Chapter 6

The Qin residence was located in the northern part of Tianyong City, about a hundred miles from the Bai family. After leaving the Bai family, although Qin Wentian walked quickly, it was already daytime by the time he arrived at the Qin residence.

Stepping onto the path of martial arts, his muscles and bones had become strong, and after walking all night, Qin Wentian did not feel the slightest bit tired. Outside the gates of the Qin residence, the statue of his ancestor, Qin Wu, still stood tall, holding a long spear and riding a steed.

Qin Wu, the former marshal of the Chu Kingdom, commanded the great Chu army, his might shaking the eight directions, and his military achievements were glorious. He once saved the previous emperor from peril and died for the country. However, after the current emperor ascended the throne, he ordered the Qin residence to move north to Tianyong City, away from the center of power, and gradually weakened the Qin residence's influence in the military, causing each generation of the Qin family to decline.

Qin Wentian looked at the statue of the marshal and smiled bitterly. His recent experiences were somewhat similar to those of the Qin residence.

Stepping into the Qin residence, Qin Wentian saw many people rushing in one direction. He couldn't help but stop a maid and asked, "What's happening?"

"Master Wentian, the young masters and misses who were cultivating in the academies of the imperial city returned yesterday. The head of the family is inspecting their cultivation progress in the training ground today," the maid replied.

The Chu Kingdom had been established for three thousand years, vast and boundless, with over a hundred cities and a population of tens of millions. The imperial city of Chu was the most prosperous, not only the center of power but also a holy land for martial cultivation, with many famous martial academies and prestigious families. People from all over the Chu Kingdom would send talented youths to the famous martial academies in the imperial city for cultivation.

The Qin residence was no exception. Among Qin Wentian's generation, three people were cultivating in the martial academies of the imperial city. They were the future of the Qin family.

"Having returned from the capital, I wonder what realm they have reached," Qin Wentian thought to himself and then headed towards the training ground of the Qin residence.

When Qin Wentian arrived at the training ground, he saw that many people of status in the Qin residence were present. On the battle platform, there were sounds of wind and thunder, and two young disciples were sparring.

"Qin Zhi." Qin Wentian looked at one of the young men in a yellow robe, who was about his age. At that moment, Qin Zhi unleashed a Tiger Roar Fist, roaring like a fierce tiger descending from the mountains, causing the forest to tremble. Instantly, the young man opposite him was overwhelmed, and with a loud boom, he was sent flying off the platform, landing heavily on the ground.

"This Tiger Roar Fist, more fearsome than a real tiger, suggests that Qin Zhi has likely reached the Seventh Level of the Body Tempering Realm," Qin Wentian thought, feeling the power of the punch. An ordinary martial cultivator at the Seventh Level of the Body Tempering Realm had the strength of forty-nine oxen, and their fists were harder than steel.

Qin Zhi had condensed a tiger star soul, making him a martial destiny cultivator with even greater strength. Combined with the enhancement of the Tiger Roar Fist, his power was terrifying.

"A martial youth can unleash such immense force. Qin Zhi's talent and strength are still below Qin Shang and Sister Qin Yao. Sister Qin Yao had already reached the Eighth Level of the Body Tempering Realm last year and is likely even stronger now."

Qin Wentian's eyes gleamed as he thought, "And this is just the Body Tempering Realm. If one reaches the Meridian Pulse Realm, with all the body's acupoints activated, the boundless power circulating through the nine meridians, and the use of even more powerful divine abilities, how formidable would that be?"

"Wentian." At that moment, a voice called out, and many eyes turned to Qin Wentian. The speaker was Qin Chuan, the head of the Qin family.

"Wentian, why have you returned?" Qin Chuan's stern demeanor softened, and he smiled warmly.

"Father." Hearing Qin Chuan's words, Qin Wentian was momentarily at a loss for words. Since childhood, Uncle Hei had brought him to live in the Qin residence, and Head of the Family Qin Chuan had adopted him as a foster son, treating him as his own child, even better than his biological children.

"It seems I was right. Bai Qiuxue communicated with the third heaven's martial destiny star, awakening her star soul, and her talent has amazed the capital. I assume she was expelled from the Bai family," a man beside Qin Chuan said coldly. He was Qin Chuan's younger brother, Qin He, the second son of the Qin family.

"Ridiculous." Qin Chuan rebuked him.

"Brother, you refuse to believe me. Now the Bai family and the people of the capital are in close contact, and it's even said that the Ye family of the imperial city has met with them. With Bai Qiuxue's talent attracting attention from all sides, do you think the Bai family will still honor the marriage agreement?" Qin He said helplessly, causing various expressions among the crowd.

