Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Chapter 315: Chapter 252: Qin Zhan’s Test

The Bauhinia Clan’s recent meeting was not exactly a success. They had originally intended to discuss how to handle their relationship with the Ling Family given the Empire’s current situation, but an unexpected incident occurred: Qin Kang, provoked by Ling Xiao, demanded to enter the family’s Cultivation Land. This development meant they even had to find a new successor for the position of future Patriarch, because there were only two outcomes for anyone who entered the family’s Cultivation Land: one, to die in that place filled with Magical Beasts of all tiers, or two, to emerge alive with a massive increase in power.

Regardless of the outcome, Qin Kang’s future as the clan’s heir was over!

Just then, someone came in, leaned close to Qin Shifang’s ear, and whispered a few words. Qin Shifang’s expression changed slightly. Only after the person had left did Qin Shifang say, "Large numbers of the Ice Sea Secret Race have appeared in the Northern Snowfield. It seems they are migrating!"

"What?" Qin Zhan cried out in shock. "Impossible! Why would they leave the Polar Ice Sea? That’s the land where they have lived for generations! If that group enters human territory, it will have a massive impact! No, we must find a way to keep them on our lands! This is an extremely powerful force!"

"Keep them on our lands?" A woman who looked very young, perhaps only in her twenties, spoke in a cool, clear voice. "The Ice Sea Secret Race is said to be descended from an ancient people, and they all possess formidable strength. On what grounds could we possibly keep them within the Bauhinia Clan’s territory?"

This woman was none other than Qin Zhan’s wife. Though she was over forty this year, she looked to be in her twenties thanks to a Beauty Pill. She herself possessed the strength of a Sixth Rank Demon Sword Master, so she held a considerable position within the Bauhinia Clan.

Qin Zhan glanced at his wife and said calmly, "Since those people have come to human territory, they are naturally looking for a place to settle! Hmph. In the entire Lanyue Empire, besides our Qin Family, how many other families would dare to openly accept a non-human race?"

Qin Shifang agreed. "Second Brother is absolutely right. In that case, you should go at once to see what’s happening. If you get the chance, you must keep them here! Whatever conditions they propose, you have the full authority to make the decision!"

Qin Zhan nodded and said, "Don’t worry, Big Brother. I know what to do."

...

As Song Mingyue and Ling Xiao traveled with the people of the Ice Sea Secret Race, they gradually came to understand them. Aside from their sly, fox-like Clan Leader, Quefeng, nearly all the clan members were incredibly naive. They barely had a concept of right and wrong and followed their Clan Leader’s orders without question.

They practically worshiped Ling Xiao; his words held even more sway than Quefeng’s. This put Ling Xiao’s mind at ease. ’No matter what Quefeng’s motive is for following me,’ he thought, ’at least one thing is clear: the people of the Ice Sea Secret Race are not in on it. And if Quefeng truly has ulterior motives in the future, I can use his own people to counter him.’

Just as they were about to leave the Snowfield, Zhang Danian came over and said respectfully to Ling Xiao, "Young Master, up ahead is the territory of the Bauhinia Clan. However, if we take a detour to the right, we can pass through your family’s fief, Chakna."

Ling Xiao nodded and said, "No detours. We go straight ahead!"

It wasn’t that Ling Xiao didn’t want to take the opportunity to see his brother, Lingzhi. The truth was, he had been away from Penzes for a long time. Although two experts with the power of Sword Emperors were guarding it, the Zhe Family was not to be taken lightly. Ling Xiao didn’t want the people close to him to get hurt because of the Zhe Family’s retaliation. Besides, his own strength had already climbed to a whole new realm. He no longer feared most threats.

At that moment, a clear cry echoed from the sky as a white figure dove down like a bolt of lightning. Although it wasn’t the first time they had seen this terrifying Flying Magical Beast in recent days, Zhang Danian still subconsciously backed away a good distance. ’That Magical Beast is too frightening,’ he thought. ’Even its aura is so powerful I can barely resist it.’ His resolve to follow Ling Xiao grew even firmer.

clown’s sharp, piercing gaze swept over the crowd before it nuzzled against Ling Xiao’s side twice and let out a few calls. Ling Xiao patted clown’s head. The beast then cawed twice at Song Mingyue before beating its wings and soaring high into the sky.

Song Mingyue was also extremely fond of this majestic and divine Flying Magical Beast, and seeing that clown liked her too, she was overjoyed.

Ling Xiao said, "It seems someone is waiting for us up ahead."

Thanks to Dual Cultivation, Song Mingyue’s strength had improved very quickly. She was now at the peak of a Sixth Rank Demon Sword Master, seemingly just a hair’s breadth away from breaking through into the ranks of High-tier Martial Artists. As such, she was constantly thinking about how to achieve that breakthrough. Hearing Ling Xiao’s words, Song Mingyue flashed a radiant smile. "Oh? That’s great! I’ve been struggling to find a way to break through. If someone is delivering themselves to our doorstep, that suits me just fine!"

