950 Return to Lin Town (1)

After parting from Ling Yan, Ye Qingtang rushed to Xuanling Sect. As for what Ling Yan did afterward, she did not have an inkling about it.

In Formidable Heavens Dynasty, Ye Qingtang looked at the little white tiger in her arms and subsequently scanned her surroundings. Her brows furrowed deeply as she spoke slowly. “Where’s… my wolf?!”

“Wolf?”

After hearing Ye Qingtang, the little white tiger was dumbfounded as well, and it instinctively inspected the surroundings. “Right, where’s your wolf?”

Previously when they were bidding farewell to Ling Yan, the silver wolf was still following Ye Qingtang obediently. Why did it disappear in the blink of an eye?!

“I am asking you. Where’s my wolf?” Ye Qingtang looked at the little white tiger.

“Why are you asking me? How would I know where your wolf is? Do I help you to look after your wolf?” The little white tiger was baffled. It was a Fiendcelestial Beast, not a wolf-guarding beast!

Ye Qingtang did not argue with the little white tiger and instead chose to trace back their footsteps. After searching the borders of the Formidable Heavens Dynasty for several days, the silver wolf was still nowhere to be found.

“As clearly seen, your wolf ran away,” the little white tiger looked at Ye Qingtang and said.

Ye Qingtang frowned slightly as she pondered.

Such a case was not rare; it was not the first time either…

They had not found any traces of the silver wolf over the past few days, and it might have run off somewhere as it did before.

After a fruitless search, Ye Qingtang could only give up as she thought that the silver wolf would return soon like the other time.

Anyway…

It was considered a common affair for Xiao Guai to runaway.

Presently, Ye Qingtang had entered the Formidable Heavens Dynasty.

However, her current mood was different from when she left initially.

She was forced and had no choice but to leave previously, but now that she had returned to the Formidable Heavens Dynasty again, no one could do anything to her.

“Where are we going now?”

The little white tiger poked its head out and asked curiously.

After hearing the little white tiger’s question, Ye Qingtang was in deep thought.

Ye Qingtang originally intended to head to Xuanling Sect first but eventually decided to return to Lin Town first.

It had already been more than a year since she left the Ye family of Lin Town and headed to Xuanling Sect to cultivate.

With a rough calculation, it had been almost two years since Ye Qingtang saw her father, Ye Ling, and she missed him dearly.

There was a distance of several thousands of miles from the borders of Formidable Heavens Dynasty to Xuanling Sect and from Xuanling Sect to Lin Town.

If an ordinary cultivator wished to rush to Lin Town from their current location, he would require at least a month even if he traveled day and night.

Nonetheless, with Ye Qingtang’s current cultivation base, she returned to Lin Town in only half a day.

There were not many changes in this small town.

However, the town seemed to be more bustling and prosperous than two years ago, and businesses could be seen everywhere.

“Ever since the Long family came to Lin Town, the Ye family and Si family have been on the decline.”

Ye Qingtang heard a few people conversing when she entered the town.

In her previous life, she was chased after for her life by the Great Elder after her father died. Without any other means, she fled from Lin Town and never returned since then. As such, she never heard of any news regarding Lin Town.

As for what Lin Town experienced afterward, Ye Qingtang was not clear.

It was thus strange for her when she heard people mentioning = the Long family.

What was the background of this Long family?

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951 - Return to Lin Town (2)

“However, the Long family’s appearance is beneficial to Lin Town as well. In the past year, Lin Town is more prosperous than before, and the Long family’s businesses are everywhere.”

A certain elderly laughed softly.

“Of course. The Long family is too powerful. The Si family and Ye family still dared to resist initially, but they don’t even have the courage to fight back now!” A young man commented.

