Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Qin Yu bowed, "I greet Doctor Ye. This junior was fortunate enough to not fail his mission. This is the item that the Stronghold Master wanted." Light flashed in his hand as he took out the black stone.

Doctor Ye looked down and his eyebrows knit together for a moment. "Well done. Since you've completed the mission then you will be rewarded. Now, let's return."

He received the black stone and carefully traced it a few times, sighing beneath his breath. This was indeed a junior who could compete with the miss; he wasn't easy to deal with at all.

Qin Yu looked up at Doctor Ye's back and sensed his abyss-like aura. It was terrifying to an unimaginable degree, like a deeply sleeping beast that could cause the skies to collapse once it woke up!

But now, after experiencing being chased down by that terrifying existence within the City Lord Mansion, Qin Yu suddenly had another thought. Could it be that Doctor Ye and the Stronghold Master were both like that being in the City Lord Mansion? Even though they possessed immense strength they could only utilize an extremely small part of it.

As soon as this thought appeared he suppressed it. Qin Yu knew that even if his guess was correct, if this sort of existence wanted to kill him it was still as easy as turning a hand.

The group smoothly returned to Nine Nether Peak. Little Zhao followed Doctor Ye and departed. Qin Yu watched them leave before turning around and saying, "Follow me."

Snowside nodded, "Okay." As she spoke it was hard to conceal the caution and awe on her face. She had lived beneath the influence of the 'obam' for so long and had no idea that such a terrifying influence was hidden within these mountains. What nonsense, of course they were terrifying, otherwise how could they dare to send someone to the City Lord Mansion to cause such a mess?

Moreover, Snowside had seen how respectful that incomparably powerful Qin Yu had been in front of Doctor Ye. Even an idiot could tell that the seemingly ordinary Doctor Ye was actually a dreadful powerhouse.

Qin Yu sensed what she was thinking but didn't explain anything to her. Right now, not even he could figure out the truth behind these people from Nine Nether Peak. But there was one point he was sure was; there was definitely some great connection that existed between that terrifying existence at the City Lord Mansion and the Stronghold Master and Doctor Ye.

Why were they hiding here? There had to be a secret behind it all! Now, Qin Yu already understood that this world wasn't as horrifying as he thought it was. With his strength he could be a powerhouse in his own right. It was just that the level he came into contact with was far too high.

When he returned to his living quarters, he helped Snowside settle in and then immediately went to see Xue Zheng. It wasn't that he cared about this cheap big brother of his, but that their relationship was far too close right now. If something were to happen to one party there was no way the other party could escape unscathed. Just thinking about it made his heart clench!

The good news was that Xue Zheng's condition had stabilized. Compared to when he left, there didn't seem to be any change. It seemed he would be able to maintain this state for a period of time. The bad news was that he still hadn't regained consciousness or developed any signs of recovering…he still looked as if he had one final breath left in him, as if he could pass away at any moment.

After a moment of stunned silence, Qin Yu sighed helplessly and left. When it came to the injuries of an Origin God boundary existence, he was simply at a loss of what to do. If there was anyone he knew that could help Xue Zheng regain consciousness, it was those two people from Nine Nether Peak.

Qin Yu looked up at where his senses detected an aura that flooded the region like raging tides. Even though he had entered that area and had even been in close contact, he still couldn't help but feel awe.

Three days passed before Qin Yu was summoned by the Stronghold Master. There should be a meaning behind this. Since he had completed the mission given to him, then with the other party's status, they should abide by their earlier promise and give him some advantages…as for what he wanted, he already had an idea in mind.

Little Zhao was waiting outside the same central courtyard. In these past three days her aura had completely recovered. Her beautiful face was cold and her back was straight like a sword that pointed at the skies. However, when she looked at Qin Yu, there was a bit more warmth in her eyes.

"The Stronghold Master and Old Ye are waiting for you inside. You may enter."

Qin Yu nodded and pushed open the door, walking in. He glanced around before bowing, "Greetings Stronghold Master, Doctor Ye."

Doctor Ye lightly coughed. He said, "Qin Yu, you did well this time sneaking into the City Lord Mansion. You even saved Little Zhao's life. I've already learned of what happened so there is no need for you to answer any questions about it. The reason I called you here today is to reward you for your merits."

He paused and then faintly smiled. "Now, you may raise any request. As long as it is within a reasonable scope, I will agree."

Qin Yu said, "The reason I was able to survive until now within the obam's sphere of influence is all thanks to the shelter of Nine Nether Peak. Assisting the Stronghold Master is of course my duty. Normally I shouldn't ask for anything else but my big brother's situation is critical. If possible…"

"No way!" Doctor Ye interrupted him, waving his hand repeatedly. "Think of something else! You are also quite impolite. On this merit alone you want me to save a living corpse? Brat, don't even dream about it!"

