The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

The Li Family...

Patriarch Li Heyu was beside himself with rage, slamming his teacup down. "Damn it all! What madness has possessed the Qin Family? To openly declare war on us and the Zhang Family! Don’t tell me that bastard Qin Hai broke through to the Spiritual Element Realm. Impossible. He was only at the Profound Yuan Eighth Grade during the Mang Mountain hunt."

"He couldn’t have, but Qin Yunlong could have," Li Peiyi said coolly from the side, a trace of resentment flashing in her bright eyes.

"Qin Yunlong!" Li Heyu’s expression turned grave. Qin Yunlong was exceptionally talented to begin with, and he had joined Mingxin Academy five years ago. It was entirely possible his strength had now reached the Spiritual Element Realm. If so, the Qin Family would have the confidence to attack both the Zhang and Li Families at once.

’What a terrifying young man, to have reached such a level at his age.’

"I’m less concerned with Qin Yunlong’s Realm and more curious about those two traitors from the Qin Family," Li Peiyi mused. "Why did they betray the clan the moment Qin Yunlong returned? And how did they manage to escape from the Qin Mansion, which is crawling with experts?"

"That is a bit strange."

「Three days later, Qin Yunlong formally emerged from his seclusion and gathered the Qin Family’s elite.」

The Zhang Family...

Staring at the large contingent of Qin Family Martial Artists before him, Zhang Feng’s face was as dark as a thundercloud. "Qin Hai, I’m very curious what gives you the audacity to do this."

"Heh heh, the three-way stalemate between our families has gone on for too long. It’s time to break it. From now on, my Qin Family will be the sole ruler of Anxing City." Qin Hai, wielding his Third-Grade Profound Soldier, the Fiery Sun Saber, gave a cold laugh and then launched his attack.

"Men of the Zhang Family, the battle to protect our clan is today! Kill!"

The great battle began...

Half a day later, few of the Zhang Family’s elites remained. Zhang Feng’s face was etched with grief. He stared at the white-robed figure in the crowd, his eyes filled with despair. "Qin Hai, you raised a fine son. To reach the Spiritual Element Realm at such a young age."

"Hmph. A pity you aren’t blessed with such fortune." Qin Hai swung his Fiery Sun Saber. Zhang Feng’s head flew high into the air, and blood gushed like a fountain.

Zhang Family Patriarch Zhang Feng... was dead!

"Those who surrender will not be killed!!!" Qin Hai bellowed.

The remaining Zhang clan members looked at each other, then dropped their weapons and knelt on one knee.

From that day on, the Zhang Family of Anxing City was no more. All of their assets were taken over by the Qin Family. The other powers in Anxing City were all utterly horrified.

In the main hall of the Li Family residence, Li Heyu’s face was etched with worry. The Elders were at a loss, completely caught off guard by the Qin Family’s aggressive display of power.

"It seems Qin Yunlong truly has broken through to the Spiritual Element Realm. Elders, what should we do?" Li Heyu sighed, his voice heavy with distress.

"Clan Leader, at this point, our only choice is to fight to the death."

"That’s right! The Li Family will never bow down! We’ll fight them to the end!"

"Fight them with what? We should lie low for now and evacuate Anxing City."

"Hmph. Do you think the Qin Family will let us leave Anxing City peacefully? If we fight to the death, we still have a sliver of hope. If we retreat, we will surely die."

The Elders in the hall argued endlessly. Li Heyu grew increasingly agitated, a vein throbbing on his forehead. "All of you, silence!" he roared.

The noisy hall instantly fell quiet. Li Heyu looked at Li Peiyi, who hadn’t spoken, and asked, "Peiyi, do you have any suggestions?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"At this point, it doesn’t matter if we fight or flee. The Qin Family will not let us go. The other clan members might be fine—as long as they surrender, the Qin Family probably won’t make things difficult for them. But to prevent us from ever rising from the ashes, Father, you and the Elders, as the core strength of the family, will almost certainly be killed."

