Chapter 36

Damn it, don't tell me I'd transmigrated again! What was this time, another dimension?

Of course, that was impossible. Qin Yi had merely entertained the thought. When a man in a suit and leather shoes approached, Qin Yi knew they were still at the Qin family's ancestral residence.

"Who are these two?" The man glanced at Qin Rong and Qin Yi before asking.

"My two grandsons. I have an urgent matter to report to the Council of Elders. May we enter now?" Old Master Qin said succinctly.

"All right." The man nodded. He naturally knew Old Master Qin's temperament. If it were not something important, Old Master Qin would never have brought outsiders here.

He immediately led them through the peach grove and into a thatched cottage. Four or five elderly men sat inside, dressed in ancient-style deep robes and flowing skirts. The sight amused Qin Yi.

"Reporting to the elders, the one hundred and sixty-fifth head of the Qin family has a matter to report." Old Master Qin cupped his hands and spoke.

"Oh? What matter?" one of them slowly asked.

Old Master Qin first handed up the two jade pendants separately, then repeated what Qin Yi had told him earlier.

The elders stared at the jade pendants in their hands with agitated, uncertain expressions. One of them asked Qin Yi, "Is everything you said true?"

"Of course." Qin Yi nodded.

"Heaven is helping us, heaven is helping us..." The man threw back his head and laughed heartily.

Qin Yi grumbled inwardly, What did this have to do with Heaven? If anyone deserved thanks, it was me!

"But Ancestor, how should we handle what Wan Zixuan mentioned?" Old Master Qin suddenly asked.

"This..." The man pondered for a moment before saying, "The reason we decided not to agree back then was, first, because we feared they would learn that the He Clan Jade in our possession was incomplete, and second, because we feared the Qin family lacked the strength and would be swallowed whole. But now that we have news of His Majesty the First Emperor, we only need to send everyone to His Majesty the First Emperor's side..."

What a crafty old fox! Qin Yi sighed inwardly.

"Qin Yi, can you still find the plane where His Majesty the First Emperor is?" the elder asked Qin Yi.

"I can!" More precisely, Andre could!

"Good! In that case, you can reply to Wan Zixuan. Tell them that we can help them cross the Nine Provinces Barrier, but because of the He Clan Jade, we must serve as the guides." The elder closed his eyes as he spoke.

"I'm afraid the Cultivator Alliance will not agree to that," Old Master Qin said with a frown.

"Not a problem! The initiative is in our hands. They may consider it, but they have no room to choose. Either they go to the Rainbow Continent under our guidance, or... they rot to death on Earth!" the Great Elder declared decisively.

"But..." Old Master Qin seemed to recall something and spoke hesitantly.

"What?" The Great Elder raised a brow.

"Not every descendant of the clan has the talent for cultivation. Those without the slightest spiritual root have already been sent out to do business. Over the years, it has been their contributions and wholehearted support that allowed the Qin family's disciples to develop in peace. But... sometimes, to meet the demands of the main family, they have also offended people. If we truly leave for another plane and they lose their umbrella of protection, I fear..." Old Master Qin frowned and swallowed the rest of his words.

"...Alas!" After a long silence, the Great Elder sighed. "If only we had Marrow-Cleansing Pills and Foundation Establishment Pills!"

Qin Yi's ears perked up. "What does the Great Elder want those for? Could they really, like in cultivation novels, reshape a person's meridians?"

"Precisely! After reshaping their meridians, while it cannot alter their innate talent, it can allow them to establish their foundation and cultivate. Those with good fortune may even break through to the Nascent Soul Realm. Their lifespans could then extend to five hundred years." The Great Elder patiently explained. Because of Qin Yi's unusual circumstances, his attitude toward him was especially kind. "The Rainbow Continent is also territory of cultivators. Wherever there are people, there is conflict. Those clan disciples are all skilled businessmen. With them, even if we arrive at the unfamiliar Rainbow Continent, we can quickly establish ourselves."

Not to mention they had the support of their ancestor, Ying Zheng. Unlike outsiders, they were their ancestor's direct bloodline. Once they arrived there, even if their ancestor was obsessed with the Heavenly Dao and unable to look after them, the protection afforded by that name alone would keep others from bullying them too severely. And if they developed rapidly on their own...

The Great Elder shook his head regretfully. As a member of a great family, the old man knew deeply that, no matter when, one person's strength was insignificant. Though the worldly disciples might seem less valuable than the inner disciples at first glance, it was precisely their hard work that had brought the Qin family to where it was today. Now that the Qin family had a better destination, the Great Elder naturally hoped to take everyone with them. First, he would need them to carve out a place in the new environment; second, those worldly disciples shared their bloodline, and he could not bear to leave them behind.

After listening to the Great Elder's words, Qin Yi nodded as if he understood, though not entirely. He did not know whether Marrow-Cleansing Pills and Foundation Establishment Pills were truly effective, but the divine water in Andre's Space worked quite well. Without revealing anything, he comforted him, "Rest assured, Great Elder. I have met Crown Prince Fusu, and Crown Prince Fusu is deeply concerned for the Earth branch. Once we arrive there, such a vast Qin Dynasty will surely be able to produce those pills."

"We have always wanted to find traces of His Majesty the First Emperor because we wish to restore his glory and help him bear his burdens. How can we do nothing and immediately take advantage of His Majesty the First Emperor? His Majesty has his own forces there as well. If those forces see us, would they..." the Great Elder said hesitantly.

