Chapter 0691: The Battle for Immortal Source

Chapter 0691: The Struggle for Immortal Essence

Qin Yun had already guessed that this Martial Arts Tournament wouldn't be so simple.

The Mystic Domain’s Rune Temple had rewarded each state with Immortal Essence, surely with a hidden agenda.

Now, this so-called "State King" arrangement was merely to facilitate control over vast regions.

Muzhou King said, "Other states have already elected their kings. In the future, our major states will frequently compete against each other!"

Grand Master Ye stated, "Those two Immortal Essences were provided by the Mystic Domain’s Rune Temple. They require us to elect a State King to administer the state properly and periodically pay tribute to the Mystic Domain’s Rune Temple!"

The semi-immortal from Medicine Fairy Valley said in irritation, "What if we don’t obtain the Immortal Essence? Do we still have to pay tribute?"

"Tribute is the State King’s responsibility. As long as you are the State King, whether you obtain the Immortal Essence or not, you won’t have to worry about tribute."

Grand Master Ye continued, "If we manage our state well, we can also obtain Immortal Essence when competing with other states in the future. This requires us to work together!"

Bao Changshou laughed, "Grand Master Ye, why don’t you take the position of State King? You oversee all the Rune Temples in Proud Star State, which makes governance more convenient!"

Now, everyone understood why the Long Family of Tenglong State had yielded the position of State King to Muzhou King—because all these troublesome matters were truly annoying.

Jian Shitian pondered and also said, "Grand Master Ye, you should take the role!"

Seeing Jian Shitian speak up, the sect leaders and family heads from other factions hastily nominated Grand Master Ye for the position of State King.

Grand Master Ye’s expression remained calm, but inwardly, he was overjoyed.

"Since everyone recognizes me so highly, I won’t decline!" Grand Master Ye smiled faintly.

Bao Changshou chuckled, "King of Yezhou, now that you hold such a high position, you shouldn’t always target Qin Yun. It doesn’t suit your status!"

"I prioritize the greater good and will put aside my grudge with Qin Yun for the time being. However, I still suggest Qin Yun communicate with Yang Shiyue to obtain the Star Monarch Rune Soul and hand it over to me. This will lead to greater prosperity for Proud Star State!" King of Yezhou said with righteous conviction.

Qin Yun was cursing him inwardly.

Muzhou King’s eyes were full of jealousy as he said, "If a State King is recognized by multiple factions, they can still obtain an Immortal Essence even without one. Therefore, this matter should be decided afterward!"

King of Yezhou quickly smiled and said, "All of you are semi-immortals. Since you’ve already made the decision, I trust you won’t go back on your word! Rest assured, I will surely bring greater prosperity to Proud Star State!"

The others were dumbfounded.

If the Rune Temple’s disciples failed to make it into the top two, Grand Master Ye, who governed the Rune Temple, could still obtain an Immortal Essence.

Everyone now understood why King of Yezhou was so delighted and why he had put aside his grudge against Qin Yun for the time being.

Grand Master Ye, now King of Yezhou, smiled and said, "Then it's settled. Thank you all for your trust!"

Muzhou King looked at Qin Yun and asked, "Qin Yun, I heard you're the only one who can get Yang Shiyue to come out. Would you be willing to make a deal with me? As long as you tell me Yang Shiyue’s whereabouts, I’ll reward you with one hundred billion purple crystal coins!"

"You think a mere one hundred billion can buy the Star Monarch Rune Soul?" Qin Yun couldn’t help laughing. "Do you think I'm a child, that easily fooled?"

"How about five hundred billion?" Muzhou King pressed.

"Even if you offered five hundred billion, I wouldn’t agree!" Qin Yun turned to leave—he still needed to rest.

"I’ll exchange an Immortal Essence with you for Yang Shiyue’s whereabouts!" Muzhou King suddenly shouted.

Trading an Immortal Essence for Yang Shiyue’s location was all for the sake of obtaining the Star Monarch Rune Soul!

Here's the improved translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

This shocked everyone present. The Muzhou King was going all out for the Star Monarch Rune Soul.

"Qin Yun, if you decide to reveal Yang Shiyue's whereabouts, be sure to come to me!"

"Keep it in the family. Even though we have our differences, as the current King of Yezhou in Aoxing State, obtaining the Star Monarch Rune Soul would greatly benefit the entire state!" the King of Yezhou quickly added.

Qin Yun replied, "If that thought crosses my mind, I'll definitely come to you. Rest assured!"

Jian Nanhu said, "The Long family's Lady Long Yue said we couldn't hold a candle to her. I'd like to spar with her!"

The Long family's demi-immortal from Aoxing State laughed heartily, "You want to spar with her? Fine—put up an Immortal Essence. If you defeat her, you'll get ours. If you lose, surrender yours!"

"A Hu, wait until the Martial Arts Championship ends!" Jian Shitian snapped.

They were actually betting Immortal Essences!

Everyone was in awe of the Long family's guts.

Those things were priceless.

The Muzhou King chuckled, "My junior disciple took second place in the Martial Arts Championship. If any of you wish to challenge him, bring an Immortal Essence!"

