There were beautiful immortal palaces and buildings above the clouds with a thin lingering mist.
After Qin Yun, Yi Xiao, and Patriarch Yi landed, a gray-robed man rushed to welcome them from afar.
“It’s safest inside the Inspector Heavenly Alliance,” said Patriarch Yi with a smile. “Both of you should take a rest. I believe many people will quickly come to you.” With that said, Patriarch Yi walked into the distance and in a few steps, entered an ancient palace.
“Inspector Heavenly Ambassador Qin,” greeted the gray-robed man warmly when he rushed to them.
“Yan Fu, help me find a place to stay,” requested Qin Yun.
“Alright, please follow me.” Yan Fu led the way. The Inspector Heavenly Alliance had many empty residences since Inspector Heavenly Ambassadors only stayed here occasionally.
Qin Yun and Yi Xiao walked alongside each other.
“This is actually my first time to the Inspector Heavenly Alliance.” Yi Xiao watched in amazement. “It’s really beautiful, as beautiful as the immortal realms described in legends.”
“It wouldn’t take long for you to become an Inspector Heavenly Ambassador either,” said Qin Yun with a smile.
With the gray-robed man leading them, Qin Yun and Yi Xiao walked into the Inspector Heavenly Alliance. They attracted the attention of many Inspector Heavenly Ambassadors. Although few Inspector Heavenly Ambassadors stayed there long term, there were still many present due to the sheer number of Inspector Heavenly Ambassadors from the nineteen prefectures in the entire world.
“It’s Qin Yun.”
“He came out of the immortal abode alive? Wasn’t it said that he entered with a transcendent-grade Dharma treasure to save that Miss Yi, never to return?”
“I just received the news. The both of them just came out of the immortal abode and here they are, at the Inspector Heavenly Alliance.”
“This Qin Yun sure is a man of feelings.”
“However, he obtained a transcendent-grade Dharma treasure. It’s not easy acquiring treasures but harder it is defending them. Perhaps, many great fiendish demons are already targeting him.”
People discussed in whispers from afar.
Qin Yun and Yi Xiao were walking when suddenly, a red-dressed figure flew over. “Qin Yun, Yi Xiao.”
“Oh?” Qin Yun and Yi Xiao looked over. It was a beautiful red-dressed woman.
“Daoist Red Jade?” Qin Yun and Yi Xiao recognized her. She was the one that had presided over Grand Dominance County with Palatial Lord Essence Charm years ago.
Daoist Red Jade chuckled and said, “Congratulations to the two of you for safely coming out of the immortal abode. The heavens really do bless loving couples.”
Qin Yun and Yi Xiao exchanged smiling looks.
“Back in Grand Dominance, I felt the both of you were a perfect match when I saw the two of you. Fellow Daoist Qin Yun, for you to risk your life to enter the array formation, wow. It makes my heart pound. Unfortunately, no one has done so for me,” said Daoist Red Jade with a smile.
“I have long heard that many fellow Daoists yearn to be Dao partners with you, Daoist Red Jed. Unfortunately, none of them have caught your eye,” said Yi Xiao with a smile.
“It’s just a bunch of lascivious men,” said Daoist Red Jade as she shook her head.
With that, Daoist Red Jade warned, “Fellow Daoist Qin Yun, I’ve heard that your present strength probably matches typical Connate Golden Cores. I’m very impressed as well. However, you have obtained a transcendent-grade Dharma treasure! If any typical Connate Golden Core expert obtains a first-grade Dharma treasure, they might encounter all sorts of danger. It’s also very common for them to be killed for their treasures. So there’s no need to elaborate on your transcendent-grade Dharma treasure! Perhaps, the number of enemies you will be attracting will be numerous.”
“I understand.” Qin Yun nodded.
“Yes, with fellow Daoist Qin Yun’s intelligence, how would you not know? However, treasures can change a person. Sometimes, abandoning something might be the wisest decision,” advised Daoist Red Jade. “After all, the enemies you attract might not only be limited to fiendish demons.”
“Oh?” Qin Yun and Yi Xiao felt their hearts skip a beat.
That’s right.
Treasures could change a person. Although humans were relatively united, it did not mean that all of them were good.
“I’m just blabbering.” Daoist Red Jade chuckled while covering her mouth. “I’m only an Azure-token Inspector Heavenly Ambassador and have no right to embroil myself in this. Alright, I won’t disturb the two of you anymore.”
With that said, she left.
“Fellow Daoist Red Jade said so much only out of concern,” said Yi Xiao through a voice transmission. “Qin Yun, although your strength has greatly improved, the number of enemies you would attract would ultimately be numerous. You have to be careful. It’s easy to dodge an open thrust of a spear but difficult to guard against an arrow shot in the dark.”
“Yea, I know.” Qin Yun nodded. He was not a hotheaded person. When he roamed the world when he was fifteen, he had seen the dark nature of humans. In fact, in terms of the dark nature of humans, some ordinary mortals were in no way inferior to cultivators.
…
Qin Yun and Yi Xiao took up residence in a quiet compound in the Inspector Heavenly Alliance.
“Knock. Knock. Knock.” Door knocks were heard.
Qin Yun and Yi Xiao sat at a stone table in the yard. With a wave of a hand, the door opened.
Outside the door was a white-haired elder. He said with a smile, “Greetings my young friends, Qin Yun and Yi Xiao. I’m Wang Han.”
