Chapter 785

Chapter 785: Audience with the Sect Leader

"Tenth Level of Earth Immortal realm…" Ye Yun murmured the name Mu Zhi several times, committing it to memory. Those who reached the Tenth Level of Earth Immortal realm were all extraordinary geniuses from major sects. For him to break through, he must have accumulated vast resources to make this leap.

"But it’s truly strange. Elder Mu Zhi had been stuck at the Eighth Level Earth Immortal realm long before Ling’er’s time. Why did he suddenly break through to the Tenth Level in mere days? Did that old man gain sudden enlightenment?" Shui Lingling updated Ye Yun on recent events. Hearing Mu Zhi’s rapid advancement, Ye Yun furrowed his brow in contemplation.

"While I’d like to believe in sudden enlightenment, such chances are exceedingly rare. Even accumulated foundation leading to breakthrough remains improbable."

"Not impossible, but the odds remain slim as you say." Though surprised, the Ancestor maintained composure. Everyone’s opportunities differed – crossing two Earth Immortal levels represented fundamental transformation.

"Could this truly occur?" Ye Yun questioned.

"We’ll see for ourselves. The Ancestor has visited Immortal Dao Sect before – no harm in looking." The Ancestor showed more interest than doubt, eager to witness Tenth Level Earth Immortal experts firsthand.

"Stop dawdling! Those old men grow impatient." Shui Lingling urged Ye Yun onward. Though needing swift resolution, she’d delayed hours rather than interrupt his closed-door cultivation on the cushion.

"Let’s meet them then – dawn breaks." Ye Yun smiled at the fading night.

He instructed Qing Li to remain hidden in Star God Hall. After reassuring the girl, he departed with Shui Yingying and Shui Lingling.

Immortal Dao Sect disciples stared curiously as they passed. Both male and female cultivators watched their proximity with bewildered expressions, as if witnessing the impossible.

"Ling’er, your authority here remains unestablished." Ye Yun chuckled at the cold-faced girl. Her stern expression melted into pouting protest: "What could I do? Pei Yunshan retained credibility until his death on Celestial-Demon battlefield. Now they suspect my involvement!"

"Surprisingly, rumors haven’t spread – likely due to your dizziness trick." Shui Lingling grinned.

"Minor techniques with unexpected effectiveness." Ye Yun could have altered memories but spared his mental energy. The Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique restored true qi and spiritual power, but not mental energy – recoverable only through meditation. Thus he’d enlisted Ancestor’s help, masking the elder’s mental force with a hand wave.

"Shouldn’t have been lazy initially. Proper acting earlier might have earned me admiration." Shui Lingling glared at hostile disciples who scattered under her gaze. Pei Yunshan’s supporters avoided confrontation, though most guessed battlefield truths behind his death and her survival. Those understanding the situation ignored past conflicts, recognizing her Third Level Earth Immortal cultivation at eighteen as unparalleled talent. Enemies became irrelevant – lions don’t explain themselves to ants.

"Your murderous intent intensifies, Ling’er." Ye Yun noted blood-tinged starlight in her eyes.

"Practicing Cleansing Technique requires murderous intent. While weaker than Killing Immortal Classic’s extreme techniques, it intimidates Fourth Level Earth Immortals." She openly admitted cultivating the art.

"Self-defense skills are good, but restrain the bloodlust. I’ll help control it when needed." Ye Yun approved without censure, having anticipated her Blood Qi inheritance cultivation from glimpsed visions through his Black Sword Ring. Comprehending its Sword Path already strained his mental energy – full mastery in Earth Immortal realm seemed doubtful.

"We’re here. Beware the central seat – dark room imprisonment awaits the unwary." Shui Lingling pushed open doors, announcing like birdsong: "Sect Leader! Grand Elder! Ling’er brings Ye Yun!"

Entering, Ye Yun staggered as thunderous roars echoed his sea of consciousness from the middle-aged man’s stern gaze. Steadying quickly, he turned to the rosy-cheeked elder whose cultivation depth dwarfed the Sect Leader’s Ninth Level Earth Immortal peak.

"So you’re Ye Yun? Escaping my Illusory Hand at Seventh Level Nascent Soul stage explains Ling’er’s constant praise." Sect Leader Shen Zhongyang’s sternness melted. "As Invited Elder, competence prevents dissent."

"Hmph! Ye Yun’s strong!" Shui Lingling protested before clinging to the elder. "Grandpa Mu Zhi! Isn’t he talented?"

"Ling’er’s recommendations always approved – else her backrubs waste." Mu Zhi chuckled. "Zhongyang, spare youngsters your Illusory Hand. Yet seeing sect elders with such methods enlightens this old man."

"Grand Elder flatters me. This must be Sect Leader Shen Zhongyang." Ye Yun clasped hands respectfully.

Shen Zhongyang appraised the youth whose internal energies rivaled Earth Immortal cultivators. Hearing of Pei Yunshan’s easy defeat initially provoked disciplinary instincts, but learning of the dead man’s schemes against his "daughters" Yingying and Ling’er kindled paternal fury. Ye Yun’s solution and Heavenly Demon containment hinted at deeper capabilities. When Shui Lingling proposed Ye Yun’s recruitment, he and Mu Zhi agreed instantly – rejecting such genius proved unthinkable.