Chapter 55: Is someone backing you?

Attic.

The Qin Family’s guest hall was the epitome of luxury, known to the world as: the Welcome Immortal Pavilion.

Even within this pavilion, one had to abide by the Qin Family’s rules.

The name was not an exaggeration, for even if a true immortal were to descend, they would have to follow protocol.

The Qin Family’s Grand Elder, an ancient monster who had lived for thousands of years, was holding a teacup, his face wreathed in smiles as he looked at the young girl seated opposite him.

That girl was the “mysterious expert” who had come in response to the posted notice.

However, the atmosphere in the hall at the moment was somewhat…

Delicate.

The girl’s black hair cascaded like a waterfall down to her waist, tied up in a special hairstyle.

She wore a simple, pristine white Daoist robe, her face veiled by a thin layer of gauze, and on her back was a longsword tightly wrapped in cloth strips.

Sitting there, she resembled a snow lotus blooming on a cliff’s edge—aloof and solitary.

If Gu Qing were here, his jaw would surely drop in astonishment…

Wasn’t this Qingyue?

Some time had passed since they last met.

She had grown taller and even more beautiful.

The Grand Elder kept recalling the past, his expression unchanged on the surface, but his heart was filled with doubt.

If his perception wasn’t wrong…

Wasn’t this cultivation level a bit too…

“unadorned”?

The Grand Elder even used his innate divine sense to probe the other party’s cultivation.

Tongyou Realm.

Truly, only the Tongyou Realm.

In the world of cultivation, the Tongyou Realm was considered a watershed.

Stepping into this realm meant leaving the ranks of low-level cultivators and being able to initially communicate with the powers of heaven, earth, and the underworld.

On some small to medium-sized planets, this level of cultivation was enough to establish a sect and dominate a region.

But in the Big Dipper Star Field, especially in this Qin Family teeming with experts…

The Tongyou Realm was only at the level of a guard squad leader, barely even qualifying to guard the Qin Family’s gates.

And this?

This was the expert who dared to boast that they could cure the “Divine Punishment”?

The Grand Elder inwardly grumbled incessantly, but not a trace of it showed on his face.

Having lived for thousands of years, what great storms had he not weathered?

In the cultivation world, judging by appearances or determining status by cultivation level was the greatest taboo.

What if this was an old monster who liked to play the pig to eat the tiger?

What if this was a peerless powerhouse who had returned to simplicity?

Or perhaps, she was just a mouthpiece, with the real mastermind still hidden behind her?

Therefore, the Grand Elder not only did not drive her away, but instead treated her with the utmost courtesy, personally keeping her company and serving her with the finest tea.

“Ahem, this… Immortal Maiden.”

The Grand Elder set down his teacup and spoke with a jovial laugh, probing:

“Might I ask where the Immortal Maiden hails from? And who is your esteemed master?”

“This old man observes that the Immortal Maiden’s sword intent is deeply restrained. Although you are only at the Tongyou Realm, you already possess the bearing of a master. Your esteemed teacher must surely be a remarkable figure, no?”

This was the art of speech.

It pointed out the fact of her low cultivation level while complimenting her politely, all while probing for her background.

The girl sitting opposite, Lin Qingyue, merely raised her eyelids slightly upon hearing this.

She was very calm.

Even facing a Qin Family Grand Elder whose cultivation far surpassed her own, she showed not the slightest trace of fear or unease.

Because before coming here, she had already undergone countless life-and-death trials in that place called the “Sword Tomb.”

Her state of mind was already as firm as a rock.

“You flatter me, Grand Elder.”

Lin Qingyue’s voice was clear and pleasant, neither subservient nor arrogant.

“This junior, Hanyuan, comes from no illustrious family. I merely learned a few crude skills from my master while dwelling in the deep mountains and wild forests.”

“As for my master’s name…”

When traveling the world, one needed a name.

For some reason, the Sword Immortal had instructed her not to use her real name in the world, but rather to use this one.

However, she didn’t mind such things.

Lin Qingyue paused, a timely flicker of reverence appearing in her eyes.

“My master is accustomed to a life of idle wandering and dislikes being disturbed by worldly affairs. Therefore, it is inconvenient for me to disclose it.”

These words were spoken just right.

They acknowledged she had a master while using the pretext of a “recluse expert” to deflect further inquiry.

The Grand Elder’s smile deepened.

This little girl was interesting.

She wouldn’t say?

Not saying was even better.

The more evasive she was, the more it suggested there was something behind it.

If she were truly a reckless fool with no background, daring to come to the Qin Family to swindle them, she would have likely been trembling with fear from the pressure in the hall by now.

Yet her current composed and unflustered demeanor clearly indicated she had backing.

“Hehe, understood, understood.”

The Grand Elder stroked his beard and nodded with a smile.

“Experts always have their eccentricities.”

“Since your esteemed teacher is unwilling to disclose their name, this old man will not press the matter.”

At this point, his tone shifted.

“However… this matter of the Qin Family’s bounty is of great importance. Although the Immortal Maiden has answered the call, you should also be aware of the risks involved.”

“If you succeed, the Qin Family will surely offer generous thanks and can even agree to a request from you or your master.”

“But if…”

The Grand Elder did not finish his sentence, merely taking a gentle sip of tea.

