Chapter 1288

Deep Abyss City, Reception Hall.

Inside the hall, banquets were neatly arranged in rows, maidens moved about serving the honored guests, the atmosphere unusually lively.

Qin Qin Lian sat at the head seat; Qin Jiujie had only appeared briefly to greet them, then handed all reception duties to her, so now she smiled warmly as she conversed with senior figures from the "Spirit Beasts Sacred Hall."

Qin Yi sat elegantly on her knees behind a low table in the hall, her clear, gentle face graced with a soothing smile—her beauty and poise drew repeated covert glances from young prodigies of the Spirit Beasts Sacred Hall across from her.

Though due to her age, her current strength was not outstanding among those in the hall, her innate talent was no lesser than anyone's, and with her appearance, even without actively participating in the social exchanges, she remained the focal point of many young prodigies' gazes.

Qin Yi was long accustomed to such stares, so she paid them no mind; yet when her gaze occasionally met someone's, she would politely nod in greeting, causing the other to hastily raise their cup in flustered respect—only for her to soon turn her eyes away, making the would-be suitors from the Spirit Beasts Sacred Hall sheepishly retreat to their seats.

After all, though Qin Yi had not yet entered the Marquis Realm, her aura was enough to make many of the opposite sex feel ashamed of themselves.

Yet not everyone was intimidated by her brilliance; Qin Yi could clearly sense a gaze, carrying an invasive quality, occasionally sweeping over her.

Qin Yi's jade-like face remained calm, but her peripheral vision caught the owner of that gaze.

He was a man clad in green robes, his frame slightly slender, features quite handsome, yet tinged with a soft, feminine air; his eyes were narrow and elongated, his hair loose and unkempt, exuding an untamed aura.

Qin Yi had already learned his identity during the introductions earlier.

Shen Yunge, young in age, was already the deputy head of the Snake Sect within the Spirit Beasts Sacred Hall; in status and rank, he rivaled the Commandant of their Black Water Guard.

Among this group of young prodigies from the Spirit Beasts Sacred Hall, Shen Yunge was undoubtedly among the top.

As Qin Yi contemplated this, she suddenly saw several figures approaching her direction—among them, Shen Yunge.

She sighed inwardly in resignation; she couldn't avoid it after all.

She lifted her gaze slightly, watching the approaching group; the leader was a burly, imposing man—this was Qin Zhenlin, Commandant of their "Jiujie Guard."

Beside Qin Zhenlin walked Shen Yunge, and beside him also stood a pretty, short-haired woman whose features bore a resemblance to Shen Yunge's, though her eyes radiated unmistakable arrogance.

This woman was Shen Bixi, Shen Yunge's younger sister.

"Hah! Little Yi, let me introduce you to our friends from the Spirit Beasts Sacred Hall," Qin Zhenlin's laughter rang out.

Qin Yi smiled faintly and said, "Commandant, no need for introductions—I'm well aware of Lord Shen's renown."

Shen Yunge smiled lightly and extended his hand toward Qin Yi. "I've long heard of the Water Immortal's fame; meeting you today truly stirs the heart."

Qin Yi glanced at his outstretched palm, her gaze pausing briefly at his wrist—there, she saw a dark-golden circular bracelet, and from it, she sensed an extremely dangerous aura.

Seeing Qin Yi did not reach out, Shen Yunge assumed she feared the bracelet, and chuckled: "I've startled Miss Qin Yi."

He flicked his finger lightly against the dark-golden bracelet, and the bracelet began to writhe—then a pair of cold serpent eyes opened; the bracelet was, in fact, a golden snake with its head and tail joined.

The tiny snake's entire body was covered in golden scales, radiating a fierce, malevolent aura.

The golden snake slithered up Shen Yunge's sleeve and vanished.

"I suppose this is Lord Shen's Spirit Beast, the 'Golden-Scaled Heavenly Python,' correct?" Qin Zhenlin watched the vanished snake, a flicker of wariness in his eyes. "I've heard the Spirit Beasts Sacred Hall's methods are profoundly mysterious—linking spirit forms with beasts, combining both into one, like carrying an entire guard unit on one's person. That's why their prodigies can defeat opponents of higher realms."

A flicker of surprise passed through Qin Yi's beautiful eyes.

It was said Shen Yunge possessed the Void Rank Nine "Golden-Scaled Heavenly Python Spirit Form" and the Void Rank Nine "Shadow Serpent Spirit Form"—both serpent-related spirit forms—and he also carried a living "Golden-Scaled Heavenly Python" as his Spirit Beast.

