Chapter 0615: Jian Shitian

Chapter 0615: Jian Shitian

Qin Yun’s eyes locked onto Hu Jingxian, and he felt a wave of relief knowing she would protect him.

He had initially worried about being unable to participate in the Martial Dao Championship, but now, as long as he joined Demonmoon Island and became one of its disciples, he could represent them in the competition.

The clan factions watched Qin Yun living freely out in the open with deep frustration. They would rather see him imprisoned for a hundred years than witness him roaming carefree.

It was clear to them now—Demonmoon Island was determined to protect Qin Yun.

"Bao Changshou, are you unaware of Qin Yun’s relationship with Yang Shiyue? Their connection goes way back, and Yang Shiyue, who possesses the Star Monarch Rune Soul, has gone missing!"

An elder from the Herbal Immortal Valley chuckled sinisterly, "We may not be able to capture Yang Shiyue, but Qin Yun is an easy target!"

"Of course I know. I was also at the Darkmoon Mountains vying for the Star Monarch Rune Soul. But unlike you, I’ve got more honor than that—I’d never use Qin Yun as leverage against Yang Shiyue!" Bao Changshou replied with a smirk. "Suit yourselves!"

Qin Yun walked over to Hu Jingxian’s side.

"Demonmoon Island, if you shelter Qin Yun, don’t blame us for being ruthless in the future!" A cold laugh came from an elder of the Crimson Blaze Mountain.

Hearing these words, Qin Yun’s heart sank, and he stepped away from Hu Jingxian’s group, approaching Chu Binyu instead. "I think I’ll return to the Sword and Blade Manor," he said.

"Xiao Yun, come here! Demonmoon Island is willing to make an exception and accept you as a disciple!" Hu Jingxian called out sweetly but insistently, her voice causing a stir.

Even disciples from the Herbal Immortal Valley and Crimson Blaze Mountain were stunned.

Demonmoon Island had never accepted male disciples—yet now, they were making an exception just for Qin Yun.

"My loyalty lies with the Sword and Blade Manor," Qin Yun said with a smile, looking at Chu Binyu. "Manor Lord, you wouldn’t turn me away, would you?"

"Why would I?" Chu Binyu seemed utterly unfazed.

Hu Jingxian stomped her foot, pouting. She understood Qin Yun didn’t want to burden Demonmoon Island, but she was still upset.

After all, Demonmoon Island was filled with countless beauties—yet Qin Yun was turning down such a coveted chance.

Bao Changshou announced, "This matter is settled. Everyone, disperse!"

"Wait!"

Suddenly, an elderly man in white robes plummeted from the sky, sharp as a descending blade, landing firmly on the ground.

Tall and spirited, the white-robed elder radiated an ethereal presence, his very being thrumming with sword intent.

At the sight of him, Jian Ruyan, Jian Mang, and several other Jian family disciples hurried over to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

The Jian clan was infamous for their icy pride—yet before this elder, they were nothing but reverent.

"Qin Yun, this is the sect master of the Sword Immortal Pavilion, Jian Shitian—a man rumored to be the mightiest in all of Proud Star Province!" Chu Binyu whispered to Qin Yun.

Jian Shitian, a member of the Jian family, was also the sect master of the Sword Immortal Pavilion.

The quasi-immortal elders from the Long, Yang, and Tian families were taken aback at his sudden appearance and quickly hurried over to exchange greetings.

Even the Martial Emperors from the Herbal Immortal Valley and Crimson Blaze Mountain came forward to pay respects.

Onlookers watched in awe, witnessing a man they revered—one of the legends of their time.

"Jian Shitian, you oughta outlive me!" Bao Changshou chuckled.

"You're called Bao Changshou (Long Life), and I'm called Jian Shitian (Slaying Heaven)! Just by our names, you're set to live longer. As for me, Jian Shitian, I’m someone who battles the heavens—I might get smited in my sleep!" Jian Shitian laughed freely and boldly.

"So what brings you around?" Bao Changshou asked, somewhat puzzled. "Did one of our disciples offend your Sword Immortal Pavilion?"

"Not at all! Just helping my grandson settle a score!" As Jian Shitian spoke, a youth glided over.

This youth wore blue robes and had handsome features, but his expression was cold and arrogant.

Qin Yun recognized him—it was Jian Nanhu!

"Hu, what’s up?" Jian Ruyan frowned.

"I was defeated by a disciple of the Immortal Weapon City before. I’m here to pay him back!" Jian Nanhu declared. "Immortal Weapon City—hand that disciple over!"

"When did this happen?" Jian Mang asked in surprise. "Hu, you’re the top early-stage Spirit Martial in Proud Star Continent. Who could defeat you?"

At this moment, Granny Ma looked at Qin Yun.

Many disciples followed her gaze.

Qin Yun quickly shook his head. "Don’t look at me—wasn’t my doing!"

Jian Ruyan snorted. "Of course it wasn’t Qin Yun. This guy was wiped off the floor by me in a few moves. With his strength, he’s only good for punching down at losers like Tian Yaolei!"

"Jian Ruyan, that’s a damn insult!" Tian Yaolei roared, his voice like thunder.

"Jian Ruyan, you should know that in the Immortal Weapon Illusory Realm, we were nerfed hard in there!"

