Chapter 46: Are You Declaring War Against My Chen Family?

The next morning, at dawn, in the Qin family’s main hall:

“What? You’re going out with Young Master Li?” Qin Tianhai looked at his daughter in disbelief, his voice low.

Last night, he knew his daughter had met with Li Xun, but to his shock, it was just a brief meeting—no more than a quarter of an hour.

Yet, today, she wanted to go out alone with him.

Wasn’t this progressing a bit fast?

Though the engagement was set, shouldn’t they take things slowly?

“Yes.” Qin Xueyi nodded.

“This…” Qin Tianhai paced back and forth in the hall before stopping and tentatively asking, “Is it absolutely necessary?”

“We must go,” Qin Xueyi replied firmly, glancing outside at Li Xun, who stood with his back to the hall.

Overnight, his aura had become even more intense, making her feel much more confident about the journey’s safety.

“Ahem,” Qin Tianhai coughed, rubbing his hands together and lowering his voice. “If you must go, then perhaps I should send two of our family’s guardians with you? That way, they can offer you some protection.”

“Given the current situation, you know well, my daughter, that relations between the Qin and Chen families are strained. The moment you leave Luoye City, the Chen family could very well target you.”

“Having guardians with us wouldn’t put my mind at ease; it would be inconvenient,” Qin Xueyi replied.

They were headed for a place that held a Saint’s Opportunity, and with such a rare chance at stake, even close family might turn against each other—let alone family guardians.

She knew that the guardians her father would send would likely turn on them the moment they saw the Saint’s Opportunity.

After all, obtaining it could one day lead them to become a powerhouse of the Divine Palace realm if not a Saint, granting them freedom to roam the world as they pleased.

“Inconvenient?” Qin Tianhai gave his daughter a complex look.

Just what on earth were the two of them planning to do?

How could guardians be inconvenient?

Had his daughter fallen for Li Xun this easily?

They’d only met once!

“My dear daughter,” Qin Tianhai took a deep breath, glancing outside at Li Xun before turning back to look at her with a pained expression. “There are certain things that don’t need to be rushed. Perhaps you could wait until after the wedding?”

“Father, where’s your mind going?” Qin Xueyi blushed, flustered. “I’m only going with Young Master Li to seek an opportunity. We’ll be back soon.”

“To seek an opportunity…” Qin Tianhai sighed with relief.

As long as it wasn’t what he’d imagined, he had no objections.

After a moment’s thought, he asked, “Are you certain you don’t want guardians to accompany you?”

“Positive,” Qin Xueyi replied with a nod.

"Very well, then," Qin Tianhai finally relented, realizing the opportunity his daughter spoke of was likely extraordinary—too much so to risk having guardians along.

He gave her a few final words of caution, then took two jade pendants from his storage ring, placing them in her hands. “These will each block an attack from a Life and Death Realm cultivator. If you and Li Xun find yourselves in any danger, use the pendant immediately. Once it breaks, I’ll come as quickly as possible.”

“Thank you, Father,” Qin Xueyi nodded, accepting the jade pendants before turning to head outside.

Watching her retreating figure, Qin Tianhai muttered to himself, still a bit uneasy, “Are you two really just going after an opportunity?”

Outside the hall, Qin Xueyi emerged gracefully, her steps delicate, yet confident.

Her father’s words still echoed in her mind, bringing a slight blush to her cheeks.

She lowered her gaze, shyly avoiding Li Xun’s eyes. “Young Master Li, we can depart now.”

“Have you explained everything to Uncle Qin?” Li Xun asked with a smile.

“Mm-hmm.” Qin Xueyi nodded softly.

“Then let’s go,” Li Xun replied, turning to lead the way out of the Qin estate.

Once outside Luoye City, he summoned the Royal Spirit Boat, to Qin Xueyi’s surprise.

They seated themselves inside the Boat, which hummed before transforming into a streak of light, cutting through the sky and vanishing over the horizon.

Meanwhile, back in Luoye City…

The Chen family’s main hall was filled with an oppressive silence.

The Chen Family Head, a middle-aged man with a dark gaze, stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

Though he said nothing, his formidable aura filled every corner of the hall, leaving the few servants inside pale and trembling, too fearful to make a sound.

“My son has been in the Qin family’s estate for over a day now with no word. Are you telling me you still can’t find any information?” he asked coldly.

“Family Head, we’re doing all we can. I believe… we’ll have news of the young master soon,” one servant replied, his voice shaking.

“Soon?” The Chen Family Head turned, his icy stare cutting into the servant. “Just how soon is ‘soon’?”

The Chen family and Qin family were far from allies; Qin Tianhai was well aware of the Chen family’s true intentions.

So far, neither side had taken drastic measures only because neither was confident of an outright victory.

But his son had been in the Qin family’s territory for over a day with no word, and he didn’t believe for a second that Qin Tianhai was hosting him as a guest.

“One day!” the servant stammered, gritting his teeth. “Just give me one day!”

“Fine,” the Chen Family Head replied. “But if you don’t have answers in a day—” He was interrupted by a blue-robed man who rushed into the hall. “Family Head, there’s terrible news!”

“Guardian Jiang, what’s happened?” The Chen Family Head’s tone softened slightly.

The guardians of the family were not mere servants, and if treated poorly, they could simply walk away.

“Earlier, I bribed a servant at the Qin family estate using a few spirit stones. He told me that the young master and Guardian Han have both been imprisoned in the Qin family dungeon!”

“And…?” The Chen Family Head’s eyes narrowed.

“And… their cultivation has apparently been crippled,” Guardian Jiang said, his voice grave.

“That insolent wretch! Does Qin Tianhai wish to declare war on the Chen family?” Roaring in fury, the Chen Family Head’s aura erupted like a volcano, shaking the grand hall and causing the ground to tremble as though on the verge of collapse.

“Gather everyone above the Spirit Meridian Realm!” he shouted. “We march on the Qin estate! Today, the Chen family will lay waste to them!”

“No, Family Head!” Guardian Jiang quickly stepped forward to block his path, his expression urgent. “Qin Tianhai has recently allied with the Li family of Tianyuan City!”