"The, the Great Elder is dead!"

One after another, the Yan Family descendants all wore expressions of shock, as if they were stunned. For many years, the Great Elder Yan Gao was regarded as an invincible presence in the hearts of the Yan Family descendants—he was their protector deity.

However... today, in full view of the public, the Great Elder was brazenly slain by an enemy with a single sword.

"Catch the murderer, catch the murderer!!!" Yan Xufan roared.

At his roar, the entire hall was thrown into chaos, with Yan Family disciples either shouting to catch the murderer or panicking in fear. In reality, everyone knew that talking about catching the murderer was just for show.

The person capable of killing the Great Elder with a single sword could easily destroy the Yan Family with a mere flip of their hand.

The entire hall was in disarray.

"Second Elder." Yan Xufan walked over to Second Elder Yan Shuo.

Second Elder Yan Shuo’s face was grim as he slowly said, "Big Brother was after all a third-generation disciple of the Yujian Sect, and for someone to dare kill Big Brother is to provoke the Yujian Sect. We should inform the Yujian Sect of this matter and let them take action."

Yan Xufan nodded too and said, "Every hundred years, ninety percent of the profits earned by my Yan Family are handed over to the Yujian Sect. Now it’s time for them to take action and do something for us."

×

Yu Dian, Yan Gao’s master, the only Eighth-level Golden Immortal among the Yujian Sect’s second generation disciples.

On a Nameless Planet in the Blue Bay Star Domain, Yu Dian was preparing to continue his journey through the planet’s Transmission Array when he suddenly felt that someone was trying to contact him through the Communication Spirit Pearl.

He took out the Communication Spirit Pearl.

"Master, something big has happened." Yu Dian’s disciple ’Feng Shan’ was contacting him.

Standing next to the Transmission Array, Yu Dian shook his head helplessly. Among his several disciples, when it came to temperament, there was no doubt that Yan Gao, even though the weakest in martial prowess, was the most mature and composed in chaotic situations.

Yu Dian had a special affection for Yan Gao.

Because... among the second generation’s eight disciples of the Yujian Sect, he was the weakest one in terms of martial prowess. The other seven were Ninth-level Golden Immortals, while only he was an Eighth-level Golden Immortal. Similarly, when it came to understanding human nature and managing major affairs, Yu Dian was the strongest among the eight second-generation disciples.

Yan Gao, similarly, was the weakest in strength among his own disciples but had the most mature temperament.

Seeing Yan Gao was like seeing himself from the past.

Therefore, as Yu Dian was preparing to leave the Silver String Star System, he planned to let Yan Gao take charge of everything on the core planet of the ’Red Leaf Star’ in the Silver String Star System. He was ready to groom Yan Gao as his successor.

"Feng Shan, what is so urgent that you can’t calm down? You should learn more from your fellow disciple Yan Gao in the future, be more composed in everything." After admonishing him, Yu Dian said, "Now tell me, what is it that’s so urgent?"

"Master, Fellow Disciple Yan Gao has been killed!" Feng Shan’s message rendered Yu Dian completely stunned.

"What did you say?" Yu Dian found it hard to believe. Only yesterday had his beloved disciple Yan Gao sent him a message, telling him that he had broken through and reached the Seventh Level Golden Immortal Realm, but today...

"Fellow Disciple Yan Gao is dead, he was killed, right in their Yan Family’s hall, brazenly slain by a Sword Immortal." Feng Shan reported carefully, "This news was also just sent over by the Yan Family people."

Yu Dian felt his head spin for a moment but recovered shortly after.

"Feng Shan, you mentioned a Sword Immortal did it, who is that Sword Immortal?" Yu Dian was starting to get angry.

Feng Shan communicated, "Master, I’m not sure, but I asked the Yan Family people thoroughly, and they sent over a likeness of the killer. But just knowing the appearance doesn’t confirm the murderer, if the killer changes their appearance..."

Yu Dian, in charge of all affairs of the Yujian Sect, soon recovered from the grief of his disciple being murdered.

"Alright, don’t worry about this matter for now," Yu Dian started giving orders, "For now, let your Senior Brother take temporary charge of the affairs on Red Leaf Star. As for Yan Gao’s incident, we’ll discuss it after I return."

Yu Dian understood that anyone who could openly kill a Seventh Level Golden Immortal Sword Immortal possessed extraordinary strength.

"Yes, Master," Feng Shan felt a sigh of relief inside. He could sense that the killer of Yan Gao must be incredibly powerful, and naturally, he had little interest in investigating.

Yu Dian flipped his hand and put away the Communication Spiritual Pearl.

This time, Yu Dian was tasked with a major mission, representing not only the Sect Master of Yujian Sect but also handling an affair agreed upon with Emperor Yu and the Demon World. Therefore, he could not afford any delays.

He now had to rush to the core planet of the Blue Bay Star Domain—Blue Mars.

