32: In this world, connections matter.

“You are a Reincarnated Immortal cultivating anew, right?”

“That way, your Body Refining speed makes sense; it's the only logical explanation.” Lin Qingyue revealed a confident smile, feeling relieved, and then picked up the wine pot beside him and took several gulps.

At least this way he could accept it.

Otherwise, it would be too exaggerated. How little time has passed for him not only to achieve a Breakthrough to the Late Golden Core Stage Realm but also to refine his Physical Body to this extent? If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't believe it at all.

The reason he was so concerned about Shen Nian's situation was that he always felt an inexplicable blockage in his heart, as if everyone was happily poor together, and then his friend suddenly told him he was actually very rich.

This feeling was too unbearable!!

Shen Nian looked at Lin Qingyue with a complicated expression.

This drunkard... is quite good at guessing... Beside him, Xia Youyue, who had never left, also cast a curious gaze. She hadn't thought of it before, but hearing Lin Qingyue say it, it seemed like a possibility.

And not a low possibility.

She grew up in the Imperial Palace and was more familiar than most with the terror of the Human Race's top powers. Many of the super Prodigies among them were Reincarnation cultivators.

“Hiccup~” Lin Qingyue burped. Seeing Shen Nian remain silent, he became even more certain of his theory. He then leaned toward Shen Nian and whispered while covering his mouth: "Was I right, Junior Brother Shen? Don't worry, I will definitely keep this secret for you. Which great power were you in your past life..."

The next second, a long, slender hand blocked his approach and pushed him away.

“Don't get so close to me when you have bad breath,” Shen Nian said, raising an eyebrow.

“Uh...” Lin Qingyue didn't feel awkward. He just smacked his lips, then covered his mouth with his hand, breathed into it, and sniffed it himself.

Does it smell?

“Junior Brother Shen, just tell me! I really want to know! How did you suddenly become so fierce? Didn't we agree back then to cultivate discreetly, become powerful, and not forget each other?”

Seeing Lin Qingyue's expectant look, Shen Nian asked seriously, “Do you really want to know?”

Xia Youyue instantly perked up her little ears, feeling a slight thrill inside.

Lin Qingyue nodded earnestly.

“Sigh, actually, I am your Great Ancestor Reincarnated. If you weren't such a disappointment, I, the Old Ancestor, wouldn't have intended to awaken,” Shen Nian said, feigning helplessness.

“...” Lin Qingyue's face darkened. He wanted to curse, but after thinking about that terrifying Physical Body, he swallowed his words, sat up straight, took a swig of wine, and muttered quietly to himself, though nobody knew what he was saying.

Xia Youyue, who was nearby, couldn't help but chuckle. Her beautiful eyes looked at the calm-faced Shen Nian with some surprise.

She hadn't expected someone with Shen Nian's temperament to actually joke around.

But this was actually... quite good. At least it made people feel closer to him.

At the same time.

Xiao Qinger walked over. After a night of recuperation, aided by several precious Medicinal Pills provided by the Demon Suppression Division, her injuries had recovered significantly. Although she still couldn't mobilize her spiritual power, she could move around like a normal person.

Naturally, this was also thanks to the terrifying recovery power of her Divine Body.

“Senior Brother.”

Xiao Qinger walked up to Shen Nian, then glanced at the sullen-faced Lin Qingyue, and then at Inspector Xia, who was smiling beside them, feeling a bit confused.

What happened?

What was going on?

“Mm.” Shen Nian nodded slightly. Seeing that Xiao Qinger's complexion had improved significantly, he turned to Xia Youyue and asked, “I won't bring up the matter of the Medicinal Pills Inspector Xia mentioned before, since my Junior Sister used quite a few, but what about the Cultivation Technique and the Dragon Transformation Pool...”

Xia Youyue immediately replied with a smile: “Young Master Shen can have the Cultivation Technique and enter the Dragon Transformation Pool whenever you wish.”

