Chapter 488 - 237: Cultivation Skyrockets

Chapter 488: Chapter 237: Cultivation Skyrockets

Qian Yangsheng had been on track to become a Grandmaster within ten years. With Qian Weiyi still in his prime, having two Grandmasters in their family branch would have greatly elevated their status.

Who could have predicted that such a rising star would die in Jianzhen Lake? When Qian Weiyi first heard the news, he was thunderstruck.

After learning the full story, Qian Weiyi couldn’t believe that the grandson he had so carefully cultivated would die at the hands of someone in the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm.

By all rights, with his grandson’s level of cultivation, how could an attempt to ambush a young man possibly have failed?

He couldn’t fathom it. Years of effort had been destroyed in an instant, and Qian Weiyi simply couldn’t accept it. Overcome with grief and rage, he had rushed here directly from Yongyang, first causing a major scene with the Yao family before coming to the Sword Sect’s courtyard to demand an explanation.

The middle-aged man chimed in at the right moment, looking at Qin Zhenyang and speaking slowly.

"Young Hero Qin, I am Yao Yunwu. Senior Qian and I have come today to ask you a few questions."

Qin Zhenyang looked at Yao Yunwu, his expression grave.

Yao Yunwu was a Grandmaster the Yao family had produced within the last decade. Though young, his cultivation was formidable. He was hailed as someone with the potential to advance even further, a true pillar of power for the Yao family.

"Grandmaster Yao, please speak."

Yao Yunwu looked at Qin Zhenyang, his voice deep and resonant.

"Qian Yangsheng of the Qian family died in the ruins of Jianzhen Lake. While it’s true my Yao family failed in our duty to protect him, his death was different. Unlike the other two victims, who died from the lake’s strange phenomena, Yang Sheng had a sword wound on his body."

"Young Hero Qin, can you enlighten me?"

Qian Weiyi’s face was grim, his shadowy eyes fixed on Qin Zhenyang.

Qin Zhenyang remained calm and said coolly,

"I don’t know. Qian Yangsheng died in your Yao family’s Jianzhen Lake. Only your family would know what truly happened."

Yao Yunwu’s expression tightened slightly, and he said in a grave voice,

"There was an anomaly in the inner lake. Only those who were inside know the specifics..."

"Funny you should say that. Junior Brother Zhang and I entered the lake together, but we were separated almost immediately. Grandmaster Yao, can you enlighten me on that?" Qin Zhenyang asked, cutting him off.

Yao Yunwu’s face was impassive.

"Given the anomaly, that’s perfectly normal."

"Since you know we were all separated, how would I know how Qian Yangsheng died?" Qin Zhenyang shot back.

Yao Yunwu was left speechless. Qian Weiyi snorted in fury.

"Enough of this nonsense! Where is your other disciple who entered the lake? Bring that Zhang Mountain out here! I’ll take him back and interrogate him myself!"

Seeing Qian Weiyi about to barge inside, Qin Zhenyang took a single, large step to block his path.

"Get out of my way!"

Qian Weiyi thrust out a palm. Qin Zhenyang raised a hand to parry, but the force of the blow sent a shock through his entire body, forcing him back a step.

But he just pressed his lips together, stepped forward to block the way once more, and said in a heavy tone,

"Senior Qian, this is the Sword Sect’s courtyard, not your Qian family’s estate! You will not take a disciple of our sect!"

Seeing Qin Zhenyang’s resolute stance, giving not an inch, Qian Weiyi’s anger surged.

"So you insist on stopping me from avenging my grandson today?"

Qin Zhenyang sneered.

"You know full well why Qian Yangsheng died, so why come looking for trouble with my Cloud Mountain Sword Sect? Qian Weiyi, do you take our Sword Sect for a bunch of nobodies?"

To be addressed so directly by name and rebuked to his face by the stern-looking young man made Qian Weiyi’s old face flush then pale. He let out a sudden roar and struck with a palm fueled by pure rage.

A brilliant sword light flared as Qin Zhenyang drew his blade, slashing through the wind of Qian Weiyi’s palm strike to meet the blow head-on.

BOOM! Qin Zhenyang was sent sliding backward, crashing through the door behind him and into the room.

"Senior Brother Qin!"

Ning Zi and the others cried out in alarm. Just as they were about to rush inside, Qin Zhenyang emerged on his own. His face was pale and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained serene.

"Qian Weiyi, you are not permitted to trespass in the Sword Sect’s courtyard!"

Qian Weiyi’s eyes narrowed. He was surprised to see Qin Zhenyang not only walk out on his own but look ready to continue the fight.

With his hands behind his back, he clenched his right fist, hiding a bloody gash where his flesh had been split open. His expression grew solemn.

Yao Yunwu’s expression also flickered with surprise. He gave Qin Zhenyang a long, searching look but said nothing.

SHING! Ning Zi and the other disciples simultaneously drew their swords, their expressions grim as they pointed their blades at Qian Weiyi.

Seeing a group of mere disciples pointing their swords at him, Qian Weiyi’s expression soured. He snorted.

"I won’t lower myself to squabbling with children."

With that, his figure blurred. He moved past the Sword Sect members and swept through the entire courtyard in a flash.

Ning Zi, Lin Zhen, and the others looked on anxiously, but how could they possibly stop a Grandmaster?

A moment later, Qian Weiyi returned like a whirlwind, his figure reappearing as he stared at Qin Zhenyang with a grim expression.

"Where is Zhang Mountain?"

Qin Zhenyang looked at him and said coolly,

"Junior Brother Zhang’s trip to Jianzhen Lake was quite fruitful; he had a major breakthrough. He decided to travel to famous mountains and visit old friends to further temper his swordsmanship. He left Jinling last night."

When Qian Weiyi and Yao Yunwu heard this, especially the part where Qin Zhenyang emphasized his ’fruitful trip,’ their faces twitched.

’He’s already gone? If he’s already gone, what was the point of this whole tough-guy act?’

They were both seething with silent fury. Qian Weiyi gritted his teeth and said in a chilling voice,

"You played me?"

Qin Zhenyang met his gaze and spoke slowly.

"I was trying to stop you, but you insisted on searching for yourself. This courtyard is an extension of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect. My own cultivation is too weak to prevent the two of you from forcing your way in, but not everyone in the Sword Sect is as mediocre as I am. I will be sure to give my master a full report."

Both men’s eyes twitched at his words. If one were to name the Grandmaster whose fame had risen most dramatically in the last two years, it would undoubtedly be Li Xingtuo—the man who had led the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s powerful resurgence and whose own cultivation was ever-advancing.

While Yao Yunwu fell into silent contemplation, Qian Weiyi snorted and sneered.

"So what if Li Xingtuo finds out? My Yongyang Coin has stood for a thousand years; we don’t even fear a Grandmaster. What is your Cloud Mountain Sword Sect in comparison? If he’s got the guts, tell him to come to Yongyang. I’ll be waiting with open arms. Hmph!"