True Martial World - Chapter 876: Luo Huo’er’s Maleficent Idea

"Your Majesty, I came here firstly to visit the Luo clan royal capital on invitation, and secondly to see Princess Purple Spirit. And as a matter of convenience, I will take the princess to the White Fox clan." Bai Yueqing turned towards Luo Huo’er, his tone suddenly sounding even more pleasant.

The way he looked at Luo Huo'er made her feel uncomfortable all over. "What is this male seductive fox doing? Why are his eyes so salacious? It's giving me goosebumps all over."

And from Yi Yun's side, he felt that the arrogant Bai Yueqing had now changed the way he looked at Luo Huo'er. It was tender, and like his mouth was filled with honey.

"Uh, is this person one of the White Fox princes that you previously mentioned… one that might fancy you?" Yi Yun asked with a voice transmission.

But from the looks of it, it was no longer a possibility, but a fact.

Luo Huo'er stared with widened eyes.

"That can't be! That old witch, Empress Luo, has already found someone! Furthermore, it's a male seductive fox! Just being around that fellow gives me goosebumps all over, alright!?"

Only then did Luo Huo'er come to a realization. Empress Luo must have 'sold' her. Allowing Crimson Firmament to marry Princess White Fox on one side, while on the other side, she was 'sold' to the White Fox clan. It was killing two birds with one stone!

Bai Yueqing had been invited by Empress Luo. He came here for her!

No wonder the moment that this person appeared, he gave Luo Huo'er a feeling that the way he looked at her was rather strange.

"Alright, This Princess still hasn't even gone to the White Fox clan, and a candidate has already been chosen for her. The candidate has even been summoned here!"

"Huo'er." At that moment, Empress Xuan spoke lightly, cutting Luo Huo'er, who was about to flare up, off.

She glanced at Luo Huo'er and gave her a nearly unnoticeable shake of her head.

Although Empress Xuan had stopped Luo Huo'er, she too was furious about this matter.

Empress Luo had taken the liberties to carry out her own plan so her son could inherit the throne and marry off her, Empress Xuan’s daughter, to the White Fox clan. There was disregard for her daughter's thoughts, and she was using the entire Luo clan's interests as ransom for her daughter.

This was truly an ingenious strategy!

Empress Xuan looked at Bai Yueqing. Despite her rage, she did not do anything that would appear demeaning to her bearing.

With the Luo clan facing the threat of the Fey Phantasm Sect, Bai Yueqing represented the White Fox clan. They were their reliable ally, so if their alliance were to break up because of this matter, regardless of how much Emperor Luo loved Luo Huo'er, he too would be incensed.

In that case, even if Luo Huo'er did not marry into the White Fox clan, she would be ineligible for the throne.

"Third Prince, you are so thoughtful." Empress Xuan said lightly.

"Huo'er, the exchange between you and Princess White Fox has been approved by your father. You have to go for the White Fox clan's trials. There's no need for you to worry. You are our Luo clan's princess, and one of the heirs to the throne. No matter how bold Bai Yueqing is, he would not dare to force you. If you don't like him, just keep a distance away from him." Empress Xuan transmitted her voice to Luo Huo'er.

The Luo clan's status was equal to the White Fox clan’s. Both sides would not lose their decorum.

If Luo Huo'er were to go to the White Fox clan, she would be in the same situation as Princess White Fox. It was a similar exchange, which meant they were candidates as marriage partners. Prince Crimson Firmament was extremely polite to Princess White Fox. Even at Empress Luo's banquet, they did not sit together, so Bai Yueqing would have to act in a similar manner. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

However, with Luo Huo'er's character, even if she knew this, she still felt extremely upset!

And at that moment, Bai Yueqing spoke again, "I've heard since a long time ago that Princess Purple Spirit is intelligent and is extremely talented. After the White Fox trials, This Prince wishes to invite Princess Purple Spirit to stay in the White Fox clan for a period of time. Princess Purple Spirit can also travel around the White Fox clan, and This Prince will accompany Princess Purple Spirit to introduce her to the customs of the land… "

When Bai Yueqing said this, Luo Huo'er could no longer tolerate it any further. Throughout all his rambling, Luo Huo'er only understood one thing.

Other than the exchange, this male seductive fox actually wanted to keep her back to travel around the White Fox clan.

This traveling was apparently going to be used as an opportunity to saunter in front of her.

This person was someone forcefully arranged by Empress Luo to begin with. Furthermore, he was an effeminate male fox that was trying to cling to her. This incensed Luo Huo'er.

"I'm a princess of the Luo clan, it is downright improper to spend prolonged periods of time in foreign lands." Luo Huo'er wrinkled her face as she refused.

"His Majesty Emperor Luo seems to be supportive of princes and princesses travelling the world so they could draw on more martial arts essence. Furthermore, the Luo clan and my White Fox clan has always enjoyed good relations. Your Highness, don't you worry. If you want to learn any cultivation techniques of my White Fox clan, I can choose a batch of young elites from my White Fox clan to spar with Your Highness, so as to improve your strength… "

"Not interested!"

