In the end, Qin Li managed to talk Qinling Mountain out of his plan to keep him protected within the family, forcing him into secret seclusion for several decades. He also refused the escort of a dozen or so Celestial Integration Realm Martial Artists that Qinling Mountain had arranged for him. ’What a joke,’ he thought. ’Anyone who knew the situation would call it protection. Anyone who didn’t would think I was marching over to kick down their front gate!’

Qin Li knew that the Four Seasons Sect wouldn’t let one of their own go so easily. But then again, he was even more determined not to drag the Qin Family into this affair.

These two powers, the family and the Sect, had always minded their own business. A conflict erupting between them because of him was the last thing Qin Li wanted to see.

Qinling Mountain’s reluctance to let Qin Li participate in the Venerable Tournament a few years from now stemmed from his fear of the Thousand Kills Sect seeking revenge. And it wasn’t just the Thousand Kills Sect. Many sects used the tournament as an opportunity to eliminate any rivals they deemed a threat.

The age limit for the Venerable Tournament was one hundred years old, and the strength limit was the Venerable Tier!

Take Qin Wenxuan, for example. Those who reached the Celestial Shattering Realm in their thirties or forties were plentiful across Profound Island. And while Martial Artists who reached the Celestial Integration Realm before their hundredth birthday were rare, they certainly existed!

The major families and sects, in particular, could very well have peerless geniuses of their own, kept hidden from the world!

Just as no one had ever heard of someone reaching the Celestial Shattering Realm at sixteen until Qin Li did it, it had happened nonetheless. So, who could guarantee that other families didn’t have their own Qin Li hidden away?

Therefore, Qinling Mountain’s stance was clear: protect Qin Li at all costs and prevent even the slightest mishap. If he did, then in perhaps fifty or sixty years, Qin Li could reach the same level he was at today—the Celestial Embracing Realm!

At that point, a Celestial Embracing Realm expert in his sixties or seventies would burst onto the scene. On all of Profound Island, who could possibly stand in the way of the Qin Family’s ascent?

Qinling Mountain truly went to great lengths for his great-grandson. He specially prepared two hundred Jade Dew Pills for Qin Li to present as a gift on his first visit to the Four Seasons Sect—a sect the Qin Family had never had any dealings with before.

This gesture was nothing less than an olive branch, a plea for the Four Seasons Sect not to make things difficult for Qin Li.

As for Qin Li, his plans had also shifted. He had gone from intending to take Shangguan Shiyu away immediately to deciding to simply see her first. After all, he would likely be on Profound Island for a long time. As long as he was here, it didn’t matter where Shiyu chose to cultivate.

Besides, the decision was ultimately up to Shangguan Shiyu. Whatever she chose, Qin Li would respect it.

Linghu Feiyue had no intention of accompanying Qin Li to Four Seasons Valley. The reason was simple: though she was a pure-hearted Spirit Beast, she wasn’t a brainless fool. He was going to see his fiancée. What would it look like for a young woman like her to be tagging along?

Linghu Feiyue was fascinated by the forbidden lands on Profound Island. Many places humans couldn’t enter were practically paradise for Spirit Beasts.

So, Linghu Feiyue decided to venture into those areas alone to train and explore. She promised to return in time for the Venerable Tournament on Profound Island.

Although he felt a little sad to see her go, his anticipation of seeing Shiyu was greater. Besides, with the Little Fox’s power, she would have no problem escaping even if she ran into danger.

Qin Li gave one of the Essence Pills he had received from Leng Yao to Linghu Feiyue. In the face of a Spirit Beast so powerful she was utterly unable to resist, her chances of escape would greatly increase as long as she could withstand its aura.

The Little Fox was happy, though also a little sad to leave. However, the ten years following a Spirit Beast’s Transformation was a period of explosive growth where their realm would advance with incredible speed. Staying by Qin Li’s side would allow her to absorb Spiritual Qi many times faster, but in the long run, it wasn’t the best for her development.

After bidding farewell to the Little Fox, Qin Li took a horse-drawn carriage toward Four Seasons Valley.

The climate in Four Seasons Valley was much like that of the Mortal Realm, and it was now the height of a sweltering summer.

The mountainsides were a blanket of green, and the valley was filled with blooming, multicolored flowers. A delicate fragrance drifted on the air, noticeable even from a great distance.

As the carriage reached the entrance to Four Seasons Valley, it was stopped. Two young women with bright eyes and pearly teeth blocked its path. One asked in a crisp, clear voice, "Who comes to Four Seasons Valley? State your name."

Qin Li calmly stepped down from the carriage and dismissed the driver. Looking at the two young women, who were about his age, he smiled faintly. "Pardon me, ladies," he said. "I’m here to find someone."

Qin Li was currently in his true form, and he was quite handsome. Combined with his smooth-talking charm, he naturally left a good impression. Both women smiled back, and one asked, "Then may we ask who you’re looking for? We can announce your arrival."

"I’m looking for Shangguan Shiyu." As he spoke, Qin Li suddenly felt a flutter of nervousness. ’I feel like a young man showing up to ask for her hand in marriage.’

