Three Maps Gather, Waiting for the Fated One

The bloody scent within the ancient courtyard had not yet been fully dispersed by the night breeze when Qin Yu lifted the two elderly men in black, briefly checking their injuries.

Having been struck by the Deep Blue Poison Needle of Yi Qingyu, the two elders had not died on the spot, but their meridians were damaged and the poison had invaded their bodies. Qin Yu immediately took out several Antidote Pills and Heart-Protecting Pills for them to consume, then channeled his own pure fire-attribute spiritual energy into them to slowly force out a portion of the toxin.

"Many thanks, Third Prince..." The two elders spoke with weak breaths, yet still struggled to cup their hands in gratitude.

"Do not speak for now. This place is not safe to linger; we shall return to the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion immediately."

Qin Yu supported the more heavily injured Lian Yan with one hand, while carefully tucking the colorful jade box containing the Heaven-Reaching Chart into his robes with the other. With a thought, he retracted his twin swords into his body.

The night was deep, and several figures sped away, leaving behind a scene of chaos and corpses that told the tale of the thrilling slaughter that had just occurred in the silent ancient residence.

Rushing along the way, it was not long before the towering silhouette of the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion appeared in view.

The gate guards saw Qin Yu return supporting Lian Yan, and noticing the lingering Sha Qi on his body, they quickly bowed in salute, not daring to ask any questions. Qin Yu led Lian Yan directly to the outer courtyard lounge and instructed:

"Grandpa Lian, please rest and recover here for now. I will go report to Father."

"Good..." Lian Yan gasped for air, his eyes still unable to hide his agitation. "To be able to retreat unscathed and obtain the Heaven-Reaching Chart this time is all thanks to you. Xiao Yu, you have truly grown up."

Qin Yu smiled slightly without saying much, then turned and headed toward the study where Qin De was located.

Inside the study, the lamps were burning bright.

The Eastern Suppressing Prince, Qin De, was sitting at his desk, reviewing military reports from the border, his brow furrowed with the gravity of one who had long held a high position. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Qin Yu arriving alone, a trace of doubt appearing in his eyes.

"Xiao Yu, you are back? Where is Uncle Lian?"

"Grandpa Lian has returned safely and is currently resting in the outer courtyard to recover from his injuries." Qin Yu bowed in salute, his tone calm. "The Tyrant Dragon Army party has been completely eliminated."

The scroll in Qin De's hand paused, and he stood up abruptly: "Completely eliminated? That old scoundrel Yi Qingyu, who is at the peak of the Xiantian realm, is also dead?"

"Yes, with Grandpa Lian and me working together, Yi Qingyu has been executed. The forces that Xiang Guang planted here have been wiped out in one stroke, and that Xiang Guang has suffered another loss of strength."

Qin De gazed for a long time at this son of his, who had possessed an unusual dantian since childhood and was unable to practice internal martial arts. Shock, gratification, and emotion intertwined in his eyes, and finally, he patted Qin Yu heavily on the shoulder.

"Good! Good! You are worthy of being my son, Qin De! What you have done this time not only saved Lian Yan but also severed an arm of Xiang Guang. A great achievement!"

Qin Yu nodded slightly, not taking credit: "It was just a matter of timing. Grandpa Lian treats me like his own grandson; I could not sit idly by."

"Having that heart is enough." Qin De took a deep breath, suppressing the waves in his heart. "Where is the Heaven-Reaching Chart?"

"It is here."

Qin Yu took out the colorful jade box from his robes and offered it with both hands.

Qin De opened the jade box to see an ancient jade scroll lying quietly inside. Its patterns were profound, and it faintly shimmered with the flow of heaven and earth spiritual energy; it was indeed one of the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts that countless experts sought to seize.

"Good, good..." Qin De examined it repeatedly, his eyes flashing with brilliance. "With this chart, my Qin family's hidden strength increases once more. You should keep this chart safe and store it in the mansion's treasury."

"Yes, Father."

Qin Yu took the jade box, bid farewell to Qin De, and turned toward the mansion's treasury.

The treasury of the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion was a vital area for the Qin family, heavily guarded and surrounded by formations, making it difficult for ordinary people even to approach. Only Qin De, Qin Yu, and a few core confidants had the qualifications to enter.

