The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

At Ningxiang Pavilion, by the lake.

A wisp of Purple Flame flickered gently in Qin Ya’s hand, spinning and leaping over his fingertips with incredible agility. ’Now that my cultivation has reached the Spiritual Element Realm, I can finally begin to fuse with the Purple Lotus Celestial Flame.’

In the past, the Purple Lotus Celestial Flame served not only as a tool for his alchemy but also as the foundation for the Secret Skill, the Purple Flame Body. He had once fused with the flame while only in the Human Element Realm, managing to withstand Qin Yunlong, who was in the Spiritual Element Realm, as well as most of the Qin Family’s other experts.

Its power was truly shocking.

But the side effects of this Secret Skill were significant. Even with his Leakless Body, he had been bedridden for several days before recovering.

Because of his rebirth, the Purple Lotus Celestial Flame had been reduced to a single Fire Seed, its power greatly diminished. Although it had recovered slightly as his cultivation increased, it was still far from enough. However, this also had its advantages.

In his past life, the Purple Lotus Celestial Flame had been so powerful that his cultivation was insufficient to integrate it into combat. He could only barely wield it by relying on the Secret Skill, the Purple Flame Body. Now, however, the flame was reduced to a single Fire Seed, which gave him just such an opportunity.

’If I can fully integrate it into my True Essence, I’ll be able to use it in battle without activating the Purple Flame Body. The resulting boost to my combat power will be immense.’

’Even if it’s just a Fire Seed, this is still the same Purple Lotus Celestial Flame that accompanied the Pill Venerable for hundreds of years. With my current cultivation, I’m qualified to fuse with it, but I’ll still need some external help.’

Just as Qin Ya was pondering how to fuse with the Purple Lotus Celestial Flame, his expression shifted slightly. He smiled faintly. "I have visitors."

The words had barely left his mouth when two graceful figures appeared, light as startled geese. They glided across the lake’s surface, clearing dozens of yards in an instant to arrive on the shore.

"Teacher Qin, your place is really hard to find."

"Ningxiang Pavilion... Tsk, what a nice name."

Looking at his visitors, Muu Xue and Feng Ling, Qin Ya smiled faintly. "Heh, what brings you two here? Is something wrong?"

"Teacher Qin, that’s a bit harsh," Feng Ling said with a pout, her tone playfully indignant. "We’re good students who respect our teachers, you know. Why do you make it sound like we can’t just come check up on an old man like you?"

"Uh... ’Old man’!?"

Just then, Qin Yuxiang and the other young woman heard the voices and came out as well.

Seeing them, a teasing smile spread across Feng Ling’s pretty face. She stared at Qin Ya and said, "No wonder Teacher Qin wasn’t happy to see us. You’re hiding beautiful women in your home! Who would have thought?"

"Alright, alright, I misspoke. Is that what you want to hear?"

Muu Xue nodded and smiled at the two women. "Greetings, Sister Yuu Xiang and Miss Leng. Please forgive us for visiting so abruptly."

"Don’t say that. Please, come inside and have a seat." Qin Yuxiang smiled warmly and led the two into Ningxiang Pavilion.

"Teacher Qin, we did come here today to inform you of something," Muu Xue said directly after they went inside.

"Oh? Inform me?"

Qin Ya’s interest was piqued. ’Not here to cause trouble, but to inform me of something.’

"I wonder what could be so important that it brings both of you here. I take it this matter concerns me?" Qin Ya said with a smile.

Muu Xue and Feng Ling exchanged a glance before Muu Xue said, "We’re not sure if it’s directly related to you, but we felt we had to tell you regardless. Peiyi... she’s in trouble."

"Oh?"

Qin Ya froze for a second, then his eyes narrowed. "Peiyi," he said, his voice cold. "What kind of trouble is she in? Speak."

Although Qin Ya had only met Li Peiyi a few times, he greatly admired her character. She was one of the very few people he genuinely considered a friend.

Sensing the change in Qin Ya’s tone, Muu Xue and Feng Ling knew they had made the right choice in coming to him. Someone with his character would never sit idly by.

"This is what happened..."

Muu Xue recounted the events in detail. As Qin Ya listened, his expression grew increasingly cold. However, when he heard that Li Peiyi had actually comprehended Sword Momentum, even he, with his typically unshakable composure, was astonished.

’I knew her talent in the Sword Dao was impressive, but not to this degree,’ Qin Ya thought to himself. ’It seems she’s had quite the fortuitous encounter in the short time since we last met.’

「A short while later...」

"And that’s everything that happened," Muu Xue said slowly. "Peiyi said she already owes you too much and didn’t want to trouble you again, but we thought it was best to let you know."

Having heard the whole story, Qin Yuxiang and Leng Ningshuang were grinding their teeth in anger. "This Celestial Star Squad is going too far!" Leng Ningshuang exclaimed. "Forcing people to join them... It’s shameless!"

"To act so brazenly within Mingxin Academy, that Lu Yuwei must have a powerful background," Qin Yuxiang said with a sigh. "I’m afraid someone is deliberately targeting Miss Li."

Li Peiyi was only a new student at the Academy and wasn’t well-known. She had no prior dealings with the Celestial Star Squad, so why would they single her out unless someone was pulling the strings from behind the scenes?

"That silly girl..."

’Saying she owes me favors... what a load of nonsense,’ Qin Ya thought. ’Helping the Li Family avoid disaster was for my own selfish reasons, to get revenge on the Qin Family for what they did to Aunt Yuu Xiang. And that time at Ice Moon Valley was barely any effort at all.’

"Thank you for telling me," Qin Ya said, his voice cold and a frosty glint in his eyes. "I’ll handle this. I won’t stand by and do nothing while Miss Li is in trouble."

’The Lu Family...’ he mused. ’So one of the Four Great Noble Families of the Imperial Capital is determined to get tangled up with me. First Lu Chen, now Lu Yuwei... Wait a minute. Lu Chen!’

Qin Ya’s eyes narrowed. ’Lu Chen.’

He was no fool. Li Peiyi was being harassed for no apparent reason, so there had to be an underlying cause. Lu Yuwei was from the Lu Family, and he himself had a score to settle with the Lu Family’s Lu Chen...

In that moment, the pieces began to click into place. He remembered how Li Peiyi had spoken up for him at the Warrior Arena, offending Lu Chen in the process. He recalled that Lu Chen was a prodigy of the Earth Element Realm, and that while Lu Yuwei was an expert on the Hidden Dragon List, her status within the family was far below Lu Chen’s...

’Sometimes, all you need is a single clue to see the whole picture.’ Qin Ya suddenly understood. ’So, this is all happening because of me. In that case, I have even less reason to stand by and watch. The Lu Family, Lu Chen, Lu Yuwei... you’ve all gone too far.’

"Teacher Qin, if you need any help, just let us know," Muu Xue offered. "The Lu Family may be powerful, but they can’t blot out the sky with one hand. Besides, this is Mingxin Academy. Their influence here is limited."

"Thanks..."

’It seems those two have impressive backgrounds as well,’ Qin Ya thought after seeing Muu Xue and Feng Ling off. He felt it was time he paid a visit himself.

"Auntie, Ningshuang, I’m afraid this is my fault. I can’t just stand by. I’m going to find Miss Li," he said.

Watching Qin Ya’s departing figure, Leng Ningshuang pouted and said, "Brother Qin is so eager to help. The second he heard Miss Li was in trouble, he rushed right off."

Qin Yuxiang chuckled beside her. "What’s this? Are you jealous?"

"Hmph. It’s one of the things I like about Brother Qin. He always stands up for his friends."