Chapter Thirty-Four: Inside and Outside the Game

“Speak.”
“Yes!”
“First, this time in Skywind City, a Heaven-grade Dragon Soul has emerged. The one in question is named Qin Pang. I have already brought him here for you to inspect, Eldest Elder. Second, this disciple of the Qin Clan beside me manifested signs of a Divine-grade Dragon Soul during his Soul Awakening, but for reasons unknown, the soul’s rank suddenly dropped, and his Bloodline Soul degenerated into a formless, rankless black dead serpent soul. I do not understand this matter, so I have come to seek your advice, Eldest Elder.
“As for the third matter, it is related to the second. The energy in the Bloodline Pool is severely depleted. I hope the Eldest Elder can grant a drop of Ancestral Dragon’s Blood for the use of those disciples in Yunqi Kingdom who have yet to awaken their souls.”
Qin Dingtian spoke concisely, quickly finishing his report.
“Divine-grade Dragon Soul?”
From the darkness, a voice, ancient and astonished, echoed. But this time, it was directed at Qin Feng: “Child, what is your name?”
“Qin Feng.”
Qin Feng raised his head. Though he could not see anyone, he answered with dignity.
“Qin… Feng…”
The Eldest Elder in the darkness seemed to be murmuring Qin Feng’s name, as if recalling something from long ago. After a long silence, a sigh was heard. “Very well, release your Bloodline Soul and let me see it.”
Qin Feng did not refuse. He summoned his bloodline power, and at once the black serpent soul revealed itself.
As usual, the soul lay lifelessly on the ground, belly up, displaying its pale underside. Qin Feng could not help but feel a surge of frustration at the sight.
The three who came with him wore their old familiar expressions: sighs, regret, disdain. Only the young attendant showed a flash of surprise in his eyes, which was quickly replaced by his usual wooden look.
This time, they waited a long while. The cave remained silent, save for the crackling of flames inside, which grated on everyone’s nerves. Yet no one dared breathe too loudly.
To act rashly here was to court death.
Fortunately, just as the oppressive atmosphere became unbearable, the ancient voice from the cave’s depths sounded again.
And this time, what was said left everyone present stunned.
“Child, thirteen years ago, you came here once, did you not?”

Qin Feng was briefly startled, but nodded all the same.
“Ah, fate, destiny!”
A sigh again, and the ancient voice grew heavier. “Child, do you know that thirteen years ago, I expended fifty years of cultivation to divine your fate? Your path… is not with the Ancient Clan, but within your own heart.” He paused, as if waiting for Qin Feng to ponder these words.
This time, Qin Feng was truly moved.
Until now, he had always believed the Ancient Clan had been cold and indifferent to him and his father, but the Eldest Elder’s words today sent ripples through his heart. At this moment, his emotions were indeed complex.
“My path is within my heart? What does that mean?”
Qin Feng asked in confusion.
“Child, some things you must comprehend for yourself. As for your body’s condition, the Ancient Clan is indeed powerless to help.”
“I do not understand, Elder. Please enlighten me…” Qin Feng felt as if he’d grasped something, yet his doubts only multiplied. Just as he wished to question further, the ancient voice had already issued a clear dismissal.
“Young one, go fetch a drop of Ancestral Dragon’s blood for Dingtian. As for those two, let them stay.”
“Elder…!”
Qin Feng was unwilling, but the voice had vanished completely, and no further reply came to his calls.
Qin Dingtian, having secured the Ancestral Dragon’s blood with the attendant, saw Qin Feng still standing motionless, staring ahead in vain hope for a response. Qin Dingtian could only sigh and step forward, patting Qin Feng’s shoulder to indicate it was time to leave.
Qin Feng looked once more towards the darkness, his gaze tinged with reluctance. Certain there would be no further reply, he followed Qin Dingtian out.
Once the four of them left the cave, the previously wooden attendant suddenly became lively, a completely different person, and called towards the darkness: “Master, why did you lie to him? I accompanied you day and night during that period, and never once saw you divine anyone’s fate. Most importantly, I know you don’t even know the art of divination! And as for his Bloodline Soul, though it is dead, it is brimming with the aura of the Nether. Nether force is also the source of life—why did you not tell him this, instead of spinning all that mysterious, half-understood talk?”
“My child, how many years have you been with me?”
From the darkness, the ancient voice returned, this time filled with a doting affection.
The attendant cocked his head in thought: “Master, it’s been six hundred and twelve years!”
“Over six centuries, and your cultivation is satisfactory, yet your mind is still slow. The aura of the Nether, yes, you saw truly. But what does it mean for our Qin Clan’s Divine-grade Dragon Soul to fall so easily? It is to be reborn from death! Divine-grade… how extraordinary! Still, some things, even if left unsaid, will be realized by him in time; in fact, that may be better than if I told him outright…”
“Hmm? Master, are you… making moves in a grand game again?”
The attendant paused, as if struck by a sudden thought, and questioned aloud.

“A game? That boy is already a piece on the board—a vast and intricate one. There is little point in further designs, especially since I am no match for that unfathomable force…”
“Then, Master, what do you mean?”
“I do not understand—please enlighten me, Master.”
For a long while, the cave remained silent. At last, the ancient voice sighed: “This child, born with a demonic fate, is unfortunate indeed… But the blessing is, he was born into the Qin Clan, and has a good father who has set him on the right path. Even if, in the future, he becomes a demon and stands against the world, with his father there, he will always have a chance to turn back.”
A look of realization dawned on the attendant’s face!
“Master, was it your intention all those years ago? Did you already see the truth?”
“Alas, my cultivation is shallow. This is all I can do. The rest will depend on the boy’s own fortune.”
“Then, Master, why not keep him in the Ancient Clan and train him with special care? Why only give him hints to leave the Qin Clan?”
“To keep him? With the Ancient Clan’s meager strength, we cannot contain such a one. His sky lies in the broader Azure Profound World, and perhaps… he will soar even higher.”
“Higher… where is that?”
The attendant was again lost in confusion.
“But… Master, are we truly abandoning him? If, one day, he stands against the world, what should our clan do?”
If that day really comes, there is no choice. Remember this, my child: our clan will always be the firmest support for every Qin Clan disciple.
Always.
…