The treasury door was as heavy as a mountain; Qin Yu opened it with his exclusive token and stepped inside.

The surroundings were filled with pearls, treasures, divine weapons, spiritual herbs, cultivation manuals, and rare curiosities, yet none of these could attract Qin Yu's gaze. He walked straight to the depths of the treasury, to the row of secret compartments where top-secret items were kept, preparing to properly store the newly acquired Heaven-Reaching Chart.

But just as his gaze swept over a jade box that had been silent for a long time, his footsteps suddenly halted.

From that jade box emanated a trace of profound energy, identical in origin to the Heaven-Reaching Chart in his arms.

Qin Yu's heart stirred; he reached out to take down the dust-covered jade box and opened it—

His pupils shrank slightly.

Inside the jade box was, unexpectedly, another Heaven-Reaching Chart!

He had one in his arms, he had seized one after killing Zhen Xu at his residence, and here, deep in the treasury, a third one was hidden!

The three charts were gathered!

Qin Yu stood frozen in place, only slowly coming back to his senses a moment later, unable to help but let out a soft laugh.

He had originally thought that collecting the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts was an impossible task, yet after all the twists and turns, he had gathered them all in one day.

Only...

Qin Yu's fingertips gently brushed over the three scrolls, his heart clear and calm.

Long before he became a disciple under his master Yun Ce, Yun Ce had already imparted the true mysteries of the Heaven-Reaching Charts to him. The path of cultivation, the profound meanings of techniques, and the mysteries of heaven and earth were already clear in his mind. To him, these three physical scrolls were merely a verification of what he had learned and held no great practical use.

He placed the three Heaven-Reaching Charts together into a specially made secure jade box, resealed them, and returned them to the depths of the treasury.

"Since they are of no use to me, I shall leave them here and wait for those destined to find them."

After finishing all this, Qin Yu turned and walked out of the treasury. The heavy doors slowly closed, hiding the profound light and secrets of the three Heaven-Reaching Charts deep within.

Leaving the mansion, Qin Yu did not linger; he unfolded his figure and sped toward Cloud Mist Villa.

The night was fading, and a pale white light appeared on the horizon.

Cloud Mist Villa remained as quiet as a painting, surrounded by clouds and mist, with the fragrance of spiritual herbs in the air.

Yun Ce was already sitting in meditation on the villa's terrace, waiting, dressed in white and looking ethereal and detached from the world.

Sensing that familiar aura approaching, Yun Ce slowly opened his eyes, a smile lingering in his gaze.

Qin Yu landed on the terrace and bowed respectfully: "Master."

"Has everything been settled?" Yun Ce's voice was gentle.

Qin Yu recounted the battle at the old residence, the slaying of Yi Qingyu, the seizure of the Heaven-Reaching Chart, and even the unexpected discovery of the third Heaven-Reaching Chart in the royal treasury, detailing the gathering of the three charts one by one.

Yun Ce listened quietly, nodding slightly from time to time.

Once Qin Yu finished speaking, Yun Ce stood up, his gaze falling upon his personal disciple, his eyes filled with gratification.

"Xiao Yu, what you have done today shows both courage and strategy, loyalty and righteousness."

"You have protected your loved ones, severed the claws of your enemies, and can even view the gathering of the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts with indifference; neither greedy nor obsessed, your state of mind has already far surpassed your peers."

"You... have finally truly grown up."

Qin Yu lowered his head: "Without Master's meticulous guidance, I would still be that cripple unable to cultivate. Everything today is a gift from you."

Yun Ce shook his head gently, raised a hand to pat his shoulder, and looked toward the rising morning sun on the distant horizon.

"The path of cultivation must ultimately be walked by oneself. That you have reached this point is your own fortune, and the result of your own heart."

"The Heaven-Reaching Charts are useless to you now; leaving them in the royal residence to await their destiny is the best outcome."

"For now, you shall cultivate with peace of mind at Cloud Mist Villa and consolidate your strength."

Qin Yu looked up at the morning sun breaking through the darkness, his twin swords humming faintly within his body, his eyes shining as brilliantly as the stars.

He knew that the battle at the old residence was only the beginning.

The fury of Xiang Guang, the undercurrents of the imperial court, the strife of the world, the countless perils on the path of cultivation...

Everything had only just begun.