Chapter 0175: Return to Imperial City

Chapter 0175: Return to Imperial City

After several days of travel, Qin Yun headed straight to the Imperial City of the Tian Qin Empire!

The Tian Qin Empire was the closest empire to the Blue Spirit Star Palace. The Tian Qin Imperial Palace had a good relationship with the Southern Palace of the Blue Spirit Star Palace, and Crown Prince Qin Zhengfeng was also in the Southern Palace, cared for by Xiao Yanglong of the Western Palace.

Therefore, at the engagement ceremony of Qin Zhengfeng and Xiao Yuelan, representatives from all four halls of the Blue Spirit Star Palace would attend. The usually inactive Eastern Palace would also attend, mainly because Xiao Yuelan was a disciple of the Eastern Palace.

The main gates of the Imperial City, two towering iron doors over ten meters high, opened wide. The city was fully accessible now; in the past, only a smaller gate of over ten meters was opened, and entry and exit required guards' interrogation, and sometimes even an entry fee was collected. But now, all of that was unnecessary, allowing for unimpeded entry and exit.

Qin Yun, still a few hundred meters away from the Imperial City, gazed at the people entering and leaving with bright and deep eyes.

Many people passed by him, only glancing at him casually.

Now, Qin Yun was taller and stronger than before. Days of exposure on Yinxing Peak had darkened his skin, making him look ruggedly handsome and strong. After numerous life-and-death battles, his once handsome face had gained some edges, making him appear more mature and steady.

Gazing at the city gate, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions stirred in his heart.

At sixteen years old, he was now considered an adult and a seventh-tier martial body warrior.

He had finally reversed his fate and returned to the Tian Qin Empire stronger than ever.

"Empress Ye, I will definitely attend your son's engagement ceremony!" Qin Yun clenched his fist and strode toward the city gate.

Dressed in a gray robe and wearing a bamboo hat, his unkempt appearance did not reveal his age. His determined eyes and mature steadiness made it hard to believe he was just sixteen. Only those very familiar with him could immediately recognize him.

Entering the gate, Qin Yun found the city still familiar, though the atmosphere felt different. It was busier than before, but there seemed to be an underlying tension.

By inquiring on the streets, he learned of the significant events that had occurred over the past few months.

Especially concerning Xiao Yuemei, who had become a murderous demon!

Nearly a hundred people, including disciples of the Blue Spirit Western Palace and aristocratic young masters of the Tian Xiao Empire, had been killed by her. Several small aristocratic families had even been wiped out. These families were closely associated with Xiao Yanglong.

Moreover, Xiao Yuemei had successfully killed over a dozen eighth-tier martial body elders, a grievous loss for the Tian Xiao Empire.

The Heavenly Profound Martial Academy had not been spared either, with students frequently getting injured every few days.

For months, the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy, the Tian Xiao Empire, and the Blue Spirit Western Palace had been living in fear of Xiao Yuemei.

However, just a few days ago, astonishing news broke out!

Xiao Yuemei had been captured by the Tian Xiao Empire and was being brought to the Imperial City of the Tian Qin Empire, with an undisclosed fate awaiting her.

"Yuemei has been captured and brought to the Tian Qin Imperial City!" Qin Yun's expression turned grave upon hearing this news.

The fact that Xiao Yuemei had been captured and brought to the Tian Qin Imperial City clearly indicated ulterior motives. It was highly likely an attempt to pressure her sister, Xiao Yuelan, into cooperating during the engagement ceremony.

Although Xiao Yuelan appeared cold and emotionless, she deeply cared for her sister. With her sister having killed so many people and facing a possible death sentence, Xiao Yuelan might comply with the Tian Xiao Empire and marry obediently, ensuring her sister's survival.

"I must rescue Yuemei!" Qin Yun immediately decided, resolving to save Xiao Yuemei at any cost.

The people Xiao Yuemei had killed were either treacherous old ministers of the Tian Xiao Empire or disciples and students of the Blue Spirit Star Palace and the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy who had committed evil deeds. Many cheered after she killed those people.

Moreover, she had been avenging Qin Yun by killing them!

Qin Yun also learned that Xiao Yuelan and Qin Zhengfeng's engagement ceremony was scheduled to take place in about twenty days.

In the coming days, royal nobles from various countries and teachers and students from major martial academies would arrive at the Tian Qin Imperial Palace.

Additionally, there was even more shocking news: Xiao Yuelan's martial soul had been revealed to the public, a Purple Gold Fire Dragon Martial Soul, a legendary-level martial soul!

This news stunned Qin Yun more than most others. He knew that aside from the Purple Gold Fire Dragon Martial Soul, Xiao Yuelan also possessed a spiritual martial soul.

However, her sister Xiao Yuemei had mentioned that she could not replicate her sister's powerful martial soul with her Mirror Martial Soul.

The Purple Gold Fire Dragon Martial Soul was of the Purple Gold level, which Xiao Yuemei's Mirror could replicate, storing it within her Mirror Martial Soul. She had also replicated Xiao Yuelan's spiritual martial soul.

This meant that Xiao Yuelan had a third martial soul, one so powerful that even her sister's Mirror Martial Soul could not replicate it.

"The Dragon Martial Soul belongs to the beast soul category, and the dragon is a heavenly beast, so this should also be considered a heavenly gifted martial soul. Xiao Yuelan possesses a Purple Gold-level heavenly gifted martial soul, a spiritual martial soul, and a mysterious black martial soul... Could it be that she obtained such a fortune because of the Burial Immortal Diagram?"

