Qin Feng returned to the Qin Residence, and as he entered the main hall, he was slightly taken aback.
He had assumed that Ya’an had already returned to the palace, but it seemed that after parting ways at the Demon Slaying Department, she had come back here.
Currently, Ya’an was chatting animatedly with Second Mother, and was also warmly greeting Liu Jianli and Cang Feilan, addressing them as “elder sister”.
The defiant scholar Anya that Qin Feng remembered seemed to have faded away.
“Why are you still here? Didn’t you go back?” Qin Feng asked curiously.
Before Ya’an could respond, Second Mother reproached him, “Feng’er, what kind of talk is that? If Ya’an wants to come, she can come.”
Qin Feng was momentarily taken aback. Where had the doting Second Mother he knew gone?
Ya’an casually glanced at Qin Feng and then smiled as she asked, “Auntie, is the rouge I brought you from the palace last time suitable for you?”
“It’s been working quite well, much better than the ones from Imperial Excellance. I feel like I’ve gotten a little younger when I look in the mirror,” Second Mother replied.
“Aunt, you already look so young, I thought you were only a few years older than me when I first met you,” Ya’an said graciously.Women naturally enjoyed such flattering words, and though Second Mother was clearly delighted, she repeatedly insisted, “Nonsense, don’t say such things.”
Qin Feng’s mouth twitched slightly as he eyed Ya’an with surprise. Did this girl have such excellent flattery skills?
It was true that Second Mother’s appearance was quite impressive, and her grooming gave her an air of aristocratic elegance. But to say she looked as young as Ya’an was perhaps an exaggeration, given the difference in their actual ages.
Sensing Qin Feng’s gaze, Ya’an turned to him, puzzled. “What’s wrong? Was there something wrong with what I said?”
“Not entirely right.” Qin Feng replied subconsciously.
Second Mother turned her gaze towards him, with a smile on her face and slightly narrowed eyes.
Danger, Qin Feng’s heart tightened and then quickly recovered. “If Second Mother and I were to go out together, others might think we were siblings. It’s better to overstate the Second Mother’s age a little.”
Ya’an’s eyelid twitched, and she silently cursed Qin Feng’s shamelessness. But Second Mother was clearly pleased, her smile growing even broader.
Just at this moment, Lan Ningshuang came from outside the lobby, carrying freshly brewed tea and filling it for everyone one by one.
When she reached Qin Feng, however, his cup was empty.
Qin Feng looked puzzled. “Ningshuang, where’s my tea?”
Lan Ningshuang replied with a forced smile, “Young Master, the tea has all been poured out.”
Qin Feng glanced at the size of the teapot and the number of filled cups, and it didn’t seem like the tea could have been completely used up. Just as he was about to say something, he sensed a chill in Ningshuang’s smile.
Suddenly, Qin Feng remembered that Ningshuang had been present when he had earlier dismissed all women aside from his wife as “common rouge and powder.”
“That’s fine, I’m not that thirsty anyway,” Qin Feng chuckled awkwardly.
“As you wish, Young Master,” Ningshuang replied.
In the courtyard of the Qin Residence, Qin An stood, gripping a black long knife and practicing his breathing exercises. His strength had now reached the peak of the Fourth Realm, just a step away from the Third Realm Warrior. What he lacked was only a bit more accumulation.
In fact, if Qin An had been traveling in the Southern Domain with Zhen Tianyi these past six months, instead of staying in the Imperial Capital, he might have already stepped into the Third Realm by taking advantage of the Ancient Divine Breath there.
The Imperial Capital, without the rift to the Immortal Realm, simply had a lower concentration of the Ancient Divine Breath.
Hearing the movement in the corridor, Qin An looked up and asked with a smile, “Big Brother, why aren’t you in the main hall keeping the two sister-in-laws company?”
Because your Big Brother would be treated like an outsider there, Qin Feng grumbled internally, then asked, “How’s your cultivation going? When can you enter the Third Realm?”
“I’m just one step away from that breakthrough,” Qin An said, glancing at the long knife in his hand. “My master has told me that cultivation in Divine Martial Lineage is all about letting things naturally take their course, without being too hasty.”
“Mm, the Senior Mad Blade mentioned that you’ve been in the Imperial Capital for half a year now, and it’s time for you to return to the Southern Domain to train and gain more experience with him,” Qin Feng replied.
At this, Qin An’s expression changed slightly.
Qin Feng comforted him, “I know you’ll miss Second Mother. With Father gone, if it weren’t for you keeping her company, she might not have been able to endure. But as a Warrior, you can’t stay here forever.”
“Now that I’m back, I can keep Second Mother company. You should go to the Southern Domain and hone your skills. I hope the next time I see you, you’ll have become a Third Realm Warrior, making a name for yourself in the Great Qian.”
Just then, Xing Sheng came to report, “Second Young Master, Miss Bai Qui has come looking for you.”
Qin An’s face lit up. “I’ll go see her right away. Big Brother, I’ll be back later if there’s anything you need.”
With that, he swiftly left the residence.
Qin Feng was dumbfounded, no wonder his brother’s cultivation hadn’t improved much in the past half year – he had a girl on his mind!
In the seventh layer of the Ninefold Prison, a dim, crimson glow flickered to life. A massive, single-eyed phantom appeared, scanning its surroundings before its gaze settled on a corner.
Countless chains bound the Ghost Buddha, which had been lying still. But now, sensing something, its six eyes flashed red as it began to struggle.
The golden sealing light began to melt away with a sizzling sound.
The Second Mask Man was also imprisoned here. When he heard some movements he spoke up, “The Ninefold Prison is guarded by the Divine Guardian, and the seals placed on us are the work of the Heavenly Tower’s National Teacher.”
“I advise you not to waste your efforts. It’s best to stay put.”
“No one can leave this place, nor can anyone enter,” the Demonic Mask Man said, his words trailing off.
He looked towards the cage outside, his eyes suddenly widening beneath the mask.
What was that gigantic floating eyeball? How had it entered the Ninefold Prison?
Fear and trepidation immediately filled his heart. The eyeball’s indifferent gaze sent shivers down his spine, making him feel utterly chilled.
‘This being’s strength has definitely reached the Transcendence Realm. The pressure it exudes is far greater than even that of the Candle Dragon back then!’ he thought.
The other inmates imprisoned on the seventh layer also noticed the presence of the giant eyeball and turned their gaze towards it. Even after being imprisoned for so long, the dread of the unknown filled them with a sense of foreboding.
The eyeball floated up to the cage holding the Ghost Buddha, causing the latter to immediately cease its struggle. The three Buddha heads and six eyes stared wide open, their light rapidly dimming.
Then, a piercing voice came from the giant eyeball. “Have you found the one who controls the Dao of life and death in this realm?”
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter