Chapter 97: Escape (Part 1)

"You're back. And by the looks of it, you've already got the Dragon Core." Yun Che said calmly as he stood before them.

However, Xiao Tiannan and Xiao Baicao couldn't remain calm. Xiao Tiannan excitedly said, "Senior, your intuition was absolutely correct! The Black Moon Merchant Guild truly has a Dragon Core, and its grade is as high as Monarch Profound! When I first asked to buy a Dragon Core, they completely denied its existence. But the moment I showed them the violet-gold card you gave me, their attitude completely changed. Not only did they proactively produce the Dragon Core, but they also gave us an incredibly low price. They just made us promise not to leak any information about it."

Xiao Tiannan and Xiao Baicao's admiration for the Evil Heart Saint Hand now surged like a mighty river. They had never dreamed they would witness a legendary Monarch Profound Core in their lifetime, let alone hold it in their hands. On their way back, they rushed at top speed, a mix of excitement and caution. Despite being the undisputed masters of New Moon City, they felt a sense of trepidation.

"How much did they charge?" Yun Che asked.

"Six hundred thousand violet profound coins," Xiao Tiannan quickly replied. He knew perfectly well that without that violet-gold card, in the Azure Wind Empire, it would be impossible to buy such an item for even six million, let alone six hundred thousand violet profound coins. Although this transaction nearly depleted all of the branch sect's available funds, he still felt it was an incredible bargain.

Yun Che's eyebrows twitched uncontrollably... The Black Moon Merchant Guild was truly ruthless! They bought it from him for fifty thousand and then sold it for six hundred thousand... And judging by the expressions of the two men in front of him, they thought this price was practically a steal!

"Let me see the Dragon Core."

With that, Yun Che took the Monarch Profound Dragon Core from Xiao Tiannan and pretended to examine it carefully. He then nodded and said, "Indeed, it is a Monarch Profound Dragon Core, and it's from an adult Flame Dragon, acquired within the last two months. Very good. With this Monarch Profound Dragon Core, it will be incredibly easy for Xiao Luocheng's profound strength level to directly reach the Earth Profound Realm after his profound veins are restored."

Xiao Tiannan was overjoyed. Six hundred thousand violet profound coins to create an unprecedented genius who reaches the Earth Profound Realm at just sixteen years old... There was simply nothing cheaper in the world.

Yun Che returned the Dragon Core to Xiao Tiannan and instructed, "Guard it carefully. Don't let anyone else know of its existence. Otherwise, an innocent man becomes guilty by possessing a treasure. Any sect with some power in the entire Azure Wind Empire might come looking for it. Your main sect, especially, will come demanding it at the first opportunity."

"Yes, we will definitely not reveal it to anyone," Xiao Tiannan replied, naturally understanding the implications. He paused to consider, then tentatively asked, "However, the aura of this Monarch Profound Dragon Core is extremely unique. If an expert encounters it, it's inevitable they'll recognize it from afar. As the saying goes, 'long nights lead to many dreams.' I wonder if Senior could begin working on Luocheng immediately... um... that..."

Yun Che's expression grew serious. After a moment, he slowly nodded and said, "'Long nights lead to many dreams'... You're right. Very well, let's put the profound vein restoration on the agenda. We'll start tomorrow. However, to achieve 'break and rebuild,' a single Monarch Profound Dragon Core isn't enough. We'll also need some other special materials, which are not present in your sect's treasure vault. But the Black Moon Merchant Guild should have a supply. How about this, Sect Master Xiao, have someone take me to the Black Moon Merchant Guild. This heaven-defying method has extremely strict material requirements, so I must go in person."

Xiao Tiannan's heart swelled with excitement. He quickly said, "Excellent! I will personally accompany Senior. With me present, no one in New Moon City will be able to harm a single hair on Senior's head."

"No, it wouldn't be appropriate for you to go," Yun Che shook his head and said calmly. "As the sect master, if you personally accompany me, it will inevitably draw attention to my identity. Before, when I wandered, it didn't matter if others knew who I was, but now I must remain here to heal my grandson Luocheng's injuries, so it's absolutely crucial that no one knows I'm here. Sect Master Xiao, find someone trustworthy and not too conspicuous to accompany me."

"Senior is indeed very thorough in your considerations," Xiao Tiannan said, deeply agreeing with Yun Che's words. After a brief thought, he continued, "Then I will arrange for Xiao Zaihe to go with Senior. Although Zaihe is young, he has just entered the Spirit Profound Realm, and even if any accident occurs, he will certainly be able to ensure Senior's safety."

Soon, Xiao Zaihe was called over and escorted Yun Che down the mountain.

New Moon Profound Palace.

Yun Che had been missing for three days.

Although Yun Che had left a note telling Xia Yuanba not to worry, how could Xia Yuanba not be worried? He had practically scoured all of New Moon City for three days but found no trace of Yun Che, not even someone who had seen him. Lan Xueruo, equally anxious, had searched the entire city alongside him.

By this day, she simply couldn't wait any longer.

