Chapter 472

Chapter 472: Jun Ruolan Appears

Ye Yun immediately recognized the leading young man as Jun Ruolan in disguise, whom he’d encountered at the Heavenly Sword Sect. Dressed in a scholar’s robe with her hair tucked under a square scarf, she appeared both refined and strikingly beautiful.

The two young men flanking Jun Ruolan stood half a step behind her, their expressions wary yet deferential.

"You actually made it to the Great Qin Empire and even entered Thunder Falls Valley. Unexpected," Jun Ruolan remarked, her fair face showing genuine surprise as she studied Ye Yun.

Instead of answering immediately, Ye Yun scrutinized her before saying, "I knew you weren’t truly a Heavenly Sword Sect disciple. To think you’d possess artifacts powerful enough to enter the treasure area here – that surprises even me."

Jun Ruolan’s smile held no trace of their past conflict. "The Heavenly Sword Sect matters little now. Having seen the Great Qin Empire’s true sects, you must realize Golden Core cultivators are commonplace here – even Nascent Soul Ancestors abound. Your Thunder Spirit Qi gives you an advantage here. Cooperate with us to retrieve the treasures, and I’ll grant you ten percent."

Ye Yun’s eyebrow twitched in amusement. "Ten percent? How generous. Your trio lacks any Thunder Spirit Qi yet withstands the Purple Mansion Thunder through artifacts – Immortal-grade tools, no doubt. If such treasures guard you, whatever lies here must surpass them. Why would I settle for scraps?"

"Your agreement is unnecessary," Jun Ruolan replied coolly. "You’ll accept my terms regardless."

Ye Yun stiffened, unaccustomed to this newfound arrogance from the woman he remembered as merely domineering.

"Insolence!" barked one subordinate. "Senior Sister’s offer is charity! That Thunder Spirit Qi won’t protect you here!" A crushing pressure coalesced into sharp tendrils stabbing at Ye Yun’s forehead.

The spiritual assault shattered against an invisible barrier mere inches from Ye Yun’s skin.

"Foundation Establishment pinnacle… with such spiritual strength?" The attacker’s eyes narrowed.

Jun Ruolan’s gaze sharpened. "To reach Foundation Establishment’s peak in under a year? Impressive. When we last met, you hadn’t even formed your foundation."

"You hid your power before," Ye Yun countered, hands clasped behind his back. "From Qi Refining to Sixth-Level Golden Core in months? That’s hundredfold faster than my progress."

Though his true qi hadn’t increased dramatically, Ye Yun’s comprehension of heavenly laws had multiplied his combat power tenfold. Against Golden Core Sixth-Level opponents who hadn’t weathered heavenly tribulation – like these three – he felt confident. His refined soul force from the Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique even surpassed ordinary Sixth-Level Golden Core cultivators.

"I merely sealed my original Fifth-Level Golden Core cultivation at the Heavenly Sword Sect," Jun Ruolan admitted freely. "Having heard of the Misty Sect, you’ll understand our standing."

"The Great Qin’s premier sect?" Ye Yun’s voice turned icy after a stunned pause. "What business had the Misty Sect with a backwater like the Heavenly Sword Sect?"

Jun Ruolan’s earlier arrogance faded as she explained, "A millennium ago, the Heavenly Sword Sect didn’t reside in the Jin Kingdom."

Understanding flashed in Ye Yun’s eyes – she’d sought the ancient saint’s legacy. "Did you find it?"

"Some pieces." Her eyebrow arched. "You know something."

"Enough to be dangerous."

"Then cooperation benefits us both."

As her confused subordinates exchanged glances, Ye Yun deliberated before declaring, "Fifty-fifty split of Thunder Falls Valley’s treasures. Plus two Thunder Woods."

"Preposterous!" the subordinates chorused. "Senior Sister’s mercy grants you survival, yet you dare extort—"

Ye Yun ignored them, watching Jun Ruolan intently.

"How much do you know?" she pressed.

"Enough."

After a lengthy pause, Jun Ruolan inclined her head. "Accepted."

"Senior Sister!"

Ignoring her protestors, she gestured at their surroundings. "Your assessment?"

"A natural spatial construct of Lightning Element Laws," Ye Yun answered. "Immensely powerful."

Jun Ruolan flicked her finger. A light beam struck a distant tree, its crown shuddering before transforming into a crackling storm cloud. A lightning bolt shot toward her, only to be deflected toward Ye Yun with a wave of her hand.

Ye Yun flicked his wrist, intercepting the attack with a precise lightning thread. The conflicting energies canceled out silently.

As the tree reappeared intact, Jun Ruolan nodded approvingly. "You’ve grasped the Lightning Laws indeed."