Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 174 Qin Family (Combined into one chapter, 45 chapters total)

Looking at these two items, Song Yan felt a mixture of joy and worry.

The good news is that the Yin-Yang Pearl has not been detected, but the bad news is that it seems that the origin of the "Records of Heretical Cultivation" will require a lot of effort to explain.

If the other party insists on making things difficult for you...

Then this is something that's hard to explain.

"Nephew Song, what is the purpose of this item? Could you please enlighten this old man?"

Yang Wenxuan pointed to the mask and asked.

"Elder Yang, this item and the 'Records of Evil Cultivators' were both obtained by me when I killed demonic cultivators in Changping."

Song Yan had calmed down and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "The mask is not some kind of magical treasure; it simply allows one to use spiritual energy to find spiritual materials of the same attribute."

"The 'Records of Evil Cultivation' is just an autobiography, not a demonic art."

"I only read it when I'm bored to broaden my knowledge."

Yang Wenxuan frowned slightly.

Song Yan had killed many demonic cultivators during the Changping incident, a fact he was well aware of.

Strictly speaking, these were all spoils of war for Song Yan.

Although Yang Wenxuan could use the pretext of inspection to check his Qiankun bag, he would never take anything from him as long as it contained no demonic items.

This is against the rules.

Yang Wenxuan took the "Records of Heretical Cultivation" in his hand and casually flipped through a few pages.

Indeed, there were no demonic cultivation techniques or secret arts that violated the natural order among them.

Song Yan's explanation also explains why he possesses slightly more spirit stone resources than ordinary cultivators.

Yang Wenxuan nodded and put both items back into his Qiankun bag.

Although "The Record of Evil Cultivation" is a work of demonic cultivation, it does not involve any demonic cultivation techniques. It is more like a miscellaneous book or a record of local customs.

This falls into a situation where confiscation is optional.

It meant nothing to Yang Wenxuan.

After completing the inspection, he dissipated his spiritual energy and tossed the Qiankun bag back.

"Please don't be offended, junior disciple."

He gave Song Yan a meaningful look: "The path of cultivation requires a down-to-earth approach."

"We can leverage existing resources to make our progress more stable."

"But there are some shortcuts that cannot be taken."

Song Yan immediately felt the pressure around him ease and put his Qiankun bag away.

He quickly pulled Xiao He into his arms.

He stared at the two of them with some apprehension.

Yang Wenxuan continued, "There's nothing wrong with casually reading these autobiographies of demonic cultivators to gain experience while traveling. Just be careful not to be influenced by them and go astray."

Song Yan wanted to say a few words in his defense, but the other party was simply framing him.

Even if you try to defend yourself, you'll only get a reprimand like "correct your mistakes if you have them, and strive to improve if you don't."

"Ha ha……"

Song Yan sneered: "This disciple naturally understands."

"I hope you won't take offense at my troubles, Junior Nephew Song." Yang Wenxuan said no more and turned to leave: "Sheng'er, let's go."

The two turned and left the courtyard.

Watching their departing figures, Song Yan's expression turned solemn.

"Yanyan, who is this old man? He's so annoying! He's rummaging through other people's things!"

Xiao He said angrily.

Song Yan patted her head and said softly, "This person has ill intentions. We need to be more careful in the future."

He had never been involved in these so-called factional struggles before and never imagined they would be so dangerous.

The other party even issued a stern warning simply because of my refusal.

It's hard to imagine how mentally and physically exhausting it would be to get involved in such a conflict.

He took a deep breath, returned to his cave, and immediately checked his Qiankun bag.

Fortunately, apart from signs of being ransacked, nothing was missing.

The Yin-Yang Pearl remained unharmed.

"Yang Wenxuan..."

He pondered the name, lost in thought.

"This matter still needs to be informed of Granny Qin."

……

On the mountain path, Yang Wenxuan walked with his hands behind his back, with Qin Sheng following closely behind.

Once they were far from Song Yan's cave dwelling, Qin Sheng finally couldn't help but ask, "Master, why did you suddenly attack him?"

"Even if he didn't want to submit to the Qin family, they shouldn't have become enemies like this..."

Yang Wenxuan glanced at her: "Don't call me master, you're not worthy."

Qin Sheng's face stiffened.

"Yes...yes, Elder Yang."

Yang Wenxuan didn't stop walking, but suddenly sneered, "Your sister Qin Ying, how arrogant are you?"

"In recent years, besides Li Yi, he is the second person who has been personally recruited by her to become a Qi Refining disciple."

"She couldn't persuade her, and neither could I. Besides, she's Qin Xijun's disciple."

"Why bother with someone like that?"

