Regardless of what they said, Miao Yin remained absent-minded.
After returning to the dormitory area, instead of choosing to go to Wind Valley or the Fierce Beast Trial Ground for cultivation, Miao Yin opted to quietly await the arrival of night in the dormitory area.
When stars adorned the sky and the world fell silent, Qin Shan finally emerged from Wind Valley.
As soon as Qin Shan returned to the dormitory area, Miao Yin seized an opportune moment to enter Qin Shanâs room and took out a letter.
"Elder, the Clan Leader summons us back."
"Hm?"
Qin Shan quickly took the letter, shaking off the initial pleasurable state of cultivation, and a serious expression crept onto his face.
"Elder Qin, the Clan Leader said this matter must not be disclosed to the Young Master, so we can only leave at night."
After glancing at the letter, Qin Shan put it away, "It seems the Clan Leaderâs greatest concern has occurred. Otherwise, there wouldnât be such urgency to summon us back."
Before he followed Qin Mo out, the unrest within the branch was like an undercurrent unseen, yet undeniably real.
This is a deadly danger within a family.
The root of all this was the emergence of a Half-Step Divine Profound expert within the branch, although not a match for Ancestor Qin Tian, he was still a Half-Step Divine Profound.
With him as backing, the branch acted with some impunity.
Of course, this was only speculation.
Inferred from the sparse information he directed, and the outcome could be vastly different.
After setting aside his thoughts, Qin Shan hesitated a while. He had just accepted a Sect task, but now he must return to Flying Fish Island, thus making it difficult to complete the task.
Apart from not receiving the reward, he might be stripped of something.
"I hope itâs as I guessed." Qin Shan said, glancing at the sky outside the window, "Letâs go, bid farewell to the Sect Leader, and return to Flying Fish Island tonight, aiming for a swift return."
"Yes."
Miao Yin nodded.
At the same time, Wen Ping was still cultivating in Jianmu Forest.
While enjoying the rapid progress in cultivation brought by the Changmo Technique, he was also preoccupied with the sect task, looking forward to the arrival of the Mountain Suppression Realm.
When the two came to Jianmu Forest to bid farewell, Wen Ping said nothing.
This was never a cage; it wasnât a place he couldnât leave if he wanted to.
"Isnât Qin Mo going?"
However, Wen Ping was curious why the two left without taking Qin Mo.
Miao Yin quickly responded, "We just need to go back once, no need to trouble Young Master Qin Mo."
"Whatâs happening at Flying Fish Island?"
"Family matters... though not clear yet, it seems significant."
"Alright, make it a quick return to complete the sect task early."
Though it was displeasing that his Elder could be summoned away by a mere word.
Since itâs a family matter, Wen Ping didnât want to say anything more.
That said, Qin Familyâs matter flashed through Wen Pingâs mind.
That former force he could only look up to.
Besides Qin Shan and the two others, Wen Ping had also met Qin Tian of the Qin Family.
In the Secret Realm, he even saved Qin Tianâs life. Wen Ping recalled how, as the old ancestor of the Qin Family, Qin Tian contended with the Hundred Sects Alliance and Extreme Realm Mountain, aiming to secure the Vortex Diagram Creation Book in the Secret Realm. He turned the tide of the battle, overthrowing those powers and reaching the pinnacle of East Lake.
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
Qin Shan gave an awkward smile.
But with Wen Ping mentioning the task, he dared not respond, perhaps during this trip he might have to abandon the sect task.
Just as he was about to leave, a voice suddenly called out.
"Something happened at home?"
It was Qin Moâs voice.
Beside him stood Yang Xi, Yun Liao, and Zhantian Qingxuan.
Originally, Qin Mo and the three intended to bid farewell to Wen Ping, as Qin Mo was planning to venture out to find a worthy adversary in the Profound Realm the next morning, and the others were also setting out for task completion.
Unexpectedly, they overheard the conversation.
This turned Qin Moâs desire to seek challengers into a sudden feeling of concern.
What could possibly be serious enough that his father wouldnât inform him?
"Young Master, itâs not that..."
Miao Yin hastily explained, but in her fluster, the explanation seemed unconvincing and was interrupted by Qin Mo.
"Stop lying to me, I knew it. That letter isnât your family letter."
"Whereâs the letter? Hand it over!"
"Young Master, the Clan Leader instructed us not to tell you. Though youâve heard, I cannot give you the letter." Miao Yin persistently refused.
"Give it to me!"
Qin Mo at this moment seemed unable to control his emotions.
He began to shout.
As Qin Shan and Miao Yin found themselves at an impasse, Wen Ping spoke.
"Whatâs all the noise about?"
"Sect Leader... sorry... weâll head out first." Qin Shan quickly apologized and stepped towards the exit.
However, Wen Ping stopped him.
"Let Qin Mo handle Flying Fish Island matters himself, Elder Qin, you send him back tomorrow... Miao Yin, stay and continue your cultivation." If, as Miao Yin mentioned, the Qin Familyâs Patriarch didnât want Qin Mo to know this matter, itâs necessary for him, as Sect Leader, to ensure he does.
He wishes for Qin Mo to become an outstanding disciple of the Immortal Sect.
But also doesnât want him to forget his identity as the Young Clan Leader, for this identity is a responsibilityâone he didnât uphold, leading to the dissolution of the Immortal Sect.
If it werenât for the systemâs appearance, the Immortal Sect would indeed be destroyed.
As a father, the Clan Leader views Qin Mo as a child; as a Sect Leader, he does not.
Moreover, an event significant enough for Qin Familyâs Patriarch not to want his son to know means Qin Shan will be delayed in completing his task. He accepted a task requiring every last second of a 30-day period.
Another hadnât taken a task and was about to leave.
This undoubtedly aimed at preventing him from obtaining the Vortex Cannon.
Having Qin Mo go could perfectly complete the task.
"Sect Leader... but!"
"Nothingâs definitive, thatâs settled. Since itâs a family matter, let the Young Clan Leader handle it."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
Qin Shan couldnât help but sigh, but he nodded.
This was his first time going against the Clan Leaderâs wishes.
But seeing Wen Ping turned away and closed his eyes, he couldnât say anything.
"Sect Leader, we are here to bid farewell."
At this moment, Zhantian Qingxuan and the others spoke.
For their tasks required exiting the sect to be completed.
"Hmm."
Wen Ping simply nodded.
Knowing Wen Ping wanted to continue cultivating, Zhantian Qingxuan and the others dared not disturb further.
Upon leaving Jianmu Forest, Zhantian Qingxuan spoke, "Elder Qin Shan, you are now an Elder of the Immortal Sect... Actually, the Sect Leader wishes to say, but hasnât. If unsaid, Elder Qin Shan, you must clearly understand yourself. You are no longer a servant of the Qin Family, not today, nor ever."
"I..."
Qin Shan was at a loss for words.
Secretly thinking: Perhaps itâs his emotional attachment; if it were someone else, they might have long adapted to the change in identity.
"Since youâve accepted the sectâs task given to you, then first complete it. If youâre really concerned, when the time comes, this old one will accompany Qin Mo back for a look, as it happens to be on the way."
Zhantian Qingxuan spoke with a smile.