Silence reigned as the two men stared at each other. While based on logic, what Qin Yun had asserted was only his own conjecture. Whether or not Sun Yang truly knew where Feng Xia was located, yet never told his daughter, was unclear. In fact, this seemed almost like a gamble.

Qin Yun could only rely on the fact that most people couldn't resist the allure of Paradise. He hoped to bring that man to his side through this exchange. He only brought this up because Qin Yun wasn't concerned about being betrayed by this man.

After all, Sun Yang's reputation as the city lord preceded him. For decades, he had presided over the balance between the various factions of this divided city. He knew trust and integrity were the major factors attributed to his stable rule. More than that, Qin Yun trusted Qin Lihua's judgment. Among all those of his former family, Qin Yun trusted Qin Lihua only slightly less than Qin Meihui. Her appearance within the preceding hall spoke volumes of their relationship.

“You would give away Paradise’s location?” Sun Yang asked, slightly unconvinced. “Have you never thought of keeping it to yourself?”

“What for?” Qin Yun shrugged. “For the treasures within? The cultivation resources? The way to immortality? Why would I want to take the easy way out? Isn’t cultivation supposed to be a way to elevate man to become immortal and eternal? How can one achieve such a thing through shortcuts?”

Qin Yun's words resonated through the room and in Sun Yu's heart. Liao Cheng had told her tales of what could be achieved when they set foot into Paradise, the wonders within, and the opportunity waiting for them. But now? Qin Yun's words made her feel as if it was all an illusion, a beautiful dream without substance. Qin Yun had made her heart waver in her quest for Paradise.

Sun Yang began to ponder his words, yet his slight smile didn't leave his lips. If anything, it only grew larger. Qin Yun felt something was behind that smile, yet he had more to say.

“While Paradise could grant me an enormous amount of instantaneous strength, even if it could make me an immortal, what would be the point? How could such hollow strength be worth anything? Besides, did anyone ever state that immortality was the end of the path? How could you go any further without the foundation built through relentless hard work and enlightenment?”

Qin Yun paused momentarily, letting his words entrench themselves deep inside their psyche, only to further add, "Worst of all, this would go against my Dao. I believe no tower—no matter how miraculous—can reach the heavens without the intent of stacking stones, perfecting each one as they are laid down. To go against this would be my end as a cultivator. Honestly, I’d rather die than discard this path. This has fuelled me for the last fifteen years of my life.”

Sun Yang remained silent, digesting his words, while Qin Yun slowly sipped on his cup of tea, awaiting the man's verdict. Would he renounce his quest for Paradise, or would he nonetheless seek it? While Qin Yun would be fine with either, helping them reach Paradise was a hassle he didn't wish to deal with. There were too many things requiring his attention.

“Interesting philosophy," Sun Yang finally replied. "Not many youths today understand the value of a solid foundation. Although, I believe you might have taken it to quite an extreme. Not many would choose to linger in the Body Strengthening realm for so long."

While Qin Yun was slightly surprised, it wasn't unexpected for someone of Sun Yang's calibre to understand what he wished to achieve. Even then, his recent exploits had shed some light on the path he chose to tread and just as many questions. After all, not many could conceive of such a thing as talent usually equalled cultivation speed and not much else; depth was barely ever considered.

“But,” Sun Yang added, “to say you don’t have any interest in that place... I’m not sure I can believe that. After all, who can say they are free from temptation?”

“I wouldn't say that," Qin Yun replied. "I do hold an interest, but only on an intellectual level. After all, how many thousands of years has it been since anyone has reached Paradise? The mysteries hidden within are enough to boggle the mind. After all, a dimension that constantly shifts its location is amazing enough on its own. Simply being able to research the principle behind its existence would be priceless. I'm sure someone whose domain is closely related to space and time would kill to unravel its mysteries. The treasures within are simply trash compared to that."

"It seems we agree on that point," Sun Yang replied with a smile. "Besides, reaching Paradise is only the first hurdle to overcome. After all, who can say what dangers lie in such a place."

Qin Yun didn't reply, yet his expression evoked much more than mere words could convey. Sun Yu watched the back and forth in silence; she hadn't expected her father to be so forthright with a man so many years his junior. Even when he convened with others of his generation, he wasn't so straightforward. It seemed she would have to pay even more attention to Qin Yun's actions from now on, even more than she already did.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

"What are your upcoming plans?" Sun Yang asked, taking Qin Yun by surprise. After all, he had only a vague outline of what was coming. Besides, whenever he made plans, something unexpected would always derail them.

"Just a short and long-term goal with not much in the middle," Qin Yun replied honestly. Trying to swindle this old man would only be reckless.

"I assume that your long-term one pertains to those grey creatures?"

"Indeed." Qin Yun said grimly. "No matter how much I want to, this isn't something I can ignore. As you might have realized, I seem somehow linked with them. This isn't something I can avoid forever. The only upside is that we seem to have time on our side unless something unexpected happens."

