Chapter 16: The Immortal’s Tomb

Watching the retreating figure of Elder Huang, Qi Xuan shook his head and frowned, "Elder Huang is too impulsive. If he hadn't attacked the Qiushui Palace Lord without explanation earlier, we wouldn't have lost so many brothers."

Elder Zheng could only force a smile and say, "Though Elder Huang is a bit hot-tempered, his strength is undeniable. As long as it's not a top-tier expert like the Qiushui Palace Lord, Elder Huang will surely be able to handle it."

"Besides, even if it were someone at the level of the Qiushui Palace Lord, they would at least show Your Highness some respect. Otherwise, we wouldn't have survived earlier."

Hearing this, Qi Xuan's frown eased slightly.

The purpose of their presence here was merely to block the small fry. As for the truly powerful experts, they couldn't stop them even if they tried.

Clack clack clack!

The sound of hoofbeats continued to approach without slowing down, growing closer with each passing moment.

"What's going on?"

Qi Xuan and Elder Zheng frowned simultaneously. Given Elder Huang's speed, he should have intercepted the carriage by now.

"Could Elder Huang have already dealt with the people in the carriage?" Elder Zheng asked in a low voice.

Qi Xuan shook his head, "There was no sound of fighting earlier. If the newcomer isn't an acquaintance of Elder Huang's, then they must be a top-tier expert."

As soon as Qi Xuan finished speaking, they saw a black-robed elder driving a carriage speeding toward them without any intention of slowing down.

In the black-robed elder's left hand, he was holding someone—it was Elder Huang, who had left earlier to deal with the threat.

Elder Huang, now being carried like a helpless chicken, had a face flushed red with humiliation. He was a prominent figure among the Imperial Family's elders, yet he was being treated in such a degrading manner.

Qi Xuan and his entourage's expressions changed dramatically. In just one encounter, Elder Huang had been captured. This black-robed elder was at least a peak Xiantian-level expert.

"Senior,"

Qi Xuan suppressed the fear in his heart, stepped forward, and bowed slightly to Qin Yi, "Senior, we will open the path. Please spare Elder Huang."

"Whoa~"

The black-robed elder, Qin Yi, stopped the carriage and glanced at Qi Xuan, saying indifferently, "This matter is not up to me."

Qi Xuan's heart tightened. He bowed to the carriage and said, "Esteemed senior, could you spare Elder Huang for the sake of the Qi Imperial Family?"

The many Imperial guards were tense as they stared at the carriage. Someone who could capture Elder Huang in a single encounter was undoubtedly a powerful figure. If they harbored ill intentions, many of them might not make it out alive today!

After a long pause, a young voice came from the carriage, "To dare attack me is a capital offense, but I will spare his life. However, he cannot go unpunished."

"Deprive him of his cultivation, then let's move on."

"Yes!" Qin Yi didn't hesitate. His left hand moved like lightning, striking several points on Elder Huang's body. In an instant, Elder Huang seemed to age over a decade, his black hair turning white.

"You dare to cripple me?"

Elder Huang's face was filled with disbelief. Over the years, as an Imperial elder, he had even dared to look down on Xiantian late-stage experts. Yet today, someone had dared to cripple him in front of the Crown Prince!

Thud!

Elder Huang's body was unceremoniously thrown to the ground by Qin Yi.

"Move aside!"

Qi Xuan ground his teeth and ordered.

The Imperial guards breathed a sigh of relief and quickly cleared the path.

"Giddy up!"

Qin Yi flicked the reins lightly, and the carriage sped up the mountain.

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Qi Xuan's eyes burned with fury.

…

The carriage reached halfway up the mountain before it could go no further.

Any further up, the path narrowed into a winding trail.

Li Changsheng stepped out of the carriage, dressed in a simple green robe. With his tall and lean frame, he looked more like a scholarly gentleman than a martial artist.

"Do you know the exact location of the immortal's tomb?"

Li Changsheng began walking up the mountain, speaking in a low voice.

"The immortal's tomb was first discovered by our Tianxia Guild members. However, while gathering information, they were discovered by the Imperial Family's people and killed in Heishui County."

"But the location of the tomb was already relayed back to the guild."

"It's on the southern peak of Feng Mountain!"

Qin Yi hurriedly explained.

He was well aware of the strength of the young guild leader before him. Back then, he had challenged the guild leader to repay a favor to an old friend, thinking it would be an easy task to deal with a young genius.

To his surprise, he was defeated in just one move.

Even now, he couldn't gauge the full extent of this young guild leader's strength.

"Let's go."

"I hope this immortal's tomb has what I need."

With that, Li Changsheng headed toward the southern peak. Each step he took was measured and precise, as if he were using a ruler. Though his pace didn't seem fast, Qin Yi, a peak Xiantian-level expert, was already sweating just trying to keep up.

…

Feng Mountain, Southern Peak!

A massive stone wall had partially collapsed, revealing a hidden passage inside.

"Qi Changkong, the treasures in this immortal's tomb are not something your Qi Imperial Family can monopolize!"

The Qiushui Palace Lord, Qiu Yibai, stood alongside the Tiesha Sect Master, Qiu Wanqian, staring coldly at Qi Zhengwu, the Northern Prince of Qi, and three peak Xiantian-level Imperial elders. Their expressions showed no fear.

"This place was discovered by our Qi Imperial Family first. It has nothing to do with the Qiushui Palace or the Tiesha Sect."

Qi Zhengwu was also a peak Xiantian-level expert, with strength that was in no way inferior to the renowned Qiushui Palace Lord, Qiu Yibai, and the Tiesha Sect Master, Qiu Wanqian.

"Haha!"

Qiu Yibai sneered, "Don't think I don't know. This place was discovered by the Tianxia Guild first. Don't think killing all the witnesses can cover up the truth!"

"From what I've heard, that mysterious guild leader of the Tianxia Guild, Li Changsheng, has already headed north!"

Hearing this, the three Imperial elders' expressions changed.

Over the past year, Li Changsheng's name had spread throughout the martial world of Qi. No one knew where Li Changsheng had come from, but in the past year, over thirty Xiantian-level experts had challenged him, and none had survived a single move.

"Stop trying to intimidate us!"

Qi Zhengwu's expression remained unchanged as he said coldly, "Li Changsheng is indeed formidable, but our Imperial Family isn't to be trifled with. If he's smart, there's still a place for the Tianxia Guild in Qi. If not, then there's no need for the Tianxia Guild to exist!"

Qi Zhengwu's words made Qiu Yibai and Qiu Wanqian's faces darken.

The rapid rise of the Tianxia Guild over the past year had even alarmed them. Neither of their sects dared to provoke the Tianxia Guild lightly, yet Qi Zhengwu didn't seem to take the Tianxia Guild seriously at all.

But the Qi Imperial Family indeed had the strength to back up such claims.

The Qi Imperial Family had reigned for eight hundred years. No matter how the world changed, Qi remained the Qi Family's domain. They also vaguely knew that the Qi Imperial Family had connections with legendary immortals. That was why, despite reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, they dared not challenge the Imperial Family.

"This tomb belongs to our Imperial Family. You may leave now," Qi Zhengwu said coldly, staring at the two. "The items related to immortals are not something you can covet. Otherwise, you'll only bring endless trouble upon yourselves."

"Even if Li Changsheng of the Tianxia Guild were to come today, he wouldn't set foot in this immortal's tomb!"

At that moment, two whooshing sounds were heard.

Everyone turned to see two figures landing on a nearby tree.

A young man and a black-robed elder.

The young man looked at Qi Zhengwu with a faint smile.

"And what if I, Li Changsheng, insist on entering this immortal's tomb?"