Chapter 81: Yun Che's Thoughts

“Oh?” Qin Wuyou was startled again. Yun Che's words simply shouldn't have come from a sixteen-year-old boy. They sounded more like something spoken by a middle-aged man, or even an elderly person, who had experienced the vicissitudes of life.

“You trust me that much... No, I should say, you trust your own instincts that much?” Qin Wuyou felt Yun Che was increasingly extraordinary.

“Basically,” Yun Che said with a smile. However, only he himself understood the true meaning behind that smile. In the past, there were countless people who wanted to kill him, spread across the entire continent. Besides the girl he regretted disappointing his whole life, every person he encountered could have appeared with the intent to kill him.

After encountering one, two, ten, a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand... he only needed to glance into a person's eyes to know if they intended to kill him, if they were genuine or deceitful, kind or malicious. This was an insight honed through countless brushes with death. Everything it encompassed was impossible to explain in words or for others to comprehend.

This was also why, when Xiao Luocheng decided inwardly to destroy him, he immediately faced Yun Che's most ruthless retaliation. No matter how cunning Xiao Luocheng was, he couldn't hide it from Yun Che's eyes, which could see straight into people's hearts.

“Besides,” Yun Che continued with a smile, “even if the Prefect's personality isn't exactly as I expected, I am, after all, a disciple of New Moon Profound Palace. No matter what, the Prefect wouldn't allow someone to harm his own disciple on his territory, would he?”

Qin Wuyou's face grew serious. “You only joined New Moon Profound Palace today. As a new disciple, no matter how emotional you might be, you couldn't possibly have much sense of belonging here. Yet, from the very beginning, you repeatedly referred to yourself as a disciple of New Moon Profound Palace, saying it over a dozen times. You also mentioned fighting to prevent New Moon Profound Palace from being bullied on multiple occasions. I found it very strange at the time. It wasn't until you repeatedly humiliated the disciples of the Seven Sects, provoking them to their limits with boundless arrogance and sarcasm, deliberately offending all of them, that I understood: your constant self-identification as a 'New Moon Profound Palace disciple' was entirely a reminder to me.”

Yun Che didn't deny it. He nodded frankly and said, “As expected of the Prefect, this junior's thoughts could never be hidden from you.”

“Hmph, you never intended to hide it from me,” Qin Wuyou's expression darkened slightly. “But I still can't understand why you deliberately made these moves. What benefit is there in provoking their resentment? Don't tell me you were merely showing off. And well, that's one thing, but you even went so far as to severely cripple Xiao Luocheng. Do you know how much trouble you've caused? Today, on New Moon Profound Palace's territory, I can indeed protect you for a while, but Xiao Sect's retaliation, even though they are an external sect, won't be easy for me to fend off.”

"Won't be easy to fend off" implied that he *could* fend them off; it would just require more effort. This surprised Yun Che. Considering Xiao Sect's power in New Moon City, for this new Prefect to speak of them like that suggested that the power behind him was quite formidable.

It was rather intriguing that someone like him would come to New Moon City to serve as Prefect.

“This junior indeed had my own objectives. However, the incident with Xiao Luocheng wasn't part of my original intention. I believe with your keen insight, Prefect, you must have noticed that Xiao Luocheng stepped forward because he wanted to destroy me.”

Qin Wuyou said nothing, acknowledging with his eyes.

Yun Che furrowed his brow. “For someone who bore no past grudges or recent enmity, yet maliciously tried to destroy me, I had absolutely no reason to be polite. If I could kill him, I would. If not, I'd cripple him. No matter who he was, I wouldn't hold back. This is one of my fundamental principles.”

Yun Che's words sent chills down Qin Wuyou's spine. He realized he couldn't see through this young boy at all, and he wondered what experiences could have given a mere sixteen-year-old such eyes and such a character. Taking a silent breath, he steered clear of the Xiao Luocheng incident and asked, “Then why did you deliberately provoke the Seven Sects?”

“I need three things,” Yun Che replied.

“Three things?”

Yun Che spoke clearly, enunciating each word: “First, people and places that can rapidly advance my profound cultivation. Second, enough enemies and pressure to temper me. Third, someone who can ensure I still have access to the first, even when facing the second.”

Yun Che's words made Qin Wuyou frown. He pondered for a moment, then asked, “I still don't understand what exactly you're trying to do.”

“It's simple,” Yun Che said. “I want to reach the Earth Profound Realm within three years!”

“What?!” Qin Wuyou's eyes widened instantly. “Three years? Earth Profound Realm? What kind of joke is that?!”

Yun Che: “…”

“You can't be serious, can you?” Qin Wuyou was astonished as he looked at Yun Che's expression. Standing before him was a boy who claimed he wanted to reach the Earth Profound Realm from the Elementary Profound Realm within three years! And judging by his eyes and demeanor, he was clearly saying these words with utmost seriousness.

“Of course I'm serious,” Yun Che nodded. “I have a compelling reason to reach the Earth Profound Realm within three years.”

Qin Wuyou fell silent for a moment. After observing Yun Che for a while, he suddenly said, “Yun Che, do you know how old I was when I entered the Earth Profound Realm?”