At that moment, a sound of wind howling came from the sky, and everyone looked up, their expressions tightening. They saw a giant eagle circling in the sky, and on the eagle's back was a figure in a yellow robe.

Qin Chuan's brows furrowed. This person was quite impolite, riding a giant eagle that circled directly above them.

"Teacher." At that moment, a young girl beside Qin Chuan called out to the sky. Qin Chuan's gaze sharpened, and he asked, "Yao'er, is that your teacher?"

"Yes." Qin Yao nodded and said, "Teacher, why have you come to the Qin residence? Please come and take a seat."

"Yao'er, I heard that the Qin residence has a marriage agreement with the Bai family's Bai Qiuxue. Is this true?" the middle-aged man in the yellow robe asked from the sky.

Qin Yao's expression flickered, but she still replied, "Yes, it is true."

As soon as she finished speaking, the giant eagle descended and landed on the viewing platform, revealing a smile. "I have come today specifically for this matter. I heard that Bai Qiuxue has outstanding talent, and the Imperial Academy wishes to recruit her."

Everyone's hearts sank at these words. Bai Qiuxue had become a standout talent, and even the Imperial Academy of the Chu Kingdom had personally come to recruit her. It was worth noting that in their vast Qin residence, only the most talented Qin Yao had been admitted to the Imperial Academy.

"Since the academy wants to recruit Bai Qiuxue, why not just send an invitation letter and have her register at the academy next spring?" Qin Yao asked.

"Qin Yao, this time it's different. Bai Qiuxue's first martial destiny star came from the third heaven. Many academies from the imperial city have sent representatives, so they decided to hold a special recruitment in Tianyong City in two days, at the Bai family residence."

"On the day of the Bai family head's birthday, outside the Bai family residence." Qin Yao's gaze froze, realizing this was specifically arranged for Bai Qiuxue.

"Exactly. The recruitment is just a side event; the main focus is on Bai Qiuxue. Even the Imperial Star Academy might send someone, so we can't afford to be careless."

"Haha, Tang Lin, since you know the Imperial Star Academy is coming, why go through this trouble?" A hearty laugh echoed, and Tang Lin's gaze sharpened as he looked in the direction of the voice. He saw a man approaching, causing his pupils to constrict.

"Mo Shang!" Tang Lin thought coldly, not expecting Mo Shang to also want to use the marriage agreement with the Qin family. However, Qin Yao was his disciple, so Mo Shang had no hope with that connection.

"Brother Qin, it's been a long time. How is the old man?" Mo Shang approached and asked Qin Chuan.

The "old man" he referred to was Qin Wu's son, Qin Hao, the current head of the Qin family. Before Qin Wu's death, Qin Hao had followed his father into battle, earning great prestige in the military. After Qin Wu's death and the previous emperor's passing, the current emperor gave Qin Hao a nominal title and sent him to Tianyong City.

"Thank you for your concern, Mo Shang. My father is well, but he doesn't like to move around and cannot come out to greet you personally," Qin Chuan smiled at Mo Shang, his heart sinking. Mo Shang, from the Imperial Star Academy, had also come for Bai Qiuxue, indicating that the Bai family would likely break the marriage agreement.

"Mo Shang, Bai Qiuxue will definitely join our Imperial Academy," Tang Lin said, his tone tinged with a challenge.

"Is that so?" Mo Shang smiled, then sat down, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. When his eyes landed on Qin Wentian, they paused for a moment. Last night, he had sneaked into the Bai family residence to see who they were hiding, but unexpectedly discovered something interesting. The person had sneaked out of the Bai family residence, and out of curiosity, he followed them, only to find that they had come to the Qin residence.

"I thought the Bai family was hiding a powerful cultivator at the Essence Mansion Realm, but it turned out to be a young man around Bai Qiuxue's age. Judging by the strength of his star power, this young man's talent is no less than Bai Qiuxue's," Mo Shang thought, feeling that his trip had been worthwhile.

At that moment, everyone in the Qin family sighed inwardly. The Imperial Academy was the royal academy of the Chu Kingdom, admitting only nobles and exceptional talents, ranking among the top three martial academies in the Chu Kingdom.

The Imperial Star Academy only accepted martial destiny cultivators. Anyone who entered and graduated was a super-strong cultivator at the Essence Mansion Realm, a cradle of geniuses. The Essence Mansion Realm transcended the Ninth Level of the Meridian Pulse Realm, with immense power and the ability to fly and soar through the sky.

Cultivators at the Essence Mansion Realm were all important figures, capable of dominating Tianyong City.

However, now, both the Imperial Academy and the Imperial Star Academy had come to the Qin residence, all for Bai Qiuxue.