Volume One: The Demon Lord's Young Master Chapter 28: The Mysterious Cave

Qi Yu had long since secretly infused the jade pendant with spiritual energy, allowing Su Kaishan to hear the entire conversation.

The Second Elder’s pupils constricted, his expression one of utter shock. "This... this is the token of the Su family ancestor. How is it in your possession?"

Qi Yu replied, "Naturally, your great-grandfather gifted it to me. Furthermore, I have sworn an oath of brotherhood with him as an ageless companion. Now, do you know how to address me?"

The Second Elder clenched his fists tightly. "Impossible! This must be a fake. Qi Yu, how dare you deceive me? I’ll kill you!"

Before his words had even faded, a crushing pressure descended from the sky. The Second Elder was instantly overwhelmed and forced to his knees. His eyes wide with terror, he gasped, "This is impossible! Impossible!"

Accompanied by a profound and imposing aura, Su Kaishan walked slowly into the training arena.

"Elder Brother!" Qi Yu held his sword and bowed in salute. "I must trouble you again."

Su Kaishan smiled and waved his hand. "It is no trouble."

Hearing their exchange, the Second Elder was struck dumb, remaining frozen on his knees, not daring to move an inch. Soon after, several more powerful auras descended as the First Elder and several other elders entered the arena.

"We were unaware of such a distinguished guest’s arrival; please forgive our lack of a proper welcome!" the First Elder said.

Su Kaishan sat on a chair at the edge of the arena and spoke slowly. "I have come to discipline my wayward descendant. I trust your sect does not intend to interfere?"

His pace was measured, yet his tone carried an air of unquestionable authority. The First Elder hesitated for a moment, glancing at the Second Elder, and asked, "May I ask who the senior is..."

"I am Su Kaishan," he replied.

The First Elder was stunned. Su Kaishan—the ancestor of the Su family! It was rumored that he had been wandering the world; why would he suddenly appear at the Sword Sect?

Su Kaishan pointed toward Qi Yu. "I share a unique bond with young friend Qi Yu, and we have become sworn brothers across generations. I expect your sect to treat him well."

All the elders turned to look at Qi Yu in astonishment. The Second Elder remained sprawled on the ground, shivering, not daring to lift his head.

Su Kaishan’s gaze turned to the Second Elder. "Su Can, do not think I am unaware of your actions. Your heart is crooked. Were it not for the fact that you are of my Su family bloodline, I would have taken your life. Return to the family and accept your severe punishment!"

Su Can, the Second Elder’s true name, looked up, his face filled with disbelief. "Ancestor, everything I did was for the prosperity of the Su family!"

Su Kaishan stood up, his tone brook no argument. "Su Can, do you truly take me for a senile old fool?"

Su Can lowered his head again. "I would not dare..."

Afterward, Su Kaishan looked at Qi Yu with a smile. "Young friend, I have brought the medicinal herbs and pills you required. I shall wait for you at your courtyard."

Qi Yu bowed. "Thank you, Elder Brother!"

***

After Su Kaishan departed, Su Can collapsed completely, muttering to himself, "Impossible, this is impossible!"

The First Elder looked at the corpse lying by the arena and asked, "What is the meaning of this?"

Su Can scrambled to his feet and pointed at Qi Yu, his expression vicious. "It was Qi Yu! He killed him! First Elder, according to sect rules, he must be severely punished!"

The First Elder narrowed his eyes. "Who is the deceased, and why is he a stranger to me?"

Su Can replied with some unnatural hesitation, "He was a deacon elder from the Hall of Affairs."

The First Elder gave Su Can a long, searching look before turning to Qi Yu. "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Qi Yu, if you truly committed murder, do not blame me for being heartless. But if you have been framed, I will ensure justice is served!"

Su Can looked incredulous. "But, First Elder..."

"Let us go!" The First Elder led the other elders away, leaving the arena.

Qi Yu turned his gaze toward the Second Elder, his eyes filled with killing intent. Regrettably, he was not yet a match for the Second Elder, so he turned and walked away. Watching his back, the Second Elder’s face grew sinister. "Qi Yu, I swear I will kill you!"

