Only I am Venerable

"Alright, I won’t force you. You don’t have to answer right away. Just remember the bond we’ve formed. If the Moon Shaking Immortal Palace ever faces real trouble in the future, all I ask is that you don’t stand idly by. How about it? You can at least agree to that, right?" A cunning glint flashed through the girl’s pure eyes as she looked at Qin Li.

"Alright, I can agree to that."

Qin Li nodded. The only person he truly had a grudge against was Han Mei. No one else from the Moon Shaking Immortal Palace had offended him to a fatal degree. On the contrary, people like Elder Hu, the Sect Leader Venerable and Palace Master Mingyue Ascendant, and even the unfathomably powerful Elder Yongchun before him, had all shown a clear intention to be on good terms with him.

’Since that’s the case, shouldn’t I also show some sincerity in return?’

In the days that followed, Qin Li lived in Elder Yongchun’s grotto-abode. He truly learned a great deal from her. He never expected this seemingly simple and endearing girl to possess such a profound understanding of the various Heaven and Earth Elements. It completely changed his previous perspective.

The Martial Artists Qin Li had previously encountered in the Land of the Far West all had a poor understanding of Magic, relying almost entirely on combat techniques. But with Elder Yongchun, Qin Li saw firsthand that powerful experts from the Land of the Far West could also possess an incredibly strong understanding and application of Magic.

"Are there many Martial Artists in the Land of the Far West like you, Senior, with such a profound understanding and application of Magic?" Qin Li flicked his wrist, sending a dagger condensed from wind element shooting into a massive boulder, instantly creating a deep, thumb-sized hole.

Elder Yongchun nodded in approval from the side. "You’re truly remarkable," she said. "At least, among the younger generation, I’ve never seen anyone more outstanding. However, among the older generation, there are still many who can control and wield the various elements of heaven and earth, even those only at the Pill Nascent Soul Transformation realm. Most of the people you’ve encountered may have reached the Pill Nascent Soul Transformation realm—take that peerless genius from the Hai Family, Hai Jinzun, for example. Though he’s at that level, his master likely hasn’t taught him about the understanding and application of the Heaven and Earth Law Elements yet. So, you must never assume that the Martial Artists here in the Land of the Far West are incapable of these things."

Elder Yongchun sat on the bluestone, her hands clasped and body leaning forward as she spoke slowly. "Even a Sect that was weak back in the Primordial Era, if it has survived until now, will not be lacking in knowledge and perspective."

Qin Li nodded, showing he understood. Over these past few days, his understanding and mastery of the Purple Qi Technique had reached a level of pure proficiency. When combined with his Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, Only I am Venerable technique, the power of his executed moves was far greater than before.

A month passed in the blink of an eye. One day, while Qin Li was discussing techniques with Elder Yongchun, a woman he had never seen before suddenly arrived, floating gracefully towards them with an anxious expression.

Elder Yongchun beckoned her over. When the female disciple saw Qin Li standing to the side, she froze, clearly not expecting to find an outsider—and a man, no less—in the Ancestor’s presence.

Elder Yongchun waved her hand dismissively. "If you have something to say, just say it."

"Yes, ma’am." The female disciple glanced at Qin Li, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, before reporting, "Several esteemed seniors from the Hai Family have made a sudden visit to our Immortal Palace. The Palace Master sent me to inform you."

"I’m aware. Is there anything else?" Elder Yongchun’s expression remained unchanged as she spoke indifferently.

"Also... the Saintess has suddenly vanished. She has been missing for over ten days," the female disciple added softly.

Elder Yongchun’s delicate brows knitted together. She nodded, humming in acknowledgement, then looked at Qin Li with a smile. "It seems that little lass found out you were here."

Qin Li gave a wry smile but said nothing. He knew, of course, that Han Mei hated his guts. More importantly, he had played a trick on her. To this day, Han Mei still had no idea that the Ancient Map she’d turned in was a fake...

’If she found out, she’d probably pin the blame on me for that, too, right? But I don’t care about that anymore. I’m standing right beside the Yongchun Ancestor of the Moon Shaking Immortal Palace. Han Mei has already lost the right to even speak to me directly! Didn’t that woman and her little clique love to talk about who was qualified for what?’

"Alright, I understand. You may return." Elder Yongchun dismissed the messenger disciple. She remained seated on the bluestone, lost in thought, and murmured, "Esteemed seniors from the Hai Family? What are those old fossils doing here?"

Qin Li spoke up. "They must be here for me. I just don’t know how they knew I was here." As he said this, a thought crossed his mind: ’Could Han Mei have leaked it?’

In truth, Elder Yongchun was thinking the exact same thing. Furthermore, she knew that Mingyue Ascendant sending a messenger was about more than just a simple notification. First, it was a warning to Qin Li: the Hai Family is here, be careful. The other possibility was that Mingyue Ascendant herself was under immense pressure.

How could anyone from the Hai Family worthy of the title "esteemed senior" be some run-of-the-mill character?

