C80 The Penglai Secret Realm

Hsu Ning's complexion shifted from pale to flushed as she had been currying favor with Wang Qiang, hoping to someday transform from a nobody into a somebody of great importance. But after Qi Yun's words, Wang Qiang instantly became worthless.

Confused, Hsu Ning looked at Qin Buyi, who remained unfazed. She couldn't fathom why Qi Yun, with his formidable background, would bother to help Qin Buyi, a poor nobody. After a moment's hesitation, she left the stunned Wang Qiang behind, realizing that Qin Buyi now held more value than the now powerless Wang Qiang.

Approaching Qin Buyi, Hsu Ning tried to draw near, her eyes brimming with tears as she implored in a pitiful tone, "Qin Buyi, I was wrong. It was all Wang Qiang's doing. Can we start over, please? You used to love me more than anyone. If we get back together, I'll do anything you ask."

Qin Buyi couldn't help but laugh at Hsu Ning's rapid about-face. "Hsu Ning, you've taken opportunism to a whole new level," he scoffed.

After speaking his piece, Qin Buyi turned to Qi Yun and said, "Elder Qi, let's be on our way."

As Qi Yun followed Qin Buyi, he paused to offer Hsu Ning a piece of advice, "Young lady, don't judge a book by its cover. The clothes Qin is wearing might be beyond your reach for a lifetime."

Qi Yun's comment was no exaggeration; the Lan family had provided Qin Buyi's attire. Each piece was meticulously handcrafted, using only the finest materials from Blue Star.

With Qin Buyi and Qi Yun gone, the onlookers slowly scattered, leaving Wang Qiang, Hsu Ning, and Wang Jing alone in the clearing. Hsu Ning moved to speak to Wang Qiang, but before she could utter a word—

"Smack!"

Wang Qiang's hand swung in a wide arc, landing a stinging slap across Hsu Ning's face. "Get out of my sight, you wretch!" he bellowed, his fury unmistakable after witnessing Hsu Ning's actions.

...

On their way back, Qin Buyi chuckled and remarked to Qi Yun, "Elder Qi, I had no idea you held such a prestigious position."

Qi Yun's face lit up with a smug grin. "Of course, if we're speaking in terms of Huaxia's most prestigious institutions, you'd have to address me as 'Principal.'"

Upon reaching the Lan family's estate, Qin Buyi parted ways with Qi Yun and made his way back to his own courtyard. It wasn't long before Qi Yun appeared, a quivering middle-aged man in tow.

Qin Buyi was sipping tea in the courtyard when he noticed Qi Yun's entrance. He set his teacup aside, a look of resignation on his face. "Elder Qi, what's this all about?"

Qi Yun responded, "Qin, this time I've brought you a gift."

Qin Buyi gestured toward the shivering man in Qi Yun's grasp. "Don't tell me this man is the 'gift' you're referring to."

Without missing a beat, Qi Yun confirmed, "Exactly, it's him."

Qin Buyi sighed. "Elder Qi, if you have something to say, just say it. There's no need for these enigmatic antics."

Qi Yun handed over a file folder. "Take a look at this first. Once you've read it, you'll understand my intentions."

Qin Buyi quickly perused the contents of the folder. When he looked up at the middle-aged man again, a glint of lethal intent shone in his eyes. "I appreciate the gift, Elder Qi. I'll accept it."

The middle-aged man was the very individual who had ensnared Qin Buyi in a complex trap during his last assassination mission. The file made it clear that the mastermind behind him was none other than the Kunlun Secret Realm, which Qin Buyi had obliterated.

Sensing the murderous aura emanating from Qin Buyi, the middle-aged man became frantic, tears and snot mingling as he pleaded, "Lord Qin, show mercy, please spare me. I was blind to have offended you. Spare me, and I will follow your lead from this day forth."

With a resonant "clang," the Killing Saber was drawn, swiftly sweeping across the man's neck. Qin Buyi showed no mercy to the man devoid of any cultivation.

Anyone who bore a deathly grudge against Qin Buyi, regardless of their power, was marked for death.

With a "swish," the man's body fell in two.

Sheathing the Killing Saber, Qin Buyi turned to Qi Yun. "Elder Qi, your gift is received. Now, tell me your true purpose."

Qi Yun scratched his head and ventured cautiously, "Qin, I'd like to practice in your Small Chiliocosm."

Qin Buyi arched an eyebrow, inquiring, "And why is that?"

With a sigh, Qi Yun explained, "The spiritual energy is dwindling in the outside world, but more than that, I've grown weary of mundane life."

"I'm looking for a peaceful place to cultivate, and after much thought, your Small Chiliocosm seems like the perfect refuge."

"Don't worry, I won't be a freeloader. Whatever you need, just say the word."

Qin Buyi chuckled, "I was wondering what you were being so secretive about. So this is it."

"Was it necessary to hem and haw before bringing up such a trivial matter?"

Embarrassed, Qi Yun admitted, "We had our differences, and I feared you'd say no, which led me to this roundabout approach."

Qin Buyi responded, "Elder Qi, consider it carefully before you settle in my Small Chiliocosm. I might leave Blue Star before long..."

"Leave Blue Star? To where?"

Before Qi Yun could finish, he grasped Qin Buyi's implication, his eyes widening in realization.

"Qin, are you talking about traveling to other planets?"

"Just as you've deduced, Elder Qi, I plan to journey to other planets soon," Qin Buyi confirmed.

A gleam of excitement spread across Qi Yun's face. "I never imagined you'd have a way off Blue Star. That's extraordinary."

"In that case, I'm even more determined to reside in your Small Chiliocosm. Eventually, I'd like to accompany you to these other planets."

"To witness the wonders of foreign realms."

"Very well," Qin Buyi agreed.

He enveloped Qi Yun with his Divine Consciousness and transported him into the Small Chiliocosm.

From the outside world, Qin Buyi's voice reached Qi Yun, "Elder Qi, find a place that suits you in the Small Chiliocosm. I have other matters to attend to."

Qi Yun responded, "Qin, go ahead with your tasks. I'll manage on my own."

After saying goodbye to Lan Wenhao, Qin Buyi departed from the Lan family and set out for the Penglai Secret Realm.

Two hours of flight later, Qin Buyi arrived at a secluded island in the East Sea.

Casting his Divine Consciousness across the island, Qin Buyi located a node where the spiritual energy was distinctly different from the rest.

"Clang!"

Drawing the Killing Saber, he struck the node with all his strength.

"Bang!"

The island trembled, and a portal materialized before Qin Buyi.

Stepping through, he experienced a brief sensation of teleportation before entering the Penglai Secret Realm.

His Divine Consciousness unfurled, encompassing the entire realm.

The images conveyed by his Divine Consciousness took Qin Buyi aback.

The Penglai Secret Realm was as vast as the Small Chiliocosm.

It was common knowledge that the Small Chiliocosm reached such dimensions only after merging with three great secret realms.

Yet, the Penglai Secret Realm was naturally this expansive.

Moreover, Qin Buyi sensed an underlying current of danger within the realm.

With no room for complacency, he proceeded cautiously toward the heart of the Penglai Secret Realm.

As Qin Buyi approached the center, before he could take any action, a figure launched towards him from a distance with incredible speed.