"You can go if you want to, and if you don't, then don't go," Qin Chuan said with a smile.
"Got it," Qin Zi replied with a sly grin, his eyes flashing with a mischievous glint, as if he was planning something.
Then, he suddenly remembered something and said, "Dad, I went to the highest floor of the library today to check out the new technique. It's really quite amazing. Do you want to take a look?"
"Haha, no need," Qin Chuan smiled and shook his head, exuding a sense of superiority, as if dismissing it lightly. "This so-called new technique is merely an evolution of cultivation methods from the Upper Realm. Other than adding one more realm beyond the Martial Emperor, it doesn't serve much of a purpose."
"When you reach the Upper Realm, you'll find that this is just a basic entry-level technique, and there are plenty more like it."
Qin Zi was taken aback, and the fiery enthusiasm in his heart immediately diminished. He hesitantly asked, "Is... is that really true?"
"Have I ever lied to you?" Qin Chuan asked in return.
Of course, he had!
Life is full of lies.
Their father-son relationship was built on fragile foundations of falsehood, a plastic bond between a scheming old father and his convenient son.
Of course, the truth was not in Qin Zi's hands. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head and said, "No."
"Exactly."
Qin Chuan smiled with satisfaction and said, "Remember, the new technique is just an ordinary cultivation system. It's not as grand as you imagine. Keep your own balance and remember, to believe everything you read is worse than not reading at all."
"Huh?" Qin Zi seemed to understand, blinking as he asked, "So by that logic, does that mean trusting you is worse than..."
"Bang!"
A knock landed on his head, the force so strong it knocked him to the ground, his vision spinning with stars.
"You little rebel!"
Qin Chuan snorted softly and went inside.
Qin Zi sat on the ground, clutching his head with his right hand, watching his father's retreating figure, and revealed a silly grin.
Just like the foolish son of a rich landlord.
...
The next morning, Qin Zi was walking along the stone-paved path of Ziyun Academy when he once again encountered the elder from the Lu family.
This elder had an unremarkable appearance—white hair, dressed in a white robe, his face full of wrinkles.
"Have you made up your mind?" the elder asked calmly. Although his tone was not commanding, it still carried a hint of superiority.
"I'd like to know what benefits I'll get if I go challenge them and win," Qin Zi asked with a smile.
"Of course, there are benefits. You can gain the favor of my Lu family, and that is something no treasure could ever buy."
The elder spoke with pride.
The Lu family, as one of the top ten families in the Ziyun Domain, had over a million members and unfathomable influence and power.
"So, in other words, no actual benefits?" Qin Zi asked.
The elder's brow furrowed, and he said, "Do you mean to say that the favor of the Lu family is worth less than some so-called treasure?"
"I'm a practical person," Qin Zi chuckled.
The elder's face darkened, and his voice turned cold: "Think carefully. Though you are now a personal disciple, you have no foundation within Ziyun Academy. Your father is just an idle elder from the Fragmented Continent, insignificant within the academy."
"In the academy, you are of little consequence. And outside the academy, well... the Ziyun Domain is far larger than your little Fragmented Continent."
"Are you threatening me?" Qin Zi narrowed his eyes.
"Haha, how could I?" the elder chuckled, denying it with his words, but his expression said otherwise.
"I'll ask you one last time: are you going to Starshatter Academy or not?" the elder asked coldly.
Qin Zi took a deep breath, seemingly conflicted. After a long pause, he slowly nodded, "I'll go."
"Haha, at least you're not completely foolish," the elder sneered, then patted Qin Zi on the shoulder as he walked past him, gradually disappearing into the distance.
Qin Zi turned his head.
Watching the elder's smug and self-satisfied figure disappear, the corners of his mouth also curved into a mocking smile.
Threaten me? You've picked the wrong person!
He indeed planned to go to Starshatter Academy, but as for that old cured meat... it could stay hanging there for all he cared!
Soon, word spread throughout Ziyun Academy that Qin Zi was going to challenge Starshatter Academy.
The news ignited excitement among everyone! Previously, when Ying Kong came to Ziyun Academy to challenge them, he had beaten the academy's disciples into a miserable state. Now, they had the chance to regain their dignity.
Qin Zi's challenge.
Barring incredibly bad luck, he was almost certain to win. After all, he had already defeated Ying Kong.
Generally, those who dared to issue challenges were the strongest disciples within a particular realm. They wouldn't have the courage otherwise.
