Chapter 543

Chapter 543: Visitors from the Misty Sect

A voice sounded at the entrance, and Kun Huazi along with Zhuge Chong soon came into view.

Tongtong and the Divine Feather Vulture King ceased their squabbling to glance at the newcomers.

“Elder brothers, were you looking for me?” Ye Yun asked curiously, having parted ways with them not long ago.

“Yes. An urgent matter arose. Master ordered us to gather at Divine Grace Palace,” Kun Huazi stated gravely, his typically jovial face now tense.

Noticing their expressions, Ye Yun pressed, “What happened?”

“The Misty Sect has come to challenge Divine Grace Palace’s authority over treasure distribution after the Saint’s Secret Vault opens,” Zhuge Chong answered with visible irritation.

Ye Yun froze. The Misty Sect? He’d crossed paths with them before – Jun Ruolan had operated under their banner.

“The Palace Master and our Master instructed us to bring you to Divine Grace Palace,” Zhuge Chong added.

Furrowing his brow slightly, Ye Yun nodded. “Let’s go then.”

Turning to the Divine Feather Vulture King and Tongtong, he warned, “Stay here and behave. If I return to find this place wrecked, there’ll be consequences.”

Tongtong dashed forward. “Take me with you, Ye Yun! I can protect you!”

“Agreed. Your cultivation level remains insufficient. Between the brat and me, we’ll keep you safe,” the Divine Feather Vulture King boomed with false gravitas.

Both wore exaggeratedly solemn expressions.

Ye Yun rolled his eyes. Though tempted to refuse, he reconsidered – leaving these two unsupervised invited disaster. Better to keep them close.

“Second Brother, any issue bringing them along?”

Kun Huazi shrugged. “That overgrown chicken counts as your mount, and the girl’s clearly your maid. What harm could they do?”

Two outraged voices exploded:

“Maid? I’m his sister!”

“Mount? We’re sworn brothers!”

Kun Huazi waved dismissively. “Details, details. Hurry up before Master skins us all.”

Ye Yun tapped Tongtong’s head. “Stay silent and stick close. One misstep and you’re staying behind.”

Tongtong clapped excitedly. “I’ll be good, promise!”

The Divine Feather Vulture King snorted derisively.

The group soared toward Divine Grace Palace, arriving moments later to find hundreds of disciples arrayed in perfect silence outside the main square – hands clasped, eyes forward.

As they landed, Shu Anshi waved them over from his vantage point above.

“Elder brother, what’s happening?” Ye Yun asked.

Shu Anshi replied gently, “The Misty Sect disputes our claim to the Saint’s Secret Vault’s treasures. Amusing, considering our palace’s sacred artifact remains essential to opening it.”

Ye Yun’s pulse quickened. “Which artifact?”

Could he mean the Burning Divine Platform? If Divine Grace Palace knew it held the vault’s key, why delay until now? Why involve other sects? He quickly buried the thought – the timing made no sense.

“The Heavenly Dragon Key is one of the keys to the Saint’s Secret Vault, while the other lies with the royal family,” Shu Anshi said gently.

Ye Yun’s initial excitement cooled as he grinned. “Since we hold the key, we should control the treasure’s distribution. The Misty Sect’s demand is sheer arrogance.”

Shu Anshi smiled faintly. “Let’s observe first. If a fight breaks out, our Divine Grace Palace won’t be easily pushed around.”

Guided by Shu Anshi, Ye Yun and the others entered the Divine Grace Palace.

Over a dozen people stood inside the hall, smiling warmly as if greeting old friends.

“Palace Master, it’s been over three years. You remain as dignified as ever,” a blue-robed elder chuckled, stroking his beard.

The Divine Grace Palace Master descended gracefully, returning the smile. “Vice Sect Leader Cheng, forgive me for not greeting you personally.”

“No need for formalities, Palace Master. The Divine Grace Palace and Misty Sect share the same roots. Though we split millennia ago, we’ve both led the Great Qin Empire’s cultivation realm like brothers. Our Sect Leader wished to come himself but was detained by royal affairs,” Vice Sect Leader Cheng Yuweng replied, clasping his hands.

“That’s Cheng Yuweng, the Misty Sect’s Vice Sect Leader. His cultivation has reached the Sixth Level of the Nascent Soul stage—half a step from the Seventh Level. A formidable man,” Shu Anshi’s voice transmitted privately to Ye Yun’s group.

Ye Yun studied Cheng Yuweng—white-haired yet youthful, eyes sharp as blades.

“What brings Vice Sect Leader Cheng here today?” Divine Grace Palace Master Yu Qingzhi asked, her face unreadable.

Though everyone knew the purpose, neither side would voice it first.

Cheng Yuweng smiled. “We’ve heard much about your rising young talents. Our Misty Sect youths itch for friendly sparring. Forgive our abrupt visit.”

Yu Qingzhi nodded. “A splendid idea. Our youths grow complacent sparring familiar peers. New challengers will temper them. However…”

“However?” Cheng Yuweng’s smile widened before faltering at her pause.

“With the Saint’s Secret Vault opening soon, injuries from reckless sparring could complicate matters,” Yu Qingzhi countered mildly.

The refusal hung unspoken between them.

