. He can¡¯t possibly block all the attacks. One tiny mistake, and he¡¯ll be struck. Human bodies are rarely as strong as a demon¡¯s,¡± the White Tiger Demon thought, feeling emboldened. ¡°As for that female cultivator, so what if she has a magic tool? Controlling a magic item still requires the consumption of true essence. With so many demons attacking her at once, her true essence will run out quickly.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s just a junior who hasn¡¯t even reached the Innate stage. She must have used up most of her true essence with that Thunder Technique earlier.¡±


    ¡°Once her true essence is exhausted, she¡¯ll die.¡±


    The White Tiger Demon had made up his mind. He would kill them both¡ªnot only for revenge but to reclaim his battle axe. As for the spiritual fruit, that was a secondary concern.


    Qin Yun and Yi Xiao both knew that the most dangerous threat was the thousands of demons that would soon surround them.


    ¡°Brother Qin, I¡¯ve expended most of my true essence casting the Thunder Technique. Even the Five Elements Thunder Law, I can only cast maybe seven or eight more times,¡± Yi Xiao said, a hint of exhaustion in her voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Leave it to me. You focus on staying alive for now. I¡¯ll handle the rest,¡± Qin Yun said, looking down at the massive tiger claw that had already been severed. The claw was thicker than his waist, and the severed portion was almost as tall as he was. The tiger¡¯s fur was valuable, and the curved claws on it were longer than his own sword!


    As for the massive battle axe beside him, it was over ten feet tall, and its weight was extraordinary. This axe alone was a treasure.


    Qin Yun sheathed his sword and grabbed the battle axe with one hand and the severed tiger claw with the other.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. The old servant, Uncle Qian, is on the cliff. We need to hurry and make sure he¡¯s not harmed by the demons,¡± Qin Yun said, already spotting Uncle Qian on top of the mountain.


    ¡°Right, let¡¯s go,¡± Yi Xiao replied.


    Both of them moved swiftly, faster than the average demon, and raced toward Uncle Qian¡¯s location.


    As they ascended the mountain, they saw the bodies of demons scattered around. Most had been torn apart by claws or pierced through by sharp objects, some even bitten to death. It was clear that the demons had been fighting among themselves.


    None of the demons had made it to the top of the mountain.


    ¡°Uncle Qian must have stopped them below the cliff,¡± Yi Xiao said as they quickly made their way up. ¡°If he were trying to escape, he could have just run far away. He had no reason to risk his life like this.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s protecting Jia Huai Ren,¡± Qin Yun responded, ¡°Uncle Qian is quite famous in Guangling County. Among the nineteen demon leaders under the Water God, none were stronger than this old dog demon. The Water God invited him to join several times, but he never accepted. He¡¯s always been loyal to the Jia family. I heard he used to be a regular dog the Jia family raised, but after an accident, he became a demon. He¡¯s always served the Jia family faithfully, and it was thanks to him that Jia Huai Ren was able to join a cultivation sect and eventually open the path to immortality.¡±


    Yi Xiao fell silent after hearing this.


    The two of them reached the top of the mountain and saw Uncle Qian sitting there.

 Chapter 36: Let Me Try First

    Uncle Qian, the old servant, calmly leaned against a large stone.


    "Perhaps all these years of what I''ve done have only harmed Huairen."


    "I hope that after I die, Huairen can wake up."


    "Well, in a place like Yougao County, it¡¯s hard for any cultivator to not survive."


    "I''m almost dead now, there''s no need to think more. From now on, it will depend on Huairen."


    Scenes of his past life appeared in Uncle Qian¡¯s mind.


    They were the most precious and unforgettable memories of his life, the reasons he had faithfully served the Jia family all these years.


    It was late autumn, and it was raining heavily.


    A small dog, not long born, was trembling outside a courtyard wall. The rain was cold, and a scholar, holding an oilcloth umbrella, passed by and found the dog. He immediately picked it up and cradled it in his arms, warming the little dog. "No one wants you, little fellow? I¡¯ve been kicked out too and am almost starving. But you¡¯re clever, aren¡¯t you? You know to snuggle into my arms."


    The scholar was destitute, having studied his whole life and never even earned the title of a xiucai (a low-level scholar). The yellow dog he kept was very thin. Yet, the man and the dog relied on each other for survival.


    That night, the imperial river liquid flowed, turning into thousands of golden threads, showering over the world.


    An old, weak dog received a strand of imperial river liquid. The moonlight refined its body, awakening its spiritual wisdom, and it transformed into a demon. From then on, the fate of the scholar and the dog changed.


    Thus, the Jia family came into being.


    Thus, Uncle Qian, the old servant, and Jia Huairen were born.


    "Master, I am coming to join you," Uncle Qian murmured. "I can no longer take care of Huairen. Finally, I can come to join you."


    In his hazy consciousness, Uncle Qian sensed two figures appearing beside him.


    Qin Yun and Yi Xiao stood by, both sighing.


    "He''s beyond saving." Qin Yun immediately saw that Uncle Qian¡¯s injuries were extremely severe. If he were a human, he would have died long ago. Even as a demon, Uncle Qian had persisted this long only because of some lingering attachment.


    Uncle Qian slowly opened his eyes and, looking at the two, spoke in a labored voice, "Qin... Qin Gongzi, Yi... Yi Gu... Miss, this small demon has a request. I hope you can help me."


    "Please, Uncle Qian, tell us," Qin Yun said.


    "After I die, I hope you can bury me next to my master¡¯s tomb. The tomb of the Jia family in Yougao County, you can find it easily. Please, it''s too much to ask," Uncle Qian¡¯s voice was faint, but fortunately, Qin Yun and Yi Xiao had extraordinary senses and could hear him clearly.


    Yi Xiao said softly, "Don''t worry."


    A faint smile appeared on Uncle Qian''s dog-demon face, and a burden in his heart was finally lifted.


    Once his attachment was gone, his spirit relaxed, and he felt as if his body was floating. The world before him seemed to turn white.


    Faintly, an old scholar¡¯s figure appeared, smiling at him.


    Uncle Qian transformed into a large yellow dog and dashed towards him.


    Qin Yun watched as Uncle Qian¡¯s breath quickly faded, and his body quickly reverted to its original form¡ªa large yellow dog, heavily injured, with part of its body missing.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    "Today, I have seen that even demons can have such loyalty," Yi Xiao said.


    "Demons can have goodness too," Qin Yun nodded. He had traveled far and wide, meeting many kinds of demons, including good ones. Just as humans have loyal people, demons can have them too. Qin Yun deeply respected such loyal beings.


    "I had suspected before that he might be colluding with the Cangya Mountain demons," Yi Xiao admitted with a bit of shame.


    "One can''t say for certain without seeing it for themselves. I had only heard of his legend, and this is the first time I¡¯ve interacted with him." Qin Yun stood at the edge of the cliff, looking around. "Don¡¯t think about these things now. We need to deal with the demons around us first."


    "Mm." Yi Xiao felt a tightness in her chest and looked around solemnly.


    At a distance, a large group of demons had already gathered. Even in the sky, there were many demons, and the White Tiger Demon was watching from above, ready to strike. Qin Yun and Yi Xiao quickly assessed the situation¡ªcounting the nearly 100 demons that were originally in the Fog Lake Canyon, the number of demons had now swelled to nearly 500!


    By the Lan Yang River, there was a sprawling, garden-like mansion. Within it, there were pavilions, bridges, flowing water, trees, and artificial mountains, along with many beauties. It seemed like a paradise.


    But this mansion was the lair of the great demon "Water God," who had terrorized the entire Guangling County for over 200 years, leaving the imperial court powerless to stop him.


    The Water God was quite thin, dressed in a silver-white robe, standing by a pond with his hands behind his back.


    His long eyebrows framed his cold eyes, and his cheeks were sunken. He stared coldly into the distance, his eyes narrowing, "There¡¯s still no news from Cangya Mountain. I suppose the thousand-year Ice Jade Fruit will ripen this month. I don¡¯t need it, but I could sell it for a high price! The current governor of Guangling County is old and will definitely want to get his hands on the Ice Jade Fruit. He might try to seize it. But with White Tiger as my junior, nothing should go wrong."


    Although he suspected the governor of Guangling County might try to seize it, the Water God still didn''t want to go himself.


    "If I go to Cangya Mountain, it might be a trap set by the Taoists, Buddhists, or the imperial court, with an advanced cultivator at the Golden Elixir stage lying in wait to kill me." The Water God sneered, "Hmph, no matter how tempting the bait is, they can¡¯t lure me out."


    Over these 200 years, the Water God had been an unstoppable force.


    He had caused immense suffering throughout Guangling County, and Qin Yun¡¯s family had also been deeply affected by his tyranny.


    Many cultivators couldn¡¯t tolerate it anymore, and even the imperial court couldn¡¯t stand by idly. They set traps to lure the Water God inland, away from the rivers, to destroy him in one strike. But the Water God had always avoided falling into these traps. No matter how great the temptation, it couldn¡¯t move him. Whenever things looked bad, he would retreat into the river. It was no wonder he called himself the "Water God."


    "The humans must have given up on trying to lure me," he muttered.


    "With White Tiger as my junior, the Ice Jade Fruit should be within my grasp. I¡¯ll give him a share. The rest will be mine. Then I¡¯ll trade it for more treasures." The Water God had already decided who he would sell the spiritual fruit to.


    At the top of the cliff near the Fog Lake Canyon, Qin Yun and Yi Xiao stood together. As they got closer to the canyon, more and more demons gathered. In just a short while, more than 300 demons had arrived, and with the nearly 100 already present in the canyon, there were now nearly 500 demons in total.


    "Qin brother, what should we do now? Where should we break through?" Yi Xiao asked.


    "Right now, nearly 500 demons have gathered around, and more are still coming from every direction. The White Tiger Demon is watching from the air," Qin Yun replied. "With so many demons, forcing our way through isn¡¯t of much use."


    "We can combine our strength. We both have some protective treasures, and I believe we can break through together." Yi Xiao''s eyes gleamed sharply. Given the situation, they had no choice but to fight!


    "Let me try first. If it doesn¡¯t work, then we can break through together." Qin Yun communicated through voice transmission.


    Yi Xiao was surprised, "Qin brother, you want to try?"


    "Miss Yi, just focus on protecting yourself and guarding this big axe. Don¡¯t let that Tiger Demon take it." Qin Yun placed the large axe and the tiger claw down.


    "Rest assured, I have a magic treasure that can protect the surroundings." Yi Xiao said, stepping on the axe. "The Tiger Demon can¡¯t get close to me. But Qin brother, what¡¯s your plan? With so many demons attacking, can you block them with just your sword?"


    The White Tiger Demon, flying high above, looked down, seeing demons gathering from all over Cangya Mountain. He felt confident.


    He wasn''t in a hurry to strike. With nearly 500 demons surrounding them, the longer they delayed, the more demons would gather, and their advantage would grow.


    "Whoosh."


    Suddenly, Qin Yun moved.


    His figure shot down, landing in an open area more than ten feet away, with no obstructions in sight.


    "What is this swordsman doing?" The White Tiger Demon was stunned. "He was at the edge of the cliff, where demons could have surrounded him from all sides. Now he''s standing in an open space¡ªhe¡¯s practically seeking death!"


    "Qin brother, what are you planning to do?" Yi Xiao was startled and immediately communicated with concern, "If you''re unsure, we should break through together."


    "Just watch," Qin Yun replied via voice transmission.


    He then surveyed the countless demons surrounding him. Immediately, his voice rang out, clear and loud, "You want to kill me, don¡¯t you? Here I am! Standing here, come and kill me! If any of you can hurt me even a single hair, I will acknowledge your abilities."

 Chapter 37: Qin Yuns Strongest Move

    The White Tiger Demon in the sky froze.


    The many demons from all directions, with various and sometimes ugly appearances, also froze. There were wolf demons, pig demons, ox demons, bear demons, scorpion demons, snake demons, insect demons, and other kinds of creatures¡ªsome flying in the air, some burrowing underground, and others swimming in the water. In that moment, the demons first paused, then one by one became enraged. Many demons immediately had their eyes turn red.


    Some demons were already of low intelligence, and when their eyes turned red, they were capable of anything.


    "Kill him!"


    "He dares to be so arrogant?"


    "He dares to be so bold in front of us!" The demons roared.


    The White Tiger Demon in the sky furrowed his brow and stared at Qin Yun below, his golden eyes burning with anger. He immediately roared, "Attack! Surround and kill him!"