“The Long family took over too many businesses from the Ye and Si family. Nearly half of the Ye and Si family’s businesses were absorbed by the Long family. Look at the wise Duan family which understood the times. Soon after the Long family rooted itself in Lin Town, the Duan family leaned on the Long family and offered all their businesses to the Long family. Currently, the Duan family has become a subsidiary family clan of the Long family but is also extremely wealthy and much more powerful than before. With the Long family’s assistance, the Duan family has already beaten the Si and Ye family!”

“Is that Long family really so powerful? The Ye and Si family have at least several hundreds of years of history in Lin Town already.” A person had a confused expression as he did not have much knowledge about the Long family.

“There are things you don’t know. The Clan Master of the Long family is a mighty figure from another town and is at the half-step Yin Yang Perfected Lord realm. How can the Ye and Si family be able to fight against the Long family? If not for the fact that the Long family saw some exploitative use of the Ye and Si family, it would already have taken over them a long time ago!” The elderly explained.

“What… Half-step Yin Yang Perfected Lord?!”

After learning of Clan Master Long’s martial skills, everyone was startled and in disbelief. Even the super-powerful cultivators in sects were not even at this realm!

To the family clans in the town, one was already considered an unparalleled, powerful figure if one’s skills could enter the Martial Qi Level Two realm. They had never seen a cultivator at Martial Qi Level Three before, not to mention a so-called half-step Yin Yang Perfected Lord. To the masses, that was simply an invincible realm that existed only in legends.

“Long family…”

Ye Qingtang began thinking. She truly had no impression of the Long family at all.

She did not think much about it, however. The Si residence was right ahead, and Ye Qingtang headed over to meet the Si’s.

When she was in Lin Town, the Si family took great care of her, and she never forgot about

“Who are you! Stop!”

A few guards at the entrance of the Si residence immediately stopped Ye Qingtang.

“Notify Clan Master Si that Ye Qingtang is here to pay a visit.” Ye Qingtang told the few guards who prevented her from entering.

“Ye Qingtang… Young Miss Ye of Ye family?”.

The few guards were dumbfounded. Subsequently, one of them nodded and informed Ye Qingtang to wait for a moment.

Before long, a young male in white walked out with the guard.

“Tang Tang, it’s indeed you…” The male in white was surprised to see Ye Qingtang.

It had been almost two years since Ye Qingtang left Lin Town, and it was unexpected for her to return today.

“Brother Si Ye, how have you been?” Ye Qingtang looked at the male and asked with a smile.

The male in white before her was the Young Master of the Si family, Si Ye, whom Ye Qingtang was familiar with.

“Quick, come in with me!” Si Ye laughed and hurriedly led Ye Qingtang into the Si residence.

“Is Grandfather Si in?”

After entering the Si residence, Ye Qingtang looked at Si Ye and asked.

“Mhm… Grandfather is at home. However, he was injured awhile ago; thus, he is unable to go out to receive you.” Si Ye answered.

“Grandfather Si is injured?” Ye Qingtang was taken aback. “What happened?”

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952 - Return to Lin Town (3)

“It’s not serious, so please don’t ask anymore.” Si Ye heaved a soft sigh. His voice was filled with resignation.

Since she saw that Si Ye was unwilling to say more, Ye Qingtang did not pursue the matter.

After a moment, Si Ye had led Ye Qingtang to the study.

“Grandfather, Tang Tang is here,” said Si Ye.

“Come in.”

Master Si’s voice could be heard from the study. The voice seemed a little weak.

Si Ye immediately led Ye Qingtang into the study.

The old man sitting in the study was Master Si.

However, Master Si’s temples were now graying. Compared to two years ago, he had aged greatly. Furthermore, his face was lacking some of its normal colors. With Ye Qingtang’s ability, she could immediately tell that Master Si had suffered from a serious injury. Although he had recovered, it left behind some chronic ailments.

Considering Master Si’s age, an injury of this type was fatal.

“Tang Tang, when did you return?” When Master Si saw Ye Qingtang, he immediately stood and smiled as he spoke to her.