Since it was a promise, Xia Youyue would certainly fulfill it. Moreover, even the Great Xia Dynasty was eager to curry favor with a Prodigy of Shen Nian's caliber.

It was just a spot in the Dragon Transformation Pool; giving it away was no big deal.

“Can we go now?” Shen Nian didn't want to waste time; currently, improving his strength was the top priority.

After all, he was about to set off to change fate again.

“Now?” Xia Youyue frowned slightly.

Whether it was entering the Dragon Transformation Pool or choosing a Demon Suppression Division Cultivation Technique, they had to go to the headquarters of the Demon Suppression Division in the Imperial Capital. Yunzhou was quite far from there; even with the special demonic horses trained by the Demon Suppression Division, it would take half a day to arrive.

Although the purpose of her trip to Yunzhou hadn't officially begun, she hadn't expected the Yao Calamity to be resolved so quickly. She originally thought that completely defeating Old Ancestor Cang Lang, Ox Lord, and Tiger Lord of You Mountain would take at least several days and nights of fighting, followed by time for healing and recovery. Now, however, time was ample.

It's just that... Seeing her expression, Shen Nian asked again, “Is it inconvenient?”

“It's not impossible,” Xia Youyue voiced her concerns. “It's just that the matter concerning the Xuan Guang Cave and the Huang Family Old Ancestor hasn't been completely resolved. I worry that if we leave, the Xiao Family and the Yunzhou Demon Suppression General...”

Shen Nian was also stunned upon hearing this.

That's right.

He almost completely forgot about this matter.

Xiao Qinger, who was beside them, immediately felt guilty upon hearing Xia Youyue's words.

“If it weren't for me, Senior Brother wouldn't have offended the Xuan Guang Cave and the Huang Family Old Ancestor...”

Lin Qingyue, who had been sitting still, thought for a moment and said, “You two go ahead. I will handle the matters concerning the Xuan Guang Cave and the Huang Family.”

After all, they belonged to the same Sect, and mutual support was expected.

Moreover, he understood the whole story—they all deserved to die!

Even if he encountered them, he wouldn't spare a single one!

“You?” Shen Nian looked at Lin Qingyue in surprise.

Since a Golden Core Elder of the Xuan Guang Cave died in Yunzhou, the reinforcements sent would definitely not be below the Nascent Soul Realm. And the Huang Family Old Ancestor was likely also Nascent Soul, so Shen Nian was genuinely skeptical that Lin Qingyue could handle it.

Lin Qingyue stood up, put down the wine pot, and said confidently, “Who are you looking down on?”

“When you're out and about, you need connections.”

“I am the dignified Chief Disciple of the Second Mountain. If they really provoke me, do they dare touch me?”

“Aren't they afraid of my old man going crazy!”

Suddenly, Lin Qingyue thought of something, and his tone shifted to confusion: “But speaking of which, why haven't the reinforcements from the Heavenly Sword Sect arrived yet? That's strange. I clearly sent a message back...”

Shen Nian didn't speak, but merely nodded slightly behind Lin Qingyue, showing a hint of respect.

Xia Youyue showed a trace of nervousness, while Xiao Qinger curiously looked at the old man behind Lin Qingyue, who clearly looked like an enlightened expert.

Guo Dewu smiled slightly at everyone, then fixed his gaze on Shen Nian, his expression showing appreciation mixed with deep shock.

“As long as he wasn't taken by Possession, that's good...”

“The younger generation is formidable! Junior Sister Luo has brought a Dragon into the Sect...”

“I should mention this to the Sect Master when I return...”

Shen Nian suddenly felt his Soul being pierced through. He raised an eyebrow slightly, but refrained from saying anything since the other party was his Revered Master's most respected Senior Brother.

Lin Qingyue saw everyone's expressions, and sensing a familiar aura, he instantly felt that things were bad.

