Only I am Venerable

The attacks from the others struck Qin Li, only to be blocked by an invisible force. Many of these attackers were at the Shattered Void Realm, and one was even a Martial Artist at the Pill Nascent Soul Transformation Realm. In that instant, they all felt an immense resistance. Their full-powered strikes felt as if they had hit an indestructible mountain!

They gaped in shock, unable to fathom just how powerful Qin Li must be to possess such a formidable Protective Gang Qi.

Although Qin Li had slain Pang Wen with a single sword strike and was defended by his formidable Protective Gang Qi, the combined blow from these dozens of men still rocked him, forcing him to spit out a mouthful of blood. He was, after all, a man, not a god. Even an expert at the Thunder Tribulation Realm could not have taken a full-powered, combined attack from this group and emerged completely unscathed!

This array of the Iron-blooded Hall, one had to admit, was indeed quite powerful. The only saving grace was that the Iron-blooded Hall’s members weren’t strong enough. Had experts from the Hai Family been the ones to deploy this Grand Array, Qin Li would have had no choice but to flee before it was even fully formed.

After all, in a one-on-one fight, none of them—save for the one at the Pill Nascent Soul Transformation Realm—could withstand even a single exchange with Qin Li.

But once they formed this array, they were able to unleash power several times greater than their individual strengths, enough to make even someone like Qin Li feel utterly helpless for a moment.

Cao Hong faced few attacks, as the assailants all knew Qin Li was the primary target. As long as they killed him, the Qin Family was doomed!

Furthermore, the Ancient Map in Qin Li’s possession was a powerful lure for these greedy men. What truly drove them to risk life and limb was not revenge for Pang Wen. It was the Ancient Map, the bounty placed on Qin Li by the Hai Family, and the vast treasures held by the Qin Family!

Profit—that was the true motive driving the Iron-blooded Hall to attack the Qin Family and lay siege to Qin Li!

Seizing the moment while the group was stunned, Cao Hong instantly killed two Martial Artists at his own cultivation level and vanished into thin air. He knew what he had to do. ’If I stay here, I’ll only be a burden to the young master. Besides, aren’t there plenty of weaker enemies scattered all over this mountain?’

’Since they took part in slaughtering the young master’s family, then they can all go to hell!’

Having killed Pang Wen, Qin Li sustained a minor injury but paid it no mind. Instead, he took advantage of his enemies’ momentary stupor and Cao Hong’s breakout. A brilliant purple light flared, and a vast net of violet radiance formed around his body!

"The Purple-eyed King!" someone shrieked in terror.

"He really is the legendary Purple-eyed King!" another person gasped, covering their mouth as they stared at Qin Li in utter despair.

Just then, a faint ripple of energy emanated from the mountain peak, and a large group of people suddenly appeared before everyone’s eyes!

The Old Ape Bai Zhongshan, Bai Zhongxue, Bai Zhonghuo, the Golden Eagle, the Spiritual Eagle, the Ink Eagle, She She... Shangguan Shiyu, Leng Yao, Qinling Mountain, Qin Haiyang, Qin Haijiang, Qin Haihe... Xiaohai, Rainbow, Qin Wenxuan, Qin Hanyue, Qin Xue... and a large number of Qin Family disciples.

They all emerged from that spot. Upon seeing Qin Li, they couldn’t help but cry out in joyous surprise.

"Qin Li is back!"

"Young Master Li!"

"Li!"

"Husband!"

"Son..."

The greetings varied, but every face was wreathed in joy. Then, without the slightest hesitation, they charged toward the invaders on the mountain!

Pang Wen and his group had been searching the area for days; how could the Qin Family possibly have been unaware? The Old Ape Bai Zhongshan had already volunteered several times to lead a party out and slaughter every last one of those bastards, but he had been held back by Shangguan Shiyu and the others each time.

Currently in the Qin Family, while Qin Suo was still the Patriarch and handled all matters great and small, anything involving Bai Zhongshan and his group was almost always deferred to Shangguan Shiyu.

This was because Bai Zhongshan, She She, and their group only took orders from her. They had followed Qin Li and reaped unimaginable benefits, and as Qin Li’s wife, they naturally knew what kind of attitude to show Shangguan Shiyu.

Thus, for Spirit Beasts like Bai Zhongshan, the person in the Qin Family whose words carried the most weight—aside from Qin Li himself—was Shangguan Shiyu, followed by Leng Yao.

As for anyone else, Bai Zhongshan and the others paid them almost no heed.

Today, they had sensed an intense battle raging outside; the fluctuations were palpable even from within their sanctuary. A Mountain Guard Disciple had rushed to report the disturbance to Shangguan Shiyu.

Shangguan Shiyu and the others immediately suspected Qin Li had returned—who else would be clashing with those people outside? Furthermore, the fury of Bai Zhongshan and the others had reached a boiling point. For an expert at the Pill Nascent Soul Transformation Realm like Bai Zhongshan to have restrained himself for so many days was, given his temperament, nothing short of a miracle.

