It didn't even take an hour for the news of the divine fluctuations at the Qi family to spread.
After all, Wang City was no small town, and there were plenty of well-informed people. Given how large the commotion had been, it was impossible to keep it under wraps even if they wanted to.
In an era where information traveled with ease, it wasn't long before transcendent circles in other regions learned of the event.
And the first to know was the Shadow Lotus Church!
...
“Cough, cough, cough... Red divinity?”
Black Feather’s eyes were crazed as he coughed. “Heh, I knew something had been tampered with back then. What's the background of this Qi family?”
A subordinate in black robes spoke respectfully.
“They were a prominent family once, but they were kicked out of Central City after offending someone.”
“Word is that the person placed a curse on their bloodline. Any member who becomes a transcendent ages at an extreme rate.”
“The higher the Sequence, the faster they age. In the last hundred years, not a single transcendent from their family has lived past sixty.”
“Because of this, the previous head of the family decided to go all out, pouring everything into training the younger generation to reach the rank of Demigod!”
“Heh heh heh...”
White Feather stepped out from the shadows, her smile seductive. “So they went all out by stealing our divinity?”
“If that’s the case, I don't see any reason for the Qi family to continue existing.”
“Cough, cough, cough.”
Black Feather coughed a few more times, his gaze turning vicious. “Well said!”
White Feather walked up to the subordinate and asked coldly, “What kind of backing do they have?”
Even if the Qi family had been kicked out of Central City for offending someone, it didn't mean they were without connections.
After all, if they truly had no backing, would they have even been given the chance to make a comeback? They would have been wiped out long ago!
The black-robed subordinate lowered his head even further. “It’s been too little time; we haven't found out yet.”
Black Feather waved a hand, the lotus crown on his head swaying slightly.
“Who cares about their background!”
“Are we supposed to just swallow our pride after they stole our divinity?”
“There are so many people in the church; resources won't always be skewed toward the two of us.”
“We failed to secure the sacrifice ritual this time. Who knows when the next one will be?”
Hearing this, White Feather’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“But this is all a bit too coincidental. If it were you, would you expose yourself after stealing someone else's divinity?”
Black Feather’s eyes grew increasingly bloodshot.
“Is this the time to be thinking about that? We don't have many chances left!”
Black Feather lunged forward, his face almost touching White Feather’s.
“After what happened last time, can't you feel the way people in the church look at us?”
“Can't you feel how many people are eyeing our positions?”
“I'm going to take back everything we lost!”
“If you won't go, I will!”
White Feather narrowed her eyes at his words.
“In that case, sooner is better than later.”
...
Wang City.
The Qi family estate.
Security Bureau Chief Wang Dong looked at Qi Xiangyang with a solemn expression.
“Master Qi, I won't waste words.”
“Ever since that divinity was exposed, the atmosphere in Wang City has become treacherous.”
“It's your business that you managed to get your hands on divinity.”
“But if Wang City descends into chaos, that will be your responsibility!”
“Cough, cough, cough.”
Qi Xiangyang covered his mouth and coughed twice.
“Chief Wang, I care more about the safety of Wang City than you do. After all, half the industries in this city belong to my Qi family!”
“If something really goes wrong, I’ll be the one who loses the most, wouldn't you say?”
Chief Wang couldn't help but frown.
He was warning Qi Xiangyang, but Qi Xiangyang was warning him right back!
The man could trigger a strike with a single word. If that blame was pinned on him, Chief Wang wouldn't be able to handle the fallout.
“Mr. Qi, I’m here to help you, not harm you. If this is your attitude, then there's no point in continuing this conversation.”
As a Sequence 6, Wang Dong had his own pride.
Qi Xiangyang coughed twice more and glanced at Qi Hai. Qi Hai immediately stood up.
“Chief Wang, we appreciate your kindness, but maintaining the stability of Wang City is your duty in the first place.”
“The Qi family pays so much in taxes every year; it’s not to support a bunch of useless eaters!”
Wang Dong stood up and left immediately. Good advice could not save those determined to die.
Only after Wang Dong had gone did Qi Hai look at Qi Xiangyang.
“Father, it's just as Wang Dong said. The exposure of the divinity will definitely attract some flies. You're on the verge of your breakthrough; should we move to a different location?”
Qi Xiangyang shook his head decisively.
“All my preparations are here at the ancestral home. Moving will only lower my chances of a breakthrough to the absolute minimum!”
“Besides, this is Wang City! Even if only for the sake of the commoners, Wang Dong and his people won't just stand by and watch.”
“If we actually left Wang City, those people might just turn a blind eye.”
At this point, his expression turned mocking.
“They won't let anything happen to me, because if something happens to me, it means something happens to half of Wang City!”
“The cost of tens of thousands of people losing their jobs is something they cannot afford.”
“Heh heh heh, those little ants are our protective talismans right now!”
...
“Hello, welcome to the Leisurely Bookstore.”
Yin Yang was all smiles. When he saw that the newcomers were Mr. Qi and the Little White Rabbit, his smile became even more sincere.
“Oh? Is there something going on between you two?”
Yin Yang winked and nudged, deliberately putting on a teasing act. But Mr. Qi had yet to recover from the blow of Qi Xing's death, and his voice was quite raspy.
“Two coffees.”
“Coming right up.”
After answering, Yin Yang called out toward the back of the shop.
“Zhen, Mr. Qi is here. Two coffees.”
“Give me a second!” Lin Zhen’s voice drifted from the back.
Yin Yang looked apologetic. “Sorry about that, she's busy cleaning, and I haven't learned how to make coffee yet, hahaha!”
Mr. Qi waved a hand to show it was fine, then led Zhou Kexin to a seat by the window.
“A-Jiang... sigh, I don't really know how to comfort you. I've been alone since I was a child, so I've never known what it feels like to have siblings.”
“But I want you to know that no matter what happens, I'll be by your side.”
“No matter when or where, as long as you look back, you'll see me there.”
Zhou Kexin put on an affectionate display, and Qi Jiang managed a faint smile.
“I understand how you feel, Kexin. I’m really lucky to have met you.”
As the two were wrapped up in each other's company, Yin Yang walked over with two cups of coffee.
“Your lattes. Enjoy.”
As he spoke, he caught Zhou Kexin’s eye seemingly by accident.
Zhou Kexin felt her heart tremble. She understood the meaning in Yin Yang’s gaze perfectly.
He was saying:
‘It’s the third day!’
While Zhou Kexin was still dazed, Yin Yang had already taken the tray away.
Ding-ling.
The shop door was pushed open again, and Uncle Huang walked in, looking absolutely soul-crushed.
“Uncle Huang, what's wrong?”
Lin Zhen hurried over to greet him. Uncle Huang stared blankly at Lin Zhen before tears began streaming down his aged face.
“Nannan... Nannan is gone. She's missing.”
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