Yun Che: “…”

“When I was sixteen, your age, my profound energy was at the fifth level of the Elementary Profound Realm. I was considered the top genius in my family at the time. Of course, even though I was half a realm ahead of you back then, I likely wouldn't be a match for your current self. Later, I reached the True Profound Realm at nineteen, the Spirit Profound Realm at twenty-eight, and the peak of the Spirit Profound Realm at thirty-eight. I was stuck at that bottleneck for a full six years, finally entering the Earth Profound Realm at forty-four. Even so, entering the Earth Profound Realm at forty-four, I was considered a rare genius in the entire Azure Wind Empire. Fifteen years have passed since I entered the Earth Profound Realm, and I've now finally reached the sixth level of the Earth Profound Realm... However, in this lifetime, I probably won't have the luxury of hoping for the Sky Profound Realm.”

“And going from the Elementary Profound Realm to the Earth Profound Realm in three years,” Qin Wuyou shook his head, “at least among everyone I know and everything I've ever heard, no one has ever managed it. In fact, no one has ever even dared to think of it. Forget the Earth Profound Realm, even reaching the True Profound Realm from the first level of the Elementary Profound Realm in three years is an exceptionally rare feat.”

“Just because others can't do it doesn't mean I can't,” Yun Che said nonchalantly. “Like today, did you ever imagine I could cripple Xiao Luocheng with just level one Elementary Profound Realm strength?”

Qin Wuyou's expression stiffened, then he shook his head and chuckled. “It seems you truly are serious. Ah, youth is wonderful. No matter how grand or difficult the goals you set, it only makes those of us whose lives are already set envious, and we long to see their realization. However, you've told me so much, even your three-year life goal. Aren't you afraid I won't help you at all? Come to think of it, I don't seem to have a reason to help you. After all, this is only our first day meeting. What kind of goals you have, what does it have to do with me?”

“That depends on the Prefect's own choice,” Yun Che said, looking directly into Qin Wuyou's eyes. “If I had told you my earlier words without any preparation, I'm sure you would have dismissed them as a joke. But after my unrestrained performance at today's banquet, the Prefect should have one percent belief and ninety-nine percent disbelief. Yet, even with just that one percent belief... wouldn't you want a peerless genius who might break history, shake the continent, and enter the Earth Profound Realm before the age of twenty, to have grown under your protection and guidance?”

These words immediately stirred Qin Wuyou. But then, he quickly smiled and said, “On that point, you're mistaken. I admire your goal and believe you possess such ambition and perseverance. However, you are still young and currently only in the Elementary Profound Realm. You don't know how difficult the path of profound cultivation becomes later on. Many of its twists and bottlenecks simply cannot be overcome by mere talent, determination, effort, or perseverance. I, on the other hand, have walked the path of profound cultivation for nearly fifty years. I understand it ten times more thoroughly than you do. So, I would believe you could go from the Elementary Profound Realm to the True Profound Realm within three years, but stepping into the Earth Profound Realm? I completely disbelieve it, and no one else would believe it either.”

“Nevertheless, I will still do my utmost to protect you from today's incident. After all, you are a disciple of New Moon Profound Palace, and I am the Prefect. It is only natural for a Prefect to protect his disciples. What's more, after today's banquet, your reputation will spread throughout New Moon City, even across a thousand li. My New Moon Profound Palace will also gain considerable renown because of you. If you ever reach the Earth Profound or even Sky Profound Realm in the future, New Moon Profound Palace will be proud of you. A disciple like you hasn't appeared in New Moon Profound Palace for over a hundred years. Therefore, no matter what, I will protect you. This, of course, is also for the sake of New Moon Profound Palace and myself.”

“However, I can only shield you from overt retaliation. Xiao Sect will undoubtedly seek vengeance against you covertly, and I cannot always be exhaustive in my protection. If there are indeed situations I cannot account for, then you will have to rely on yourself.”

Qin Wuyou's words left Yun Che somewhat disappointed, but while it wasn't the best outcome, it was still within his expectations. He promptly cupped his hands respectfully and said, “Thank you for your promise, Prefect. Having just entered the Profound Palace, I've already caused such immense trouble, and I feel a bit ashamed. But please rest assured, Prefect, I will do my best to resolve today's matter myself, and I won't make things too difficult for you.”

“Heh heh, you needn't worry too much,” Qin Wuyou smiled. “They came to give me a show of force, but you helped me slap them back. Setting aside my identity as Prefect, I truly should protect you, and saying thanks is also appropriate, haha...”

After his conversation with Qin Wuyou, Yun Che, dragging his somewhat weakened body, walked out of the main hall in silence.

“It seems you're a bit disappointed,” Jasmine said coolly.

“Indeed,” Yun Che shook his head helplessly. “I had initially hoped to impress Qin Wuyou with my 'great goal' and today's performance, prompting him to take me in as a personal disciple. That way, I'd have had access to all the profound skills and resources of New Moon Profound Palace as conveniently as possible. But it seems I was too naive in my thinking.”

“Hmph! Meeting for the first time, without even knowing your background, how could he possibly make such a rash decision?” Jasmine said disdainfully. “Furthermore, your performance was too sharp, far exceeding your current age. While he admires you and feels he can't see through you, he'll instinctively develop a sense of caution, even danger. How could he possibly act as you wished?”

Yun Che's steps paused, and a realization dawned on him. “You're right, I did indeed overdo it a bit.”

“What do you plan to do next? Xiao Sect will absolutely not let the matter of you crippling Xiao Luocheng go. Killing you outright would be lenient!”

“That's actually quite simple,” Yun Che replied with a relaxed, slightly eerie smile. “Xiao Luocheng brought this upon himself. If I hadn't had a trump card, I would be the one crippled right now, not him. If they simply accept this, then so be it. But if they truly come after me... I have plenty of ways to turn their entire sect upside down!”

“As for Qin Wuyou's 'protection,' it's best if I have it, but it doesn't matter if I don't!”