The matters in Longcheng were swift and decisive; yesterday's bloody storm had today settled into the undercurrents beneath a calm lake. The Ancestor of the Wang family had fallen, the clan absorbed, and everyone understood that the sky above Longcheng had changed, the shift originating from the Qin family's "Master"—Shan Hu.
The Qin family manor, the morning sunlight warmed the courtyard. Qin Mingyuan and his wife stood to the side, their eyes filled with reverence and reluctance to part.
In his hand, Shan Hu held a jade slip, a protective artifact he had refined using the spiritual materials confiscated from the Wang family.
"Mingyuan, the Spirit Gathering Array in the Dragon's Hidden Mountain range can now withstand a full-force attack from a Peak Qi Condensation cultivator, sufficient for self-defense," Shan Hu said, handing the ancient, plain jade slip to Qin Mingyuan, who felt a terrifying surge of energy contained within.
"This jade slip is called the 'Profound Light Shield.' It can activate three full defensive surges, enough to ward off the world's most elite Martial Grandmasters, and even ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators." Shan Hu spoke calmly, but the information in his words caused Qin Mingyuan's heart to race. He knew this was the ultimate lifeline left by his Master.
"You and your wife can rest assured in Longcheng. The defeat of the Wang family is deterrent enough; no short-sighted secular power will dare cause trouble in the near future." Shan Hu paused, turning his gaze to Qin Wan'er.
"Wan'er, your Dao Foundation is set, and your cultivation resources are ample. But remember, everything must be taken step by step. On this trip to the Capital, I will only take you. You must see for yourself what the pinnacle of this world's martial arts and cultivation realm truly look like."
Qin Wan'er nodded gently, her reluctance at leaving quickly overshadowed by anticipation for the future.
"Master, Wan'er, you both must be careful on your journey," Qin's mother urged, her eyes tearing up.
Shan Hu nodded slightly, then formed a hand seal and softly uttered the word "Wind."
An invisible surge of wind-attribute True Essence instantly enveloped Shan Hu and Qin Wan'er. Then, their feet felt light, and their bodies were gently lifted into the sky as if by a giant, unseen hand.
"Riding the wind?" Qin Mingyuan stared up in astonishment. Such divine ability transcended his imagination of martial arts.
Under the watchful eyes of Qin Wan'er's parents, Shan Hu and Qin Wan'er transformed into a streaking light, heading straight for the Capital.
The Wind-Riding Technique was merely the most basic travel method for the Immortal Emperor. But for Qin Wan'er, it was a journey beyond mortal conception.
The only sound was the whistling wind in her ears, and below, the green mountains and rivers swiftly receded. Shan Hu's speed was incredibly fast, several times that of a secular jet plane, yet Qin Wan'er felt no turbulence or discomfort, sheltered within a gentle True Essence barrier.
"Master, are these the methods of cultivators? To cross a thousand miles in a single day!" Qin Wan'er exclaimed excitedly, her voice unaffected by the wind due to the True Essence protection.
"A thousand miles is merely the snap of a finger," Shan Hu chuckled, his tone showing a hint of disdain for the mortal concept of distance.
He traveled while observing the land with his divine sense.
"The Capital is located where the Earth Veins converge. While the spiritual energy is still sparse, it is about twenty percent richer than Longcheng. This is why the Capital's martial arts masters are abundant, capable of even giving birth to Innate experts," Shan Hu explained to Qin Wan'er.
As they drew closer to the Capital, the size of the city below grew immense. Finally, a magnificent ancient metropolis appeared on the horizon, grand and sweeping, a place of extraordinary energy.
Approaching the Capital's airspace, Shan Hu gradually reduced speed. He did not want to draw undue attention, but neither did he intend to sneak in stealthily.
Ultimately, Shan Hu and Qin Wan'er landed directly outside a colossal ancient manor in the Capital's core district. This was the residence of the Capital's premier martial arts family—the Ye Family Estate.
The Ye Estate covered an extensive area, flanked by two imposing stone lions that exuded an antique, heavy atmosphere. An invisible fluctuation shrouded the manor, a Clan Protection Array set up by the Ye Ancestor. Shan Hu's divine sense quickly scanned it, finding the array crude and weak, inferior even to the Wang family's Mountain Protection Array, but an insurmountable barrier for mortal martial artists.
Shan Hu ignored the array and walked straight toward the crimson main gate.
"Who dares trespass on the Ye family's important ground?!"
Two guards, stable in their aura despite their youthful appearance, instantly blocked the path. Both were Houtian (Post-Heaven) realm martial artists, strong enough to establish their own sects in Longcheng, but here in the Capital, they were merely gatekeepers.
"Go inform Ye Qingyun that Shan Hu has arrived," Shan Hu ordered, standing with his hands behind his back. His voice was plain but held an undeniable authority.
The direct use of the names "Shan Hu" and "Ye Qingyun" caused the guards' expressions to change drastically. Shan Hu's reputation, stemming from the display of power in Longcheng, had been reported to the Ye family hierarchy via Ye Qingyun before the Wang family incident.
Soon, a tall, determined-looking middle-aged man strode out. This was the Innate Master of the Ye family and the one who had negotiated with Shan Hu—Ye Qingyun.
The moment Ye Qingyun saw Shan Hu, his heart tightened. He felt that Shan Hu was even more restrained than their last meeting, yet beneath that restraint was an abyss that even he, an Innate expert, could not fathom.
"Mr. Shan! Your arrival truly brings glory to the Ye family." Ye Qingyun bowed respectfully, his gaze briefly falling on Qin Wan'er with a complex look. He knew this was the mortal woman the Ye family had previously broken the engagement with.
"Cut the pleasantries," Shan Hu interrupted Ye Qingyun's formalities. "You know the purpose of my visit. Take me to see Ye Qingcheng."
A cold sweat broke out on Ye Qingyun's forehead. He knew Shan Hu was domineering, but not this direct.
"Sir... Qingcheng is currently in secluded cultivation. Furthermore, this matter..."
"There are no further issues." Shan Hu's tone turned cold, and an invisible pressure instantly enveloped the Ye family courtyard. "She and Wan'er share a destiny for Dual Cultivation. It is her opportunity for the Great Dao, and she has no right to refuse."
Just then, from the depths of the inner courtyard, a voice as clear and cold as moonlight drifted out, carrying an unmistakable arrogance and chill:
"Who is making such noise? My Great Dao opportunity is not something for anyone else to arrange!"