This got many factions in Aoxing State itching.

Even Qin Yun wanted to jump in right then and there.

Xiao Yuelan was just as eager—this was the perfect chance.

Jian Shitian was even more eager to gamble in a match, but he kept his cool.

Thus, they decided to wait until the Martial Arts Championship concluded, as that would determine whether they could secure an Immortal Essence.

If they confirmed they had one, they'd dare to take the risk.

Otherwise, losing their only Immortal Essence would be their ruin.

The more Immortal Essences one had, the better—you can never have too many, but they were just too hard to obtain.

The disciples who made it to the top sixteen couldn't wait to start the Martial Arts Championship immediately, determine the top two, and then challenge the factions from Tenglong State.

This meant tomorrow's championship would be one hell of a fight.

"Let's head back and get some proper rest!" Qin Yun said.

Before leaving, he glanced at the masked champion of Tenglong State's Martial Arts Championship.

The mask concealed the person's eyes, and their robe hid any identifying features.

Qin Yun was burning with curiosity about that Long family disciple.

"Xiao Yun, do you think that female disciple from the Long family could be Yuemei?" Ling Yuner asked.

"Hmm! She gives me a strangely familiar feeling. Besides, only Yuemei—that little con artist—could infiltrate the Long family," Qin Yun replied.

He had good reason to suspect. Xiao Yuemei possessed dragon bloodline, dragon martial soul, and dragon totems, along with her peculiar mirror martial soul, which allowed her to disguise herself flawlessly.

Xiao Yuemei had once posed as a Long family disciple, calling herself Long Yuemei, and pulled the wool over plenty of eyes. "It might really be that little rascal!" Ling Yuner giggled. "If it's truly Yuemei, that's incredible—she actually managed to sneak into the Long family in Tenglong State and win the Martial Arts Championship!"

Qin Yun became more and more certain it was Xiao Yuemei, though he couldn’t be sure.

He returned to his room, lay on the bed, and closed his eyes.

*Knock, knock, knock!*

Suddenly, someone rapped on the wall—Jian Ruyan was next door.

"Yun-ge, come here for a sec!" Jian Ruyan called softly.

Qin Yun quickly activated the Piercing Mystic Art, phasing through the wall.

Jian Ruyan sat on the bed, grinning. "This ability of yours is incredible. Tell me the truth—have you ever used it to spy on people bathing?"

"Not a chance!" Qin Yun laughed, shaking his head. "What is it?"

"Yun-ge, I want to get stronger!" Jian Ruyan sighed. "I’m scared I’ll draw Brother Hu in tomorrow’s match. I can’t lose to him!"

"Yan Mei, you’re already plenty strong. If you want to improve further, you’ll have to advance your cultivation," Qin Yun said with a smile. "Don’t push too hard, or you might lose control of your energy!"

"Yun-ge, are you really confident about making the top two? I don’t feel sure at all," Jian Ruyan muttered, sitting on the bed in just shorts, knees hugged to her chest in frustration.

"Absolutely!" Qin Yun walked over, smoothing her messy hair. "Once we’re back, tell the sect leader you have the Sword-Profound Body. He’ll take you under their wing to cultivate an Immortal Body."

"Really?" Jian Ruyan blinked in disbelief.

"Yan Mei, don’t sell yourself short!" Qin Yun chuckled. "Your foundation is solid! The sect leader will see that and focus on training you."

"I... I just worry they won’t take women seriously. We’re always underestimated," Jian Ruyan huffed. "You saw it—only two or three women made the top sixteen, and none have an Immortal Body."

She sighed. "Making the top four would be enough for me—to show what we women can do."

"Keep training—you’ll get there!" Qin Yun encouraged. "I’m heading back to rest. Let’s just sleep all day!"

"Today, I’m praying I don’t face you, Yuelan, or Brother Hu early on!" Jian Ruyan laughed.

Qin Yun shook his head and returned to his room.

...

The next day arrived swiftly. After waking, Qin Yun donned the light-blue uniform tailored by Immortal Soldier City and headed out.

Jian Ruyan seemed tense—today’s matchups would be decided, and drawing a strong opponent early could mean elimination.

Qin Yun, however, was unshaken. Unless he faced someone like the Millennial Immortal Disciple, he had nothing to fear.

In truth, Han Yilai, the Millennial Immortal Disciple, would’ve steamrolled the tournament if not for Qin Yun.

It was a bitter pill for Medicine Immortal Valley, as Han Yilai’s strength could overwhelm anyone below the Xuanwu Realm.

They rued sending him to seize Qin Yun’s Dao Pill—otherwise, killing Qin Yun would’ve been trivial.

Qin Yun and Jian Ruyan reached the plaza and stepped onto the sprawling 200-meter arena.

Others soon arrived, lining up on the stage.

The moment Xiao Yuelan appeared, she sent Qin Yun a voice transmission: *"Xiao Yun, is that masked fighter from the Dragon Clan in Tenglong State Yuemei?"*

*"Yuelan, you think it’s her too?"* Qin Yun’s heart leapt as he replied. *"I suspect the same! That little troublemaker—so reckless, infiltrating Tenglong State like this!"*