Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

Chapter 283: Li Qingyi’s Decision

Qin Mu’s words placed a tremendous burden on Xu Ping’an.

However, he himself was quite interested in the Heavenly Star Ancient Palace.

So, even with the dangers, he decided to make the trip.

If he could obtain the heritage of the Heavenly Star Daoist, it would be a massive gain.

Of course, even without the heritage, it wouldn’t matter, the Heavenly Star Ancient Palace was rife with opportunities, and even a little bit of fortune would be immensely beneficial.

"This time, the geniuses and powerhouses from all four major nations will go as well, won’t they?" Xu Ping’an suddenly thought of something and asked urgently.

"Yes, the geniuses of the four major nations will go, as well as the scattered forces and loose cultivators from various sides. Even the five major forces will have many people go. Thus, this trip to the Heavenly Star Ancient Palace will be exceptionally lively. This is probably also our chance to come into extensive contact with strong practitioners before heading to the Jade Spirit Realm," Qin Mu said.

Xu Ping’an nodded.

He wondered if his aunt would go.

But the hope was slim; his aunt had not cultivated before, and the Heavenly Star Ancient Palace was so perilous, it was unlikely she would go.

However, the location of the Heavenly Star Wasteland bordered the Great Flame Empire, and he could fully travel to the Great Flame Empire through the Heavenly Star Wasteland.

Anyway, there was still half a year before the trip to the Jade Spirit Realm, so there was plenty of time.

"When do they plan to depart from the imperial capital?" Xu Ping’an asked.

"In fifteen days. However, this time, everyone will act separately and not move together, you understand," Qin Mu said with a smile.

Xu Ping’an nodded.

The imperial royal family was not harmonious among themselves, and traveling together would make things uncomfortable.

Leaving in fifteen days meant he still had time to visit Hao Tian Secret Realm and the Refining Alliance.

This time, he planned to finish refining the remaining few Golden Thunder Swords.

Therefore, Xu Ping’an did not delay.

Under Qin Mu’s lead, he went to the Hao Tian Secret Realm with Li Qingyi.

Li Qingyi stayed in the Hao Tian Secret Realm for four days, where her cultivation increased tremendously, directly breaking through to the Sixth Rank Realm, advancing an entire five layers.

Meanwhile, Xu Ping’an stayed for a total of seven days.

His increase in cultivation was modest, reaching the Fifth Rank Sixth Layer Realm.

But within Xu Ping’an’s body, the True Yuan of the Thunder Attribute had completed all four transformations, while the Metal Attribute had fully completed five transformations.

With this, Xu Ping’an’s strength had climbed an entire tier.

Afterward, Xu Ping’an went to the Refining Alliance, where he spent a full six days and finally succeeded in refining the remaining eight Golden Thunder Swords.

All eight, reaching the pseudo-Immortal Artifact grade.

With this, the Nine Golden Thunder Swords were complete, and he could now deploy the Nine Stars Extermination Immortal Sword Formation.

The Nine Stars Extermination Immortal Sword Formation was capable of slaying High Rank Seventh Layer powerhouses.

Although Xu Ping’an, with his current quantity of True Yuan, could only deploy it once and only unleash half the power of this sword formation, it was enough to slay any powerhouse below the Seventh Rank Sixth Layer.

This made Xu Ping’an overjoyed. With this Nine Stars Extermination Immortal Sword Formation, he had an additional means to protect his life.

Moreover, as his strength increased, the power of the sword formation he could unleash became stronger.

"With this Nine Stars Extermination Immortal Sword Formation, my chances for this trip to the Heavenly Star Wasteland have increased considerably," Xu Ping’an said to himself.

Ever since he learned about the Heavenly Star Wasteland, he had been feeling tremendous pressure.

Now, at least, he had the initial capability to defend himself.

After all, with such ample opportunities, lacking the self-preservation ability of the Seventh Layer would be tantamount to seeking death.

...

Late at night.

Inside the residence of the Ninth Prince.

Xu Ping’an, Li Qingyi, and Qin Mu were seated under the moon, conversing.

"Brother Xu, we will depart the day after tomorrow. Father said that if you wish to partake in that direct teaching session, follow me to the imperial palace tomorrow. Qingyi, this includes you as well," Qin Mu said.

"All right, then let’s go to the imperial palace together tomorrow," Xu Ping’an nodded and replied.

Truthfully, Xu Ping’an didn’t hold much expectation for the Sovereign’s teaching.

After all, the Sovereign of Great Qin might not have as deep an understanding of the Dao Laws as he had in his previous life, but since he had been given an opportunity, he still had to go.

