Qin Shengtian vs. the Patriarch of the Qi Family

"Brother Chen!"

"Between us brothers, there's no need for formalities."

"If you ever need my help in the future, just say the word. I won’t refuse."

Looking at the visibly emotional Ancestor of the Qi Family, Chen Chang'an smiled and nodded.

This was an outcome he was quite pleased with—more friends meant more paths forward. What could be better?

"Enough talk for now. Let’s have another round of food and wine."

"No problem."

"I’ll have it prepared right away. There’ll be plenty."

After all, the Qi Family was one of the four great families of the Liuyun Domain, with deep reserves of wealth. The meal Chen Chang'an enjoyed was undoubtedly worth an astronomical sum of immortal spirit stones, though the exact amount remained unclear.

Once the feast concluded, Da Huang and the others immediately began their cultivation. Under the arrangements of the Ancestor of the Qi Family, Chen Chang'an also entered seclusion.

The food and wine were far from ordinary, brimming with vast amounts of immortal spiritual energy.

Just as Chen Chang'an immersed himself fully in cultivation, Qin Shengtian arrived in the Liuyun Domain.

When Qin Shengtian reached Qifeng Valley, the place was already deserted. But his goal wasn’t the four families—his sole priority now was finding Chen Chang'an.

"Hmph, do you really think you can escape?"

"I’ve already caught your scent."

Qin Shengtian had come to Qifeng Valley precisely to trace Chen Chang'an’s aura, as only his soul projection had appeared there before.

With a cold smirk, Qin Shengtian glanced in the direction of the Qi Family’s territory and vanished without a trace.

"Ancestor, it’s been over half a year, hasn’t it?"

"Is Senior Chen Chang'an still in seclusion?"

"Yes, he’s still cultivating."

"Right now… he’s strange. I can’t see through him. Even though he’s only at the first level of the Golden Immortal Realm, facing him feels no different from before—still unfathomable."

"And those three creatures following him… whatever they are, they’re odd too."

The Ancestor of the Qi Family hadn’t expected Chen Chang'an’s group to cultivate for so long. Neither Chen Chang'an nor Da Huang and the others had emerged from seclusion.

"Hm?"

"You’ve come out?"

The Ancestor suddenly noticed that Da Huang and the other two had ended their cultivation.

"Ah, yes, yes! We’re done."

"So… since you’re my big bro’s sworn brother, does that make us brothers too?" Da Huang asked with a grin.

"Uh…"

The Ancestor frowned slightly. A dog wanting to be sworn brothers with him?

Still, out of respect for Chen Chang'an, he reluctantly nodded.

"Then… could you lend us some immortal spirit stones?"

Immortal spirit stones?

"What do you need them for?"

"Want to buy something? Our Qi Family has plenty of resources—we can just give them to you."

"No, no, no!"

"That wouldn’t be right! Big Bro taught us not to take things from others casually. It’s impolite."

"Just lend us some stones. We’ll take these two brothers out to explore."

"We’re from a small place—haven’t seen much of the world."

"Don’t worry, once Big Bro comes out, we’ll pay you back," Da Huang said cheerfully.

"Fine. How much?"

"The more, the better."

Though puzzled, the Ancestor handed Da Huang ten thousand mid-grade immortal spirit stones. Soon after, he watched as Da Huang, Yi Tuo, and Little Earthworm cheerfully left the Qi Family estate.

"Send someone to follow them. Make sure nothing happens."

"Something about those three… feels unreliable."

"Yes, Ancestor."

Qi Family members trailed after them, but before long, they returned in shock.

"What?"

"You said they went where?"

"A brothel?"

"A dog, a turtle, and a child—they went to a brothel?"

The Ancestor was dumbfounded. They borrowed money… for a brothel? Did Chen Chang'an teach them this?

Since when did Chen Chang'an have such tastes?

Though the Ancestor himself was no stranger to such pleasures, someone of Chen Chang'an’s status had no need to visit brothels.

"Brother Chen… has fallen?"

"Ah, what a shame."

The Ancestor shook his head helplessly. Indulging in brothels was unbecoming—especially for someone of such prestige.

With Chen Chang'an’s status as an Elder of the Nine Clouds Immortal Sect, what kind of beauty couldn’t he obtain?

Hm?

Suddenly, the Ancestor sensed an overwhelming presence—a powerhouse at the Immortal Emperor Realm!

Why would an Immortal Emperor appear here?

The aura was unfamiliar. The Ancestor knew most Immortal Emperors in the Liuyun Domain. Could this be some reclusive cultivator?

"Are they heading for the Qi Family?"

Frowning, the Ancestor flashed to intercept the newcomer.

"You there—who are you?"

"What business do you have in Qi Family territory?"

Qi Family territory?

The intruder was none other than Qin Shengtian, who clearly held no regard for the Ancestor.

"I don’t care whose land this is. I’m here for one thing only."

"Is Chen Chang'an here?" Qin Shengtian demanded coldly.

Chen Chang'an?

A foe, not a friend—that much was clear from his tone.

"Such arrogance."

"Do you think the Qi Family is made of clay?" the Ancestor retorted sharply.

"Hmph!"

"Do you really believe you can stop me?"

"My target is Chen Chang'an. Don’t bring trouble upon yourself."

Qin Shengtian had no intention of wasting time on the Qi Family, but he also didn’t want unnecessary complications.

After all, this was the Liuyun Domain—he couldn’t afford to cause too much chaos.

"You expect me to stand aside while you threaten my friend on Qi Family soil?"

"If word got out, how could the Qi Family ever hold its head high in the Liuyun Domain again?"

"Whatever grudge you have with him, you won’t lay a finger on Chen Chang'an here."

The Ancestor’s resolve left Qin Shengtian frustrated. He hadn’t anticipated Chen Chang'an having the backing of an Immortal Emperor.

Was this why Chen Chang'an had been so fearless before?

"You can shield him now, but not forever."

"Think carefully—is crossing the Sacred Origin Immortal Dynasty for his sake worth it?"

Sacred Origin Immortal Dynasty?

The Ancestor scoffed. "So you’re from the Sacred Origin Immortal Dynasty. But remember—this is the Liuyun Domain, not your territory."

"What if I offend you?"

"Would your dynasty dare act recklessly here?"

Qin Shengtian’s face darkened with rage.

"Fine, fine."

"The Qi Family, was it?"

"I’ll remember this. Chen Chang'an won’t hide behind you forever."

"Were you looking for me?"

"Whether I leave or not isn't the issue... What matters is that I don't think you'll be going anywhere!"