The Qin Family's residence stood nestled among three surrounding mountains. In the distance, a waterfall cascaded while a small river babbled nearby.
What a paradise beyond the mortal realm!
The architecture mirrored the pseudo-secret realm's Qin Family compound, even replicating its layout.
At this moment, the Qin Family's grounds were adorned with colorful lanterns and banners, especially the inner courtyard where festivities thrived.
Along both sides of the streets hung crimson lanterns. Passersby hurried with purposeful steps, their faces glowing with joy.
"The young master's marriage to the Lou Clan's daughter approaches. The Nangong Clan, Wei Family, Gongsun Clan, and Gold Family's important scions will attend. Such a grand occasion is truly a millennium's rarity!"
Within the inner courtyard, several young men gathered in animated discussion.
"I heard those great clans are scrambling for wedding gifts. They came unprepared. They seem intent on seeking treasures elsewhere in the secret realm to celebrate the Qin-Lou alliance."
One youth spoke with evident anger, "Everything within the secret realm belongs to our Qin Family. By offering us our own treasures as gifts, aren't they essentially giving us back what's already ours?"
"True enough," another agreed, "but what can we do? We can't let them outdo us. After all, we must prepare our own gifts too."
"I heard they've gathered at Qin Wuyi's residence and are preparing to depart. Shall we go check it out? We might be able to join them. Their status is exceptional; building connections with them could prove highly beneficial!"
After discussing briefly, several young men headed toward Qin Wuyi's residence.
Many others shared the same objective, mostly comprising the younger generation of the Qin Family.
Each harbored secret ambitions to compete with these prominent clans. If they could outperform them in the treasure hunt, it would bring great honor to the Qin Family.
Qin Wuyi's courtyard now teemed with people.
"When we came for the Celestial Academy assessment, I never anticipated this..." Nangong Ling said, bowing respectfully to Qin Wuyi. "Now it seems we must rely on the secret realm's treasures to offer proper tributes."
Qin Wuyi laughed heartily. "Your presence at my wedding alone is sufficient honor. Merely attending grants me immense face."
Nangong Ling's face lit up with a broad smile as the two exchanged mutual flattery.
"The secret realm holds many dangers," Qin Wuyi suggested. "Wouldn't it be better if we traveled together?"
Nangong Ling smiled in agreement. "Excellent proposal!"
Exchanging glances with Wei Yu, Qin Wuyi received a slight nod. Gongsun Ming and Lou Mengyu shared the same thought—having Qin Wuyi and the others as companions proved far more advantageous than relying on Treasure Rats.
"Young master, someone asked me to deliver you a gift!" Qin Xiaoshan hurried over, clutching a bundle wrapped in old clothes.
"A gift?" Qin Wuyi frowned, scanning their surroundings. Nangong Ling and the others stood nearby, while the subordinates of Nangong Ling and Gongsun Ming engaged in lively chatter with the Qin Family members.
Apart from Jin Wanshan and Lou Mengyu who remained hidden in their assigned courtyard, who else could be in this secret realm?
Nangong Ling and the others also wondered why only a gift had arrived without its sender.
Gongsun Ming whispered, "Li Mingyang's group was the last to enter the secret realm. Afterward, the entrance shifted positions. Apart from us, only..."
Indeed, only Qin Yang remained!
Nangong Ling shook his head. "Impossible. Why would Qin Yang send a gift? Besides, he might already be dead at Elder Qin Li's hands..."
"What kind of gift? Let's open it," Qin Wuyi said.
All eyes turned curiously toward the scene. Qin Xiaoshan slowly peeled back the tattered clothes, revealing the object inside.
"This..." Qin Xiaoshan shuddered violently, dropping his hands in fright.
A human head flew through the air, landing on the ground and rolling to Qin Wuyi's feet.
Qin Li's unblinking eyes stared blankly at the crowd.
A chilling wind swept through the courtyard, piercing the minds of all present.
"Qin... Elder Qin Li's head?"
"Heavens! Elder Qin Li is dead?"
