Chapter 81: The Xiao Sect Comes Knocking
In the main hall of New Moon Mystic Palace, not long after Yun Che left, a graceful figure of a woman dressed in pure white, ethereal like an immortal, slowly walked into the hall.
Qin Wuyou was still in the main hall and had not left, seemingly deeply pondering how to deal with Yun Che and the matter of the Xiao Sect's outer sect. Seeing the woman enter, he first froze, then, this new Palace Master of New Moon Mystic Palace, also its highest authority, actually showed a respectful expression on his face. He stood up from his seat, quickly walked over, stopped three steps away from the woman, bowed, and said, "Your Highness."
If the elders of New Moon Mystic Palace saw Qin Wuyou showing such respect to a girl, they would certainly be shocked beyond belief.
The woman nodded slightly and said, "Palace Master Qin, what is your opinion of Yun Che?"
Qin Wuyou carefully chose his words and cautiously said, "Being at the Initial Xuan Realm, Level 1, and consecutively defeating opponents several levels above him, even nearly an entire major realm, this talent is the best I have ever seen in my life. If he were born in a large sect, he might already be famous throughout the world by now. His future achievements will surely be limitless."
"I think so too. However, he has caused a huge disaster today. If nothing unexpected happens, the Xiao Sect will come knocking within three hours. At that time, I ask Palace Master Qin to do your utmost to block them and protect Yun Che's life," the woman said gently and softly.
"This..." Qin Wuyou was slightly taken aback. "Could it be that Your Highness... has chosen him?"
The woman nodded slightly and let out a light sigh. "In these past few years, I have visited seven Mystic Palaces, but have never found a suitable candidate. However, this Yun Che made my eyes light up."
"But although Yun Che has displayed astonishing talent, he is only sixteen years old, and is only at Initial Xuan Realm, Level 1. There are only two years left until that grand gathering. His current talent in New Moon City can be considered impressive—one can see it at a glance."
"However, I have only temporarily selected him. I will also continue to stay in New Moon Mystic Palace for a while and get in touch with him as much as possible. If he ultimately disappoints me, I will choose another candidate. Palace Master Qin, I will have to trouble you for the time to come. Although it is only the outer sect of the Xiao Sect, dealing with them will still be extremely difficult."
"Hehe, Your Highness, rest assured. I have walked through the main sect of the Xiao Sect more than a dozen times; a mere outer sect, what do I have to fear? However... this Yun Che's character and mentality, I don't know how they were cultivated. He is still a half-grown child, but his depth of scheming is terrifying. Almost every thing he does and every word he says has a clear purpose. Just now, when I spoke with him, he was standing right in front of me, but I could not see through him at all. His eyes were as calm as a dead person's," Qin Wuyou shook his head with a bitter smile. "Even Fen Juechen, who is first on the Heavenly Xuan List of Cangfeng Mystic Palace and never shows his emotions, never gave me this feeling. I feel that this is a person who can never be controlled by others. Not to mention whether he can meet Your Highness's expectations in two years, even just persuading him to serve Your Highness will be extremely difficult. Your Highness should also know that when he entered New Moon Mystic Palace, he had absolutely no intention of serving the imperial clan."
"Oh?" Regarding Qin Wuyou's evaluations, the woman's face showed prolonged surprise. Then, she smiled faintly. "Palace Master Qin, rest assured. I will handle this matter personally. I trust my own vision and judgment, and even more so, my own abilities."
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In the southern outskirts of New Moon City, a towering mountain called Yue Nan Mountain stood. The Xiao Sect's branch sect was established here, and the entire Yue Nan Mountain belonged to the Xiao Sect. Behind Yue Nan Mountain, a forest stretched for three hundred li, also belonging to the Xiao Sect's territory. Although this forest was not too large, its branches and leaves were overly tall and dense, so it was perpetually in shadow, and the people of New Moon City called it the "Shadowy Forest." The Shadowy Forest was inhabited by countless dangerous profound beasts, often used by the Xiao Sect as a trial ground. Every year, thousands of Xiao Sect disciples died within it.
Dusk had passed, and night had just begun, but bursts of hurried shouts completely shattered the tranquility of this Xiao Sect branch.
"Move aside! Quickly, move aside! The Young Sect Master is severely injured! Immediately inform the Sect Master and the people from the Pill Hall! Hurry!"
Xiao Zaihe personally carried Xiao Luocheng on his back, charging into the sect's main gate like a madman, heading straight for the Pill Hall. The few people following him were also sweating profusely with terrified expressions. Seeing that it was Xiao Zaihe, the sect members quickly made way, and a few of them rushed off to report to the Sect Master, Xiao Tiannan.
