Sorry, My Nine Clans

"Go."

Lianshan Xin released his restraint.

The divine dragon swept its tail and soared toward the azure heavens.

But just before it reached the roof, Lianshan Xin spoke again. "Disperse!"

The divine dragon's force instantly vanished without a trace.

Had an ordinary Qi Condensation Realm martial artist witnessed this scene, it would have overturned everything they knew.

Even Lianshan Xin himself was profoundly shaken, despite having prepared himself for it.

Only when I command the dragon to fly can it fly. When I command it to die, it must die. My word is heaven's law, my station above emperors-this was the Dragon Subjugation Lineage's true place in the world during the Primordial Era.

The apex of the food chain wasn't the true dragon emperor at all. It was the dragon-subjugating cultivator.

Controlling the rise and fall of dynasties, holding the power of life and death. I have to say, it fits my idea of what mighty cultivators in a great age of immortal cultivation should be.

Compared with the "Dragon Aiders" lineage Qi Shiyun had described, what Lianshan Xin had comprehended was clearly a more orthodox and more powerful inheritance.

This was the true Dragon Subduers Immortal Art, which only those who had condensed "Dragon-Slaying" true intent were qualified to cultivate.

But a thousand years later, immortals were nowhere to be found, while the Martial Dao flourished. The Imperial Family stood high above all others, and the emperor commanded powerful armies. The strong and weak had traded places, and the "Dragon Subjugation" lineage had consequently become the "Dragon Aiders" lineage, then the "Chosen of Heaven" lineage.

Had Lianshan Xin not possessed the audacity to use Princess Dai Yueying's life to condense "Dragon-Slaying" true intent, he would never have discovered the true inheritance of the "Dragon Subjugation" lineage.

By a fluke, I stumbled onto the most correct path-and the most difficult one.

For me, advancing to the True Intent Realm is already as natural as water flowing into a channel. But to reach great accomplishment of true intent and break through again... I'll probably have to keep slaying dragons.

The upside is that if I can make it all the way down this most difficult path, I'll be absolutely invincible among the Dragon Aiders at my realm. Qi Shiyun ranked Third Under Heaven among those at her realm without cultivating Dragon-Slaying true intent. That means, looking across the world, I can secure second place and aim for first.

The downside is that Qi Shiyun was right. This path burns through far too many sets of nine clans...

Times really have changed.

Lianshan Xin shook his head helplessly.

At that moment, he felt that heaven really was fair.

It had pointed out a clear, practicable path of cultivation that would make him invincible.

It had also explained the greatest danger under heaven awaiting him on that invincible path.

This was not a thousand years ago. The foundations built by the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty over a millennium were certainly not something a mere Qi Condensation Realm martial artist like him could challenge.

The Dragon Subjugation Lineage's cultivation path is outdated. This is the age of teaming up with emperors.

Lianshan Xin clearly understood the current state of the world. His present strength simply would not allow him to recreate the Dragon Subjugation Lineage's glory during the Primordial Era.

But my Dragon-Slaying true intent is already formed. The wood has already become a boat. If I don't keep slaying dragons, I can only stop at the True Intent Realm...

Dai Yueying, you treasure of a girl. Even dead, you're still giving me problems to solve.

The corner of Lianshan Xin's mouth twitched, then his gaze gradually grew resolute.

Killing one princess already used up my entire nine-clan quota. I have nothing left to lose.

Sorry, my nine clans. Luckily, there aren't many relatives on either of my parents' sides.

He Miaojun had originally been the daughter of a wealthy family. Unfortunately, her family had fallen on hard times, then been slaughtered by bandits, wiping out the entire clan. That she herself had survived was already extraordinarily fortunate, though she had been left with severe injuries.

According to his mother, other relatives might also have survived, but they had scattered to the ends of the earth, leaving no way to find them.

As for Lianshan Jingcheng, his story was much more inspirational than Lianshan Xin's. At least Lianshan Xin had been born to a father who ran a medical clinic. Lianshan Jingcheng had been nothing more than a village shepherd boy.

A plague had killed or injured more than half the village and left Lianshan Jingcheng an orphan.

