CHAPTER 414: CHAPTER 0411: CAN YOU STOP SHOWING OFF?

"What do you mean by that?"

Qin Yang kept a cold expression. Even though his lower half was swollen, he still confronted these strangers with an unyielding arrogance.

Damn it!

Swollen or not, what difference does it make? You all know damn well who did this, yet you’re bringing it up now—who are you trying to humiliate here?

No doubt about it.

Qin Yang felt these guys were just mocking him.

The old man’s entourage found Qin Yang’s arrogance unbearable, some ready to strike and teach this disrespectful brat a lesson. But the elder raised his hand to stop them.

"Young friend, this old man means no malice. If my guess is correct, you likely had an encounter with descendants of the Watermother Elder; they’re usually exceptionally beautiful women—or at least they appear that way from behind."

"And what you’re suffering from now is the Jellyfish Poison. Without an antidote, I fear your body won’t be able to endure it."

"For instance, this particular spot will swell more and more, until eventually—it reaches a point where it goes *pop*. Even if you had an immortal body, it wouldn’t grow back."

The elder’s words made Qin Yang scoff, but gradually, his face turned grave, as though he’d heard something truly horrifying.

Explode?

Won’t grow back?

That’s... terrifying. For some reason, his heart started racing, and he felt genuinely panicked and at a loss.

"Hey, old man, do you even know who I am? You’re trying to scare me here—let me tell you, I, Qin Yang, am not someone who’s easily intimidated." Despite his bravado, Qin Yang was utterly shaken inside. If not for this old geezer pointing it out, he wouldn’t feel frightened at all. But now, his heart was pounding like crazy.

Shit.

There’s a real chance this might actually happen.

The elder shook his head and replied, "If young friend doesn’t believe me, so be it. I’m merely offering a kind warning. But if you wish to rid yourself of the poison, you may join us. We’re heading out to deal with the Watermother Elder, kill her, and acquire the antidote."

Qin Yang scrutinized him. "You’re looking fine, though. What part of you’s swollen?"

The elder chuckled and said, "It’s not me—it’s our young lord who’s swollen. Time is tight, so we won’t linger to chat. If young friend doesn’t trust us, we’ll part ways. If you do, join forces—we stand a better chance together."

Lin Fan mulled over the situation.

Interesting.

The Watermother Elder must possess immense toxin capabilities. If I can get hold of her venom’s secrets, it’ll be an edge against strong enemies later—strike with poison first.

Hmm.

Gotta go. Definitely.

"Brother Qin, this old man’s probably not joking. If you’re okay with becoming infertile forever, then fine, we’ll drop it," Lin Fan remarked—knowing Qin Yang absolutely wouldn’t tolerate losing his legacy. The guy would fight to the death to save his second-in-command.

Qin Yang stubbornly replied, "I naturally don’t believe his nonsense. But since I know who’s responsible, I can’t let that slide. I’m curious to see just what this Watermother Elder is made of—to think she’d dare mess with me. She must really be tired of living."

The elder felt something was a bit off with this young man—arrogant beyond reason.

Not too sharp upstairs, apparently.

The Watermother Elder is reputedly a formidable figure, with notable backing. And yet this young fellow says, "messing with him" as though it’s no big deal. Truly overestimating himself.

With that, the group set out.

Xiang Fei spoke quietly to Lin Fan, "Brother Lin, I’ve heard of the Watermother Elder’s reputation before. On her own, she’s not much. But her ancestry... I’ve caught whispers about it. Apparently, she’s the former pet of an Immortal Venerable’s fish pond. Even though ages have passed, there still may be karmic ties to the Immortal Venerable. Should situations arise, avoid conflict—don’t get entangled in those karmic threads."

Lin Fan suddenly realized—how come the Immortal Realm is riddled with these karma-driven ties? It’s like *Journey to the West*, where every demon has some higher-up backing. How can anyone fight freely in this place?

Regardless, Xiang Fei meant well and said no more.

If the time came, maybe holding back would be the wiser move.

The elder’s followers, meanwhile, kept sneaking curious glances at Qin Yang’s pants. They knew their own young lord had the same problem, but wouldn’t dare look closely at him—lest they invoke his wrath and suffer a brutal beating.

Qin Yang noticed their weird stares directed at him and grew annoyed.

Damn it.

What the hell are you staring at?

If it weren’t for feeling physically unwell, he’d have forced them to kneel in apology by now.

"May I ask young friend’s origins?" The elder inquired, curious about Qin Yang’s background. Someone this young with such a cocky face must really have some major family backing; otherwise, he’d surely be dead by now.

Qin Yang retorted, "What about you lot?"

As someone with the bloodline of an Immortal Venerable, Qin Yang knew better than to hastily reveal his hand. He wanted the old man to boast first, flaunt his pedigree, and revel in telling Qin Yang something terrifying—at which point he’d casually drop his own lineage to create an overwhelming contrast.

That’s *real* domination.

The elder laughed, "This old man doesn’t have much to flaunt. We hail from South Emperor Yue Ancient Mountain."

