In the sky, Qin Chuan remained in his invisible state.
He watched as Qin Zi returned to Ziyun Academy but decided not to show himself. The timing was just too suspicious.
If he showed up right after Qin Zi returned, people would surely start wondering where he had been all this time. It would be hard to avoid suspicion.
So, he decided to stay away from Ziyun Academy for a while.
This "sick leave" was the perfect opportunity to travel around the Nine Heavens Continent and scout the lands.
After all, being familiar with the map would make it much easier to set up traps for his son in the future. The more he knew, the smoother things would go.
As for whether Qin Zi would face danger without him around, Qin Chuan wasn't worried.
A true child of destiny always has a way to survive. When he was around, he was that lifeline for his son. But when he wasn't, fate itself would arrange another path for him.
As long as Qin Zi didn't do anything that brought heaven's wrath upon him, he would never be completely cornered!
So safety wasn't an issue.
And if Qin Zi ended up worrying about him and feeling sad... well, that could be seen as a way to harden his will.
Besides, after going through such a long period of worry, guilt, and regret, Qin Zi would likely cherish his father's love even more. It was a great opportunity to strengthen their bond.
After all, when the feelings are deep enough, even lies can feel more real than the truth!
With that in mind, Qin Chuan set off with a light heart.
With his current cultivation at the third level of the Quasi-Emperor realm, plus the Ice Dragon Spear, his invisibility cloak, and over 100 points of "Father's Favor," there wasn't a place on the Nine Heavens Continent that he couldn't go.
"But if I'm going to explore, it should be places that matter. I should pave the way for Qin Zi's future trials."
With that thought, he pulled out a map of the human territories and began to study it.
The human territories were vast.
There were over a thousand regions similar to Ziyun Territory.
Among them were even some super territories, each equivalent to several Ziyun Territories combined, with powerful figures like Martial Emperors guarding them—places full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!
"Ziyun Territory is located in the southwestern part of the human territories. The 100-plus territories in the southwest are collectively known as the Southwest Cluster. And the main territory of the Southwest Cluster is a super territory called... Chiming Territory!"
Qin Chuan narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself:
"Based on the typical storyline, after Qin Zi gains power in Ziyun Territory, he will inevitably head to Chiming Territory."
"It could be to participate in some kind of competition held by the academies of the Southwest Cluster, or to seize some rare opportunity. Either way, Qin Zi is bound to head to Chiming Territory. I'll go scout it out first."
With that thought, he maintained his invisibility and began flying toward Chiming Territory.
...
A month flew by.
Traveling at full speed with his Quasi-Emperor-level strength, Qin Chuan crossed over eight regions of varying sizes and finally arrived at Chiming Territory.
"Boom!"
The moment he stepped into Chiming Territory, Qin Chuan felt a difference. The air itself seemed to carry a heavy, invisible weight.
That heaviness came from martial destiny.
In other words, Chiming Territory was home to a Martial Emperor!
Martial Emperors naturally attracted martial destiny, and the surrounding world's martial destiny would gather around them.
In places where Martial Emperors resided, the flow of martial energy was prosperous, and the laws of heaven and earth were clearer, making cultivation significantly easier.
This was the biggest difference between large and small regions—the cultivation environment itself was on a whole different level!
"System, is there any treasure that allows me to change my appearance and aura at will?"
Qin Chuan asked silently.
"Ding! The 'Everchanging Mask.' Wearing this mask, you can become the King of All Forms, freely altering your appearance and aura. Even most Martial Emperors wouldn't see through it. The price is 28.6 points."
The system responded.
Qin Chuan froze for a moment at the price and asked with a deadpan expression, "System, are you serious about this price?"
He still had 108.6 points, and the system just so happened to price the mask at exactly 28.6 points, perfectly rounding out his balance.
Was it really just a coincidence?
This was clearly daylight robbery!
"Ding! Please do not misunderstand. This system would never take advantage of 0.6 points of 'Father's Favor.' It would be pointless."
The system replied righteously.
Qin Chuan's mouth twitched, but he didn't argue further. After all, the system had the final say, and he couldn't exactly audit it. Even if he found something wrong, there was no one he could complain to!
