The Queen Mother expels a Four Seasons Valkyrie for treason. She then questions Ye Qingcheng about a mysterious figure who entered the Jade Court through the dangerous Mirage Tides Heaven. Meanwhile, Xu Zimo has annihilated Wang Xie, drawing the ire of the Casting Crane Lineage and signaling an impending major conflict.
This young man was none other than Qin Guan of the Treasure Lineage, and also the one who pursued Zhao Qiuyi. Long ago, Zhao Qiuyi had attracted a great many admirers, but from the moment Qin Guan appeared, no one else had dared to court her. The Treasure Lineage was one of the Eighteen Lineages. At its peak of prosperity, it surpassed even the Casting Crane Lineage. It could be said that, with the exception of the Immortal Lineage where the Queen Mother herself resided, the Treasure Lineage stood above all others. As the Saint Son of the Treasure Lineage, Qin Guan's identity and strength were beyond question. It was said that more than a decade ago, Qin Guan had once, on his own, challenged the disciples of all the other seventeen Lineages combined, and emerged undefeated except for a single loss at the hands of Ye Qingcheng. At first he had pursued Ye Qingcheng, but she was far too aloof, cold to everyone without exception. After years of effort, Qin Guan had given up entirely. Now he had set his sights on Zhao Qiuyi. Hearing that Zhao Qiuyi's peaches had been taken from her by another disciple, of course he had to show up. And he was confident that within this Jade Court, few disciples would dare refuse him face. When Qin Guan arrived, the onlooking disciples grew even more excited. To offend both the Casting Crane Lineage and the Treasure Lineage at the same time, the two most powerful Lineages in the Jade Court, that was something that would be too much for anyone. As Qin Guan descended from the sky, his arrival was every bit as grand as the name of his Lineage. Like its name, the Treasure Lineage was the place in all of the Jade Court with the greatest abundance of treasures. One could say that the Treasure Lineage was renowned for forging treasures, nearly all of the Jade Court's prized artifacts were made by their hands. Because of this, the disciples of the Treasure Lineage were exceptionally wealthy; to step out the door without several treasures on one's person was considered shameful. Moreover, while the combat power of Treasure Lineage disciples themselves was not particularly remarkable, the treasures they forged were second to none among even the strongest cultivators. As the Saint Son of the Treasure Lineage, the treasures Qin Guan carried went without saying. First, consider his robes. he wore the Five-Element Qilin Robe. This garment had been bathed in Qilin bloodline power and tempered with the forces of the Five Elements, then layered over with the scales of a Black Flood Dragon. Its defensive power was staggering, breaking through it was no easy task. In his hand, Qin Guan also carried a white jade flute. This instrument was no ordinary object. It had been forged from the demon cores of eighteen void-dwelling demon beasts. The forging process was even more intricate, it had not been shaped with flames and hammer, but condensed through the resonance of sound, coalesced note by note. When this flute was played, ten thousand sounds rang out together, shaking the God-Soul and slaying enemies without leaving a trace. "Greetings, Senior Brother Qin of the Treasure Lineage," several disciples rushed to offer their respects as Qin Guan arrived. "I heard someone seized Qiuyi's peaches. I've come to take a look," Qin Guan said mildly. His hands clasped behind his back, his gaze swept over every face present as he spoke. He smiled slightly and said, "Quite a lively scene here. Who took the peaches? Step forward." As he spoke, his voice was full and resonant, and his gaze had come to rest steadily on Xu Zimo. In truth, someone had given him a description of Xu Zimo on the way over. "Qin Guan, this is my affair. It has nothing to do with you," Zhao Qiuyi's expression was cold; she said only that much. In truth, she held no feelings for Qin Guan whatsoever. She had simply stayed silent about his advances out of deference to the Treasure Lineage's standing, neither encouraging him nor driving him away. But he seemed to be growing increasingly presumptuous, going further and further, which now forced Zhao Qiuyi to speak plainly. Otherwise, even if nothing had actually happened between them, once the disciples of the entire Jade Court started gossiping, who knew what stories they might conjure. "Qiuyi, don't worry, I'll handle this for you," Qin Guan turned toward her and said gently. "I said. this is my affair. It has nothing to do with you," Zhao Qiuyi's expression had turned decidedly cold. Qin Guan smiled and replied, "All right, consider it unrelated to you. Just say it's a private matter between me and this young man. Surely that's acceptable." "You had better stay out of it," she said. Since he put it that way, there was nothing more Zhao Qiuyi could do, she could hardly physically stop him. Qin Guan smiled again, then turned to look at Xu Zimo.
