Chapter 61: Joining the New Moon Mystic Palace
Leading Yun Che and Xia Yuanba into the Elder Hall, Sikong Han sat down and studied Yun Che once more. There was not a trace of the arrogance befitting a grand elder of the imperial mystic palace; instead, his face held a look of concern. "You say you are Old Brother Xiao's grandson, but why do you bear the surname Yun?"
"Right, right! Brother-in-law, why did you just say you're Yun Che? Huh, could it be that after being driven out of the Xiao Sect, you found your birth parents?" Xia Yuanba, who had been bursting with questions, quickly seized the opportunity to ask.
Yun Che replied, "Junior is not Grandfather's biological grandson. But Grandfather raised me for sixteen years, and he is as dear to me as a blood relative. Half a year ago, I was expelled from the Xiao Sect. Before I left, Grandfather told me my original surname was Yun."
"I see." Sikong Han nodded slowly. "In truth, I have heard something of these matters."
Yun Che looked up, startled.
Sikong Han sighed. "Half a year ago, the son of the Xiao Sect's Sect Master… I recall his name was Xiao Kuangyun, passed through New Moon City on his way to Liu Yun City. Since it involved the main branch of the Xiao Sect, our New Moon Mystic Palace kept a slight watch. Later, some news came—trivial to others, but concerning Old Brother Xiao, I made further inquiries. I learned he had been confined to the back mountain of his home, and his grandson had also been cast out. Several times I wished to go and lend him some assistance, but the distance is too great, and as Grand Elder of the New Moon Mystic Palace, I cannot leave for extended periods. So, alas…"
"Elder Sikong, you need not blame yourself. With such a kind intention, I believe Grandfather would be very grateful to know." Yun Che bowed. Though Sikong Han had never acted on it, it was clear he was genuinely worried about Xiao Lie's situation.
"By the way, Elder Sikong, how did you come to know Grandfather back then?" Yun Che asked.
"Heh heh, it was seven years ago. I had business in Liu Yun City and brought my then twelve-year-old son along. Unbeknownst to me, a foe of mine had learned of my movements and set an ambush there. No sooner had I entered the city than I was attacked. I fought with all my might, but could only barely protect myself, with no time to look after my son. Just as my son was about to fall into deadly peril, Old Brother Xiao appeared and saved his life… I, Sikong Han, have only one son in my lifetime. If not for Old Brother Xiao, my line would have ended. This great kindness has never left my heart all these years, and I know not when I will be able to repay it."
Recalling those events, Sikong Han sighed with emotion. He looked at Yun Che, his eyes filled with approval. "Speaking of which, truly worthy of being Old Brother Xiao's grandson. So young, yet you have already broken through the Initial Xuan Realm and entered the Xuan Entry Realm. Such talent, even here in New Moon City, is of the highest order. Your grandfather was the number one expert of Liu Yun City, and your future achievements will surely not be inferior to his."
"What?" Xia Yuanba's eyes widened. "Elder Sikong, are you saying my brother-in-law is already in the Xuan Entry Realm? That… that… Elder Sikong, could there be some mistake? My brother-in-law's Xuan Meridian has been crippled since childhood, always stuck at the first level of Initial Xuan Realm. How could he possibly be in the Xuan Entry Realm!"
"Oh?" Sikong Han looked puzzled, but the Xuan Force aura he sensed from Yun Che was clearly that of a first-level Xuan Entry Realm.
Yun Che replied calmly, "It's a long story… but my current Xuan Force is indeed at the first level of the Xuan Entry Realm. May I ask if my current Xuan Force qualifies me to enter the Mystic Palace?"
As he spoke, Yun Che discreetly poked Xia Yuanba. Xia Yuanba, who was about to speak, immediately shut his mouth, but his eyes were wide as saucers, his mind screaming silently: Heavens! My brother-in-law is really in the Xuan Entry Realm! How is this possible? How is this possible!!
Seeing the expressions of Yun Che and Xia Yuanba, Sikong Han understood there must be some hidden circumstances, but Yun Che clearly did not wish to elaborate and was deliberately steering the conversation elsewhere. Sikong Han did not press further. Smiling warmly, he said, "Yun Che, how old are you this year?"
"Sixteen," Yun Che answered truthfully, feeling slightly relieved inside.
"Sixteen?" Sikong Han's face showed surprise, and he rose from his chair. "I thought you were seventeen or eighteen, but you're only sixteen! To have stepped into the Xuan Entry Realm at sixteen—throughout the entire New Moon Mystic Palace, there are no more than ten such people. If you had been born in a mid- or high-level sect, you would surely be far beyond this!"
Xia Yuanba was completely dumbfounded. Several times he wanted to speak but forcibly held back.
"Elder Sikong, you flatter me," Yun Che said humbly. If Sikong Han knew that half a year ago Yun Che was still at the first level of Initial Xuan Realm, he would probably fall straight off his chair from shock.
"Come, let me see your talent." Sikong Han waved his hand.