    "Kill!" "Kill!" "Kill!"¡­


    The cries for blood echoed like a mountain-shaking tsunami. The demons charged from all sides. Some burrowed into the ground, and some flying demons swooped down from the sky. Even though they knew the human cultivator was powerful, when the number of demons was this large, the demons naturally felt bold! A cultivator who hadn''t reached the innate level¡ªno matter how strong¡ªcould easily be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.


    Qin Yun''s earlier words had embarrassed and enraged them; he was provoking them!


    "With so many of us, and he still dares to provoke us?"


    "Rip him apart."


    "Eat him!"


    "I want a piece of his flesh!"


    Many of the demons seemed to have gone mad. When they all rushed forward, their courage was overwhelming, and their killing intent was monstrous.


    Even if several hundred ordinary humans were charging at once, it would be an imposing sight, but when hundreds of demons with all kinds of forms surged together, the force was terrifying! Even the White Tiger Demon in the sky had his eyes gleam, and Yi Xiao, who was enveloped by a three-layered protective glow from her magical item, also felt a tightening in her heart. "What does Qin Yun plan to do?"


    Qin Yun stood still, calmly waiting.


    "Kill him!" The White Tiger Demon in the sky roared with excitement.


    "Whoosh¡ª" In almost an instant, more than twenty demons leaped toward him from all directions, and several flying demon birds swooped down from above. Demons were also rushing toward him from the ground.


    Qin Yun''s eyes flickered, and in a split second, he drew his sword.


    A streak of sword light flashed!


    "Really, just with a sword?" Yi Xiao, who had initially thought Qin Yun was confident and preparing something powerful, now wondered, "No matter how powerful a sword is, how can it block all these attacks from the demons?"


    Yi Xiao started to prepare her Five Elements Thunder Law to assist Qin Yun.


    "Haha, arrogant, too arrogant." The White Tiger Demon, seeing the situation, became even more excited.


    "Eat this cultivator!"


    "Rip him apart!"


    "Devour him."


    Various mad roars filled the air.


    But suddenly, the demons began to lose their fervor. They were shocked to realize that despite their attacks from every direction¡ªabove, below, and all around¡ªQin Yun was surrounded by a glowing sword light. The attacks from dozens of demons¡ªteeth, sharp claws, and even poisonous stingers, tails, and other special moves¡ªwere coming from all sides. But the sword light was uninterrupted, covering every inch around Qin Yun.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The sword light formed a sphere!


    There wasn''t a single gap.


    Every attack was blocked by the sword light, and the demons that approached were instantly slain by the sword light. A flash, and the demons'' bodies would split in two without a visible wound. Some had their heads sliced off, some had their hearts severed¡­ all these cuts were so fast they were practically unstoppable.


    Three, five, ten, twenty¡­


    The sword light sphere around Qin Yun was like a meat grinder, and any demon that got too close was struck down, revealing its true form. Most importantly, no demon could breach the sword light sphere and harm Qin Yun in the slightest.


    The White Tiger Demon and Yi Xiao stood frozen, watching in shock at what was unfolding before them, speechless for a moment.


    "This is a magic item! It must be that flying sword magic item. It must have a powerful defense mechanism." The White Tiger Demon stared in disbelief. "How could a mere brat, who hasn''t even reached the innate level, be granted such a powerful flying sword?"


    He had heard that some legendary flying swords were incredibly powerful, capable of transforming into thousands of sword lights.


    "Go!"


    The White Tiger Demon, unwilling to back down, immediately threw out nine Wind Thunder Stones.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh¡­


    The nine Wind Thunder Stones grew rapidly in the wind, each the size of a human head. They tore through the air like falling meteors, each heading straight for Qin Yun.


    "Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"¡­ As the nine Wind Thunder Stones hit the sword light sphere around Qin Yun, they were immediately deflected and sent flying back, each one no exception. The talisman markings on their surfaces quivered from the impact.


    The White Tiger Demon nearly went mad, his eyes bulging. "How can this magic item be so powerful? And it''s in the hands of a mere young cultivator?!"


    Yi Xiao, still maintaining her magical bracelet for protection, was stunned by the scene. "No wonder Qin Yun was so confident. I didn''t expect him to have such a defense method. This must be a feature of the flying sword magic item? Its offensive power is immense, but its defense is just as formidable. What kind of magical item is this? Could it be a seventh-grade magic item? Is it from Spirit Treasure Mountain, or from Sword Sect? But he hasn''t even entered the innate stage, and they gave him such a powerful sword? Isn''t there a risk of other disciples feeling it¡¯s unfair?"


    "Or is it that Qin Yun is so exceptional that his elders granted him this powerful flying sword?" Yi Xiao wondered, still in awe.


    The demons, who had charged at Qin Yun with great momentum, were now faltering. As many of them were quickly cut down without even touching Qin Yun, they realized there was no hope. They feared death!


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh¡ªone by one, they began to retreat.


    When one retreated, more followed. Soon, there were no demons left near Qin Yun.


    The remaining demons stood far away, looking at Qin Yun in terror.


    Qin Yun, holding his divine sword, scanned the surrounding demons and loudly declared, "Anyone who wants to die, come forward!"


    His voice echoed throughout the mountains, but the demons remained silent.


    "Hmph." Qin Yun sneered, then turned to walk toward Yi Xiao.


    Yi Xiao revealed a look of joy. As Qin Yun approached, she transmitted a message: "Qin Yun, I¡¯m impressed. I didn''t expect you to have such a method."


    "Miss Yi, don¡¯t forget where I¡¯ve been." Qin Yun also transmitted back.


    "Where have you been? The northern border?" Yi Xiao was momentarily stunned.


    "Yes, the northern border." Qin Yun replied, "There, to survive for three years, the most important thing isn¡¯t killing enemies, but staying alive."


    It was on the northern battlefield, where he had often walked between life and death, that he had developed the Misty Rain Sword and comprehended the Misty Rain Sword Intent.


    The Misty Rain Sword''s creation was focused on defending against sieges. The defense had to be flawless, and the "Misty Rain Sword Intent" that he eventually comprehended was honed to perfection in this regard.


    There are many types of sword intents, but the strongest of Qin Yun''s Misty Rain Sword Intent wasn¡¯t offense¡ªit was defense!


    The ultimate move for self-preservation, the essence of the Misty Rain Sword, was what Qin Yun called the "Celestial Sword Light."


    Once fully deployed, the sword intent would create a continuous stream of sword light, enveloping his entire body without any gaps. There would be no way to harm him.


    However, this Celestial Sword Light consumed an immense amount of true essence with every moment it was maintained. It was like the difference between a person walking a few hundred miles slowly and sprinting just a couple hundred feet, exhausting their energy. The Celestial Sword Light was extremely powerful, but its only flaw was the high consumption of true essence.


    Although Qin Yun had fought for just a short while earlier, he had already slain over sixty demons!


    "Yes, survival. Qin Yun, you¡¯re best at surviving and fear no siege," Yi Xiao said, her face showing delight.


    Qin Yun transmitted again: "Let me tell you something. Don¡¯t show any signs. Keep that surprise expression. This defensive move consumes a lot of true essence, and I¡¯m now left with less than thirty percent."


    Yi Xiao maintained her "surprised" expression, and then quickly transmitted: "What? The defensive feature of the flying sword magic item uses up so much true essence?"


    "But I see that the demons are already scared." Qin Yun transmitted.


    "So Miss Yi, we must play our part in this act."


    Qin Yun sheathed his sword, hoisted the body of Uncle Qian, the demon servant, onto his shoulder, and held the great axe in one hand and the tiger claw in the other.


    "Anyone who wants to die, come forward!" Qin Yun''s gaze swept over the demons, his voice full of killing intent, resounding throughout the mountains.


    The demons, now afraid, dared not move.


    Qin Yun looked up at the White Tiger Demon in the sky and laughed loudly.

 Chapter 38: The Yi Clan of Kunlun Province

    Yi Xiao''s temperament was considered outstanding among her peers in cultivation, yet even with all the demons surrounding her, she couldn''t help but feel nervous. She knew that both she and Qin Yun had very little true essence left, and they were merely trying to intimidate these demons.


    "Is he not nervous at all? Not even a little anxious?" Yi Xiao glanced at Qin Yun, who was walking calmly beside her. At this moment, Qin Yun walked with ease, even casually scanning the demons around them as though he were a hunter eyeing his prey, causing the demons to tremble with fear one by one.


    Yi Xiao noticed a distinct difference between Qin Yun and her fellow disciples.


    Her fellow disciples, who were able to join one of the three great Daoist holy lands, the ¡®Shenxiao Sect,¡¯ were either highly gifted individuals chosen by powerful masters from the sects or top-tier scions of distinguished families. They naturally had a certain arrogance as disciples of a holy land.


    But Qin Yun¡ªbefore arriving at Cangya Mountain¡ªseemed like an ordinary disciple of a top-tier sect. Yet, in the face of life and death, he displayed this extraordinary boldness! This made Yi Xiao admire him deeply.


    "Maybe it¡¯s the result of his three years of training on the northern border," Yi Xiao thought to herself.


    The two walked side by side, getting farther and farther from Cangya Mountain.


    The White Tiger Demon, flying high in the sky, was watching them from a distance, gnashing its teeth in anger, but it didn''t pursue them.


    "In a place like Guangling County, I run into two disciples of top-tier sects! One can perform the Sky Thunder Technique, which is understandable, but the other, a swordsman, is so powerful! His flying sword is at least a seventh-grade magic weapon! This is outrageous," the White Tiger Demon thought to itself, looking at its left arm. Its claw was gone, and the axe it had lost was a major blow. Finding enough rare materials to forge another one would be difficult.


    Some materials were nearly impossible to buy, even with gold and silver.


    For example, Starsteel was under imperial control! The ¡®Cold Essence Spiritual Liquid,¡¯ which Qin Yun had urgently needed earlier, could only be found deep beneath the Northern Sea, and it was extremely rare. Even cultivators who specialized in underwater cultivation could hardly find it; it was only gathered by chance during long-term dives. Deliberately searching for it wasn¡¯t worthwhile.


    The rarer the material, the more difficult it was to obtain.


    Take the ¡®Thousand-Year Ice Jade Fruit,¡¯ for example¡ªthough it had a price, it was difficult to buy. The county magistrate had paid a heavy price to invite Qin Yun, Yi Xiao, and Jia Huairen to pick it, and the task was perilous. Without Qin Yun and Yi Xiao¡¯s strength, they would never have obtained the spiritual fruit.


    "I need to think of a way to retrieve my axe," the White Tiger Demon muttered to itself. "But how? Senior Water God is stronger than I am, but he''s too reckless and can''t stray far from the rivers. None of the other disciples dare to enter the county town either."


    "Could it be that my axe is truly gone? No, no, no! I must find Senior Water God. I¡¯ve taken such a big loss¡ªhe can''t just watch idly by!"


    The White Tiger Demon immediately changed course and flew toward the Misty Lake Gorge. It first retrieved its personal belongings from its residence there, such as its favorite paintings and incense burners, before heading toward the Water God¡¯s residence.


    The other demons that had gathered around, seeing the White Tiger Demon fly away, all let out a sigh of relief.


    "Where did such powerful cultivators come from? The Sky Thunder just now frightened me to my core, and even the White Tiger King was stunned by it."


    "The swordsman is even more powerful! He was evenly matched with the White Tiger King before. After the White Tiger King was struck by the Sky Thunder, the swordsman severed one of his claws and took his axe."


    "That¡¯s right, it¡¯s incredible! We surrounded them with so many demons, but not one of us could even touch his clothes. Anyone who got too close was killed. Over sixty of our own died in the blink of an eye. It¡¯s terrifying, absolutely terrifying."


    "Where did such powerful cultivators come from in Guangling County?"


    The demons around were in a flurry of discussion.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "They¡¯re from Guangling County! I know that swordsman. He¡¯s Qin Yun, the second son of the Qin family in Guangling County. I heard that during the recent Flower Queen selection in Guangling County, one of the three magic servants created by the Water God killed a demon bull that could easily withstand a demon-slaying crossbow. But Qin Yun just cut it down with one sword."


    "Even the White Tiger King was injured by him. A demon bull is nothing!"


    "Is he from Guangling County? This is bad news. We need to stay alert. If we see this Qin Yun, we¡¯d better stay away. A joint attack from all of us would be a death sentence."


