Chapter 695

Chapter 695: The Initial Trial of the Symbol

"It’s unbelievable that something like soul power could appear here," the Ancestor of the Sword Path said, unable to hide his smile as he looked at the soul power in Ye Yun’s hand.

"This thing is said to heal injuries, but I don’t know the specifics," Ye Yun replied, shaking his head.

"Ha! Its greatest effect is reviving someone from the brink of death in mere breaths. Obtaining it here is your fortune," the Ancestor remarked, clearly pleased with their discovery.

"If it’s truly that miraculous, then this is a win." Ye Yun nodded, storing the soul power in his storage pouch. He turned to Golden Ling’er and Jin An, still hidden by the golden bell Deceptive Array, and chuckled, "Come out. Everyone’s gone—hiding serves no purpose now."

"Heehee! With you here, Ling’er isn’t worried!" Golden Ling’er materialized, eyeing the fading green glow in Ye Yun’s palm. "Elder brother, what was that thing?"

"They called it soul power—useful for healing injuries. So I took it." Ye Yun shrugged.

"If true, you’ve struck gold! That soul power could fetch hundreds of thousands of top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones!" Jin An blurted, envy creeping into his voice.

"Just spare change." Ye Yun waved dismissively.

"Where to now, elder brother?" Golden Ling’er scanned the endless greenery.

"We’ll move on. I’m curious about Medicine King Valley’s disciples they mentioned." Ye Yun glanced at the forest. Though unsure of the exact direction, he knew the valley lay within these woods—a landscape as vast as the second layer’s ocean.

"But Medicine King Valley’s a top sect. Isn’t approaching their alliance reckless?" Jin An frowned. "Their disciples aren’t pushovers. Take Yao Hongchen—skilled in alchemy and cultivation, acknowledged as their elder brother."

"I’ve dealt with them before. In close combat, they’re weak." Ye Yun recalled battling Yao Feng. Without the Suppressing Fire Pearl’s last-minute failure, Yao Feng’s defensive Immortal artifact would’ve stifled Ye Yun’s cultivation. Luckily, Yao Feng had been poisoned by his own pearl, allowing Ye Yun to slay him—though not without suffering lingering fire poison.

Ye Yun felt no remorse. Yao Feng had planned to enslave volcano-side Nascent Soul cultivators as puppets. Self-preservation demanded action when Yao Feng targeted him too.

"Enough chatter. This Deceptive Array’s troublesome—we’ll scout from above." Ye Yun ascended on true qi. When Jin An and Golden Ling’er joined him moments later, the girl groaned at the monotonous green expanse.

"Bored already? You’ll suffer later," Ye Yun teased. "Endure it. This forest spans the entire third layer. Lose patience now, and you’ll go mad within days."

"Fine. But if you’re visiting Medicine King Valley’s alliance, why not announce you have soul power? Let them come to us!" Golden Ling’er suggested.

Ye Yun blinked, then burst into laughter. "Did I say something wrong?" she mumbled.

"Genius! I hadn’t considered that." As Golden Ling’er brightened, Ye Yun unleashed the soul power’s vitality, flooding the area with spiritual energy.

"Let’s see who dares demand things from Ye Yun." Dropping his aura concealment, he revealed his seventh-level Golden Core stage cultivation. Nascent Soul cultivators swarmed in, drawn like moths.

"Heh! Thought some lucky dog found soul power. Just a Golden Core brat? My luck holds!" A Nascent Soul cultivator, Wan Sha, surged his true qi and lunged for the prize.

"Wan Sha! Stealing from juniors? Shameful!" Another voice boomed. A green sword arc intercepted Wan Sha—wood spirit power blazing from a long-haired man.

"You!" Wan Sha dodged, scowling. In this wood-rich terrain, the long-haired man held the advantage.

"Expected this." The newcomer smirked at Wan Sha’s retreat, then turned to Ye Yun. "Hand over the soul power, junior. Save yourself trouble."

"But if you take it, they’ll swarm you too." Ye Yun feigned concern. "I’d hate to see you endangered for my sake."

"Enough! I’ll handle it. Just give it here!" the man snapped.