"This round trip, plus the matters to be settled with the Demon World, I don’t know how much time it will take," Yu Dian felt somewhat helpless within. "But no matter what, Emperor Yu’s matters are as serious as the heavens themselves. If this task is botched, not only would I be out of luck, but even my Master would be out of luck. First, I must complete this task; upon my return, I will deal with the matter of Yan Gao’s death at my own pace."

Yu Dian then stepped into the Transmission Array and, after paying three Middle Grade Primordial Spirit Stones, was teleported away.

×

In the Bamboo Garden.

Liu Minghan and the Liu Family Head came to express their thanks to Qin Yu. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Mr. Qin, I am truly grateful for the matter this time," Liu Minghan immediately spoke up. He had already received the news of Yan Gao’s death, and with Yan Gao dead, the Yan Family would be completely suppressed by the Liu Family.

Qin Yu smiled and said, "It’s nothing to thank me for, after all, my uncle accepted your things, but there is one thing he is somewhat dissatisfied with."

"What’s that?" Liu Minghan asked, puzzled.

Qin Yu frowned and said, "You said that the Yan Family has almost always been in control of the Fengyue Star Transmission Array, and logically, their wealth should be a hundred times that of yours. So why is it that after my uncle killed the Yan Family Head and the Great Elder, the total wealth acquired was only several hundred million?"

Qin Yu was very puzzled about this.

The expressions on the faces of Liu Minghan and the Liu Family Head stiffened.

"Mr. Qin, this, don’t you know?" the Liu Family Head spoke out, probing.

Seeing their reaction, Qin Yu realized he might have asked a rather foolish question. Indeed, there were many things in the realms of Immortals, Demons, and Spirits he didn’t understand. If he didn’t know, what could he do?

"I told my uncle that the Yan Family’s wealth would be substantial, so after he killed those two from the Yan Family and found that the wealth acquired was too little, he discussed this matter with me. That’s why I’m asking you two," Qin Yu explained.

Liu Minghan appeared to suddenly understand, "So that’s it, Mr. Qin. It seems you really don’t know the ins and outs of it."

"Over the years, the Yan Family has indeed made a frightful fortune from the Planet Transmission Array. If this wealth all belonged to them, then naturally, the Yan Family’s wealth would exceed that of the Liu Family by more than a hundred times."

"However, the wealth the Yan Family earned from the Planet Transmission Array did not entirely belong to them. More than ninety percent of it had to be turned over to the Yujian Sect, and the Yujian Sect eventually had to submit most of the wealth to Emperor Yu!"

Liu Minghan exclaimed, "With Emperor Yu controlling such vast power, how could he not take wealth from his subordinates? The Yujian Sect collects from Fengyue Star, and then Emperor Yu takes from the Yujian Sect. Thus... in the entire worlds of Immortals, Demons, and Spirits, the vast majority of the wealth is concentrated in the hands of those standing at the pinnacle, like Emperor Yu and Emperor Xuan."

Qin Yu had an epiphany.

So that was the case.

This was akin to how the states in the Mortal World collected taxes—a city’s office would collect taxes, but almost all of these taxes had to be handed over to the state.

Now the Yujian Sect was like the city office, collecting the wealth of Fengyue Star, while figures like Emperor Yu and Emperor Xuan were akin to the emperors of different states. With this, Qin Yu could imagine the wealth of someone like Emperor Yu.

"Even if a major part is handed over, living under the wing of Emperor Yu, the Yan Family naturally lived comfortably, and when it comes to wealth, they were at least more than tenfold richer than my Liu Family," Liu Minghan then said. "So in comparison, it is more profitable to rely on the major powers like Emperor Yu."

Qin Yu smiled, "Mr. Liu is right, by siding with Emperor Yu, at least a portion of the riches from the Planet Transmission Array will fall into our own clan’s hands. If we do not side with him, I reckon we won’t even have a chance, right?"

"Correct," Liu Minghan nodded.

Qin Yu then sipped his tea and said no more.

Feeling that Qin Yu did not wish to continue the conversation, Liu Minghan promptly said, "Mr. Qin, in that case, we will take our leave first."

"No need to see us out," Qin Yu said with a smile.

Liu Minghan and the Liu Family Head then left the Bamboo Garden, leaving behind a pile of various Immortal Pills and Primordial Spirit Stones worth millions, which Qin Yu naturally did not care about.

"Han Shu."

Qin Yu called out, and Liu Hanshu walked in spiritedly from outside, immediately bowing and saying, "Disciple pays respects to Master."

Qin Yu pointed with one hand at the gifts brought by the Liu Family Head, "These things were sent by the Liu Family. I have no use for them, so they are all yours," Qin Yu seemed utterly indifferent.

Liu Hanshu was taken aback.

"Master, you’re giving them all to me?" Liu Hanshu still found it somewhat unbelievable.

Qin Yu nodded and said, "Hurry and take these items, I have quite a few things to discuss with you." There was a hint of displeasure in Qin Yu’s tone.

