The spacious streets were brightly lit and bustling with people. For cultivators, sleep was optional, so naturally, there were many people wandering the streets at night, some in groups of friends, others alone.

Qin Yu was one of them.

Walking down the center of the street, Qin Yu became completely immersed in the beauty of the night market.

"There’s no rush to kill Yan Gao," Qin Yu thought, fully enjoying the pleasant mood. The street was filled with handsome men, beautiful women, loners, and fierce-looking people alike.

After all, cultivators... can change their appearances.

"What a lovely girl," Qin Yu admired a woman in green not far away, appreciating her from just an aesthetic standpoint.

"Miss, the famous ’Piaofeng Red Tea’ from Fengyue Star is extraordinary. Let’s go in and try some," suggested a pretty servant girl beside the woman in green.

The woman in green nodded and smiled, "That sounds good."

With that, the two of them stepped into the tea house—’Piaofeng Tea House’.

"Piaofeng Red Tea? Is it really as exceptional as that servant girl claims?" Qin Yu, having heard the conversation from afar, grew curious and soon followed them into the tea house.

Upon entering, Qin Yu’s brow slightly furrowed.

"Is someone secretly watching me?" Qin Yu wondered, feeling a stir within him.

After the fusion of his soul with Meteor Tear, Qin Yu’s sensitivity to soul perceptions had become extremely acute. Although his soul realm was only around that of an Eighth Level Celestial Immortal, he could clearly sense even a Second-level Golden Immortal like Liu Minghan glancing at him.

However, the one who had just stolen a glance at Qin Yu gave him only a vague feeling.

Qin Yu entered the tea house with an unfazed expression. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

An old man on the street gave a faint glance toward the tea house and thought to himself, "The most powerful person in the tea house is close to an Eighth Level Celestial Immortal, posing no threat to the young lady."

***

Inside the tea house.

"It seems Piaofeng Red Tea is a luxury for the wealthy, a pot costing a hundred. That’s one Middle Grade Elemental Spirit Stone—ordinary Heavenly Immortals probably wouldn’t indulge to such an extent," Qin Yu was stunned by the price of Piaofeng Red Tea.

There were not many people in Piaofeng Tea House, just eight. Nearly everyone was above the Fifth Level of Heavenly Immortal except for the woman in green, who was only a First Level Heavenly Immortal, while her servant girl was at the Seventh Level of the Heavenly Immortal Realm.

He picked up the teacup and gently sniffed.

The faint fragrance of the tea seeped into his heart and lingered before slowly dissipating.

"Indeed, it’s a great tea," Qin Yu couldn’t help but praise, simply from the remarkable effect of the tea’s aroma.

The waiter by his side spoke, "The gentleman seems to be from out of town," Qin Yu nodded towards the waiter, who continued, "The only thing Fengyue Star is famous for is this Piaofeng Red Tea. In the entire Silver String Star System, there are only two places that produce Piaofeng Red Tea - one is Fengyue Star, the other is Red Leaf Star. Naturally, with our small production scale on Fengyue Star, we can’t compete with the prosperity of Red Leaf Star."

"Being a smaller place, our prices are naturally lower. Here a pot is only a hundred, while on Red Leaf Star, it’s two hundred. In the domains of the Immortal Realm and the Demon World, a pot of Piaofeng Red Tea costs several thousand," the waiter said with pride.

"That’s right, our Piaofeng Red Tea costs five hundred a pot, but it doesn’t taste nearly as good as this one. Right, miss?" the pretty servant said to the woman in green.

Qin Yu slowly savored a few sips of the tea.

"How much inventory of Piaofeng Red Tea leaves do you have in this tea house? I’d like to buy some," Qin Yu spoke up.

The waiter’s eyes lit up as he quickly replied, "Gentleman, please wait for a moment, I will call the owner."

After the owner arrived, Qin Yu didn’t bother haggling and directly spent twelve Upper Grade Primordial Spirit Stones to buy ninety percent of the tea house’s stock, leaving only ten percent to temporarily accommodate guests.

After the purchase, Qin Yu silently savored his tea.

"Third Brother, do you still have any Piaofeng Red Tea?" Suddenly, a voice rang out sharply in the tea house, causing almost every guest to frown—as making noise was frowned upon inside the tea lounge.

The man who had spoken entered the tea house, a suave middle-aged man.

The tea house owner came out and shook his head, "Big Brother, the Piaofeng Red Tea leaves have almost sold out just now, and I don’t have many left either. I was thinking of getting some from you."

The middle-aged man frowned, "I’ve run out too. You know the Great Elder is fond of the Piaofeng Red Tea, and once he comes out of seclusion, he will definitely want it. However, after checking several places, I’ve found no stock. It seems... I’ll have to make a trip to Red Leaf Star."

Although Fengyue Star is one of the origins of Piaofeng Red Tea, its production is very limited, barely enough for the people on their own planet.

