Free Web NovelChapter 219: Chapter 217: Fight
Dark currents had been surging through Fengsha City recently. Unfamiliar faces were everywhere, as countless powerful families and factions sent their people here.
The new Elixir developed by the Qin Family seemed to possess a magical allure, drawing everyone’s gaze. They had all come here, each with their own agenda.
The other families and Sects within Fengsha City were all affected to some degree, but the one bearing the greatest pressure was, of course, the Qin Family.
Inside the Qin Family’s shop, Qin Hanyue was chatting with her husband, Qin Wenxuan, and her goddaughter, Qin Xue.
"Wenxuan, many years ago, when we first met, you had already reached the peak of the ninth-rank Celestial Level. With the Spiritual Qi on your Profound Island, why did it take you so long to break through to the Celestial Shattering Realm?"
Qin Hanyue asked with a faint smile.
Qin Wenxuan and Qin Xue both looked relaxed. It was not at all as the outside world imagined, with every member of the Qin family living in constant, unending fear.
Qin Wenxuan was a little embarrassed by his wife’s question, but he still explained earnestly, "Our Qin Family primarily focuses on refining Elixirs, not the Martial Dao. Moreover, the Basic Techniques that our core disciples cultivate require at least a decade to show their first results. The Qin Family doesn’t seek rapid advancement; we value steady, solid progress. Heh, not to brag, but back when I was at the peak of the ninth-rank Celestial Level, I wouldn’t necessarily have lost a fight against someone from another family who was at the Celestial Shattering Realm! Just like now—though I’m only at the peak of the Celestial Shattering Realm, I don’t fear even a Martial Artist at the Celestial Integration Realm!"
"Godfather, by that logic, couldn’t someone from our family at the Celestial Embracing Realm fight a Venerable?" Qin Xue asked from the side.
Qin Wenxuan shook his head and gave a wry smile. "It’s not that simple. If it were, our Qin Family wouldn’t be a mid-tier family. Before the Celestial Embracing Realm, Martial Artists primarily rely on strength and skill, with a bit of understanding of the Martial Dao and some application of Spiritual Power. But reaching the Venerable Realm means truly stepping into the domain of the Martial Dao. Your power, your comprehension of combat techniques, your command of Heaven and Earth Power, your mastery of rules—everything becomes fundamentally different from those below the Venerable Realm."
Qin Xue nodded, only half-understanding. A look of determination flashed in her eyes as she said softly, "Godfather, Mom, I’m going back to cultivate. You two carry on."
Qin Xue had grown accustomed to calling Qin Hanyue "Mom" and Qin Wenxuan "Godfather." She had completely become a part of the family.
Qin Hanyue and Qin Wenxuan nodded slightly. After watching Qin Xue leave, they both sighed softly at the same time, then exchanged a knowing smile.
"Wenxuan, do you think the Qin Family can get through this?" Qin Hanyue asked softly. There was no point in letting the pressure show on her face; it wouldn’t solve anything and would only upset others. It was better to bury it deep inside and bear it silently.
Qin Wenxuan shook his head slightly and sighed. "It’s hard to say. Most of the families and Sects on Profound Island have lineages stretching back to Ancient Times. Regardless of their size, their foundations run incredibly deep. Unless there’s a bitter feud, they rarely engage in open provocation. Wiping out another family is even rarer. So, what the Qin Family is facing now is just pressure from those major families and Sects. However, the pressure this time is particularly heavy. What’s more, it seems some factions have already learned about Li’s situation. I heard my great-grandfather say that if it comes down to it, we’ll auction off that Pill Formula. Highest bidder wins! We have to protect Li, even if it means sacrificing the Pill Formula!"
Qin Hanyue remarked with a heavy heart, "We’re all part of the Qin Family, but the difference... it’s just so vast!" Her tone was tinged with a sadness, making it clear she hadn’t fully let go of the past.
Qin Wenxuan gently took his wife’s hand and said with utmost sincerity, "Han Yue, that’s all in the past. Don’t dwell on it. Our son is so outstanding and brilliant now. What more could we ask for?"
A smile returned to Qin Hanyue’s face as she nodded. "You’re right, Wenxuan. Every time I think about him, it feels like a dream, almost unreal. Sigh, I wonder how our Li is doing now?"
"Mom, I’m home!"
Qin Li’s voice came from outside the door, causing the two inside the shop to freeze. An instant later, expressions of pure ecstasy washed over their faces as they shot to their feet and rushed out.
Standing outside was none other than their son, Qin Li, whom they had missed so dearly.
And beside Qin Li was that peerlessly beautiful young woman—who else could it be but Shangguan Shiyu?
"Son! Shiyu!"
Qin Hanyue cried out in delight, hurrying forward. She first gave Qin Li a hug, then looked up, her face beaming with joy. "My darling son, you’ve gotten taller!"
Qin Hanyue then took Shangguan Shiyu’s hand and said happily, "And Shiyu, you’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you! So beautiful, truly beautiful! Haha, what a wonderful daughter-in-law!"
Shangguan Shiyu’s face turned crimson as she said shyly, "It’s good to see you, Auntie."
"Haha, no need to be so formal! Come on, quickly, inside!" Qin Hanyue said warmly, pulling Shangguan Shiyu by the hand.
