Qiānlíng and Qiānniǎo were concerned about the people of the Xiaoluo Secret Realm and wanted to return. Xuan Yun and Liu Li did not object, so they prepared to head back.
Just as the four of them returned to the floating island, before their feet had even settled, a group of over ten people approached them, preparing to leave.
The floating island wasn't just a single manor; it had many estates, and people coming and going was not unusual.
However, among the group of over ten preparing to leave, there happened to be two individuals who had some history with Qiānlíng—or more precisely, with the Xiaoluo Secret Realm. And this history had been caused by Qiānniǎo years ago.
To tell the truth, the Xiaoluo Secret Realm had always kept to itself, avoiding conflict, and even when its members ventured out for training, they exercised restraint everywhere. Only once, when Qiānniǎo—a young girl who knew nothing of the world—went out, did she get into a dispute with people from the Jinnwu Secret Realm over a Jiangzhu Grass. Not only that, she ended up beating them, and those she beat were members of the Li Clan, an immortal family of the Jinnwu Secret Realm.
Since then, the Xiaoluo Secret Realm had formed a grudge with the Jinnwu Secret Realm. Even though later, the Xiaoluo Secret Realm's Elder Danqing personally took Qiānniǎo to apologize and compensated them with many resources, it was still useless. The Li Clan of the Jinnwu Secret Realm refused to let the matter go and even issued a harsh warning: from then on, any mortal immortal from the Jinnwu Secret Realm who saw someone from the Xiaoluo Secret Realm was to beat them to death.
Therefore,
life had not been easy for the Xiaoluo Secret Realm these past years. Fortunately, they always had Qiānlíng, a Grand Luo Golden Immortal capable of holding her own, supporting them from the outside. If not for her, the people of the Xiaoluo Secret Realm would likely have been bullied to death by those from the Jinnwu Secret Realm.
Unfortunately,
the group of over ten people approaching them were precisely from the Jinnwu Secret Realm.
Even more unfortunately, among them were a man and a woman who were members of the Li Clan, the immortal family of the Jinnwu Secret Realm.
One was named Li Tianhua, the other Li Jingya.
Both of them, whether in terms of cultivation or destiny, or in terms of fame and influence, were above Li Fengyan. Especially Li Tianhua, who was hailed as one of the Seven Young Masters of the Li Clan. Many mortal immortals of the Jinnwu Secret Realm made their living under his command.
"Well, isn't this a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road," Li Jingya said, dressed flamboyantly. Her dress, the necklace around her neck, the bracelet on her wrist, and the ring on her finger were all extraordinary items. The total value of her attire was likely in the tens of millions. Especially the small golden snake she held in her arms, which was extremely valuable. It was a type of spirit beast called a Golden-Silk Profound Yin Snake, highly sensitive to Profound Yin spirits and capable of detecting Profound Yin attribute resources instantly. Its market price was around five million.
"I never expected to run into you here. It truly surprises this young lady," Li Jingya said, gently stroking the Golden-Silk Profound Yin Snake in her arms. She looked disdainfully at Qiānlíng, then turned her gaze to Xuan Yun beside her. "I was wondering how these rustic immortal commoners from a backwater little secret realm could afford to stay in a manor on the floating island. So it turns out they came with Young Master Xuan Yun. Heh."
"Brother Tianhua, Immortal Lady Jingya, it's been a while," Xuan Yun said, walking over and standing in front of Qiānlíng. He looked at the two of them calmly. "Ling'er and the others are my friends. However, there's one thing you said wrong. Ling'er did not come with me. They are also staying here. Is there a problem with that?"
Although Xuan Yun said this partly to protect Qiānlíng, it was also the truth. After Qiānlíng was invited to the manor, she had paid Xuan Yun the required fee for seven days according to the manor's rates. Knowing Qiānlíng's strong-willed character, Xuan Yun did not refuse, but he only accepted half, reasoning that since he was also staying there, they should split the cost.
"Heh, I really underestimated you before," Li Jingya said, staring at Qiānlíng. "I never thought you were so good at finding a backer."
