Only I am Venerable

’Gods, *this* is the most incredible cultivation technique in the world!’

Qin Li muttered to himself as a strange thought flashed through his mind. ’The Innate Purple Qi Technique always felt like it wasn’t a perfect match for the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, Only I am Venerable battle technique. But now... that feeling is completely gone!’

If Qin Li were only in the Venerable Realm, he would have scoffed at this cultivation technique. Many of its concepts would have seemed absurd, completely impossible to achieve.

But at his current realm, such thoughts never crossed his mind. Many concepts that were once impossible to grasp had now become naturally comprehensible.

Thus, upon seeing this cultivation technique, Qin Li felt as if he had found a priceless treasure. He was safe here, hidden away, and could begin cultivating the technique called the Purple Qi Technique.

As for why there was a giant in his Sea of Consciousness, why a cultivation technique was inscribed on the back of this seemingly eternal being, or why the Innate Purple Qi Technique—which the old Taoist had clearly given him—now appeared here... Qin Li decided to stop thinking about it all.

Whatever exists is reasonable!

There was nothing wrong with that ancient, famous saying. Not everything could be explained. Human power has its limits, and the world is full of countless inexplicable things.

His own transmigration to the Celestial Essence Continent, for example, was an unbelievable event in itself.

’Since it exists, it must be a gift from the heavens. Why wouldn’t I cultivate it?’

For the next month, aside from delivering firewood during the day, Qin Li spent all his nights cultivating the Purple Qi Technique. This cultivation technique was countless times more advanced than the Innate Purple Qi Technique he had previously practiced. For the past while, he had been cultivating Moon Spirit Qi!

To Qin Li’s excitement, amazement, and disbelief, after he had been absorbing Moon Spirit Qi for a full month, a moon the size of a fingernail suddenly appeared inside his Dantian!

’I’ll call it a moon for now,’ he thought, because the fingernail-sized sphere was formed entirely from the accumulation and condensation of Moon Spirit Qi. It revolved slowly around his Pill Nascent Soul!

Qin Li could clearly feel his strength growing again. Wind Spirit Qi, Water Spirit Qi, Thunder Qi, Fire Spirit Qi... Whenever he had the chance, Qin Li would absorb a little of each.

Gradually, after three months, Qin Li’s Dantian had stored a vast amount of various Essences of Heaven and Earth. Yet this diverse mixture of essences caused no chaos. Just like the world outside, they coexisted in harmony, slowly forming a system that operated continuously, just like a Little World!

To Qin Li’s immense surprise, this Purple Qi Technique resonated with the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, Only I am Venerable battle technique. In fact, their synergy was even more perfect than that of the old Innate Purple Qi Technique and the Only I am Venerable technique!

If cultivating the Innate Purple Qi Technique and the Only I am Venerable battle technique in the past allowed him to unleash one hundred percent of his power, then now, he could unleash two hundred percent!

At the same realm, his power had doubled!

’What... what does that even mean?’ If anyone else learned of his good fortune, they would immediately treat him like a monster. This was something that was simply impossible for others to achieve!

If Qin Li were to fight now, he could use almost any kind of element for magical attacks, unlike before, when he had to rely solely on Sword Qi and Sword Intent.

An endless arsenal of magic would be enough to overwhelm any opponent at the same level. Qin Li wasn’t even afraid of a Great Power from the Thunder Tribulation Realm!

During those three months, the outside world had been searching everywhere for any trace of Qin Li. Rumors that he was the new Purple-eyed King were running rampant!

This was because an earth-shattering event had occurred during that time.

Several Purple-eyed Emperor Ancestors from Lengqiu Palace had fought with a few Purple-eyed Emperor Ancestors who were Loose Cultivators. The fight was quite fierce. Although no lives were lost, four from Lengqiu Palace were injured. On the other side, three of their six opponents were also wounded.

The reason for the fight should have remained a secret, but somehow, word got out. It was said that the Purple-eyed Ancestors from Lengqiu Palace supported Qin Li as the new king of the Purple-eyed Race, while the independent Purple-eyed Emperor Ancestors refused to acknowledge him and even wanted to find and kill him.

Thus, an inevitable battle broke out between them. In the end, neither side gained an advantage.

The battle was said to have been earth-shattering. People who later visited the site saw that many once-tall mountain peaks had been completely flattened, and the plains were now scarred with pits hundreds of meters deep. The entire area was a wreck, like the aftermath of an apocalypse.

In truth, this matter originally had nothing to do with Qin Li. But as the story spread, the "new king of the Purple-eyed Race"—the very cause of the conflict—became identified as none other than Qin Li.

Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth. Rumors are the most terrifying things in the world, especially when they prevent people from distinguishing fact from fiction. With so many fanning the flames, the rumor soon became accepted as fact!