    "What about the female cultivator? That Palm Thunder was incredibly powerful! We couldn¡¯t dodge it¡ªif it hit, you¡¯d be dead."


    "I don¡¯t know. A beautiful cultivator like her would have been well-known if she were from Guangling County. She must be a passing cultivator from elsewhere."


    "Outsiders are fine. Outsiders are fine."


    The demons muttered to each other, then gradually dispersed in small groups as they noticed other demons rushing toward them.


    "Let¡¯s go back," some demons called out to those who were leaving.


    "Back? Didn¡¯t the horn of Cangya Mountain just sound?" the arriving demons wondered.


    "It¡¯s over," the departing demons responded.


    "You¡¯re lucky. You didn¡¯t meet those terrifying people."


    "Who were those terrifying people?"


    The demons chatted in groups about the epic battle that had just taken place, a battle the likes of which had not been seen on Cangya Mountain in many years. From this day onward, the legends of Qin Yun and Yi Xiao, the male and female pair, began to spread among the demons of Cangya Mountain and would soon reach all the demons in Guangling County.


    ¡­¡­


    Qin Yun and Yi Xiao were quickly making their way down the mountain together.


    "Yi Xiao, I see you''re not interested in the tiger¡¯s claw, but this big axe is a fine weapon," Qin Yun said. "Once we get back to Guangling County, we can split the axe in half."


    Qin Yun had already set his sights on this great axe.


    It was an invaluable treasure for cultivating his personal flying sword. Weighing a staggering 1,800 jin and made mostly of precious materials like metal, it was perfect for absorbing into his flying sword. Along with the Cold Essence Spiritual Liquid he had previously acquired... his personal flying sword now had a real chance of reaching the level of a seventh-grade magic weapon after being refined. Though, he wouldn''t need all of it¡ª1,800 jin was too much for him.


    "Split it in half?" Yi Xiao glanced at it and smiled. "No need."


    "No need?" Qin Yun was taken aback.


    As a top-tier sect disciple, she wasn¡¯t interested in such treasures?


    "I am a disciple of the Yi Clan of Kunlun Prefecture, and I don''t lack treasures," Yi Xiao explained.


    Qin Yun was startled upon hearing this.


    Even if Yi Xiao was a disciple of a holy land, it wouldn¡¯t be unusual. After all, holy lands were fair and wouldn¡¯t pour all their resources into just one disciple.


    But the Yi Clan of Kunlun Prefecture was different! It was one of the wealthiest and most powerful clans in the world, and even having one member of the younger generation enter a holy land was considered extraordinary. Having two was simply lucky. Such a family naturally provided immense resources and support to their descendants.


    The Yi Clan¡¯s power in Kunlun Prefecture was nearly unmatched, and they had even received imperial titles as foreign kings.


    "Kunlun Prefecture¡¯s Yi Clan?" Qin Yun laughed and looked at Yi Xiao. "Alright then, I¡¯ll shamelessly accept it. But hearing that you''re from Kunlun Prefecture¡¯s Yi Clan really surprised me."


    "Why, Qin Yun? You can remain calm even in the face of life and death, but now you¡¯re surprised?" Yi Xiao teased, glancing at Qin Yun.


    Yi Xiao''s playful look made Qin Yun¡¯s heart flutter.


    "I¡¯m just surprised," Qin Yun said, calming himself.


    At the foot of Cangya Mountain.


    The county magistrate and his entourage of hundreds were waiting here. Even the county magistrate himself had gotten off his carriage and was anxiously gazing at the distant mountain range.


    The county magistrate stood for a moment, swaying slightly. His age was catching up with him.


    "Father, please go inside the carriage and wait," Wen Chong said, supporting his father.


    "It¡¯s fine."


    The county magistrate raised his head and silently gazed ahead.


    If Qin Yun and Yi Xiao failed and died, both the Shenxiao Sect and the Yi Clan of Kunlun Prefecture would not easily let it go.


    And, most importantly, there was the spiritual fruit that could extend his life by twenty years...


    "Someone¡¯s coming!" Captain Fang suddenly said.


    "Who? Qin Yun and Yi Xiao are coming down?" The county magistrate quickly walked over.


    Captain Fang, being a high-level cultivator in the Xiantian Void Dan realm, could clearly see from a distance that someone was hurrying down the mountain. It was Jia Huairen, his clothes torn and looking disheveled.


    Jia Huairen was panicked, his mind still filled with


    the image of Qin Yun battling the White Tiger Demon and the hundreds of demons chasing them, while Uncle Qian desperately tried to block them. While escaping, Jia Huairen had seen many demons rushing toward Misty Lake Gorge, making loud movements. Though careful, he managed to escape.


    But during his journey, he had still fought twice¡ªkilling one demon and wounding another. Since the demons had all been rushing toward Misty Lake Gorge, no one had specifically targeted him.


    "Get out of here, get out of Cangya Mountain." Jia Huairen¡¯s sole thought was to escape this terrifying den of demons.


    He jumped down, landing on a large rock, then leaped three more times until he reached the base of the mountain. From there, he could see a large group of people, including the county magistrate, Wen Chong, Captain Fang, and others, all staring at him.


    "County Magistrate!" Jia Huairen felt a wave of relief. Finally, he was safe! But then, he became anxious again, as he was the only one who had escaped.


    Captain Fang shouted, "Jia Huairen, hurry over here."


    Jia Huairen didn¡¯t hesitate and rushed over.


    "Greetings, County Magistrate, Captain Fang." Jia Huairen quickly bowed.


    The county magistrate looked at Jia Huairen, who was ragged and covered in dirt. "You¡¯re the only one who made it out? Where are Qin Yun and Yi Xiao? What about your demon servants?"

 Chapter 39: Excitement and Anger

    "Jiahuairen, where are the others?" Wen Chong urgently asked.


    Jiahuairen, flustered, hurriedly replied, "We had a smooth journey at first. Although there were over a hundred demons in Misty Lake Gorge, we managed to infiltrate the area. Young Master Qin even used an invisibility technique to retrieve the spiritual fruit."


    The County Magistrate listened carefully, and the surrounding crowd quieted down.


    "Young Master Qin did manage to collect the spiritual fruit," Jiahuairen continued anxiously. "But who would have thought that besides the hundred demons guarding the gorge, there was also a terrifying White Tiger Demon King? That demon stood over two zhang tall, wielding two massive axes. The black winds howled¡ªit was utterly terrifying. Young Master Qin and Miss Yi went to fight the White Tiger Demon King, telling Uncle Qian and me to flee for our lives since we would only hinder them and could not help."


    "Uncle Qian and I fled desperately, pursued by over a hundred demons. Uncle Qian blocked them for me so I could escape," Jiahuairen explained, not daring to withhold any details. "As for what happened after I left Misty Lake Gorge, I do not know."


    The crowd fell silent.


    The County Magistrate felt a chill in his heart. Although he had suspected the White Tiger Demon King would be in Misty Lake Gorge, he had clung to a shred of hope that the intelligence was incorrect.


    "Brother Qin and Miss Yi fought the White Tiger Demon King? What happened?" Wen Chong asked.


    "Young Master Qin was incredibly powerful," Jiahuairen said. "When I saw him, he was evenly matched with the White Tiger Demon King."


    "Evenly matched?" The County Magistrate and Captain Fang were both shocked and asked in unison.


    "Yes, evenly matched," Jiahuairen confirmed. "I saw it with my own eyes."


    "And then?" the County Magistrate pressed. "What happened next?"


    "After that, I fled and didn¡¯t see anything more," Jiahuairen admitted softly.


    "You¡ª!" The County Magistrate was furious.


    Wen Chong quickly consoled him. "Father, if Brother Qin could hold his own against the White Tiger Demon King, they should be able to make it out."


    "However, the thousand demons on Cangya Mountain are far more fearsome than just the White Tiger Demon King," Captain Fang said grimly.


    The County Magistrate fell silent and waved Jiahuairen aside.


    After a while, the County Magistrate felt dizzy with worry when suddenly Captain Fang said, "It¡¯s Young Master Qin and Miss Yi."


    The County Magistrate felt a jolt of energy course through him as his blood seemed to boil. He quickly looked into the distance.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "They made it out?" Jiahuairen, standing in a corner, also looked up. He saw a man and a woman descending the mountain like an immortal couple. But then his eyes widened as he noticed the battered corpse of a yellow-furred dog on Qin Yun''s shoulder. Jiahuairen¡¯s heart sank. From childhood, he had only seen Uncle Qian¡¯s true form¡ªa yellow-furred dog¡ªonce, when he had begged him to reveal it.


    "Uncle Qian..." Jiahuairen stood frozen. He had seen Uncle Qian gravely wounded, blocking the hundred demons. Though he had anticipated it, seeing the lifeless body stirred a storm in his heart.


    Swish, swish.


    Qin Yun and Yi Xiao leapt down to the foot of the mountain, where the County Magistrate, Captain Fang, Wen Chong, and the others had already come forward to greet them.


    "Young Master Qin, Miss Yi," the County Magistrate greeted them with a bow. "It was my failure to detect the White Tiger Demon King¡¯s presence, nearly placing you in mortal danger. The fault lies with me."


    "Uncle Wen," Yi Xiao replied with a smile. "Entering a demon lair comes with risks. No matter what, Brother Qin and I made it back alive."


    Captain Fang eyed the large axe and tiger claw in Qin Yun¡¯s hands. "Brother Qin, are these...?"


    Qin Yun placed the tiger claw and axe on the ground. The 1,800-catty axe landed with a resounding thud, shaking the earth. Qin Yun smiled. "This tiger claw is from the White Tiger Demon King¡¯s left paw, which I severed. The axe is one of his two massive weapons."


    "You severed the tiger claw?" The crowd was stunned.


    This was the claw of the White Tiger Demon King. He had severed it?


    "This success is all thanks to Brother Qin," Yi Xiao said with a smile.


    "If not for your Heaven Thunder spell, Miss Yi, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to defeat the White Tiger Demon King," Qin Yun replied modestly.


    Qin Yun then gently placed Uncle Qian¡¯s battered corpse on the ground. Everyone, including Jiahuairen, gazed at it silently. Unable to help himself, Jiahuairen stepped forward and knelt, tears in his eyes, as he touched the yellow-furred dog¡¯s body.


    Qin Yun looked at him and sighed inwardly. Jiahuairen, who had selfishly fled earlier, now wept sincerely.


    "Brother Qin," Wen Chong said softly, "Father and I are overjoyed that you and Miss Yi returned safely. But what about the spiritual fruit?"


    The County Magistrate also turned to Qin Yun expectantly.


    With a smile, Qin Yun took a jade box from his robes and handed it to the County Magistrate. "Mission accomplished."


    The County Magistrate¡¯s eyes widened, his blood rushing as his hands trembled while reaching for the box. When he opened it, the crimson fruit inside glowed with a faint purple hue, more captivating than the finest ruby. His heart raced as he gazed at it.


    While the County Magistrate rejoiced, far away, the White Tiger Demon King flew to a Water God¡¯s estate over 200 miles away.


    In the Water God¡¯s domain, rules were strict. Male demons acted like disciplined human soldiers, while female demons and human women served the Water God.


    "Oh, White Tiger Junior Brother, you¡¯re here," the Water God said as he appeared in a flash beside the demon king.


    The White Tiger Demon King, now in human form but missing a hand, laid his axe aside and said bitterly, "Senior Brother, the spiritual fruit was stolen!"


    "Stolen?" The Water God¡¯s cold eyes burned with black flames. "What happened? And what about your claw?"


    "A pair of elite disciples from a major sect," the White Tiger Demon King growled. "The woman wielded powerful thunder magic and severely injured me. The man was even more formidable¡ªa sword immortal! While his raw skills might not surpass mine, he wielded a flying sword of at least seventh-grade quality. Together, they severed my claw and fended off five hundred demons, killing over sixty without taking a single scratch."


    The Water God frowned, his gaze darkening. "A sword immortal with a seventh-grade flying sword? Could it be... Qin Yun, the son of Qin Lietu, the Silver Badge Captain of Guangling County?"


    The White Tiger Demon King¡¯s eyes flashed. "Qin Yun?"


    The Water God sneered. "Yes, it must be him. He killed my strongest demon servant with a single strike. If it¡¯s him, this is far from over."

 Chapter 40: Wreaking Havoc

    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¡ªQin 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¡ªwhat 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¡ªhere, 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¡ªthat¡¯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.