Liu Hanshu, fearing that Qin Yu would become angry, accepted the gifts.

"Han Shu, although I haven’t taken you as my disciple for long, in this short period, I have noticed your astonishing transformation," Qin Yu’s voice was slow and deep.

Transformation?

Liu Hanshu smiled.

In recent days, no one dared to disrespect him, and even the Liu Family Head greeted him cordially. In a fleeting moment, Liu Hanshu became the treasure of the Liu Family, and he began to feel self-important.

"In the past, you were diligently focused on your cultivation, but these days, I’ve seen that the time you spend on cultivation has drastically decreased. Instead, you’re enjoying gatherings with the Liu Family disciples. Am I right?" Qin Yu’s voice grew colder.

Liu Hanshu shivered all over.

Indeed, these days, Liu Hanshu had been living comfortably, for he had no grand aspirations. Being elevated in status within the family was satisfaction enough, which led him to stop striving for greater achievements.

"The disciple is at fault," Liu Hanshu hurriedly said.

"You are not wrong," Qin Yu shook his head, "It is my mistake."

"Master, you..." Liu Hanshu said in alarm.

Qin Yu sighed, "If I had not appeared, your steadfast determination in cultivation would have eventually led you to the Tribulation Crossing Stage. Even if now you are beneath others, your relentless, hard work would one day see you through your tribulation, whether you became a Heavenly Immortal or an Independent Immortal. The difficulties such as your meridians would no longer be an issue. After that, you would have shone brightly like a Phoenix reborn from the ashes, soaring to the heavens, with no one able to hinder you."

"But because of my presence, your life has changed, and likewise, your determination is no longer as steadfast as before," Qin Yu sighed again. "Han Shu, do you realize who allowed you to gain everyone’s respect?"

"It was given by Master," Liu Hanshu answered immediately.

Indeed, it was precisely because Qin Yu was Liu Hanshu’s Master that the Liu Family Head and disciples treated Liu Hanshu with such respect.

A sharp light suddenly flashed in Qin Yu’s eyes, as he stared at Liu Hanshu, "Han Shu, you must understand something. To be respected, you must strive for it yourself. If it relies on the reputation of your elders, it will not last."

"I’m by your side, allowing you to live comfortably, but if one day I’m not around, with your modest power among your peers, do you still expect to be respected?" Qin Yu retorted.

Liu Hanshu’s back was drenched in cold sweat.

This moment jolted him awake from the complacency of his recent days.

What others provide is transient, but what one earns oneself is the most real.

"I don’t wish to say more. I will soon begin seclusion for cultivation. By the time I am out, I hope to see an impressive change in you, otherwise... you need not call me Master anymore," Qin Yu stated calmly.

Liu Hanshu’s gaze now held firm determination. He respectfully said, "Yes, Master. Disciple will definitely not let Master down."

×

In the cultivation secret chamber of the Bamboo Garden.

The chamber was empty, and no one would have guessed that among the scattered stone particles on the ground, one was in fact the Qingyu Immortal Mansion in disguise, with Qin Yu himself entering it for cultivation.

Within the Qingyu Immortal Mansion.

Qin Yu sat cross-legged in the open garden, beside a crystal-clear fountain.

Suddenly, Qin Yu opened his eyes.

"Back then..." Qin Yu looked at the stone table not far away, remembering how he, Little Black, and Feifei, the three brothers, had once merrily feasted together there. Yet now, he was alone.

His father and other relatives were still in the Mortal World, and his beloved Li’er’s whereabouts were unknown.

Even his two confidants were far away in the Demon World.

Whether it was in front of Shuo Yan, Zang Yuan, Liu Minghan, the Liu Family Head, or even his own disciple, Liu Hanshu, Qin Yu had always been a man of extreme rationality.

But Qin Yu too, sought someone to confide in.

In the past, he could communicate with his brothers; but now, what?

He could only ponder alone.

In the vast universe, when would he be able to find his brothers? Qin Yu felt an unbearable sense of loneliness, a loneliness that only made him appear colder and more stern on the surface.

"This time in closed-door cultivation, I will directly elevate my Soul Realm to the First Level Golden Immortal Realm and then refine that First Level Golden Immortal Nascent Soul. This will allow me to unlock the second layer of the Ten Thousand Beasts List. Once successful, I can set off," Qin Yu could hardly wait; he desperately wanted to reunite with his brothers.

He then calmed his mind, as his entire consciousness entered deep into his soul, starting the "Three Souls Nine Refinements," constantly elevating his Soul Realm.

One year,

Two years,

...

Cultivating within the first layer of the Human Soul Space, Qin Yu felt no passage of time, his soul undergoing continuous transformation...

(Fang Qie is out of town and will return to Suzhou tomorrow night. Updates might be difficult. But Fang Qie guarantees that today and tomorrow combined will definitely ensure four Chapters. Today, just one Chapter first!)

(To be continued, for further details, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM, more Chapters available, support the author, support genuine reading!)