"So that was it?" Qin Yi scratched his head awkwardly and said nothing more. Though he felt the Great Elder's thinking was admirable, he did not have a very favorable impression of anyone in the main family besides his grandfather. Especially that Third Branch couple who had disliked him at first sight... In any case, they had no real ties, and Qin Yi did not want to meddle.

"Alas!" Seeing Qin Yi's expression, the Great Elder's heart stirred. His eyes shifted as he smiled at Qin Junyu. "There are some matters I would like to discuss with you in detail!"

"Yes!" Old Master Qin bowed in acknowledgment. Then he said to Qin Yi, "Xiao Yi, you and Xiao Rong go outside and play first!"

"Oh!" Qin Yi touched his nose, knowing they had something to discuss. He obediently followed Qin Rong out.

Was there anything fun here? Clearly not!

Qin Yi and Qin Rong sat obediently on a large rock nearby and waited for about half an hour. During that time, people who were very old, neither especially old nor young, around their age, and even younger than them passed before them again and again. All looked at the two brothers with astonishment. Finally, a boy who appeared about Qin Rong's age walked up to them and asked loudly, "Are you disciples newly selected by the main family? I'm Qin Shan. I should be your senior brother."

Qin Rong and Qin Yi exchanged smiles and introduced themselves as well.

"Which branch are you from? Why haven't I seen you before?" Qin Shan blinked and asked suspiciously.

"My father is Qin Zhenguo," Qin Yi said with a smile.

"Oh!" Apparently, he had heard about Qin Zhenguo's affairs. He nodded and casually said, "My father said Second Uncle handled this matter poorly. But fortunately, you came back."

After they had exchanged only a few pleasantries, Old Master Qin came out holding a wooden box. He then led Qin Yi and Qin Rong back to the ancestral residence through the hidden passage.

Afterward, Old Master Qin sent Qin Yi and Qin Rong back to the villa first, then sent a message to Wan Zixuan. A short while later, Wan Zixuan hurried in.

"So, have you made a decision?" Wan Zixuan asked as soon as she sat down.

"Of course. The Council of Elders has agreed to your request. But there is one condition." Old Master Qin spoke unhurriedly.

"What condition?" Wan Zixuan's heart sank as she asked.

"Our Qin family will serve as the guides," Old Master Qin said blandly.

"What?" Wan Zixuan's lovely willow-leaf brows rose as she said incredulously, "Did I hear that correctly?"

"You heard quite clearly." Old Master Qin said indifferently. "Those are our terms. Whether you agree or not, go back and ask."

"That's impossible!" Wan Zixuan answered decisively. "You should know that guides need strength. What strength could you possibly have in another plane?"

"Just yesterday, we made contact with His Majesty the First Emperor." Old Master Qin's expression remained calm. "If you agree, we can all go to the Rainbow Continent together. But as compensation for using the He Clan Jade, your major sects must show some sincerity. If you do not agree, then forget it. We have our own way to seek out His Majesty the First Emperor!"

"You—" Wan Zixuan was so angry that she could not speak. She had promised her master that she could persuade Qin Junyu to hand over the He Clan Jade. What was this supposed to mean now?

"These are the terms. They will not change. Do not waste your breath trying to persuade me. Go back and ask your sect." Old Master Qin lifted his teacup and said no more.

Wan Zixuan's expression changed again and again, but in the end, she turned and left.

Watching Wan Zixuan's retreating figure, Old Master Qin understood perfectly. Times had changed; even if they were unwilling, they would still have to accept this condition. Otherwise, only a dead end awaited them. It was only... how should they proceed to gain the greatest advantage?

Old Master Qin narrowed his eyes in high spirits.

Author's note: Another five thousand~~

Chapter 36: A Gentle Confession

Chapter 36

Though he did not know how Wan Zixuan reported back to her sect, three days later, Wan Zixuan sent a paper-crane message asking to discuss the details of their cooperation. Old Master Qin held the letter and looked exceedingly pleased. At the same time, he was plotting how to make the major sects bleed heavily—after all, since every sect was leaving, some things would no longer be needed. But because of Qin Yi, the Qin family could freely travel between planes. This meant many things could be handled in secret.

That day, Old Master Qin brought Qin Rong and Qin Yi to the main family again and asked about the exact procedure for traveling to His Majesty the First Emperor's plane. After confirming there were no mistakes, Old Master Qin cleared his throat and slowly explained, "Originally, the Council of Elders intended to send all Qin descendants to the Rainbow Continent. But from what you said, it seems you can freely travel between the Rainbow Continent and Earth. Therefore, after discussion, the Council of Elders has decided to leave some clan members behind."

As he spoke, he glanced at the two of them and took a sip of the tea on the table. "What we mean is this: after sending the Cultivator Alliance to the Rainbow Continent, their mountain gates on Earth will be left empty. Though those places are small and their spiritual energy is scarce compared to the Rainbow Continent, they still have some use. We plan to leave some clan members on Earth for a hundred years, searching everywhere for promising youths with spiritual roots. After giving them some training, we will send them to the Rainbow Continent. They can be considered fresh blood for us. Besides, since they all came from Earth, as long as our Qin family has strength, we need not worry that they will betray us. Relatively speaking, they will also be closer to us. What do you think?"

Earth's spiritual energy had already become so scarce that Qin Yi saw no need to leave anyone behind. Even if they found some children with spiritual roots, so what? Could they persuade the children's parents to hand them over to this mysterious bunch, or were they going to steal the children outright? Qin Yi did not approve and felt the Council of Elders was making a mountain out of a molehill. But this was the Council of Elders' decision, so Qin Rong and Qin Yi could only smile, shake their heads, and say they had no objections. In any case, it had nothing to do with them.