Meanwhile, Qin Li gave Qin Wenxuan a cool nod. freewebnøvel.com
Qin Wenxuan knew it would take more than a day or two for his powerful, strong-willed son to accept him. He wasn’t offended and simply offered a kind smile in return.
The shop was quiet and empty at the moment, save for a few clerks. Once they were in the back room, Qin Hanyue introduced Qin Wenxuan to Shangguan Shiyu.
Shangguan Shiyu greeted Qin Wenxuan very politely, calling him "Uncle." freewēbnoveℓ.com
Qin Wenxuan was instantly overjoyed. He fumbled around, patting his pockets, but couldn’t find a suitable gift and couldn’t help but look embarrassed.
After all, they had never expected Qin Li to return at this time, much less with his fiancée.
Seeing Qin Wenxuan’s fumbling, awkward manner, Qin Li felt a faint warmth in his heart. ’For a graceful, refined man from a major family like him to look this flustered... it must be because Shiyu is my fiancée. At the end of the day, it’s because he cares about me.’
As he thought this, the phoenix hairpin from the Ancient Ruins at the bottom of Phoenix Lake appeared in Qin Li’s hand. He glanced at Qin Wenxuan, then turned to his mother. "Mom, this is something I came across by chance. It’s made of Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade. Whoever wears it is protected from all sickness and the extremes of heat and cold. It’s quite a treasure, and I wanted you to have it."
"Oh, it’s gorgeous!"
Even Qin Hanyue, who was accustomed to all manner of priceless jewelry, was captivated by the hairpin’s chic, elegant design and its majestic aura. Her eyes couldn’t help but fill with admiration.
Shangguan Shiyu saw it and couldn’t tear her eyes away either. It was doubtful any woman could resist the allure of this phoenix hairpin.
Qin Hanyue paused for a moment, then quickly recovered. As she took it from Qin Li’s hand, she felt its weight—cool to the touch and brimming with Spiritual Qi.
Then, smiling, she walked over to Shangguan Shiyu. "My dear daughter-in-law," she said with a gentle laugh, "your uncle and I had no idea you were coming, so we’re terribly embarrassed that we didn’t prepare a gift. Please, let me give you this, from my son."
"Ah, Auntie, this is far too valuable! I can’t accept it!"
Shangguan Shiyu was mortified, refusing in a fluster while shooting a pleading look at Qin Li.
Qin Li, however, just chuckled without saying a word. Qin Hanyue pouted to herself. ’This ungrateful little brat. As soon as he gets a wife, he forgets his own mother. The old sayings really were true!’
In the end, Qin Hanyue went ahead and placed the phoenix hairpin into Shangguan Shiyu’s upswept bun. Her already exquisite face now seemed to radiate light, and her noble aura was such that no one would dare harbor a single disrespectful thought.
Even Qin Hanyue, who had been feeling a little put out, had to admit it now: the phoenix hairpin truly brought out the best in her daughter-in-law. They were a perfect match.
Shangguan Shiyu was dressed in a long, bright yellow gauze gown. Her brows were delicately arched over eyes as clear and pure as autumn pools. Her hair was swept up in a high bun, her red lips were glossy, and her face was flushed with shyness.
The nape of her neck was exposed, her skin as fine, white, and lustrous as jade. Her full chest tapered to a slender waist that looked as if it could be encircled by a single hand. Her two long, shapely legs were faintly visible through the gown, a breathtaking sight.
The jade hairpin nestled in her hair made her look like a celestial Fairy, a beauty without peer.
Qin Hanyue was now a thousand percent satisfied with her near-perfect daughter-in-law. If the Qin Family weren’t in such trouble, she would have wanted to arrange their wedding immediately!
’If I could just hold a grandchild soon, things would be absolutely perfect!’
Qin Li smiled and said, "Mom, I have another gift for you..." He was cut short as his brow suddenly furrowed. From outside, he could sense several powerful auras approaching.
His smile vanished. "Someone’s here," he said softly.
Just then, a loud BANG echoed from the front of the shop as the door was kicked to splinters. A man bellowed, "Son of a bitch! I bought a fake Elixir from you! It delayed my brother’s treatment, and now he’s dead! So tell me, how are you going to compensate me?"
"I’ll tell you how," Qin Li’s voice rang out. "Go fuck yourself!"
As he spoke, Qin Li emerged from the back room. He glanced at the thugs who had stormed in, his eyes locking onto their leader—a large man radiating intense waves of Primordial Power. A cold sneer on his face, Qin Li walked toward him.
"Heh, where did this little bast—AH!"
BAM!
Before the thug could finish his sentence, the young man before him vanished. In the next instant, his own body felt weightless, and he had the sensation of soaring through the clouds.
By the time he let out a startled cry, his body was already flying through the air. He flipped over like a hawk in mid-air before landing outside. He pointed back into the shop, opening his mouth to let out a stream of curses.
But then he saw the young man pick up a splintered piece of the door he had just destroyed. Staring at him with a cold sneer, the youth flicked his wrist. The piece of wood shot forward like an arrow, letting out a piercing shriek as it flew straight for the thug’s open mouth!