 Chapter 41: Just Around the Corner

    The Governor''s Mansion.


    ¡°Make sure there are no slip-ups! If anything goes wrong, your lives will be at stake. Be vigilant!¡± Commander Fang barked out orders.


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± A group of personal guards responded, their alertness far more heightened than usual. Outside the meditation chamber, an assembly of elite guards stood watch. These guards understood the importance of their role¡ªafter all, the governor had returned from Mount Cangya with a precious treasure. Whatever he was doing inside the room must be of the utmost significance.


    Commander Fang moved to a patch of grass nearby, where he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and quietly stood guard.


    Inside the chamber, the governor sat on the bed, carefully taking out the jade box from his robes.


    ¡°The Millennium Ice Jade Fruit¡ªworth twenty years of life,¡± the governor muttered, his eyes gleaming with excitement. As a member of the Nanying Wen clan and now holding the position of governor, he was no stranger to cultivation techniques and treasures. Yet, opening the path to immortality required innate talent, and the governor had to admit that his aptitude was average at best. Unlike people like Jia Huairen, whom he disdained, they at least possessed genuine talent for cultivation.


    Without attaining the immortal path, his lifespan would be no different from an ordinary person¡¯s.


    ¡°If I can extend my life by another twenty years, I might climb one rank higher, to fourth grade.¡± The governor mused to himself. Advancing to third grade was beyond his ambition, as the requirements for higher positions were exceedingly demanding, both in terms of background and personal strength. High-ranking officials didn¡¯t just govern ordinary citizens¡ªthey were tasked with countering supernatural threats, including demons and monsters.


    With a crisp bite, the governor sank his teeth into the vibrant, purplish-red Millennium Ice Jade Fruit. The fruit instantly melted in his mouth, its cool essence flowing down his throat and spreading through his entire body. A faint fragrance filled the air, bringing a sense of euphoria to every fiber of his being.


    His skin tingled, and his muscles and bones quivered. The governor shuddered slightly, overcome by the sensation.


    ¡°Excellent!¡± He quickly consumed the rest of the fruit in one go, leaving only the clean, bare seed behind.


    As the fruit''s potent energy took effect, the governor''s body underwent visible changes. His previously gray and brittle hair gained a lustrous sheen, with most strands turning jet black. Wrinkles on his face smoothed out, and his complexion grew healthier with a rosy hue. Even his previously clouded eyes became much clearer.


    Feeling the miraculous transformations coursing through his body, the governor looked down at his hands and arms, marveling at the renewed vitality in his skin and muscles. Overcome with excitement, he hurried to a bronze mirror.


    ¡°This is me¡­¡± he murmured, staring at his reflection.


    He appeared as if he had reverted to his appearance from twenty years ago. Compared to Qin Liehu, Qin Yun¡¯s father, he now looked like a peer rather than someone significantly older.


    ¡°I look like I¡¯m fifty again,¡± the governor muttered before his expression twisted in discomfort. Holding his stomach, he suddenly bolted out of the room.


    ¡°Governor!¡± The guards outside immediately saluted, their eyes widening in astonishment at his youthful appearance. Even Commander Fang, sitting nearby, opened his eyes in surprise. The governor no longer looked like Wen Chong¡¯s father¡ªhe resembled his older brother instead.


    ¡°Prepare hot water¡ªI¡¯ll need to bathe and change soon,¡± the governor instructed before rushing off.


    ¡°Governor!¡± Commander Fang called out as he rose to his feet.


    ¡°Old Fang, I¡¯m just heading to relieve myself!¡± the governor shouted without stopping.


    Commander Fang laughed. ¡°Look at him go! The power of spiritual fruits is truly extraordinary¡ªit made him twenty years younger in an instant.¡±


    Elsewhere in the governor¡¯s mansion.


    Yi Xiao sat at her desk, reflecting on her experiences during the trip to Mount Cangya. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she picked up a brush and began writing a letter.


    She quickly finished.


    ¡°Now that the Mount Cangya affair is settled, it¡¯s time to focus on the real task,¡± Yi Xiao thought to herself. ¡°Once my martial uncle arrives, we can join forces to eliminate the Water God demon.¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    ¡°Qin Yun is quite capable, and since he hasn¡¯t entered the innate realm, the Water God demon likely wouldn¡¯t consider him a serious threat. Should I invite him to join us?¡± Yi Xiao pondered.


    The Water God demon was undoubtedly stronger than the White Tiger demon.


    Still, there were many beings in the world far stronger than the Water God. A single elder from a Daoist or Buddhist holy land would surpass the Water God demon in strength. However, the Water God had an advantage¡ªit dominated the five-hundred-mile Lan Yang River. Even an innate Golden Core cultivator would struggle to deal with it. The Water God was cunning and cautious.


    On the other hand, it tended to underestimate juniors who hadn¡¯t yet reached the innate stage.


    After all, no matter how exceptional a junior was, how much could they truly defy the odds? Being able to contend with a typical innate False Core cultivator would already be a feat worth celebrating. Qin Yun had yet to prove himself capable of slaying such a demon in single combat. The Water God was far more formidable than the likes of the White Tiger demon.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait for my martial uncle to arrive and let him decide.¡± Yi Xiao sealed the letter and left her study, instructing the staff to send the message to her martial uncle, informing him that she was ready for action.


    The Qin Family Estate.


    Lanterns were already hung throughout the estate, and numerous guards patrolled the grounds, many equipped with crossbows designed for slaying demons.


    In the inner courtyard, laughter filled the air as Qin Yun sat drinking with his elder brother, Qin An, and their father, Qin Liehu.


    ¡°Yun¡¯er, you¡¯ve reached a level where you can rival the White Tiger demon. In Guangling County, only Commander Fang and Master Mei Xia could be considered your equals,¡± Qin Liehu said, grinning as he took a hearty swig of wine. ¡°Still, it¡¯s unnerving to think how dangerous that trip to Mount Cangya turned out. Who would¡¯ve expected the White Tiger demon from Zhenshan County to show up?¡±


    ¡°Second Brother,¡± Qin An interjected. ¡°The Water God demon entrusted the White Tiger demon to guard the spiritual fruit¡ªit must¡¯ve been incredibly important to him. Now that you¡¯ve taken it, the Water God will surely hold a grudge.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to panic,¡± Qin Liehu reassured them. ¡°The Water God demon is unlike ordinary demons. Typical demons, like the White Tiger, focus on occupying territories and plundering freely. Even that axe Yun¡¯er brought back would be enough to make them weep. But the Water God governs the lives of millions in Guangling County. While the people may live in poverty, the Water God still accumulates enormous wealth through his dominion.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s cautious and cunning, avoiding unnecessary losses. He wouldn¡¯t recklessly expend resources over minor grudges. But if he does strike, he¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s a sure win.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded. ¡°The Water God is indeed shrewd. For now, ensure the women in the household avoid going out unnecessarily. If they must, they should bring plenty of guards armed with crossbows designed for slaying demons.¡±


    ¡°Better to err on the side of caution,¡± Qin Liehu agreed.


    Late at night.


    In Qin Yun¡¯s private courtyard, no servants were allowed entry.


    ¡°This giant axe¡­¡± Qin Yun sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion under the veranda, gazing at the massive weapon lying in the courtyard. It was so enormous that it couldn¡¯t fit inside the house.


    Standing upright, the axe was taller than ten feet, with a blade so large it couldn¡¯t pass through the doorway even when laid flat.


    ¡°Shhh.¡±


    Qin Yun extended his finger, releasing a golden beam of light that expanded in the wind to form a three-inch silver flying sword.


    The miniature sword hovered above the axe. Qin Yun chanted a spell, activating the sword¡¯s internal essence. A glowing aura enveloped the blade, which began absorbing the axe¡¯s essence. Tiny sparks of light floated up from the axe, merging into the flying sword. If the White Tiger demon knew its prized weapon was being refined, it would undoubtedly be heartbroken.


    ¡°Buzz¡­¡±


    A crack appeared on the axe¡¯s surface as Qin Yun deliberately weakened it to facilitate its breakdown. Without this approach, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to dismantle such a formidable weapon.


    ¡°What a treasure. This axe is almost entirely composed of rare metal elements, some of which I¡¯ve never even encountered,¡± Qin Yun marveled. His life-bound flying sword seemed to cheer as countless sparks flew into it, resembling a swarm of fireflies.


    The life-bound flying sword excels at absorbing metallic objects.


    Even scrap copper and broken iron are gladly consumed.


    However, when it comes to materials of water, fire, wood, or earth elements, the sword is far more selective. For instance, in terms of water-element materials, it has only absorbed a single "Cold Essence Spiritual Liquid" thus far. But with metallic objects, the absorption capacity is significant, and it isn''t picky. Especially this time¡ªthe giant axe contained some rare materials that had never been absorbed before, allowing the life-bound flying sword to consume them with remarkable speed.


    When absorbing materials for the first time, the amount tends to be substantial.


    "Crack, crack, crack¡ª" The entire giant axe developed seven large fissures on its surface as the life-bound flying sword absorbed it, breaking the axe into many small fragments. Even the axe handle snapped into three pieces.


    From the seven fissures, the life-bound flying sword absorbed over 300 pounds of material before it could take no more.


    "Many of these are materials I''ve never encountered before. The White Tiger demon''s collection of materials is far more comprehensive than mine," Qin Yun thought to himself with a sigh. "Absorbing more than 300 pounds in one go¡­ but starting tomorrow, it will probably only manage to absorb 30 to 40 pounds per day."


    The slower absorption of Star-pattern Steel was due to its uniformity as a single type of material.


    The giant axe, on the other hand, contained a wide variety of materials. Absorbing a little from each type added up quickly.


    Following this, the life-bound flying sword absorbed a small amount of "Cold Essence Spiritual Liquid" before stopping for the day. It was clear that absorbing water-element materials was significantly slower.


    "With this giant axe, the day my life-bound flying sword is fully refined might result in it directly becoming an eighth-grade magical treasure," Qin Yun thought with excitement and anticipation. For so many years, he had never owned a magical treasure! Now, the day when he could finally wield one was just around the corner¡ªand it would be his very own life-bound flying sword.

 Chapter 42: The Master Uncle Isnt Coming

    In the blink of an eye, nearly half a month had passed since the battle at Cangya Mountain.


    On this day, a middle-aged Daoist arrived at the gates of the County Governor''s residence. The guards stationed at the gates had already noticed him and were on high alert.


    "Please convey a message to Miss Yi," the middle-aged Daoist said with a smile. "Tell her that a disciple of the Taiyi Sect seeks an audience."


    "Miss Yi?"


    The guards exchanged glances.


    "Wait here," one of the guards said before hurrying inside to deliver the message. Yi Xiao lived in a separate courtyard within the County Governor''s residence. The courtyard was elegant and refined, currently covered with a thin layer of frost. Despite the blazing summer heat, the frost melted slowly, and a faint chill lingered in the air.


    Dressed in a pale green robe, Yi Xiao was seated in the courtyard, leisurely reading a book.


    "Miss Yi," a guard respectfully announced from outside the courtyard gate. "A middle-aged Daoist claiming to be from the Taiyi Sect seeks to meet you."


    "A Taiyi Sect disciple?" Yi Xiao''s face lit up with joy, but she quickly furrowed her brow. "A middle-aged Daoist?" she asked.


    "Yes, a middle-aged Daoist," the guard confirmed.


    Yi Xiao frowned but eventually said, "Let him in."


    "Understood." The guard bowed and retreated.


    Sitting in her courtyard, Yi Xiao felt puzzled. "That''s strange. My master uncle has white hair. How could it be a middle-aged Daoist? Could it not be my master uncle?"


    Before long, the middle-aged Daoist was brought to the courtyard gate. Upon seeing Yi Xiao, he immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Tu Yu of the Taiyi Sect greets Senior Sister Yi."


    The Taiyi Sect was considered a second-rate Daoist sect, an affiliated branch of one of the three great Daoist holy lands¡ªthe Shenxiao Sect. The disciples of affiliated sects held a distinctly lower status than those of the Shenxiao Sect itself. Even if they were of the same generation, the affiliated disciples, regardless of age, would always address the Shenxiao Sect disciples as senior brothers and sisters.


    Even when of a higher generation, affiliated sect disciples would typically refrain from putting on airs in front of Shenxiao Sect disciples.


    Affiliated sects generally sought to curry favor with the holy lands!