Yun Che stepped forward two paces and stood before Sikong Han. As Sikong Han placed his hand on Yun Che's pulse, Yun Che quickly held his breath and forcefully blocked thirty-eight of his fully opened fifty-four profound gates with his Xuan Qi, leaving only sixteen in a clear state. However, this level of concealment could only fool the most superficial inspection. If one probed a little deeper, it would be immediately seen through. But those seeking to join the New Moon Mystic Palace always showed their talent to the fullest during the assessment. Sikong Han would never imagine that someone would go to such lengths to deliberately hide their ability, so he would not waste effort on a deeper probe.
Sikong Han's hand lightly touched Yun Che's wrist for a moment before withdrawing. Then he exclaimed in admiration, nodding. "No wonder! Sixteen profound gates opened innately—this is unquestionably a genius-level talent! Precisely the kind of outstanding talent our Mystic Palace most desires!"
By now, Sikong Han was visibly excited. Originally, he had intended to take Yun Che into the New Moon Mystic Palace as a way to repay Xiao Lie's kindness, giving him a place to settle. But now, seeing Yun Che's talent, even without the connection to Xiao Lie, he would stoop to any means to keep him. Innately opening sixteen profound gates—even if such talent joined the giant sects of New Moon City, it would receive high-level preferential treatment. And the resources and influence of those higher-level sects far exceeded those of the New Moon Mystic Palace. Yun Che's arrival was like delivering a treasure to the New Moon Mystic Palace.
In the entire New Moon Mystic Palace, there were currently only seven people with innately opened sixteen profound gates, and every year they were treated as the palace's core disciples, given the most resources to nurture them. Moreover, the palace lord of the New Moon Mystic Palace had already made a clear ruling: once these seven reached the Xuan Entry Realm, he would personally take them as disciples. And the eldest disciple among them was already twenty-seven years old this year.
"Heh heh heh, wonderful! Wonderful!" The more Sikong Han looked at Yun Che, the more pleased he became. "Yun Che, starting today, you are a disciple of our New Moon Mystic Palace. But your admission is not yet complete; you still need to register with the Assessment Hall and receive your disciple token. Yuanba, you're familiar with the place—take him through the procedures. As for the residency and such, since you're both from Liu Yun City, let Yuanba handle the arrangements. If there's anything else, you can come directly to me."
"Thank you, Elder Sikong!" Yun Che bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Grand Elder!" Xia Yuanba also hurriedly bowed.
As they turned to leave, Sikong Han suddenly spoke again, "Ah, right. Yun Che, three days from now, the new palace lord of the New Moon Mystic Palace will be inaugurated. On that day, at the palace lord's mansion, a grand welcoming banquet will be held. I have already invited the leaders and young elites of New Moon City's various major sects and powers. When the time comes, you should come as well."
"I can attend?" Yun Che asked in surprise.
"The arrival of a new palace lord is a major event that shakes New Moon City. We have sent invitations to all the influential sects and powers in New Moon City, and I believe they will give the new palace lord face. On that day, the finest talents will surely gather. Generally, on such occasions, only our core disciples can participate. Although you only joined our Mystic Palace today, your talent is exceptional, so you barely qualify. Using this banquet, you can familiarize yourself with all the top sects of New Moon City in one go, which will greatly help you in the future."
Yun Che immediately understood. The main reason he, a new disciple, was allowed to attend such a grand banquet was still because of his grandfather's kindness to the elder, a special favor to help him quickly understand the power structure of New Moon City. He said with gratitude, "I am grateful to Elder Sikong. I will definitely attend on time… May I ask if I can bring Yuanba along?"
Sikong Han hesitated briefly, then smiled and nodded. "Very well. Yuanba, you come as well. Yun Che is new to the New Moon Mystic Palace and unfamiliar with everything. You can guide him. I will arrange an extra seat."
After leaving the Elder Hall, Xia Yuanba was still in a daze. Only after walking a great distance did he take a deep breath and exclaim with wide eyes, "Brother-in-law! What's going on? Are you really in the Xuan Entry Realm now? But… but… didn't you always have a crippled Xuan Meridian? Even if it suddenly healed, you couldn't suddenly become this strong! Even stronger than my sister!"
"This…" Yun Che pondered for a long time, unable to figure out how to explain, and unwilling to lie to him. He could only say vaguely, "Yuanba, this is kind of a secret. When the time is right in the future, I'll tell you. But it's best not to tell anyone that I used to have a crippled Xuan Meridian, or else someone might get the wrong idea."
"Ah… oh oh." Xia Yuanba scratched his head in confusion. Suddenly his eyes lit up, and he said, "Brother-in-law! I suddenly get it! You were faking it all along, right? Otherwise, how could you suddenly be in the Xuan Entry Realm? That must be it! Brother-in-law, you're so sly, you fooled all of us, hahahaha."
Yun Che shrugged, letting Xia Yuanba think what he wanted. He shifted his gaze, taking in the sight of the New Moon Mystic Palace before him, and felt a surge of emotion.
"How long do you plan to stay here?" A voice suddenly rang in his mind—it was Mo Li.
"It depends. If this place can give me enough training, I'll stay longer. If not, I'll leave immediately. The main reason I'm staying here is to learn some Xuan Techniques. After all, the techniques you know are too advanced, and I can't learn them, so I have to resort to this."
Mo Li said nothing more.