"What?"

The two pretty girls exchanged a look, each letting out a small gasp. When they looked back at Qin Li, their expressions had changed, their gazes turning a little cold.

The one who had spoken before said with a hint of displeasure, "You seem like a respectable young man. I can’t believe you’d stoop to such tiresome tricks. You should leave. We won’t make things difficult for you, but Senior Sister Shangguan is very busy and isn’t seeing any visitors."

"..."

Qin Li was momentarily speechless. Judging by the two girls’ hostile expressions, it seemed plenty of people came looking for Shangguan Shiyu. Apparently, the Four Seasons Sect was tired of it, to the point where they automatically assumed anyone asking for her was trouble...

"You ladies might have the wrong idea," Qin Li said. "I’m not who you think I am. Shangguan Shiyu and I are old acquaintances. You just need to announce that... Qin Li is here. I’m certain she will see me!"

"What? You’re Qin Li?" The first girl’s eyes went wide. She covered her mouth in shock, then looked him up and down several times. She seemed about to say something but held her tongue. Instead, she gave Qin Li a slight curtsy and said, "Young Master Qin, please wait a moment. I’ll go inform them right away..."

With that, she hurried off, leaving the other young woman behind. The remaining girl studied Qin Li with a suspicious look. "Are you really Qin Li?"

Qin Li gave a wry smile. "Is the name that famous? I don’t see why anyone would bother impersonating me."

"So you’re the man who made Senior Sister Shangguan wear a veil all year..." The girl flitted around Qin Li like a butterfly among flowers before stopping and pouting. "You’re just average, I guess! You’re not even as handsome as the male disciples in our Four Seasons Sect! Why on earth would Senior Sister Shangguan fall for you?"

The corner of Qin Li’s mouth twitched, but he remained silent.

The girl continued, "You’re not mad, are you? The man our Senior Sister Shangguan likes shouldn’t be so petty. Hey, since you were so sweet and called me ’lady’ earlier, I’ll let you in on a secret!"

The girl put on a mischievous expression, glanced around, and whispered, "When you go in, you have to be careful of someone. She looks like she’s in her thirties and has a black mole on the left side of her chin. That’s our Eldest Senior Sister. She’s actually over eighty years old but is skilled at preserving her youth, so she looks like a woman of thirty. They say she dotes on Senior Sister Shangguan and even taught her all her combat skills. As for you... well, let’s just say she doesn’t like you! You have to be careful around her. Her power is said to be unfathomable!"

After she finished, she looked at Qin Li with a wide grin. "So? That’s a pretty important piece of information, isn’t it? How are you going to thank me?"

Qin Li chuckled. "When your Senior Sister Shangguan marries me, you can come along as part of her dowry. How’s that for thanks?"

The girl tilted her head, thinking for a moment. Then, her face flushed crimson, and she shot him a playful glare. "You’re terrible! Taking advantage of me like that!"

Just then, the girl who had left returned, her movements as fluid as running water. Her expression was a little unnatural as she looked at Qin Li and said apologetically, "I’m sorry... Young Master Qin. Senior Sister Shangguan... she’s in seclusion and cannot see any guests right now..."

"How is that possible? Just yesterday, I saw her..." the girl still with him blurted out. She stopped abruptly when she saw the other girl glaring at her and frantically signaling with her eyes. Realizing her mistake, she clamped her mouth shut, looking rather adorably flustered.

Qin Li just smiled, showing no trace of displeasure. "Is that so?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Of course... Of course, it’s true!" The first girl was clearly not a good liar; her expression was incredibly stiff as she spoke.

Qin Li didn’t want to make things difficult for the two gatekeepers. He simply said to them, "You two, stand behind me."

"Ah! A-are you going to force your way in? You can’t! Eldest Sen— I mean, you’ll get hurt!" The two girls stood one in front of the other, blocking Qin Li’s path as they spoke with panicked expressions.

Qin Li’s figure moved like a Ghost. The two girls’ vision blurred for an instant, and he vanished from sight. They panicked immediately. If he forced his way in, they would surely be punished!

But when they turned around, they saw that Qin Li was standing just a short distance ahead, not having barged inside. Before they could even breathe a sigh of relief, a thunderous shout suddenly erupted, like a crack of lightning from a clear blue sky, shattering the tranquility of the drowsy summer noon.

"Wife! I’m here! Come out and greet me!"

The eight words, each one a clap of thunder, boomed over Four Seasons Valley.

Not even ten seconds after Qin Li shouted, a figure appeared in the distant sky. It was a woman in a long white dress, flying toward him through the air like a goddess descending from the heavens.

Her face was still covered by her signature veil.

Who else could it be but the long-awaited Shangguan Shiyu?

His eyes red-rimmed, Qin Li grinned and opened his arms, ready to embrace the beloved woman he hadn’t seen in four years.

But then he saw another figure in blue behind Shangguan Shiyu. It moved with impossible speed, overtaking her in an instant, and unleashed a flash of sword light that shot straight for him!

An uncontrollable, overwhelming killing intent erupted in Qin Li’s eyes.