Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

"Has anyone pursued Shui Qingrou?" Qin Zi asked anxiously.

The young swordsman was taken aback, then carefully examined Qin Zi before replying cautiously, "Actually... yes, there is."

"Who!!" Qin Zi's eyes suddenly flashed with fierce light, as if a tiger had its tail stepped on, instantly becoming enraged.

Someone dares to covet my woman? They must have the guts of a bear and the heart of a leopard! Don't they know she's... my father's future daughter-in-law?!

"Please calm down, sir. Though some admire Shui Qingrou, it's just one-sided," the young swordsman quickly added, realizing that Qin Zi was jealous—probably another suitor for Shui Qingrou.

Hearing this, Qin Zi calmed down and glanced awkwardly at his father, feeling embarrassed. This outburst doesn't match the image of a well-behaved son I want to maintain in front of Father.

Qin Chuan merely smiled and let it slide.

He looked at the young swordsman, speaking kindly, "Which direction is the Northern Polar Temple? Can you point it out for me?"

The swordsman was about to point without thinking but hesitated, realizing that giving the wrong direction might be a grave mistake. He pulled out a black compass, checked it, and nervously pointed, saying, "It should be... over there. The compass shows this direction, so I think... it shouldn't be wrong... right?"

He lacked confidence. After all, when everything is on the line, even when you're sure, doubt creeps in—what if I made a mistake?

"I trust you," Qin Chuan said with a smile, then, along with Qin Zi, flew in the direction indicated, a powerful aura radiating from them.

Once they were out of sight, the young swordsman finally stood up, wiping away non-existent sweat from his forehead.

"Who... who are these people? That pressure was suffocating... Could it be a Realm Emperor?"

"I've got to run!"

If the compass is wrong, and they come back for revenge, I'll be done for. With that thought, he killed his horse with a single blow, buried it in the snow, and flew away.

He needed to escape. Bringing a horse would slow him down, and leaving it behind would mean certain death for the animal in this harsh environment. Better to give it a quick end and move on.

...

The Northern Polar Temple was situated atop a vast range of snow-covered mountains. The peaks stretched endlessly, and atop them stood majestic blue ice palaces.

Between the mountains, a colossal, winding staircase of ice-blue stone ascended like a giant ice dragon. This was the Heavenly Ascension Staircase.

According to the Northern Polar Temple's rules, anyone who could climb this staircase to the top could become a disciple of the temple.

Thus, countless warriors from all directions came daily to try their luck. But the stairs carried a powerful pressure that grew stronger the higher one climbed, adjusting to the climber's cultivation level.

As a result, very few ever made it to the top.

Meanwhile, disciples of the Northern Polar Temple often leaned against railings and gazebos, looking down at those attempting the climb.

From their high vantage point, the staircase below seemed thin and narrow, and the people on it looked like ants.

The sense of superiority was palpable.

"Hehe, look at that fool. He barely made it two hundred steps before he fell."

"That one's even better—he just rolled down, haha."

"Wow, this one's fast, seems to have some strength. But too showy. He won't last."

"This guy's steady, but still too weak."

"Looks like none of them will make it today either."

The disciples pointed and gossiped, much like gods looking down on mortals.

"What is that?!" one disciple suddenly exclaimed, pointing toward the horizon where a golden light appeared.

"Boom!"

In the next instant, the golden light pierced the sky, triggering avalanches on the snow-covered mountains below, filling the air with white mist.

"This... what..."

"Someone's coming!"

"How dare someone fly within the Northern Polar Temple's territory? That's a death sentence!"

"Outrageous!!"

The disciples' faces turned pale, seething with indignation. The pride of the temple had been violated.

There was a strict rule in the Northern Polar Temple—no one was allowed to fly within five hundred miles of the temple. Even honored guests had to climb the Heavenly Ascension Staircase. If one couldn't complete the climb, they had no right to visit the temple.

For generations, this had been a source of pride for the temple's disciples, as it meant that no matter who visited, they would have to climb and be humbled before them. From above, the disciples could gaze down, commenting on their struggles.

But today, someone dared to fly in!

This was an affront to the Northern Polar Temple's dignity, a challenge to their pride, and something they could not tolerate.

"Who dares to...!" a young man began to shout angrily, but before he could finish, a golden pressure slammed down upon them, filling the sky.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

In an instant, the disciples of the Northern Polar Temple were crushed to the ground, some with their heads buried in the snow.

Those climbing the staircase below were also forced to their knees, many losing their balance and tumbling down like scattered beans.

Two figures floated in the sky above, their robes billowing as they became the center of the world.

"The Overlord of the Eastern Domain, Emperor Qin, has arrived. Where is the Northern Polar Temple to receive him?!" Qin Zi shouted, standing behind Qin Chuan like a loyal servant, his voice booming.

Overlord of the Eastern Domain!

Emperor Qin?!

The crowd was stunned, their minds reeling as a feeling of dread swept over them. They were filled with awe.

Who was this Emperor Qin? They didn't know.

But the title alone sounded formidable, and the weight carried by "Overlord of the Eastern Domain" was terrifying enough.

In their minds, they could almost see a towering figure rising from the Eastern Domain, sweeping toward them with overwhelming power.

Mysterious and unstoppable!

"An old acquaintance visiting—please enter."

An elderly voice, soft and gentle, with a hint of surprise, echoed from the depths of the Northern Polar Temple.

"That's the voice of the temple master!" the disciples gasped, while the elders who had been preparing to go out heaved a sigh of relief.

"Let's go," Qin Chuan smiled, then flew toward the source of the voice with Qin Zi.

Soon, they arrived at a valley.

At the center of the valley was a vast, ice-blue pond, spanning over a thousand meters in diameter. Giant lotus leaves grew upon its surface, clear as crystal, their veins visible like frost.

"Brother Qin Zi!"

In a flash, a graceful figure leaped across the lotus leaves, bringing with her a fragrant breeze, and she threw herself into Qin Zi's arms.

Qin Zi's body stiffened for a moment.

Then, he awkwardly returned the embrace, holding Shui Qingrou. He sneaked a glance at his father, his face turning bright red.

Qin Chuan smiled silently.

After a moment, Shui Qingrou pulled away, her face flushed. She respectfully bowed to Qin Chuan, saying, "Greetings, Elder Qin..."

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Romance belonged to the young, but when caught in the act by parents or elders, it was nothing short of a social death scene.