Chapter 0567: Family Power

Chapter 0567: The Clan Factions

The one-eyed elder and Chu Binyu were both astonished and overjoyed by the strength Qin Yun had displayed.

"If that's the case, then we will support you even more!" The one-eyed elder laughed heartily. "Within the Immortal Armory City, the factions are divided into two! One consists of those noble clans, while the other is made up of the Commoner faction like us!"

"You should also know that those from the clans possess strong inheritances—some have bloodlines, some have marks, or powerful physiques!"

"As for newly recruited disciples, as long as they are promising talents from their clans, the clans will shower them with resources to strengthen their influence within the sect!"

Qin Yun frowned. "Does the Sect Master of our Immortal Armory City not intervene in such matters?"

"As long as our Immortal Armory City has powerful Martial Kings and Martial Emperors, and outstanding disciples continue to emerge, the Sect Master won’t interfere in these conflicts! In truth, the situation is similar in other sects—the competition is brutal, but it also weeds out the weak."

"Now that you possess the Sky Lion bloodline and Sky Lion Mark, you can represent the young elites of our faction to face off against the young disciples of the noble clans!"

The one-eyed elder spoke with excitement.

"What about Liu Jingmeng? She’s young and a Runes Master—which faction does she belong to?" Qin Yun asked.

"She’s from the Protectorate Hall and doesn’t belong to either faction! The Protectorate Hall deals with external affairs and doesn’t participate in internal matters. It’s managed by the Sect Master and the Grand Elders!"

The one-eyed elder continued, "Liu Jingmeng’s situation is rather special. Even within the Protectorate Hall, she receives special privileges and holds a high status!"

Chu Binyu added, "I’ve also investigated Liu Jingmeng, but the Protectorate Hall is too secretive—it’s impossible to uncover anything!"

Qin Yun wasn’t surprised at all, as Liu Jingmeng possessed a celestial physique. Such transcendent talent would naturally be guided by the Sect Master and a group of formidable Elder Council members.

That Long Yuetao actually dared to think of marrying Liu Jingmeng before—he must have a death wish.

"Liu Jingmeng’s celestial physique must have been kept hidden. Such a thing is too sensational, so she must be heavily protected!" Ling Yuner said. "Even in the Celestial Realm, those born with celestial physiques receive the same treatment!"

By now, Qin Yun had gained a clearer picture of the situation in Immortal Armory City.

"When will my punishment be carried out?" Qin Yun asked.

"If you agree, we can start now," Chu Binyu said. After learning of Qin Yun’s Sky Lion bloodline, both he and the one-eyed elder were much more at ease.

"Qin Yun, don’t worry. I’ll inform a few of our Elder Council members about this. If all goes well, we might be able to secure a few Bone Spirit Profound Pills for you!" the one-eyed elder said.

Qin Yun was startled—he hadn’t expected such favorable treatment!

"Of course, this isn’t given to you for free! In the future, you must suppress the arrogance of the noble clans!" the one-eyed elder added.

"I already have blood feuds with the Long and Yang Clans, and they’re gunning for me. Given that, I’ll naturally seize any chance to suppress them in the future!" Qin Yun nodded.

Once everything was settled, Qin Yun followed the one-eyed elder and Chu Binyu out of the cottage and headed toward the southern district of the Immortal Armory Palace.

The southern district of the Immortal Armory Palace resembled a small town, filled with timeworn buildings and alleys bustling with outer disciples.

Most of the outer disciples were at the Ninth Layer of Martial Dao.

Though there were some at the Spirit Martial Realm, they were usually too old to enter the inner sect and could only serve as low-ranking overseers outside.

This vast Immortal Armory Palace could be considered a city-within-a-city.

Though it was called a "palace," it looked nothing like one.

It was said that long ago, it was known as the Immortal Armory Sect, but for reasons unknown, it was later renamed as a "palace"—there must have been other reasons behind it.

In the center of the Outer Sect grounds, there was a giant pool stretching 200-300 meters across.

This pool burned with flames where outer sect disciples tempered their weapons, enhancing their power.

The flames of the Immortal Fire Pool were fueled by immortal energy drawn through array formations, making them exceptionally unique. Weapons that emerged strengthened after being tempered within.

Additionally, the pool doubled as a training ground for outer sect disciples.

The Immortal Fire Pool was located at the center of a vast square, burning with pale golden flames.

On the open ground dozens of meters from the edge of the pool, many outer sect disciples meditated in lotus position, absorbing the released heat for cultivation purposes.

Upon arriving, Qin Yun saw numerous outer sect disciples diligently cultivating.

He subtly attuned his senses and could draw in wispy currents of blazing qi. Absorbing it into his body indeed helped fortify his body.

The Ninth Layer Martial Path was the stage of cultivating the bone spirit, requiring various stimuli to achieve breakthroughs to spirit awakening.

Many cases of such breakthroughs had occurred near the Immortal Fire Pool, so disciples would spend days here whenever they had time.

When they noticed Qin Yun’s arrival, whispers broke out among them.

"Is that Qin Yun? He’s going to be strung up at the center of the Immortal Fire Pool for seven days and nights before becoming an outer sect disciple!"

"He’s a damn troublemaker. If he wants to join our Immortal Armament City, he naturally needs a harsh lesson in obedience!"

"How is he the troublemaker? It was the Medicine Immortal Valley and Canghuo Immortal Mountain who pushed us around first! When I was outside, those sects’ disciples often bullied us!"