    The Shenxiao Sect was most renowned for its mastery of lightning techniques.


    However, the Taiyi Sect was famous for its physical sanctification methods, which allowed practitioners to cultivate their bodies to extraordinary levels, surpassing even the physical strength of monsters. Nevertheless, the highest level of physical sanctification in the Taiyi Sect only reached the "Innate Solid Core" stage, making it a second-rate sect. To be considered a first-rate sect, one must have masters of the Innate Golden Core stage as its pillars¡ªsuch as the Sword Pavilion in Shu Prefecture.


    "Why didn''t my master uncle come?" Yi Xiao asked solemnly.


    "My master was traveling the world when he received the summons from the Shenxiao Sect. He immediately set off to return to the Taiyi Sect but encountered a calamity along the way," Tu Yu explained. "He came across an innate tree demon wreaking havoc. The tree demon used countless roots to drain humans of their flesh and blood, leaving only empty skins behind. Many humans perished at the hands of this tree demon. Enraged, my master engaged the demon in a fierce battle. Though he ultimately slew the demon, he was severely injured, losing a leg, and suffering grave internal wounds."


    Tu Yu continued, "When my master received Senior Sister Yi''s letter, he promptly sent me to offer his apologies. It will likely take him a year or two to recover fully and regrow his leg."This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Tu Yu then retrieved a letter from his robes and presented it to Yi Xiao. "Here is my master''s personal letter."


    Yi Xiao accepted the letter with a heavy expression and read it.


    "My master deeply regrets failing to assist you in your critical moment," Tu Yu said.


    "Master Uncle fought to slay a demon. Such innate tree demons are indeed terrifying, with countless roots of immense power. Even innate Void Core cultivators dare not approach them. Only my master uncle would risk his life to kill it. I admire him greatly. How could I possibly be angry?" Yi Xiao replied. "I understand. You may leave now."


    Tu Yu bowed respectfully and departed.


    Yi Xiao remained seated, her mood sour.


    "How could this happen?" she thought, anxiety rising in her chest. "Master Uncle is gravely injured and can''t help me at all."


    "The Water God demon is cunning and cautious. If an innate Void Core cultivator approaches, the Water God will be on high alert, staying near the riverbank and retreating into the water at the first sign of danger," Yi Xiao thought.


    Innate Void Core cultivators, after all, could be extraordinarily powerful.


    For example, sword immortals, known for their offensive prowess, could be terrifying even at this stage. With a top-tier inheritance and an immensely destructive life-bound flying sword, they could rival or even kill innate Solid Core cultivators.


    Thus¡ª


    The Water God would not stray far from the river if an innate Void Core cultivator approached, exercising extreme caution.


    Such prudence was the key to the Water God''s long survival.


    "My master uncle''s mastery of physical sanctification places him among the strongest close-combat practitioners under the Shenxiao Sect and its affiliates. His physical strength rivals that of the White Tiger demon, and he wields a powerful magical treasure while being highly skilled in spear techniques. His strength surpasses even the White Tiger demon''s. Compared to him, Qin Yun is still far too inexperienced," Yi Xiao thought, shaking her head. "My master uncle is the strongest close-combat practitioner among all postnatal cultivators under the Shenxiao Sect and its affiliates."


    "Without my master uncle''s help, what can I do?"


    Yi Xiao furrowed her brows.


    Killing the Water God demon was always going to be dangerous. Some elders in the Shenxiao Sect had tried to dissuade her when she accepted this mission, but she had insisted.


    If an innate cultivator went, the Water God would be too cautious.


    But if a postnatal cultivator went, the Water God would instead seize the opportunity to kill them. After all, being overly cautious would be cowardly, even by the Water God''s standards. Over the past two centuries, many postnatal cultivators had tried to take on the Water God, only to either barely escape with their lives or die in the attempt.


    "Should I go or not?"


    "If I go, I must find a skilled close-combat practitioner to assist me."


    "I''ll have to ask Qin Yun."


    After a moment of deliberation, Yi Xiao made her decision¡ªshe would go!


    "Although Qin Yun isn''t as strong as my master uncle, he has solid defensive capabilities. With some Daoist talismans to aid him, he should be able to stall the Water God demon."


    Without further hesitation, Yi Xiao rose and left the County Governor''s residence, heading for the Qin estate.


    Qin Estate.


    In his study, Qin Yun was practicing his calligraphy, each stroke an extension of his sword practice.


    "Second Young Master, Second Young Master," a servant called from outside. "A Miss Yi is here to see you."


    "Miss Yi? Didn''t I just visit the County Governor''s residence to see her a few days ago? Why is she here? This is her first time visiting me, isn''t it?" Qin Yun set down his brush and hurried out. For a lady to visit alone was quite rare, though cultivators rarely cared for worldly conventions.


    At the gate, he saw the pale green-robed woman standing quietly to one side.


    "Miss Yi, what an unexpected surprise! You¡¯ve caught me unprepared," Qin Yun greeted her with a smile.


    "What¡¯s there to prepare?" Yi Xiao turned toward him and smiled faintly. Accompanied by Qin Yun, she entered the estate.


    "Yun¡¯er, do we have a guest?" Qin Yun¡¯s mother, Chang Lan, approached with a few maidservants.


    Yi Xiao immediately dispelled her enchantment spell. Normally, she maintained it to avoid drawing undue attention with her beauty. But before Qin Yun¡¯s mother, she deemed it disrespectful, especially with Qin Yun present.


    "This young lady..." Chang Lan began, initially seeing an ordinary woman, but the moment their eyes met, she froze.


    Such beauty.


    She looked like a celestial maiden descended to the mortal world.


    "And you are?" Chang Lan asked, somewhat flustered. In her lifetime in Guangling County, she had never seen such a stunning figure. Even the renowned courtesans paled in comparison, their worldly charm far removed from the ethereal aura of this woman.


    "Greetings, Madam," Yi Xiao said with a smile. "My name is Yi Xiao. I accompanied Qin Yun to Cangya Mountain not long ago."


    Hearing this, Chang Lan immediately understood.


    Her demeanor, her speech¡ªit was clear she was no ordinary woman. A fellow cultivator, then.


    "Mother, I have something to discuss with Miss Yi. Please excuse us," Qin Yun said quickly.


    Yi Xiao offered Chang Lan a slight bow before following Qin Yun along the garden path.


    Chang Lan watched them go, still somewhat dazed.


    "Madam, is she a celestial maiden?" one of the maid servants murmured.


    Touching her chest as if to steady herself, Chang Lan¡¯s eyes glimmered. "Yi Xiao, was it?" she muttered to herself.

 Chapter 43: Wrong About Him?

    Qin Yun and Yi Xiao arrived together at Qin Yun¡¯s courtyard and sat down by the stone table.


    "Brother Qin," Yi Xiao couldn''t help but stare at Qin Yun before her. "This time, I''ve come to trouble you with something. It might be dangerous."


    "If there''s something you need, just say it. I¡¯m not someone who fears danger," Qin Yun said with a smile.


    Yi Xiao also smiled.


    "I¡¯m planning to kill the Water God demon." Yi Xiao looked at Qin Yun. "I want you to go with me."


    "Kill the Water God demon?" Qin Yun¡¯s heart skipped a beat, his expression slightly changing. He asked, "Miss Yi, why have you suddenly decided to kill the Water God demon?"


    Yi Xiao explained, "Actually, my main purpose for coming to Guangling was to kill the Water God demon! However, when Uncle Wen knew I was coming, he asked me for help to gather that millennium Ice Jade Fruit. Now that the spirit fruit is in hand, it¡¯s time to handle the real task. When I took this mission from my sect to kill the Water God demon, I originally had an uncle who was supposed to assist me. But he was seriously injured when he killed a congenital demon, so I had to ask for your help instead."


    "A sect mission?" Qin Yun asked quickly. "Does that mean Miss Yi is fully confident?"


    If she were fully confident...


    That would be great. The Water God demon had tormented Guangling County for too long!


    "How could I have complete confidence?" Yi Xiao shook her head. "If I were, the Water God demon wouldn''t have been able to roam free for over two hundred years."


    "If my uncle were here, there would have been a 60-70% chance of success," Yi Xiao added, shaking her head.


    "Forgive my bluntness," Qin Yun said, "but the Water God demon is very cunning. Whenever a highly skilled cultivator at the congenital level approaches, the Water God demon doesn''t dare stray too far from the river. So, it¡¯s only possible for a cultivator at the postnatal stage to deal with him."


    "My uncle is at the postnatal stage," Yi Xiao replied. "But he practices a technique to sanctify the body. Among postnatal cultivators, his physical strength is among the best in the world. However, due to his old age¡ªhe¡¯s over a hundred years old¡ªhe hasn''t been able to break through to the congenital stage."


    "Sanctification of the body?" Qin Yun was surprised.


    In the world, there were two main types of powerful close combat techniques: one derived from divine demon methods, which only the imperial court possessed. The imperial court had even established the ''Divine Demon Guard'' because of this! For example, Qin Yun¡¯s father, Qin Lietu, although only at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, had cultivated a divine demon secret technique, making him equal to an average cultivator. He could even kill small demons, which qualified him to be a silver-ranked constable. It was said that the demon clans also had divine demon inheritance.


    The second type was the sanctification of the body, practiced by both Taoist and Buddhist sects, although most of these techniques weren¡¯t as advanced. The most famous example was the Hunyuan Sect, one of the three great Taoist holy lands, known for its sanctification of the body method.


    These were the most famous close combat techniques, where the body itself could rival magical weapons, possessing immense strength.


    Hit them, and sparks would fly.


    But if they hit you, one blow could be fatal!


    In comparison, sword immortals in their early stages were close combat fighters because they hadn¡¯t yet mastered flying sword techniques. However, a sword immortal¡¯s physical body couldn¡¯t compare to divine demons or those sanctified in the body. When Qin Yun fought the White Tiger demon, the demon¡¯s strength far exceeded his own. He only managed to survive by relying on his Smoky Rain Sword Intent to defend flawlessly.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    If he were hit even once, he would be reduced to a pulp.


    But a sword immortal¡¯s greatest strength lay in their lifebound flying sword!


    One flying sword, known as "One Sword to Break All Spells," was as powerful as sanctification of the body.


    "Yes, my uncle has cultivated for over a hundred years and is also skilled with the spear. He wields an eighth-grade divine spear. With his sanctified body technique, he was originally meant to assist me in this mission," Yi Xiao said. "But since he can¡¯t help, I can only turn to you, Brother Qin."


    "Just the two of us?" Qin Yun asked.


    "Yes." Yi Xiao nodded.


    "Forget it." Qin Yun shook his head.


    Yi Xiao was taken aback.


    Rejected? That easily?


    "Brother Qin," Yi Xiao said, "I just need you to help distract the Water God demon. With your close combat skills, and with these two Shrinking Earth Talismans I¡¯ll give you, your speed will surpass the Water God demon¡¯s. You¡¯ll be safe."


    The Shrinking Earth Talisman, derived from the Shrinking Earth Technique, was a Taoist spell usually performed by innate Golden Core masters! So, the talisman was typically created by such high-level practitioners. In the northern borderlands, only one of Yi Xiao¡¯s friends had ever used one. The talisman could shorten vast distances in space. Yi Xiao offering two of them, each worth far more than ten pounds of Cold Essence Spirit Liquid, made them life-saving treasures.


    "With your speed, and with the Shrinking Earth Technique, your sword skills are formidable, and your life will not be in danger," Yi Xiao urged. "I just need you to come with me."


    "Why didn¡¯t you use the Shrinking Earth Talisman in Cangya Mountain?" Qin Yun asked.


    Yi Xiao shook her head. "These were treasures given to me by my sect after I accepted the mission to kill the Water God demon. They were meant for that battle, not to be used lightly. Since my uncle can¡¯t come, these two talismans will be yours to use."


    "Brother Qin, just come with me this once," Yi Xiao¡¯s eyes pleaded.


    Qin Yun didn¡¯t agree. "You¡¯re not good at close combat. In a life-and-death battle, you¡¯re in more danger than I am."


    Even if he faced the Water God demon in close combat, he could save his life.


    But if Yi Xiao were to get close, her chances of survival would be very slim.


    "Killing a great demon comes with risks, especially one that the imperial court and sects have failed to kill for over two centuries," Yi Xiao said. "In Guangling County, villages outside the city still sacrifice boys and girls to this demon every year. How many children are eaten? How many humans are tortured by demons? As cultivators, should we fear death? If there¡¯s a 60-70% chance, we must act."