Zhang Danian and the other Adventurers were also feeling incredibly confident. The reason was simple: the approaching party was most likely from the Bauhinia Qin Family, and while the Qin Family was powerful, it was unlikely they would send any truly high-level Martial Artists here. In contrast, in their own party of several hundred, apart from the group of Adventurers, almost everyone was at the level of a Demon Sword Master or higher! Many even possessed the strength of a Sword Sect!

’What a terrifying force this is!’ they thought. ’With this many people, couldn’t they destroy an entire country in the blink of an eye?’

Therefore, even if the person approaching was the Qin Family’s Qin Zhan, Zhang Danian felt not a shred of fear. The emotions from being bullied for so many years by the Qin Family, the so-called "Northern King," were about to erupt at this very moment.

This group of Adventurers even walked with their heads held high and their chests puffed out!

Dozens of miles ahead, green plants finally came into view. For people like Zhang Danian, the sight merely sparked a moment of joy: ’We’re almost home again.’ But in the eyes of the Ice Sea Secret Clan People, it was an absolute, wondrous surprise!

The Ice Sea Secret Race’s Clan Leader, Quefeng, even led all his people to kneel on the spot. With tears streaming down his old face, he gazed at the sliver of green on the horizon. Here, at the edge of the vast, ancient Snowfield, their tears fell.

As if carrying the hopes of countless generations of the Ice Sea Secret Clan People, Quefeng’s face was incomparably solemn.

Then, a great cloud of dust rose on the horizon ahead. More than twenty powerful steeds were galloping toward them at extreme speed, arriving before the procession in the blink of an eye.

On the horses were Knights dressed uniformly in black. A sharp light glinted in each of their eyes, revealing their impressive cultivation. Their expressions were grave, without a hint of arrogance, because before coming, they had already heard that this large group of non-humans possessed the power to destroy a nation! This news prevented these proud elites of the Qin Family from harboring any thoughts of arrogance at all!

Zhang Danian immediately recognized the lead Knight, a thin man in his forties. His eyes narrowed, and with a flicker in his gaze, he whispered to Ling Xiao, "That man is Qin Zhan. Ten years ago, he was already a Tier Five Sword Sect!"

Ling Xiao nodded lightly. ’Though I don’t know their intentions,’ he thought, ’the fact that they only sent this many people reveals their attitude. They must be here to talk, not to fight.’

Song Mingyue noticed this as well and was somewhat disappointed.

Qin Zhan leaped from his horse and stood, looking at the crowd before him. He said in a deep voice, "I wonder who is the leader here? I am Qin Zhan of the Bauhinia Clan, and I have something to say!"

Ling Xiao glanced coolly at Qin Zhan. ’He just stands there, his aura completely retracted. If Zhang Danian hadn’t told me about his strength beforehand, I’d likely have been deceived by his appearance. He’s a low-key and steady person,’ Ling Xiao mused. ’Most powerful Martial Artists like to release a bit of their powerful aura, just like a powerful Magical Beast, to warn others: *Stay away from me!*

In reality, that approach has its pros and cons. But Qin Zhan’s method—possessing great strength without showing a trace of it—reminded Ling Xiao of a saying: the dogs that bite are the ones that don’t bark.

"I am," Ling Xiao said, stepping forward and looking at Qin Zhan with his pure, clear eyes. "What can I do for you?"

Qin Zhan’s pupils suddenly contracted. ’I can’t see through this young man’s strength at all! How strange!’ Qin Zhan thought. But he let no trace of this show on his face. Instead, he gave a slight smile and said, "You’re lying. The large group behind you is clearly a non-human race. Do you take my Bauhinia Clan for fools? What gives a young boy like you the right to represent an entire race? Go on back and get someone who can actually speak for them!"

This move from Qin Zhan was a clear attempt to provoke the young man and force him to reveal his own strength. This was because whenever a Martial Artist experienced a strong emotional fluctuation, some of their true power was bound to leak out, allowing others to gauge their level.

’How strange,’ Qin Zhan thought to himself. ’Has the world been taken over by young people? Why are there so many outstanding talents? It’s a pity most of them are not named Qin.’

A flicker crossed Ling Xiao’s eyes, but he showed no anger on his face. He said, "If you want to have a proper conversation, then adopt a proper attitude. If you’re deliberately looking for trouble, then even if this is the territory of the Bauhinia Clan, I am not the least bit afraid!"

His attempt to provoke the boy had failed, and he had been rebuked instead. Qin Zhan studied Ling Xiao carefully for a few moments, and then it suddenly dawned on him. Wasn’t this young man the very same Ling Xiao his big brother had just been talking about? He was completely baffled. ’What is the Empire’s most famous rising star doing here?’ A portrait of Ling Xiao had long been placed on the desk of every major family’s Patriarch, so it was no exaggeration to say he was known throughout the land.

"You... are Ling Xiao?" Qin Zhan’s expression grew several shades more serious. He suddenly unleashed a powerful aura that pressed down on Ling Xiao.

"Everyone says you’re a young genius. I, for one, would like to see what makes you so strong!"

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