The grand meeting hall of the Qin Clan sat atop the highest terrace of the main peak, carved straight into the blackstone mountain and reinforced with veins of glowing spirit ore. Massive red pillars lined the chamber, rising like the limbs of some ancient beast frozen in time. Whether it was for the lingering aura of the clan's past glory, or some hidden formation. No one had dared test, the qin clan. No one has ever tried to invade the Qin family's home base. Even after its decline for so many years.
At the far end, beneath an ancestral tablet wall and a hanging plaque bearing the words "Honor Through Action," sat Patriarch Qin Heng. His frame had grown thinner with age, and the golden sheen of his robes couldn't fully mask the sallow tint in his cheeks. But his eyes were still sharp, yet kind. Like a kind old man. He was scanning the room like a hawk.
Around him sat the major elders and stewards—representatives from each main and branch family
Qin Ye stepped in quietly.
No one said anything, but some elders turned to glance at him. Some approving. Some curious. A few indifferent.
He bowed calmly to the patriarch and took a seat at the younger generation's section, just off to the side. Beside him sat Qin Feng, who gave him a passing glance but said nothing.
Qin Heng began, "The Daqing Dynasty has shifted trade routes. Some of our outposts will receive fewer resources next season. We must reorganize. Also—" he paused slightly, "—a new secret realm has emerged in our Qin family territory. It appears to have opened for the first time."
The room stirred.
"Is it stable?"
"Any known inheritance?"
"The formation patterns—do they match anything from the archives?"
Qin Heng raised a hand. "We are still investigating. There are red dragon statues carved in atleast 5th grade materials there and signs suggest it's a physical cultivator's resting place."
Qin Jian chuckled softly. "Interesting. It seems fate truly favors this generation. Just recently, my son Qin Feng happened to have a breakthrough and has reached the extreme of qi refining realm- The 12th level of Qi refining."
Several elders turned toward him, raising eyebrows.
Even the patriarch was shocked. Historically, only peerless geniuses were capable of reaching the extreme realm of each realm. Previously, only Qin Qingshuang had reached this level. Even she was only the 11th level of Qi training.
"Great! God is favoring my Qin Family again!"
"Another genius has appeared in our family!!"
The elder were exclaiming. Such a high extreme means, his future prospects are also high. Maybe, in this era the family will once again rise!
"I don't mean to brag," he continued humbly, "but perhaps… the heavens are guiding us. The younger generation is rising fast. It might be time we rethink what qualifies as leadership. Strength and talent are both increasingly important. Foresight, networking, seizing opportunity—that's what the world demands."
A few nodded.
He glanced briefly toward Qin Ye. "Some of our younger talents have… promising potential, but rarely show themselves in clan matters. Hard to judge if they're truly reliable in key moments."
Qin Ye didn't react. He leaned back slightly, as if bored.
He wasn't fooled. The entire meeting was just a disguised campaign.
Qin Zhenhai sat in his place, expression neutral, arms folded inside his sleeves. He didn't rise to the bait. Didn't defend himself. Didn't interrupt. He simply let the others talk.
That was more intimidating than anger ever could be.
Qin Ye didn't speak either, but his eyes never stopped moving. He took mental notes—who flinched, who smiled at Qin Jian's words, everyone.
Then Qin Heng spoke again.
"The secret realm this time is time-limited. And it has an age restriction—only those below the age of 20 can enter."
That meant it was meant for the younger generation.
"As such," the patriarch said, "we've decided to send the top talents of the clan inside. All collateral and side clans can also join. The vassal families of our qin family and affiliated sects can also send their younger generations to explore. Although, this secret realm core is considered to be a body refining inheritance, there are also many other inheritances inside. For the Qin family geniuses...This time it is not just to explore… but to test them."
He paused, gaze sweeping across Qin Ye, Qin Feng, and a few others.
Qin Feng's hand tightened slightly under the table. A subtle buzz of sound rang in his ear.
It was a transmission.
Feng Lao's voice echoed in his mind.
"Qin Boy, this is it. The realm belongs to the Tyrant Dragon. A Mahayana Stage physical path cultivator. It was hidden all these years, protected by dragon marrow qi. You must seize this. You already have the inner map of this secret realm obtained from the pawnshop owner. I was thinking of how to find its hidden location, i didn't expect it manifest so soon. the The first to awaken the inheritance will gain a body cultivation method and marrow cleaning beyond mortal limits. Do not waste this chance."
Qin Feng's pupils contracted slightly, and a small grin appeared on his lips.
Qin Ye caught the grin.
He narrowed his eyes.
"This realm… it's too convenient," he thought. "As if made for him."
He looked up toward the talking patriarch. The patriarch finished speaking and was explaining the secret realm layout. It turns out that, not only is there a age restriction....but there is also a cultivation restriction. Those above the Nascent soul realm will be seriously suppressed. When he said this, the patriarch stopped for a moment and looked at qin ye meaningfully.
"Looks like the patriarch has also noticed something wrong with Qin Feng"
"No old guy in this family is simple"
Qin Ye didn't move. He didn't speak. But inwardly, a quiet decision had been made.
Qin Ye decided to test the so called Son of Destiny's strength and gauge his limits in this secret realm.