Chapter 0404: Soul Devouring Spirit Snake

Chapter 0404: Soul Devouring Spirit Snake

Qin Yun had previously heard from Hong Yan that the king-level sects would bring their outstanding disciples to compete in the martial competition for a chance to enter the Ancient Arboretum.

As for what benefits the Ancient Arboretum offered, Qin Yun was still unaware.

Since major forces were so focused on this martial competition, it was clear they were all aiming for the Ancient Arboretum.

"The three king-level sects in the Northern Region are the Fire King Sect, the Qingtian King Sect, and the Tyrant King Sect! All have ties to the Totem Pavilion. Especially the Fire King Sect, which likely has the deepest connection!" Xiao Yuemei said.

Seeing the group, Qin Yun clenched his fists and said in a low voice, "These bullies are why Hong Lan is like this now! I won’t let them off!"

"The Totem Pavilion probably only controls the Northern Region, as it’s closest to the Jingmo Road," Xiao Yuemei, who had been wandering outside, explained.

Qin Yun whispered, "Totem Pavilion disciples might join too!"

Xiao Yuemei urged, "Brother, go register quickly! The Ancient Arboretum is full of treasures. If their disciples spend a year there and find something valuable, it could make them even stronger!"

Qin Yun nodded, then rushed out of the small building toward the tall tower.

Entering the first floor, he saw many people waiting to register.

In the hall, he spotted Hong Mengshu chatting with several young people in luxurious attire, both men and women. They seemed to be from king-level sects or were children of Martial Kings from other countries.

Though a princess, Hong Mengshu dressed simply. She wore an elegant, plain white dress, her long twin tails reaching her waist. Her lovely face wore a proud smile.

She stood arms crossed, laughing and chatting with the group, showing they were on good terms.

Qin Yun stayed back, unnoticed by Hong Mengshu.

The place was packed with elites, so he kept a low profile.

He went into a room to sign up.

To register, you needed a jade token from a Northern Wasteland sect.

Qin Yun presented the jade token of the Nine Absolute Profound Gate, surprising the elder handling the registration.

"Are you Qin Yun?" the elder asked with a smile after his initial surprise.

"Yes!" Qin Yun nodded, smiling. He had entered wearing a hood, so no one recognized him.

"You’ve got tough competition this time! Among them are disciples from the Totem Pavilion, who are dual-pill cultivators. It’s said they also have powerful totems!" the elder whispered.

"How many disciples are from the Totem Pavilion?" Qin Yun asked, surprised.

"One!" the elder replied. "Be careful when you face them!"

The elder made a jade token, handed it to Qin Yun, and told him to drip blood on it. Then he added, "The king-level sect disciples will likely have totems too!"

"They’re truly impressive, all having totems!" Qin Yun exclaimed.

"The Totem Pavilion gave them!" the elder explained. "The Totem Pavilion’s Runes Masters carve totem patterns onto people, giving them powerful totems. But not everyone can get a totem!"

Qin Yun nodded. "Thanks for the heads-up, senior. I’ll be careful!"

"No worries!" the elder smiled. "Just stay sharp!"

Qin Yun left the room and hurriedly exited the hall, but Hong Mengshu was gone.

...

In the evening, Qin Yun returned to the small building in the eastern district. He also noticed several formidable auras in the eastern district!

As he entered the hall, he saw Wei Zhongzheng sitting on a chair, resting with his eyes closed.

"Master!" Qin Yun exclaimed in surprise, "You’re back already!"

Wei Zhongzheng had only been away for a few days!

"I rushed to Sword Profound Mountain!" Wei Zhongzheng smiled upon seeing Qin Yun, "Did you sign up?"

Qin Yun nodded and quickly asked, "Master, what’s the status at Sword Profound Mountain?"

"Hmph, I completely leveled the mountain. Sword Profound Mountain is no more in the Northern Province!" Wei Zhongzheng stroked his long beard and snorted coldly, "Next up are Totem Pavilion and those royal sects!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yun’s heart was in turmoil!

Wei Zhongzheng had truly leveled Sword Profound Mountain, and in such a short time!

Hiding his shock, Qin Yun sat down and said, "Master, Hong Lan’s martial spirit has returned, but we still need the Linglong Mystic Fruit! However, the Linglong Mystic Fruit is incredibly rare!"

"Hong Lan’s poison can’t wait much longer, or it will spread throughout her body!" Wei Zhongzheng’s expression was grave, "I’ll bring her into our Nine Extremes Profound Sect so I can periodically help suppress the poison for her!"

Qin Yun frowned, "Master, how long will this keep her going?"

"At most two years! That poison originates from an ancient demonic spider, and only the Linglong Mystic Fruit can completely cleanse it!" Wei Zhongzheng said, "You should know that this martial arts tournament in Rune King City is aimed at the Ancient Garden, right?"

"Master, are you suggesting the Linglong Mystic Fruit is in the Ancient Garden?" Qin Yun’s heart stirred, and he quickly asked.

