THUD.

Qin Qiu's face turned deathly pale. Her breathing hitched, and she collapsed to the ground. In this lifetime, her greatest source of pride wasn't shouldering the responsibilities of the Qin Corporation and the Qin Family, but marrying Chen Yang and having him as her husband.

But now, their legal, legitimate relationship had just been annulled by someone else? Although this didn't affect her feelings for Chen Yang, Qin Qiu felt an overwhelming sense of indignation.

Qin Lie's actions showed he had no regard for her at all. Arranging for her to meet the Li Family's Eldest Son?

Heh…

What does he take me for, a tool?

「The back garden.」

"Grandfather, are you no longer considering the two young masters of the Yin Family?" Qin Yan asked.

Holding a pair of shears, Qin Lie meticulously tended to the flowers and plants, remarking indifferently, "Their family's gold-lettered signboard has been torn down. What qualifications do they have left to discuss a marriage alliance with our Qin Family?"

"Then it must be Li Changqing from the Li Family." Qin Yan's eyes darted around before he smiled. "Grandfather, Li Changqing has a younger sister named Li Si. Why don't you bring up my marriage to her as well?"

As the greatest beauty on Qiyun Road, Li Si had long been coveted by Qin Yan. Although they had some occasional interactions, it would be perfect if the marriage could be arranged by both their families.

"Li Changqing is one of the candidates. I will also notify the major families outside the city and choose the best from among them. After all, we still have Qin Mo to consider."

Clearly, Qin Lie had already made thorough preparations. For the Qin Family to step beyond Qiyun Road and truly expand, forming marriage alliances with the great families from outside the city was an inevitable trend.

As for Qin Yan's request, Qin Lie simply waved his hand. "I will mention your matter to the Patriarch of the Li Family."

"Thank you, Grandfather!" Qin Yan was overjoyed.

"Get ready. We're making a trip to the Lingxiao Observatory."

"Of course. I'll get the car ready right away."

***

「Lingxiao Observatory.」

It was perched atop the summit of Baiyun Peak on Qiyun Road, a famous local tourist destination. Snow fluttered down upon the throngs of visitors. Most were families on an outing, carrying offerings as they prayed to the Saint of Lingxiao for safety and good fortune.

After leaving the Qin Royal Family, Chen Yang and Yang Hu arrived at the Lingxiao Observatory. They had no particular agenda; they were simply here to see the sights.

The 3,333 steps symbolized the thirty-three heavens. The progression of the front, middle, and rear halls of the temple embodied the three realms of heaven, earth, and man. From the viewing pavilion beside the Taoist temple, one could see nearly all of Qiyun Road laid out below.

"Boss, why didn't we just kill that old bastard Chen Boyong?" Yang Hu started to pull out a cigarette but, perhaps realizing the inappropriateness of the setting, hastily put it away.

Leaning his hands on the railing, Chen Yang gazed down upon the carefree land below. "Killing repeatedly at someone's birthday banquet is, after all, not a good look. Besides, Chen Boyong is surely here for the Ancestral Sword. We'll have plenty of chances to kill him, so why rush?"

"Right!" Yang Hu nodded, then asked tentatively, "Boss, once things on Qiyun Road are settled and we head to Cangyun City, shouldn't you also settle the matter of your parentage?"

Chen Yang fell silent. His deep eyes, which occasionally flashed with a cold glint, simply stared out at the wind and snow beyond the pavilion. From the moment he had erupted in anger at the Qin Family's home, he knew that the matter of his parentage had already taken root deep in his heart, a thought he could never escape.

Perhaps I will have to face it in the end.

Yang Hu said no more, standing quietly behind Chen Yang.

Not far away, a young Taoist priest was sweeping fallen leaves under a ginkgo tree. He was dressed in a Hundred-Family Garb and had lively features, especially his eyes, which were clear and bright, untouched by a speck of dust. He seemed otherworldly, as if a banished immortal who did not partake of worldly trifles. The priest was about twenty-two or twenty-three years old.

