Chapter 566

Chapter 566: Changchun’s Wrath

A rare type of alchemy pill formed by condensing three types of exotic spiritual energy into a Golden Core, combined with true qi—this fusion of four forces was utterly unheard of and shocking.

“Can you only spot four strands of energy? Old Hua, your eyesight’s dulled. Not as sharp as before,” Tian Yunzi chuckled, pride lacing his voice.

Hua Changchun’s brow twitched. His gaze hardened, faint golden light glinting in his eyes.

Suddenly, Hua Changchun stiffened, shock flashing across his face. After a long pause, he muttered, “I… I sense a dense yet razor-edged aura from him. Could it be…?”

Tian Yunzi threw his head back and laughed. “Right again! Seems your vision hasn’t completely rusted, Old Hua. With all this strangeness packed into one disciple, you still think I picked him on a whim?”

Hua Changchun inhaled deeply, studying Ye Yun intently. “You truly condensed sword intent? How did you fuse three types of exotic spiritual energy into a Golden Core while blending in sword intent?”

Ye Yun bowed. “I don’t know. I simply focused on cultivation. A few lucky chances helped me grasp the energies and sword intent. Maybe I’ve had some minor fortune.”

Gasps echoed through Misty Hall. Eyes widened with envy and disbelief.

“A few lucky chances”? Comprehending even one exotic spiritual energy was a miracle. Multiple breakthroughs plus sword intent? This wasn’t luck—this was heaven’s favor. A child chosen by destiny.

If this counted as “minor fortune,” what did that make other practitioners? Cursed souls?

“Boy,” Hua Changchun declared suddenly, “Tian Yunzi’s no great teacher. Become my disciple instead. I’ll grant you Misty Sect’s resources. Just leave Divine Grace Palace.”

Ye Yun blinked. Had the Misty Sect Leader truly offered this… in front of his own Master?

Tian Yunzi gaped, then roared, “Still the same thieving old dog! First my spirit herbs, now my disciple?”

Even Misty Sect members stared, bewildered. Their Sect Leader poaching a disciple publicly? Unthinkable.

“Merely a suggestion.” Hua Changchun shrugged. “But if he agrees, what then?”

Tian Yunzi sneered. “You think I don’t see your game? Suppose I gift him to you—would you dare take him?”

Hua Changchun burst out laughing. “Old trickster! As if I’d covet your disciple. I wouldn’t touch Divine Grace Palace’s treasures either.”

“Pity you’re Sect Leader,” Tian Yunzi sighed. “We could’ve jointly taught him. Prepared him for… that matter.”

Hua Changchun’s smile faded. “I wasn’t entirely joking earlier. We’ll talk properly later.”

Tian Yunzi nodded solemnly.

Ye Yun watched, confused. Joint mentorship? Divine Grace Palace and Misty Sect shared ancient roots but had been bitter rivals for centuries. Their only alliance? Destroying Immortal Sword Sect during its Great Qin Empire conquest.

Yet these two enemies spoke of shared teaching? Unprecedented.

“We’ll discuss this another time,” Hua Changchun said, then added pointedly, “I heard Misty Sect lost all three matches at Divine Grace Palace. Humiliating.”

With that, his gaze fell on Vice Sect Leader Cheng Yuweng, cold like a blade.

Cheng Yuweng felt his whole body shake. Cold sweat soaked through his back as bean-sized droplets rolled down his forehead, falling to the ground with audible plops.

"Sect Leader, this spar was just an accident! A true accident!"

"Accident? You guaranteed two certain victories before leaving." Hua Changchun said gently.

Cheng Yuweng’s teeth chattered as he trembled. "The results weren’t as you heard! All three matches had winning chances, but Divine Grace Palace…"

Hua Changchun cut in coldly: "Divine Grace Palace what? If chances existed, why lose? Explain clearly."

Taking shaky breath, Cheng Yuweng answered: "First match was Murong Wuqing’s fault. He didn’t lose or falter, yet surrendered after two moves!"

Hua Changchun raised an eyebrow. "Wuqing? Is this true?"

Murong Wuqing stepped forward and bowed. "Palace Master, it’s true. But I didn’t yield without reason. Shu Anshi reached peak Golden Core without Buddha-like projection, yet matched mine. His true qi surpasses mine in purity and strength. Had he forced projection refinement mid-battle, how could I withstand?"

"Foolishness!" Cheng Yuweng shouted. "Would Shu Anshi risk projection refinement during sparring? Failure would block his Fifth Level Nascent Soul advancement! He’s Divine Grace Palace’s top talent – not some reckless fool! With your projection’s support, victory was certain!"

Murong Wuqing glared coldly. "You think Shu Anshi can’t refine projections safely? His talent exceeds mine. He delays refinement to create strongest projection during pill-break rebirth. Common projections? He could make those instantly."

As Cheng Yuweng opened his mouth, Hua Changchun spoke first:

"Wuqing’s right. Shu Anshi’s Tian Yunzi’s disciple – projection failure’s impossible. He waits for pill-break rebirth. You underestimated him. Second match? Cang Ye’s your disciple."

