# Chapter 133: Straight into the Inner Palace
"Lord Qin, why are you here?" Instructor Qi quickly stepped forward to greet him, his face full of flattery.
Qin Wushang chuckled but did not answer him. Instead, he turned his gaze to Yun Che, looking him up and down, then said: "Yun Che, a moment ago you said you wanted to challenge Murong Yi three months from now. Is that true? If you were just speaking casually, it's not too late to take it back now."
Yun Che was not surprised that Qin Wushang called out his name directly. He nodded and said: "Of course it's true. And Murong Yi has already agreed. Since Lord Qin happens to be here, I'd like to ask you to be our witness. In this Cangfeng Mystic Palace, I believe there is no one more authoritative than you to act as a witness."
The other new disciples showed expressions of awe when they learned that Qin Wushang was the Palace Master, but Yun Che's expression did not change at all. His eyes were calm, and his voice was neither humble nor arrogant. The words "Please be our witness, Lord Qin" came out as naturally as if he were speaking to an ordinary passerby, not the famed Palace Master of the Cangfeng Imperial City. This reaction surprised Qin Wushang slightly. He nodded with a smile and said: "Challenging someone at the Ninth Level of the True Xuan Realm with the Tenth Level of the Xuan Entry Realm — such an interesting thing has never happened in all my years at the Cangfeng Mystic Palace. Not bad, young man. You have courage and boldness. If you're sure you're not joking, then I'm willing to be your witness."
"Murong Yi, you already agreed just now. Do you have any other problems with this?" Qin Wushang said to Murong Yi.
Murong Yi laughed, a laugh full of contempt. He replied respectfully: "In reply, Lord Qin, although accepting a challenge from a little mouse lowers my status, he injured my cousin first, and Sikong Du stopped me from standing up for my cousin afterward. Since he wants to be humiliated, I have no reason to refuse. Besides, with you as the witness, I won't have to worry about him going back on his word after he's beaten like a dog."
"Very good." Qin Wushang nodded, a smile appearing on his face. "Then it's settled. The battle will take place three months from now at ten in the morning, right here. I will be present in person. Yun Che, if you lose, when Murong Yi teaches you a lesson, you are not allowed to resist, nor are you allowed to let anyone stop him. Those are your own words — you cannot go back on them."
"Of course," Yun Che agreed without hesitation, then squinted his eyes and stared at Murong Yi. "But what if I win?"
"You win? Haha... hahahaha!" Murong Yi burst into loud laughter, and the surrounding crowd of onlookers joined in with jeers. A new disciple at the Xuan Entry Realm challenging Murong Yi of the Inner Palace... and thinking he could win? This was the biggest joke in the world.
Murong Yi laughed so hard he bent over, barely able to catch his breath. After laughing for a long while, he managed to stammer out between laughs: "Me lose? Hahaha... me lose? If I... lose, then I'll... let you do whatever you want with me! Whatever you say, I'll do! Hahaha!"
"No need for that." Faced with his sneering, Yun Che also laughed. "If you lose, I only need you to agree to three things. Three things you absolutely cannot refuse. Do you dare?"
"Dare? What do I have to fear! Not just three things — thirty, three hundred, I wouldn't even frown." Murong Yi shouted back without a moment's hesitation. He would sooner believe that a pig could climb a tree than believe Yun Che could possibly beat him. Still, he was a bit curious — why would Palace Master Qin Wushang suddenly take an interest in witnessing such a completely one-sided, meaningless challenge proposed by a fool?
"Very good." Qin Wushang nodded again, his face gentle. "The Cangfeng Mystic Palace has been calm and conventional for all these years. It's been countless years since we've seen a challenge that spans an entire major realm. Three months can indeed change many things. Perhaps in three months, you really will have the ability to fight Murong Yi — who knows? Truly something to look forward to. Yun Che, you ranked first in this group's Profound Force test, which proves you have a solid foundation. In the Combat Power test, you defeated Feng Yue despite being at a lower level, which shows astonishing talent in applying Profound Force. And now you're challenging Murong Yi, which demonstrates remarkable courage and boldness. All of these show that you are a disciple worthy of the palace's focused cultivation."
"As Vice Palace Master, I'm very interested to see what you'll use to fight Murong Yi three months from now. Murong Yi has been training in the Inner Palace all along. To ensure fairness during these three months, Yun Che, you don't need to report for orientation tomorrow. From tomorrow onward, for three months, although you are an official disciple of the Cangfeng Mystic Palace, you will not belong to the Outer, Middle, or Inner Palaces. However, you will have complete freedom to come and go from all three palaces, and like Inner Palace disciples, you will enjoy all the resources of the Inner Palace. Your residence will also be arranged within the Inner Palace."
When Qin Wushang spoke these words, aside from Qin Wuyou, everyone present was stunned, their mouths wide open in shock. Even Yun Che was greatly surprised... allowing a newly enrolled disciple with only Xuan Entry Realm strength to directly enter the Inner Palace and enjoy all its resources — this had never happened in the history of the Cangfeng Mystic Palace. It was something no new disciple would ever dare to dream of.