“I just returned to Lin Town today.” Ye Qingtang answered honestly.

“Tang Tang, I heard that you went to the Xuanling Sect to cultivate… why do you have time to return?” Master Si was somewhat surprised.

Lin Town was thousands of miles from the Xuanling Sect. A return journey would take a very long time. Considering Ye Qingtang’s situation, it was unrealistic for her to return to Lin Town under normal circumstances.

A remote little town like Lin Town was unclear about the matters relating to the various sects. They could not possibly know about the changes that had taken place in the Xuanling Sect. It was as if the sects and secular society were two completely separate worlds.

“Tang Tang, could it be that you did not become an inner sect disciple of the Xuanling Sect….” Si Ye asked as he looked at Ye Qingtang.

Half a year ago, Si Ye and the others had planned to travel to the sect and participate in the sect assessment. However, events in the town had delayed them.

Although a family in a small town did not quite understand the sects, they knew some of the basic rules.

In order to enter a sect to cultivate, one first became an outer sect disciple. The so-called outer sect discipleship was actually an assessment period. One could only become an inner sect disciple by passing the assessment within the assessment period. However, out of a hundred outer sect disciples, it was pretty good if even five became inner sect disciples.

Ye Qingtang’s sudden return to Lin Town naturally caused speculation.

Ye Qingtang smiled when she heard that. However, she did not wish to explain, as it would be too complicated. Instead, she simply kept quiet.

“Si Ye.” Master Si immediately shot a displeased look at Si Ye. Even if Ye Qingtang had not passed the sect’s assessment to become an inner sect disciple, Si Ye should not have asked so directly.

Si Ye also knew that he had committed a faux pas and looked at Ye Qingtang apologetically.

“It’s alright, Grandfather Si.” Ye Qingtang smiled.

“That’s right, Qingtang, have you gone home?” Master Si asked.

“After I arrived in Lin Town, I came to visit Grandfather Si first, so I haven’t gone home yet,” said Ye Qingtang.

Master Si nodded when he heard that. A contented expression surfaced on his face.

“Grandfather Si, where is Si Bai?” Ye Qingtang had not seen a trace of Si Bai since her return to the Si family and was rather curious.

“Third brother is not home,” laughed Si Ye.

“A year ago, after you left Lin Town, Grandfather ordered someone to nurse third brother according to the method you left, and he is much better now…”

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953 - Return to Lin Town (4)

Si Bai was extremely intelligent but was born with a weak body. Fortunately, Ye Qingtang’s help had managed to turn the course of his illness around. However, Si Bai had suffered too many losses in the past decades. Hence, Master Si had arranged for Si Bai to travel a thousand miles away to somewhere where he could convalescence quietly, in hopes of speeding up his recovery.

Si Bai had been convalescing there for more than a year.

Ye Qingtang nodded when she heard Si Ye’s words.

As they were speaking, Master Si coughed repeatedly, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

When he saw that, Si Ye’s expression changed.

Half a year ago, Master Si had been injured by a powerful cultivator from the Long Family. Although his injuries had healed, he was old, and it was unavoidable that some chronic ailments remained.

“Grandfather Si’s injury…” Ye Qingtang looked at Master Si and asked.

“Hmph, it’s all the doing of that Long Family and that Duan Family.” Master Si grunted coldly. When he mentioned the two families, he gritted his teeth in hatred.

“Long Family and Duan Family…” That was also Ye Qingtang’s guess, but she was somewhat surprised to hear it from Master Si.

“Ai…” Master Si sighed softly. “Tang Tang, you have left Lin Town for almost two years. There are many things that you don’t know about. A year ago, the Long Family moved into Lin Town. They were extremely domineering, and they exploited the Ye Family and the Si Family in many ways. We resisted a few times, and I was injured as a result.”

“The Long Family is just too powerful. Rumor has it that the head of the family is a half-step Yin Yang Perfected Lord… We are helpless in the face of such a powerful cultivator.” Si Ye’s face was filled with resignation.