Soon after, Xiao Tiannan and two elders from the Pill Hall hurried over. As soon as he saw Xiao Tiannan, Xiao Zaihe fell to his knees with a thud and cried out mournfully, "Sect Master! Quick, save the Young Sect Master! He is severely injured... even his meridians and profound veins are... are..."
Looking at Xiao Luocheng covered in blood on Xiao Zaihe's back, Xiao Tiannan and the two elders were all greatly shocked. Xiao Tiannan quickly stepped forward, reached out, and grabbed Xiao Luocheng's right wrist. The moment he touched it, he withdrew his hand like lightning, his resolute face instantly becoming extremely ferocious. He grabbed Xiao Zaihe by the collar and roared like an enraged lion: "Who? Who did this! Who did this?!"
"It's... it's New Moon Mystic Palace!" Xiao Zaihe said with a trembling voice. "The Young Sect Master was sparring with a disciple of New Moon Mystic Palace, and the other party struck heavily. The Young Sect Master... he..."
"New Moon... Mystic Palace?" Xiao Tiannan's eyes widened fiercely. "You're full of shit! Which of those useless disciples of New Moon Mystic Palace could possibly harm Luocheng?"
"Sect Master, please calm down first. The Young Sect Master looks very seriously injured. He should be sent to the Pill Hall immediately," the elder behind him quickly said.
"Calm down? How can I calm down? Luocheng's upper body meridians are almost completely severed, his profound veins are shattered, he is nearly crippled, all his profound power cultivation has leaked away. How do you expect me to calm down!" Xiao Tiannan roared.
"Wh... what?!" The two elders were immediately shocked.
"You two, immediately send Luocheng to the Pill Hall! Then have someone quickly summon all the best physicians in the city! Zaihe! You immediately explain clearly what exactly happened!"
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After returning to his residence, Yun Che sat cross-legged on the bed and quickly entered a meditative state, slowly recovering his depleted profound power. When he opened his eyes, night had fully fallen, and his profound power had recovered a little over half. However, the soreness and stinging sensation throughout his body still remained.
"Hoo, finally recovered a bit." Yun Che moved his body and let out a long sigh. "But this pain all over..."
"That's the aftereffect of forcibly using Evil Soul," Mo Li said coldly. "Fortunately, you only used it for half a quarter of an hour at most. Otherwise, you wouldn't just be sore all over—your muscles would have split and your meridians would have shattered inch by inch!"
"Don't worry, I know my own body best. When it can't bear it anymore, I'll naturally stop." Yun Che looked completely unconcerned. Then he sighed in amazement, "But this 'Evil Soul' is only the first realm of the Evil God's Mystic Art, and it's already this terrifying! It actually allowed me to completely defeat an opponent at Initial Xuan Realm, Level 7."
"The attribute of the Evil God Art is 'Rampage'! The first realm, Evil Soul, can increase your profound power intensity by one to two times instantly. The second realm, Heart Incineration, can increase it by two to three times. The third realm, Heaven-Shattering, can increase it by three to four times. The fourth realm, Purgatory, can increase it by four to five times. The fifth realm, Yama King, can increase it by five to six times."
"So... terrifying?" Mo Li's words made Yun Che widen his eyes in shock. He had personally experienced the first realm, "Evil Soul"—that sudden surge of profound power made his blood boil even now when he thought back. Without Evil Soul, he would not have been able to defeat Tie Hengjun and Lu Zhannan. And this ability to rapidly and greatly increase profound power was not something Yun Che had never heard of, but those were basically special profound arts that required a huge cost and were only used in crisis or desperate situations. After use, one would face severe side effects like a massive drop in profound power and even a significant loss of lifespan, and the degree of amplification was far from matching the direct one-to-two times amplification of "Evil Soul."
And Evil Soul was only the first realm!
If he reached the second realm, Heart Incineration, then even without using "Falling Moon and Sinking Star," he could easily cripple Xiao Luocheng.
And if he could open the third, fourth, or even fifth realm, it would be unimaginable. Perhaps by then, even at the Spirit Xuan Realm, where each level represents a huge gap, he might be able to defeat an opponent across an entire major realm!
"Then when can I fully master Evil Soul? When can I open Heart Incineration?" Yun Che asked somewhat eagerly.
"Above Initial Xuan Realm, Level 6, you can freely open Evil Soul. As for Heart Incineration, at least until you step into the Spirit Xuan Realm, it might be possible," Mo Li answered calmly.
Just then, a loud "boom" suddenly came from outside, followed by a thunderous roar of anger from afar:
"Hand over Yun Che immediately, or tonight I will raze this New Moon Mystic Palace to the ground!"
[Eh? Seems I owe a chapter from yesterday... I'll make it up in the next day or two!]