“Seems the Divine Grace Palace’s youths lack skill—”

A cold young voice interrupted until Cheng Yuweng cut it off.

“Silence! Know your place!” The Vice Sect Leader glared before bowing. “My apologies, Palace Master. This ignorant youth overstepped.”

Yu Qingzhi waved dismissively. “No harm. Young people brim with passion.”

Near the entrance, Ye Yun stiffened. His eyes locked onto the speaker’s chiseled silhouette.

“Him? That voice…” Ye Yun muttered, doubt coloring his whisper.

“Apologize now!” Cheng Yuweng’s roar shook the hall.

The broad-shouldered youth retorted, “For what? If they fear honest competition, isn’t that the truth?”

Cheng Yuweng’s fury radiated visibly.

Yu Qingzhi raised a calming hand. “Since your disciple seeks challenges, we’ll oblige.” She glanced at Tian Yunzi, Yan Rushui, and other elders, who nodded agreement.

“Excellent! This vigor befits the Great Qin Empire’s second-ranked sect!” Cheng Yuweng clapped heartily.

“What format do you propose, Vice Sect Leader Cheng?” Yu Qingzhi inquired.

“Your choice as hosts. We’ve brought three youths—three one-on-one matches. Best of three wins.”

“Agreed.” Yu Qingzhi nodded without objection.

Cheng Yuweng smiled and said, "In that case, let’s settle it. But competitions shouldn’t be empty talk. Since this involves juniors, why not add stakes? What say you all?"

Yu Qingzhi narrowed his eyes, secretly thinking Cheng Yuweng finally showed his true aim – using the Saint’s Secret Vault as wager.

"Agreed. Winners deserve rewards. What does Vice Sect Leader Cheng propose?"

Cheng Yuweng’s smile carried hidden schemes. "These young talents already possess top cultivation techniques from our great sects. Offering more techniques would be useless. Treasures? Misty Sect has plenty of Immortal artifacts and spiritual weapons. This poses difficulty."

"Then simply bet pills or Immortal Spirit Stones," Yu Qingzhi said casually.

Cheng Yuweng shook his head. "Common items they already have. Unless… your Divine Grace Palace offers those legendary divine medicines?"

Yu Qingzhi’s lips curled coldly. "Jesting, Vice Sect Leader? If we offer divine medicines, what can Misty Sect match? Your precious spirit pills perhaps?"

"Palace Master jokes too. Our spirit pills far surpass your medicines." Cheng Yuweng retorted sharply.

The Divine Grace Palace Master’s voice turned icy. "State your terms."

Cheng Yuweng straightened. "Let’s wager distribution rights of Saint’s Secret Vault. If Misty Sect wins, we take thirty percent from Divine Grace Palace’s share."

"And your loss?" Yu Qingzhi demanded.

"Royal family holds forty percent. Divine Grace Palace thirty, Misty Sect twenty. If we lose, our twenty percent becomes yours."

Yu Qingzhi laughed harshly. "Clever scheme! You risk twenty to take thirty? Unreasonable!"

"Then both stake twenty percent." Cheng Yuweng responded instantly.

"You’re quite confident in these youths." Yu Qingzhi’s gaze swept Misty Sect’s trio.

First stood a steel-postured youth with fanatical cultivation focus. Second, a veiled woman radiating peerless beauty. Third, an expressionless boy of fifteen with raging true qi – sixth-level Golden Core stage.

"My disciple Cang Ye. Fifteen years old, sixth-level Golden Core." Cheng Yuweng announced.

Gasps erupted. Such cultivation at fifteen was unprecedented in Great Qin Empire’s history.

"This is Sect Leader’s inner disciple Jun Ruolan, sent from Moon Goddess Palace for three-year training." Cheng Yuweng indicated the veiled woman.

More gasps. Moon Goddess Palace – one of Eight Major Sects, viewing Great Qin as insignificant. Her capabilities remained mysterious but undoubtedly formidable.

Ye Yun stared at the third member – a youth with chiseled features. His heart pounded as recognition dawned.

"This is Murong Wuqing, seventh-level Golden Core, joined Misty Sect six months ago."

Murong Wuqing!

Memories flooded Ye Yun – their journey from Jin Kingdom, then separation. Now here stood Murong Wuqing, cultivation soaring to seventh-level Golden Core in mere months!

"Brother Wuqing!" Ye Yun’s voice shattered the silence.

Murong Wuqing spun, stone-faced breaking into joy. "Ye Yun! Divine Grace Palace disciple? Remarkable!"

Their fierce embrace shocked onlookers. The ever-serious Murong Wuqing showed unprecedented emotion.

"How came you to Misty Sect?" Ye Yun whispered.

Murong Wuqing’s eyes flickered. "Left family for travels. Never imagined reuniting so soon."

Ye Yun understood – they both hid their Heavenly Sword Sect origins.

Palace Master Yu observed curiously. "You know this youth?"

"Raised together like brothers," Ye Yun lied smoothly. "Never thought to meet here."

"Then you two shouldn’t fight." Yu Qingzhi decided. "Brothers battling breeds Mental Demons."

Both nodded agreement.

Cheng Yuweng scrutinized Ye Yun. "This first-level Golden Core whelp competes?"

Yu Qingzhi smiled mildly. "Why not?"