Chapter 561

Chapter 561: The Words of Becoming a Saint

Inside the Divine Grace Palace!

Divine Grace Palace Master Yu Qingzhi stood alongside Tian Yunzi, with Ye Yun, Shu Anshi, and others below them.

“Senior Brother, I leave everything to you this time for the trip to the Misty Sect,” Yu Qingzhi said to Tian Yunzi, her tone serious.

Tian Yunzi waved his hand. “No need to say more. Although we’ve had some conflicts in the past, this matter concerns the sect, and I know the significance of it.”

Yu Qingzhi smiled slightly and looked at Ye Yun. “Ye Yun, your Master is taking you to the Misty Sect to broaden your horizons, to witness the might of the top sect in the Great Qin Empire.”

Ye Yun clasped his hands together. “Disciple understands. However, from what I’ve seen of Cheng Yuweng’s actions, the demeanor of the number one sect is quite evident.”

Tian Yunzi straightened his expression. “Don’t underestimate the Misty Sect. It has stood at the peak of the Great Qin Empire for years and has its own strengths. Cheng Yuweng is simply not worth mentioning. While you are there, behave yourself and don’t create any trouble.”

Ye Yun nodded. “Disciple will obey.”

Yu Qingzhi looked at the two and then said to Shu Anshi, “Shu Anshi, you will support outside the Misty Sect. If anything happens, immediately act to open the spatial passage to let them in.”

Shu Anshi nodded. “Disciple understands and will make proper arrangements.”

“Although the trip to the Misty Sect seems low-risk, no one knows what might happen. Senior Brother, be cautious,” Yu Qingzhi said solemnly.

Tian Yunzi waved her away impatiently. “It’s just a Misty Sect. Though I might not win, they will find it incredibly difficult to keep me here unless a saint intervenes. Besides, my inner disciple is quite clever. Moreover, he is a person of great fortune; his chances may be better than all those in the Divine Grace Palace. He is a gifted talent, so he won’t come to harm.”

Yu Qingzhi nodded. “I trust your divination abilities, Senior Brother, but it’s still wise to be careful.”

Tian Yunzi agreed with a nod and fell silent.

Yu Qingzhi shook her head slightly, knowing that her Senior Brother was strong-willed; decisions were final regardless of who might come to argue otherwise. However, in the century that Tian Yunzi had been active, he had never failed, and his reputation had long echoed throughout the Great Qin Empire. With Tian Yunzi heading to the Misty Sect, it would not be so easy for them to act against him.

“Since that’s settled, let’s set out. The trip to the Misty Sect requires three days’ effort, and the sooner we leave, the sooner we return.”

While Tian Yunzi could ignore Yu Qingzhi’s input, Ye Yun could not; he bowed respectfully, acknowledging his orders, and then stood behind Tian Yunzi.

Tian Yunzi nodded slightly and turned to exit the Divine Grace Palace.

Outside the palace, Cheng Yuweng, along with Murong Wuqing and Cang Ye, had been waiting for some time. Upon seeing Tian Yunzi and Ye Yun emerge, he let out a cold snort.

“Tian Yunzi, you’ve been dragging this out. It’s almost midday, yet you’ve just finished discussing. Do you know it takes three days to get to the Misty Sect?” Cheng Yuweng chastised coldly, seemingly forgetting how he had trembled under Tian Yunzi’s power the previous day.

“Deputy Sect Leader, you have quite the temper,” Tian Yunzi said sharply.

Cheng Yuweng was taken aback, suddenly remembering that he stood before Tian Yunzi, and that angering him would not end well. He had spoken out of habit from his time in the Misty Sect, momentarily forgetting that this trip was with Tian Yunzi.

“Just joking, Peak Master of the Absolute Heart Peak, no need to take it seriously.” Cheng Yuweng laughed heartily, then shifted his gaze to Yu Qingzhi, nodding slightly. “Palace Master, we shall part ways here. Until we meet again.”

Yu Qingzhi nodded. “The fact that Deputy Sect Leader has come this time has greatly pleased our Divine Grace Palace. You are our good friend, so do visit more often in the future.”

Cheng Yuweng had initially brushed it off as mere formality, but hearing Yu Qingzhi say this almost made him stumble. He quickly clasped his hands and responded. “Of course, of course.”

With that, he leaped into the air, transforming into a streak of light, swiftly vanishing above the sea of clouds, walking on clouds.

Murong Wuqing and Cang Ye also moved quickly, falling into step behind Cheng Yuweng, maintaining a position’s distance.

