Chapter 0329: Challenging the Top Disciple

Chapter 0329: Challenging the Top Disciple

Qin Yun and Lan Fengjin had just arrived when Lan Huayu and Zhuochuan rushed in as well.

Xue Ziyeh, Murong Daren, Huo Zhong, and Hou Xingfeng were already seated at a table, waving Qin Yun and the others over.

"Let's go join them at that table!" Lan Fengjin suggested.

Qin Yun's arrival caused a brief commotion, but things quickly calmed down.

After sitting down, Lan Fengjin and the others noticed the Yang Palace Lord of the West Palace entering with a group of elders and middle-aged men, all chatting and laughing.

The Yang family members were decked out in festive attire, their faces beaming with joy.

"Senior Lan, how's Yuelan doing?" Qin Yun inquired.

"She's stable now. Thanks to the Calming Mystic Pill and the great palace master's assistance, she's out of danger and should have no lasting effects," Lan Huayu explained.

Qin Yun breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao Yuelan's ordeal had left him anxious for days.

"Isn't the great palace master coming?" Murong Daren whispered, scanning the room. "This is a major event, and he just ended his seclusion. I expected him to be here!"

Lan Huayu chuckled, "He values his peace and quiet, so he seldom shows up at these gatherings. He might not even be aware of it—I didn't tell him."

"He's likely planning a major overhaul of the Blue Spirit Star Palace soon."

The Blue Spirit Star Palace was in utter disarray.

Internally, things were a disaster, with certain disciples and elders behaving corruptly and recklessly.

The West Palace's grand square was quickly filling with a growing crowd.

Lao Tan took a seat at Qin Yun's table, while Wu Xiang stayed behind in his room, engrossed in his research on medicinal concoctions.

"The bride and groom are here!" a voice suddenly rang out.

All eyes turned to the red-carpeted aisle, where Xiao Yanglong stood, resplendent in a grand red robe, his head held high and a proud smirk on his face.

Beside him, Yang Shiyue glided gracefully in an opulent red gown, her face veiled in red, as they slowly made their way to the central dueling platform.

Zhuochuan and Lan Huayu shared a worried look, their tension palpable.

They feared Qin Yun might make a sudden move.

"Brother Yun," Xie Wufeng murmured, noticing Qin Yun's quiet demeanor.

Lan Fengjin was convinced Qin Yun would confront Xiao Yanglong today!

All she could do was silently hope Qin Yun would come out on top against Xiao Yanglong.

The Yang family, along with a handful of Tian Xiao Empire elders and the West Palace's leader, stood on the red-carpeted dueling platform, flanked by several other elders.

They stood beaming, their eyes fixed on Xiao Yanglong and Yang Shiyue as they approached.

The Yang family members were particularly ecstatic!

"Thank you, heroes and warriors, for honoring our West Palace by attending the wedding banquet of my cherished disciple, Xiao Yanglong!" the Yang Palace Lord of the West Palace proclaimed.

As Xiao Yanglong and Yang Shiyue ascended the dueling platform, the entire crowd stood in unison.

"Now, let's hear a few words from the groom!" the Yang Palace Lord said with a smile.

Xiao Yanglong raised his eyebrows arrogantly, his face full of pride as he scanned the crowd. He also noticed Qin Yun, the only one still seated, refusing to stand.

Seeing Qin Yun's distraught look, he felt an immense satisfaction in his heart, and then he spoke a few polite words.

"Let the ceremony begin now!" a blue-robed elder announced loudly, smiling.

Just as the elder finished speaking, Qin Yun suddenly stood up and stepped forward!

He stepped onto the red carpet and climbed onto the martial platform.

The entire hall turned their eyes to him.

Many were surprised but also quietly thrilled. What they had been anticipating was finally about to happen.

Qin Yun had clearly reached his limit!

Zhuochuan and the others tried to stop Qin Yun, but his determination made them relent.

Xiao Yanglong wasn’t surprised—he was eager, a smug sneer spreading across his face.

"Xiao Yanglong, you said that as long as you are in the West Palace, I can challenge you at any time."

"If I beat you, I’ll take your place as the West Palace’s chief disciple, right?" Qin Yun said expressionlessly, neither hurried nor slow.

Yang Shiyue had felt Qin Yun’s presence earlier, and now his voice made her shiver.

She’d hoped Qin Yun would listen and avoid trouble, but here he was!

The West Palace’s Yang Palace Lord and the Yang family elders looked delighted.

They exchanged glances, their faces lit with smiles.

Xiao Yanglong smiled and said, "That’s right—challenge me anytime! I’m ready! I am a man of my word. If you challenge me, I’ll respond immediately. Once I’m done, we’ll get back to the ceremony!"

Qin Yun’s bold challenge, right in the middle of the ceremony, thrilled many onlookers.

After all, weddings weren’t exactly thrilling for them.

"Qin Yun, you’re just at the ninth level of the Martial Body stage—don’t embarrass yourself, get down! They’re in the middle of the ceremony!" someone shouted.

"Wait until you reach the Martial Dao realm—then challenge Xiao Yanglong. That’ll be worth seeing! We know you’re strong—unbeatable in the Martial Body stage. But against the Martial Dao realm, you’re outmatched! Don’t block their ceremony!"

"Qin Yun, are you trying to beat Xiao Yanglong and steal Yang Shiyue?"

