Chapter 558

Chapter 558: The Dust Has Settled

A draw?

When these words escaped Jun Ruolan’s lips, everyone froze.

No one understood why she’d choose a draw while holding clear advantage. Victory seemed certain if she persisted.

The crowd saw both standing motionless. Moments later, Jun Ruolan unexpectedly declared an equal outcome.

Divine Grace Palace disciples erupted in cheers. This draw meant their sect won two of three matches, proving their younger generation surpassed Misty Sect’s. Divine Grace Palace might soon overtake Misty Sect as the Great Qin Empire’s top sect.

Outside Divine Grace Palace, Tian Yunzi exchanged knowing smiles with Divine Grace Palace Master Yu Qingzhi. Another draw concluded their prelude to the Saint’s Secret Vault confrontation, with Divine Grace Palace gaining slight upper hand.

Both knew the bet’s "two Saint’s Secret Vault shares" meant nothing. Neither side would honor losing. Who knew what treasures lay within? Perhaps heaven-shaking materials that could frenzy the entire empire.

Still, victory meant Divine Grace Palace wouldn’t let Misty Sect off easily, even without claiming shares.

"Vice Sect Leader Cheng, the matter’s settled. Any last words?" Divine Grace Palace Master Yu Qingzhi’s voice held gentle chill.

Cheng Yuweng’s face twisted with rage. He glared at Jun Ruolan before roaring, "Who authorized this draw? You represent Misty Sect! Throwing away certain victory? Shameful!"

Rage clouded his judgment. Though Cheng Yuweng knew they’d never actually surrender shares, defeat gave Divine Grace Palace leverage. If bet-breaking rumors spread, Misty Sect’s reputation would crumble.

Worse, this loss guaranteed thunderous punishment upon his return. As mere Vice Sect Leader, though favored by Sect Leader and Supreme Elder, rivals would pounce. Losing position became real risk – perhaps complete marginalization.

Were Jun Ruolan not from Moon Goddess Palace, he’d have struck her down already. Useless disciple!

But Jun Ruolan’s status loomed large. Moon Goddess Palace’s exchange disciple received utmost respect – unrestricted access to Misty Sect’s techniques and resources (all beneath her notice). Her standing in Moon Goddess Palace clearly remained high.

An elite disciple from Eight Major Sects’ Moon Goddess Palace? Misty Sect couldn’t touch her. Harming her risked annihilation. Which of the ancient Eight Major Sects tolerated disrespect?

None. Not one.

To Eight Major Sects, Great Qin Empire itself held no weight. Any conflicting interest could erase the empire instantly.

Jun Ruolan merely arched an eyebrow, gaze frosty. "Draw stays. I know Ye Yun’s cultivation level. Our Thunder Falls Valley clash also ended equally. Since I can’t kill him now, outcome remains unchanged."

"This contest concerns the Secret Vault! Understand its importance?!" Cheng Yuweng spluttered.

"Secret Vault? Some backwater saint’s stash? You think all saints equal?" Contempt flickered across her features.

Cheng Yuweng choked. ‘Backwater saint’ – the insult near made him vomit blood. How many saints had Great Qin produced in millennia? Barely any. Each saint’s mere trinkets sufficed for Nascent Soul stage cultivators, let their transcendence insights.

For higher-ups like Tian Yunzi and Yu Qingzhi, pills mattered less than saints’ transcendence experiences – records of breaking through Nascent Soul stage’s pinnacle to Earth Immortal realm. Such guidance could ease their ascensions.

Yet such records stayed rare. Most saints died fighting, leaving no notes. Each cultivation path differed.

Except Immortal Sword Sect’s millennium-dead saint. Mortally wounded, he’d spent essence blood and lifespan creating his Secret Vault – legacy for successors to exact vengeance.

He’d likely left Earth Immortal breakthrough insights, expecting disciples to use them.

This was Tian Yunzi and Yu Qingzhi’s true desire. Obtain this, discard all else. Becoming saints meant claiming anything in Great Qin Empire.

Everything.

"Vice Sect Leader Cheng," Jun Ruolan’s voice cut cold, "think Divine Grace Palace would surrender shares if I won?"

"Of course not. At best, canceled debts," he snapped.

"Then would Misty Sect yield shares after my defeat or draw?"

Cheng Yuweng found himself momentarily speechless. He knew perfectly well those two shares would never be surrendered, yet couldn’t voice this publicly. He simply pretended not to hear.

"Of course not. Even a saint from a backwater holds treasures you crave. Had Misty Sect won today, Divine Grace Palace still wouldn’t relinquish the shares. This contest was mere entertainment," Jun Ruolan continued, smiling at Cheng Yuweng’s silence.

Tian Yunzi and Yu Qingzhi understood the politics. But as high-ranking representatives of Divine Grace Palace and Misty Sect respectively, neither could voice such blunt truths publicly.

The leaders exchanged bitter smiles. Jun Ruolan from Moon Goddess Palace played by no one’s rules – not even Great Qin Empire’s. None dared touch her, knowing Moon Goddess Palace’s wrath could crush their united forces.

Jun Ruolan turned to Ye Yun. "I depart for Moon Goddess Palace today. The Saint’s Secret Vault holds little interest for me. Seek me there if fortune favors you."

Ye Yun blinked. "Just like that? How do I find your palace?"

Had Ye Yun not discovered the demonic energy within her earlier, Jun Ruolan wouldn’t have bothered with courtesy. She flicked a jade tablet before him. "Directions are inside. Destroy it after. None will dare force the route from you."

As Ye Yun grasped the tablet, information flooded his mind – not a map, but an intricate symbol radiating immortal essence. The image’s oppressive aura would’ve crushed weaker minds.

"I’ll find you," Ye Yun vowed, curiosity burning.

With a flash, Jun Ruolan vanished into cloud seas, her parting call echoing: "Farewell, Vice Sect Leader Cheng."

Cheng Yuweng stared numbly at empty skies. The disciple he’d brought to Divine Grace Palace had abandoned him. Worse, Misty Sect’s humiliating defeat would fall on his shoulders – especially after lending sect treasures to Cang Ye, who still lost to Yin Suxin.

"Master?" Cang Ye’s tentative voice came from behind.

Rage found its outlet. Cheng Yuweng backhanded his favored disciple across the square. The youth crashed down, blood spraying from lips parted in shock.

"Useless!" Cheng Yuweng spat. Even Murong Wuqing’s draw against Shu Anshi offered no solace. Jun Ruolan’s declared tie with Ye Yun had been the final insult.

Divine Grace Palace Master Yu Qingzhi observed the theatrics. "With two ties and our victory, we’ll graciously accept the Saint’s Secret Vault shares."

Cheng Yuweng’s eye twitched. "Such matters require our Sect Leader’s approval. I’ll report-"

"Will Misty Sect renege?" Yu Qingzhi interrupted.

"Never! But proper procedures…" Sweat beaded Cheng Yuweng’s brow.

"Then Tian Yunzi shall accompany your return," Yu Qingzhi decided.

The old cultivator’s eyes glimmered. "Ye Yun comes too. Educational experience."

Bowing deeply, Ye Yun replied: "As you command, Master."