"Definitely! The ancient demon spider is a venomous beast from the Ancient Garden! However, to enter the Ancient Garden, you need a garden pass!" Wei Zhongzheng sighed helplessly, "Even if you qualify to enter, without a pass from a royal sect, you still can’t get in!"

Qin Yun quickly took out a thin golden token and handed it to Wei Zhongzheng, saying, "Master, check this out!"

"It’s an Ancient Garden Pass!" Wei Zhongzheng stood up abruptly from his chair, looking at Qin Yun in astonishment, "Xiao Yun, how did you get this?"

"It was left to me by an elder!" Qin Yun didn’t elaborate.

"Only royal sects possess these, and there are only about twenty in existence!" Wei Zhongzheng examined it carefully before returning the pass to Qin Yun.

Qin Yun said, "Now it’s just about whether I can qualify!"

"It’s indeed not easy, especially since those guys all wield totemic powers! But don’t stress yourself out too much. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll find another way!" Wei Zhongzheng patted Qin Yun’s shoulder and said, "I’m going to rest!"

By now, it was dark, and Xiao Yuemei had already gone to her room to sleep.

Qin Yun remained in the hall, still thinking about the Ancient Garden.

...

Late at night, just as Qin Yun was about to return to his room, he saw Wei Zhongzheng suddenly emerge from his room.

"Someone is approaching!" Wei Zhongzheng quickly sent a voice transmission to Qin Yun, signaling him to stay silent and hide.

Qin Yun and Wei Zhongzheng quickly hid beside the tables and chairs in the hall.

In the silent hall, the faint sound of footsteps and a strange, subtle aura suddenly filled the air.

Suddenly, something pierced through the closed door.

It was a black-clad elder, with a small black snake coiled around his arm.

Qin Yun was stunned, never expecting the black-clad elder to pass through the door without damaging it—a truly miraculous ability.

What shocked him most was that the small snake on the elder's arm was the Soul Devouring Spirit Snake Mo Mo had spoken of!

The dim light in the hall let Qin Yun see the elder's face clearly—gaunt and wrinkled, with green eyes that glowed coldly and eerily.

The elder exuded a deeply sinister and malevolent aura.

The moment the elder stepped into the center of the small hall, he sensed danger and tried to flee, but Wei Zhongzheng burst out and struck his abdomen with a palm strike.

Wei Zhongzheng then unleashed a fire whip, binding the black-clad elder and seizing the small black snake.

"You... you're Wei Zhongzheng!" The elder was stunned. "What are you doing here?"

Qin Yun stepped forward and said, "Sect Master, this is the one who took Hong Lan's Martial Soul. I never thought he'd show up here!"

Wei Zhongzheng examined the small snake and said, "This is a Soul Devouring Spirit Snake. It takes a millennium to hatch and another two to three thousand years to awaken its soul-devouring powers. It’s an incredibly rare spirit beast! Only a Soul Refinement Master in the Totem Pavilion can own one."

Just then, Xiao Yuemei emerged from her room. Hearing about the ambush attempt, she was thrilled.

She pulled out a few poison needles, stepped closer, and said, "Old man, give up Hong Lan's Martial Soul! Or I’ll plunge these needles into you!"

"Hong Lan's Martial Soul isn’t with me anymore! Don’t cross me. I’m the only Soul Refinement Master of the Totem Pavilion in Wuhuang. If I die... the Totem Pavilion will hunt you down!"

"Then what are you doing here?" Wei Zhongzheng said coldly.

The black-clad elder’s voice shook with fear, "My spirit snake detected some incredibly strong Martial Souls here. I couldn’t resist coming to look. I meant no harm—I just wanted to see those rare and powerful Martial Souls!"

Wei Zhongzheng gave Qin Yun a look, signaling him to start.

Qin Yun pulled out a set of banner formations and grinned, "Let me set up a soundproof barrier first!"

"You can’t kill me! The elders of the Totem Pavilion are here—they’re at the Martial King realm!"

The black-clad elder was only at the peak of the Xuan Martial realm, but he’d run into Wei Zhongzheng.

The elder knew he shouldn’t wander the eastern district recklessly, but the spirit snake’s detection of powerful Martial Souls had driven him to greed, making him unable to resist investigating.

Qin Yun’s Nether Yang Martial Soul, Shockwave Martial Soul, and Xiao Yuemei’s Mirror Martial Soul were all incredibly powerful and rare, which is why the spirit snake was so drawn to them.

"What are you going to do?" The black-clad elder, watching Qin Yun set up the soundproof formation, grew even more terrified.

Once it was set, Qin Yun approached the elder and smiled, "Senior, you’re a Soul Refinement Master, right? What a coincidence—so am I. Now, let me show you if my art of soul refinement is up to par!" "You... you're Qin Yun? Aren't you a Runes Master? How are you also a Soul Refinement Master!" The black-clad elder was so frightened that his face turned pale.