Upon emerging, the hot-tempered Old Ape didn’t even pause to greet Qin Li. He shot directly toward the men from the Iron-blooded Hall, letting out a furious roar, "You mongrels! I’ve been dying to tear you to shreds! Now, die!"

Bai Zhongxue’s cold eyes locked onto those in the distant forest attempting to flee, and her body transformed into a streak of white light as she shot in their direction.

Bai Zhonghuo gave Qin Li a quick greeting before charging off in another direction.

Xiaohai took Rainbow and charged in yet another direction.

The Golden Eagle circled high in the sky with the Spiritual Eagle and the Ink Eagle. She She sat atop the Golden Eagle’s back, instantly annihilating any enemy she spotted!

It was worth noting that after several years of tempering and growth, the numerous disciples of the Qin Family had finally forged themselves into a fighting force that could not be underestimated!

They formed small combat arrays in groups of three to five. While not as powerful as the Grand Array of the Iron-blooded Hall, these formations allowed them to face enemies far stronger than themselves without appearing strained.

More importantly, after being baptized by years of various experiences, these Qin Family disciples had finally matured. They were no longer the sheltered young masters of a Noble Family, but hardened warriors unafraid of bloodshed!

As some fell, others would instantly take their place. Each one wore a cold expression, their eyes radiating hatred. They had already learned what had happened on Profound Island from Bai Zhongshan, who had returned from scouting the outside world.

Although most of the Qin Family disciples on Profound Island belonged to branch families, they all shared the name Qin. No matter what, they were all one family!

Some were even very close to those relatives. Now, learning that the Qin Family on Profound Island had been almost completely massacred, with only a few escaping, every single disciple here was simmering with suppressed rage. Faced with their sworn enemies, how could their eyes not burn red with fury?

Shangguan Shiyu executed her Drifting Sword Technique. Wielding the Blood Jade Sword, she sent flashes of crimson light arcing through the air. Shiyu’s movements were as graceful as a fairy descending from the heavens. Though every strike claimed an enemy’s life, her beautiful form betrayed no hint of the slaughter she was wreaking.

Leng Yao gave Qin Li a deep, affectionate glance, her eyes filled with longing. With a faint smile, she transformed into a streak of lightning and plunged into a group of enemies. Just as Qin Li began to worry, ready to rush to her aid at any moment, he saw her continuously flicking black beads from her hands. Each bead that landed in the crowd would detonate with a thunderous BOOM, unleashing astonishing power!

’Heavens, what are those? They’re like hand grenades!’ Qin Li stood there, dumbfounded. The sight even dredged up memories of a weapon from his past life.

With the sudden arrival of so many members of the Qin Family, Qin Li, who should have been the busiest person on the battlefield, unexpectedly found himself with the least to do.

These men from the Iron-blooded Hall could never have imagined that a family from the so-called Mysterious Eastern Land would be hiding so many powerful experts.

Only now did they understand how vast the gap was between the intelligence they had gathered on Profound Island and the truth. The difference was like night and day.

But it was too late for regrets. Many of those who had tried to flee had already been assassinated by Cao Hong, and three terrifying Flying Spirit Beasts patrolled the skies.

An even more terrifying woman sat atop one of them, killing any enemy on sight...

Qin Li gave no orders to take prisoners; there was no need. He now knew these people were from the Iron-blooded Hall, and that the Iron-blooded Hall, in turn, seemed to have some connection to the Hai Family.

That was enough!

This so-called Iron-blooded Hall... Qin Li would absolutely not let them off the hook.

At that moment, a few members of the Iron-blooded Hall were captured alive and forced to kneel before Qin Li. Faced with the overwhelming might of the Qin Family, these once arrogant and untamable disciples lowered their proud heads in defeat. Still, they found the situation utterly unbelievable.

’How could a small family in the East possibly have so many masters? Even those who look like the family’s Low Level disciples possess remarkable strength.’

’A family this powerful is on par with some of the small or medium-sized Sects in the Land of the Far West. How could a force like this exist in the East?’

Just then, a thunderous BOOM echoed from somewhere down the mountain, drawing everyone’s gaze. A figure shot up toward Qin Li on the peak like a bolt of lightning.

"Protect Young Master Li!" a group of Qin Family disciples shouted, instinctively forming a wall in front of Qin Li. Even though they knew he was countless times stronger than they were, it was a reflexive action.

The Qin Family was only strong because of Qin Li—this was a belief shared by every single disciple.

"Young Master, help! Tell your subordinate to stop attacking me! We’re on the same side!"

To the disciples’ surprise, the newcomer seemed to be one of Young Master Li’s own men. They all turned to look at Qin Li, astonished.

It was obvious to all that this newcomer was also incredibly powerful.

The one chasing Cao Hong was none other than She She!

She was chasing Cao Hong with a playful look on her face, her crisp voice calling out, "Hey, why are you running? Just fight me a little, okay? I swear I won’t hurt you!"

Cao Hong shook his head frantically, his voice shrill with panic. "Don’t even think about it! I—I can’t beat you, can’t I just admit that? I’m not fighting you! Young Master... save me!"