Upon returning to his courtyard, Qi Yu found it filled with brocade boxes containing herbs and pills, stacked like a small mountain. He was left speechless.

Su Kaishan laughed heartily. "Young friend, I hope these herbs suffice. If not, I shall have someone send more next time."

Qi Yu quickly responded, "This is more than enough!"

These herbs were intended for tempering his body and bones. Cultivation medicine was incredibly expensive, and it was a stroke of fortune to have met Su Kaishan, as it saved him a vast fortune.

After helping Su Kaishan further unravel a portion of the Demon-Sealing Seal and seeing him off, Qi Yu spent the following days consuming the medicine under Yaoyao's guidance. Tempering the body and bones was a lengthy process that could not be rushed.

After taking the medicine and pills, Qi Yu felt his body grow significantly stronger, with his speed and power more than doubling. In the process, he inadvertently triggered the dark red orb in his Dantian, which broke through two more meridians. He had now opened five meridians in total, with only three remaining.

Qi Yu opened his eyes and let out a long breath of stale air. Having purged his body of many impurities, he changed his clothes and set out to find Liu Rouxue.

At the First Elder’s hall, he did not find her, but a disciple informed him that she had accepted a trial mission a few days prior. "You must be Senior Brother Qi Yu," the disciple added.

Qi Yu nodded. The disciple continued, "Senior Sister Liu specifically came to find you to say goodbye before she left, but you were in seclusion at the time."

After thanking him, Qi Yu was about to leave when he saw Su Can walking toward him. To his surprise, Su Can offered a smile. "Young friend Qi Yu, my actions previously were a mistake. I offer you my sincere apologies."

Seeing Su Can’s attitude, Qi Yu frowned slightly. What sort of mischief was this old man plotting now?

Su Can explained, "The man you killed was not a Sword Sect deacon, but an outsider in disguise. The First Elder has clarified the situation; you were indeed wronged in this matter."

Qi Yu said coldly, "It was one of Zhen Xingfan's men, wasn't it?"

Su Can paused briefly. "That, I cannot say."

"Is there anything else?" Qi Yu asked calmly.

Su Can smiled. "I have come to assign you a sect mission."

Qi Yu’s internal alarm bells rang instantly.

Su Can continued, "Do not be nervous, young friend. This task is very simple: simply head to the Western Mountains of the Sword Sect. Someone reported hearing strange roars there recently; you need only go and investigate. Completing the mission will earn you one hundred sect contribution points."

Qi Yu knew the task could not be this simple; it was surely another of Su Can’s schemes. However, he did not show it on the surface. *Very well, let us see what tricks you have up your sleeve.*

The two flew on their swords into the depths of the Western Mountains. In the midst of the dense forest, there was indeed a massive cave exhaling plumes of purple mist. Qi Yu remained vigilant. As they reached the entrance, he saw that the interior was pitch black, like the gaping mouth of an abyss.

*Such an ominous cave.*

"Watch out for this old man!" Yaoyao’s voice echoed in his mind.

"Understood!"

Su Can looked down from his sword. "This is the place."

As Qi Yu peered down, Su Can abruptly drew his sword and lunged at him. *Clang!* A cold flash of light aimed directly at Qi Yu’s throat!

"Die!"

Qi Yu had been guarding against Su Can’s move, so when the strike came, he immediately used his footwork to move behind him.

"What!" Su Can’s strike missed, and just as he turned around, Qi Yu kicked him hard off his flying sword. He plummeted straight toward the purple-mist-filled cave—a place that was clearly dangerous.

Caught off guard, Su Can fell, but as he turned, he grabbed onto Qi Yu’s leg!

"Damn it!" Qi Yu cursed, only to be dragged down into the cave with the Second Elder.

In mid-air, Qi Yu tried to use his fingers to control his sword, but he had exhausted too much spiritual energy. Su Can also tried to escape on his sword, but Qi Yu used his final bit of energy to condense a sword aura and shattered Su Can’s blade.

And so, the two of them fell together into the pitch-black cave.