Chapter 484

Chapter 484: Hidden Presence

A familiar voice echoed through the air. Ye Yun, who had been trapped in the void, opened his eyes and descended slowly, landing before Jun Ruolan.

Jun Ruolan froze, her pretty face filled with disbelief.

“Isn’t the Thunder Wood mine? Didn’t you say you only wanted the seed of the mysteries of thunder?” Ye Yun asked calmly.

Jun Ruolan’s eyes flickered with surprise. “We did agree. But the Thunder Wood is a rare treasure. Only the strong deserve it. Had you remained trapped for two hours, your weakness would’ve proven you unworthy.”

Ye Yun raised an eyebrow. “And now?”

Jun Ruolan remained composed. “Breaking the Thunder Wood’s restrictions so quickly shows your skill exceeds my expectations. Our deal stands: you keep the Thunder Wood, and I take the seed.”

To Ye Yun’s shock, Jun Ruolan acted as if nothing had happened, her expression unbothered. He’d expected anger or violence, given her mid-grade Immortal artifact and power. Yet here she was, utterly calm.

“You tried to kill me for the Thunder Wood. Now you’re letting it go?”

Jun Ruolan glanced at him. “I won’t kill you. If you couldn’t break free, you’d have lost the Wood anyway. Since you succeeded, our pact holds. You’ll still help me find the seed.”

Ye Yun fell silent.

“Also,” Jun Ruolan added, “I wounded Su Xingyun and Ying Wujun, removing two competitors. That should aid our search.”

Ye Yun had no words. Neither did Yun Tianxing, Ying Wujun, or the others.

Ye Yun took a slow breath. “What about Shen Mo and Zeng Xuan? You injured them too.”

Jun Ruolan looked puzzled. “They challenged me and lost. Survival alone is mercy. In Thunder Falls Valley, strength rules. Would you explain yourself if you’d wounded them?”

Ye Yun’s retort died. She was right—this world revered power. Without overwhelming strength, they couldn’t demand answers.

Noticing his frustration, Jun Ruolan flicked her wrist. Two pills shot toward Ye Yun.

He caught them, warmth spreading through his palm.

“Give them these Spirit Harmony Pills. Their wounds will heal,” she said.

“Spirit Harmony Pills?” Ye Yun frowned.

Ying Wujun and Su Xingyun gasped. “The Misty Sect’s legendary healing herbs?”

Yun Tianxing stared at the pills. “Even elite disciples rarely receive these. Only Nascent Soul experts qualify.”

Jun Ruolan seemed indifferent, as if she’d tossed mere pebbles.

Shen Mo and Zeng Xuan swallowed the pills and meditated. Soon, they stood restored, faces flushed with health.

“Done?” Ye Yun asked.

Zeng Xuan nodded. Shen Mo eyed Jun Ruolan warily.

“Their hidden injuries will mend with the leftover energy. Consider it compensation,” Jun Ruolan said.

Ye Yun said nothing. With the Thunder Wood secured, he only needed the Ice Spirit Herb before leaving. Yet he lingered—the Wood’s power had fused with his Thunder Spirit Qi, refining it. His Thundercloud Lightning Sword’s might had doubled. If not for Jun Ruolan’s artifact and unfathomable strength, he’d have tested her.

“How did the seed vanish after becoming the Thunder Spirit Beast’s heart?” Ye Yun asked.

Jun Ruolan replied, “Someone stole it.”

Stolen? The group exchanged doubtful glances. No one could’ve taken it undetected! Thunder Falls Valley barred Nascent Soul cultivators, and they were Golden Core elites.

Jun Ruolan continued, “The thief’s methods surpassed your understanding. Their cultivation reaches peak Golden Core. The Great Qin Empire, Misty Sect, Divine Grace Palace—all are insignificant in this vast world. I only noticed after the theft. Another pursuer followed. Search the Sea of Thunder’s fluctuations—you might find them.”

Speechless, Ye Yun, Zeng Xuan, and Yun Tianxing unleashed their Thunder Spirit Qi, probing the Sea of Thunder.

Who stole the seed? Who pursued?

A glimmer of excitement lit Ye Yun’s eyes. The Great Qin Empire’s younger generation held more surprises than he’d imagined.