In the City Lord’s Mansion of Tongtian City, City Lord Li Longchuan glanced at a portrait, pursed his lips, and tossed it aside. "The Hai Family is getting restless," he sneered at the man beside him. "Still using old tricks like fishing in troubled waters. Have they no shame?"

Standing beside him was a middle-aged scholar who looked to be in his fifties, sporting a goatee. "But it’s a useful trick," the scholar said with a faint smile. "At the very least, this young man named Qin Li is quite unlucky. He offended Hai Jinzun, and now he can’t even defend himself, forced into hiding."

"As for this Qin Li," Li Longchuan said, "I’m actually somewhat interested in him." The City Lord appeared to be in his sixties, with a thin face and few wrinkles. He wore a Hair-Binding Gold Crown and a dark gold Python Robe, his imposing aura more akin to that of a mortal emperor.

"Oh? The City Lord knows of him?" the middle-aged scholar asked with a slight smile, his interest piqued.

"Of course. I’ve done my research on Qin Li. He was born into an ordinary, low-status family in the secular world. He later cultivated a battle technique called Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, Only I am Venerable. I’ve seen that technique myself, but I never dared to attempt it. Over on the Eastern Continent, it’s said that many have tried to cultivate it, but none survived its Nirvanas. They all died in the end. Only Qin Li, somehow, was lucky enough. He cultivated the technique, his strength soared, and he remained unharmed. Then, after reaching the Celestial Level, he entered a Mysterious Land called Profound Island. Unexpectedly, that became the place where he truly began his rise."

Li Longchuan said with admiration, "Although the Martial Artist Clans of the East are mostly weak, for a young man like Qin Li to fight his way to his current position in just over a decade is truly admirable!"

"The City Lord is right. And speaking of it, that Profound Island really is a wondrous place. I only just heard that the Golden Palace has been on Profound Island all this time!" the middle-aged scholar sighed. "If we had known earlier, perhaps we might have had the chance to witness a masterpiece from that glorious civilization of the Primordial Era. A Sacred Artifact! I’ve never even seen one."

Li Longchuan smiled faintly and waved his hand. "Such things are a matter of destiny. Don’t feel regretful if you never see one. If it’s fated to be, you will see it in the future. There’s no need to force it."

"The City Lord is right." The middle-aged scholar wore a deferential expression, and no one would have ever guessed that he was actually one of City Lord Li Longchuan’s most important aides: Li Yichuan, known as the Mad Dragon! He was Li Longchuan’s younger brother. Though he looked frail and scholarly, his power was terrifyingly immense, his cultivation having already reached the peak of the Pill Nascent Soul Transformation realm!

"Yichuan, make sure you instruct our clansmen, as well as the various sects in Tongtian City, to stay out of this business with the Purple-eyed New King. There’s nothing in it for us. If the Hai Family wants to cause a stir, let them! Of course," Li Longchuan added softly, "if the opportunity arises, I would like to meet this Qin Li."

"I understand," Li Yichuan said, turning to leave.

Just then, a clear, pleasant voice called from the doorway, "Daddy, I’m back!"

A figure flashed in with the voice, seemingly about to rush toward Li Longchuan. But upon suddenly seeing Li Yichuan, she stopped short, rubbing her nose with an awkward smile. "Oh, Uncle, you’re here too!"

Li Yichuan looked dotingly at the girl. "Wan’Er, you’re back?" he said with a smile. "I have some business to attend to, so I’ll be leaving. Come find me later. I recently acquired a Spiritual Artifact that I’m sure you’ll like!"

"Wow, thank you, Uncle!" Li Wan called happily to Li Yichuan’s departing back.

"Third Brother, don’t spoil her so much. Look how you’ve coddled her!" Li Longchuan called after Li Yichuan’s back, but a happy smile was on his own face. What father doesn’t dote on his daughter?

"So, any luck this time?" Li Longchuan asked, smiling warmly at his youngest daughter, Li Wan. In terms of age, he was old enough to be her great-grandfather. So while he chided his brother for spoiling Li Wan, he himself doted on her even more. Everyone knew it but him; he was the only one who thought he was a strict father.

"Luck? Don’t even mention it..." Li Wan said, walking over to Li Longchuan’s desk. Her gaze suddenly fell on the portrait lying there, and her beautiful eyes instantly froze.

"My benefactor? Dad, how do you have his portrait? Do you know who he is?" Li Wan fired off a series of questions, leaving her father, Li Longchuan, stunned.

"What... Wan’Er, you know this person?" Li Longchuan asked with a frown, a bad feeling welling up inside him. ’My daughter is grown now; it’s natural for her to have a sweetheart. But if she falls for *this* young man... the trouble will be immense!’