A dilapidated temple.
Qin Haotian sat cross-legged and pulled up the system interface.
Name: Qin Haotian
Cultivation: Xiantian Realm Mid Stage
Martial Arts: Supreme Forgetting Emotion Slash
Treasures: Devouring Demon Gourd, Netherworld Demonic Sword
Slaughter Value: 20
Staring at the 20 points of Slaughter Value, Qin Haotian fell into deep thought. How should these points be allocated?
"A single point of Slaughter Value is enough to loosen my cultivation barrier. What kind of effect will 20 points have?"
Now that he had killed someone from the Li Family, there were likely countless eyes in the Imperial City watching him, the heir to the War King Manor. If he remained here, it would be difficult to move an inch. Yet, if he left to seek his own path without strength to back him up, every step would be an uphill struggle.
He was still too weak. Improving his cultivation was the most important thing.
After a brief moment of deliberation, Qin Haotian decided to pour all his Slaughter Value into his cultivation. He wanted to see just how much of an improvement 20 points could bring. Could he break through directly to the Xiantian Realm Late Stage?
The Slaughter Value bottomed out. Suddenly, a stream of pure, concentrated killing intent surged toward his dantian, followed by a torrent of power. Qin Haotian immediately steadied his mind, guiding this energy to fuse with his dantian and converting it into pure spiritual power, pushing the limits of his cultivation ever forward.
Suddenly, the aura around Qin Haotian exploded. A faint, radiant glow emanated from his body—the natural phenomenon of a successful breakthrough.
Xiantian Realm Late Stage! Qin Haotian slowly opened his eyes, a strange glint flickering in them. He clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within.
"I didn't expect 20 points of Slaughter Value to carry me from the mid stage to the late stage of the Xiantian Realm in one go. The impact of Slaughter Value on cultivation is truly incredible!"
Such a massive improvement further solidified his resolve to walk the path of proving his Dao through slaughter.
"With this breakthrough, I can be considered a genius among the younger generation in the entire Shi Country, reaching the Xiantian Realm Late Stage at my age."
"Delays invite disaster. It is time to leave the Imperial City." Qin Haotian thought to himself.
However, before leaving, there was one more important thing to do: loot the bodies. But after digging around for a long time, he only scavenged a few trinkets of gold and silver. It was barely better than nothing.
"A noble family? Is this it?" Qin Haotian looked at the scattered treasures and shook his head. This wasn't even enough to buy a drop of essence blood from a third-grade fierce beast.
Speaking of essence blood... he turned to look at the Devouring Demon Gourd, which was still glowing faintly. He wondered when the Myriad Spirits Wine brewing inside would be ready.
***
Meanwhile, at the War King Manor, inside the War King’s quarters.
The courtyard was brightly lit. A squad of guards, swords at their waists and torches in their hands, stood with solemn expressions that failed to mask the anxious atmosphere within the manor.
A graceful figure approached the entrance. The guards immediately bowed respectfully. "Young Lady."
Qin Qingyue nodded. "Is Father in?"
"Lord Qin is in the study. Please wait a moment, Miss. I will go announce your arrival."
"No need."
Qin Qingyue waved her hand, walked straight to the study, and raised her hand to knock, only to hesitate, her hand hovering in the air. Should she tell her father that someone was planning to move against Qin Haotian? In her eyes, Qin Haotian was just a wastrel who brought shame to the War King Manor, but he was, after all, her own brother. But if her father asked how she knew, how would she explain it?
Just then, a dignified voice came from inside the study: "Yue'er, why are you standing outside? Why don't you come in?"
Qin Qingyue’s heart skipped a beat, and she pushed the door open. Qin Langtian stood with his hands behind his back, staring at a giant map hanging before him. Seeing that he remained silent, Qin Qingyue stood still, waiting quietly.
A moment later, Qin Langtian sighed heavily and turned around. "Yue'er, it’s so late. Why have you come to see me?"
Qin Qingyue looked at her father, words catching in her throat.
Qin Langtian frowned slightly. "What is it? Has someone bullied you?"
"Father... perhaps you should send someone to look for Qin Haotian." Thinking of the murderous intent the Third Princess had directed at him, Qin Qingyue finally couldn't help but speak up. Although she despised Qin Haotian, the thought of helping an outsider like Shi Luoyan move against her own brother left her feeling inexplicably unsettled.
"What did you say?"
"Are you, too, trying to convince me to bow down to that wayward son?" Qin Langtian’s expression was one of pure astonishment as he looked his daughter up and down.
"Father, I know you have always been dissatisfied with him, but he has left the manor, and I’m worried he might be in danger." Qin Qingyue’s voice carried a hint of urgency. "After all, he is the heir to our War King Manor. If something were to happen..."
Qin Langtian’s brows locked together, his gaze as piercing as a torch, as if he could see straight into her heart. Qin Qingyue lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes.
Seeing her reaction, Qin Langtian found it hard to believe. He knew the complex feelings his daughter held for Qin Haotian—part disgust, part pity, but mostly just the bond of blood. Beyond that bloodline, there was little love between them. That she was willing to plead for him now took him completely by surprise.
"Yue'er, don't you despise that boy the most? Why are you now hoping I go bring him back?"
Qin Qingyue was stunned. She quickly replied, "I... I just see how Mother can’t eat or sleep because of him. I don’t want to see Mother suffer. I don’t care about Qin Haotian’s life or death..."
Qin Langtian snorted coldly. "Your mother is just a woman; what does she know?"
"Yue'er, you must understand that true warriors rise through adversity." Qin Langtian’s voice was deep and powerful. "Qin Haotian carries the blood of the War King Manor. He must learn to face every challenge, even life and death. Only then can he become a true pillar of the nation."
"If he is sheltered by the manor every day, seeking only comfort and refusing to improve, the War King Manor has no room for such an idler!"
When he finished, Qin Qingyue hesitated again before saying, "But... what if someone wants to kill him?"
"Hmph!"
"I’d like to see who dares lay a hand on Qin Langtian’s son!"
Qin Langtian let out a cold snort, his tone brooking no argument. An invisible pressure surged around him, his aura as grand as a rainbow, causing the candle flames to flicker and the very air in the room to turn heavy.
He believed that within the Imperial City of the Shi Country, no one would dare kill Qin Haotian. No matter how much of a disappointment or a wastrel he was, he remained the heir to the War King Manor and the flesh and blood of Qin Langtian, a Saint Soul Realm warrior! Anyone who wanted to kill Qin Haotian would first have to consider whether they could withstand the wrath of the War King Manor.
"Do not mention Qin Haotian again. I have my own plans. Regardless of everything, he is my son and your brother."
Qin Langtian waved his hand. "Go. And remember to tell your mother not to miss her brother’s birthday celebration."
"Yue'er takes her leave."
Qin Qingyue bowed respectfully and turned to depart.
"Sigh."
Qin Langtian exhaled heavily, then let out another cold snort.
"Hmph, wayward son!"