"And Qin Yun was only so strong there because he cheesed us with gear," Hua Xiyue said indignantly. "My greatest strength lies in my Profound Body, but I couldn’t use it in the Immortal Weapon Illusory Realm!"

Long Kuangxing quickly added, "I have dragon bloodline, but that power couldn’t be unleashed either. My true strength is definitely not weaker than Qin Yun’s!"

Jian Nanhu said coldly, "I’m certain the one who defeated me was a disciple of the Immortal Weapon City—he said so himself. Bring him out to fight me! Last time, I was unprepared, which is why I lost. I won’t take that loss lying down!"

When Qin Yun had entered the Ghost Grass Demon Forest last time, he wore a mask and altered his voice, so Jian Nanhu couldn’t recognize him.

Granny Ma knew Qin Yun was lying, but since he denied it, he clearly didn’t want to get involved in this fight.

Jian Shitian laughed. "Old Bao, quit stalling and bring ‘em out! Regardless, his strength is remarkable—there’s no need to hide such a talent!"

"You owe me a favor, don’t you? I saved your life once. If you make this person come out and fight, consider the debt repaid!"

"Fine! Granny Ma, go grab some random early-stage Spirit Martial to humor him!" Bao Changshou laughed heartily. "Being in someone’s debt is never comfortable. Now I finally have a chance to repay it—and talk about a steal!"

Granny Ma quickly turned and entered the Immortal Weapon Palace, intending to summon any random strong early-stage Spirit Martial disciple to fight Jian Nanhu and settle the matter.

She knew Qin Yun all too well—if he were to fight, he’d milk Old Bao dry.

Qin Yun wasn’t in the mood either, as there was no benefit in it for him.

"Qin Yun, I’m calling you out!" Hua Xiyue suddenly shouted, glaring at him.

"Hua Xiyue, I admit you’re stronger than me. You could wreck me blindfolded—happy now?" Qin Yun sneered.

"Even without equipment, Qin Yun’s no pushover. You should remember how he took down Liu Chongsheng as a mere Ninth Layer Martial Path cultivator!"

Jian Ruyan poured gasoline on the fire, glancing at Tian Yaolei and Hua Xiyue with a cold smirk. "Though Qin Yun can’t beat me, mopping the floor with you losers is child’s play for him!"

Qin Yun cursed Jian Ruyan inwardly for being such a grudge-holding woman.

"Jian Ruyan, stop provoking them. I, Qin Yun, admit defeat and concede. I'm the weakest! Any victories I had over you were only because of my powerful gear!"

"Tian Yaolei, Hua Xiyue, Long Kuangxing, and Yang Shenglong are all stronger than me. Compared to them, I'm just a total weakling!" Qin Yun announced loudly.

His open admission of weakness touched many elders present. They could see that Qin Yun knew when to bend and when to stand firm—a rare trait among young disciples, who were usually too proud to admit any shortcomings.

Even Jian Shitian's eyes showed approval. He understood how many people had lost their lives over stubborn pride. His own grandson, Jian Nanhu, was a perfect example—unable to accept defeat, he had insisted on seeking a rematch with the disciple from Immortal Armament City.

"Qin Yun, stop talking nonsense and fight me!" Tian Yaolei shouted.

"Why fight when I've already admitted you're stronger than me? Isn't that what you wanted to prove?" Qin Yun hid behind Chu Binyu and said, "Manor Lord, don't let him come near me. I'm afraid he might kill me with one strike!"

Jian Ruyan frowned and muttered under her breath, "Qin Yun, you coward. What's the harm in fighting him? You're nothing but a backstabbing sneak."

"Sister Jian Ruyan, I never even got to use the 10,000+ jin of beast bones you gave me before being expelled from the sect. What a shame!" Qin Yun said, clearly displeased at the memory.

"Good! That means you can't make weapons/talismans to screw people over!" Jian Ruyan scoffed.

Hua Xiyue, Tian Yaolei, and the others were fuming.

At this point, Jian Mang cut in, "Tian Yaolei, Qin Yun has already admitted he's weaker than you. Why are you still unsatisfied? Do you actually think he's stronger than you?"

Qin Yun cursed Jian Mang inwardly for throwing him to the wolves.

Jian Mang chuckled, "Qin Yun is a man who only moves for profit. If there's nothing in it for him, he won't fight you—because it's just too exhausting!"

Just as Qin Yun finished mentally berating Jian Mang, he regretted it—realizing Jian Mang was actually helping him gain something.

"Jian Mang, what do you mean by that?" Surprisingly, it was Jian Ruyan who blew her top first.

She seemed to have suddenly realized that Qin Yun had deliberately held back during their fight, not wanting to exert himself while still securing fifteen thousand jin of beast bones.

Jian Mang laughed. "Sister Ruyan, you promised Qin Yun fifteen thousand jin of Mystic Beast Bones regardless of the outcome—and even gave them to him beforehand. Did you really think he'd fight you seriously?"

Jian Ruyan thought it over and blew her top, shouting at Qin Yun, "Did you go easy on me during our fight?!"

"Cross my heart, may lightning strike me if I'm lying! I, Qin Yun, did not hold back. I gave it my all against you!" Qin Yun quickly raised his hand in oath.

Qin Yun figured it didn't matter—Xiao Yuelan was basically his wife, so the oath meant nothing to him.