Chapter 552

Chapter 552: Rematch with Jun Ruolan

A sneak attack!

None anticipated Cang Ye’s ambush, especially when Yin Suxin had just withdrawn her guqin’s Buddha-like projection and stood defenseless while reporting to Divine Grace Palace Master Yu Qingzhi.

The Illusory Shadow of the Flood Dragon roared forth, swallowing Yin Suxin whole.

Yin Suxin reacted swiftly, summoning a white light shield as sharp musical notes sliced through the air.

But she moved half a beat too late. The dragon’s shadow surged past, slamming violently into her chest.

The shield exploded. The reforming guqin projection shattered instantly, scattering into nothingness.

Yin Suxin vomited blood with a pained cry, her body flung backward through the air.

Divine Grace Palace Master Yu Qingzhi moved first, cushioning Yin Suxin with a soft force before directing her toward Yan Rushui.

Yan Rushui stood frozen until realization struck – her murderous intent solidified, hands trembling with the urge to execute Cang Ye.

Yu Qingzhi intercepted the impulse, hurrying Yin Suxin to Yan Rushui before vanishing in a blur. He reappeared beside Cang Ye after crossing a hundred zhang.

A light tap on Cang Ye’s shoulder sent the disciple tumbling from the sky. With a palm thrust, Yu Qingzhi propelled the falling figure toward Cheng Yuweng.

Cheng Yuweng caught his disciple mechanically, shock etching his features.

"Master… mission accomplished…" Cang Ye wheezed, face chalk-white as he slumped in his teacher’s arms.

Cheng Yuweng’s expression tightened. Though victorious, shame burned through him as he regarded his favorite pupil.

"Rest now," he managed, lowering Cang Ye before facing Yu Qingzhi’s contingent.

"Cheng Yuweng! Your life is mine!" Yan Rushui’s shriek echoed as she blurred into motion, a remnant shadow lunging murderously.

"Enough!" Yu Qingzhi’s raised hand erected a true qi barrier – Yan Rushui collided with cotton-soft resistance, her fury dissipating uselessly.

"Yu Qingzhi! They nearly killed Suxin!"

The Divine Grace Palace Master’s voice dropped to subzero chill: "This matter won’t rest. As Palace Master, I’ll demand accountability. But Cheng Yuweng remains Misty Sect’s guest – this is my jurisdiction. Stand down."

Gentle words carried iron authority. Yan Rushui recoiled as if struck, retreating after shooting venomous glares at the Misty Sect members.

"Vice Sect Leader Cheng," Yu Qingzhi’s icy tone could frost stone, "is this your sect’s prized disciple? What explanation does Misty Sect offer?"

Cheng Yuweng’s cheek twitched. "Explanation? Competitions require winners. When Murong Wuqing lost earlier, we accepted defeat. Does Divine Grace Palace now reject this outcome?"

Yu Qingzhi’s eyes narrowed. "The match concluded! Your disciple agreed to Yin Suxin’s draw proposal before attacking treacherously!"

"War values deception," Cheng Yuweng countered smoothly. "Until formal surrender, words mean nothing. My disciple simply employed tactical cunning."

The Palace Master momentarily faltered, unprepared for such shameless logic.

His silence broke when Tian Yunzi rose, smiling faintly at Cheng Yuweng.

"Following this wisdom… perhaps you’ll duel me? I’ll grant you concession rights. Agreeable?"

Cheng Yuweng froze, staring blankly at Tian Yunzi. "What do you mean by that, Tian Yunzi? Today’s for the juniors to compete, not us. With our cultivation levels, three hundred rounds between us would shatter this space."

Tian Yunzi chuckled. "Simple solution. Our Divine Grace Palace possesses the Burning Divine Platform – it isolates spatial forces completely. Any battle within won’t affect the outside. Moreover, letting youngsters decide the Saint’s Secret Vault shares feels improper. At least us seniors should have one match. Our Palace Master corresponds to your Misty Sect Leader, while I, as a peak master, can properly spar with you, Vice Sect Leader. What say you?"

Cheng Yuweng stayed silent. Tian Yunzi’s reputation was fearsome – widely considered among Great Qin Empire’s top experts nearing Earth Immortal realm. Against such power, Cheng Yuweng wouldn’t last three moves.

"Sticking to junior matches is wiser. I’ll seek Peak Master of the Absolute Heart Peak’s guidance another time." Cheng Yuweng forced composure, refusing to back down despite his disadvantage.

"Fair point. Then add another match – your disciple Cang Ye versus any of my four chief disciples." Tian Yunzi’s tone turned casual.

"But Cang Ye’s wounded by your Palace Master!" Cheng Yuweng protested. "Three matches were agreed. He’s done fighting!"

Tian Yunzi smirked. "You decided three? I say four."

"This… this breaches all propriety!" Cheng Yuweng sputtered after stunned silence.

Laughing, Tian Yunzi spread his arms. "I make Divine Grace Palace’s rules. Choose – our duel, or Cang Ye fights again."

"You… utter scoundrel!"

