Family Matters

Family Matters

Qin Wentian paid no mind to the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness's feelings. He continued forward with a light smile, and the graceful silhouette walked toward him. They met in the middle of the path, and Mo Qingcheng reached out, her delicate hands grasping Qin Wentian's. There was still a trace of worry in her eyes, evident from her firm grip on his hands even after she had taken hold of them.

The handsome and carefree young man and the woman of peerless beauty stood facing each other, hands intertwined, as a gentle breeze ruffled their robes. They seemed like a match made in heaven, perfect and flawless, making others hesitant to disturb them.

Even the maidens from the Medicine Sovereign Sect couldn't help but feel that the two were exceptionally well-suited for each other. Their gazes were filled with joy and blessings because they could see the change in the couple's demeanor.

Lin Xian`er gazed at the two figures, her eyes carrying a gentle smile, her thoughts a mystery.

Mo Qingcheng took a step forward, still holding Qin Wentian's hands, and led him toward the Medicine Emperor. Her grip tightened, and her intelligent and beautiful eyes locked onto her master. She didn't need to say anything; her eyes conveyed the message clearly. She was telling her master that this man was the one she loved.

Qin Wentian had already seen the Medicine Sovereign when he was inside the ranking monument's inner space. Now, with Mo Qingcheng's actions, he understood the identity of the elderly man. There was no doubt that he was the Medicine Sovereign of the Medicine Sovereign Valley. Qin Wentian felt immense gratitude toward the Medicine Sovereign. After the battle at the Pill Emperor Hall, he had lost consciousness and feared that Qingcheng had perished. It wasn't until Qing`er assured him of her survival that he dared to hope. The day he saw Mo Qingcheng in ancient Ye, he was overwhelmed with joy, almost on the brink of frenzy.

The person who had saved Mo Qingcheng from certain death was none other than the old man standing before him, the Medicine Sovereign. Qin Wentian couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude welling up within him.

The Medicine Sovereign, too, was studying Qin Wentian at that moment. His squinty eyes betrayed no emotions, leaving everyone wondering if he was pleased or displeased. This aura of uncertainty made Mo Qingcheng even more anxious.

"Why? Are you quite pleased with yourself for ranking first in the Immortal Martial Realm? Do you intend to show off in front of this old man?" After a brief silence, the Medicine Sovereign spoke, catching everyone off guard. Did this mean that the Medicine Sovereign wasn't pleased with Qin Wentian's demeanor? But Qin Wentian hadn't seemed arrogant or boastful in any way.

"Master," Mo Qingcheng pouted, her beautiful eyes reflecting her unhappiness.

The Medicine Sovereign was so exasperated that his beard seemed to flutter as he fixed his gaze on Qin Wentian. "You young rascal, do you think you can 'abduct' my disciple with just this achievement of yours? While being the top-ranked in the Immortal Martial Realm is commendable, there's one such person every decade. It's nothing to be proud of."

Qin Wentian's forehead perspired. He sensed that the Medicine Sovereign had no ill intentions, but his tone made it sound like Qin Wentian had "kidnapped" his own daughter. He couldn't help but chuckle wryly and shake his head. "Senior, you should know I have no such intentions."

"What? You dare to argue with me?" the Medicine Sovereign added, "Every ten years, in the Royal Sacred Region, I've seen countless individuals like you rise and fall. The name engraved on the topmost row changes every decade, but how many can truly stand at the pinnacle? Being ranked in the top three means nothing. Many have been killed or surpassed due to their complacency and arrogance. The weight of this ranking isn't as significant as you might think."

The surrounding crowd fell into stunned silence. When Qin Wentian had emerged, he had captured everyone's attention, shining brilliantly. However, the moment the Medicine Sovereign spoke, it felt like he was attempting to knock Qin Wentian off his pedestal. Was he trying to assert dominance over his future son-in-law?

"That's right. So what if you're the top ranker of the Immortal Martial Realm? If you were to die, you'd be nothing," an icy voice chimed in. The speaker was none other than Di Shi, who was now accompanied by members of the supreme Di Clan. Di Shi sensed that the emotions of his clanmates were running low, undoubtedly due to the blow dealt by his abysmal ranking. At this moment, Di Shi nursed a sense of vengeance in his heart.

A deafening roar ripped through the air, shattering the tense atmosphere. Di Shi was jolted so violently that he staggered backward, his entire body trembling. He had never experienced such an overwhelming force. Turning around, he found the Medicine Sovereign's narrowed eyes wide open, radiating an imposing presence without a trace of anger. A torrent of pressure swept over him, leaving him gasping for breath.

"The family matters of this seat—when are you ever qualified to speak out of turn?" The Medicine Sovereign unleashed a powerful palm strike, and with a thunderous crash, Di Shi was sent hurtling through the air. This sudden attack left everyone stunned. The tyrannical old man before them was entirely different from the one who had faced Qin Wentian earlier. The Medicine Sovereign now exuded a truly terrifying aura, causing the experts from the supreme Di Clan to pale. They didn't even dare to breathe, considering the identity of this formidable old man.

The tone of the Medicine Sovereign when he had scolded Qin Wentian earlier had lacked the cold intent now radiating from him. As the Medicine Sovereign had stated, these were his family matters.

"Family matters!"

The crowd suddenly understood the profound meaning behind those two words. The Medicine Sovereign had scolded Qin Wentian to ensure he didn't become too arrogant, but when it came to Di Shi, even as one of the eight era-suppressing geniuses, he wasn't qualified to speak to the Medicine Sovereign.

Qin Wentian watched this scene, stunned. He couldn't help but smile, finding the Medicine Sovereign rather "adorable." If the Medicine Sovereign knew he was thinking this way, who knows if he'd get slapped.