Si Ye had intended to ask the City Lord of Fallen Stars City for help, but although they had sent many messages, they had not received a reply.

There was no news of Mu Su. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air.

Fortunately, the Long Family had not annexed the Si Family or the Ye Family. It was as if the Si and Ye families were beneath them. After all, in the eyes of the Long Family, these two families were as insignificant as ants.

“Grandfather Si, let me examine your injuries,” Ye Qingtang said to Master Si.

Master Si sighed when he heard that. “My injuries have healed, but they gave rise to chronic ailments that I am unable to recover from.”

Without saying anything else, Ye Qingtang stepped forward and used her primordial qi to examine his body.

Master Si’s injuries had indeed healed; it was just that the chronic ailments were deeply rooted. If they were not completely eradicated, he would not live for many more years.

“Grandfather, it’s nothing. Just rest for a few more days, and I’m sure you’ll be better.” Si Ye frowned as he spoke.

But Master Si shook his head at Si Ye’s words. “Si Ye, Grandfather is old but not senile. I am well aware of my own body. I’ll be lucky if I’m not dead within half a year. Now, Grandfather’s greatest wish is for our Si Family to be safe.”

Si Ye gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, but he did not say a word.

Of course, he knew about his grandfather’s condition.

Everyone knew that the Si Family’s Third Young Master, Si Bai, was physically weak. However, they did not know that Master Si’s health was now so poor.

His grandfather’s chronic ailments had previously been suppressed by elixirs. But now, the elixirs available on the market had long lost their effectiveness, and his chronic ailments would flare up every half a month.

“Grandfather Si, I have an elixir.”

Ye Qingtang smiled and took out a fiery red healing elixir from her space ring.

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954 - Return to Lin Town (5)

Ye Qingtang had obtained this elixir from the Dragon Vein. Besides improving one’s physique and constitution, it could rapidly increase the cultivation level of those below the grade of half-step Yin Yang Perfected Lord.

To Ye Qingtang, this type of elixir was so insignificant as to be almost worthless. However, to a family in a small town, it was a priceless treasure.

“Tang Tang, don’t waste it.” Master Si immediately shook his head.

As he had said earlier, he was well aware of his state of health. In his current state, any elixir would be wasted on him.

“Grandfather Si, I have plenty of this type of elixir,” said Ye Qingtang.

“Tang Tang, actually Grandfather’s chronic ailments are very serious. Elixirs no longer have any effect. Now, we can only nurse him,” said Si Ye.

“This elixir can probably cure Grandfather Si’s injuries.” Ye Qingtang did not keep her elixir and handed it over to Master Si.

“Alright, since it’s a token of Tang Tang’s good intentions, Grandfather will accept it.” Master Si took the scarlet elixir from Ye Qingtang’s hand.

“Grandfather Si, eat the medicine.” Ye Qingtang smiled.

“Tang Tang, it is not yet time for Grandfather to take his medicine.” Si Ye looked at Ye Qingtang.

“It doesn’t matter. This elixir can be taken at any time and will instantly cure you,” replied Ye Qingtang

When he heard Ye Qingtang’s words, Master Si did not allow Si Ye to say anything else. He immediately popped the elixir into his mouth.

The moment the scarlet elixir entered Master Si’s mouth, it immediately transformed into a current of air. The next instant, an indescribable burning current of air rushed into Master Si’s limbs, bones, and meridians.

As the burning current rushed in, all the chronic ailments in Master Si’s body were completely washed away. His body and energy were unimaginably improved. His body let out a sound like the popping of cooked beans.

After a long time, Master Si’s color returned to normal. It was no longer as weak and pale as before.

“Grandfather?”

Si Ye was shocked when he saw the surprise on his grandfather’s face. He was rooted to the spot and could not help but call out in alarm.

“This…”

At Si Ye’s soft call, Master Si returned to his senses. He stared at Ye Qingtang in disbelief.

