Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Chapter 357: Chapter 271: The Qin Family’s Scheme

This rule was welcomed by many families and sects that had offended powerful factions. The disparity in strength between them was immense, and only through this method could they ensure their own clans would not be wiped out.

This process also offered a chance for some friendly sparring matches. It was a good opportunity to witness the sword skills and Cultivation Techniques of other families and improve one’s own strength.

This was the typical agenda for the grand exchange conference held by the hidden families every few decades.

This time, however, according to the talk among those who had arrived early, a new item had been added to the agenda: an Alliance Leader and ten Elders would be elected at this conference to form a new governing body.

This governing body would have no real authority. It would be responsible for coordinating and resolving disputes between the families and sects, as well as handling various matters related to the exchange. Furthermore, the conference’s unpredictable schedule would be changed to a fixed event held once every five years.

The stated goal was mutual improvement and shared progress. The aim was to unite all the families and sects, encouraging them to stop jealously hoarding their own techniques and instead jointly research how to improve more effectively and rapidly in pursuit of the pinnacle of the Martial Dao.

The intention behind this proposal was undoubtedly good; of that, there was no question. But whether it could be successfully institutionalized and perfected was something no one could guarantee.

After all, the continent had numerous hidden families and sects, many of which were formidably powerful. There were over twenty well-known first-rate families and sects, to say nothing of the super-clans that stood above even them.

Then there were the second- and third-rate clans, which were even more numerous. At a minimum, the known second- and third-rate families and sects combined numbered in the hundreds.

And that didn’t even account for the reclusive clans that almost never made an appearance and remained unknown, or the countless unranked factions of all sizes...

What surprised Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue the most, however, was another piece of news. It was said there was another reason the Qin Family was hosting the conference this time. On a massive, uninhabited island several hundred miles from the Qin Family Island, a formidably powerful Magical Beast had appeared! This Magical Beast was rumored to be a giant python with the bloodline of the Dragon Race, because it actually had horns growing on its head.

According to the speculation of many in the Qin Family, the great python had already surpassed the strength of a Tier Nine beast. It could speak human languages, possessed extremely high intelligence, and was incredibly cunning. The Qin Family had even dispatched Sword Sect and Sword Emperor-level powerhouses on several occasions, but none had managed to capture it. Meanwhile, the Qin Family’s few ancestors at the Sword Venerable Realm were in seclusion. To prevent the Magical Beast from coming to the Qin Family Island to wreak havoc, the Qin Family hoped that attendees of the conference would contact them. If anyone was willing to hunt the beast, the family would cover all expenses. Furthermore, for whoever managed to kill the Magical Beast, the Qin Family was offering a Celestial-level Sword Skill as a reward!

A Celestial-level Sword Skill!!!

Even among first-rate families, that was a treasure that would make anyone green with envy! The Qin Family was willing to pay such an astonishing price for their own peace and security—they were truly magnanimous!

Upon hearing this news, Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue were both shocked and delighted.

’Horns on its head, the bloodline of the Dragon Race, stronger than Tier Nine, able to speak human language... isn’t that a perfect description of a Thousand-Year Flood Dragon?’

The term "Jiao" didn’t exist in this world, so everyone simply called it a great python. But to Song Mingyue’s ears, one thought became startlingly clear: ’The Divine Spirits must be watching over me! All I need now is the Thousand-Year Jiao Blood, and Father’s strength can be restored. When that happens, the Sea Domain Song Family will have another Sword Emperor-level Martial Artist!’

This was, without a doubt, the best news Song Mingyue had heard in days.

’But... could it be a trap? Or is the Qin Family using this news to lure countless powerhouses here to hunt the Magical Beast, only to... carry out some treachery in secret?’

After hearing the news, Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue exchanged a look, each understanding what the other was thinking. ’That’s not just a possibility,’ they both thought, ’it’s highly likely!’

’The news about the Magical Beast is probably real, but so is the fact that the Qin Family is plotting something.’

’This whole "ancestors in seclusion" thing is complete bullshit! If a Magical Beast capable of threatening the Qin Family Island actually showed up to wreak havoc, it would be stranger if they *didn’t* come out of seclusion!’

’If their foundation, built over thousands of years, was destroyed, the Qin Family would never recover. What good would a few Sword Venerables be then?’

’It’s just like what happened with the Sea Domain Song Family. When that Tier Eight Magical Beast, the Deep Sea Poison Dragon, attacked the Song Family Island, it caused a bloodbath. More than a dozen Sword Emperor powerhouses couldn’t kill it. In the end, wasn’t it their ancestor, Song Xi, who came out of seclusion to finally slay the Deep Sea Poison Dragon?’

That’s why Song Mingyue refused to believe for a second that the Qin Family didn’t have some ulterior motive.

’Besides, for a Magical Beast that surpasses Tier Nine strength, I doubt even three Sword Venerable experts attacking together could kill it.’ Ling Xiao was certain of this. ’Without relying on external power, just based on human strength alone, forget three Sword Venerables—even a hundred might not be enough! Just think of that Deep Sea Demon Chapter. It was also a beast that surpassed Tier Nine strength. In its true form, it could tear open space to enter the Holy Sanctuary and even devour Sword Saint powerhouses!’

’A Sword Saint!’

’On the continent, a Saint Tier powerhouse who hasn’t entered the Holy Sanctuary is practically a god-like being! To put it another way: absolutely no one could defeat them!’

’I wonder if those other families and sects have any experience dealing with Magical Beasts above Tier Nine. If they rashly try to hunt one, they’ll just be throwing their lives away, no matter how many of them there are.’

Ling Xiao’s eyes suddenly narrowed as a thought struck him. ’Any Magical Beast that surpasses Tier Nine possesses incredible intelligence. Many humans view the world with the arrogant assumption that they are supreme, but that’s an absolutely flawed perspective!’

’In the Cultivation Realm, after a thousand years of practice, Beast Cultivators can transform into powerful sentient creatures. If they are fortunate enough to survive their Celestial Tribulation and achieve ascension, their future potential can far surpass that of many humans.’

’In fact, many of the most powerful beings in human legends aren’t human at all.’

’So, with all that in mind, the Qin Family’s reason for releasing this news is worth pondering. Could it be that the Qin Family’s rise and their evil Cultivation Technique are somehow connected to that Thousand-Year Flood Dragon?’

’From Ling Xiao’s perspective, this was a definite possibility. Or perhaps the Thousand-Year Flood Dragon had struck a deal with the Qin Family: it helps them kill the other powerhouses, and in return, the Qin Family provides it with something... or, just like the Deep Sea Demon Chapter, they simply split the spoils fifty-fifty...’

Dinner was held in the main hall of an enormous restaurant. Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue, both in disguise, kept a low profile as they blended in with members of some unranked families and sects.

They listened to the others’ excited and boisterous conversations.

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