Upon hearing Qin Chu’s words, Shangshuyu’s pretty face showed worry, “You mean, that woman will still target you?”
Qin Chu nodded, “A strong person like her doesn’t make decisions lightly. Once she makes a decision, it’s not easy to change. The reason there’s no news of her now is because I haven’t appeared. Once I’m back, she’ll soon make a move.”
“Yu’er, Qin Chu is right. The lack of news about her recently is because Qin Chu hasn't shown up. Qin Chu, you need to be careful and not run around. Within Sky Sword City, she would still have some scruples if she tried to do something,” Granny Yu said.
Qin Chu sighed. He knew the situation Granny Yu spoke of all too well; he was helpless right now.
After having dinner with Shangshuyu and Granny Yu at Azure Dragon Castle, Qin Chu returned to the Vermilion Bird Holy Land’s stronghold.
Qin Lingxi and Qingyi were in the stronghold’s main hall, drinking tea and chatting, waiting for Qin Chu to return.
Qin Chu sat down next to Qin Lingxi and chatted casually with Qingyi and Qin Lingxi about the current situation.
The Black Tortoise Holy Land and the Blazing Thunder Holy Land were very well-behaved; their forces remained holed up in their Holy Land strongholds, and the Vermilion Bird Holy Land couldn't conquer them even if they tried.
Every Holy Land has its own Holy Land stronghold, which has been meticulously managed over many years and is not easy to conquer. The Vermilion Bird Holy Land’s Holy Land was breached back then only because of an internal traitor; otherwise, it would have been impregnable.
“There’s still no news from the White Tiger Holy Land. They’re hiding very well, and our people haven’t found anything. Zhen Xuelin also hasn’t made a move. She’s willing to help us rescue your mother and your Uncle Qingyi, but she may not be willing to help us investigate the White Tiger Holy Land’s whereabouts. After all, if the White Tiger Holy Land is confirmed to be in the Black Tortoise Holy Land’s territory, the Black Tortoise Holy Land can’t escape responsibility,” Qin Lingxi said.
“It's human nature. Regardless of whether Zhen Xuelin helps us or not, we owe her a favor. She is a member of the Black Tortoise Holy Land, so it’s her duty not to help,” Qin Chu said. He clearly understood some matters and could think them through.
Looking at Qin Chu, Qingyi nodded with satisfaction. Qin Chu’s attitude showed that he was not a narrow-minded person; he had vision in how he conducted himself and handled affairs, and with vision comes success.
After chatting with Qin Lingxi and Qingyi for a while, Qin Chu returned to his room to Cultivate in meditation. He never slacked off in his Cultivation.
In Sky Sword City, inside an inn, a woman dressed in a light yellow silk dress was drinking tea and pondering.
The woman had willow-leaf eyebrows and eyes like clear water. When she looked around, she exuded an elegant and noble aura. This woman was none other than Qi Qingqing, who had removed her veil.
On Youwu Continent, Qi Qingqing had seen countless young talents, but none had caught her eye, so her heart was devoid of emotion. This time, upon arriving at Saint Martial Continent and hearing about Qin Chu’s situation, her heart was stirred. She desired a descendant, a descendant with her and Qin Chu’s excellent Bloodline. However, a year ago, she failed. She, a seventh-tier Venerable Stage Cultivator, actually failed to capture Qin Chu, a fifth-tier Heavenly Origin Stage Cultivator.
This morning, while drinking tea in a teahouse, Qi Qingqing heard that Qin Chu had returned. In the evening, she saw Qin Chu on the street and also noticed his Cultivation. She felt that she hadn’t misjudged him; at less than twenty years old, Qin Chu had already Cultivated to Heavenly Origin Stage Level Nine. No matter where he was placed, he would shine like a star.
“You stayed in Sword North Forest, and I had no way to deal with you. Since you’ve returned, then prepare to face me!” Qi Qingqing murmured to herself. She felt that an opportunity had arisen. With Qin Chu’s appearance, she had a chance. She also knew that there was a Saint Martial Enforcer in Sky Sword City, but she was in the shadows, and she still had a chance to capture someone if she wanted to.
After returning to Sky Sword City, Qin Chu spent time with Qingyi and Qin Lingxi. Sometimes, Qingyi and Qin Lingxi would even spar with Qin Chu.