In that instant, a terrifyingly immense pressure flashed from his body for just a moment.

Though it lasted only a moment, all the Spiritual Energy in the entire hall was instantly drained.

The cloth-wrapped longsword on Lin Qingyue’s back suddenly emitted a sword hum.

“Weng—”

Sword intent protecting its master!

An extremely pure, peerlessly sharp sword intent erupted from within Lin Qingyue’s body, forcibly tearing a gap through the Grand Elder’s pressure.

“Hmm?”

A flicker of surprise passed through the Grand Elder’s eyes.

Such pure sword intent!

This was definitely not sword intent a Tongyou Realm cultivator could possess!

This sword intent… was quite extraordinary.

Although he was not a sword cultivator, even an old monster like him, who had lived for thousands of years, felt a slight sense of awe from this意境.

“She indeed has some skill.”

The Grand Elder instantly reined in some of his inner contempt.

Although her cultivation was indeed a bit low, this sword intent was no fake.

This kind of sword intent was clearly a life-saving talisman left by her master.

The pressure came and went quickly, ninety-nine percent of it neutralized by the sword intent.

Lin Qingyue’s face still paled slightly.

She took a deep breath, calming the surging qi and blood within her, her tone still even:

“Grand Elder, rest assured.”

“Since this junior dared to come, I naturally have confidence.”

She raised her head, looking directly into the Grand Elder’s eyes.

“This junior’s journey here is also upon my master’s orders.”

“As long as this junior acts according to the agreement, the Qin Family will surely not make things difficult for me.”

“My master once said that the Qin Family is a great clan of this era, one that values credibility above all.”

“Consider this… a small token of this junior’s sincerity.”

She was borrowing influence.

This was also one of the survival rules the Sword Immortal senior had taught her.

‘When dealing with these great families, the greatest taboo is showing weakness.’

‘Remember this, Little Qingyue.’

‘The more you act with impunity, the more they dare not move against you.’

‘Even if you’re just a little Tongyou Realm ant, as long as there’s an invisible elephant standing behind you, they’ll have to treat you as the elephant.’

Lin Qingyue silently recited her master’s teachings in her heart.

Though her palms were slightly sweaty, her gaze grew even more resolute.

Hearing this, the Grand Elder was not angered but instead laughed heartily.

“Good! Well said, ‘upon my master’s orders’!”

He was now mostly certain that this girl definitely had someone behind her.

“Little girl, I like your temperament!”

And that person’s strength was absolutely not low, possibly not much weaker than the Qin Family Head himself.

Otherwise, how would they dare to let such a precious disciple venture alone into the dragon’s den and tiger’s lair?

The universe was vast, with talented individuals emerging constantly.

The reason the Qin Family could become one of the star field’s overlords was precisely because they knew how to assess situations and adapt.

The stronger one was, the more carefully one had to survive.

The smile on the Grand Elder’s face grew even brighter.

“In that case, this old man is reassured.”

“Attendants, change the tea for the Immortal Maiden! Bring the best Enlightenment Tea!”

Just then—

“No need to change it.”

A majestic voice came from the entrance of the hall.

As the voice fell, the space within the Welcome Immortal Pavilion seemed to solidify for an instant.

It was the absolute aura belonging to a superior.

Lin Qingyue’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively turned her head.

She saw a middle-aged man in purple casual robes striding in.

He did not deliberately release any pressure, but that unique rhythm was impossible to ignore—the feeling that upon his appearance, heaven and earth seemed to revolve around him.

The Qin Family Head, Qin Tianheng.

Qin Tianheng entered the hall, his gaze immediately falling upon Lin Qingyue.

His eyes were placid, yet in an instant, they seemed to dissect Lin Qingyue from the inside out.

Tongyou Realm.

Bone age not great, only in her early twenties.

Sword cultivator material, with excellent innate talent.

Was this the expert Old Medicine Man mentioned, who could see through the “Divine Punishment” at a glance?

But…

She was really too weak.

A flash of disappointment passed through Qin Tianheng’s eyes.

Was this the mysterious person who dared to answer the notice?

If not for the Grand Elder presiding nearby, if not for the rules of this Welcome Immortal Pavilion, he would even suspect this was some ignorant little girl coming to cause trouble.

“Family Head.”

Seeing Qin Tianheng, the Grand Elder quickly rose to bow in greeting, simultaneously giving Lin Qingyue a meaningful look.

The meaning in that glance was clear: This girl has backing, don’t act rashly.

What kind of person was Qin Tianheng?

With just one glance, he understood the Grand Elder’s meaning.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation in his heart, and replaced his expression with one of courteous respect for the worthy.

“You must be… Immortal Maiden Han, correct?”

Qin Tianheng walked to the main seat and sat down, not putting on airs but instead slightly cupping his hands in greeting.

“Qin is late, making the Immortal Maiden wait.”

Lin Qingyue stood up, returning the bow.

“I dare not.”

“This junior pays her respects to Family Head Qin.”

She was sizing up Qin Tianheng.

Was this one of the overlords of the Big Dipper Star Field?

To speak so politely to a minor cultivator like her…

Lin Qingyue felt a slight daze in her heart.

He…

Didn’t seem difficult to get along with.