"Have the other princes set off?" Xu Ping’an asked.

"Yes, both the Crown Prince and Third Prince have already set off. Sixth Prince didn’t go this time; it’s possible that this Holy Refinement made him give up on competing for the throne," Qin Mu said.

Xu Ping’an nodded.

The Crown Prince and Third Prince were both powerful contenders for the throne.

Both of them had deep strength and resources.

It could be said that among the three princes, the Ninth Prince was the weakest.

"Do you think the Crown Prince would have someone ambush us outside the city?" Xu Ping’an pondered.

"The Crown Prince himself wouldn’t, but he must have given covert instructions. For instance, Luo Fengyun is very likely to be outside the city; if not Luo Fengyun, then someone from Lady Hua might be," Qin Mu said gravely.

Xu Ping’an nodded.

After all, if he were the Crown Prince, he wouldn’t easily let himself leave the Imperial capital either.

"Junior Brother Ping’an, I don’t plan to join you on the trip to the Heavenly Star Wasteland the day after tomorrow,"

Just then, Li Qingyi suddenly spoke up.

Xu Ping’an was startled, not expecting Li Qingyi to make such a decision.

"There are many opportunities in the Heavenly Star Palace. You might gain something unexpected if you go," Xu Ping’an suggested after some thought.

"I know, but I’ve already thought it through. I don’t plan to go to the Heavenly Star Wasteland. I’ve had enough chances recently, and I can’t digest them all in a short time," Li Qingyi said.

"Are you worried about becoming a burden to me?" Xu Ping’an asked.

"That’s not the only reason. I have something more important to do," Li Qingyi said seriously all of a sudden.

"What is it?" Xu Ping’an asked, puzzled.

"I plan to go to the Fire Divine Palace," Li Qingyi stated.

"The Fire Divine Palace?" Xu Ping’an was taken aback.

Wasn’t that a power on par with the academy of the Great Flame Immortal Dynasty?

Why would Li Qingyi want to go there?

"Brother, do you remember that I went to the Fire Phoenix Mountain Range alone?" Li Qingyi asked.

Xu Ping’an nodded. It was when they had just left the Heavenly Star Sword Sect. Li Qingyi had insisted on going out alone to gain experience and ended up heading for the Fire Phoenix Mountain Range.

"Exactly. In the Fire Phoenix Mountain Range, I encountered a very powerful woman. I don’t know how advanced her cultivation was, but I saw her smash a five-thousand-meter-high mountain into dust with one palm," Li Qingyi recounted.

Xu Ping’an was shocked. Someone who could smash a five-thousand-meter-tall mountain into dust with one palm was at least a Ninth Rank powerhouse.

Li Qingyi had never told him about this experience before.

"This powerful woman is from the Fire Divine Palace?" Xu Ping’an asked.

"Mm, she claimed to be an elder of the Fire Divine Palace called Fire Phoenix and wanted to take me as her disciple. She also gave me a token and told me to come to the Fire Divine Palace once I had made up my mind," Li Qingyi said.

As she spoke, she took out a token, which was crimson in color, with a flame engraved on it, and within the flame was a character for ’fire.’

"This really is a token from the Fire Divine Palace—moreover, it’s the Heavenly Fire Order of the Fire Divine Palace. It seems this person holds a very high status there," Qin Mu couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

Xu Ping’an frowned slightly.

Fire Phoenix Elder?

The title ’Elder’ was not used casually; being called an elder meant that the person was at least at the Tenth Rank of the Primordial Immortal Realm.

A Primordial Immortal wanting to take Li Qingyi as a disciple?

This seemed to be good news, but Xu Ping’an felt an inexplicable unease.

"Then why aren’t you going with us?" Xu Ping’an asked.

"The Heavenly Star Wasteland is a bit out of the way for me. I can go straight to the Great Flame Immortal Dynasty from Lingyang County. Moreover, with so many important events happening there this time, I would be in the way. Besides, aren’t you planning to go to the Great Flame Immortal Dynasty after the Heavenly Star Wasteland? I can wait for you at the Fire Divine Palace in the Great Flame Immortal Dynasty," Li Qingyi said with a smile.

"Then be careful. Don’t hurry off; wait until we have travelled afar before you leave quietly. I will have Yan Wu escort you," Xu Ping’an said earnestly.

He knew that once Li Qingyi had made up her mind, it was hard to change it.

Moreover, the trip to the Heavenly Star Palace was very dangerous, and Xu Ping’an would have a hard time ensuring her safety if she accompanied him.

"Okay!" Li Qingyi replied with a smile, yet her eyes flashed with a firmness she had never shown before.