“Grand General Wang.” Qin Yun immediately stood up.
Wang Han had once presided over the northern borders where he had been commander-in-chief. He was a Grand General of the northern borders! Of course, he had already retired. Although he was not related to Qin Yun’s direct superior, Old General Wang Yong, he had a good relationship with Wang Yong. Wang Yong was only of average strength and he was merely a defending general of a particular mountain pass. His position greatly deferred from Wang Han. Wang Han himself was a Connate Golden Core realm expert that was part of the Godfiend lineage.
“I’ve long heard of your name, Qin Yun. I’ve finally gotten a chance to meet you,” said Wang Han with a smile.
“Grand General Wang, please have a seat,” said Qin Yun immediately.
“I’m no longer a Grand General anymore, just an old retiree,” said Wang Han with a smile. “I tour the world and would slay and rid fiends of there’s a chance. Haha.”
Qin Yun also knew. Wang Han had spent most of his life in the war campaign and he was more than four hundred years old. The imperial government had allowed this Grand General to have a good rest.
Qin Yun was very impressed by this Grand General.
“My purpose here is to do a favor for the imperial government,” said Wang Han with a smile. “They know that I happen to be in the Inspector Heavenly Alliance and engaged me to be a spokesperson. They wish that you would sell the transcendent-grade Dharma treasure, the Golden Core Cauldron, to the imperial government. Of course, feel free to inform us of your conditions. The imperial government will do its best to satisfy you. Also… I’ve heard that you had a little conflict with Ji Lie in the immortal abode. On this matter, we hope you do not take offense and as a result, show animosity towards the imperial government.”
Qin Yun shook his head and said with a smile. “I was once in the northern borders. I also know that the imperial government has men all over the world. There are all kinds of people and it’s impossible to demand that every one of them is good. Besides, the imperial government is doing its best to fend off the fiendish demons.”
“It’s good that you understand.” Wang Han nodded with a smile.
“However…” Qin Yun looked at Yi Xiao and said, “Grand General Wang, let me do the introductions. This is my wife, Yi Xiao.”
Wang Han was astonished. “Wife? Haha, congratulations!”
Qin Yun said helplessly, “The Yi family is my wife’s parental family. The Divine Firmament Chapter also wishes to obtain the Golden Core Cauldron, so I can’t just declare that I’m selling it straight to the imperial government.”
Wang Han said immediately, “Don’t sell it directly to the Divine Firmament Chapter. Let’s make it fair and square. It should be sold to whoever offers the most treasures.”
“That’s right. Fair and square.” Qin Yun nodded.
“It’s good that it will be fair.” Wang Han asked, “Might I ask what sort of treasures are you requesting for?”
“Actually, I’ll be informing all parties in the future. I’m just informing you first, Grand General Wang,” said Qin Yun. “First, it will be an array formation. It has to be able to perfectly fuse with the Nine Heavens Astral River Array. Second, it will be a Yellow-scarved Strongman or something that matches a Yellow-scarved Strongman in strength. They will have to guard my Qin family for a hundred years. These are the two most important conditions.”
“A Yellow-scarved Strongman?” Wang Han frowned slightly but he still nodded. “I will inform the imperial government. Alright, I won’t disturb the two of you any longer.”
Qin Yun and Yi Xiao immediately stood up and walked him out.
…
After the imperial government’s Grand General Wang’s visit, spokespeople from various factions came.
Qin Yun naturally released the news of his requirements. He also made it clear that it would be done fair and square!
“Have a Yellow-scarved Strongmen guard the Qin family for a hundred years? An array formation to fuse with the Nine Heavens Astral River Array? From the looks of it, Qin Yun’s treasures would not be given to an Essence Soul immortal after all but left for himself! That’s why he needs all of that to protect the Qin family.”
“If he offers it to an Essence Soul immortal and as a result, rid himself of any treasure, he would lack a treasure halo. It would prevent him from being targeted! However, he wants to monopolize the treasures. It doesn’t mean he can defend the treasures after obtaining it.”
“Regardless, be prepared and think of a way to win the Golden Core Cauldron over.”
All factions strived to make their preparations.
Ordinary treasures were easily sought but transcendent-grade Dharma treasures like the Golden Core Cauldron would be gone if they missed it.
…
The next day.
In the tiny compound which Qin Yun and Yi Xiao took up temporary residence, guests from every corner of the world came. They were mostly from four factions—the three Daoist sacred lands and the imperial government. As for the Buddhist sacred land, Mahākāśyapa Monastery, it did not come. After all, alchemical methods using the Golden Core Cauldron were Daoist techniques.
“Fellow Daoist Zhang, you came too? That Qin Yun mentioned that he wants Yellow-scarved Strongmen to guard his Qin family for a hundred years.” A gentlemanly man with a flute by his waist said smilingly.
“I know your Numinous Treasure Mountain has Yellow-scarved Strongmen. However, Qin Yun is considered a son-in-law of our Divine Firmament Chapter,” said a red-haired middle-aged man. In the middle of his eyebrows was a mark that resembled a flame.
“Qin Yun has also said that it will be done fair and square,” countered a gentleman from Numinous Treasure Mountain.
The both of them entered the tiny compound alongside each other.
Inside the tiny compound, people from the Primordial Chaos Sect and the imperial government had already arrived.
Qin Yun sat there to wait for all the guests. As for Yi Xiao, she temporarily hid away.