*Smack!*

A hard flick landed directly on Lin Qingyue's head.

“Ouch!”

“Revered Master, don't hit the head! Hitting the head damages the cerebellum!” Lin Qingyue covered his head and turned to look at the stern-faced Guo Dewu, whispering.

“Inspector Xia Youyue of the Great Xia Dynasty greets Mountain Lord Guo!” Xia Youyue stood up and bowed respectfully.

The Great Xia Dynasty had records and portraits of all the experts of the Three Sects to prevent anyone foolish from offending them.

These people represented the Peak strength of the Three Sects.

And this Mountain Lord of the Second Mountain before them ranked among the foremost figures in the Heavenly Sword Sect.

“Disciple Xiao Qinger of the Ninth Mountain greets...”

Xiao Qinger bowed respectfully, unsure how to address the other party.

“Senior Martial Uncle Guo,” Shen Nian reminded her from the side.

“Disciple Xiao Qinger of the Ninth Mountain greets Senior Martial Uncle Guo!” Xiao Qinger cupped her hands and said respectfully.

Guo Dewu first nodded toward Xia Youyue, then smiled slightly at Xiao Qinger as a greeting, and finally swept a cold gaze over Lin Qingyue, sneering.

“Heh heh, you still have a brain?”

“Would someone with a brain pawn his sword for ten taels of silver?”

“If you had your sword, would you be in such a miserable state? Being beaten down by two Yao Race creatures barely touching the threshold of the Nascent Soul Realm?”

“Don't you dare say this idiot was taught by This Seat!”

That sword was refined by him, and he could sense it as soon as he arrived in Yunzhou.

“Sigh, Revered Master, if you insist on nagging like this, then I might just reveal that book of Dao that you borrowed from me...” As Lin Qingyue spoke, his eyes suddenly bulged as a large hand clamped tightly over his mouth.

Guo Dewu, who had just been calm and composed, immediately had a darkened face, losing all semblance of an expert. Holding Lin Qingyue with one hand, he leaned down and transmitted a voice message into his ear: “You little bastard! If you dare to say it out loud, I will send you to the Heavenly Demon Cave for two years of training right now...”

“Wuwuwu...” Lin Qingyue issued a silent protest.

After the Revered Master and Disciple reached a highly harmonious agreement, Guo Dewu casually tossed the unconscious Lin Qingyue onto the ground and clapped his hands.

“Senior Brother Lin is...” Xiao Qinger stared at the scene, dumbfounded.

“He's fine, he just drank too much. Drinking is like that; it easily goes to your head,” Guo Dewu explained with a light laugh.

“Ah... is that so?” Xiao Qinger was half-skeptical.

Immediately, Guo Dewu looked at Shen Nian and sighed softly, “Sigh, you...”

Shen Nian frowned slightly.

Xia Youyue's expression immediately darkened.

Could this Mountain Lord of the Second Mountain be here to prosecute Young Master Shen?

It was possible. The Three Sects fundamentally belonged to one Alliance. In their eyes, if they didn't need the existence of the Great Xia Dynasty, how could they possibly act for the sake of the common people?

Furthermore, the Heavenly Sword Sect was currently weakened, and the Xuan Guang Cave held a dominant position. Logically, they wouldn't offend the Xuan Guang Cave over a minor Huang Family.

Hearing Guo Dewu's tone, Xiao Qinger also grew serious. Her thoughts were similar to Xia Youyue's, and just as she was about to speak up to explain for her Senior Brother, she heard Guo Dewu speak righteously.

“You're still a bit rusty. If you want to kill someone, don't reveal your identity first, or you'll just attract trouble.”

“Look, the moment your Senior Martial Uncle makes a move, that Xuan Guang Cave bastard dies without even knowing how, and I even get to send the corpse back to Xuan Guang Cave to collect a reward.”

As he spoke, Guo Dewu pulled out two Nascent Souls, revealing two large, stunned faces...