"South Emperor Yue Ancient Mountain?" Qin Yang mulled it over, and then suddenly seemed to recall something. "If I’m not mistaken, South Emperor Yue Ancient Mountain—it’s the Yue Family, right?"

"Hahaha, didn’t expect young friend to be so knowledgeable," the elder replied, grinning with pride. It was good to see his family recognized; it was an image every household hoped for.

But Qin Yang’s next words immediately soured the atmosphere.

"The Yue Family’s alright, I guess. Legend has it, three thousand years ago, someone from the Yue Family reached the Immortal King Realm and dared call himself Yue Heavenly Emperor. That pissed off an actual Heavenly Immortal Emperor, who immediately sent down lightning retribution, reducing him to ashes. It caused quite a stir back then."

"So you’re from that pitiful clan, huh."

"Look at that. No real foundation, yet so high-profile. Disaster was bound to strike."

Completely oblivious to how dark the elder’s expression had turned, Qin Yang continued talking.

This incident was a deep wound for the Yue Family.

If their ancestor hadn’t perished, the Yue Family would’ve gained an Immortal Emperor-level powerhouse.

But now, with the wound exposed, how could the elder tolerate it?

"What did you just say?" The elder glared at Qin Yang, his eyes blazing with fury—a genuine urge to kill surging forth.

Qin Yang nonchalantly replied, "A loss is a lesson learned. What I said is fact—why get so worked up?"

*Wham!*

Lin Fan suddenly appeared out of nowhere and smacked Qin Yang on the head. Turning to the elder apologetically, he said, "Please don’t take it to heart, sir. His brain’s a bit off; he rarely thinks before he speaks. My apologies, my apologies."

Qin Yang cradled his head, feeling utterly wronged. Why hit me?

I didn’t even do anything!

Just a little chit-chat with the old man. Besides, everything I said was true!

Lin Fan dragged Qin Yang aside and hissed, "Are you insane? Look at yourself right now—swollen like this. Piss him off further and he might go all-in on you, refuse to help track down the Watermother Elder, and then boom—bye-bye!"

Cowering slightly, Qin Yang avoided making eye contact.

There’s nobody he feared, except... after spending time with Lin Fan, he had developed a genuine fear of this guy.

Damn it.

Getting smacked in the head repeatedly had left mental scars.

"Hmph!"

The elder shot Qin Yang a sharp glare—obviously displeased with him.

Lin Fan murmured, "Why do you keep digging into people’s sore spots? Honestly, if it weren’t for your family backing you up, I don’t think you’d last very long."

Xiang Fei thought Qin Yang was a bit dumb.

Showboating was fine, but drawing so much hatred wasn’t wise.

"Brother Lin, don’t take Qin Yang’s words too seriously. The Yue Family is nothing simple; they’re deeply rooted. Rumor has it their ancestor was an actual mountain—Yue Mountain—before transforming. According to legend, a Buddha once meditated on that mountain, gaining enlightenment and becoming a Buddha. The mountain then absorbed the Buddha’s karma, attaining transformation."

"No one knows if that ancestor is still alive. But personally, I suspect he is, just hidden away as always. That so-called Yue Heavenly Emperor who was struck down might’ve just been bait the Yue Family sent out."

Xiang Fei spoke quietly, aware of many secrets—ones his family had collected over countless years through relentless investigation.

"So the Immortal Realm hides this much intrigue?"

Lin Fan lamented over the Immortal Realm’s sheer danger. Without heritage or forces behind him, even the slightest misstep could provoke terrifying powers.

If not for Xiang Fei’s insight, he might’ve dismissed the Yue Family entirely.

But with this caution...

He decided it was safer to remain low-key. Always tread carefully.

Three thousand miles away.

Before them lay an expansive lake—vast and endless. Its waters still and silent, glimmering blue, as though nothing existed below the surface.

"Elder, is this the Watermother Elder’s domain?" Lin Fan asked.

The elder nodded. "Yes, this is the place. However, do not venture downwards—the sea here hides terrifying mysteries. Even Daluo Golden Immortals face suppression within; we’ll negotiate from the shore."

Then.

The elder called out toward the lake, "South Emperor Yue Ancient Mountain’s Yue Family seeks audience with the Watermother Elder. Please, show yourself."

His voice echoed, rippling across the lake.

In an instant.

The lake stirred dramatically. An overwhelming aura emerged from the depths, followed by a massive phantom figure taking shape above the waters. Seeing this figure, Qin Yang felt his stomach lurch.

Damn it.

It’s that same faceless, circular maw again—the thing he still has nightmares about.

The elder clasped his fists respectfully. "Watermother Elder, I humbly ask for the antidote to the Jellyfish Poison that has afflicted our young lord. The Yue Family would be deeply grateful."

He refrained from attacking—the circumstances too precarious. Any conflict here might result in dire consequences, especially if the Watermother Elder retreated into the lake.

"Hahaha—how laughable, truly laughable. You severely harmed my daughters, yet come begging me for antidotes? What sort of twisted logic is that?"

The Watermother Elder sneered coldly.