Cheng Yuweng’s face paled. "Cang Ye fought Yin Suxin from Demon Suppression Peak. He dominated, making her vomit blood! But Tian Yunzi forced us to call it draw when she suggested it!"

Hua Changchun turned to Tian Yunzi. "Truth?"

Tian Yunzi sneered. "He forgot mentioning Yin Suxin held advantage when proposing draw. Cang Ye agreed, then attacked when she dropped guard – injuring body and soul. Correct, Vice Sect Leader?"

Cheng Yuweng inhaled deeply. "No official referee’s call means nothing’s decided! Cang Ye’s ‘agreement’ was tactical! Cultivation’s bloody path – no schemes means no survival!"

Tian Yunzi and Ye Yun exchanged shocked glances at such shamelessness.

Hua Changchun chuckled. "Normally mutual draw agreements stand. But Vice Sect Leader’s right – cultivation world runs on schemes. Not Cang Ye’s fault."

Overjoyed, Cheng Yuweng bowed. "Wise Sect Leader!"

Tian Yunzi scowled. "Old Hua shields them? I misjudged you."

Hua Changchun waved. "True shielding would blame you entirely. Remember why Misty Sect and Divine Grace Palace feud. If all disciples were like Yin Suxin, how find true talents?"

Tian Yunzi’s stern face suddenly nodded solemnly, confusing others.

"Third match? Tian Yunzi’s inner disciple participated. Young Ye Yun’s cultivation level?" Hua Changchun smiled at Ye Yun.

Cheng Yuweng glared. "Jun Ruolan fought Ye Yun. When he faltered, she suddenly declared draw, left for Moon Goddess Palace after giving jade tablet with disciple info!"

Hua Changchun smiled. "Young Ye Yun?"

Ye Yun nodded calmly. "Senior Sister Jun declared draw and gave Moon Goddess Palace’s location."

"See, Sect Leader?" Cheng Yuweng pressed.

Hua Changchun shrugged. "Jun Ruolan’s willful nature ignores even my orders. Her sudden departure fits. Her draw stands."

Cheng Yuweng nearly grinned. Murong surrendered, Cang’s win became draw, Jun quit while winning – nothing tied to him anymore.

"Old Hua, are you done with the questions? When do we get to talk properly?" Tian Yunzi asked.

"Nearly. Since this doesn’t concern Vice Sect Leader Cheng much, we’ll drop it. But as team leader, he still disgraced Misty Sect. He’ll enter closed-door cultivation for a year with no training resources – that’s his punishment," Hua Changchun said flatly.

Cheng Yuweng’s heart leaped with joy, though his face showed shame. "This punishment is too lenient, Sect Leader. Our sect’s honor matters most! I beg for harsher discipline!"

Hua Changchun’s eyebrow twitched. Cold flashed in his eyes as someone suddenly knelt, forehead pressed to floor tiles.

"Cang Ye pays respects to Sect Leader!"

All turned to see Cheng Yuweng’s disciple prostrating himself. Cheng Yuweng stared, baffled by his pupil’s sudden move.

"Speak," Hua Changchun commanded.

Cang Ye kept his face to the ground. "I agreed to the draw. But after we declared it, Master secretly ordered me to attack while Yin Suxin’s guard was down. Said the match wasn’t officially over yet."

"Lies!" Cheng Yuweng sprang up, face purple. "You snake! How dare you-"

Hua Changchun flicked his sleeve. Light shimmered, pinning Cheng Yuweng in place.

"Vice Sect Leader?"

"Absolute lies!" Cheng Yuweng dropped to his knees. "Would I risk Misty Sect’s reputation? My standing in Great Qin Empire?"

"You always grab credit and shift blame," Hua Changchun said icily. "But this goes too far."

Tian Yunzi exchanged looks with Ye Yun. "Odd, isn’t it? A mere Golden Core junior daring to attack after truce… unless instructed."

Ye Yun nodded. "They’ve been master and disciple since childhood. Deep bonds."

"Outsiders hold your tongues!" Cheng Yuweng spat. "Sect Leader sees truth clearly!"

"Old Hua better see clearly," Tian Yunzi chuckled. "Else he should quit leading sects and become my traveling companion!"

Misty Sect higher-ups murmured. Everyone knew Cheng Yuweng’s character. Why would Cang Ye betray his lifelong master? It made no sense.

Hua Changchun’s jaw tightened. He knew Cheng Yuweng might be innocent. But sect reputation came first.

"Cheng Yuweng. Your greed for that Martial Vault technique drove you mad."

"Sect Leader, I’m loyal!" Cheng Yuweng kowtowed desperately, knowing Hua Changchun’s gentle manner hid steel.

"Enough. You’re stripped of vice leadership. No resources for ten years. Wall meditation decade. Begone."

Cheng Yuweng collapsed like emptied sack.

Ye Yun watched, then snorted softly.