“Tang Tang… this elixir of yours…”

Master Si had never encountered such a miraculous elixir in his life. In just a moment, it had completely swept away all his extremely serious chronic ailments. Even his cultivation level, which had reached a bottleneck many years ago, seemed to show faint signs of a breakthrough!

What kind of miraculous elixir was this?!

“Why? Does Grandfather Si like the taste and want to try it again?” Ye Qingtang was in a good mood when she saw that Master Si had recovered his old self.

“Tang Tang, don’t tease… this elixir is so valuable. Even if you don’t keep it for yourself, how can you casually give it to me?!” Master Si stared at Ye Qingtang, his brow deeply furrowed.

Although Master Si did not know the name of this elixir, its effect was so miraculous that it probably was one of the sect’s original immortal elixirs and a great treasure. It was priceless. Even if the Si Family beggared themselves, they probably could not obtain the elixir in exchange!

Once the chronic ailments in Master Si’s body were cleared, his cultivation became even purer. Besides joy, he also felt an indescribable sense of pity.

He was already so old, yet such a miraculous elixir was wasted on him. Also, Master Si became even more suspicious of where Ye Qingtang had obtained such a precious immortal elixir from.

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955 - Return to Lin Town (6)

“Tang Tang, surely you haven’t taken Xuanling Sect’s authentic precious immortal elixir?!” Master Si looked at Ye Qingtang gravely.

Ye Qingtang could not help but laugh when she heard that. She did not show any sign of being offended. The fact that Master Si could say these things showed that he treated her like one of his family.

“Grandfather Si, you don’t need to worry. I didn’t steal it from the Xuanling Sect,” said Ye Qingtang. She naturally knew what Master Si was worried about.

“Ai… since that is so, you should have kept this wonderful immortal elixir…” Master Si’s heart still ached at the waste.

“Grandfather Si, these things have not much value to me,” explained Ye Qingtang.

“No value?”

Master Si was taken aback when he heard Ye Qingtang’s words. It was as if he had misheard.

However, Master Si very quickly understood that this was just Ye Qingtang’s excuse.

“That’s right.” Ye Qingtang took a red bottle from her space ring. There were approximately fifty scarlet elixirs in it. “Grandfather Si, this is for you.”

Master Si looked suspicious. He took the red bottle that Ye Qingtang handed to him and opened it. When he saw the contents of the bottle, he was stunned and could not believe his eyes.

The red bottle… was filled with the scarlet elixir he had taken just now…

Just as Master Si was staring at it blankly, Ye Qingtang took a premium yellow-grade weapon from her space ring. “Elder Brother Si Ye, I think this sword suits you, so I’ll give it to you.”

“This…”

Si Ye took the sword and studied it. His pupils contracted violently in disbelief.

In the entire Lin Town or even in its ten neighboring cities, a premium yellow-grade weapon had never appeared before. Even Clan Master Long, a half-step Yin Yang Perfected Lord, only carried a sword that was a superior yellow-grade weapon!

But what Ye Qingtang had given him was a premium yellow-grade…

Si Ye was ashen. He almost subconsciously returned the premium yellow-grade weapon to Ye Qingtang.

“What’s the matter? Don’t you like it, Elder Brother Si Ye?” Ye Qingtang looked at Si Ye. “This sword is not great, but black-grade divine weapons are not easy to control… also, in a sense, this sword is not inferior to ordinary black-grade divine weapons.”

“No… no, no, no, Tang Tang, you can’t do this. It’s too valuable!” Si Ye shook his head repeatedly. Although he desperately wished to accept this premium yellow-grade weapon, logic told Si Ye that he could not do so. Si Ye’s emotions were momentarily thrown into turmoil.

He could not accept such a valuable gift from Ye Qingtang for no reason. In Si Ye’s eyes, a premium yellow-grade weapon was as valuable as a divine weapon.