Mo Qingcheng's eyes welled up with tears, but she was smiling with happiness as warmth flooded her heart.

As for Di Shi, who lay on the ground, his face turned ashen, and a finger-long scar marred his once flawless visage. His eyes burned with rage as he glared at the Medicine Sovereign. He, who had thought so highly of himself, had never endured such humiliation. He longed to kill the Medicine Sovereign right then and there. His murderous intent flashed in his eyes, but the Medicine Sovereign didn't even spare him a glance. Despite Di Shi's talent, the Medicine Sovereign had no reason to regard him highly, given his own status.

The people from the Medicine Sovereign Valley sighed inwardly as they witnessed this scene. It seemed the Medicine Sovereign's affection for Mo Qingcheng was unwavering. What was amusing was that there were still contenders in the Medicine Sovereign Valley vying for the position of Holy Maiden, despite this clear favoritism. What baffled them even more was the depth of the Medicine Sovereign's attachment to Mo Qingcheng, someone he had known for only a short time. His disinterest in worldly matters was well-known, but his devotion to Mo Qingcheng seemed to surpass that of a father to his own daughter.

"Qin Wentian." A voice echoed through the air, drawing his attention. As he turned, he beheld a procession of figures approaching. These individuals exuded an air of nobility, as if they all held exceptional status. Among them, Qin Wentian spotted several figures in opulent attire, and among these, he was astonished to see Shang Tong of the Grand Shang Empire.

It was clear to Qin Wentian who these people were – they hailed from the royal clan of the Grand Shang Empire.

The speaker was an elderly man positioned at the forefront. He appeared to be around fifty years old, but his actual age was likely much greater. His eyes bore the regal presence of a king, radiating a deep-seated pride etched into his very bones.

"Qin Wentian, I've heard that you are merely an ordinary member of the Battle Sword Sect. Your reason for joining the Battle Sword Sect is to secure a future opportunity to enter the Royal Sacred Sect. Today, I formally extend an invitation to you, offering to take you as my disciple. If you agree, I can guarantee you the best cultivation resources and ensure your status as a core disciple of the Royal Sacred Sect. Your future will be limitless," the elderly man declared, his words sending shockwaves through the crowd.

Indeed, this was the top ranker of the Immortal Martial Realm. A member of the Royal Sacred Sect had proactively sought to recruit him.

The Royal Sacred Sect held unparalleled authority in the Royal Sacred Region. The most exceptional talents of the region congregated there, though their statuses varied. Those who had earned a spot on the ranking monument of the Immortal Martial Realm had already demonstrated their incredible potential and were exempt from any further tests. They all had the opportunity to become core disciples, including Qin Wentian, who had claimed the top spot.

Qin Wentian remembered when he had first yearned to join the Royal Sacred Sect. Back then, it had seemed an unattainable goal, with members like Jun Yu holding lofty status. However, after enduring the trials of the Immortal Martial Realm and discovering his father's memories, his perspective had shifted. Even in the face of an invitation from the Royal Sacred Sect, he remained as composed and unruffled as ever.

If he so desired, he could simply inform the envoys from the Immortal Martial Realm and depart the Royal Sacred Region, joining the sect of the immortal he had encountered. That power was in no way inferior to the Royal Sacred Sect.

"This senior is an elder from the Royal Sacred Sect. Qin Wentian, I understand that you may harbor grievances with our Shang Clan, but those are trivial matters that can be resolved. We can offer compensation," a well-dressed young man at the elder's side interjected. Clearly, he was also of the royal lineage of the Grand Shang Empire and held significant status.

"Junior brother Qin, if you choose to accompany him, you'll be considered part of the Grand Shang faction when you join the Royal Sacred Sect. Our Battle Sword Sect also has a faction within the Royal Sacred Sect, and we can easily recommend you for entry if you decide to go. Our ancestor would surely take good care of you," Duan Han whispered to Qin Wentian. Qin Wentian had entered the Immortal Martial Realm under the banner of the Battle Sword Sect and had eventually claimed the top spot. This achievement filled every member of the Battle Sword Sect with pride. As a fellow sect member, Duan Han felt a certain camaraderie with Qin Wentian and didn't want to see him being lured away.

Ye Lingshuang was also feeling a bit anxious. Her lips quivered, as if she wanted to express something, but in the end, she chose to remain silent. Not only were she and Qin Wentian from the same sect, but they were also foster siblings. She had decided to respect whatever choice Qin Wentian made.

"Boss, while you were on the path of the monuments, that scoundrel Shang Tong attacked us and even injured Lingshuang. If it weren't for Fairy Lin's help, I shudder to think what might have happened," Fan Le chimed in without reservation. The bond between Qin Wentian and his friends was as strong as iron, so Fan Le saw no need to keep his thoughts private.

Qin Wentian narrowed his eyes. It seemed that his enmity with Shang Tong went beyond their initial encounter in Xuan King City. After Shang Tong had been eliminated from the path of the monuments, he had deliberately targeted Ye Lingshuang and the others. Qin Wentian felt deep gratitude towards Lin Xian`er; she had aided him twice without seeking any recognition.

Of course, Ye Lingshuang chose to remain silent about this incident. Qin Wentian understood her intentions; she didn't want to influence his decision.

"Qin Wentian, this is an exceptionally rare opportunity. There are very few disciples under my tutelage," the elder from the Royal Sacred Sect spoke again, noticing Qin Wentian's hesitation. His status in the Royal Sacred Sect was exceptional, and he rarely extended invitations to junior talents, making this offer a clear indication of how highly he regarded Qin Wentian.