This made him exceptionally attuned to the Golden-Scaled Heavenly Python; when facing strong foes, he could even fuse with it.

In a sense, it resembled the Great Heavenly Guard systems, except the Spirit Beasts Sacred Hall's method involved a single beast forming a guard—far more portable, which is precisely how they earned their fame.

"The Spirit Beasts Sacred Hall's unique Mi Fa is truly miraculous," Qin Yi remarked.

"Little Yi, my brother's gaze has been fixed on you all night," said Shen Bixi, standing nearby with a sly smile. "In our Spirit Beasts Sacred Hall, countless junior sisters admire him, yet he's always been indifferent—turns out his standards are this high."

She too was studying Qin Yi; honestly, the other's beauty and aura stirred a faint envy within her—but since her elder brother clearly showed interest, she could only help nudge things along.

Qin Yi smiled lightly: "With Lord Shen's talent and status, he is naturally a dragon among men."

She did not take up the other's cue, nor did she intend to respond further—indeed, she had no interest in him at all.

"Miss Qin Yi's talent surpasses mine even more," Shen Yunge smiled. "Before I entered the Marquis Realm, I couldn't match you—I believe among peers in the Tianyuan Outer Shenzhou, you are peerless."

Hearing this, Qin Yi's mind flashed to a face: gray-white hair, young and strikingly handsome. She sighed inwardly—if not for Li Luo, she might truly be considered the top among her peers in the Tianyuan Outer Shenzhou.

In these past few months, her strength had surged forward; she had already entered Da Tian Xiang Jing. But Li Luo had already reached Da Tian Xiang Jing months ago.

With his talent, he was likely already nearing the late stage of Da Tian Xiang Jing.

Though she thought this, she said nothing aloud; due to the affairs of the previous generation, she and Li Luo could never have any connection—even within the Spirit Form Grotto, Li Luo had always remained wary of her. Still, she had no intention of speaking further before Shen Yunge, lest he misunderstand.

Over the years, Qin Yi understood her own allure well; sometimes, even a casual remark could cause rivals of the opposite sex to turn hostile, consumed by jealousy and hatred.

"Little Yi's talent among her peers is indeed outstanding, yet still slightly inferior to Li Luo of the Li Li Tianwang lineage," came a cool, amused voice.

Hearing this familiar voice, Qin Yi sighed inwardly in resignation, lifting her gaze to see Qin Qin Lian approaching. She bowed respectfully: "Mother."

Qin Qin Lian glanced at her, then smiled at Shen Yunge. "Yunge, since you've just arrived, if you have any questions about the Boundary River Region, feel free to ask Little Yi for guidance—after all, you'll be staying here for a while."

Shen Yunge quickly replied: "Thank you, Lady Qin Qin Lian."

Qin Yi felt a flicker of irritation—her mother was always so domineering, often disregarding her feelings.

"Lady Qin Qin Lian, the Li Luo you mentioned just now—is he the young prodigy of the Li Li Tianwang lineage?" Shen Yunge suddenly asked; he was sharp enough to sense the faint malice in her tone.

"A young man who possesses Three Palaces and Six Spirit Forms," Qin Qin Lian said. "His talent is extraordinary. Two months ago, he caused a sensation in the Boundary River Region—using the strength of two Thousand-Guard units, he defeated the Grand Commander of the Divine Tiger Guard, a top-tier Lower Rank Two Marquis Realm cultivator from Zhao Li Tianwang's line."

"Three Palaces and Six Spirit Forms?" Shen Yunge's face showed clear astonishment—he had never heard of such a peculiar spirit form configuration.

But he quickly composed himself and smiled: "Such talent is truly extraordinary. If he continues cultivating for a few more years, even our generation may be surpassed."

"If I get the chance to meet him in the Boundary River Treasure Region, I'd very much like to see him in action."

Shen Yunge sensed Qin Qin Lian's unhidden hostility toward Li Luo, so he unhesitatingly sided with her to win her favor.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Qin Qin Lian's eye. This young man had good sense. She spoke a few more words, then turned to Qin Yi: "Little Yi, if you have no pressing matters, take the time to guide Yunge and the others as they become familiar with the Boundary River Region—it will help prepare them for the upcoming Boundary River Treasure Region."

Then, under the excuse of not interfering with the young people's interactions, she turned and left.

Qin Yi glanced at Shen Yunge, whose smile had noticeably brightened, then lowered her gaze, her eyes dimming slightly.