Despite passersby occasionally reminding him that it was impossible to finish sweeping while the wind was blowing and the snow was falling, and that he should wait until it stopped, he always responded with a simple smile.

"This little Taoist priest is such a fool. Not only is he foolish, but he's also naive. The other senior brothers must be bullying him into doing this."

A group of passersby pointed at the young Taoist, their chatter filling the air.

"Twenty-two or twenty-three years old, and at the eighth level of cultivation. Good heavens, what a rare genius!" Yang Hu had also noticed the young Taoist and couldn't help but exclaim, "No wonder he's so incredible. Even sweeping the floor is a form of cultivation for him."

Chen Yang glanced over, a smile playing on his lips. "This little guy is rather interesting."

"If he weren't a bit too delicate-looking, he'd remind me of you back in the day, Boss," Yang Hu teased.

Chen Yang raised his right hand and lightly snapped his fingers.

SNAP.

A swirl of purple-gold light shot out, heading straight for the young Taoist priest.

As the saying goes, to meet is to be bound by fate. Anyone who could catch Chen Yang's eye and genuinely pique his interest was worthy of receiving a fortunate encounter from him.

With his hands behind his back, Chen Yang turned and walked away.

The young Taoist seemed to sense something and lifted his head slightly. He watched, wide-eyed, as a stream of purple-gold light poured into him from the crown of his head.

POP.

The barrier to the Eighth Level shattered instantly. His cultivation surged upward, breaking into the Ninth Level and continuing to climb until it finally stopped at the very peak.

"This…"

The young Taoist froze, utterly shocked. His ethereal eyes stared intently at the distant figure walking down the mountain, hands clasped behind his back.

"What happened?" An old Taoist appeared beside the young man like a gust of wind, his expression grave as he asked in a deep voice. He had been startled awake the moment the purple-gold light appeared and had rushed over immediately. When he saw the change in the young Taoist's cultivation, the old Taoist's previously listless eyes widened in shock.

How is this possible?

After hearing the young Taoist's account, the old Taoist took a deep breath. "To grant a full level of cultivation with a casual wave of his hand… This must be a master of the Ten Thousand Phenomena Senluo realm!"

"Haoerr, are you sure it was a young man?" the old Taoist asked in disbelief.

The young Taoist named Qin Hao nodded firmly. "Master, I am absolutely certain."

The old Taoist's gaze grew distant, and he said nothing more. A Ten Thousand Phenomena Senluo master under thirty years of age? Even though he had traveled to every corner of this land, he had never heard of such a monstrous talent. He believed Qin Hao, but who on earth was this person?

"Old Taoist!"

Qin Lie walked over, calling out in a carefree manner. As he approached, he said with a wide grin, "I met Lord Yang today, the one at the top of the Dragon Brilliance List. Guess how old he is?"

"Oh?" The old Taoist's interest was piqued, but he didn't reply, waiting for Qin Lie to continue.

Qin Lie said with awe, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that a Thirteenth-Level Thousand-Faced Yama could be defeated in a single move by a young man under thirty."

"You… you're saying this Lord Yang is under thirty?"

"That's right!"

The old Taoist subconsciously looked at Qin Hao, who looked back at him. Their eyes met. The old Taoist then recounted what had just happened to Qin Hao.

"Tsk, tsk…" Qin Lie glanced at Qin Hao with envy, then nodded with conviction. "It must have been Lord Yang, without a doubt."

"Lord Yang vanished for five years. For him to suddenly reappear on Qiyun Road… surely there must be a reason." Gazing at the distant Lingjin River, the old Taoist sounded somewhat mystical, yet his words carried an undeniable conviction. "The long-peaceful Qiyun Road… perhaps the winds are about to change."

"By the way, King Qin, what do you think those warships on the Lingjin River are here for?"

Qin Lie stared at the dark silhouettes on the Lingjin River and said nonchalantly, "Didn't the capital branch say it was just for martial training?"

"And what if it's not?"

Qin Lie fell silent.

Is martial training just a pretext for some other objective?

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