"Don’t trust him, kid!" Wan Sha snarled. "He’ll cripple you after!"

"Why not both guard me?" Ye Yun proposed. "Once I trade this at Medicine King Valley’s alliance, you’ll get your share of Immortal Spirit Stones."

Hearing Ye Yun’s serious words, Wan Sha and Qiu Xiao felt both anger and amusement. They thought this fool actually believed they’d protect him.

"Kid, I won’t waste words. Hand over the soul power now, or you’ll regret it when they come," Qiu Xiao growled, his face darkening as he saw Ye Yun wasn’t joking.

"True enough. Thirty at the Fifth Level of the Nascent Soul stage, ten at the Sixth Level, and a hundred below the Fourth Level. I’m definitely in danger," Ye Yun replied casually, nodding.

Qiu Xiao and Wan Sha paled, retreating a step.

"Is this brat hiding his power?" they wondered. If Ye Yun wasn’t lying, how could a mere Golden Core stage cultivator sense enemies they couldn’t?

"He’s bluffing to escape!" Ignoring the act, Qiu Xiao summoned murderous intent, ready to kill Ye Yun and take the soul power to Medicine King Valley alone.

"Wait—danger!" A primal fear gripped Qiu Xiao mid-strike. He channeled all his wood spirit power into a green sword arc aimed at Ye Yun, then turned to flee.

"Leaving so soon? How dull." Ye Yun’s icy voice froze them. When they glanced back, terror seized them—a heavenly sword materialized before their eyes.

Beneath the crushing weight of the laws of the Sword Path, even a Seventh Level Nascent Soul cultivator would’ve crumbled.

"Elder, it was just a jest! With your power, how could I dare covet your soul power?" Qiu Xiao forced a smile, knowing escape was impossible.

Wan Sha glared furiously, body locked in place by an invisible force. Straining, he barely moved his hand an inch.

"The slow realm of the reverse time array works well." Ye Yun tapped the Stagnation Stone, watching their fear. "Do you know Medicine King Valley’s location?"

Seeing the coldness in Ye Yun’s gaze, Qiu Xiao stammered, "Y-yes, Elder. But… do you truly wish to go?"

"Will they slaughter all visitors?" Ye Yun asked flatly.

"Not exactly. Yao Hongchen seeks superb heavenly materials and earthly treasures, needing soul power as a key ingredient. The reward’s tempting, but the canyon entrance’s blocked…" Qiu Xiao trailed off.

Ye Yun understood. "You think I’d fall to ambushers?"

"Never! But even lions fear wolf packs. If you insist, we’ll escort you." Qiu Xiao bowed, sensing Ye Yun’s resolve.

Wan Sha seethed silently. Why drag me into this death trap?

"Look—Wan Sha trembles with eagerness to join us!" Qiu Xiao chuckled at his companion’s shaking form.

"Your loyalty touches me. Come along." Ye Yun shrugged. If trouble arose, he’d simply retrieve Golden Ling’er and Jin An from the Deceptive Array and leave.

As Ye Yun turned to depart, a figure lunged from the shadows.

"Soul power—stay!" roared a Fifth Level Nascent Soul cultivator brandishing a dagger-shaped top-quality Immortal artifact.

"Qiu Xiao. Wan Sha. Deal with him." Ye Yun’s order left no room for refusal. Better they test the waters than reveal his strength.

"Fool!" The two sneered, unleashing spiritual power against the attacker.

"Nascent Soul cultivators serving a Golden Core brat? Pathetic!" The old man laughed, parrying their blows. Though outnumbered, his higher cultivation meant he’d wear them down eventually.

"Who’s the fool?!" they shouted, driving their Immortal artifacts harder. Yet the stalemate persisted.

"Too slow." Ye Yun flicked his fingers, a crimson symbol glowing. True qi surged, an invisible fist crushing the old man instantly. Blood rained onto the giant tree below.

"Speed up next time. We’re wasting daylight." Ye Yun glanced at the trembling duo. "Lead on. I’ve questions for Medicine King Valley about the Xumi Treasure’s third layer."