The Lotus Secret Realm was one of the ancient, inherited secret realms of the Dual-Pole Heavenly Domain, possessing profound heritage. Although its influence wasn't vast, it was home to numerous experts. And Xuan Yun was an outstanding figure among the younger generation of the Lotus Secret Realm, enjoying great fame in the Dual-Pole Heavenly Domain. Not only was his strength remarkable, but his mastery of the Ten Arts of the Immortal Dao was also exceptional, making him an idol worshipped by many young female immortals.
"Young Master Xuan Yun, the Xiaoluo Secret Realm once offended our Jinnwu Li Clan," Li Tianhua stepped forward and said. "Are you aware of this matter?"
"I've heard a little about it."
"Since you know, why are you interfering?"
"Actually, I was planning to find time to arrange a meeting with your Jinnwu Li Clan to discuss this. Since Brother Tianhua has brought it up today, I wonder if you could give me some face? Let's all sit down and have a couple of drinks?"
Li Tianhua could tell that Xuan Yun wanted to mediate for the Xiaoluo Secret Realm. He snorted coldly. "Young Master Xuan Yun, it's not that I'm unwilling to give you face, but this matter is not within my authority to decide. We have business to attend to right now. Please step aside."
As Li Tianhua tried to leave, Xuan Yun not only didn't move aside but instead blocked his way.
"Xuan Yun!" Li Tianhua showed anger, his tone no longer polite. "What do you mean by this!"
"Nothing much. I said I just wanted to invite everyone for a couple of drinks, that's all."
Li Tianhua shouted, "And I said I have business to attend to right now! Move aside!"
"And if I don't?"
"You!"
Li Tianhua glared at Xuan Yun, furious. In contrast to the enraged Li Tianhua, Xuan Yun appeared composed and at ease, smiling gently and gracefully.
"Young Master Xuan Yun, aren't you being too excessive? Do you really think our Jinnwu Li Clan fears you?" Li Jingya snorted coldly. "Let me tell you, the Xiaoluo Secret Realm dared to offend our Jinnwu Li Clan. This young lady said she would make sure they regret it deeply, and no one's mediation will work!"
With that, she pointed at Qiānlíng and shouted, "And you! Don't think that just because you've latched onto Xuan Yun and have him backing you, you can challenge this young lady! Let me tell you, in my eyes, you're nothing but a lowly, rustic little immortal commoner! If I wish, I can kill you anytime!"
"Fine," Qiānlíng said, her beautiful face expressionless. "I'm ready anytime!"
Li Jingya mocked, "Lowly, rustic little immortal commoner!"
"Will you ever stop! If we are lowly, rustic little immortal commoners, then what are you!" Qiānniǎo, who had been holding back, couldn't take it anymore and retorted angrily. "Are you a noble big sow?"
"Lowly, rustic little immortal commoner! I think you're looking for death!" Li Jingya instantly flew into a rage and raised her hand to strike at Qiānniǎo. Her speed was fast, but someone was faster. The moment she raised her hand, another hand clamped onto her wrist. The one who made the move was none other than Qiānlíng.
"You dare to stop me?" Li Jingya circulated her immortal energy, intending to attack. Unfortunately, she didn't get the chance. Just as she was circulating her immortal energy, Qiānlíng acted first. The hand gripping Li Jingya's wrist flashed with light from its five fingers, instantly sending Li Jingya staggering back several steps.
Li Jingya hadn't expected Qiānlíng to repel her with a single move. Humiliated and enraged, she was about to react when a stern voice called out.
"Jingya, stop."
The one who appeared in response was an old man with a goatee. After appearing, he stared at Qiānlíng and said, "Young lady, you hide your depths well. Truly impressive. Danqing made the right choice having you take charge of the Xiaoluo Secret Realm."
"Senior Jin Lie, what brings you to the Fengyue Small World as well?" Xuan Yun's voice came through. The old man named Jin Lie laughed. "So it's Young Friend Xuan Yun. It really has been a long time."