Li Shuntian, now twenty-six, had left Southern Liang eight years ago. Looking at the nineteen-year-old woman, he recognized her immediately as Princess Yongfu. His niece stared back at him, her eyes burning with pure, concentrated venom.
Facing a late-stage Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator like the scholar, Li Shuntian didn't dare act rashly.
"I am Qian Yuanshu. May I ask which Martial Uncle's lineage you two belong to?" the scholar asked, directing his question toward Lin Haoming after assessing them both.
Lin Haoming knew that those stationed in such remote mortal lands were usually either bullies or the ones being bullied within the inner sect. He wasn't intimidated; he had killed capable inner disciples before. Since Li Shuntian was his man, and the Princess was a lethal loose end, Lin had to settle this.
"Hand the woman over to us," Lin said directly. "Consider it a favor owed to you by us. We won't meddle in anything else, and we'll even send a sum of spirit stones as compensation."
Qian Yuanshu frowned. Princess Yongfu's face turned pale as she looked at her master, terrified he might actually accept.
After a moment's hesitation, Qian shook his head. "Yongfu is my disciple. No amount of spirit stones will buy her life. I know the gist of what happened; since the culprit is dead, let the matter end here!"
"Senior Brother Qian, I have the blood of her father on my hands now," Li Shuntian countered. "Can you guarantee she won't seek revenge?"
"I cannot guarantee that, but this is my bottom line!" Qian Yuanshu's tone suddenly turned sharp.
Lin Haoming's expression darkened. He realized Qian Yuanshu had noticed Li Shuntian didn't even have a storage bag—a clear sign of an outer disciple. Seeing Lin associating with an outer disciple and refusing to name his master, Qian likely assumed Lin had no real background and was using his higher cultivation to shut them down.
Lin took a deep breath for one last attempt. "Senior Brother Qian, we can't leave a vengeful enemy behind. How about this: name your price. I'll even give you a Mid-grade Magic Tool for her."
This was an incredibly high price for a 4th-level Qi Refining girl. But Qian Yuanshu remained firm. "There is no room for negotiation!"
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The Secret of the Palace
Lin knew then that this wouldn't end peacefully. As he watched the master and disciple, he noticed something odd: both Qian Yuanshu and Yongfu were stealing glances toward the Yongfu Palace.
Their subtle anxiety piqued Lin's curiosity. Is there something hidden in there?
Lin began to drift toward the palace entrance. As he did, Qian and Yongfu visibly tensed. Though they tried to hide it, it was enough for Lin to suspect a significant secret lay within those walls.
"Junior Brothers, leave now," Qian Yuanshu said suddenly. "I can persuade my disciple to let go of her hatred. After all, the ones who died were just mortals!"
The sudden shift in tone was suspicious. Lin feigned a concession. "Fine, you take your disciple and leave. That's our bottom line."
The two exchanged a look. Qian continued, "This is my disciple's bedchamber. Even if she leaves, she must pack her things first!"
Now Lin was certain. "Senior Brother Qian, I've agreed to let her live, yet you insist on her entering the palace to pack. Is there something special inside the Yongfu Palace?"
Their faces changed instantly. Their gazes toward Lin turned lethal. Li Shuntian, catching on, also began moving toward the palace. The other Immortal Masters in the area saw the brewing storm and quietly retreated; they wanted no part of a clash between these two.
Lin backed up until he reached the palace gates. He turned to Li Shuntian. "Junior Brother Li, go inside. See what secret this palace is hiding!"
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The Battle Begins
Li Shuntian moved. Qian Yuanshu couldn't hold back any longer. With a wave of his hand, a streak of green light—a flying sword—slashed toward them.
Lin realized the stakes must be massive for Qian to risk attacking a fellow sect member so brazenly. He slapped his storage bag, and his Silver Steel Shield intercepted the blow.
CLANG!
The green light was a High-grade Flying Sword. Lin was surprised by the sheer physical force of the strike; he was knocked back several steps before stabilizing.
Qian Yuanshu was equally surprised to see Lin possessed high-grade magic tools. He realized this would be a difficult fight.
Lin didn't hesitate. He summoned his Sub-Mother Sword and struck back. Qian immediately brought out a circular shield with blade-edged rims—a versatile tool for both offense and defense.
Seeing the quality of Qian's gear, Lin was more convinced than ever that he had stumbled upon something valuable. This was an opportunity he couldn't let slip!