“Brothers, please look after Tongtong for me. I’ll return with my Master in a few days,” Ye Yun called to Zhuge Chong and Kun Huazi, bowing slightly before leaping into the air alongside Tian Yunzi, heading into the distance.

Before long, the five figures vanished into the depths of the sea of clouds, making their way to the Misty Sect.

Yu Qingzhi smiled as she watched the distant sea of clouds, slowly saying, “You all may leave now.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the disciples outside the Divine Grace Palace bowed in unison and quickly withdrew.

Yu Qingzhi turned and entered the Divine Grace Palace, only to hear an ancient voice echoing from all directions.

"Have they departed?"

"Gone!"

"That Tian Yunzi has grown somewhat arrogant in recent years, losing sight of his original path. This journey to Misty Sect might temper him through hardship – perhaps beneficial for his growth." The aged voice reverberated through the air.

Any bystander would have been astonished beyond measure.

The ancient voice addressed centenarian Tian Yunzi as "young fellow" – a revered figure with snow-white hair, famed throughout the Great Qin Empire. Only a hidden Supreme Elder of Divine Grace Palace could speak thus.

"Uncle needn’t worry. Senior Brother’s cultivation approaches transcendence, his soul formidable. Misty Sect cannot detain him," Yu Qingzhi replied calmly.

"Detainment isn’t the concern. Suffering some setbacks might actually aid his transformation." The voice drifted like a divine dragon glimpsed then vanished.

"Uncle, why would Tian Yunzi bring his inner disciple Ye Yun?" Yu Qingzhi inquired curiously.

"Have you not sensed the great secret within that disciple?"

"What secret?" Yu Qingzhi’s brow furrowed.

"He bears traces of an immensely powerful soul – comparable to mine. Yet such spiritual might in a mere youth?"

"Has his body been seized?" Yu Qingzhi’s voice turned icy.

"Not possession. The soul seems familiar, yet eludes my memory. Though stronger than mine, it submits willingly without domination."

Yu Qingzhi paled. "A saint’s soul inhabits him?"

"Precisely." The elder’s tone held wonder.

Cold sweat dampened Yu Qingzhi’s back. If this soul spied for rival sects…

"Qingzhi, you overthink." The hidden saint chuckled. "No saint would split their soul – it would reduce them to Nascent Soul permanently. None would sacrifice a saint for espionage."

Yu Qingzhi nodded, chiding himself for excessive suspicion.

"How fares Elder Lin Qi after your decade-long seclusion?"

"Tend your duties. Our cultivation surpasses your understanding until you too become saint." The voice turned stern.

Yu Qingzhi bowed to empty halls. "This disciple remembers."

Only echoes remained.

As Yu Qingzhi pondered Ye Yun’s potential, the group had already flown beyond Divine Grace Palace’s mountains. Five figures of Exceptional Cultivation Level crossed a thousand miles swiftly, the western plains unfolding before them.

"Brother Wuqing, describe Misty Sect!" Ye Yun broke the silence.

Murong Wuqing smiled. "Larger buildings, more disciples, slightly richer spiritual energy."

"So minor advantages make them top sect?" Ye Yun laughed.

Cheng Yuweng snorted. "Childishness. Misty Sect’s supremacy isn’t for your speculation."

Tian Yunzi interjected calmly, robes undisturbed by rushing winds: "Millennial superiority in peak combat power, rumored saints, benefits from destroying Immortal Sword Sect, imperial support. Reverse our positions, and Divine Grace Palace would lead."

"Saints exist today?" Ye Yun’s eyes widened.

"Naturally. Misty Sect houses two, the imperial family three. No empire survives without saints."

"Your Elder Lin Qi became saint during seclusion?" Cheng Yuweng challenged.

"Having been half-transcended thirty years ago, likely yes." Tian Yunzi remained unperturbed.

Ye Yun’s mind raced. Five or six saints among three major powers explained their balance. Ordinary days saw Nascent Soul rulers; saints intervened only during excess.

Murong Wuqing’s eyes shone. Since joining Misty Sect, he’d never heard such saintly details. Three imperial saints! Ambition flared – true cultivation meant transcending mortality, touching cosmic laws, achieving immortality.

"Master," Ye Yun ventured, "they say you’re nearest to sainthood. Do you feel ready?"

Tian Yunzi gazed into distance. "Transcendence requires more than cultivation and wisdom. Fate’s whim decides. You, practitioner of Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique, might yet surpass me."

Ye Yun’s hand instinctively touched his chest where the Heart of Immortals and Demons pulsed. Could this artifact propel him past heavenly tribulation to sainthood?