It would be the same as someone giving Ye Qingtang a heaven-level divine weapon for no reason…

But Si Ye did not know that Ye Qingtang’s space ring contained innumerable weapons of this grade. What he considered to be a divine weapon was no different from a piece of scrap metal in Ye Qingtang’s eyes.

“It’s not valuable. Please accept it.” Ye Qingtang threw the premium yellow-grade weapon over to Si Ye.

Si Ye’s martial talent was quite good. The sword he currently carried was an ordinary weapon forged in a weapons shop. With Si Ye’s martial ability, a premium yellow-grade weapon would cause him to level up by more than one grade.

At that moment, Si Ye’s emotions were in turmoil. This premium yellow-grade weapon was just too valuable. If he accepted it…

However, Si Ye’s eyes remained glued to the premium yellow-grade weapon in his hand.

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956 - Return to Lin Town (7)

Ye Qingtang quickly took out a jet-black bronze longbow from her space ring. She placed them in Master Si’s hand, together with a few dozen black arrows.

At that moment, Master Si was still staring at the dozens of scarlet immortal elixirs in the bottle when he felt something ice-cold in his right hand. He subconsciously glanced downward and studied the black bronze longbow in his hand.

“Premium yellow-grade bronze arrow… and premium yellow-grade bronze arrows…”

At that moment, Master Si was completely stunned.

Master Si loved hunting, and among the various weapons, he was especially skilled at archery. He had a collection of a few dozen longbows in his house.

However, very few cultivators in the secular world could use the bow, and similarly, few were trained in archery. It was rare to see a longbow of slightly higher quality. Even among the sects, a yellow-grade longbow seldom appeared, and a premium yellow-grade longbow made of bronze was unheard of.

Among the longbows, those made of bronze were the rarest. Besides the bronze longbow, there were also a few dozen arrows, all made of bronze. Each bronze arrow was of premium yellow-grade level and could be used repeatedly.

“Tang Tang… this…”

Master Si looked at Ye Qingtang in shock and disbelief.

It was impossible to estimate the value of a premium yellow-grade bronze longbow, and with a few dozen premium arrows included…

“Grandfather Si, I know you are especially skilled in archery and have collected many bows in your home. I especially looked for this bow for you. The arrows have an aura of frost and are fairly powerful. Even a Martial Level Three cultivator will be instantly frozen if he comes into contact with the aura of frost,” Ye Qingtang said.

In this mainland, there were very few cultivators who were versed in archery. Master Si had been an expert marksman when he was young. Now, with this premium yellow-grade bronze bow and arrow, he would be fairly formidable.

“Tang Tang, these things are just too valuable. If you have no use for them, give them to your father. Right now, your Ye Family urgently needs these things…” Master Si said hurriedly.

Although Master Si did not know where Ye Qingtang had found these startling treasures, if Ye Qingtang did not mention it, then Master Si also would not pursue the matter.

“No need.” Ye Qingtang immediately shook her head. “Grandfather Si, I have many other items like that, and the Ye Family can’t possibly use them all. You should just accept them. Unless you don’t like them?”

“Don’t like?”

Master Si and Si Ye were both stunned. They had never seen treasures of this grade in their lives. They would love to sleep next to them. How could they not like them?

“Tang Tang, do you really want to give this to Grandfather?” Master Si looked shocked.

Even the current Long Family probably had nothing like that…

“Of course.” Ye Qingtang nodded.

“Tang Tang… thank you.” Master Si saw that Ye Qingtang was determined and did not refuse further. He could not bear to let go of the bottle of scarlet elixirs and the bow and arrows. To him, they were like precious treasures.

“Grandfather Si, these elixirs are enough for your skills to break through to the half-step Yin Yang Perfected Lord stage within half a year. At that time, you will be a force to reckon with when you use this bow” Ye Qingtang said laughingly.

“Half-step Yin Yang Perfected Lord…”