After all, losing a challenge could mean death.
Since Ying Kong had come to challenge the academy, it meant he was the strongest Saint in the First Heaven of Starshatter Academy. Since Qin Zi had already defeated him, who else in Starshatter Academy could match him?
Of course, there was always a risk.
It was possible that Starshatter Academy had an even stronger genius, who simply kept a low profile, allowing Ying Kong to be the publicly acknowledged leader.
But such a possibility was slim.
"Best of luck, Senior Brother Qin Zi! May you return victorious!"
"Go, Senior Brother Qin Zi!"
"Brother Zi, smash their heads in!"
Outside the gates of Ziyun Academy, many disciples were cheering Qin Zi on, making it clear that he was quite popular.
"Let's go."
Qin Chuan said calmly, then soared into the sky with Qin Zi, heading towards Starshatter Academy.
Originally, a senior elder was supposed to escort Qin Zi, but Qin Chuan insisted on taking him personally.
Mainly because he wanted to see the situation for himself.
And also, the situation was quite complicated, and Qin Zi was still too young. He was worried his son might not handle it well.
He had to guide him personally.
And what guidance was that?
Simple—make it big, cause a ruckus, the bigger the better. Don't fear making waves, only fear not making enough!
The Ziyun Domain was indeed vast.
The sky was boundless, the mountains stretched endlessly! The Nine Heavens Continent was rich in spiritual energy, and all things had the potential to become demons. The Ziyun Domain frequently witnessed the birth of such creatures.
But this was human territory. Any demon born here—sorry—would face encirclement and extermination! Similarly, any humans born in demon territory would be hunted by demon clans, but such cases were rarer.
After all... who in their right mind would go to demon territory to have kids?
"Boom!"
"Kill!"
"Don't let it escape!"
"There's a clam demon here!"
As Qin Chuan and Qin Zi flew by on their "Challenge" flying boat, they saw many scenes of humans hunting demons. The battles were fierce, and the demons were of all kinds.
There were giant serpents that had attained sentience.
Massive creatures coiled around mountains, roaring at the sky, summoning black clouds and lightning.
There were also trees that had become sentient.
Their branches and vines whipped through the air, stirring up gusts of wind, and many human experts had their divine powers shattered by the force!
There was even a mountain that had come to life.
Its body transformed into a human-like shape, with rocks as skin and trees as hair. It stood tall and began walking across the land, heading for the Starshatter Demon Domain.
These demons had only recently gained intelligence and had no real sense of racial identity. But their innate instincts told them that the human domain was hostile, and they had to leave quickly.
Qin Zi was amazed by the sights.
Indeed, the world was vast and full of wonders.
Qin Chuan, however, maintained his calm demeanor, adhering to the basic principles of showing off—always remain composed, with just a hint of disdain.
The Ziyun Domain was truly enormous. Even though the Challenge flying boat was incredibly fast, it still took half a month to fly out of the Ziyun Domain.
Then, they entered the Starshatter Demon Domain!
"Whoosh!!"
As soon as they crossed into the territory of Starshatter Demon Domain, a terrifying wave of demonic energy swept toward them, mixed with a raw, savage aura.
"Roar!!"
"Humans have entered!"
"Let's eat them!"
"Tear them apart!"
Fierce roars echoed.
They saw a giant ape the size of a mountain charging at them with a massive club, each step shaking the earth.
There was also a scarlet-feathered chicken that shot out of a volcano, transforming into a majestic bird in mid-air!
Even a river suddenly stopped flowing, rising up from the ground like a dragon, soaring into the sky.
"Overestimating yourselves!"
Qin Chuan waved his hand, unleashing a vast force that swept across the heavens, tearing apart the clouds!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
"Ahhh!!"
"Caw caw!"
Cries of pain erupted as the demon experts were sent flying, spitting blood, some almost exploding.
This is the reason why he didn't kill.
Otherwise, with his current strength as a Six-Tribulation Sovereign, one strike would be enough to obliterate everything within a thousand miles!
Why didn't he kill?
It wasn't out of mercy.
Rather, there was a rule between the two factions during a "challenge"—as long as the challenger doesn't commit mass slaughter, they are allowed to safely retreat back to their own territory.
Once blood is shed, escape is almost impossible!
Qin Chuan wanted his son to stir up trouble because that would bring benefits. If he himself caused trouble, it would turn into a major problem...