"Hahaha... What does your wife Xiao Yuelan think? Won’t she be jealous? I heard she’s quite domineering!"

There are always those who enjoy stirring up trouble, especially after a few drinks, they speak without restraint.

The crowd burst into laughter, but Qin Yun remained unfazed.

Yang Shiyue lifted her veil and pleaded, "Qin Yun, step down! Wait until you reach the Martial Dao realm, then challenge him. That’s when you’ll have a chance!"

"Teacher, you go down," Qin Yun said softly. "I can defeat him."

Lan Fengjin and Xue Ziye hurried up, accompanying Yang Shiyue as they stepped down from the martial platform.

Lan Huayu set up array pillars around the platform to prevent interference. He couldn’t stop Qin Yun, so he could only ensure that no one else would meddle in the duel.

Yang Shiyue stood below the dueling platform, gazing at Qin Yun's broad shoulders with a complex mix of emotions, her heart mostly filled with worry.

Just a few days ago, Qin Yun had nearly been killed in a duel with Ji Kailin.

At that time, she had felt immense sorrow.

Now, Qin Yun's opponent was Xiao Yanglong, who had reached the Martial Dao stage.

A ninth-level Martial Body stage practitioner, fighting bare-handed against someone in the Martial Dao stage, stood no chance of winning. This was an indisputable fact, and no one could defy this common knowledge.

At this moment, everyone believed Qin Yun had little chance of winning.

Lan Fengjin, Xie Wufeng, and other friends of Qin Yun held onto a sliver of hope, thinking Qin Yun might still win.

But everyone else was certain Qin Yun would lose!

The dueling platform was set up with protective array pillars, ensuring that the battle would not affect the audience below.

The Yang Palace Lord of the West Palace chuckled and said, "Qin Yun, your courage is commendable. Challenging the chief disciple at such a time to liven up the atmosphere—we owe you our thanks!"

Qin Yun's reputation was known to all.

If he were to suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Xiao Yanglong now, it would undoubtedly elevate Xiao Yanglong's fame to new heights.

Moreover, Xiao Yanglong hated Qin Yun deeply!

If he could eliminate Qin Yun here and then marry Yang Shiyue, it would be a double victory for him.

"Save those words until after Xiao Yanglong defeats me!" Qin Yun smiled. "What if he loses to me? That would be embarrassing!"

"Hahaha... Qin Yun, you’re quite the joker!" The Yang Palace Lord laughed heartily, and many others joined in the laughter.

An elder from the Yang family sneered, "Qin Yun, this duel prohibits the use of talismans or mystical weapons. What gives you the confidence to challenge the Crown Prince?"

The Yang Palace Lord smiled, "Well, since it's a wedding day, I’ll throw in a little prize! The winner of your duel will receive one of the rare mystical weapons of our West Palace—the Blue Spirit Mystical Robe!"

The disciples of the Blue Spirit Star Palace burst into envious cheers.

Each of the four palaces of the Blue Spirit Star Palace had its own powerful mystical weapons.

The best mystical weapon of the West Palace was the Blue Spirit Mystical Robe.

By offering it as a reward, the Yang Palace Lord clearly showed his high regard for Xiao Yanglong.

Xiao Yanglong was the chief disciple, a young practitioner at the Martial Dao stage, and the Crown Prince of the Tian Xiao Empire.

His way of doing things had won the Yang Palace Lord's admiration, and he was already seen as the future leader of the West Palace!

Qin Yun smiled, "The Yang Palace Lord is truly generous! In that case, I’ll also contribute something to spice up this duel!"

He took out a bottle and two pieces of paper, handing them to Lan Huayu, and said, "Elder Lan, this is Yang Flame Liquid, a Star Rune, and a mystical weapon design! If I lose, give these to Xiao Yanglong!"

Lan Huayu was stunned when he heard this!

The Yang Palace Lord, Xiao Yanglong, and several elders of the Yang family were also shocked as they looked at Qin Yun!

The West Palace square erupted in uproar!

Qin Yun, at the ninth level of the Martial Body stage, was challenging Xiao Yanglong, a Martial Dao stage practitioner, and even offering such valuable items as rewards for the one who would defeat him!

"Has Qin Yun lost his mind?"

"Those are the treasures he won in the competition! And now he's just giving them away?"

"Does he actually think he can win?"

"He looks like he's already won!"

Everyone was shocked, unable to understand Qin Yun's actions.

Murong Daren muttered, "What's Brother Yun thinking?"

Huo Zhong said, "Brother Yun is sure he'll win, let's just see what happens!"

Yang Shiyue glanced at Lan Fengjin, since Qin Yun had been with her lately.

Lan Fengjin shook her head, "He hasn't entered the *Martial Dao* realm... with his dual inner cores (a rare cultivation feature), there's no way he could break through that fast!"

Qin Yun calmly faced Xiao Yanglong and said, "Shall we start?"

After his initial surprise, Xiao Yanglong smiled, "Since you're offering such generous rewards, I should show some courtesy too!"

Then, he revealed a small bronze bowl.

The bowl looked ancient and slightly battered, but Qin Yun instantly noticed its intricate patterns.

Xiao Yanglong smiled proudly, "This is the Tian Xiao Empire's national treasure, the Sun and Moon Mystical Bowl! Even though it's badly damaged, it remains a formidable mystical weapon, able to harness the essence of the sun and moon, speeding up the growth of medicinal plants."