"Brother Qin..."
A graceful figure leaped out like a cheerful sparrow. It was Leng Ningshuang.
Her snow-white hair cascaded down like the Milky Way, her eyes outshone the brilliant moon, and her simple white dress was elegant and ethereal.
Compared to her previous frailty, Leng Ningshuang, now free of the chilling energy, was filled with a new vitality. She had become lively and radiant, more dazzling and captivating than ever.
"Miss Leng, have you fully recovered?" A look of awe flashed in Qin Ya's eyes. He had to admit, Leng Ningshuang was an absolute beauty, one who could topple nations.
Qin Ya had met Leng Ningshuang before, so he wasn't too affected. Qin Yuxiang at his side, however, lacked such composure and simply stared, dumbfounded. The fact that Leng Ningshuang could have such an effect even on another woman was a clear testament to her charm.
"The chilling energy in my body has been completely expelled, and my Profound Yin Bloodline has been successfully awakened. It's all thanks to Brother Qin. By the way, I don't believe we've met..." Leng Ningshuang looked at the dazed Qin Yuxiang, her expression puzzled.
"This is my aunt." Qin Ya patted Qin Yuxiang, snapping her out of her stupor.
"Hello, my dear. You're simply radiant." Qin Yuxiang shot a meaningful glance at Qin Ya before pulling Leng Ningshuang aside to chat.
"My dear, how old are you?"
"Sev...seventeen."
"How did you and our Xiaoya meet?"
"Brother Qin is my savior. If it weren't for him, I'm afraid I wouldn't be alive today."
"Oh, a hero saving the damsel in distress. Attaboy, kid."
...
Watching the two women, who were already hitting it off, Qin Ya shook his head and chuckled in amusement. Just then, Huaa Que came out of the courtyard. He glanced at the two women with some surprise before turning to Qin Ya. "How can this old one be of assistance, Young Master Qin?"
"Nothing much. I just came to get some medicinal herbs from you," Qin Ya said casually.
"Medicinal herbs..."
"That's right. I'm afraid you'd just waste these herbs with your skill level, so I'll reluctantly help you out." Qin Ya's gaze swept across the shop, which was filled with medicinal ingredients.
"You... you brat! Can't you show a little respect?" Huaa Que was fuming, his beard bristling. His Alchemy skills were at the Fourth Grade, making him one of the best in the entire Yunxiao Empire. When had anyone ever dared to mock him like this?
"Respect? Hmph. By the way, where's that assistant from last time?"
"You mean Xiaohai? He went back to his hometown to visit family."
"Oh..."
Meanwhile, an event that would shake the three great families was unfolding in Anxing City.
The true number one genius of the Qin Family, Qin Yunlong, had returned!
Within the Qin Family's great hall, all the Elders were gathered. Two figures occupied the seats of honor: one was the current Qin Family Patriarch, Qin Hai; the other was a stern-faced young man in black with a jade pendant hanging from his waist. It was Qin Yunlong.
Outside the hall, many disciples of the Qin Family were secretly peeking in, eager to catch a glimpse of this legendary Qin Yunlong.
The story went that Qin Yunlong's aptitude had been exceptional from a young age. At just fifteen, he had reached the Profound Origin Realm. He later traveled to the Imperial Capital of the Yunxiao Empire and enrolled in Mingxin Academy, where he had been studying for the past five years.
In those five years, no one knew what heights his cultivation had reached. In other words, this Qin Yunlong was the true number one among Anxing City's younger generation.
"Yuncheng... is dead..." Qin Yunlong said, his tone indifferent as he toyed with the jade pendant at his waist. He spoke as if the person who died was a complete stranger.
"Yes. He died during the hunt on Mang Mountain." Qin Hai's expression was tinged with grief.
"What a waste. To think he'd die at the hands of a mere Wolf King."
"Yun Long, he was your brother!" Qin Hai's face turned grim.
Upon hearing this, a sneer touched Qin Yunlong's lips. He didn't pursue the subject, instead asking with a detached air, "On my way back, I heard the family has a new genius. Qin Ya, wasn't it? That piece of trash from before?"
"That's right, it's him. The man has been acting quite smug lately," the Fifth Elder snorted, still holding a grudge over their last encounter.
"Oh?" A flicker of interest showed in Qin Yunlong's smile. "A piece of trash managing to make a comeback... how interesting. Is he in the clan at the moment?"
"He went out early this morning with the Sixth Elder and has not yet returned."
"Never mind. Let's discuss another matter." To Qin Yunlong, while this Qin Ya was mildly interesting, he was far from worthy of his serious attention.
"In one year, I must go to Hidden Dragon Valley. I've returned this time to handle a matter for the family," Qin Yunlong said flatly.
"Hidden Dragon Valley? What kind of place is that?" an Elder asked curiously.
Qin Yunlong shot the Elder a glance and said coldly, "That is not something you need to know."
The Elder's face flushed red, and he was about to erupt in anger but was pulled back by the person beside him. Qin Yunlong's current status in the clan was no small matter—it was nearly equal to that of the Clan Leader. Moreover, with his talent, he was destined to one day become an Overlord.
"Yun Long, what is this matter?" Qin Hai asked.
"Eradicate the Zhang and Li families, and help the Qin Family unify Anxing City."
The indifferent words, laced with absolute confidence, struck the hearts of the Elders like a clap of thunder...
Unify Anxing City...
Those three words echoed in their minds.
The three great families had been rooted in Anxing City for decades. While there had always been friction between them, there had rarely been any truly devastating conflicts.
Yet now, Qin Yunlong was declaring his intent to annihilate the other two families and help the Qin Family unify Anxing City. It was simply beyond their belief.
"Yun Long, are... are you serious?" Qin Hai's lips trembled as he spoke. He couldn't help it; the news was simply too shocking.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
For Qin Yunlong, his stage was the entire Azure Sky Realm; Anxing City was far too small. He had only returned this time to settle some worldly ties with the Qin Family. Eradicating the Zhang and Li families was merely something he felt like doing.
"Yun Long, tell me honestly, what level has your cultivation reached?"
Qin Hai's expression was grave. Dealing with the Zhang and Li families was a matter of utmost importance, and he needed to know exactly what they were working with.
"The Spiritual Element Realm!"
Qin Yunlong had named a Realm that stunned everyone present.
"Haha, wonderful! As expected of our Qin Family's number one genius."
"The Spiritual Element Realm... none of the three great families have an expert of that level."
"Now, Anxing City is destined to be the Qin Family's domain."
Everyone was ecstatic, as if they could already see the day the Qin Family would unify Anxing and reign supreme.
'Hah. A bunch of frogs in a well.'
Qin Yunlong gave an indifferent smile. Over the years, he had seen countless powerful martial artists. He knew that in the eyes of a true expert, the Spiritual Element Realm was nothing more than an ant that could be crushed with a casual flick.
The more he saw of the world, the more he craved power.
'Hidden Dragon Valley... Once I enter Hidden Dragon Valley, I'll become an Extraordinary expert, a true powerhouse in the Azure Sky Realm.' Qin Yunlong's eyes burned with fiery ambition.