After sparring, Qingyi and Qin Lingxi were surprised by Qin Chu’s strength. Qingyi was fine, but Qin Lingxi found it difficult to block and parry Qin Chu’s longsword.
Qin Chu’s physical strength was not as great as Qin Lingxi, who was in the Late Stage of the sixth-tier King Stage, but the strength in his arms surpassed Qin Lingxi’s.
Qin Chu’s great strength was due to the Prison Suppressing Fist. A year ago, Qin Chu’s arms had the strength of two elephants; now, they had the strength of four elephants. When Qin Chu wielded the Azure Spirit Sword and unleashed his sword moves, it was very difficult for opponents to parry or block them, because it was not easy to deform Qin Chu’s sword moves unless their Origin Qi and strength surpassed his.
“Qin Chu, how is your strength so great?” Qin Lingxi was somewhat puzzled.
“Aunt, don’t you know? I Cultivated the Prison Suppressing Fist. The Cultivation method of the Prison Suppressing Fist can increase strength, especially in the limbs. My arms and legs are very strong now,” Qin Chu said with a smile.
Qin Lingxi remembered that a year ago, someone had entrusted Granny Zhushan to deliver an ancient text to Qin Chu.
During their conversation, Qin Chu also mentioned the Spirit Extinguishing Flame.
“This is a good thing. Since President Mei told you to keep it hidden, you must keep it hidden. These are all foundations. Besides improving Cultivation, Cultivators accumulate foundations. When the foundation is deep, it will burst out at some point,” Qin Lingxi said to Qin Chu.
“Qin Chu understands. Aunt, don’t worry. My life was saved by you and Uncle Qingyi fighting to the death, so I won’t hide anything from you. Others will never know,” Qin Chu said with a smile.
After resting for two days at the Vermilion Bird Holy Land’s stronghold, Qin Chu went out to visit the elders he needed to see, but Qingyi insisted on accompanying him, worried about Qin Chu’s safety.
Qin Chu did not refuse. He also did not want to be captured by Qi Qingqing to be used as a breeding stock and then be chopped off.
Qin Chu’s first visit was to the Alchemist Guild. Now that he was back, he had to pay his respects to Chu Shan and Yuan Qi.
Upon seeing Qin Chu, Yuan Qi and Chu Shan were exceptionally happy. Qin Chu was the signboard of the Alchemist Guild in Sky Sword City.
Qin Chu hadn’t appeared for over a year, and the Alchemist Guild had been quiet for a year, no longer as lively as before. Qin Chu promised Yuan Qi and Chu Shan that he would return to Alchemy whenever he had time!
After sitting for a while at the Alchemist Guild, Qin Chu went to the Lin Mansion. He needed to pay his respects to Lin Hanyue and also see Lin Qing.
Qin Chu didn’t have many friends he recognized. Langlang hadn’t come to Saint Martial City. Yan Yi, Qian Xun, and Bai Yu told Qin Lingxi they were going out to do some tasks. Their words weren’t clear, but Qin Lingxi could guess that they were taking on tasks for the Demon Castle.
Lin Hanyue warmly received Qin Chu and Qingyi, and his attitude was different from before, mainly because Qin Chu was no longer the naive young man he once was. First, his identity was different; the Qin Chu of yesteryear was just an Alchemist, while the current Qin Chu was the sole Young Lord of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land. In terms of Cultivation achievements, Qin Chu was already a fifth-tier Heavenly Origin Stage Peak Cultivator, and the top of the Azure Cloud Ranking, which was unshakeable.
Lin Hanyue felt that Qin Chu would have no problem making it onto the Ascending Dragon Ranking. He understood Qin Chu and knew that Qin Chu possessed combat power far exceeding that of Cultivators at the same level.
“Qin Chu, Sky Sword City is not the same as before. I can only maintain general order. I can’t stop some powerful individuals from acting recklessly, so you must be careful,” Lin Hanyue said to Qin Chu. The world was chaotic, and he was helpless.
“Thank you, Uncle Lin. Qin Chu understands,” Qin Chu said.
After hosting Qin Chu and Qingyi, Lin Hanyue personally escorted them out of the Lin Mansion.
In a teahouse not far from the main gate of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land’s stronghold, Qi Qingqing was drinking tea, her eyes fixed on the entrance of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land’s stronghold.