"Red Leaf Star—even the travel expenses there and back, and prices are double ours over there," the tea house owner said with a furrowed brow.

The middle-aged man said helplessly, "For the sake of the Great Elder, let’s not fuss over a bit of money."

After a moment of thought, the tea house owner approached Qin Yu, "Young Master, the tea leaves I sold you just now, would you be willing to return them to my tea house? Of course, I can refund you the twelve Upper Grade Primordial Spiritual Stones."

Qin Yu’s brow furrowed.

Is this any way to do business?

"Young Master, my name is Yan Wutao. This tea house is also property of the Yan Family. I hope you can grant my Yan Family this favor," the middle-aged man beside him said, approaching, "Of course, we can discuss the price further. How about fifteen Upper Grade Primordial Spiritual Stones?"

To have the just-sold item asked to be returned.

"Do I look like someone in need of money?" Qin Yu countered.

Would someone who casually spends twelve Upper Grade Primordial Spiritual Stones on tea leaves care about that bit of money?

Yan Wutao and the tea house owner were both taken aback.

"You just mentioned your Great Elder is in seclusion?" Suddenly, Qin Yu realized—these two claimed to be from the Yan Family, talking about how the Great Elder was in seclusion. Clearly... the Great Elder of the Yan Family was in seclusion.

"Yes, the Great Elder is in seclusion, but he will certainly want the tea leaves once he comes out. Can you please make an exception?" Yan Wutao immediately said.

"In seclusion, huh."

Qin Yu understood clearly in his mind.

Then, without paying any more attention to Yan Wutao and the tea house owner, he walked straight out of the tea house.

"Hey, Young Master!" Yan Wutao and the other man called after him to no avail.

Walking on the street, Qin Yu felt somewhat helpless: "I was just about to trouble that Great Elder, and now he’s gone into seclusion... Well, let’s see what the defenses of the place he’s secluded in are like."

"Right, grab someone and ask." Qin Yu’s eyes brightened, and instantly his figure vanished from the street.

×

Yan Wutao was feeling quite displeased.

The indifferent attitude of Qin Yu in the tea house had angered Yan Wutao greatly; he truly wanted to kill Qin Yu and be done with it. But he realized that he couldn’t gauge Qin Yu’s strength at all.

Obviously... Qin Yu was stronger than him.

Considering how freely Qin Yu spent money, it was clear that he was someone both wealthy and powerful, and Yan Wutao had been holding back all this time. After all, the Yan Family’s influence only covered one planet—they couldn’t afford to provoke a major figure.

"Yan Wutao, right?" A voice suddenly sounded.

"Who’s calling me?" Yan Wutao was taken aback.

Suddenly, Yan Wutao felt a wave of dizziness sweep over him, and then he knew nothing at all.

...

"With the help of Meteor Tear, casting this Enchanting Soul Technique has become much easier." Qin Yu easily controlled Yan Wutao. Firstly, there was a not inconsiderable gap in their strength, and secondly, Qin Yu could now make use of quite a few effects of the Meteor Tear.

"Tell me, when did the Great Elder begin his seclusion?" Qin Yu asked.

Yan Wutao’s eyes were dull as he mechanically replied, "The Great Elder went into seclusion three days ago."

"When will he come out of seclusion?" Qin Yu continued to ask.

"I don’t know. The Great Elder once said that he might emerge from seclusion in a day, or it could take a year. But the Great Elder mentioned that this seclusion shouldn’t be long. If things go as planned, it will probably be around ten days to half a month."

Qin Yu gave a satisfied nod.

If it was just a wait of ten days to half a month, Qin Yu wasn’t in a rush.

Of course, it would be easier for him if the matter could be resolved a day earlier.

"Where is the Great Elder in seclusion?" Qin Yu continued to inquire. Seeing that Yan Wutao was a Fifth Level Heavenly Immortal, Qin Yu estimated that his status within the Yan Family must be quite high and that he should know quite a bit.

Yan Wutao continued mechanically, "In the Sword Immortal Palace."

"The Sword Immortal Palace?" Qin Yu felt uneasy upon hearing this name. "How is its defense?"

"The Sword Immortal Palace was set up jointly by several senior brothers from the Great Elder’s sect, and its power is tremendous. The Great Elder once confidently said that it would be nearly impossible for even a sword cultivator of the eighth or ninth level of Golden Immortal to break through the Sword Immortal Palace."

Hearing what Yan Wutao had said, Qin Yu was somewhat annoyed.

The senior brothers of Yan Gao must be disciples of the Yujian Sect. Yan Gao was a Sixth-level Golden Immortal, so his several senior brothers’ strength would be no less than his. A Defense Restriction set up by several people together that could defend against an attack from sword cultivators of the eighth or ninth level of Golden Immortal was very possible.

