Chapter 153: Nine Heavens, On the Verge of Becoming an Emperor!
The room fell into a heavy silence.
After a long while, Lin Yi asked earnestly, "Uncle Qin, are you really unable to tell me anything about my mother?"
"There's no point in telling you now. When you become a Martial Emperor, come find me again."
Qin Chuan took a deep breath and responded.
Lin Yi smiled bitterly.
A Martial Emperor...
Could he really reach that height?
At this point, even a Realm Emperor seemed like an unattainable dream to him.
"Don't underestimate yourself. You carry your mother's blood, and that terrifying family's lineage flows within you. Your potential is limitless. Your current mediocre strength is likely because your bloodline hasn't fully awakened yet."
Qin Chuan said, feigning wisdom.
"Really?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi's spirits lifted. It was as if a ray of light had pierced through his despair, filling him with renewed hope.
"Of course it's true. Focus on your cultivation. If you encounter any problems you can't solve, come find me."
Qin Chuan reassured him.
Lin Yi nodded, but then, with some hesitation, asked, "But Uncle Qin, you're so kind to me… won't Qin Zi…"
He was worried.
Though nothing had ever happened between his mother and Uncle Qin, from Qin Zi's perspective, wouldn't his mother be seen as the third party?
"No, Qin Zi is very understanding."
Qin Chuan said confidently.
Not to brag, but even if Qin Zi had any thoughts about Qin Chuan's "old flame," or if he married another woman, Qin Xiao Zhu wouldn't dare utter a word.
Qin Chuan's authority was unquestionable!
"But try to avoid meeting Qin Zi. The relationship between the two of you is rather awkward. If you ever cross paths, it's best to go the other way... and I'm sure if he sees you, he'll do the same."
Qin Chuan added.
"Understood."
Lin Yi nodded earnestly.
Seeing this, Qin Chuan smiled inwardly.
As long as these two youngsters didn't interact, the chances of him being exposed were slim—practically nonexistent.
"Your injuries haven't fully healed yet. Rest well. I still have some matters to discuss with the Sword Emperor, so I'll be leaving now."
Qin Chuan said.
"Alright."
Lin Yi obediently nodded.
Qin Chuan turned and made his way to the door.
Just as he reached the doorway, Lin Yi called out, "Uncle Qin."
Qin Chuan paused, turning his head slightly.
After a moment of hesitation, Lin Yi mustered up the courage to ask, "Do you... still love my mother?"
Qin Chuan gazed at him and responded with a question, "Your mother now has you, and I have Qin Zi. If I said I still loved her... do you think that would be appropriate?"
Lin Yi trembled but remained silent.
Qin Chuan smiled gently and said, "Time changes many things. Once something passes, there's no going back. Some feelings can only remain in the heart, slowly transforming into a quiet care and blessing..."
"You'll understand when you're older."
With that, Qin Chuan walked away, leaving behind a tall and somewhat melancholic figure.
Outside the courtyard.
As soon as Qin Chuan stepped out, Su Xueqing rushed up, anxiously asking, "Senior, how is Lin Yi?"
"He's fine now."
Qin Chuan replied indifferently.
Su Xueqing was overjoyed and respectfully thanked him before hurrying back into the courtyard to check on Lin Yi.
Qin Chuan, meanwhile, strolled towards a nearby cliff where a white-robed elder stood beneath a pine tree.
It was the Sword Emperor!
"Senior, were you here to evaluate Lin Yi? How did it go? Are you satisfied with him?"
The Sword Emperor asked.
"I tested him. His temperament is solid. You should nurture him well—perhaps even take him as a disciple."
Qin Chuan said.
The Sword Emperor hesitated before responding.
Seeing this, Qin Chuan frowned and sneered, "What, you're unwilling? Or do you think he's not worthy?"
"No, no, it's not that. I just feel that since you were the one who noticed this talent, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to take him as a disciple."
The Sword Emperor explained modestly.
