Chapter 0688: A Mysterious Victory

Chapter 0688: A Mysterious Victory

Han Yilai didn’t pay much attention, only finding Qin Yun’s Dao core somewhat sinister due to the roots coiled around it. He continued reaching out to seize Qin Yun’s Dao core.

Suddenly, a small black streak darted toward him like lightning, sinking fangs into his wrist—a tiny black snake.

This was the Venom Snake Martial Soul Qin Yun had previously devoured.

Seeing Han Yilai attempt to take Qin Yun’s Dao core, Jian Ruyan shouted profanities.

She couldn’t fathom why Xiao Yuelan still hadn’t intervened to force Qin Yun’s surrender.

Hu Jingxian, standing behind Xiao Yuelan, was equally frantic, whispering urgent mental messages to persuade her.

Bao Changshou spat threats at Han Yilai and the Medicine Immortal Valley, but they remained utterly unfazed.

Just as everyone thought Qin Yun’s Dao core would be ripped out, Han Yilai exploded in fury and drove his fist into Qin Yun’s cracked abdomen, striking the Dao core directly!

*Boom!*

Qin Yun was hurled backward, slamming against the barrier.

“You bastard! I’ll kill you!” Han Yilai’s arm trembled violently—he seemed to realize he’d been duped.

Sprawled on the ground, coughing up blood while laughing maniacally, Qin Yun taunted, “You damned fool! Why didn’t you take my Dao core sooner? You made me wait an eternity!”

Qin Yun had been relentlessly assaulted earlier, unable to deploy the Venom Snake Martial Soul.

Only when Han Yilai paused his assault and closed in on the Dao core did the opportunity arise.

Though Han Yilai’s punch landed with brutal force, the Mingyang Dao core remained unharmed.

The Mingyang Dao core was inherently otherworldly, capable of absorbing any energy directed at it.

“You… Your Dao core must be in pieces! What are you gloating about?” Han Yilai bellowed, staggering forward.

Oddly enough, his legs quivered with every step.

The reason? Poison.

Bone-Numbing, Tendon-Softening Poison—a toxin that sapped strength from muscles and bones.

Han Yilai had only cultivated Immortal Blood; his bones and tendons hadn’t achieved full immortality, leaving him vulnerable.

Qin Yun now grasped the venom’s potency—it could overcome even him.

Han Yilai mistook the poison’s effects for a concussive force Qin Yun had unleashed.

He’d felt the shockwave energy surge through him when the snake struck, dispersing the venom.

Watching the arena, Xiao Yuelan let out a small sigh of relief, her expression easing—Qin Yun had found his opening.

Han Yilai staggered toward Qin Yun. Each step spread the poison further until, at last, he crumpled to his knees before his foe.

The demigod from the Medicine Immortal Valley gaped, shouting, *“A-Lai!* What’s wrong? Get up now!”

Qin Yun lay motionless while Han Yilai slumped beside him, eyes half-lidded, drifting toward unconsciousness.

What a bizarre turn of events!

Han Yilai, who had been full of vigor just moments ago, now lay as limp as a dead cat.

Yet Qin Yun appeared to do nothing—and Han Yilai ended up like this!

The quasi-immortals and gathered disciples below the arena frowned and began murmuring among themselves.

"Yun'er!" Qin Yun shouted.

With a thunderous boom!

Ling Yuner suddenly controlled the Mingyang Dao Core, unleashing a crushing gravitational force that slammed down.

Han Yilai was flattened against the ground, emitting choked whimpers—unable to even cry out as his entire body had gone numb and weak.

Qin Yun fared even worse, with most of his bones shattered, lying motionless on the ground.

"Yilai, get up! You should still have plenty of strength left!" The half-immortal from Medicine Immortal Valley rushed to the arena's edge, shouting.

Just as he yelled, Qin Yun's body uncannily rose upright.

He had used his immense mental energy to force his body up.

Even standing, his body swayed like a ragdoll.

"Qin Yun, what have you done? Did you use forbidden arts?" the half-immortal from Medicine Immortal Valley roared in fury.

"Even Demon Disciples are allowed to fight here. So what if I used dark arts? What can you do?" Qin Yun let out a mad laugh, black qi oozing from his pores.

The arena's barrier prevented any sensing of the interior.

Now veiled completely in darkness, both Qin Yun and Han Yilai disappeared from view.

After releasing the black qi, Qin Yun dropped his weight onto Han Yilai and said, "Yun'er, begin!"

Initially, Ling Yuner had thought Qin Yun was finished. But realizing his opponent might target his Dao Core, he had endured.

The moment Han Yilai touched his Dao Core became the opportunity to counterattack with the Venomous Serpent Martial Soul.

Now, he had succeeded!

Ling Yuner stood in awe of Qin Yun's feat—defeating the strong with the weak, achieving such an incredible reversal.

"The Immortal Blood from Han Yilai will serve you well, but in your state, don't refine it yet. I'll seal it within the Mingyang Dao Core!"

Ling Yuner controlled the Mingyang Martial Soul and began devouring his essence.

The process was swift, while below the arena, Medicine Immortal Valley's members howled in outrage.

Earlier, Immortal Weapon City's disciples had shouted—now the tables had turned.