Qin Yu did not know that Yan Gao’s senior brothers, the strongest of whom had already reached the realm of Ninth-level Golden Immortal, could easily set up a Restriction to defend against the attacks of sword cultivators of the eighth or ninth level of Golden Immortal.

"Oh... Who is the head of the Yan Family, and what is his level of Cultivation Technique?" Qin Yu continued to ask.

Qin Yu was now targeting this Yan Family Master.

One must know that the riches of a family are divided among three places. A part is kept in the Space Ring of the person with the highest cultivation, another part is kept in the Space Ring of the Family Head, and the last part is kept in the family vault.

With Yan Gao in seclusion, Qin Yu decided to deal with the Yan Family Master first.

"The Family Head is named ’Yan Xulan’ and is a First-level Golden Immortal. He is the second Golden Immortal in my Yan Family," Yan Wutao continued.

Relieved, Qin Yu thought, a First-level Golden Immortal, isn’t that an easy catch?

"Is Yan Xulan a Sword Immortal? How many Sword Immortals are in your Yan Family?" Qin Yu kept asking.

"No. The Family Head practices the family’s Cultivation Technique. Currently, my Yan Family only has three Sword Immortals, one is the Great Elder, and the other two are of the Heavenly Immortal level," Yan Wutao answered in detail.

Qin Yu was satisfied with the information.

"Alright, you may go to sleep now," said Qin Yu indifferently, and then he drifted away.

×××

Yan Xulan.

The second strongest in the Yan Family, and also its current Family Head. His palace was exceedingly luxurious, with numerous guards and guest experts residing nearby. The defenses were exceptionally tight.

On the bed in the sleeping chamber.

Yan Xulan sat cross-legged on the bed, holding an Upper Grade Primordial Spiritual Stone in his hand, continuously absorbing its energy for his cultivation. Seeing Yan Xulan’s sword-like eyebrows, he appeared to be a handsome man.

"Yan Xulan."

A voice suddenly rang out within the sleeping chamber.

"Who’s there?" Yan Xulan’s heart trembled, and he immediately ceased his cultivation, his eyes snapping open as twin beams of light shot forth like substance.

"Pfft!"

A flash of Sword Qi, and Yan Xulan’s expression froze on his face. Before he could utter a word, he fell backward. At the same time, his Immortal Artifact and Space Ring fell off his body.

Soon after, a man carrying an Immortal Sword appeared at the bedside. It was none other than Qin Yu.

"Sigh, after all, it’s the Nascent Soul of a First Level Golden Immortal, can’t be wasted," Qin Yu grasped the Nascent Soul and directly took it into his Yanxuan’s Ring, then promptly collected Yan Xulan’s Immortal Artifact.

Qin Yu took Yan Xulan’s Space Ring and examined it closely with his Immortal Consciousness.

"Three Communication Spirit Pearls, and a few Immortal Artifacts... The best one is only a Middle Grade Immortal Artifact, rather too shabby, isn’t it? Top-Grade Elemental Spirit Stones... only eight?" Qin Yu was somewhat dissatisfied.

Actually, Qin Yu was not very familiar with the Yan Family’s wealth; it wasn’t until the end that he truly understood how much wealth the Yan Family had.

His figure flashed, disappearing from the sleeping chamber,

leaving behind only the body of Yan Xulan on the bed.

...

The next morning.

"Family Head, Family Head."

Two servants outside called several times without any reaction from within the room. Finally, the two servants exchanged glances.

"What’s the matter with the Family Head? Did he go out?"

"He must have gone out, otherwise with the Family Head’s level of cultivation, even in sleep, he would be able to hear our voices. How could there be no response?"

"Alright, let’s enter to tidy up the room."

The two servants then confidently pushed the door open, ready to clean and tidy up the room, but as they slowly got to the bed, they saw the body that had already fallen there.

"Ah!"

"Ah, Family Head!"

In just a short while, the news of the death of the Yan Family’s Family Head spread throughout the entire Yan Family. A large number of Yan Family experts began frantically searching for the suspicious murderer, but the Yan Family members all knew that the person who could kill Yan Xulan silently was none other than the Great Elder of the Yan Family. No one else in their family could possibly catch him.

×××

Within a mansion in Yanshan City

"Miss, it’s time to go back, Fengyue Star is becoming unsafe," said an elder to the lady in green respectfully.

The lady in green pouted, "Let’s play for a few more days."

The elder sighed and said, "Miss, last night, Yan Xulan of the Yan Family was killed. I used my Immortal Consciousness to survey the place where Yan Xulan was killed and found no trace of any presence left behind. Only a strand of extremely sharp Sword Qi could barely be sensed. I surmise that the person is at least at the level of an eighth or ninth level Golden Immortal. It’s possible they could be at the level of a Profound Immortal. Such a high-level expert is already a threat to miss."

"Well... alright then," the lady in green replied reluctantly.

(This Chapter took longer to write, there will be a third one today!)