Elder Yongchun suddenly stood up. "Qin Li, you stay here. I’m going to see what that bunch of old geezers from the Hai Family are up to. Do they think they can bully our all-female sect?"

Qin Li shook his head. "I’m going with you. This whole thing started because of me. Besides, with my current appearance, the Hai Family won’t be able to recognize me at all."

Elder Yongchun glanced at Qin Li, then gave a silent nod. "Let’s go, then."

The two of them set off, streaking towards the main peak of the Moon Shaking Immortal Palace. The disciple who had left earlier didn’t even notice them as they swiftly overtook her. So when she finally returned to the grand hall of the Moon Shaking Immortal Palace and saw Elder Yongchun and the dark-skinned young man already there, she was stunned. Her shock was directed mainly at the dark-skinned youth. ’How could he be so fast? I couldn’t sense even a tiny fluctuation of Primordial Power from him!’

In fact, Elder Yongchun herself was utterly astonished. ’Even at full speed,’ she thought, ’I couldn’t shake him!’

’Of course, if I used Void Crossing, I’m confident I could lose him in an instant. But just using the Light Body Skill... I’m actually slower than he is!’

Considering her own cultivation realm, this was baffling. As they reached the grand hall, Elder Yongchun shot Qin Li a look as if he were some kind of monster, then strode inside.

Disciples of the Moon Shaking Immortal Palace at the doorway moved to block Qin Li, but Elder Yongchun let out a soft harrumph. The two disciples immediately backed down, their hearts pounding in fear. They stared at Qin Li in astonishment. ’Isn’t that the Firewood Delivery Servant who got into a conflict with the Saintess’s handmaiden? What kind of bullshit luck did he stumble into? He’s actually favored by Elder Yongchun and is even following beside the Yongchun Ancestor! This is unbelievable!’

Elder Yongchun was very much the type to do as she pleased, completely ignoring what others might think as she swaggered inside.

The grand hall of the Moon Shaking Immortal Palace was immense. Several massive pillars, over thirty meters tall, supported the ceiling. The pillars themselves were covered in exquisite patterns, creating a majestic and imposing atmosphere.

The floor was paved with polished blue jade that shone like a mirror, exuding an air of ancient, timeless simplicity.

Many people were already gathered in the hall, engaged in a heated debate. The sudden arrival of Elder Yongchun brought their argument to an immediate halt.

Everyone turned, their eyes falling upon Elder Yongchun and the man at her side, Qin Li.

The members of the Hai Family were momentarily stunned upon seeing Elder Yongchun. Then, several of them broke into smiles and came forward to greet her. One, a young man who looked to be in his twenties, was remarkably handsome. With sharp, angled brows and a face as fair as jade, he wore a long green robe and carried himself with a dashing, debonair air.

His eyes landed on Elder Yongchun as he laughed heartily. "Yongchun! It’s been a long time. It seems you’ve made progress again. Congratulations are in order!"

Standing beside Elder Yongchun, Qin Li noticed Hai Jinzun among the Hai Family’s ranks, staring daggers at him with a frown and a look of confusion.

Qin Li sneered internally. ’Looking for proof to expose my disguise? Dream on!’

Elder Yongchun glanced at the young man and said coolly, "So it’s you. No wonder little Mingyue sent someone to me for help. Hai Yufeng, are you regressing with age? To think you’d personally come here to make trouble for a junior."

These blunt words from Elder Yongchun brought looks of anger to the faces of many from the Hai Family. ’We don’t know who this girl is,’ they thought, ’but with a tone like that, she must be a senior from the Moon Shaking Immortal Palace. But no matter who she is, insulting our Hai Family’s ancestor is intolerable and unforgivable!’

The young man named Hai Yufeng, however, showed no trace of displeasure. He simply smiled. "Yongchun, you’re the same as always. We’ve only come to pay a visit, nothing more. Incidentally, we’re here to ask your esteemed sect for someone. This person is an enemy of my Hai Family and is hiding here. I assume you’re unaware of the matter."

Elder Yongchun raised an eyebrow, her gaze as pure as water sweeping over Hai Yufeng. "How strange. Our Moon Shaking Immortal Palace has always been strict about accepting disciples. How could we possibly have accepted an enemy of the Hai Family?"

Before Hai Yufeng could reply, Hai Jinzun pointed a finger at Qin Li and declared with absolute certainty, "Qin Li, are you going to keep up this charade? Hiding behind a woman—aren’t you ashamed?"

Elder Yongchun said coolly, "Hai Yufeng, are all the members of the Hai Family this unruly?"

Hai Yufeng frowned at Hai Jinzun and said coldly, "Shut your mouth!"

Hai Jinzun shot Qin Li a venomous glare and closed his mouth. But then he saw Qin Li’s mouth open and close, silently mouthing the words, "Shut your mouth!"

His face was a mask of mockery. The anger in Hai Jinzun’s heart, which had just been suppressed, instantly flared up again. (To be continued. If you wish to know what happens next, please log on to www.qidian.com. There are more Chapters, and you can support the author and authentic reading!)