This sudden reversal left even Bao Changshou and Jian Shitian dumbfounded.

The black qi dissipated, and Qin Yun's body levitated unnaturally through mental control.

Han Yilai, now an emptied husk, lay like a corpse.

Qin Yun declared coldly, "I told you—those who covet the Star Monarch Rune Soul shall perish!"

After Qin Yun finished speaking, Ling Yuner unleashed an immense gravitational force, laced with black flames, that slammed into Han Yilai.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion erupted, unleashing waves of black energy that turned Han Yilai to ash.

Seeing Han Yilai perish, Qin Yun was inwardly exhilarated. Moments earlier, he'd not only devoured Han Yilai's Immortal Blood but also absorbed the excruciating Divine Martial Soul.

The brutal beating he took? Totally worth it.

Qin Yun had won!

The entire process was strangely surreal. Even the semi-immortals couldn't discern what had happened or catch Qin Yun cheating!

The arena's barrier could detect weapons—had Qin Yun used any, it would have reacted. That's why he'd avoided hidden tools entirely.

The crowd buzzed with confusion.

The Medicine Immortal Valley's semi-immortals seethed with fury, eyes blazing red as their auras flared menacingly—until Sword Immortal Pavilion's sword-wielding semi-immortals swiftly suppressed them.

Once the barrier lifted, Bao Changshou and Jian Shitian darted onto the platform to shield Qin Yun.

"Your bones are shattered—no way you'll heal by afternoon! You're only standing because of your mental energy!" Bao Changshou said grimly, assessing Qin Yun's injuries.

Jian Ruyan and Long Qiaofeng shared a look with Xiao Yuelan, awestruck. Now they understood why she was Qin Yun's wife—they just *got* each other.

Even Hu Jingxian was stunned by their tacit understanding.

Xiao Yuelan gave Hu Jingxian a faint smile as Bao Changshou led Qin Yun away. "Thanks for worrying about him, Sister Fox. I was on edge too!"

"Oh, you!" Hu Jingxian chuckled.

Xiao Yuelan then smiled at Long Qiaofeng and Jian Ruyan.

Jian Nanhu inhaled sharply as Qin Yun was escorted off. "That Qin Yun... he's full of tricks! Han Yilai died clueless... Honestly, I might've lost to him too."

"Brother Hu, notice how the top Immortal, Demon, and even evil disciples breathed easier? Han Yilai was a huge threat to them!" Jian Ruyan laughed. "Now that Yun took care of him, they can relax!"

The Totem Pavilion and Rune Temple factions quietly celebrated. Qin Yun's earlier suffering followed by Medicine Immortal Valley's star disciple's demise? A win-win for them.

As long as their own elites survived, they were thrilled—especially for someone like Han Yilai, an Immortal Blood disciple they couldn't wait to see gone.

(They'd praised him earlier, but later feared he'd claim the Star Monarch Rune Soul.)

Medicine Immortal Valley's semi-immortals would've devoured Qin Yun alive—if they'd had the power.

(Any attempt would've been crushed by Sword Immortal Pavilion's elite sword semi-immortals.)

...

Qin Yun was taken to a secure residence. He could only rest two hours at most—another match awaited that afternoon.

Victory there meant group supremacy and advancement to the finals!

"Qin Yun, in this state, how can you fight? Withdraw—let Ruyan take over. Her sudden power boost guarantees group first place. For Immortal Armament City, that's enough!" Bao Changshou smiled. "Your safety matters most."

Here’s the improved translation incorporating all expert suggestions:

"Master, I’m fighting this afternoon!" Qin Yun said with a smile. "Weren’t you all convinced I’d lose to Han Yilai? But in the end, I still won!"

"Alright, alright, do as you wish. But remember, don’t push yourself too hard!" Bao Changshou shook his head and chuckled.

"Master, I value my life more than you do. I’m scared to death. If I’m truly doomed, I’ll surrender immediately!" Qin Yun laughed heartily.

Bao Changshou gave him a mock scolding and left the room.

Then Jian Ruyan and Long Qiaofeng walked in.

"Brother Yun, are you alright? Will you recover by this afternoon?" Jian Ruyan looked at Qin Yun with concern, her hands roaming gently over him as she tried to channel her energy to help heal his injuries.

"I’m fine. I can still fight this afternoon!" Qin Yun smiled.

"Qin Yun, let Ruyan go instead. She’s very strong now!" Long Qiaofeng also lightly stroked Qin Yun’s injured body, infusing streams of dragon-phoenix energy to aid his recovery.

"Thank you for your concern, but just let me rest alone," Qin Yun said.

"Alright!" Jian Ruyan stopped transferring energy to him and left the room with Long Qiaofeng.

Ling Yuner giggled. "Xiao Yun, you should’ve let them lie beside you and get cozy with you. What a great opportunity!"

"You little devil!" Qin Yun curled his lips. "Yun’er, can I use that Pain Martial Spirit now?"

"Of course, but it’s best not to. Too many elders are watching. If they find out you’re devouring others’ Divine Arts, all hell will break loose!" Ling Yuner laughed. Qin Yun closed his eyes. His injuries were severe and wouldn’t heal in such a short time. Now, he had to strategize for the afternoon’s battle.