    "Miss Yi, you should go back," Qin Yun said.


    Yi Xiao became angry. "Go back? Are you truly afraid of the Water God demon?"


    "I¡¯m an outsider! Both my sect and family advised against this, but I came anyway," Yi Xiao said. "I couldn¡¯t stand the records of what the demon did. Even knowing I might die, I came. Yet, you, a local, are unwilling?"


    Qin Yun looked at her.


    Facing death, she still came.


    Her uncle couldn¡¯t help, yet she still insisted.


    "I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t help you," Qin Yun said as he stood up.


    "Qin Yun!" Yi Xiao also stood up, her eyes reddening. "I¡¯m not forcing you, but you¡¯ve really disappointed me. If you won¡¯t help, I¡¯ll find someone else!"


    Qin Yun frowned. "Why are you so stubborn?"


    "I can¡¯t bear it," Yi Xiao said, her eyes filled with tears. "The Water God demon has cultivated for over two hundred years. Based on our intelligence, he could break through to the Golden Core stage at any moment. If that happens, we¡¯ll never be able to kill him, and the people of Guangling will never be free!"


    "Right now, we still have a 60-70% chance. If he breaks through, there¡¯ll be no hope!"


    Yi Xiao looked at Qin Yun. "And you, Qin Yun, will just stand by?"


    Qin Yun froze, staring at her. "He could break through at any moment?"


    "Yes. Based on his last appearance six months ago, his accumulation is immense. That¡¯s why I took this mission. We can¡¯t let him go any longer. Qin Yun, join me. Together, we¡¯ll slay the Water God demon!"


    Qin Yun was silent.


    Yi Xiao looked disappointed.


    "Three days," Qin Yun finally said. "Give me three days to think it over. I¡¯ll give you an answer then."


    "Three more days?" Yi Xiao took a deep breath. "Fine. I¡¯ll see you in three days."


    She turned and left.


    Yi Xiao had thought that, given the relatively low level of danger, she would be able to convince Qin Yun to help. After all, it was about slaying the Water God demon, a threat to his own land. How could he refuse?


    But she had been wrong.


    She even felt that she no longer understood Qin Yun.


    Her master¡¯s words echoed in her mind: "Yi Xiao, you¡¯ve spent too many years cultivating on the mountain, too removed from the world. Remember, people¡¯s hearts are hidden. Don¡¯t trust others too easily."


    "Did I misjudge him?" Yi Xiao silently wondered.


    Qin Yun watched Yi Xiao¡¯s departing figure, his face pale.

 Chapter 44: Thirteen Years to Forge a Sword

    That evening, Qin Lietu returned home.


    ¡°Lietu, Lietu,¡± Lady Chang Lan hurried to meet him, dismissing the maids with a wave of her hand before whispering, ¡°Do you know a young woman named Yi Xiao?¡±


    ¡°Yi Xiao?¡± Qin Lietu looked puzzled and shook his head. ¡°Madam, where did you hear that name?¡±


    Lady Chang Lan explained, ¡°She accompanied Yun¡¯er to Mount Cangya.¡±


    ¡°That I know. I''ve heard of a Miss Yi who is currently staying at the Governor¡¯s Mansion,¡± Qin Lietu replied.


    ¡°She came to our house today, all alone, asking to see Yun¡¯er,¡± Chang Lan said. ¡°It seems they have a close relationship, but she left shortly after. And Yun¡¯er¡ªhe didn¡¯t even see her off. Sigh, ever since Yun¡¯er embarked on the path of cultivation, I¡¯ve worried he¡¯d lose interest in such matters of the heart.¡±


    Cultivators often forgo marriage and children.


    ¡°Leave Yun¡¯er¡¯s affairs alone,¡± Qin Lietu chuckled.


    ¡°He¡¯s my son! How can I not worry? He¡¯s already twenty-one!¡± Chang Lan retorted.


    ¡°Haha¡­¡± Qin Lietu laughed heartily.


    At that moment, Qin Yun appeared in the distance, walking along the winding corridor.


    ¡°Father, Mother,¡± he called out from afar. ¡°I won¡¯t be home for dinner today. I¡¯m heading out for a stroll.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Qin Lietu and Chang Lan both responded.


    They watched their son leave the mansion.


    ¡°Madam,¡± Qin Lietu murmured, ¡°Yun¡¯er seems to have something on his mind. Could it be that he and Miss Yi had some sort of disagreement? After all, he didn¡¯t escort her back to the Governor¡¯s Mansion.¡±


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who said not to interfere?¡± Chang Lan asked with a sly smile.


    Qin Lietu was momentarily taken aback, then feigned a cough. ¡°Call me when dinner¡¯s ready. I¡¯ve had a long day and need some rest.¡±


    Qin Yun wandered out of the mansion alone, aimlessly strolling along the streets. When he passed a lively tavern, he decided to enter, taking a private seat by the window on the second floor. He ordered some wine and dishes and drank alone.


    ¡°I saw the Governor from a distance today¡ªhe¡¯s changed so much! He looks much younger, not much older than his son, Young Master Wen Chong.¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡±


    ¡°Can the old grow young again?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard the Governor really does look much younger now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nothing! I¡¯ve heard that some immortal masters refine miraculous elixirs capable of raising the dead and extending life. The Governor must¡¯ve taken some immortal pills.¡±


    At another table on the second floor, a group of patrons chatted away. Qin Yun could hear them clearly.


    Cultivators occasionally displayed their powers in the mortal world, but ordinary people rarely came into contact with them, and rumors often grew exaggerated. Reviving the dead? Attaining immortality? Such defiance of the natural order was fraught with unimaginable difficulty and even heavenly tribulation.


    Drinking alone, Qin Yun gazed at the bustling street below.


    ¡°Thirteen years.¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°It¡¯s been thirteen years,¡± Qin Yun murmured as he drank.


    He would never forget what happened when he was eight years old.


    The Water God Demon sought ten boys born under pure yang stars and ten girls born under pure yin stars to personally devour. The children offered by villages were often bestowed by the Water God to the demons under his command.


    That day¡­


    Qin Yun¡¯s father, the head of the village¡¯s militia, was a formidable warrior at the seventh level of Qi Refinement. Even in the city, he would have lived comfortably. He had fought countless battles to defend the village, leading the militia against minor demon incursions. His contributions exempted his family from the lottery. But when the villagers learned that his young daughter was born under pure yin stars, they urged him to offer her up to save the village from annihilation.


    Facing the demons¡¯ demands and the villagers¡¯ betrayal, Qin Lietu was furious. But what could he do? In the end, he lost an arm, and the whole family was imprisoned. His daughter was taken by the demons.


    ¡°Little sister! Little sister!¡± Eight-year-old Qin Yun cried, his face streaked with tears. His mother was held down, struggling; his father, bleeding profusely, had lost an arm; and his little sister, being taken away by demons, called out desperately, ¡°Father! Mother! Big Brother! Second Brother! Save me! Save me¡­¡± Her cries haunted Qin Yun¡¯s dreams for years.


    Afterward, the family left the village and moved to the city.


    Life in the city was harsh. Once Qin Lietu¡¯s injuries healed, his strength, tempered by the ordeal, grew. Eventually, he became a constable for the Six Doors Law Enforcement. Only then did the Qin family gain a foothold in the county city, and life began to improve. But young Qin Yun grew increasingly obsessed with cultivating his swordsmanship.


    His relentless practice earned him the nickname "Mad Cloud" in the Western Mountain Sword Academy.


    ¡°Thirteen years.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never forgotten my sister¡¯s death!¡± Qin Yun drained another cup, his face calm, but deep within, his anger and hatred burned like a volcano waiting to erupt.


    When the eruption came, it would be cataclysmic.


    ¡°At fifteen, I left home, determined to become a sword immortal.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve faced countless dangers, yet still haven¡¯t opened the Immortal Gate. Without a mentor to guide me or rare treasures to assist me, I¡¯ve relied on my own strength. Breaking into the higher realms of cultivation is incredibly difficult.¡±


    ¡°On the northern frontiers, I pushed myself to the brink of death.¡±


    ¡°It was either death or opening the Immortal Gate!¡±


    ¡°And I finally succeeded.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve gathered all the information on the Water God Demon¡­ He is cunning and extraordinarily difficult to kill,¡± Qin Yun murmured. ¡°Whenever a Xiantian cultivator approaches, the Water God retreats to his riverside mansion. If the situation turns dire, he escapes into the river.¡±


    ¡°As a Houtian cultivator, can I slay the Water God Demon?¡±


    ¡°According to my original plan¡­¡±


    ¡°First, I must master the Misty Rain Sword Intent. Second, I must forge my Natal Flying Sword. Third, I must achieve spiritual unity with nature, enabling me to wield the sword-controlling technique. These three techniques are legendary among sword immortals. Only then will I have a chance to kill the Water God Demon as a Houtian cultivator.¡±


    All three were immensely challenging.


    The Natal Flying Sword was relatively easier but typically required decades of nurturing with rare treasures. Qin Yun¡¯s Misty Rain Sword Intent accelerated the process tenfold, allowing him to complete it within half a month.


    Achieving spiritual unity with nature was even harder. Most Xiantian cultivators couldn¡¯t reach that state, relying instead on their purer Xiantian energy to forcibly wield the sword-controlling technique. As a Houtian cultivator, Qin Yun had to attain spiritual unity to borrow the power of nature. His mental state had long reached its peak, capable of extending his consciousness five meters beyond his body. He estimated he could achieve spiritual unity within a year.


    The Misty Rain Sword Intent, however, was the most difficult. Even among Xiantian cultivators, only a handful could grasp a hint of sword intent.


    This sword intent was Qin Yun¡¯s hope of slaying the Water God Demon.


    ¡°One year.¡±


    ¡°My original plan was to achieve these three within a year, reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship as a Houtian cultivator,¡± Qin Yun thought. ¡°But Yi Xiao¡¯s information suggests the Water God Demon has accumulated enough power to break through to the Xiantian realm at any moment. If he succeeds, how can I kill him?¡±


    For this one sword strike, Qin Yun had trained for thirteen years.


    For this one strike, he was willing to lay down his life.


    No matter how Yi Xiao tried to persuade him, Qin Yun refused to budge.


    If he failed to kill the Water God and only gravely injured him, the demon would flee and become even more cautious. The next time they met, the Water God would be prepared and refuse to give him another opportunity.


    ¡°I only have one chance. If I fail, the Water God Demon will never take the risk again.¡±


    ¡°A year from now, I¡¯d have tenfold confidence.¡±


    ¡°But the Shenxiao Sect, a holy land of Daoism, believes the Water God Demon is on the verge of breaking through. That can¡¯t be false.¡±


    ¡°If he breaks through within the year, how can I kill him?¡±


    Qin Yun gripped his wine cup so tightly it shattered.


    If he missed this chance and failed to kill the Water God Demon, allowing him to continue wreaking havoc, Qin Yun would die with regret.

 Chapter 45: Forming a Plan

    ¡°Stay calm, stay calm.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush into a decision. Think it over, think it over.¡± Qin Yun tried to persuade himself.


    He had to think carefully.


    Because he could not afford to fail.


    That night, he stayed at the tavern until it closed, then returned home alone. Later, he continued his usual practice of refining his life-bound flying sword.


    One day passed, then another.


    The summer sun rose early, and by dawn, the scorching heat already filled the air. Qin Yun left his home and headed toward the Governor¡¯s Mansion.


    ¡°Master Qin?¡± The guards at the mansion¡¯s gate immediately greeted him warmly. Who among them didn¡¯t know that Master Qin was a valued guest of the Governor?


    Qin Yun didn¡¯t even have to wait outside; he was promptly escorted inside.


    Soon enough, he arrived outside Yi Xiao¡¯s courtyard. The guard at the door called out from behind, ¡°Miss Yi, Master Qin is here to see you.¡±


    ¡°Master Qin, I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± The guard bowed and withdrew. Of the six hundred guards in the Governor¡¯s Mansion, many had gone to Cangya Mountain before, and they all knew that even the White Tiger Demon had lost a claw to Master Qin.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Qin Yun said with a smile.


    Such courtesy from Master Qin made the guard feel proud, and he grinned widely as he stepped away.


    Qin Yun stood outside the courtyard gate. Soon, the door creaked open.


