The bloody stench in the old courtyard had yet to be completely scattered by the night wind when Qin Yu helped the two black-clad elders to their feet and briefly examined their injuries.
Though the two elders had not died on the spot after being struck by Yi Qingyu's Deep Blue Poison Needles, their meridians were damaged and poison had entered their bodies. Qin Yu immediately took out several Antidote Pills and Heart-Protecting Pills for them to swallow, then slowly channeled his own pure fire-attribute spiritual energy into them to force out some of the poison.
"Thank you, Third Highness..." The two elders were weak, but still managed to clasp their hands in gratitude.
"Save your words for later. We can't stay here. Let's return to the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion at once."
Qin Yu supported Lian Yan, whose injuries were more severe, with one hand, and carefully tucked the seven-colored Jade Box containing the Heaven-Reaching Chart into his robes with the other. With a thought, he drew both swords back into his body.
Under the deep night sky, several figures sped away, leaving behind a scene of destruction and corpses to tell the tale of the shocking battle that had just taken place in the silent old courtyard.
They hurried along, and before long, the imposing silhouette of the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion came into view.
The guards at the gate saw Qin Yu return with Lian Yan supported in his arms. Noticing that the aura of violence still clung to him, they quickly bowed without daring to ask questions. Qin Yu took Lian Yan straight to a resting room in the outer courtyard and instructed him, "Grandpa Lian, rest here and focus on recovering. I'll go inform Father."
"All right..." Lian Yan caught his breath, but the excitement in his eyes was still unmistakable. "We got out of there in one piece and claimed the Heaven-Reaching Chart, all thanks to you. Xiaoyu, you've really grown up."
Qin Yu smiled faintly and said nothing. He turned and headed for the study where Qin De was.
The study was brightly lit.
Prince of Eastern Suppression Qin De sat at his desk, reading reports on the border situation. A solemn air, befitting a man long accustomed to authority, rested between his brows. At the sound of footsteps, he looked up and saw Qin Yu approaching alone, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"Xiaoyu, you're back? Where's Uncle Lian?"
"Grandpa Lian returned safely. He's recovering in the outer courtyard." Qin Yu bowed, his tone calm. "The Tyrant Dragon Army's forces have all been dealt with."
The scroll in Qin De's hand stopped. He abruptly rose to his feet. "All of them? That old Xiantian peak-stage villain, Yi Qingyu, is dead too?"
"Yes. Grandpa Lian and I fought together, and Yi Qingyu has been killed. The forces Xiang Guang planted here have been wiped out in one stroke. Xiang Guang has suffered another loss."
Qin De stared at the son who had been born with an unusual dantian and unable to cultivate internal energy. Shock, pride, and emotion mingled in his eyes. At last, he gave Qin Yu a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Good! Good! You truly are my son! What you've done not only saved Lian Yan, but also severed one of Xiang Guang's arms. You've rendered a great service!"
Qin Yu gave a slight nod, not taking credit for himself. "It was a matter of chance. Grandpa Lian has always treated me like his own grandson. I couldn't just stand by."
"Having that kind of heart is enough." Qin De took a deep breath, suppressing the tumult within him. "What about the Heaven-Reaching Chart?"
"It's here."
Qin Yu took the seven-colored Jade Box from his robes and presented it with both hands.
Qin De opened the box. Inside lay an ancient jade chart, its mysterious patterns faintly circulating with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It was one of the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts, coveted by countless experts.
"Good, good..." Qin De examined it repeatedly, his eyes glinting. "With this chart, the Qin Family has gained another trump card. Put it away safely in the mansion's treasury."
"Yes, Father."
Qin Yu took the Jade Box, bid farewell to Qin De, and headed for the mansion's treasury.
The Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion's treasury was a restricted area of the Qin Family, heavily guarded and surrounded by formations. Ordinary people could not even get near it. Only Qin De, Qin Yu, and a few trusted inner-circle members were allowed to enter.
The treasury doors were as heavy as a mountain. Qin Yu used his personal token to open them and stepped inside.