Qin Yu sighed inwardly. As he thought, this path didn't work. But, that didn't mean there wasn't any harvest from asking. For instance, this terrifyingly strong Doctor Ye with mysterious origins should have the means to save Xue Zheng, otherwise he wouldn't have said that.

"Cough cough, let me remind you of something. For hot blooded youths like yourself, you should maintain some interest between men and women. You've already seen everything she has to show you, so as long as you open your mouth and mention it then things will be done." Doctor Ye looked at Qin Yu with an expression that said he was saying all of this for his consideration. He smiled and said, "Qin Yu, what do you think?"

Of course he didn't want to!

Qin Yu shook his head, "I have devoted myself to cultivation and have no intention of distracting myself with things like that. I thank Doctor Ye for the good intentions. Since saving my big brother is not possible, I would like to change my request…" After a pause he said, "I wonder what sort of object that black stone is that I obtained after killing the obam? If it isn't important to the Stronghold Master, can you give it to me?"

"Uh…you want that stone?" Doctor Ye raised an eyebrow, a strange look on his face.

Qin Yu nodded, "Yes."

Doctor Ye seemed to want to say something else, but the Stronghold Master suddenly waved their arm and threw something. Qin Yu grabbed it. When he saw the black stone in his hand, he smiled with joy.

"Thank you Stronghold Master!"

Doctor Ye looked at the Stronghold Master. "Since you've obtained what you wanted, then hurry and leave!"

"Yes." Qin Yu turned and left.

Doctor Ye hurriedly said, "Miss, that stone is a fake and all sorts of tricks were applied to it. Why did you agree?"

The Stronghold Master who was thick and sturdy, had an ugly and ferocious face, yet still wore a light pink dress said, "This is what he chose. I simply did what he asked. Isn't it wonderful that all parties are satisfied?"

"But…" Doctor Ye suddenly paused and rubbed his chin. "Miss, how come I think that you are intentionally making use of this chance to send the boy to his death? Could it be that you believe my words and think there is a possibility he could end up with you…?"

The Stronghold Master sneered. "Watch your words Old Ye. There are some things that will bring you bad luck once spoken."

Doctor Ye dryly laughed several times, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. He had been joking with the miss just now. With her intelligence, how could she do something like that? There could only be one other explanation.

Hehe, it seemed like this boy Qin Yu had entered the miss's eyes and she was prepared to receive him as a helper…before entering the Divine Dao realm, he was already able to control the great supernatural art of Enforcement of the Word. That actually gave him sufficient qualifications. As for that stone, it was a test that the miss gave to him. Whether or not he was chosen would depend on his own ability.

Holding the black stone, Qin Yu was in high spirits as he left the courtyard. Even though his mind was firm and steady, he still couldn't conceal the smile on his face. He nodded to Little Zhao, "You're still here."

"Humph! I go where I want to go and I stand where I want to stand, you can mind your own business!" With a cold sneer, Little Zhao ruthlessly glared at Qin Yu before turning to leave.

This was…inexplicable and bewildering. Where had this anger come from? Sometimes, women were indeed difficult to understand. Luckily, Qin Yu was in a good mood so he didn't care at all. He glanced at the black stone in his hand before hurrying away.

When he returned to his residence, Snowside was waiting for him. Due to her obam appearance, she had stayed in her room these past days. When Qin Yu returned she smiled and asked, "How was it? Was everything okay?"

Snowside had played an essential role in completing the mission. Qin Yu played with the black stone in his hand as he suddenly asked, "Do you want to return to your original human form?"

Human form? To regain her status as a human!

Snowside's eyes widened and she revealed a look of excitement. "You can help me?" As a human woman, if it weren't for the desperation and her needing to use her final resort, how could she resign herself to becoming an ugly obam?

These past years, Snowside had tried many times to reverse her condition but had failed each and every time. It was only after all these failures that she forced herself to accept her fate. But now, Qin Yu's words had given her hope again.

"It's not within my skill to do that."

Hearing this, Snowside's heart sank. But soon after, Qin Yu said, "But I should be able to find someone that can help you."

There was a strange connection between the Stronghold Master, Doctor Ye, and that terrifying existence at Great King City. Qin Yu had a feeling that he would have further chances to earn merits. At that time, he could ask them to help Snowside return to her human form. For them, this shouldn't be too difficult a matter.

"You should finish saying it all at once!" Snowside let out a long breath. After rolling her eyes at Qin Yu she said, "Then it's a deal. You can't go back on your word!"

Qin Yu nodded, "Don't worry. If I said I can do it, I can do it." He began walking towards his room, "I need to cultivate for the next few days. If there's nothing then don't disturb me."