"The biggest problem with your Qin family's inability to develop much influence in the Dongyuan Sect is that you are hesitant and indecisive."

A sharp glint flashed in Yang Wenxuan's eyes: "There's no need to be polite to those who can't be used."

Qin Sheng remained silent.

Yang Wenxuan slowly raised his palm, a wisp of spiritual energy floating in his palm.

"Moreover... this child's spiritual power is somewhat strange."

This is the wisp of Song Yande's spiritual power that was intercepted just now, and it contains a hidden sharpness.

"His spiritual power is not pure; it seems to contain sword energy..."

Having watched the battle before, he only thought that the sword energy was some kind of Daoist technique that condensed spiritual energy to form sword energy, but he never expected...

"Either they possess a great treasure, or they've cultivated the demonic path..."

Yang Wenxuan looked into the depths of the sea of ​​clouds: "Since he is Qin Xijun's disciple, then this person will surely be at odds with the Qin family in the future."

“Report everything that happened today back to your elders.”

"Whether you try to win them over or continue to suppress them, it's up to you."

"However, we absolutely cannot allow him to become so powerful that the Qin family alone cannot handle him when he stands against the Qin family in the future."

"Yes, Elder Yang."

……

Several hours later, Song Yan arrived at the Jieyou General Store.

Before anyone could knock, a lazy voice came from inside: "What are you standing there for? Come in."

Inside the shop, Qin Xijun was not at the counter, but lying on the jade couch.

Her jade-like fingers fiddled with the elixir bottle and several pills.

"Mother-in-law..."

"No respect for elders, call him Master."

"Master..."

"Good disciple."

She nodded in satisfaction. This time, Xiao Song's sword-wielding had greatly boosted her prestige in front of her girlfriends.

She flicked the pill into the porcelain bottle: "What? The decisive battle is in a few days, and you have time to come looking for me now?"

"There are some things I need to inform you about."

Qin Xijun noticed something was wrong.

The usually carefree and cheerful Xiao Song looked rather serious today.

"Master, how much do you know about Elder Yang Wenxuan?"

"Yang Wenxuan?"

Qin Xijun frowned slightly: "I know them, but not very well. What's wrong?"

Song Yan recounted in detail the events surrounding Yang Wenxuan's visit. When she mentioned the interception of the Qiankun Bag, Qin Xijun suddenly straightened up, a cold glint flashing in her eyes!

"Well done, Yang Wenxuan!"

"Supervising disciples? Who are you to investigate my disciples, Qin Xijun's disciples?"

Granny Qin immediately slammed her hand on the table and was about to confront him, but Song Yan stopped her.

"Master, please don't be anxious."

His eyes were clear, without any sign of extreme anger or resentment.

"If there is any real grudge, I want to resolve it myself."

Having grasped the essence of swordsmanship amidst life and death, Changping now wants to rely on himself and the flying sword in the box.

Instead of relying on mentors or friends.

"Master, please rest assured, Yang Wenxuan and Qin's actions will not have any impact on your disciple."

On the contrary, the slight complacency that had arisen after achieving his natal flying sword was brought back to his senses by this incident.

What he needs to do now is to diligently cultivate himself and build a solid foundation for the Way!
If you suffer setbacks and humiliation, it would be ideal to have your master step in and get revenge on the spot.

However, Qin Xijun resigned from her position as elder precisely because she no longer wanted to be involved in sect affairs.

He didn't want to disrupt her "retirement" life and fall back into the mire.

On the other hand, even if Qin Xijun takes action, it will probably be of little use.

The Qin clan's influence within the sect is probably already quite significant.

This incident reminded Song Yan that even in the small kingdom of Chu, the strength of the Qi Refining stage was far from enough to achieve true freedom.

Let's use this incident as a reminder and a spur to ourselves.

We must not be complacent because of even a little progress in our practice.

Continuously become stronger and more refined!
"What this disciple wants to know is..."

"Master, are you also connected with the Qin clan?"

Song Yan suddenly changed the subject, his gaze fixed intently on Qin Xijun's eyes.

When asked out of the blue, Qin Xijun was momentarily stunned.

"..."

Then, she sighed and finally nodded.

“That’s right, like Qin Ying and Qin Sheng, I also come from the Qin family.”

"In terms of seniority, I am considered their aunt."

Her expression was somewhat subtle, as if she was unwilling to admit it.

He slowly began to speak, saying, "The Qin clan has a history of nearly four hundred years in establishing an ancestral hall in Southern Chu."

Four hundred years is not a very long time for a cultivation family with more than a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The Yan clan of Northern Chu appears to have a history of nearly a thousand years.

Qin Xijun seemed to have some inexplicable feelings about the "family" she grew up in.