Thinking of himself, Qin Yun's own Nine Suns Divine Soul came from the Burial Immortal Diagram, granting him terrifying martial souls.

"Meilian's martial soul must also be extraordinary. I hope she can keep it well hidden."

Leaving the teahouse, Qin Yun saw two large men entering. One of them said, "That one-armed swordsman is truly terrifying; he actually defeated an eighth-tier monstrous beast!"

"Of course, he's a seventh-tier sword cultivator with a powerful natal sword!"

"Such a monstrous beast, he actually sold it. He could've kept it for himself!"

Overhearing their conversation, Qin Yun hurriedly asked, "Brothers, is this one-armed swordsman in this imperial city?"

"Yes, he's selling that eighth-tier monstrous beast at the Runes Hall!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yun thanked them and quickly headed west of the imperial city toward Runes Villa.

Qin Yun was not surprised that Xie Wufeng had reached the seventh tier of the martial body realm.

Back in the Three Martial Academy, Xie Wufeng had been at the peak of the sixth tier. After entering the Star Profound Martial Academy and receiving significant training from Hou Xingfeng, it was only natural for him to break through quickly.

Qin Yun was very familiar with the Runes Hall in the imperial city. On his way there, he saw many people talking about Xie Wufeng's feat of killing the eighth-tier monstrous beast.

In the western part of the imperial city, the usually quiet Runes Villa had become much livelier recently. Normally, when the Runes Hall did not hold any grand events, the entire villa was silent.

As Qin Yun arrived at the Runes Hall, he saw Duan Qian, who was just about to leave.

He immediately sent a voice transmission, calling out, "Uncle Duan!"

Duan Qian was startled, and he abruptly turned his head toward the door. There stood a tall teenager wearing a bamboo hat and a gray robe, with a smile on his face.

It was Qin Yun!

Duan Qian was momentarily stunned. Although Qin Yun had changed a lot, the determination between his brows had not changed one bit.

When the forbidden ground of Tian Qi was destroyed, everyone thought Qin Yun had died for good, and Duan Qian believed so too. He had been sad for a while.

In Duan Qian's astonishment, Qin Yun had already walked up to him.

Duan Qian grabbed Qin Yun's hand, and feeling the warm blood energy, he confirmed that this was a living person. He lowered his voice and said, "Let's talk inside!"

He led Qin Yun into a secret room.

"Uncle Duan, I'm still alive!" Qin Yun took off his bamboo hat and, with a mischievous grin, stuck out his tongue and said with a smile.

When he entered the city, he had heard people mentioning him with great regret.

"Your life is really hard, kid!" Duan Qian pinched Qin Yun's arm and laughed heartily. "You're taller and stronger than before!"

It was he who had sent Qin Yun to the Three Martial Academy, and he hadn't expected so many things to happen after that.

"Uncle Duan, did Brother Xie come looking for you?" Qin Yun asked.

Duan Qian put away his smile and said seriously, "Yes! Xie Wufeng, Murong, and Huo Zhong all came. They sold me the corpses of vicious beasts in exchange for crystal coins, trying to rescue Yue Mei. They are truly your good friends!"

Qin Yun hurriedly said, "Uncle Duan, Yue Mei must be heavily guarded. Please help me rescue her. I will repay you in the future!"

Duan Qian smiled and said, "Since you're calling me Uncle Duan, how can I not help you? Don't mention repayment. I'm just very happy that you're still alive!"

"I had agreed to meet Xie Wufeng and the others here. If there are no accidents, by nightfall, the people I sent out to investigate should return, and we'll know the detailed situation of Yue Mei's captivity."

Relieved to know that Xie Wufeng and the others were helping, Qin Yun felt much less pressure than if he had to act alone.

Duan Qian said, "Qin Yun, among the people guarding Yue Lan, there will definitely be those at the Martial Dao realm. With your current strength, you absolutely cannot compete. And by then, due to my status, I won't be able to intervene. But I will provide you with clues to help you devise a comprehensive plan."

"Yes, I understand! Right now, the Imperial City is swarming with various factions. If there's a big commotion, it will definitely attract many strong individuals. We can only infiltrate." Qin Yun nodded, aware of the difficulty.

Duan Qian smiled and said, "With your rune talent, using spirit symbols or runes will make things much easier for you. Since you can also break formations, you don't need to worry too much. The rune powers of the various factions are not as formidable as you might imagine!"

"By the way, how did you survive?"

Qin Yun had entered the forbidden ground of Tian Qi but now he was alive.

If Duan Qian hadn't seen Qin Yun alive with his own eyes, he would never have believed it, as surviving in such circumstances was impossible.

Qin Yun lowered his voice and said, "It was just luck, Uncle Duan. Please keep my survival a secret!"

"I will keep it a secret! But you need to be prepared to face the challenges from various factions. They will definitely associate you with the Soul-Refining Demon." Duan Qian had some understanding of this history, as relevant records were kept in the Runes Hall.

Qin Yun nodded and said, "I will handle it."

Duan Qian let Qin Yun rest first and promised to notify him when Xie Wufeng and the others arrived.

Staying in the Runes Hall was safe, and there was no fear of leaking any information.

Qin Yun settled into his familiar suite, and sitting in the living room, he couldn't help but think of the time when Yang Shiyue had guided him in practicing the Forging Dragon Six Forms here.

As he thought about it, he closed his eyes and dozed off for a bit...

When it was dark, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

When Qin Yun opened the door, he saw an old man who brought a message from Duan Qian, asking him to go to the previous secret room.