Chapter 29: Yang Yun’s Unexpected Delight!
Because of this, the relationship between Cloud Peak and Golden Ripple Peak had grown extremely tense, with more than one conflict erupting between the two sides. Especially among those Yang Yun had brought from the Qian Kingdom—apart from her younger brother Yang Lie, all four of Qian Jun, Zhao Lang, Zhou Jixun, and Chen Chen perished in the chaotic clashes with Golden Ripple Peak.
Even Yang Lie himself had come close to death several times. If not for the protective talisman gifted by Yang Yun, he would have died long ago. Thus, Yang Yun was seething with anger, but with elders stationed above and herself only recently promoted to true disciple, she could not take action against ordinary disciples and could only endure Golden Ripple Peak’s provocations.
Now, Shen Yan had not let her down. In less than a year, he had found a spiritual herb!
“Hurry, bring it in.”
With that order, Yang Yun rose to her feet in haste.
Ming Yu entered the meditation chamber and presented the wooden box. As Yang Yun felt the dense innate purple energy emanating from within, the bitterness that had weighed on her heart for days was finally eased.
“It truly is Purity Grass. With this single herb, I can save myself a year of arduous cultivation!”
When she left the Yang family, her father Yang Ze had promised to provide her with an innate spiritual item for her cultivation, but time had been too short and nothing had arrived yet.
Now, this spiritual herb from Shen Yan was like timely rain in a drought, a tremendous help.
“With this herb, my cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds. If Shen Yan can find two more innate treasures for me in the next two years, I’ll be able to obtain a Foundation Pill from my master and begin building my foundation. Once I become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it will be the day I decide Yu Qing’s fate!”
“Let Shen Yan enter.”
Only after some time did Yang Yun suppress her joy at obtaining the innate treasure and instruct Ming Yu.
When Shen Yan entered the room and paid his respects, Yang Yun observed him closely before nodding.
“No wonder you are one who has acquired three innate treasures in succession. Not only are you blessed with fortune, but you have also become a cultivator in less than a year. It seems you have already refined the innate purple energy of the Red-gold Silver-eyed Fish within you?”
Fortune?
Shen Yan’s heart stirred at her words. Was the fortune Yang Yun spoke of the reason she believed he had obtained these innate treasures?
He stifled this thought and replied promptly, “Master, after obtaining a cultivation technique in the Transmission Pavilion, I found my progress advancing by leaps and bounds. A month ago, I refined all the innate purple energy from the Red-gold Silver-eyed Fish within me and finally became a cultivator.”
He displayed the cultivation level of early Qi Refinement. Yang Yun’s comment that he had just become a cultivator showed that she had not seen through his true level.
Looking up with reverence, he continued:
“All of this is due to your generosity, Master. If you had not brought me to Silent Cloud Island, I would never have been able to refine the innate purple energy, even with it inside me.”
He pledged with utmost sincerity, “Hereafter, should you have any command, I, Shen Yan, will follow without hesitation, even to the death.”
Yang Yun smiled at his words, replying casually, “Why would I have you die? In the future, just continue to seek out innate treasures for me.”
“Yes!” Shen Yan answered respectfully, though inwardly he laughed,
“When I destroy your entire Yang clan, you’ll wish I had died!”
Yet none of this showed on his face. Instead, he asked eagerly, “Master, is the Purity Grass useful to you?”
This was not mere politeness; he was reminding Yang Yun of his accomplishment and the need for a reward.
As expected, Yang Yun’s attention returned to the matter at hand. She pondered briefly before saying, “The Purity Grass is indeed of great use to me. You have rendered a great service and deserve a reward.”
After a moment’s consideration, she removed a palm-sized flying sword from her storage pouch.
“This is the Flowing Cloud Sword, a mid-grade water-attribute magical weapon. When I advanced to late Qi Refinement, my master specially bestowed it upon me. However, I am not a sword cultivator, and its attribute does not suit me. Today, I grant it to you.”
With those words, she handed the small white sword to Shen Yan.
“Thank you, Lady Yun!” Shen Yan quickly accepted the Flowing Cloud Sword. The moment it touched his hand, a cool sensation invigorated him—the sword was indeed a water-attribute flying sword, perfectly suited for his use.
He addressed her as Lady Yun instead of Master deliberately, to appear less scheming and more affectionate in her presence.
“You have earned your reward,” Yang Yun waved her hand, her expression returning to its usual icy authority. “But do not forget your task. Seeking innate treasures remains your top priority.”
Hearing her shift to serious matters, Shen Yan quickly stored the Flowing Cloud Sword in his pouch, then complained,
“Master, it’s not that I’m not diligent, but I am only at early Qi Refinement. With the restrictions and defenses around Silent Cloud Island, the area I can search is far too limited. I found the Purity Grass wedged in a crevice between some rocks.”
He put on a troubled face, his tone aggrieved.
“Besides, for reasons I don’t understand, Golden Ripple Peak keeps causing me trouble for no reason, leaving me with little energy to look for innate treasures.”
“I will speak with Yu Qing regarding the matter with Golden Ripple Peak. You need not concern yourself,” Yang Yun’s face darkened at this. Golden Ripple Peak’s reckless actions were now interfering with her search for innate treasures—something she could not tolerate.
Nonetheless, she maintained her composure before Shen Yan and shifted the topic to his cultivation.
“Let me see how far your cultivation has progressed.”
She stepped forward and suddenly seized his shoulder, catching Shen Yan off guard.
In the next instant, Yang Yun’s true essence coursed through his meridians, her powerful energy pressing his own magic into a corner, leaving it immobile.
Shen Yan’s heart sank. He feared his concealed cultivation level would be exposed.
Yet, as he braced himself anxiously, Yang Yun looked surprised.
“I didn’t expect the innate purple energy of the Red-gold Silver-eyed Fish in your body to be so abundant. It seems you’re not far from breaking through to mid Qi Refinement.”
Shen Yan relaxed inwardly—his method of channeling power into the Heavenly Emperor’s Seal had worked. Even a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator like Yang Yun had not discovered his hidden strength. From now on, he need not worry about being exposed.
“Master, the Water Origin Technique I obtained from the Transmission Pavilion does not contain the subsequent levels. I would like to ask for your permission to exchange contribution points for follow-up techniques.”
“That was indeed an oversight on my part. Your advancement in cultivation greatly aids in seeking innate treasures. I would never refuse you.”
Yang Yun nodded, then took a silver token from her storage pouch.
“Here are one hundred contribution points, enough for you to exchange for the mid and late Qi Refinement techniques.”
“Thank you, Master.”