"From where did you, a reckless boy, emerge to dare stir up such chaos in our Jade Court?"
"Another one seeking death," Xu Zimo uttered with a chilling laugh.
He lifted Shadow Tyrant towards Qin Guan, remarking, "Your Jade Court disciples keep coming, one after another, to forfeit their lives. How tiresome. Why not summon them all at once? I'll dispatch them all together, saving us both the bother."
"Slaying you requires no effort from me," Qin Guan stated, reaching into his pocket and retrieving a dragon-shaped coiled lock.
He sneered, "This Coiling Dragon Lock alone is more than sufficient to finish you."
The instant the Coiling Dragon Lock materialized, a draconic might emanated from it.
Roars like those of a dragon echoed consecutively. It was evident this was no common artifact.
"It's an imperial supreme treasure, capable of matching a Saint Sovereign," one disciple exclaimed upon recognizing the Coiling Dragon Lock.
"Senior Brother Qin Guan personally forged this, utilizing the bones of twenty-two thousand-year flood dragons. Employing supreme treasure-crafting techniques and ancillary materials, he forcibly transmuted the flood dragons into genuine dragons."
"Senior Brother Qin Guan—" Just as Qin Guan was poised to strike, an aged voice resonated from nearby.
Powerhouses from the Casting Crane Lineage had arrived from a distance.
"Elder Wuxu," Qin Guan turned, his brow furrowing slightly. "What is it?"
Elder Wuxu was among the most esteemed elders of the Casting Crane Lineage, thus Qin Guan afforded him a degree of respect.
"This villain is heinous, having already slain numerous disciples of our Casting Crane Lineage. Shall we not combine our strengths to vanquish him?" Elder Wuxu proposed.
"There is no necessity. Why employ a mighty blade to fell a chicken? This solitary Coiling Dragon Lock is ample," Qin Guan declared with unwavering confidence.
His intention was to impress Zhao Qiuyi; how could he permit any external interference?
Elder Wuxu did not object. He merely offered a smile and said, "Since Young Brother Qin possesses such resolve, I shall stand aside and lend my presence to support your endeavor."
Qin Guan offered a nod.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed at Xu Zimo and calmly spoke, "If you surrender now, I shall grant you your life. Once I unleash my attack, you will undoubtedly perish."
"Not much strength, yet a rather boastful mouth," Xu Zimo responded slowly, elevating his right hand.
Shadow Tyrant erupted, unleashing an ancient, primordial blade intent.
With a solitary sweep, he directed the attack straight at Qin Guan.
"I have grown weary of your incessant prattling."
Qin Guan's eyes narrowed slightly. A flash of golden light emanated from his pupils, falling upon the Coiling Dragon Lock.
In an instant, the coiled dragon appeared to awaken, the entire form coming to life.
With a burst of golden radiance, the Coiling Dragon Lock ascended into the heavens, metamorphosing into a colossal dragon. Its roars reverberated through the air as the creature opened its immense maw and lunged towards Xu Zimo.
Its formidable body clashed against Xu Zimo's blade intent.
The blade intent, exceedingly sharp, cleaved the dragon asunder.
Yet, what caused astonishment was that the dragon, even when bisected, did not perish.
The upper portion continued its assault, lunging at Xu Zimo once more, its gaping jaws snapping towards his head.
"This treasure-crafting technique is, in truth, quite intriguing," Xu Zimo remarked with a smile.
