Chapter 539

Chapter 539: Thousand Mechanisms Guide

With a thunderous boom, an ethereal figure flashed across the sky, reducing the entire world to nothingness and chaos.

When Ye Yun and the others regained their vision, they found themselves standing on the plaza of Divine Grace Palace.

The Spiritual Pond trial had concluded!

Though ten had entered, the Divine Feather Vulture King now accompanied the returning group.

Outside Divine Grace Palace, the Divine Grace Palace Master stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Tian Yunzi, flanked by elders. The other Peak Masters were absent – only Absolute Heart Peak and Demon Suppression Peak had participated in this trial. Yan Rushui of Demon Suppression Peak had left in humiliated rage, making her disciples Ding Qian and Kuang Wuwei’s return unwelcome.

“Reached the Golden Core stage?” The Divine Grace Palace Master studied Ye Yun with an approving smile.

Ye Yun bowed. “This disciple thanks the Palace Master for your guidance.”

The Palace Master waved dismissively. “You condensed a Golden Core despite bearing multiple strands of exotic spiritual energy – this surpasses my expectations. Your master’s faith in you proved justified.”

Turning to Tian Yunzi, Ye Yun bowed again. “This disciple has succeeded in forming his Golden Core, thanks to Master’s teachings.”

Tian Yunzi nodded. “You’ve proven worthy of bearing great opportunities. Certain matters may now be entrusted to you.”

Ye Yun hesitated before asking, “What matters does Master refer to?”

“We’ll speak later,” Tian Yunzi deflected. “Now claim your promised boon from the Palace Master.”

Remembering the promise made during Ding Qian’s rescue, Ye Yun inquired, “What should I request, Master?”

Tian Yunzi considered him. “Your Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique has reached irreversible depths. Though at first-level Golden Core stage, you could challenge peak Golden Core disciples. However, you remain inferior to your senior brothers. Request an Immortal artifact – one of particular interest.”

Ye Yun blinked in confusion. The Palace Master’s expression tightened as he turned to Tian Yunzi. Their gazes clashed like drawn swords.

“You truly want this?” The Palace Master finally sighed, breaking eye contact.

Tian Yunzi’s voice carried steel beneath its calm. “Will my junior brother comply?”

The Palace Master warned Ye Yun, “This artifact is unstable. Mishandling could prove fatal.”

“My disciple needs no deliberation. My word stands as his.” Tian Yunzi’s tone brooked no argument.

Ye Yun hesitated. The artifact clearly held dangerous power, but refusal risked Tian Yunzi’s displeasure – and losing access to the Saint’s Secret Vault. His entire purpose in Great Qin Empire was obtaining divine medicine to save Su Ling. Without Tian Yunzi’s support, that hope died.

“This disciple obeys Master’s arrangement.” Ye Yun bowed deeply.

The Palace Master sighed in resignation. “Very well. Let him safeguard it temporarily.”

Temporary safeguarding? Bewildered, Ye Yun looked to his master.

Tian Yunzi revealed no emotion. “Ye Yun, know this – the Palace Master gifts you our sect’s treasure: the Thousand Mechanisms Guide.”

Thousand Mechanisms Guide?

Ye Yun showed no reaction; he had never heard of the name. Yet the crowd in the plaza collectively gasped, their eyes brimming with disbelief.

“The Thousand Mechanisms Guide is a mid-grade Immortal artifact. Its offensive power is ordinary, but it possesses a unique ability to redirect all attacks to a desired location. With skillful use, one can even turn the enemy’s own force against them,” Tian Yunzi explained slowly upon seeing Ye Yun’s confusion.

Ye Yun froze, astonishment washing over him. How could such a miraculous artifact exist? Redirecting all attacks and even countering them? With this, what cultivator in the world could stand against its wielder?

Yet something felt off. If the artifact truly held such power, why would it remain in Divine Grace Palace’s possession as merely a mid-grade treasure?

“Its use isn’t as simple as you imagine,” the Divine Grace Palace Master interjected, glancing meaningfully at Ye Yun. “It requires extensive practice and experience. More crucially, it can only be activated once every twelve hours. Should the opponent’s power exceed your limits, their attack won’t be redirected but concentrated into a single strike that would obliterate both body and spirit.”

Ye Yun’s brow furrowed as he pondered. His Marrow Cleansing through the Heart of Immortals and Demons had heightened his perception. The tension between Tian Yunzi and the Palace Master was palpable – while Tian Yunzi’s motives for wanting the artifact remained unclear, the Palace Master’s reluctant compliance suggested a negotiated truce where benefits outweighed risks.

Though unable to grasp the full picture, Ye Yun recognized his path forward. “Under Master’s guidance, this disciple will honor the Thousand Mechanisms Guide,” he declared with a respectful bow. “I humbly request its use.”

Tian Yunzi nodded approvingly while the Palace Master’s tension eased. “As sect treasure, only the leader may claim ownership. You may borrow it for six months.” A white light shadow materialized before Ye Yun – an octagonal mirror with three faces: white, blue, and crimson.

The white surface plunged him into chaotic mists that his formidable Soul Willpower quickly dispelled. The blue face induced false serenity, nearly ensnaring him until the Heart of Immortals and Demons expelled an invasive blue tendril with an ice arrow. The crimson plane revealed a blood sea of murderous intent that his spiritual fortitude shattered.

Each trial confirmed the artifact’s unorthodox nature, its sinister undertones suggesting demonic origins rather than human craftsmanship.

“Impressive resilience,” Tian Yunzi remarked, satisfaction coloring his tone. The required Soul Willpower for his plans had been verified.

Ye Yun maintained humble deference while concealing his anticipation. The Saint’s Secret Vault loomed close, and with both the Ancestor of the Sword Path’s guidance and this mysterious artifact, his path to the soul-healing divine medicine seemed assured.

As the Divine Grace Palace Master dismissed the gathering with warnings about fleeting external protections, Ye Yun’s gentle smile bloomed. Let others fear the coming storm – he would ride it to claim destiny itself.