Fortunately, a Wandering Healer had passed through at the time, saved the dying Lianshan Jingcheng, and taught him some medicine.

Even the name "Lianshan Jingcheng" had been given to him by that healer. Neither Lianshan Jingcheng nor his parents had possessed that kind of learning. Back then, he had been called "Tiezhu."

Lianshan Xin could only say it was a good change. Otherwise, the surname "Lianshan" would have been wasted.

After the healer left, Lianshan Jingcheng had worked as an apprentice and odd-job helper at various clinics to continue learning. He had also tried roaming the martial world for a few years, but ultimately abandoned his dream of becoming a renowned wandering physician because he was too weak.

After he managed to save He Miaojun by a stroke of luck, affection had blossomed between them over time, and they had settled in Jiangzhou City, where they had lived ever since.

Precisely because both had experienced the tragic deaths of their entire families, Lianshan Jingcheng and He Miaojun were now content with what they had and did not want Lianshan Xin taking risks.

But how could a young man who had not yet been beaten bloody by reality be content without seeing the scenery from greater heights?

Mother hasn't said anything all these years, but I can tell she still misses her family terribly. Once I rise in the Nine Heavens, I'll have to try to find any other surviving members of the He Clan. I'll also have to investigate the massacre of the He Clan properly.

I shouldn't have suspected Mother. She's been raising me all these years and never even left Jiangzhou City. The Demon Cult is such a huge organization, and its leader is a man. I was being too sensitive. Mother isn't the only person who needs the Millennium Snow Lotus to heal-the Crown Prince needs it too. That doesn't mean the Crown Prince is also the Demon Cult Leader. It's all because there are too many Demon Cult fiends around me, making me see snakes in the reflection of a bow. It's all their fault.

On Father's side, that Wandering Healer never left a name. But according to Father, the healer's medical skills were superb. Just one month of instruction has benefited him to this day. If I investigate properly through the Nine Heavens, identifying the healer shouldn't be difficult. It'll be much easier than Mother's side.

The debt of a life saved must be repaid generously. That healer didn't just save Father's life, but mine too.

Vengeance for a slaughtered family, gratitude for a life saved-ordinary people can repay neither, and my parents have both given up. So it still falls to me.

After reviewing the situation of his nine clans, Lianshan Xin finally made up his mind.

He Miaojun had already taken the Millennium Snow Lotus. Could he really expect His Highness the Crown Prince to be magnanimous?

As a family, they might as well commit high treason together, every last one of them.

Repay kindness with kindness, and vengeance with vengeance.

Of course, he had to lie low first. Hidden within the Nine Heavens, he would outwardly cultivate the "Dragon Aiders" lineage for now.

Then seize an opportunity to slay a dragon.

After gathering his thoughts, Lianshan Xin slowly rose, ending his brief seclusion.

Opening the door, Lianshan Xin found He Miaojun and Lianshan Jingcheng looking at him strangely.

"Dad, aren't you seeing patients today? How come you have so much free time?"

Lianshan Jingcheng said speechlessly, "After something that serious happened last night, how could I be in the mood to see patients? Taking care of your mother has to come first for the next couple of days."

Their family actually earned quite a bit, but Lianshan Xin's martial training and He Miaojun's recuperation consumed almost all of it. There was simply no money to hire a clinic apprentice.

On reflection, Lianshan Xin agreed and gave Lianshan Jingcheng a thumbs-up. "You're right, Dad. Let's get Mom fully recovered first."

He Miaojun spoke. "Xin, did you... break through again?"

"Not that fast. At most, I'm at the peak of Qi Condensation now, half a step into True Intent."

He had scorned Qi Wenbin, only to become Qi Wenbin.

Out in the world, you gave yourself your own status.

Lianshan Xin felt that if the True Intent Realm held a meeting now, they would have to invite him.

He Miaojun grew even more astonished. "How can you break through so quickly?"

Lianshan Xin thought for a moment, then said earnestly, "Mom, this is immortal cultivation. You wouldn't understand if you don't cultivate."

He Miaojun: "..."