But Qin Chuan knew this old fox was thinking that Qin Chuan didn't want Lin Yi, so he was passing the kid off to him.
"I don't take on every talented individual I meet as a disciple. Sometimes, it's just about establishing good karma. I have no intention of taking in any disciples for now."
Qin Chuan's voice grew colder, "The opportunity is in front of you. If you don't cherish it now, don't regret it later."
"To put it bluntly, Lin Yi just happens to be in the East Victory Divine Sect, and I happen to be in the Eastern Domain right now. If it were a different time and place, you wouldn't even have the chance to take him as a disciple."
His words were sharp, offering no face to the Sword Emperor—a direct humiliation.
The Sword Emperor's brow twitched, and the sword-shaped mark on his forehead briefly flickered with sharp energy.
"Heh, do you want to test me? See if this tiger still has teeth?"
Qin Chuan coldly challenged, his eyes locking onto the Sword Emperor.
The Sword Emperor's expression shifted for a moment, but eventually, the sharpness in his brow disappeared. He forced a smile, saying, "Senior jests."
"If you're recommending him, I'll accept this talented disciple."
Then he asked, "Should I tell him that I'm taking him as a disciple on your recommendation? After all, it's a matter of gratitude. Just like with credit, one shouldn't take it all for themselves."
"There's no need. Even if he asks, don't mention me."
Qin Chuan said calmly, and with that, he took off into the sky.
In truth, it didn't matter whether or not the Sword Emperor mentioned him.
Lin Yi wasn't stupid; he would naturally connect the dots and realize that "Uncle Qin" had helped him by pushing the Sword Emperor to take him as a disciple.
The favor would be his regardless.
Still, it was better to ensure the Sword Emperor stayed silent. After all, if Lin Yi found out Qin Chuan had been testing his temperament all along, it might raise some suspicions.
Even though the Sword Emperor would never admit to stealing the jade pendant, it was still best if Lin Yi didn't learn about the test.
After all, in Lin Yi's mind, "Uncle Qin" was only looking after him because of his connection to his mother.
Of course, if the Sword Emperor slipped up and revealed the truth, it wouldn't be too hard to spin the story. Qin Chuan could easily claim: "I recognized you as your mother's son first, then tested your character! The test wasn't the point—I just manipulated the Sword Emperor into taking you as a disciple because you need him right now!"
At that point, Lin Yi would be even more grateful to him.
"Ding! A Ninth Heaven Saint harbors murderous intent toward your son. In accordance with the system's principle of a father's love prevailing, your cultivation has been elevated to Ninth Heaven Saint, and you are now invincible within this realm!"
As Qin Chuan soared through the air, the system's voice echoed in his mind.
Suddenly, his strength surged once again, and a new law energy emerged within him.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
One after another, streams of law energy flowed out from within him, fanning out like a great folding screen and aligning in perfect order.
Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth!
Light, Darkness, Wind, Thunder!
Nine types of laws circled around him, making him shine like a divine figure, radiating an unmatched sacred aura.
He could even feel an invisible mountain hovering above him. With just a thought, he could summon it down, causing heaven and earth to quake.
"So this is the Emperor Tribulation?"
Qin Chuan felt the power surging within him and took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to trigger the tribulation immediately.
After all, in this desolate wilderness, there was no one to witness it!
What's the point of showing off if no one's watching?
A wise man knows not to waste a grand moment in secrecy. If there's no one around to shout praises, why bother?
More importantly...
This Emperor Tribulation was a potent weapon.
It was said that a tribulation with six law energies was already enough to leave most cultivators facing near-certain death. But with nine law energies... even an experienced emperor-level figure like the Sword Emperor would be reduced to dust.
With the system ensuring his success, Qin Chuan had no worries about failing. For him, the tribulation was just another resource to exploit.
"Now, I just have to wait for Qin Zi to stir up trouble. When the powerful forces of the Eastern Domain converge on Shenxia Mountain, the whole world will bear witness to what a true Nine Heavens Emperor Tribulation looks like!"