"Who could have killed him? Who possesses such power?"
The Qin Family members erupted in chaos, while Nangong Ling and the others were equally stunned.
"Qin Yang! It must be Qin Yang!" Nangong Ling's pupils contracted sharply.
Qin Wuyi's face darkened. He had been puzzled by Elder Qin Li's prolonged absence, never imagining such a brutal fate awaited him.
Wei Yu frowned as he examined the head. "Though this gift came from Qin Yang, Elder Qin Li was not killed by him."
Gongsun Ming and Lou Mengyu exchanged glances, remaining silent. This wasn't the first time Qin Yang had slain a Zongshi Realm cultivator!
"Exactly!" Qin Wuyi declared calmly. "Observe Elder Qin Li's face—its cracked appearance proves he was burned by flames, his moisture completely evaporated. This is clear evidence that Qin Yang devised a scheme to let the beast kill Elder Qin Li! Then he severed the head and sent it here."
Qin Xiaoshan's legs wobbled as he stammered, "I didn't know! I swear I knew nothing about that boy's..."
"Silence!" Qin Wuyi roared. "We must report this immediately. Summon the family head and gather all elders!"
A single head proved Qin Yang was alive. As long as Qin Yang lived, the Qin Family's thousand-year plan would remain fatally flawed!
The treasure-seeking expedition was suspended indefinitely.
Before long, Qin Wuyi, Nangong Ling, and others assembled in the Qin Family's assembly hall.
The family head—a middle-aged man—first glanced at Qin Li's severed head on the table before addressing Nangong Ling and the others. "I never imagined such an event would occur within our Qin Family. I apologize for this embarrassing situation."
Nangong Ling shook his head. "We shouldn't have been present for this matter. Why did the family head summon us to the discussion?"
"No, your presence is indeed necessary," the Qin Family head declared. He had already learned everything from his son Qin Wuyi - this Qin Yang must be eliminated!
Nangong Ling and the others exchanged curious glances.
The Qin Family head continued, "Qin Yang stole our family's martial arts and plundered our resources. Then he murdered one of our elders... Such heinous crimes cannot be tolerated!"
After a pause, he added, "Now, as the head of the Qin Family within the Eight Divine Clans, I issue a Final Kill Decree!"
"A Final Kill Decree?" Nangong Ling and the others looked at each other, wondering what this had to do with them.
Wei Yu's eyebrow twitched. "Could this be the Eight Divine Clans' Final Kill Decree?"
The Qin Family head nodded slightly.
Wei Yu drew in a sharp breath.
"What does that mean?" Gongsun Ming asked.
Wei Yu explained, "The Eight Divine Clans have been bound by shared principles since ancient times. When someone is marked with the Eight Divine Clans' Final Kill Decree, they become an enemy of all clans. The clans will pursue them relentlessly until either the target or all clans are destroyed!"
Nangong Ling and the others felt their hearts jolt. To issue such an order against mere Qin Yang?
The Qin Family Patriarch smiled. "The Eight Divine Clans stand united. To activate the Divine Clans' Ultimate Kill Order requires consent from at least five clans. Including our Qin Family, we have representatives from the Lou Clan, Nangong Clan, Gongsun Clan, and Wei Family present—perfectly five clans."
"But we can't speak for our clans," Nangong Ling frowned.
"Rest assured," the Qin Family Patriarch continued, "eliminating Qin Yang will be effortless. Your participation isn't necessary. This is merely a formality to demonstrate our Qin Family's unwavering resolve to eliminate him!"
Nangong Ling opened his mouth to protest further. The Divine Clans' Ultimate Kill Order was no trivial matter. Once issued, there would be no turning back.
Wei Yu gently tugged at Nangong Ling's sleeve, nodding in silent agreement.
Gongsun Ming and Lou Qinru, however, voiced immediate consent. Gongsun Ming spoke first, "Qin Yang's atrocities show utter contempt for the Eight Divine Clans. If we let him live, what face will our clans have?"