49: Chapter 49 This child must not be allowed to live.

"Li Yifan?"

Hearing this name, Qin Tieying could not help but frown slightly; he was naturally very clear about this matter.

Back then, their Family's Old Ancestor broke through to the Golden Core Realm, coupled with Li Haipeng being heavily injured, and their Qin Family's Prodigy daughter taking a Golden Core Immortal Master of the Shuiyue Sect as her master.

This marriage alliance long ago held no benefits for the Qin Family, so after learning a bit about the Li Family's news, he immediately arranged for members of the Qin Family to go to the Li Family to call off the engagement.

After all, how could a mere trash with Five Spiritual Roots like Li Yifan be worthy of his Qin Family's Prodigy daughter?

Of course, if Li Yifan's Family had a powerhouse of the Golden Core Realm holding down the fort, that would be another situation; no matter how trashy Li Yifan was, there definitely would not have been any matter of calling off the engagement.

More than three years had already passed since this matter, and now being suddenly brought up by Sun Liancheng could not help but make Qin Tieying feel puzzled inside.

Back then, he had secretly sent people to notify the other Elders of the Li Family who wanted to seize power, letting them kill Li Yifan as much as possible and knock Li Haipeng down from his position.

Now that it was brought up again, it could not help but make a trace of an ominous feeling rise in Qin Tieying's heart.

Could it be that some unexpected change occurred during this period?

"Let's get straight to the point. What happened to Li Yifan? From what I heard from people of the Li Family, he had already disappeared without a trace two years ago. Could it be that you have discovered his whereabouts?"

Qin Tieying directly asked Sun Liancheng.

Hearing Qin Tieying's inquiry, Sun Liancheng didn't want to keep him in suspense either, and directly replied: "It is like this: a year ago, I once encountered a youth around the 8th Layer of Qi Refining at a ruin site. His strength was extremely formidable, consecutively slaying multiple Cultivators of the Qi Refining Peak. Even I did not have the confidence to steadily defeat him, and could only watch helplessly as he seized the greatest Legacy of that ruin site. Later, after making some inquiries, until today I discovered that this person is none other than the Li Family's Li Yifan, who was divorced by your Qin Family more than three years ago!"

Saying this, Sun Liancheng added another sentence: "Now another year has passed, and this Li Yifan might have already fully absorbed the Legacy of that ruin site. His cultivation and strength probably already far exceed mine. If he is allowed to continue developing, I'm afraid he will definitely become a grave threat to the Qin Family in the future!"

In order to obtain the Qin Family's favor and reward, Sun Liancheng spilled everything he knew.

At the same time, he deliberately exaggerated certain aspects in his description, all to make the Qin Family attach importance to it and use thunderous force to strike down Li Yifan in one fell swoop.

Only in this way could he feel at ease.

In case Li Yifan escaped the Qin Family's hunt, relying on his terrifying strength, if a few more years passed and he himself still hadn't broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, this Li Yifan's strength would probably be even stronger than his own.

"What? That Li Yifan didn't die? Instead, he encountered opportunities outside and now his cultivation is already above the 8th Layer of Qi Refining?"

Listening to Sun Liancheng's description, Qin Tieying was truly both shocked and afraid.

He never expected that Li Yifan's life would be so tenacious. With his Five Spiritual Roots Aptitude, he actually didn't die outside, but instead got along swimmingly and even obtained the Legacy of a ruin site from the hands of a True Disciple of the Lihuo Sect.

This was something he absolutely did not allow.

Now his Qin Family and the Li Family had completely broken ties, and over these years they had been secretly suppressing the Li Family and devouring the Li Family's industries. If Li Yifan were truly allowed to rise, even if he merely broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, this would still be no small hidden danger for his Qin Family.

After all, if his Qin Family wanted to execute the subsequent plan to completely swallow up the Li Family, then a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator with no concerns whatsoever acting secretly against the Disciples of his Qin Family—his Qin Family could not accept such a blow.

Sitting upright on the chair, Qin Tieying tapped the tabletop very rhythmically with his fingers. After quite a long while, he spoke: "Thank you for your hard work, little friend Sun. Rest assured, once my Qin Family investigates all matters clearly, little friend Sun, your benefits will definitely not be lacking, and my Qin Family will also bear little friend Sun's favor."

"No rush, no rush. It would be best for the Qin Family Head to investigate this matter in more detail. Once you make a move, you must go all out; otherwise, it is easy to raise a tiger that turns back to bite you!"

Sun Liancheng nodded with a smile. After cupping his fists toward Qin Tieying, he left behind a sentence and then exited the Qin Family's main hall.

Gazing at Sun Liancheng's back, Qin Tieying was deep in thought, and instructed the trusted aide beside him: "Pass the word down to thoroughly investigate Li Yifan's information within Yunzhou, and verify the truth and falsehood in Sun Liancheng's words."

"Understood, Family Head!"

That trusted aide nodded hurriedly, cupped his fists toward Qin Tieying, and silently retreated.

Having given orders regarding this matter, Qin Tieying spoke again to a Qin Family Elder at the side: "Right, keep a close eye on the Li Family's side. Send word immediately if there is any movement. If necessary, that dark chess piece planted previously can also be activated to settle this Li Family in advance..."

...

Six days later.

At this time, only the last day remained until the two-hundredth birthday of Qin Yuanming, the Golden Core Realm Old Ancestor of the Qin Family.

The entire Qingfeng County grew increasingly lively, the Qin Family became more and more jubilant, and the coming and going guests grew more and more numerous.

Basically, all the courtyards in the Qin Family's backyard specifically used to accommodate distinguished guests were packed full, and a special area was even carved out outside the Qin Family to entertain other coming guests.

During these few days, Lin Shen had been staying within the Qin Family, gaining a bit more understanding of the news regarding the entire Qingfeng County and the Qin Family.

At the same time, under Sun Liancheng's enthusiastic hospitality, he also seized the opportunity to get to know several Disciples from other major Sects and some prominent families.

All of them had backgrounds and influences behind them. Lin Shen got along quite harmoniously with these people, exchanging insights on cultivation with each other. By gathering the strengths of various schools, he also made no small enhancement to his own strength.

However, beneath these peaceful and jubilant days, undercurrents were secretly surging in Qingfeng County.

Because after these few days of investigating and verifying the authenticity of Sun Liancheng's news, the Qin Family had already obtained a large batch of accurate intelligence.

Li Yifan had broken through to the Qi Refining Peak!

After obtaining the Legacy of that ruin, within a short span of one year, he had already broken through to the Qi Refining Peak, and was currently searching for the opportunity to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm in other places.

Furthermore, Sun Liancheng's news was completely accurate.

Li Yifan's strength was incomparably formidable, completely capable of fighting above his rank.

The latest news was that three months ago, Li Yifan had once been targeted by a powerhouse of the Foundation Establishment Realm Early Stage.

Originally, for a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator to slay a Qi Refining Peak Cultivator was merely a breeze, but under Li Yifan's formidable strength, this Foundation Establishment Realm Early Stage powerhouse stubbornly failed to keep Li Yifan, instead letting him escape and even suffering quite a significant loss.

Starting to listen to these messages queried by his subordinates, Qin Tieying had already begun to panic slightly.

Such a person, even if he was a Cultivator with Five Spiritual Roots, once he successfully completed Foundation Establishment, would definitely be a grave threat to his Qin Family.

This kid Li Yifan must absolutely not be left alive!

Looking toward the outside of the window, the gaze in Qin Tieying's eyes flickered as he silently headed toward the direction where his father was in closed-door cultivation.