547: Chapter 547

The news that the Yuntian Sect was about to open the ancestral stone tablet quickly spread throughout the inner and outer areas.

The atmosphere throughout the Sect heated up accordingly.

“Have you heard? This time, even the quotas for the affiliated Imperial Dynasties have been opened.”

“The Yueling Imperial Dynasty, the Sky Feather Imperial Dynasty... several of them will be sending people over.”

“Doesn't that mean the competition will be even greater?”

“How is that possible? No one has been able to resonate with the ancestral stone tablet for so many years; how could those fellows from affiliated forces possibly do it?”

“However, it’s hard to say. That closed-door Disciple of the Old Ancestor might have a chance.”

Discussions like these were taking place all over the Sect.

Ever since the Yuntian Sect's Old Ancestor brought back a young man from the outside and directly arranged for him to live on an independent mountain peak, all sorts of speculations had never stopped.

Some said he was a long-lost descendant of the Old Ancestor.

Others said he was a peerless piece of uncut jade the Old Ancestor discovered while wandering, and he was preparing to take him in as a closed-door Disciple.

The rumors were a mix of truth and lies, but there was one point no one doubted.

Someone who could be personally led by a Guiyi Realm powerhouse and given such respectful treatment was definitely no simple character.

Therefore, when the news of the stele opening came out, almost everyone subconsciously turned their gaze toward the mountain peak where Qin Yun was located.

They were all waiting.

Waiting to see if that mysterious 'Old Ancestor's Successor' would show his face on this day.

A few days later, the Yuntian Sect's mountain gates opened wide.

Flying Boats engraved with different imperial emblems arrived one after another.

The team from the Yueling Imperial Dynasty was among them.

On the deck of a Flying Boat, Zhu Yan stood beside a young man in fine clothing, gazing at the mist-shrouded Yuntian Sect below with a hint of longing and awe in her eyes.

She was able to come this time not because she herself was qualified,

but because she was riding on the coattails of the sweetheart beside her.

His name was Lin Fan, a closed-door Disciple of the Xuanling Sect's Sect Master. His talent was extremely high, and he had been brought along by his seniors this time to experience the atmosphere of the upper Sect.

“So this is the Yuntian Sect. It is indeed grand.”

Lin Fan stood with his hands behind his back, his tone carrying a hint of admiration, but more so a sense of composure as if he were an equal.

Listening to him, Zhu Yan also felt a sense of pride as if she shared in his glory.

Just then, she heard the conversation of several Yuntian Sect Disciples nearby.

“Do you think that gentleman will come out today?”

“He surely will. With something as big as the ancestral stone tablet opening, how could the Old Ancestor not let him come?”

“I just wonder what his background really is to be so highly valued by a Guiyi Realm Old Ancestor.”

Upon hearing the words 'Guiyi Realm Old Ancestor,' the expressions of both Zhu Yan and Lin Fan changed slightly.

Lin Fan retracted the composure on his face, his expression becoming a bit more solemn.

As for Zhu Yan, waves of shock surged in her heart.

The Guiyi Realm.

That was a level that even her Revered Master, that Elder of the Xuanling Sect, could only look up to.

The King of the Yueling Imperial Dynasty only had a Three Origins Realm cultivation.

Someone personally valued by a Guiyi Realm powerhouse would, at the very least, be able to reach the threshold of the Three Origins Realm in the future.

Such a figure was already far beyond the circles she could currently come into contact with.

Zhu Yan took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in her heart.

She felt more and more that being able to stand here today was already a massive Opportunity.

She also developed a deeper sense of awe for that 'Old Ancestor's Successor' whom she had never met.

...

The place where the stele was located was a Forbidden Ground within the Yuntian Sect that was closed off year-round.

There were no pavilions or towers here, only an ancient and solemn square.

The ground of the square was paved with massive bluestones, engraved with formation patterns that had long since worn away. Around it grew several ancient trees of unknown age, their gnarled branches exuding a sense of desolation.

In the center of the square stood a pitch-black stele.

The stele was about three zhang tall. Its surface bore no text, yet it radiated an ancient aura that made one's heart tremble.

The Prodigies from all sides who were qualified to enter were brought to this place one after another.

Between the Yuntian Sect's own Disciples and the younger generation from the affiliated Imperial Dynasties, there were at least several hundred people in total.

They stood in order, preparing to take turns and try their luck.

Qin Yun did not appear in the crowd.

He followed beside the Yuntian Sect Old Ancestor, standing in an inconspicuous corner at the edge of the square.

The Old Ancestor waved his hand to set up a Restriction, concealing both of their figures and auras.

“Watch first.”

The Old Ancestor smiled as he transmitted his voice.

Qin Yun nodded, his gaze falling on the distant stele.

Soon, the testing began.

The first to step forward was a fairly famous inner Sect Prodigy from the Yuntian Sect.

He walked to the front of the stele, took a deep breath, and channeled his spiritual power, attempting to communicate with the stele.

The stele showed no reaction.

The second, the third... several Core Disciples of the Yuntian Sect took turns. Some activated their Physiques, others displayed their Comprehension Ability, but the results were all the same.

The stele remained silent the entire time, at most flashing with a faint, imperceptible light when someone's spiritual power touched it.

This could not be considered recognition at all.

The atmosphere in the field gradually turned from initial anticipation to solemnity.

This stele was even more difficult than they had imagined.

The Yuntian Sect Old Ancestor kept an eye on Qin Yun's reaction. Seeing that he remained still and only watched, he did not urge him.