    Yi Xiao looked out and smiled faintly. ¡°It¡¯s only the second day, and you¡¯re already here? Come in and sit.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded and entered.


    The two of them sat down.


    ¡°Brother Qin, I was rather emotional when I visited your home earlier. Please don¡¯t take it to heart,¡± Yi Xiao said. ¡°You¡¯re right, though. It¡¯s my choice to risk my life to kill the Water God, and I can¡¯t expect others to take the same risk with me. Besides, you likely have concerns about your family.¡±


    Yi Xiao believed she understood Qin Yun¡¯s thoughts.


    He must be worried about many things, especially the risk of failing and provoking the Water God¡¯s retaliation.


    ¡°Miss Yi,¡± Qin Yun said, ¡°I truly admire you. As an outsider, you¡¯re willing to risk your life to save the millions of people in Guangling Prefecture.¡±


    There might be rewards for sect missions.


    But for a member of the Yi family from Kunlun State, risking their life for mere rewards wasn¡¯t something they¡¯d do. Qin Yun could see that Yi Xiao genuinely couldn¡¯t bear to watch the suffering in Guangling Prefecture, which was why she had come.


    This earned his heartfelt respect.


    As for Yi Xiao¡¯s occasional lack of social understanding, that was normal. Young cultivators often started training in the mountains as children and had little experience with the mortal world.


    ¡°If we could kill the Water God and save countless lives in Guangling Prefecture, reuniting many children with their parents, my death would be worth it,¡± Yi Xiao said, looking at Qin Yun. ¡°But enough about that. Brother Qin, have you made up your mind?¡±This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°I want to ask: What are the chances of the Water God breaking through to the Innate Golden Core stage within a year?¡± Qin Yun countered.


    ¡°This¡­¡±


    Yi Xiao hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Based on the intelligence my Divine Firmament Sect has gathered, the elders in the sect believe it could happen at any time. But within three years, it will definitely happen.¡±


    Qin Yun fell silent.


    It could happen at any time? And within three years, it was certain?


    Qin Yun nodded. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll join you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve agreed?¡± Yi Xiao was surprised and delighted but quickly added, ¡°Brother Qin, if we fail, your Qin family could face the Water God¡¯s wrath. You don¡¯t have to come with me. I can find other cultivators to help.¡±


    ¡°My desire to kill the Water God is stronger than yours,¡± Qin Yun said softly, smiling. ¡°Miss Yi, you¡¯ve read about the Water God¡¯s atrocities in records, but I lived in a village until I was eight.¡±


    Yi Xiao was slightly startled.


    A village?


    ¡°I saw, with my own eyes, children and peers chosen by lottery to be sacrificed to the Water God. Their parents wailed in despair,¡± Qin Yun said quietly. ¡°I saw villagers working in the fields, abducted by demons, never to return.¡±


    ¡°My younger sister was eaten by the Water God when she was six,¡± Qin Yun said, looking at Yi Xiao.


    Yi Xiao¡¯s expression changed.


    ¡°Do you know why I practice swordsmanship?¡± Qin Yun asked. ¡°It¡¯s to kill the Water God.¡±


    ¡°Then why did you refuse before¡­¡± Yi Xiao felt the terrifying killing intent hidden within Qin Yun¡¯s calm voice.


    ¡°The Water God is cunning. If we fail this time, he won¡¯t give me another chance,¡± Qin Yun said. ¡°Your sixty to seventy percent success rate is too low. I was aiming for a hundred percent certainty.¡±


    Indeed.


    With just one more year.


    If the Water God remained at the Innate False Core stage¡ªeven its peak¡ªQin Yun¡¯s life-bound flying sword, combined with his mastery of the Rain Sword Intent and the unity of swordsmanship, would ensure his success, as long as the Water God left the river.


    But that was assuming the Water God didn¡¯t break through.


    Two hundred years without a breakthrough¡­ and now it was about to happen?


    Fate was playing tricks!


    Yi Xiao looked at Qin Yun. ¡°A hundred percent certainty? How is that possible? How can a Postnatal cultivator achieve such certainty against the Water God? If it were possible, the imperial court and the Daoist and Buddhist sects wouldn¡¯t have failed to deal with him for over two centuries. My sixty to seventy percent success rate is already the best plan my sect could devise.¡±


    ¡°Yes, a hundred percent is difficult,¡± Qin Yun conceded. ¡°I had planned to prepare more thoroughly. But now that I know the Water God could break through at any moment, there¡¯s no point in waiting. I¡¯ll join you.¡±


    Yi Xiao looked at Qin Yun, feeling a trace of guilt for having misjudged him.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Yi Xiao said with a smile. ¡°Then let¡¯s join forces to take down the Water God!¡±


    ¡°Take him down!¡± Qin Yun nodded, his eyes sharp with determination.


    ¡°But before we act,¡± Qin Yun said, ¡°we must prepare thoroughly. The better we know ourselves and our enemy, the higher our chances of success. Here is all the information I¡¯ve gathered on the Water God.¡±


    He took out a handwritten book from his sleeve.


    ¡°I have some as well,¡± Yi Xiao said, retrieving a pouch from her waist. She reached inside and pulled out a thick book, much larger than the pouch itself.


    ¡°A spatial pouch,¡± Qin Yun thought in surprise.


    Spatial pouches were rare. Even those at the Innate False Core stage, like Commander Fang or the White Tiger Demon, didn¡¯t have one. This was only the second time Qin Yun had seen one.


    The two of them began comparing their intelligence.


    ¡°As expected of the Divine Firmament Sect. The information is incredibly detailed. So the Water God is a disciple of Yunmo Mountain?¡± Qin Yun was stunned. Yunmo Mountain was a legendary floating mountain. To demons, it was as revered as sacred Daoist lands were to cultivators.


    Such an ancient force could rival the imperial court head-on.


    ¡°His master is an Innate Golden Core demon, and he has many fellow disciples¡­¡± Qin Yun read on, marveling. The intelligence offered a glimpse into the vast network of demonic forces across the land.


    ¡°This is the original plan. Take a look,¡± Yi Xiao said, handing Qin Yun several sheets of paper.


    Qin Yun read them carefully.


    The plan was solid.


    According to the Divine Firmament Sect, the plan had a sixty to seventy percent chance of success.


    ¡°With my life-bound flying sword complete, my strength will increase significantly,¡± Qin Yun thought. ¡°Even without mastering the unity of swordsmanship, I¡¯m already stronger than Yi Xiao¡¯s senior uncle.¡±


    ¡°With my help, the odds should rise to eighty or even ninety percent,¡± Qin Yun concluded.


    Yi Xiao asked eagerly, ¡°What do you think? Can you handle the tasks my senior uncle planned for?¡±


    ¡°Of course. But I think we should make some adjustments,¡± Qin Yun suggested.


    ¡°Go on,¡± Yi Xiao said, listening intently.


    The two of them delved into their intelligence, discussing strategies to ensure the death of the Water God, who had plagued Guangling Prefecture for over two centuries.


    Unbeknownst to the millions of citizens or the Governor himself, a battle that would decide their fate was about to unfold.

 Chapter 46: The Completion of the Life Sword

    Qin Yun and Yi Xiao had set their action date for June 26, as June 28 marked the day when many villages in Guangling County would offer young boys and girls to the Water God Great Demon. They planned to act two days earlier, both to save this batch of children from their misfortune and to proceed with their plan.


    With more than half a month still remaining before the operation, the two of them were preparing carefully and frequently discussing their plans together. After all, neither of them wanted to fail.


    One afternoon, as Qin Yun was leaving Yi Xiao¡¯s courtyard, he saw the County Governor standing in the distance.


    ¡°Qin Gongzi,¡± the County Governor greeted with a smile.


    ¡°County Governor,¡± Qin Yun immediately walked over.


    ¡°Let¡¯s walk and talk,¡± the County Governor said with a smile, leading the way down a small path. Qin Yun, though a bit puzzled, followed him.


    The surrounding area was quiet, with the woods dense and secluded, and the nearby guards kept their distance.


    The County Governor sighed, saying, ¡°When you''re young, it really feels different¡ªyour body is strong, and many of those old ailments are gone.¡±


    Qin Yun smiled.


    ¡°Qin Yun,¡± the County Governor turned to him, ¡°You¡¯ve done me a great favor. With your help, I''ve gained an additional twenty years of life, and that¡¯s thanks to you. In my heart, you are not an outsider.¡±


    ¡°The matter at Cangya Mountain was also something I should do,¡± Qin Yun replied.


    ¡°Since I don¡¯t see you as an outsider, there are some things I need to clear up with you,¡± the County Governor continued. ¡°Before, you and Yi Xiao didn¡¯t have much interaction, but after the trip to Cangya Mountain, you started visiting the Governor¡¯s residence often to meet with Yi Xiao. Occasionally, Yi Xiao also visits your house to meet with you¡­ A man and a woman meeting in private, without anyone else around, and doing so frequently¡ªnaturally, people will begin to speculate.¡±


    Qin Yun froze.


    Indeed, for the sake of dealing with the Water God Great Demon, the two of them often met to discuss the detailed plans.


    ¡°Yi Xiao is truly a beauty among mortals, like a fairy descending to the world,¡± the County Governor remarked. ¡°She is the most talented of the young generation of the Yi family in Kunlun State, and a disciple of the Daoist sacred ground, the Shenxiao Palace. Cultivators are already few in number, and such beauty¡­ is even rarer among cultivators. How many people do you think are pursuing her?¡±


    Qin Yun was stunned.


    It was indeed difficult for a rare beauty to appear in the common world, let alone in the small population of cultivators. Even though cultivation could enhance one¡¯s appearance and temperament, it was still rare to find someone like Yi Xiao, who was naturally beautiful.


    ¡°Many must be pursuing Yi Xiao,¡± Qin Yun said.


    ¡°I know of quite a few,¡± the County Governor smiled. ¡°And there are many who don¡¯t even dare to pursue her. Why? Because the three who are the most fervent in their pursuit all have powerful backgrounds, which intimidates others. The ones who continue to pursue her are the ones with some courage.¡±


    ¡°Who are these three?¡± Qin Yun asked, curious.


    ¡°The first is His Highness the Sixteenth Prince,¡± the County Governor said. ¡°The Human Emperor has founded the Great Chang Dynasty for over three hundred years, but the number of princes is still limited¡ªonly eighteen in total.¡±


    Qin Yun nodded.


    The Human Emperor had unified the world and had been sitting on the Dragon Throne for over three hundred years. His life span alone showed how formidable he was. It was said that the Human Emperor practiced the inheritance of both gods and demons, making him one of the most powerful figures in the world.


    ¡°Among the Human Emperor¡¯s children, not many have the talent for cultivation, but His Highness the Sixteenth Prince is very gifted. He is twenty-five years old now and already at the Innate Void Elixir realm. He practices the inheritance of gods and demons, making him very strong. He is greatly favored by the Emperor and is entrusted with important duties, currently holding the position of a commanding officer in the Divine Demon Guard, with many elite warriors under his command.¡± The County Governor continued, ¡°The Sixteenth Prince went to visit the Shenxiao Palace, and after meeting Yi Xiao, he became infatuated and has been pursuing her ever since.¡±Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°The second one is the current Grand Senior Brother of Shenxiao Palace,¡± the County Governor said. ¡°He is only twenty-nine but already at the Innate Solid Elixir realm. Truly a genius of the generation, and his Dao skills are profound. It is said he has been taught the Shenxiao Thunder Technique, and with his talent, it¡¯s very likely he will break into the Innate Golden Elixir realm in the future.¡±


    Qin Yun was secretly shocked.


    At such a young age, he was already at the Innate Solid Elixir realm?


    The Shenxiao Thunder Technique? Of the thousands of Dao techniques, thunder techniques were the most revered, and the Shenxiao Thunder Technique was the number one thunder technique in the world! When summoned, it could bring forth the Heavenly Thunder of Shenxiao, which had an unimaginable power.


    ¡°The third one is the youngest¡ªMaster Fu from the Zhang family of Shenxiao,¡± the County Governor said. ¡°Master Fu is the most talented of the Zhang family¡¯s current generation, and he is only sixteen years old, yet he has already reached the Innate Void Elixir realm. And you should know the position of the Zhang family within Shenxiao Palace.¡±


    Qin Yun murmured to himself.


    Of course, he knew!