A look of reminiscence appeared in her eyes.

"When I was young, the Qin family was only the last of the four great cultivation families."

"At that time, the Qin family and another family, the Hu family, were evenly matched in strength."

"Generations have worked hard to make the Qin family stronger and stronger, so that it can stand firm in this cannibalistic world."

"Throughout the family, from the descendants of the branch families to the elders of the main family."

"Everyone is a member of the Qin family, and everyone is proud to be born into the Qin family."

Song Yan listened quietly. In fact, these were not the things he had initially wanted to know when he asked the question.

But these are the memories of Granny Qin, his only relative and elder in this world.

“If a disciple in the clan is found to have a good spiritual root, he will be sent to the sect.”

“A long time ago, all six major sects had members of the Qin family. Later, due to various reasons, only the Xuan Yuan Sect, Xuan Jian Mountain, and the current Dong Yuan Sect were left to go.”

"Back then, I was sent to Dongyuan Sect by the clan elders."

"My dual spiritual roots are naturally outstanding in the family, and with some fortuitous encounters, my cultivation has progressed extremely quickly."

"In just five or six years, we have already begun to lay the foundation."

Song Yan showed no expression on his face, but he sighed inwardly.

This world is truly unfair.

Some people spend their entire lives stuck at the three hurdles of the late stage of Qi Refining.

Some people can cultivate from mortals to the ninth level of Qi Refining in five or six years.

Qin Xijun suddenly gave a bitter smile: "It was from that time that the elders' ideas began to change."

"At that time, there were three Foundation Establishment cultivators in the clan in the Dongyuan Sect."

"After I successfully established my foundation, there were four more Foundation Establishment cultivators. You should know that at that time, the entire Qin family branch only had eight Foundation Establishment cultivators in total."

"The clan elders wanted to use the four Foundation Establishment Realm experts from the Dongyuan Sect as a foundation to expand their power."

"Win over and befriend those talented cultivators in sects who have no background or resources."

At this point, Qin Xijun added, "This is not a bad thing."

As she said this, she looked at Song Yan with an expression that was completely unlike that of a high-ranking elder or a superior master.

He was just a "person" who wanted affirmation.

"..."

Song Yan nodded: "It's perfectly normal for a family to want to develop rapidly."

Receiving a response seemed to calm Qin Xijun down a bit.

She continued, "Naturally, I will do my utmost to help, just like the other three."

"Over the years, the Qin family has indeed developed a very strong network of connections within the sect."

"Several Foundation Establishment cultivators even became guest elders of the Qin family."

"but……"

There's always a "but" in everything.

"The methods the Qin family uses to win people over are becoming increasingly despicable and vile."

Qin Xijun leaned back and sighed softly; Song Yan could sense her deep sense of powerlessness.

"...Sigh, let's not talk about it."

"I have argued with the elders of various families. Some of them are willing to do anything for the 'prosperity' of their families."

"Some people are caught in the game of chess, unable to control their own destiny."

“At first, I would deceive myself into thinking that the Qin family was doing this for the future of their descendants.”

“But the clan became even more ruthless. In recent years, I could no longer bear the torment in my heart, so I stopped helping the Qin family and simply resigned from my position as elder.”

She looked at Song Yan: "This was one of the reasons why I didn't let you become Qin Ying's disciple before."

"The Qin Ying of today is just like me back then."

"However, she was an obedient pawn, a useful puppet."

Song Yan frowned.

He never expected that this matter would involve such complicated things.

"What truly made me sever all ties with the clan was my discovery that in recent years, a kind of 'elixir' had appeared in the clan that could enhance the disciples' cultivation talents."

Ok?
Song Yan's brows furrowed, somewhat puzzled: "Improve cultivation talent?"

If it weren't for the special sword sect lineage like mine, the talent that mainly affects the speed of cultivation would be spiritual roots.

Can it improve the aptitude of one's spiritual root?

"That's right. As far as I know, Qin Ying's cultivation speed is almost comparable to that of a cultivator with a single spiritual root, thanks to the effects of this kind of elixir."

It sounds like a fairy tale.

How could such a thing exist in this world...?

Suddenly, Song Yan's thoughts came to a halt.

He thought of a type of pill he had plundered from a group of demonic cultivators a few years ago.

That pill is called "Spirit Transformation Blood Pill".

Taking this medicine can cause a special meridian to grow in the body of mortals who do not have the aptitude for cultivating immortality, thereby giving them the opportunity to cultivate to the third level of Qi Refining.

It's probably not the same one that Qin Xijun mentioned.

But it seems that apart from top-tier rare and precious herbs, only demonic elixirs can have such miraculous effects.

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(End of this chapter)