Sun Yang seemed to have many questions, yet he didn't voice them as he knew Qin Yun wouldn't give him a straight answer. With his thoughts in order and his mind made up, Sun Yang rose from his seat. Despite his haggard countenance, he seemed like a lighthouse in the mist, casting his light in the distance, showing wayward ships the way, a beacon of hope in the darkness.

Still, Qin Yun knew better than to believe that first impression. After all, no one could become the leader of this kind of city without dirtying his hands. The fact that Sun Yang had no intentions of stopping Liao Cheng in whatever he sought to accomplish spoke volumes of the depths of his thoughts.

Honestly, Qin Yun couldn't help but pity Liao Cheng at this moment. With such a man as his opponent, Liao Cheng's chances of achieving whatever he set out to do would only depend on Sun Yang's thoughts. Unless... Liao Cheng also hid his depths. This wouldn't surprise Qin Yun as Liao Cheng's background was much more profound than he first anticipated. Whoever emerged victorious would shape this city for decades to come.

However, that would only hold true if both men were to face each other. If they were to team up... Such thoughts scared Qin Yun somewhat. Still, he put it out of his mind as it had nothing to do with him. He would be gone long before the situation would reach such an extreme.

As Qin Yun was deep in thought, Sun Yang extended his hand toward him, a dim rune of light appearing in his palm. Unlike runes formed by rune masters, this rune was summoned through Sun Yang's domain. Then, with a flick of his finger, this rune flew forward before crashing onto Qin Yun, lodging itself within his chest.

Its light disappeared into his flesh, yet Qin Yun could feel its heat inside his chest as if he had gained a second heart. Still, Qin Yun knew better than to rejoice.

“A little insurance,” Sun Yang said as he showed Qin Yun the door. “I wouldn’t want something untoward to happen to you before you fulfill what you have promised me.”

Qin Yun frowned, yet he remained silent. Of course, he knew full well what the man tried to imply. This was a gift, as well as a shackle. While the mysteries and energy contained within this rune could help him forge his body, this was also a piece of Sun Yang's domain, through which he could easily determine Qin Yun's location.

“I look forward to our next meeting," Sun Yang said. "Ask my daughter if you need anything, but don't make me wait too long. I may be patient, but even I have my limits."

Qin Yun’s gaze lingered on the man for a bit longer, but then he rose and left, not uttering a single word.

******

“I must say, I wasn't expecting this to be the face behind the mask," Lian Huiling said in a playful tone.

She was seated outside, in the shade of a small pavilion, at a mahogany table, slowly sipping her tea. Next to her was a young girl in an orange dress, cheerfully munching on some small cake. Somehow, this couldn't help but remind Lian Huiling of a vibrant bird taking small bites with its beak.

A short distance away, another woman in a deep blue dress was practicing her swordsmanship even under the blazing sun. Beads of sweat covered her perfect skin as they reflected the sun's light into colourful arcs. Her long black hair was held in a ponytail. Yet, it fluttered in the air as her blade ripped space apart with every swing of her hand.

The longer this dance continued, its pace quickened, and her movement grew even fiercer. Lian Huiling could swear she could see the ethereal avatar of a fierce deity behind her back. Not receiving a response, Lian Huiling tried another approach.

“I wouldn’t worry if I were you. Qin Yun is as resilient as a cockroach. It would take much more than that to bring him down.”

Suddenly, Yun Jingfei's blade fell downward, stopping right before it reached the stone floor. Yet, the wind produced by this strike scattered outward, slicing every leaf in a three-meter radius from her body. While crude, Yun Jingfei had reached the starting point of sword intent. However, using it intentionally was still far from her. All of this was born of instinct.

"I'm not worried about him," Yun Jingfei said, taking a slight breather to regain her breath. "I'm just like you... frustrated by my own deficiencies. However, unlike you, I don't have time to brood around."

She then began her practice anew, leaving Lian Huiling with a bitter expression.

“Can you not cut so deeply? That hurts, you know?”

“As it should,” Yun Jingfei replied without ever stopping. “Only pain can motivate you to strive to improve yourself. I learned this the hard way.”

“I heard,” Lian Huiling replied, somewhat dismissively. “As I recall, you used to be a genius. It seems not much has changed.”

Yun Jingfei stopped abruptly, then turned to face her, her expression somewhat grave.

"I once believed that cultivation was the only thing that mattered, that my talent was the reason everyone I knew held me in high regard, and I was proven right. Yet, only by losing it all did I realize it was that way, only because I had made it so. It might not have led to this if I sought anything other than reaching the peak. If I stayed as I was, we wouldn't be having this conversation. After all, I used to think relationships were a waste of time."

“I guess we have Qin Yun to thank for that. After all, after these few days, I quite enjoyed your company.”

Yun Jingfei didn't reply, yet a slight smile could be seen at the corner of her lips. However, it turned to a frown when she saw a small token in Lian Huiling's hand light up.

“Are they finally here?” Yun Jingfei asked, a slight trace of murderous intent in her eyes.

“Indeed. Our guests have finally arrived," Lian Huiling replied with a slightly devious smile.