Breaking Free of Shackles, the Jiaolong Departs

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Qin Yi remained silent. Li Duanxuan clearly had no reason to shirk responsibility. So what if he interfered with cause and effect, leading to the destruction of the country? What he said was very likely the original course of events. Qin Yi himself had made this judgment and had also questioned why the Xiao King knew about the Startling Dragon Jade Pendant.

But this problem is truly unsolvable. The Jade Pendant had served its purpose many times in the hands of Li Qinglin and Li Qingjun, and Minghe recognized its origin, so it's possible that others had as well. As for why it reached the ears of the Xiao King, there's simply no way to trace it back.

And frankly, why the cause and effect are in disarray is no longer important.

The important thing is Li Qingjun's own choice: whether she still has the desire to restore her country, or whether she will go and cultivate with her ancestor.

Assuming the destruction of Southern Li was due to sabotage, then Li Qingjun should cultivate her skills and use her own strength to seek revenge. What's the point of restoring a kingdom? If someone can kill you once, they can kill you again. What kind of kingdom can you protect?

Qin Yi sighed and said to Li Qingjun, "Traveling to the North Sea in the morning and Cangwu in the evening, isn't this what you've always wanted? Now that the shackles are gone, and it wasn't your fault, what is there to linger over? Go."

Li Qingjun tilted her head slightly to look for the Little King.

The Little King sat under a big tree, his big eyes blinking as he looked in this direction, seemingly curious. Perhaps his young Spirit Root had no idea what kind of story this was—that the only person in the world who still cared for her, wanted to take care of her, and hoped that she could inherit a kingdom, was now at a crossroads about whether to abandon her.

Qin Yi suddenly remembered her name; it seemed to Li Wuxian. If she knew, she might really wish there were no immortals in the world.

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on her, the little girl finally reacted. She toddled over with her short legs, stretched out her chubby little hands, and said to Qin Yi, "Daddy, hug me..."

Qin Yi: "!"

Li Qingjun was completely confused, but the scene amused her, and she whispered, "If I go, what about her?"

Qin Yi picked up the little girl and turned to ask Li Duanxuan, "She's also your descendant, aren't you going to take care of her?"

Li Duanxuan calmly said, "She calls you father."

"Hello!"

"She lacks the sword bone, making her unsuitable for the cultivation of Penglai," Li Duanxuan said calmly. "Even if I take her to the East Sea, she can only serve as an Outer Sect servant; that's the rule."

Qin Yi said angrily, "Fine, fine, what a heartless immortal! I'll take this girl with me; I can give her a carefree life on Qinqi Peak."

"If I were you, I wouldn't let her learn Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, Painting," Li Duanxuan said. "This child's destiny is extraordinary, and I can't quite see it clearly. But at least I can see that she possesses the True Dragon Aspect, which even the destruction of Southern Li couldn't eliminate. If she's not Empress of the mortal realm, she'll be Immortal Dao immortal. With such a destiny, you'd let her learn Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, Painting?"

Qin Yi gasped, leaning back slightly to look at the little girl's chubby face.

Is that really that awesome?

He tried asking the girl, "Do you know what's going on?"

That's a ridiculous question. This is only two years old, what could he possibly know? He's lucky he can even talk...

But to everyone's surprise, the girl actually spoke, "Daddy, let's go to Daqian. There was a messenger grandpa who said that Daqian is very beautiful and has dragons."

There is a dragon...

Qin Yi's heart stirred, and he remembered Meng Qingying's deal.

If only a sliver of the Great Qianlong Qi could be given to her...

Qin Yi instantly devised a plan. If he offered the land of Southern Li to the Great Qian, and with his status as an "Immortal," it would be incredibly easy for the Da Qian Emperor to adopt the child as his goddaughter. Furthermore, with the Great Qian's dragon energy taken away, chaos would erupt within a few years, and the struggle for supremacy would continue for many years. The child would also be of age by then. With both status and dragon energy, even if she didn't become Empress, she would at least have a chance to establish her Be Granted Land and Title! It would be far greater than Southern Li!

To put it bluntly, her father's ambition might not have been solely for Southern Li itself, but rather for worldly achievements. If this child truly has a greater future, her father would surely smile in the Nine Springs Below.

But the premise is that she really has the "True Dragon Aspect," so it's not just a hoax.

