Chapter 403: The Three Desolates Showdown

Chapter 403: The Three Desolates Showdown

Qin Yun only knew that Murong Daren's spirit beast was a beast type, but he didn’t know the specifics and had always been curious.

Murong Daren took out a knife and started carefully slicing through the large blue stone.

The crowd watched in silence.

Hong Yan, standing next to Murong Daren, was sweating profusely, his mouth agape and eyes wide open, staring at the stone, tense with anticipation.

The blue stone was half a person’s height, and Murong Daren was about to cut into the center, but there was still no sign of Life Trace Crystal Jade!

This meant that even if there was Life Trace Crystal Jade, it would be very small.

Hong Yan was on the verge of despair.

"Found it!" Murong Daren suddenly exclaimed.

Sure enough, everyone saw a white Life Trace Crystal Jade in the center of the stone.

Murong Daren struggled to extract the Life Trace Crystal Jade, which was only the size of an apple and very light, suggesting it held minimal energy.

"A fourth-tier Life Trace Crystal Jade, about one pound!" Murong Daren didn’t dare to look at Hong Yan.

Hong Yan’s mouth twitched, and he grabbed Murong Daren by the collar, yelling, "Murong Duck, didn’t you say there was a fifth-tier crystal jade inside? And at least eight pounds!"

"I spent two million purple spirit coins on this stone, and there’s only one pound of fourth-tier crystal jade inside, which can only sell for four hundred thousand purple spirit coins!"

Hong Yan had taken a massive hit, much to everyone’s amusement.

"At least you can sell this crystal jade for four hundred thousand purple spirit coins, so you haven’t lost everything!" Murong Daren shrugged nonchalantly: "That’s how gambling on stones is, I can’t guarantee I’ll guess right every time!"

Hong Yan muttered a curse: "You bastard, you’re driving me crazy!"

After saying that, he pushed his way through the crowd and walked out of the hall.

Murong Daren trailed after him, shouting, "Red-eyed Chicken, wait for me! You promised me a meal!"

"I lost so much, I’ll treat you to hell!" Hong Yan, fuming, quickly walked out of the Runes Hall.

Qin Yun caught up with them outside and chuckled, "Well, I’ll treat you to a drink!"

Murong Daren and Hong Yan were both very familiar with Qin Yun’s voice. They had been arguing but now quickly turned around to look behind them.

"Brother Yun!" Murong Daren cried out happily.

Hong Yan grinned in surprise, "You’re here too!"

Qin Yun smiled, "I didn’t expect you two to know each other. Let’s go, I’ll treat you to a drink!"

They all knew that Qin Yun was a Runes Master and had perks in the Runes Hall, so they didn’t hesitate to take him to the fanciest restaurant.

The restaurant was also in the thousand-meter-high Runes Tower, on the hundredth floor.

"You really didn’t hold back!" Qin Yun, in their private booth, glanced at the menu prices and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. The dishes were all priced at four to five thousand purple spirit coins.

Murong Daren and Hong Yan didn’t hold back at all, ordering more than twenty dishes and drinks, digging in with gusto.

"Seventh Prince, what made you join the Feral Beast Sect? Do you have a beast spirit beast?" Qin Yun asked curiously.

"My Dragon Flame Martial Soul is somewhat related to dragons, so I went there. My father has a good relationship with the Fierce Beast Profound Sect, so my life there is quite comfortable," said Hong Yan.

Murong Daren curled his lips and said, "You're just coasting on your dad's coattails. If it weren't for your father, you'd definitely have a hard time in the Fierce Beast Profound Sect!"

"Is Huo Lao San not here?" asked Qin Yun.

"He's always out there training, battling Demon Beasts and the like!" said Murong Daren. "I can't keep up with his pace!"

Hong Yan said, "Huo Zhong is indeed very hardworking. Although his strength isn't high, he's definitely the most diligent one! As for you, Murong Daren, you're just a lazy bum, always seeming to be idling around!"

"At least I reached the Martial King realm before thirty. Is that what you consider idling?" Murong Daren retorted, pointing his chopsticks at Hong Yan.

Seeing that they were about to argue, Qin Yun quickly intervened, "Has Princess Mengshu arrived yet? Is her injury alright?"

Hong Yan said, "She's definitely coming! She's coming with my father, probably still on the way! The sect leaders and elders from various major sects, as well as the Martial Kings from Hongwu Country, might all gather here."

Qin Yun was somewhat surprised, "Is the event in the Runic King City that important?"

"You have no idea how significant this is!" said Hong Yan. "Especially the third-level Martial King realm competition, it's particularly important!"

"At that time, our Northern Province will crown the strongest third-level Martial King realm warrior."

"I've also heard that the winner will represent the Northern Province and compete against warriors from the other three provinces, right?" said Qin Yun.

Hong Yan burped and said, "It's not just our Wuhuang Four Provinces in the competition! Our Wuhuang Four Provinces will be competing against the guys from the Demon Wilds and the Monster Wasteland. It's said that the ultimate winner will be able to enter that Ancient Garden!"

Qin Yun, who had just picked up a piece of meat, was stunned upon hearing this.

"Ancient Garden? Can anyone enter?" he asked curiously.

Hong Yan said, "My father mentioned that the Martial King realm experts will collaborate to open the Ancient Garden's gate. As long as you hold the Ancient Garden Token, you can enter."

