Chapter 462

Chapter 462: Yunmeng Token

"Is Brother Ye truly a disciple of the Divine Grace Palace?" Zhang Yicheng asked, shifting the topic with a solemn tone.

Ye Yun glanced at him. "Do you doubt me, Brother Zhang?"

Zhang Yicheng hurriedly replied, "Of course not! You saved the lives of Yun Hua Sect’s disciples—our benefactor. How could we distrust you?"

Ye Yun waved a hand. "I’ve only joined the sect a few months ago and haven’t received proper guidance from my Master. After this trial in Thunder Falls Valley, he’ll fully instruct me. My cultivation should advance further then."

Zhang Yicheng studied him. "Forgive my bluntness, but your cultivation is at Foundation Establishment stage four, far from the Golden Core stage. Yet the power in your earlier technique surpassed anything a Foundation Establishment cultivator should possess."

Ye Yun chuckled. "Your insight is sharp. I remain at Foundation Establishment stage four, but a stroke of luck lets me barely rival Golden Core experts. Compared to all of you, I still fall short."

Zhang Yicheng and the others broke into cold sweats, their expressions tightening. Ye Yun had crushed a fourth-level Golden Core disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sect in one move, yet spoke of "barely rivaling" Golden Core experts. His words sounded like mockery, implying their Golden Core cultivation paled against his Foundation Establishment prowess.

"Brother Ye jests," Zhang Yicheng said hastily. "As Tian Yunzi’s disciple from Absolute Heart Peak, your strength defies common sense. Such modesty shames us!"

Ye Yun smiled. "I speak truthfully. But your reverence for my Master—is his fame in the Great Qin Empire so great?"

Zhang Yicheng stared. "You don’t know? Tian Yunzi is hailed as the Nascent Soul Ancestor most likely to ascend to the Sage realm!"

Ye Yun remained calm. "I hail from a hidden ancestral family. My Master took me in mere months ago—I’ve had little time to learn of his reputation. To think he’s renowned as a future Sage… it’s awe-inspiring."

"Precisely! Becoming Tian Yunzi’s disciple guarantees a glorious future. Your power—defeating a fourth-level Golden Core cultivator while at Foundation Establishment—is unheard of!" Zhang Yicheng marveled.

"I’m insignificant among my Master’s disciples," Ye Yun said humbly, keen to befriend Zhang Yicheng and glean information about the Heavenly Sword Sect. Though Zhang Yicheng denied any link between Yun Hua Sect’s techniques and the Heavenly Sword Sect, Ye Yun saw the truth in his evasive gaze. The Sword Path Ancestor’s claims were likely valid.

"Enough—I’ll trouble you no further. I’ve tasks deeper in the valley." Ye Yun turned to leave, unhurried.

"Are you seeking Thunder Wood in the core area?" Zhang Yicheng asked.

Ye Yun paused. "I am. Does Brother Zhang desire it too?"

Zhang Yicheng shook his head. "Thunder Wood grows where even Thunder Avoidance Talismans fail. Entering means death. But you wield Thunder Spirit Qi—it called to mind your goal."

Ye Yun nodded. "Those attuned to Thunder Spirit Qi must claim it."

Zhang Yicheng hesitated, eyeing Senior Brother Yi. "If you encounter Yun Hua Sect disciples there, avoid conflict. Take this." He produced a crystalline blue token.

"Zhang Yicheng! The Yunmeng Token—how could you give it away?!" Yi Xingshen barked.

"What’s its use?" Ye Yun took it, ignoring Yi Xingshen’s outburst.

"It represents the Peak Master of Yunmeng Peak. Show it during disputes—it may help," Zhang Yicheng explained, omitting that it could spare Ye Yun’s life.

Ye Yun understood. Like Zhang Yao of Flying Star Sect had hinted, Yun Hua Sect’s sixth or seventh-level Golden Core experts would vie for Thunder Wood. Against such foes, Ye Yun stood no chance. Grateful for Ye Yun’s aid, Zhang Yicheng offered the token as protection.

Ye Yun accepted it. While confident against fourth-level Golden Core cultivators, sixth-level experts who’d survived their tribulations posed lethal threats. The token might buy survival—though he preferred testing his Sword of the Thunder God against true power. Only through such trials could he refine it, unlocking deeper insights into the Lightning Element Law.

"My thanks, Brother Zhang. Farewell." Ye Yun stored the token and strode toward the valley’s heart.

"Be cautious," Zhang Yicheng urged. "Even with Thunder Spirit Qi, the core is deadly. Survival matters most."

Ye Yun waved. "Your concern is noted. Take care."

Lightning crackled as he vanished into the storm.

Watching him go, Zhang Yicheng frowned.

"Senior Brother," Yi Xingshen murmured, "Ye Yun’s movement technique… wasn’t it like the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Heavenly Thunder Escape?"

Zhang Yicheng’s face darkened. "It resembled our Yun Hua Sect’s Thousand Miles Cloud Travel. What ties could it have to the Heavenly Sword Sect?"

Yi Xingshen inhaled sharply. "My mistake, Senior Brother."

Zhang Yicheng scanned the disciples. "Yun Hua Sect’s arts were forged by our ancestors—unconnected to outsiders. Understood?"

"Understood!" they chorused, voices heavy.