"The biggest problem now is that Qin Yunlong has broken through to the Spiritual Element Realm. We have no one who can stand against him. The Qin Family has just absorbed the Zhang Family and will need time to digest their gains and consolidate their new assets. This gives us a little breathing room."

"However," Li Peiyi said coolly, "if we can’t find a way to counter Qin Yunlong during this time, we will not escape this calamity."

Hearing this, a bitter taste filled Li Heyu’s mouth. "The Spiritual Element Realm... The difference between ’Profound’ and ’Spiritual’ may just be a single word, but even ten Profound Origin Ninth Grade Martial Artists couldn’t defeat one Martial Artist who has just stepped into the Spiritual Element Realm. In all of Anxing City, besides Qin Yunlong, I’ve never heard of anyone else reaching that level."

Just as everyone was at their wit’s end, Qin Ya, dressed in a black robe and wearing a silver mask, arrived outside the Li Family’s main gate. He chuckled and was about to walk right in.

At that moment, the two guards at the gate saw a mysterious, black-robed figure of unknown origin approaching. They immediately tightened their grip on their longswords, their faces full of vigilance.

It was a tense time, with war against the Qin Family imminent. The entire Li Family was on edge, so paranoid that every rustle of the leaves sounded like an enemy soldier. The two guards dared not be careless and directly blocked Qin Ya’s path.

"Halt! Who are you?"

"Someone who can help your Li Family overcome this crisis," Qin Ya said coolly, intentionally making his voice sound raspy.

"’Overcome this crisis?’" The two guards exchanged a look, both surprised and suspicious.

"Hmph. What nonsense. Get out of here."

Qin Ya wasn’t angered. He simply lifted his foot and walked in. The two guards who tried to stop him were sent flying by an immense force.

"Enemy attack!!" one of the guards shouted.

Qin Ya, who had already entered the courtyard, was instantly surrounded by a large group of Li clan members. He chuckled, executed the Carefree Travel Body Technique, and flew right over their defensive line.

In the main hall, Li Heyu noticed the commotion outside and frowned. ’Could the Qin Family be attacking already?’

With that, Li Heyu and the Elders walked out.

"What a brilliant Body Technique! To move so freely while surrounded by so many people... it must be a Profound Level Body Technique Martial Skill at the very least," Li Heyu exclaimed in amazement.

Seeing this, a strange light flashed in Li Peiyi’s eyes.

"Stop!" Li Heyu shouted. He looked at the black-robed man before him, his heart filled with doubt. ’This man’s Body Technique is incredible. Why would he come to the Li Family? Could he be an assassin sent by the Qin Family?’ At this thought, his tone grew colder.

"Sir, who are you? And why have you come here to cause trouble without reason?"

Qin Ya wasted no words. "Right now, your Li Family is like a candle in the wind, liable to be extinguished at any moment. I am here to help you withstand that wind. I can help you fight the Qin Family."

Hearing this, Li Heyu’s expression turned serious. "Sir, your strength may be extraordinary, but do you know that the Qin Family of today is not what it used to be?"

"So what if they have one more Qin Yunlong at the Spiritual Element Realm?"

"Oh? If you know that, then why do you insist on wading into these muddy waters?" Li Heyu was surprised and found Qin Ya increasingly difficult to read.

"It’s nothing much. I just have a score to settle with Qin Yunlong. Whatever he wants to do, I’m here to stop him. Don’t worry, your Li Family has nothing that I covet. Besides, for you, in your current situation... how much worse can things get by accepting my help?" Qin Ya said coolly.

Li Heyu thought for a moment. The Li Family was in a precarious position, and the Qin Family was watching them like a tiger watches its prey. It didn’t matter what this mysterious black-robed man’s intentions were. Things couldn’t possibly get any worse than being wiped out by the Qin Family.

"Very well. The Li Family thanks you for your help, Sir."