Tian Yunzi’s sleeve flicked, blasting both Cheng and Cang Ye seven or eight zhang away. "Shameless? Your disciple’s cheap tricks against Yin Suxin weren’t?" Murderous glint flashed in his eyes. "Two options: declare previous match drawn and compensate Yin Suxin through Elder Yan… Or fight me. Win, and Divine Grace Palace’s 30% Saint’s Secret Vault share is yours."

Cheng Yuweng’s face twitched. Even Misty Sect Leader might struggle against Tian Yunzi. "This isn’t a game! You can’t-"

"Three seconds." Tian Yunzi clasped hands behind back. "One…"

"Wait! All matches are draws! Misty Sect claims no shares!" Cheng Yuweng blurted.

Tian Yunzi tsked. "But I want your 20% share."

"Never!" Cheng Yuweng leapt up.

"Then final match decides it." Tian Yunzi shrugged. "You win – all draws. Lose – sign over 20%."

Cheng Yuweng’s cheek spasmed. Their original plan – Murong Wuqing, Jun Ruolan, Cang Ye – should’ve dominated Great Qin Empire’s youth except royalty. Yet Divine Grace Palace bred monsters like Shu Anshi, Yin Suxin with her guqin’s Buddha-like projection, and mysterious Ye Yun. Against Yin Suxin’s dragon-slaying melodies, Cang Ye’s underhanded tactics became almost justified.

Now betting their 20% share on Jun Ruolan… After witnessing Shu Anshi and Yin Suxin, Cheng Yuweng’s confidence wavered.

"Final match proceeds!" Cheng Yuweng stood abruptly, turning to Jun Ruolan.

The Moon Goddess Palace disciple stared distantly at Cang Ye. "Such trash doesn’t deserve my sect. I’ll win this, completing my trial. Then I return home."

Cang Ye remained impassive – his ruthless cultivation obsession beyond reproach.

Cheng Yuweng flushed. Though Cang Ye’s disgrace pained him, Yin Suxin’s guqin had countered his dragon spirit perfectly. The cheap shot secured their draw. Now victory was imperative.

"Jun Ruolan, can you win?"

"You lack standing to question me." Her voice chilled. "I’ll prevail."

Jun Ruolan showed no respect for Cheng Yuweng, despite him being Misty Sect’s Vice Sect Leader. To her eyes, Misty Sect wasn’t worth mentioning – across Moon Goddess Palace’s territories, such sects were as common as raindrops, easily ninety-nine if not a hundred. Why bother showing courtesy to someone who couldn’t even handle her disdain?

Cheng Yuweng’s face turned ashen. Though Jun Ruolan usually maintained cold indifference toward them, she’d never been this openly contemptuous before. He knew this stemmed from Cang Ye’s earlier ambush. Yet he had no choice but to pin hopes on her victory. Should Moon Goddess Palace fail to claim the 20% shares, escaping Divine Grace Palace would cost him dearly.

"Very well. We entrust everything to Miss Jun." Cheng Yuweng forced down his anger, retreating two steps.

Jun Ruolan’s gaze drifted downward. "Ye Yun. We meet again." She glided through air to the plaza’s upper edge.

Ye Yun scratched his nose, smiling as he moved forward, only to be yanked back by Tongtong. "She’s strange! Her true qi feels different – wrong somehow."

Frowning, Ye Yun whispered, "I fought her at Thunder Falls Valley. Her cultivation wasn’t superior then. Now that I’ve condensed my alchemy pill…"

"Not her cultivation!" Tongtong pulled him down, hissing in his ear. "The energy within her – similar to true qi yet different. I’ve felt this before… can’t remember where."

Divine Feather Vulture King butted in with a cackle. "What’s this? Acting like some thousand-year-old monster now? Seeing through people’s qi and all?"

Tongtong jammed hands on hips. "Keep squawking and I’ll pluck you bald!"

"Peace!" Ye Yun snatched the shadowy hammer materializing in Tongtong’s grip. "Vulture King gets sealed again if you fight. Tongtong gets confined with sealed meridians. Understood?"

"Can’t take a joke?" Tongtong vaulted onto the vulture’s neck, clutching feathers. "We were just playing!"

Ye Yun shook his head, refocusing. Jun Ruolan’s Moon Goddess Palace background meant top-tier cultivation techniques and treasures. Though he’d glimpsed her abilities at Thunder Falls Valley, her full power remained unknown. Even if she claimed Nascent Soul stage, he’d believe it.

Soaring upward, Ye Yun landed ten zhang from the hovering Jun Ruolan. "Didn’t expect our match, Sister Jun. Thought two wins would settle things."

"We’d have met regardless." Her gentle voice carried clearly. "Today or tomorrow, our fates intertwine. Thinking this ends here? Naive."

"You read fortunes now?" Ye Yun blinked. "I Ching predictions?"

"Mortals’ playthings." Jun Ruolan dismissed. "Surrender now. For past acquaintance, I’ll spare you."

Ye Yun’s eyes narrowed. "Moon Goddess Palace teaches arrogance before combat? Don’t spout such nonsense again."

A faint eyebrow lift. "Kindness wasted. Since you seek death…" Her sleeves rippled with gathering energy. "What you saw at Thunder Falls Valley wasn’t my true power."

Ye Yun’s grin turned feral, fighting spirit igniting. Thunder Falls had suppressed realms – here, unchained? Let her come.