Ignoring everyone's reactions, Qin Wushang continued: "This way, you and Murong Yi will have exactly the same training conditions, which can be considered fair to some extent. Three months later, if you win, you will take Murong Yi's place on the Heavenly Xuan List and officially become an Inner Palace disciple. If you lose, not only will you be expelled from the Inner Palace, but even if your strength later becomes sufficient, you will never be allowed to become an Inner Palace disciple for life. Yun Che, do you have any objections to this arrangement?"
Qin Wushang's earlier words were undoubtedly a great favor to Yun Che, but these final few sentences added an extremely harsh condition. This made many people's resentment over Yun Che's direct entry into the Inner Palace mostly dissipate. After all, with Yun Che's astonishing talent — defeating a Middle Palace disciple at sixteen — he might have qualified for the Inner Palace in a few years anyway. But if he entered the Inner Palace now for three months and then lost, even if he later became qualified for entry, he would only be able to sigh in regret.
Yun Che glanced at Qin Wuyou and nodded: "Alright, I agree."
Yun Che understood that this sudden special treatment from Qin Wushang must be related to Qin Wuyou, and also related to Lan Xueruo.
And for a Vice Palace Master to come personally for him, even breaking the palace's unprecedented precedent to let him enter the Inner Palace early... Yun Che was certain that even if Qin Wuyou was Qin Wushang's own younger brother, it wouldn't be enough to make Qin Wushang make such a decision. The only explanation was Lan Xueruo.
Just what was Lan Xueruo's identity and background...
"This... doesn't seem appropriate, does it? What qualifications does a mere Yun Che have to step into the Inner Palace? It's like letting a lapdog enter a den of tigers and wolves!" Murong Yi frowned.
"Murong Yi, do you have an objection?" Qin Wushang glanced lightly at Murong Yi, his voice calm as usual, but with a hint of intimidation that made one's heart tremble.
Murong Yi's heart tightened, and he quickly said: "No! I wouldn't dare question Lord Qin's decision. I just... I'm just worried that the reputation of the Inner Palace will be ruined by this Xuan Entry Realm brat."
"This matter is settled. During these three months, there will be no more conflicts between the two of you. Alright, the assessment will continue. Elder Qi, you will personally conduct the Combat Power test for this group. Sikong Du, later take Yun Che to tour the Inner Palace and help arrange a residence for him. I will immediately transmit my instructions to the Inner Palace."
Having said this, Qin Wushang gave Yun Che a deep look and prepared to leave. Yun Che suddenly spoke up: "Lord Qin, this disciple has a request."
Since Qin Wushang had just acknowledged Yun Che's status as a palace disciple, Yun Che naturally referred to himself as a disciple now. Qin Wushang turned around and asked: "What is it?"
Yun Che gestured with his eyes toward Yun Xiaofan, who had been injured by Feng Yue, and said: "Yun Xiaofan, during the Combat Power test, didn't get a chance to show his ability because he was viciously wounded by Feng Yue and could no longer continue. Yun Xiaofan is only fifteen years old, yet he traveled alone from thousands of miles away to come here. If he has to give up the test just because of this, it would be too cruel and unfair to him. So this disciple asks Lord Qin to give Yun Xiaofan a make-up test after he recovers from his injuries."
Yun Xiaofan, who had been lying on the ground with a face ashen as death from his severe injuries, suddenly lifted his head and looked at Yun Che with deep gratitude, his eyes trembling intensely.
Qin Wushang glanced at Yun Xiaofan and smiled, nodding: "I see. Although he is young, his foundation is good. He will surely achieve something in the future. My Cangfeng Mystic Palace would not want to miss any talent worth cultivating. Sikong Du, after this, take Yun Xiaofan to the Medicine Hall to have his injuries treated. After he recovers, Wuyou, how about you personally test his combat power?"
Qin Wuyou chuckled: "Of course, no problem."
Yun Xiaofan's eyes were already brimming with tears. He struggled to rise and said hoarsely: "Thank... thank you, Lord Qin, thank you, Instructor Qin... Brother Yun, thank you..."
After saying that, his body relaxed and he completely passed out.
At this moment, whether male or female, everyone looked at Yun Che with a bit more respect in their eyes.
Qin Wuyou and Qin Wushang left. Murong Yi also gave Yun Che a contemptuous look before leaving with Murong Ye. Yun Che lifted Yun Xiaofan, followed Sikong Du to send him to the Medicine Hall, and then followed him toward the Inner Palace.
"I have absolutely no idea what you're thinking. But strangely, you're so calm that I just can't bring myself to call you an idiot," Sikong Du said, sounding conflicted.
"There's a saying: 'Place yourself in a deadly situation, and you'll find a way to survive,'" Yun Che replied. "The greater the pressure, the greater the motivation."
"Place yourself in a deadly situation and find a way to survive? But this is simply walking to your death!" Sikong Du shook his head. "Do you know the gap between you and Murong Yi? You're an entire major realm apart! With only three months, even if you're a top genius, the absolute best you could do is close the gap by two levels. And during these three months, Murong Yi will also be training under the same conditions as you. Not only does he have Inner Palace resources, but he also has massive support from his family. His rate of progress will only be faster than yours! When the time comes, what will you use to fight Murong Yi?"