As for Qin Yun, he had already secretly activated his Heart Heavy Pupils.

In his field of vision, the scene inside the stele was completely different from what others saw.

He gradually saw clearly that the stele was not simply rejecting everyone.

Rather, the Yang-attribute Dao Marks accumulated inside it had reached a critical point.

More importantly, for some reason, the stele seemed to have come into contact with too much Qi left behind by Yin-attribute Prodigies over the years, causing an internal imbalance of Yin and Yang that was almost impossible to suppress.

If someone were to use their own Yin-cold attribute power to forcibly trigger it at this moment, it would likely trigger a Backlash.

Not only would they fail to obtain an Opportunity, but they would also be injured.

Qin Yun understood everything in his heart.

This stele was indeed useful to him.

Because the pure Yang Origin within it was a perfect match for the path of the Solar Holy Body he was currently taking.

...

Finally, it was the turn of the people from the affiliated Imperial Dynasties to step up.

Lin Fan adjusted his robes and took the initiative to stand out.

He believed his talent was extraordinary and wanted to show his face in front of the many Prodigies of the Yuntian Sect, so he immediately took a step forward.

“Lin Fan of the Xuanling Sect is willing to try first.”

Seeing that the timing was about right, Qin Yun also prepared to approach the stele for a closer observation.

He stepped out from the Old Ancestor's concealment and walked slowly toward the center of the square.

As he walked, he happened to run right into Lin Fan, who was about to step forward, and Zhu Yan, who was beside him.

Zhu Yan was looking at Lin Fan with full anticipation when her peripheral vision caught the newcomer, and she was momentarily stunned.

The next moment, when she saw that face clearly, she froze in place.

It was Qin Yun.

How could he be here?

Zhu Yan's heart shook violently. She had long heard that the Qin Family was destroyed and had assumed Qin Yun had died in that chaos.

Seeing him suddenly before the Yuntian Sect's Forbidden Ground, she assumed he had been lucky enough to escape back then.

Seeing him in ordinary plain clothes, with an aura so restrained it was almost undetectable, and walking out from a corner alone...

Zhu Yan immediately and naturally misunderstood.

She thought Qin Yun had drifted to the Yuntian Sect and was working as a bottom-level Handyman or servant, relying on doing chores to earn a meal.

Thinking of this, the bit of shock in her heart was quickly replaced by a condescending pity.

She felt that since Qin Yun had become a cripple, being able to secure a Handyman position in such a great Sect was actually a pretty good destination for him.

At least he would have a stable life.

Beside her, Lin Fan noticed her strange expression and followed her gaze. Seeing only a youth with a mediocre aura, a flash of contempt crossed his eyes, and he didn't take it to heart.

Qin Yun couldn't be bothered with Zhu Yan's complicated gaze, nor was he interested in explaining his current situation.

He just glanced at Lin Fan, who was about to step forward, and gave a calm reminder.

“This stele belongs to the Yang attribute. It has accumulated too much Yin Qi in recent years, and it is now on the brink of internal imbalance.”

“If you go up now, you won't get an Opportunity; you'll be hit by the stele's Backlash.”

As soon as these words came out, both Lin Fan and Zhu Yan were stunned.

Lin Fan then gave a cold laugh; he didn't believe it at all.

A mere 'Handyman' dared to tell him what to do here?

Zhu Yan also snapped out of it. She looked at Qin Yun, her brows slightly furrowed.

She felt that Qin Yun was jealous because he saw her with a more prominent figure while he himself had fallen to this state, so he deliberately spoke alarmist words to make her and Lin Fan look bad.

“Qin Yun, it’s been years, and you’re still so...”

She shook her head, not finishing her sentence, but the disappointment in her eyes was obvious.

Seeing that they wouldn't listen, Qin Yun didn't say anything more. He fell silent and stood to the side.

Lin Fan snorted softly, no longer paying attention to this 'delusional' Handyman, and strode to the front of the stele.

He channeled his spiritual power and pressed a palm onto the stele.

At first, everything went smoothly.

The next moment, that stele, which had been silent for a long time, actually lit up!

Buzz—

A layer of soft light bloomed from the surface of the stele.

The entire place was instantly in an uproar.

“It lit up! The stele actually lit up!”

“Who is this person? He can actually trigger the ancestral stone tablet!”

“Is he from the Xuanling Sect? Did he succeed?”

The people from the affiliated Imperial Dynasties were even more overjoyed, believing this was a sign of the stele's recognition.

Zhu Yan's face was instantly filled with radiance. She looked at Lin Fan's back with excitement, feeling that the man she had chosen was indeed extraordinary.

As for Lin Fan himself, he was even more ecstatic.

He felt a sense of affinity coming from the stele, and on the spot, he developed a strong illusion that he was about to obtain the Ancestor's Legacy and soar to the heavens in a single step.

Even the Disciples of the Yuntian Sect were momentarily dazed, wondering if they had misjudged him.

Amidst the clamor where everyone thought the Opportunity was settled,

only Qin Yun stood in the corner of the square.

He didn't step forward to compete, nor did he speak out to interrupt.

He just looked at the glowing stele and gently shook his head.

His expression carried a hint of helplessness.

Because he saw it more clearly than anyone else.

This was not recognition.

This was the final sign before the Backlash erupted.

Looking at the high-spirited Lin Fan who was the center of everyone's attention, the youth whispered a single sentence.

“If you don't listen to the words of your Elders, you'll suffer for it.”