Qin Yi couldn't help but ask, "Senior, you're Sword Cultivator, how do you know these divination techniques?"

Li Duanxuan chuckled, "I took so many detours in my early years before I finally focused on swordsmanship. All that I learned before was wasted. Even if I hadn't mastered it, how could I not see this basic aura?"

Qin Yi was speechless for a moment.

Since there's nothing to say, it's as if there's no need to say anything. Whether the child goes to Daqian or returns to Qinqi Peak with him, there's a way to go. In any case, Li Qingjun doesn't need to worry about it. So, the decision of where to go is entirely up to Qing Jun's own will.

Qin Yi could guess Li Qingjun's choice. Although she was persistent and responsible, she was neither foolish nor stubborn.

Li Qingjun's smile hadn't faded since the child had made her laugh, as if an unexpected turning point had been triggered, and a knot in her heart had been untied.

She smiled and straightened up from Qin Yi's embrace, whispering, "Qin Yi, Nan Southern Li gone."

Qin Yi hummed in agreement.

"Since there are no more people from Southern Li, then from now on there will only be Qin family's wife." Li Qingjun said, "I will go to cultivate, but not to slay demons and monsters, but to keep up with you."

Qin Yi's lips also curled into a smile, "That's only right."

Li Qingjun said, "Forgive me for having to leave you for a while again... As long as I achieve success in my cultivation one day, I will go wherever you go."

Li Duanxuan hesitated for a moment, scrutinizing Qin Yi for a while, but ultimately said nothing.

In fact, Qin Yi knew what he was thinking. It was probably the same old story about severing emotions through swordsmanship. He was silent because he believed that Qing Jun would eventually sever those emotions naturally as she cultivated.

He felt there was no need to dwell on this. His theory of Immortal Dao also required detachment from emotions, but he hadn't, yet he still cultivated perfectly well. What was so remarkable about that? He also had his own way of Wolf Tooth Club, and his swordsmanship was exceptionally powerful.

Li Qingjun's determination surpassed many people's imagination. When Southern Li's ties disappeared, the vows she once made took hold of her heart. Nothing else could make her give up. Qin Yi understood her much better than Li Duanxuan.

"Go." He gently brushed the stray hairs from Li Qingjun's forehead, then lowered his head and kissed her lips. "From the day we met, I felt that you shouldn't be trapped in the Southern Li."

"I won't lose to those vixens of yours, whether it's Minghe or that Meng girl." Li Qingjun said seriously, Qin Yi was surprised to find that the energy in her body began to change.

There is a sign that one's true qi is beginning to break through to the Gang Qi, which is derived from ordinary True Qi.

Seriously? This breakthrough was all because of jealousy? There's no more awesome way to break through than this! Qin Yi was so shocked he forgot to explain that the person surnamed Meng had nothing to do with him...

Li Duanxuan's satisfied voice reached his ears. "Indeed, Innate Sword Bone, extraordinary beyond the ordinary. Once you break free from your shackles and all your burdens are lifted, you will be able to soar through the heavens and the seas, a dragon flying through the nine heavens, your sword roaring across the sky."

Oh, so that's the reason. It has nothing to do with jealousy.

That's true... Li Qingjun had been bound by too many shackles before, and once he was freed, it was equivalent to an enlightenment in the Immortal Dao. Just as Liusu said to him, having experienced the mortal world, he can now leave... Li Qingjun's entry and exit were much more thorough and profound than Qin Yi's.

This is countless times richer than the journey of many who have cultivated since childhood. Perhaps from now on, their cultivation will be faster than anyone else's. This is truly Breaking Free of Shackles, the Jiaolong Departs.

Qin Yi was overjoyed and kissed Li Qingjun's forehead again. "I will wait for you on the Immortal Path. Remember to catch up with me, and we will travel together again."

Li Duanxuan seemed unable to bear it any longer. With a flick of his sleeve, Sword Qi Soaring to the Sky, and Qin Yi instinctively covered his eyes. When he opened them again, Li Qingjun had already vanished along with her ancestor.

Qin Yi picked up the baby and laughed, "Little guy, you're a lucky one. This trip to Daqian is just the right time; there might be some good food for you."

The little girl's chin rested on Qin Yi's neck, and Qin Yi could not see her expression, nor could he see the slyness that seemed to flash in her big eyes, a slyness that should not have appeared on her.