    The Zhang family was the ruling family of Shenxiao Palace¡ªthe leaders of the Daoist sacred ground had always been from the Zhang family, a position that had never changed. Master Fu, being the most talented of the Zhang family¡¯s current generation, held a position that no ordinary prince could compare to.


    ¡°The current Grand Senior Brother of Shenxiao Palace, Master Fu from the Zhang family, and the Sixteenth Prince,¡± the County Governor said, ¡°These are the three most powerful suitors of Yi Xiao. They are all young and accomplished, making them excellent matches.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Yi Xiao is not moved by any of them, and no one has succeeded so far,¡± the County Governor looked at Qin Yun. ¡°You and she have only known each other for a short time. Let me remind you, don¡¯t get caught in this trap. Both Master Fu and the Sixteenth Prince are very domineering, and the Grand Senior Brother is very clever.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the warning, County Governor,¡± Qin Yun said.


    The County Governor nodded, ¡°It¡¯s up to you to decide.¡± He then left.


    Qin Yun guessed as much.


    As the saying goes, ¡°A graceful lady, a worthy match for a gentleman.¡± Even his Daoist heart, which had been tempered on the northern frontier, had been startled when he first met Yi Xiao. She had spent so long cultivating in Shenxiao Palace that many of her peers must have pursued her. A Grand Senior Brother, Master Fu from the Zhang family, and a Sixteenth Prince who had even visited Shenxiao Palace. It was only natural.


    ¡°Compared to them, I am just a loose cultivator,¡± Qin Yun smiled and walked out of the Governor¡¯s residence.


    Time passed quickly, and soon it was June 19.


    That night.


    Qin Yun was sitting cross-legged on his bed in the inner room, with an incense burner lit.


    ¡°Whoosh.¡±


    His true essence swiftly lifted a large box from the corner of the room. This box had been specially made by the household. When opened, it revealed numerous fragments, pieces of a large axe! The axe had been refined and absorbed, leaving behind only about a thousand one hundred pounds of fragments, now scattered inside the box.


    With his true essence guiding them, the fragments flew out one by one, quickly forming a pile in the room.


    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, today should be the day my life sword is completed,¡± Qin Yun had a strong premonition. He focused his will, and the ¡®sword pill¡¯ in his dantian unfolded rapidly, transforming into a strand of metal wire. It left the dantian, traveled through the meridians in his body, and shot out from his fingertips. As it met the air, it grew to three inches in length.


    At this moment, the life sword was still silvery white, though it glimmered with a faint cold blue light.


    Following Qin Yun¡¯s thoughts, the sword immediately flew over to the pile of axe fragments on the ground.


    ¡°Ssss~¡±


    As Qin Yun activated his technique, the sword¡¯s surface glowed again, and one of the fragments below began to emit light, drawing the light points into the sword above.


    Seconds ticked by.


    Half an hour later, after absorbing more than thirty pounds of the axe¡¯s essence, the sword suddenly vibrated and emitted a sword chant. Its absorbing power surged dramatically. The fragments below rapidly shattered, and countless light points surged upward into the suspended sword. The speed of absorption was so fast that it was Qin Yun¡¯s first time witnessing such a phenomenon. The fragments of the axe could clearly be seen turning to dust.


    Qin Yun''s face showed an excited expression as his eyes gleamed with heat as he stared at the flying sword. ¡°We¡¯re at the crucial moment!¡±


    The sword continued its frantic absorption, and within a short time, the fragments were reduced to only about six hundred pounds. Finally, the life sword¡¯s vibration stopped, and the sword chant faded. The room fell silent.


    Only the silvery flying sword remained floating in the air, with an invisible sword aura visible at its tip.


    ¡°What a treasure.¡±


    Qin Yun''s face showed joy.


    The life sword was nurtured over time with his true essence and even his soul. It was nurtured daily with sword intent, and over time, it had become a part of his life¡ªmore important than his own hands or feet! Losing a hand or a foot could be repaired through cultivation, but if the life sword were destroyed, it would be a serious injury. Worse, it could end his cultivation path.


    It was the core of a sword immortal¡¯s power¡ªthe life sword. Without it, the sword immortal''s true power couldn¡¯t be revealed. With the completion of the life sword, Qin Yun¡¯s strength would soar. Before, he had relied solely on his powerful sword intent to hold on.

 Chapter 47: Refining Qi to the Twelfth Layer

    "Come." Qin Yun waved his hand.


    Whoosh! The silver flying sword in mid-air darted like a fish and fell into Qin Yun''s hand. It quickly grew larger, becoming about three feet long, resembling an ordinary sword.


    "Unfortunately, I can''t perform Sword Control Technique yet," Qin Yun said with a self-deprecating smile. "What I can do now is only to control objects using my true essence."


    True essence can control objects, from sand and gravel to even heavier items, directly manipulating them.


    However, simple object manipulation is merely using true essence as a ¡®hand¡¯ to control the flying sword for attack. The force generated by this method is nowhere near as powerful as when the true essence is utilized inside the body, where the strength is multiplied by the physical form. Moreover, controlling a flying sword with true essence is not powerful enough; against a real expert, the sword can even be forcefully taken away!


    Thus, even when disciples of Sword Immortal sects descend from the mountains, the treasures bestowed upon them¡ªlike flying swords¡ªare meant for close combat!


    Unless they have perfected the Sword Control Technique.


    "Sword Control Technique¡­" Qin Yun couldn''t help but feel excited.


    The Sword Control Technique requires reaching the Innate Void Dan realm. At that point, the true essence in the body undergoes a qualitative change, and the refined Innate Void Dan true essence can use the Sword Control Technique, gathering the power of Heaven and Earth into the flying sword! How vast is the power of Heaven and Earth? After concentrating that power into the sword, its might is far greater than the strength of one''s body.


    In the acquired realm, to use the Sword Control Technique, one must achieve the state of Unity of Man and Heaven. Once in this state, the forces of Heaven and Earth will gather automatically, making the use of the Sword Control Technique much easier. Acquired practitioners can also use it.


    "It was only after comprehending the Rainy Sword Intent that my spirit has greatly increased. Now, I can project my spirit energy about five to six meters," Qin Yun mused. "I''m still quite far from reaching the Unity of Man and Heaven."


    The breakthrough of one''s spirit is an elusive process.


    Comprehending sword intent greatly enhances the spirit.


    Understanding life and existence, gaining insight into the meaning of life, all of these can contribute to spiritual growth. But spiritual progress is typically slow. Once the body is perfected, the soul naturally grows stronger. The strength of the soul is also the strength of the spirit.


    Given the current rate of growth of his spirit, Qin Yun estimated he would reach the Unity of Man and Heaven within a year.


    "Ha." Qin Yun waved his hand, and a large axe fragment flew to his side. He grabbed it with one hand, holding his sword with the other. True essence poured into the flying sword, and for a moment, the sword''s edge gleamed brilliantly before slashing at the axe fragment.


    "Poof."


    A faint white streak appeared on the large axe fragment, about the size of a pot lid.


    "Simply relying on the sword''s sharpness isn''t enough to break through a divine weapon," Qin Yun muttered. He swung his sword again, but this time, he used the Rainy Sword Intent. The silver sword in his hand became blurred, almost invisible to the naked eye, and it cut down on the axe fragment. With a sharp sound, it sliced through more than half of the fragment, about an inch deep.


    "Good heavens." Qin Yun exclaimed in surprise. "I haven''t even used my full strength yet. Just infusing true essence and applying sword intent gives this much power? If I were to fight the White Tiger Great Demon now, I could probably slice through his giant axe and easily slay him!"Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    "Impressive, impressive," Qin Yun said with excitement. "My flying sword, just recently completed, is already an eighth-grade treasure. But because it''s my life sword, the power it exudes is comparable to a sixth-grade treasure, especially when combined with sword intent! The power is truly terrifying!"


    For a Sword Immortal, no other treasure is more valuable than their own life sword! Even though Qin Yun had not yet reached the Innate realm, the most powerful treasure he could summon would only be a seventh-grade item. But with his life sword, even a ninth-grade sword could rival the power of a seventh-grade treasure in his hands. Moreover, the true essence consumption is less by ten times, making it easier to control.


    Naturally, no other treasure can compare to a life sword.


    Qin Yun''s life sword, in terms of power, was already at the level of a sixth-grade treasure.


    "My life sword, combined with the Rainy Sword Intent, can even slice through divine weapons like this," Qin Yun marveled. "The Sword Immortal title is well-earned. A sword can break through all techniques, the best offense. Only now do I truly feel the might of a Sword Immortal!"


    In the past, Qin Yun had never fully realized the power of a Sword Immortal.


    This was because the weapon he had used was an ordinary divine weapon, and his sword techniques were of his own making. His remarkable combat ability stemmed from his comprehension of the Rainy Sword Intent. These had nothing to do with the Sword Immortal legacy¡ªonly his more refined true essence had made the difference.


    But today!


    Now that his life sword had been completed and combined with sword intent, Qin Yun was thoroughly amazed.


    If he were to encounter the White Tiger Great Demon again, it would likely take just ten or eight strikes to claim its life!


    "My life sword, sharp as it is, can also unleash the Rainy Sword Qi." Qin Yun lightly swung his silver sword, and wisps of misty, ethereal sword qi emerged, like a gentle rain. These sword energies swirled around the room before dissipating.


    "Return."


    Qin Yun focused his mind, and the silver sword melted into his arm, disappearing.


    With a flick of his tongue, a streak of sword light shot out of his mouth and hovered in mid-air¡ªit was his life sword.


    "They say Sword Immortals can spit out a river of stars from their mouths," Qin Yun laughed. "Only by refining a life treasure can one achieve such a feat. But I don''t particularly like spitting out flying swords from my mouth."


    Unless he was deliberately using it to deceive an enemy during battle, otherwise¡­ he wouldn''t want to make a habit of it.


    Qin Yun sat cross-legged on his bed. The flying sword returned to his dantian, curling up into a sword pill. The sword pill naturally absorbed and exhaled true essence, with each cycle of absorption and release gradually refining the true essence, making it purer and sharper.


    When he first refined the life sword¡­


    His life sword also helped with the refinement of his true essence.


    The progress of his cultivation that night had been substantial.


    By the time dawn broke, Qin Yun''s true essence had gone through several cycles of absorption by the sword pill, becoming slightly more refined. The true essence in his dantian had even begun to naturally form a stable vortex. Qin Yun smiled, "True essence is condensing into a vortex? I''ve finally crossed into the Twelfth Layer of Refining Qi. Now, it¡¯s just a matter of time! Let the true essence gradually refine in the vortex and finally transform into an empty dan."


    The transition from the Twelfth Layer of Refining Qi to the Void Dan is also difficult.


    But with his comprehension of the Rainy Sword Intent, Qin Yun believed that breaking through the bottleneck wouldn''t be hard. It would just take time¡ªgradually, day by day, letting the true essence undergo a gradual transformation. There was no rush.


    "Hum."


    He opened his eyes and looked at the light streaming through the window. Qin Yun felt exhilarated.


    That night, he had refined his life sword and, in doing so, had made a significant leap into the Twelfth Layer of Refining Qi.


    "Water God, prepare to die," Qin Yun''s eyes flashed coldly.


    The night of June 25 arrived, the night before their mission to deal with the Water God.


    At the Qin household.


    Qin Yun sat with his parents, older brother and sister-in-law, and his nephew and niece, eating dinner.


    "This is mine."


    "I want that too."


    His nephew and niece were excitedly eating, their faces covered in food.


    "Second brother, you''re too kind! You made all this good food, but Shu Yan and Shu Bing should eat at a separate table. It''s getting too noisy!" his older brother, Qin An, laughed, clearly a bit exasperated by his kids'' antics.


    "Let them eat together, it¡¯s more lively that way," Qin Yun smiled, watching his messy, food-covered nephew and niece.


    His nephew and niece were only three or four years old, and once they became familiar, they were fearless and always lively.


    Seeing them, Qin Yun was reminded of his childhood with his older brother and little sister.


    "Younger sister..." Qin Yun''s heart ached slightly. "Soon, tomorrow, second brother will avenge you."


    "You two, don¡¯t rush! Big pieces of meat can choke you, let Grandma tear them up for you." Grandma Chang Lan cheerfully began tearing pieces of roasted leg meat for her grandchildren.


    "I want it, I want it."


    "I want the bone."


    "Eat the meat, the bone isn¡¯t tasty."


    The whole family was happily coaxing the two little ones.


    Qin Yun sat by, drinking wine, smiling as he watched.