At least the cost wasn't too high.
"Buzz!"
Soon, a transparent mask appeared in his hand, and he placed it over his face.
Instantly, his appearance and aura shifted according to his will, transforming him into the likeness of Qin Zi. He donned a black robe, completing the look.
His youthful, handsome face, paired with the determined and resolute gaze, was so realistic it could easily fool anyone.
A sly smile curled on Qin Chuan's lips as he muttered, "Chiming Territory... Qin Zi has arrived!"
...
The Immortal Herb Secret Realm.
It was one of the famous secret realms of Chiming Territory.
Apparently, it had been the site of a great battle in ancient times. After the war, human Martial Emperors had transformed the battlefield into a place for young cultivators to train.
These man-made secret realms were common in human territories and were considered basic infrastructure.
The development of society requires both education and infrastructure. Though the terms may not fit this fantasy world, the principle holds true!
If the human race wanted to grow, it needed investment.
Secret realms weren't born—they were made.
If people only mined resources and never rebuilt, even the most resource-rich realms would eventually be exhausted...
The Immortal Herb Secret Realm opened once every 300 years, as the peerless herbs within it matured over that time.
And now, the secret realm was about to open again.
Outside the secret realm, the surrounding mountain ranges were packed with people. Countless figures stood atop various peaks, eagerly awaiting the event.
Among them were true prodigies.
But there were also plenty of opportunists.
Yet most of the gathered crowd had cultivation levels below the Emperor realm, as the secret realm had a restriction—those at or above the Emperor realm couldn't enter.
"Hahaha, a secret realm that only opens once every 300 years! This must be fate! I was meant to seize this opportunity!"
Someone excitedly declared.
But someone nearby quickly threw cold water on the boast:
"Sure, the realm opens every 300 years, but has there ever been a generation without such opportunities?"
The excited individual's smile froze, and he grew irritated. Can't a salted fish like him be allowed some self-comfort? Must you ruin it?
"Look, big shots are arriving!"
Suddenly, someone exclaimed. A massive, radiant ship, bathed in pure white moonlight, roared toward them from the distance.
"That's from the Dong Empire's Yue Family!"
At the same time, from another direction, an elaborate carriage surrounded by the illusions of dragons and phoenixes appeared, glowing brilliantly.
"That's the Hong Family from the Nan Empire!"
Simultaneously, from several other directions, similarly magnificent vehicles soared through the sky, each radiating powerful energy.
"That's the Zhou Family from the Xi Empire!"
"And the Wang Family from the Bei Empire!"
"Even the Chiming Academy is here!"
Under the awed gazes of the crowd, the five most powerful forces of Chiming Territory gathered. Each of these five powers had a Martial Emperor guarding them!
Amidst all this, a black-robed youth silently appeared on the scene, keeping a low profile and drawing no attention.
It was none other than Qin Chuan, disguised as Qin Zi!
In the sky, the young prodigies of the five great forces began exchanging pleasantries, their words dripping with insincerity.
Qin Chuan glanced at them briefly.
These so-called prodigies were only fourth or fifth-level Saints at most, likely newly famous talents. To him, they were so weak that they weren't worth paying attention to.
He had a very simple plan.
He would sweep through the secret realm, taking all the treasures for himself. Afterward, he would rob and humiliate these so-called prodigies!
He intended to provoke them.
Of course, he wouldn't reveal his true identity.
If these people learned that the "scoundrel" who humiliated them was named Qin Zi, they might investigate. And if they found out that Qin Zi was still in Ziyun Academy, his cover would be blown.
He needed to remain mysterious.
He would leave only his face behind.
When Qin Zi eventually made his way to Chiming Territory, the victims would undoubtedly recognize him. At that point, he would become a target for everyone...
The victims, furious and humiliated, would likely call upon their arrogant brothers, overbearing senior disciples, and other high-status figures to deal with Qin Zi.
Qin Zi, unable to tolerate such humiliation, would undoubtedly fight back!
When he slapped those haughty prodigies in the face, his "Father's Favor" would skyrocket. And after slapping them, they would likely die, giving rise to even greater murderous intent...
It was a perfect, seamless plan!