Ethereal Nanjiang, the Yu Clan!

Qin Wushang was taken aback, his brow furrowing as he asked, "What are you going to the Xuanmen Domain for?" Just as Li Guanqi was about to speak, he seemed to recall something. With a wave of his hand, an unfamiliar scene materialized before Qin Wushang's eyes. The sight made Qin Wushang's brows knit even tighter. Looking at Li Guanqi, he asked softly, "Where is this?" Li Guanqi spoke in a deep voice, "Six years ago, while I was still in the Great Xia Sword Sect, a mysterious figure snatched away my sword coffin. You know about that, right?" The young man swept a sharp gaze across his surroundings and replied via voice transmission, "Of course I do. That incident... hit you pretty hard, so I've heard." A glint of pain flickered in Li Guanqi's eyes, and his voice turned frosty. "I already know who took my sword coffin." "Who?" "The Xuanmen Domain Lord, Zhang Qixuan!" "What?! The Xuanmen Domain Lord?!" Qin Wushang's brows furrowed tight as he stared at Li Guanqi in disbelief. "Are you sure?" "Positive!" "Then this image is..." "Where the sword coffin is right now!" Qin Wushang lowered his head, rubbing his chin and muttering, "Why does this feel so familiar?" Li Guanqi's eyes flickered, but he didn't interrupt. Suddenly! Qin Wushang snapped his head up to look at Li Guanqi and said in a grave voice, "I've got it! That mountain..." "The imperial clan—the Yu clan!!" Hearing this, Li Guanqi merely frowned slightly, not thinking much of them. Qin Wushang couldn't help admiring how unshakeable Li Guanqi's temperament had become. Had it been anyone else learning their weapon was in the hands of an exceptionally powerful clan, they might have considered retreating long ago. Or at the very least, found it an immense headache. Yet Li Guanqi merely gave a slight frown. Nothing more. Li Guanqi rose slowly and said softly, "I can go by myself. There's no need to trouble Uncle Qin over this." Qin Wushang dusted off his backside, stood up, and curled his lip with a sidelong glance. "You're not planning to ditch me and go alone, are you? "Let me tell you: not happening." Li Guanqi glanced at him and frowned. "They're an imperial clan of this Ethereal Immortal Domain just like yours. Wouldn't it cause trouble if you intervened?" Qin Wushang curled his lip and chuckled with mock scorn. "Trouble? "When has Qin Wushang ever feared trouble? "Isn't the old man back home meant for times like this? If I don't use him now, when am I supposed to use him?" Li Guanqi let out a wry, helpless laugh. Put that way, it actually sounded quite reasonable. "Oh, right. Do you want to let the others know you've come out of seclusion?" Li Guanqi shook his head. "No need," he said quietly. "I want to handle this myself. Besides... there is something I need your help with, which might even require Uncle Qin's intervention." Li Guanqi then sent a voice transmission to Qin Wushang. Qin Wushang's throat bobbed, his mouth fell slightly open, and his pupils contracted sharply! "This... I think I'll have to discuss it with my old man. It involves a bit too much." The corner of Li Guanqi's mouth curved slightly as he murmured softly, "No matter. Uncle Qin should understand what's at stake. "Also, pass word to Uncle Qin: if things go smoothly, I'll take him along to the Seventh Domain." Qin Wushang's eyes lit up, and he nodded. After a moment's thought, he pulled out an ancient-treasure-grade longsword and tossed it over. "The rank is a bit low, so don't look down on it." Li Guanqi shook his head and replied softly, "No need. I'll have Guanyun Pavilion send one over." Qin Wushang curled his lip in feigned disdain. "Tsk. Having your own faction sure is awesome; you even talk differently." Ignoring him, Li Guanqi held out his hand. "Give me a map showing where the Yu clan is located, as well as the layout of their forces." Qin Wushang tossed over a jade slip and said gravely, "The Yu clan's old ancestor died under mysterious circumstances years ago. Now, the clan relies solely on its clan head, Yu Changbo, to keep up appearances. "Other factions have coveted their clan's status over the years, so in recent times, they've completely turtled up." Li Guanqi sneered coldly. Having colluded with Zhang Qixuan to rob him of his sword coffin, they naturally had to keep their tails between their legs. Meanwhile, in a void within an unknown domain, violent rumblings and explosions blended into a continuous roar. An old man with grizzled hair yet an exceptionally stout physique stood bare-chested. His coarse hemp robes had long since turned a purplish black. Though barely any wounds could be seen on his body, he was completely drenched in blood and grime. The luminous saber in the old man's hand suddenly dissipated. Planting his feet in the void, he threw his head back and laughed toward the heavens. "Hahahaha! What a good grandson!! What a fine grandson!!!" In the distance, a resolute-faced man in robes embroidered with azure dragons, his longsword dripping with blood, spoke softly. "It seems the Domain Lord's grandson has broken through to the Mahayana realm." Brilliance flared in Su Xuan's eyes, an intricate expression flashing through them as he gently nodded. "It shouldn't be long before he comes here." "Not long at all..." After a long silence, the old man suddenly spoke up. "When the time comes, if he has need of it, one of you should still make time to lend a hand." With those words spoken, the void once again plunged into endless slaughter. Qin Wushang had left. Standing on the mountain peak, Li Guanqi finished the last gulp of wine and let out a long breath. The reason he had spent seven days sparring with Qin Wushang was that he could genuinely feel Qin Wushang's kindness toward him. It was like... a lonely person finally finding someone willing to be his friend. Qin Wushang had waited outside God Burial Valley for three months, yet Li Guanqi knew Qin Wushang had only just emerged from seclusion himself. He had not even stabilized his realm; if Li Guanqi had not come out, he likely would have kept waiting. What was more, the moment he emerged, he had brought along wine jars, surely knowing Li Guanqi wouldn't have had a single sip inside. The corners of Li Guanqi's mouth curved upward. It felt good to have someone keep him in their thoughts. "I have returned." *Boom!* Earth-shaking cheers erupted across the Guanyun Domain Boundary! Word had spread to everyone that Li Guanqi was still alive, and Xi Yunhuai and the others were thrilled beyond measure. Li Guanqi only made a few brief inquiries, and lastly instructed Qianqiusui to find a suitable sword and deliver it to him. Li Guanqi pressed the jade slip to his brow and quickly learned the location of the Yu clan. Narrowing his eyes, he murmured softly, "The land of Nanjiang." His tone softened, his gaze carrying a touch of tenderness as he whispered, "I wonder how Wanshu is doing." Yet when he tried to contact Meng Wanshu, he could not reach her, as if she were shielded by something. The last message Meng Wanshu had left him was from six years ago. Channeling a wisp of primal energy into the slip, he soon heard Meng Wanshu's voice. "Brother Qi, I will be training at the Beiming Glacier. You must take great care in everything. Wait for me." Her gentle voice was tinged with longing and worry. Li Guanqi gently tucked the jade slip away. From the look of it, Meng Wanshu was fine; otherwise, he would have received a message from Meng Jiangchu by now. Two days later, Li Guanqi held a three-foot blade in his hand. Both blade and scabbard were dark red throughout, bearing an exceptionally heavy baleful aura. And this sword was none other than the prized treasure long preserved by Guanyun Pavilion: the Demon Sword Blood Slaughterer! Walking between heaven and earth, Li Guanqi's eyes gleamed with a chilling light as he murmured softly: "The Yu clan, Zhang Qixuan... Are you ready to face my revenge?"