Pearls and treasures gleamed all around. Divine weapons, spirit medicines, cultivation techniques, and rare curiosities filled the place, but none caught Qin Yu's eye. He headed straight for the row of hidden compartments deep inside the treasury, where confidential treasures were stored, intending to put away the Heaven-Reaching Chart he had just acquired.
But the moment his gaze passed over a jade box that had lain undisturbed for a long time, he stopped in his tracks.
A mysterious aura, of the same origin as the Heaven-Reaching Chart in his arms, lingered around the box.
Qin Yu's heart stirred. He reached for the dust-covered Jade Box and opened it—
His pupils contracted slightly.
Inside lay another Heaven-Reaching Chart!
One was in his arms, and another he had obtained from Zhen Xu's residence after killing Zhen Xu. Now, deep in the treasury, a third one was hidden away!
All three charts were together!
Qin Yu stood frozen. A moment later, he slowly came to his senses and couldn't help giving a soft laugh.
He had thought gathering the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts would be an undertaking without precedent. Yet after all the twists and turns, he had collected them all in one day.
But...
Qin Yu gently brushed his fingers over the three charts, his mind perfectly clear.
When he had first become Yun Ce's disciple, Yun Ce had already taught him every secret behind the Heaven-Reaching Chart. The path of cultivation, the mysteries of the techniques, the workings of heaven and earth—he had long since mastered them all. To him, the three physical charts were merely a way to verify what he had learned and held little practical value.
He placed all three Heaven-Reaching Charts in a specially made secure Jade Box, sealed it again, and returned it to the depths of the treasury.
"Since they're of no use to me, I'll leave them here and await someone destined to find them."
When he had finished, Qin Yu turned and left the treasury. The doors slowly closed, burying the charts' luminous secrets deep within.
After leaving the mansion, Qin Yu did not linger. He sped off toward Cloud Mist Villa.
The night began to fade, and the eastern horizon turned faintly pale.
Cloud Mist Villa remained as tranquil as a painting, shrouded in mist and fragrant with spirit herbs.
Yun Ce had already been sitting in wait on the villa's terrace, dressed in white and seeming to float free of the mortal world.
Sensing the familiar aura drawing near, Yun Ce slowly opened his eyes, a smile in them.
Qin Yu landed on the terrace and bowed. "Master."
"Did everything go smoothly?" Yun Ce asked warmly.
Qin Yu recounted everything in detail: the battle in the old courtyard, the killing of Yi Qingyu, the acquisition of the Heaven-Reaching Chart, and even the unexpected discovery of a third chart in the mansion's treasury, bringing all three together.
Yun Ce listened quietly, occasionally nodding.
When Qin Yu had finished, Yun Ce rose to his feet and looked at his personal disciple, his eyes full of pride.
"Xiaoyu, today you showed courage, wisdom, loyalty, and compassion."
"You protected your family, struck at your enemies, and remained calm when all three Heaven-Reaching Charts came together. You neither coveted them nor became attached to them. Your state of mind has already surpassed that of your peers by far."
"You... have finally truly grown up."
Qin Yu lowered his head. "Without your patient guidance, Master, I'd still be the useless man who couldn't cultivate. Everything I've achieved today is thanks to you."
Yun Ce shook his head gently and patted his shoulder, his gaze turning toward the sun rising on the distant horizon.
"In the end, the path of cultivation is one you must walk yourself. Reaching this point is your good fortune, and it comes from the person you are."
"The Heaven-Reaching Charts are of no use to you now. Leaving them in the mansion to await their destined owner is the best place for them."
"From now on, focus on cultivating here at Cloud Mist Villa and consolidating your strength."
Qin Yu lifted his head and gazed at the sun breaking through the darkness. His twin swords gave a faint ring within his body, and his eyes shone like brilliant stars.
He knew that the battle in the old courtyard was only the beginning.
Xiang Guang's fury, the undercurrents in court, the conflicts engulfing the world, and the many perils on the path of cultivation...
Everything had only just begun.
Before you continue