"I must go to the Xiao Sect! I've been asking around for days, and not a single person in New Moon City has seen him. This is too unusual. I suspect he was quietly abducted by the Xiao Sect; that's practically the only possibility," Lan Xueruo said with a cold expression.

Qin Wuyou sighed, "Alas, I thought so too. It's just that, first, there's no proof, and second, it's been three or four days. He crippled Xiao Luocheng, and Xiao Tiannan hates him to the bone. If he fell into their hands, he should have already..."

Lan Xueruo bit her lip, her face resolute. "If he's dead, I want to see the body! If he's alive, I want to see the person! If he's still alive, we must find a way to rescue him."

Qin Wuyou's expression froze. "Your Highness, why do you value this Yun Che so highly? It's not just that you've only interacted with him for a day. Even in terms of talent, Fen Juechen of the Azure Wind Profound Palace, who is close to his age, surpasses him by almost two major realms. Besides Fen Juechen, there are countless others in the Azure Wind Profound Palace who are superior to Yun Che. Why are you so fixated on him?"

Lan Xueruo closed her eyes slightly and said softly, "I did consider Fen Juechen at first. But... although he defected from the Burning Heaven Clan, he was still born into it, and he's the sect master's biological son. Even if he joined our imperial family, it would be met with criticism. Moreover, you know his temperament best: taciturn, almost devoid of emotion, and as proud and arrogant as a wolf. Because of his arrogance, he even betrayed the Burning Heaven Clan. How could he possibly be willing to pledge allegiance to the imperial family? In this world, no one can truly control him."

"As for Yun Che... Palace Master Qin, have you ever heard of someone crippling an opponent in one move, despite a difference of an entire major realm in cultivation? I've practiced the Emperor's Heart Art since childhood and am most skilled at discerning hearts. Even Fen Juechen couldn't escape my perception, yet when facing Yun Che, I couldn't see through him in the slightest. I imagine Palace Master Qin must have felt the same way when you met him. I've never encountered anyone like him in my life. What's most astonishing is that he's only sixteen years old."

Qin Wuyou said, "Your Highness is correct. His depth is unfathomable. From his eyes, I only saw what he wanted me to see; I couldn't discern anything he didn't want me to. However, such a person is destined to be far more difficult to control than Fen Juechen."

"No, it's not the same," Lan Xueruo shook her head. "I don't need to control him; I simply hope he can represent the imperial family and help me with this one favor when the time comes. That day at the banquet, when Xia Yuanba was injured, he immediately flew into a rage, not hesitating to strike hard at the person who injured Xia Yuanba, even in front of everyone. This proves he's a very loyal person. If we treat him sincerely, he will reciprocate. Plus, he's currently like a rootless duckweed, with nowhere to go. If he comes with me to the Azure Wind Profound Palace, everything will fall into place naturally. And right now is a perfect opportunity. If he truly is in the Xiao Sect's hands and still alive, rescuing him will undoubtedly make him remember this kindness, and at that point, he certainly won't refuse."

Even after hearing Lan Xueruo present various reasons many times, Qin Wuyou still couldn't fully comprehend the source of her high regard and confidence in Yun Che. After all, while Yun Che's performance was astonishing, his starting point was simply too low. A sixteen-year-old at the first level of the True Profound Realm might be considered upper-tier in New Moon City, but on *that* stage... it was practically negligible.

Moreover, that specific time was rapidly approaching. How could he possibly reach the anticipated level within such a short period?

Perhaps her "Emperor's Heart Art" had sensed something.

"Since it's Your Highness's decision, of course, I won't object. If Your Highness insists, then I will accompany you to the branch sect," Qin Wuyou said somewhat helplessly. Although he knew that if Yun Che had indeed fallen into the Xiao Sect's hands, his chances of survival were slim.

"There's no need. It's best not to involve the New Moon Profound Palace in this matter any further. I can go by myself. If necessary, I will reveal my identity."

Qin Wuyou hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Yun Che and Xiao Zaihe had been gone for about two quarters of an hour, likely having already left the sect grounds. Xiao Tiannan held the glittering red Monarch Profound Dragon Core in his hands, not daring to let go for even a moment. Just then, he suddenly thought of something, slapping his forehead. "Baicao, quickly go to the treasure vault and bring me that box made of snow mountain cold jade!"

Xiao Baicao acknowledged and left... Not long after, he practically stumbled and scrambled back, his face pale with terror, as if he had just seen a demon in broad daylight. He collapsed in front of Xiao Tiannan, his voice trembling. "S-Sect... Sect Master! The treasure... the treasure vault is... empty... empty! It's empty!!"

"Empty? What's empty?" Xiao Tiannan's heart skipped a beat; he didn't fully grasp it at first.

Xiao Baicao swallowed hard and struggled to say, "Everything is gone... The treasure vault... everything is gone... everything is gone!!"

"Wh-What!?" Xiao Tiannan cried out in alarm, his face drained of color. After standing stunned for a moment, he dashed frantically towards the treasure vault.