"By the way, those who've condensed the fourth life mark can't enter. As for why, I'm not sure! Moreover, when they open the gate of the Ancient Garden, only one person can enter!"

"The Ancient Garden is very mysterious and can only be opened once every thousand years!"

Murong Daren asked, "How can one obtain the Ancient Garden Token? Can you come out after entering?"

Hong Yan said, "I heard you can exit after one year, and after coming out, you can't talk about what happened inside. It has to remain a secret! As for the Ancient Garden Token, only a few forces possess it. Our Hongwu Country doesn't have one... but those king-level sects do."

"So, if the ultimate winner isn't from a king-level sect, then they must join a king-level sect to obtain the token provided by them. Otherwise, the opportunity will be wasted!"

Murong Daren curled his lips and said, "Brother Yun, if you win first place, you might need to join a king-level sect! You're currently a disciple of the Nine Extremes Profound Sect, so you probably wouldn't join another sect, right?"

"Let's talk about it when I actually get first place! I'm only at the second level of the Martial King realm, and my opponents are definitely outstanding disciples from king-level sects! The experts from the Demon Wilds and the Monster Wasteland are also very strong. Whether I'll win or not, I'm not sure yet!" Qin Yun smiled.

Hong Yan said, "It's also possible that you don't need to be first! I remember my father saying that sometimes, when the gate of the Ancient Garden is opened, a message will be transmitted from inside, allowing more people to enter. There was once a time when five or six people entered."

Murong Daren laughed, "Brother Yun, even though you're only at the second level of the Martial King realm, your dual Dao Pills make you quite formidable! You should have some confidence in yourself!"

"That's right! In a one-on-one fight, even a third-level Martial King warrior might not be your match!" Hong Yan also felt that Qin Yun had a chance to achieve a high ranking.

"Murong Laoer, what's your Martial Soul exactly?" asked Qin Yun, wanting Xiao Yuemei to take a look at Murong Daren's Martial Soul.

Hong Yan laughed heartily, "Qin Yun, you've known Murong Daren for so long, and you still don't know his Martial Soul? Let me tell you, his Martial Soul is Purple Gold level, but it's just a duck!"

Murong Daren glared fiercely at Hong Yan, "Red-eyed Chicken, don't belittle my Martial Soul. It's a very strong Beast Martial Soul!"

Qin Yun finally understood why Murong Daren always hid his Martial Soul—he was afraid of being ridiculed.

"Murong Laoer, your duck spirit must have some special features too, right?" Qin Yun laughed.

"My duck spirit can fly, just not very fast, but it makes me very agile, still quite powerful!" Murong Daren said proudly.

"Quit showing off, I know your limits," Hong Yan chuckled.

Qin Yun said, "I live in the East District, how about you guys? Want to come over for a visit?"

"Absolutely! Let’s head over once we’re done eating!" Hong Yan quickly responded, "Qin Yun, you actually live in the East District, that’s awesome!"

Murong Daren and Hong Yan also ate faster.

After finishing, Qin Yun went to pay the bill. As an advanced Runes Master, he got a 50% discount.

...

In the East District of the Runes Estate, Qin Yun led Murong Daren and Hong Yan along a small path.

Hong Yan and Murong Daren were in awe of the beautiful little houses.

Hong Yan, being the Seventh Prince, could only live in the East District with his father’s permission.

Murong Daren and Hong Yan entered Qin Yun’s small building and saw a stunning woman in a flowing white dress sitting in the hall, eating fruit and reading a book.

Hong Yan saw Xiao Yuemei and let out a yelp like he’d seen a ghost.

"Red-eyed Rooster, haven’t you seen a woman before?" Murong Daren recognized Xiao Yuemei and knew about her close relationship with Qin Yun.

"Murong Duck, you have no idea how scary she is!" Hong Yan had originally planned to stay in this small building for a few days, but seeing Xiao Yuemei, he ditched that plan.

Qin Yun couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Yuemei, the Seventh Prince and Murong Laoer have pretty strong spirits, so I brought them here!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuemei smiled and pulled out her mirror, approaching.

"What are you going to do?" Hong Yan instantly felt threatened.

"Don’t worry, just play along..." Xiao Yuemei said in a threatening tone, making Hong Yan comply.

Soon, Xiao Yuemei had captured Hong Yan’s Dragon Flame spirit and Murong Daren’s spirit.

"Murong Duck, your spirit is one of a kind!" Xiao Yuemei giggled.

"Of course, my spirit is one of a kind!" Murong Daren said proudly, "If I get serious, even Red-eyed Rooster’s Dragon Flame spirit might not stand a chance against me!"

Qin Yun asked, "When’s the competition starting?"

"Probably in a few days! Head over to the Runes Hall to sign up now! I have things to do, so I’ll leave first!" Hong Yan, uncomfortable under Xiao Yuemei’s piercing stare, quickly ran out after speaking.

Murong Daren, also aware of Xiao Yuemei’s fearsomeness, quickly left with Hong Yan.

"Why are those two running off so quickly?" Xiao Yuemei pouted, "I was planning to play a little game with them!"

Not long after they left, a commotion broke out outside.

Qin Yun and Xiao Yuemei went to the second floor of the small building and looked outside to see a large group of people walking and chatting on the road.

"Brother, those are people from the Qingtian King Sect and the Tyrant King Sect!" Xiao Yuemei whispered, "They must be leaders bringing their disciples in, those disciples will be your toughest rivals!"