Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

"That’s to say, the Qin Family must keep this matter extremely secret," Ling Xiao said softly. "I observed Qin Feng’s features; there’s a certain wicked air about him, likely from consuming that Essence Blood. But his aura is still relatively normal. People who practice demonic Cultivation Techniques give off a chilling sensation when you get near them. So, I’m guessing Qin Feng is unaware of the truth."

"Then how do you explain him consuming... consuming that Essence Blood you mentioned?" The moment Song Mingyue thought about that Essence Blood coming from the bodies of Martial Artists at or above the Demon Sword Master realm, she felt sick to her stomach. ’That’s horrible! Even if I die, I want nothing to do with that Qin Feng!’

Besides, over the years, the number of people from the Sea Domain Song Family estimated to have died at the hands of the Qin Family was, if not a hundred, at least several dozen. It would be no exaggeration to say the two families shared a deep-seated hatred. It was just that the truth had yet to be exposed, so for now, they both maintained their false smiles.

"What’s so hard to explain?" Ling Xiao chuckled. "It’s just like how disciples from other hidden families and sects consume Spirit Medicine to increase their strength. They were surely told it was something similar. You wouldn’t be qualified to know the truth unless you reached a certain level of power, or were a generational Patriarch or a trusted confidant of those few Sword Venerables. The Qin Family is enormous. If everyone from top to bottom knew about it, how could it have remained a secret until today?"

Only then did Song Mingyue nod. ’Ling Xiao is truly perceptive,’ she thought. ’He deduced so much from just a few words.’

Ling Xiao suddenly let out a sly laugh. "Ming Yue, tell me, if this rumor were to be spread privately, regardless of its truth, how would you react if you were an uninformed party?"

Song Mingyue’s brow furrowed slightly. "I would err on the side of caution, of course," she said softly. "The first thing I’d do is report the news back to my sect to avoid walking into a trap unknowingly."

"Hehe, exactly. So, the first thing we’ll do after we land on the island is to discreetly spread this rumor! Hmph. If there’s going to be a fight, let it be a free-for-all. Why should we be the ones on the front lines?"

At that moment, Song Mingyue was in complete awe of Ling Xiao. For so many years, the Sea Domain Song Family had tried every conceivable method to break free from the Qin Family. But just as Song Mingyue had said, if they simply announced the truth, no one would believe them. In fact, even if others did believe it, they likely wouldn’t do anything. Everyone would just enjoy watching two great families like the Qin Family and the Song Family tear each other apart.

But the situation now was completely different. Nearly all the young elites from the hidden families and sects had gathered on Qin Family turf to participate in the grand exchange event held only once every few decades. All eyes were currently focused here. Therefore, at the slightest hint of trouble, the other families would become wary of the Qin Family, if only for the sake of their own sects’ futures.

’It would be even better if the Qin Family couldn’t resist killing a few more Demon Sword Masters before this rumor gets out,’ Ling Xiao mused, a cold sneer appearing on his face. ’That would have a much greater impact! It seems I’m not so bad at scheming after all.’

The Qin Family Island was a great distance from the mainland. After the large ship had sailed at full mast for six or seven days, a small black dot finally appeared on the horizon. It gradually grew larger as they approached, and the closer they got, the clearer the view became. Many people couldn’t help but gasp. The Qin Family’s base... was truly massive!

The enormous harbor felt like a bustling metropolis. Ships of all sizes were docked or sailing to and fro, creating an incredibly lively scene. Many couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. ’The foundation of a great family truly runs deep,’ they thought. The Qin Family had developed here in obscurity for thousands of years. It was no wonder they were so generous as to offer to cover all expenses for the grand exchange event.

Their ship was the last to arrive, so many members from the families and sects who had gotten there earlier were waiting at the pier. Many of these groups had close friends among the new arrivals, so they had come to welcome them.

Hundreds of luxurious carriages were waiting outside the pier. Song Mingyue watched them and said softly to Ling Xiao, "The Qin Family’s development over the years has truly surpassed our family by a great deal!"

"This is all just for show. For great families, what really matters is strength. This ostentatious display was probably put together just for this," Ling Xiao said with a light chuckle, glancing at the luxurious carriages. He had noticed the paint on many of them was pristine and gleaming in the sunlight, without a single scratch. They had likely been prepared specifically for the grand exchange event.

Although Song Mingyue knew Ling Xiao was speaking the truth, she still gave him a sweet smile, took his arm, and boarded one of the carriages.

Not far from them, Zhao Long and his father from the East Sea Zhao Family, along with some other sect disciples, watched Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue from a distance, their eyes filled with immense hatred.

That day, Ling Xiao had first humiliated Zhao Long with a cup of water and knocked him unconscious, then proceeded to block over a thousand sword strikes from the Sword Sect expert, Zhao Jingzhi. Although Ling Xiao was eventually defeated, he hadn’t suffered a single injury. News of the incident spread that very day until nearly everyone on the ship had heard about it. The East Sea Zhao Family had utterly lost face, while Ling Xiao’s identity remained a mystery. Many people began to speculate about who he was, drawing a great deal of attention to him.