"Exactly. The Medicine Immortal Valley and Canghuo Immortal Mountain deserve to be taught a lesson."

"Qin Yun handed them their asses—it was well done."

"But he offended the Long and Yang families. Those clan factions are powerful within our Immortal Armament City."

"Let’s hope he can endure it."

"If our Immortal Armament City refuses to accept him as a disciple, the Medicine Immortal Valley and Canghuo Immortal Mountain will mock us for being weak!"

"Taking Qin Yun in proves our Immortal Armament City isn’t afraid of them!"

As Qin Yun walked, he overheard the disciples’ discussions and realized many outer sect disciples loathed the clan factions and despised the Medicine Immortal Valley and Canghuo Immortal Mountain all the more.

Within Immortal Armament City, they got bullied by disciples from the clan factions, and outside, they faced oppression from the Medicine Immortal Valley and Canghuo Immortal Mountain.

Qin Yun, however, had the guts to stand up to these forces, earning him plenty of backing.

At the center of the Immortal Fire Pool stood a pillar.

Qin Yun’s hands were bound as he was strung up against the scorching stone pillar, his back pressed against its searing surface.

This looked like absolute torment!

Qin Yun was suffering but had no choice but to endure.

Chu Binyu kept watch outside to prevent any interference.

"Xiao Yun, the immortal flames of this pool might be harnessed to your advantage!" Ling Yuner suddenly said.

"How?" Qin Yun shot back.

"Of course, to stabilize your current Sky Lion Mystic Body!" Ling Yuner said. "Your Sky Lion Mystic Body has just formed. If you polish it up further, the effects will surely be even better!"

"How do I polish it?" Qin Yun felt his Sky Lion Mystic Body wasn't strong enough yet.

Then, Ling Yuner took control of Qin Yun's Dark Sun Martial Spirit, carefully guiding the flames from the Celestial Flame Pool into his body to forge his Sky Lion Mystic Body.

"In the future, you'll need to fuse that Sky Lion beast soul as your Bone Spirit core. For now, forging your Sky Lion Mystic Body will make it easier to merge with the Sky Lion beast soul later!"

Qin Yun, strung up and flame-broiled, had to endure this for seven more days.

He used this time wisely to cultivate.

Under Ling Yuner's control, the Dark Sun Martial Spirit channeled the flames for body forging, working like a charm.

Though Qin Yun felt some discomfort, he could sense his Sky Lion Mystic Body getting a proper workout, strengthening his entire being.

Two days passed when suddenly a dozen or so arrogant young men arrived.

These youths, decked out in fancy robes, ran the gamut from Spirit Martial Realm to the Ninth Layer Martial Path.

At a glance, they were clearly rich kids from powerful clans.

While their families pulled strings, they couldn't just buy their way into the sect.

Entry into Immortal Soldier City required passing examinations, run by the Guardian Hall.

Thus, these seemingly arrogant family disciples did possess genuine skills.

The outer disciples cultivating here scrambled out of the way upon seeing them.

"You trash, hogging this spot all day cultivating—utterly useless and an eyesore!"

A haughty young man in blue robes, flipping his fan, sneered.

Many outer disciples were boiling mad but dared not speak up.

Chu Binyu frowned at the sight of these family disciples but kept his distance but stayed alert.

As long as they didn't attack Qin Yun, he wouldn't intervene.

"Isn't that Qin Yun? Hanging there like a dead pig—what a beautiful sight!"

"Let's see him try challenging our Dragon Family's patriarch now that his four Ancient Dao Artifacts were taken!"

"This arrogant fool has offended both the Medicine Immortal Valley and the Canghuo Immortal Mountain, making nothing but headaches for us."

"After roasting for seven days and nights, even if he doesn't turn into charred meat, he'll be laid up for years!"

The family disciples started trash-talking Qin Yun, who'd come just to mess with him.

"Are there any from the Yang or Dragon Families here?" Qin Yun suddenly asked.

"I'm from the Dragon Family!"

"And I'm from the Yang Family!"

A couple piped up right away.

The crowd was secretly astonished to see Qin Yun still looking quite spirited, considering he had been hung there and tormented by the flames for two days.

"Go back and tell your family heads that I, Qin Yun, will place a bounty on their wretched heads using the Golden Ape Totem!" Qin Yun laughed loudly. "You should know the value of the Golden Ape Totem, right?"

The crowd broke into an uproar!

That was an exceptionally fine totem pattern, its value on par with an Ancient Dao Artifact, if not slightly superior.

Everyone knew that Qin Yun had defeated Long Yuetao in their contest by carving the Golden Ape Totem.

To Qin Yun, the Golden Ape Totem was worthless—he didn't care about it in the slightest.

The disciples from the Long and Yang families immediately darkened their faces.

Because their family heads would still have to continue living in hiding.

"Come, let’s stoke the flames higher in the Immortal Fire Pool! We’re going to refine weapons!"

A disciple from the Long family took out a weapon and placed it into the Immortal Fire Pool, then poured his energy into it to make the flames burn fiercer.

The other dozen or so family disciples also stepped forward and poured their energy into the pool.

Soon, the flames of the Immortal Fire Pool grew frighteningly intense.

Originally, the flames had only been half a meter tall, but now they surged to over a meter high.

Qin Yun was dangling just two to three meters off the ground. The higher the flames rose and the fiercer they burned, the more intense Qin Yun's torment became.