Luo Huo'er was on her last straw. Did this male fox even know how to read between the lines!?

"In that case… " Bai Yueqing's smile began to vanish. He was not a fool, so he could obviously tell from Luo Huo'er's reactions that he was disliked.

He was a proud person. His status was not one bit lower than Luo Huo'er's. To repeatedly hit a wall, he obviously did not feel good about it.

In the White Fox clan, which woman did not scramble to gain his favor?

"From the looks of it, Your Highness does not think much of my White Fox's mystic techniques and also looks down on my White Fox clan's geniuses."

Luo Huo'er grunted, but she did not speak a word. Indeed, she didn't think highly of them.

"Why doesn't Your Highness make a bet with This Prince?" Bai Yueqing suddenly asked. Luo Huo'er ignored him, but he continued speaking, "Regarding the upcoming trial… it's not a boast on This Prince's part, but there are many young talents amongst the White Fox clan's younger generation. This Prince's younger sister, Princess White Fox, is an obvious case that does not need mentioning. If Your Highness doesn't think highly of my White Fox clan's young talents, This Prince can get a number of them to give up on the White Fox trials and transfer them to participate in the Luo clan's Luo Divine Hall trials. We can learn through an exchange!"

"Your Luo clan's young geniuses can also come to my White Fox clan! Finally, we can compare the final results!"

"Princess Purple Spirit is obviously a wondrous genius and you would have dazzling results. However, This Prince's sister, Princess White Fox, would not be inferior to Princess Purple Spirit."

"As for the final outcome… This Prince believes that out of ten, our White Fox clan would take up at least six!"

Six!?

Luo Huo'er stared with widened eyes, while Empress Xuan frowned slightly. They were obviously not pleased with the words that he said.

The Luo clan had never been inferior to the White Fox clan, be it the experts in the clan or the younger generation.

But now, Bai Yueqing had made a bold statement.

"If Your Highness doesn't believe in it, why don't you make a bet with This Prince? If what This Prince claims is validated, Your Highness can stay behind and travel around the White Fox clan. What does Your Highness think about this?"

Defeat me? Luo Huo'er's almond-shaped eyes stared at him. This male fox spirit was beginning to act like a bushy-tailed wolf.

Luo Huo'er had to participate in the trials, but even with Luo Huo'er being included, Bai Yueqing predicted that the results would be six out of ten in his favor!

At that moment, Yi Yun's voice transmission rang in Luo Huo'er's ears. "Don't fall for his goading. There is no need for you to take up the bet. If you lose, you end up staying in the White Fox clan, but there's no benefit in winning… "

Yi Yun frowned as he glanced at Bai Yueqing. Bai Yueqing definitely had something backing him for him to dare make such a bold claim. It could not have been thin air.

"Don't worry Little Yun. This Princess isn't stupid!"

Luo Huo'er's words made Yi Yun nod his head secretly. However, the next sentence of hers made Yi Yun nearly spit whatever he had in his mouth out.

"Alright, I'll bet with you." Luo Huo'er said.

What the heck, Luo Huo'er? Didn't she say she wasn't stupid!? Yi Yun was rendered speechless.

A smile flashed on Bai Yueqing's face before it disappeared. From his appearance, it looked as though he had everything under control. "Then it is agreed."

"You haven't said what will happen if you lose!"

"If I lose, This Prince will give Your Highness a gift that she won't expect!" Bai Yueqing used a mysterious tone in his words.

However, Luo Huo'er felt like giving him a slap when she heard this. Who wants a gift from a male fox like you!?

Bai Yueqing probably noticed Luo Huo'er's look of repulsiveness. He adjusted his body and he felt somewhat embarrassed. His gifts were something that numerous people yearned for, but she was repulsed at his offering of a gift.

"Princess Purple Spirit, other than gifts, whatever Your Highness wants, This Prince will also satisfy you, as long as the Luo clan wins."

Bai Yueqing could only take a step back so as to make Luo Huo'er take up the bet.

Luo Huo'er said, "You will satisfy me with whatever? Alright. This Princess is a pragmatic person who loves Ancient Fey bones, especially supreme-grade Ancient Fey bones. Giving seven or eight hundred of them would do."

What Luo Huo'er said nearly choked Bai Yueqing.

Bai Yueqing dryly coughed twice and sweat dripped on the back of his head. Seven or eight hundred Ancient Fey bones?

Yi Yun nearly burst out laughing when he heard this. Luo Huo'er was truly not someone to be messed with. He knew very well that his obtaining of an Ancient Fey bone back at the Mt. Azure Billow collective training had already caused Ran Yu, Luo Tian and company to covet it.

"This… " Bai Yueqing looked somewhat embarrassed.

"If there are no Ancient Fey bones, This Princess isn't interested!"

"Your Highness, you are truly making things difficult… " Bai Yueqing felt that Luo Huo'er was just fooling with him. "Since you do not want This Prince's gift, we can change the bet."

"What's there to change?" Luo Huo'er rolled her eyes. Other than Ancient Fey bones, there was nothing she was interested in. But on second thought, she suddenly had an idea as she cast a strange look at Yi Yun.

For some reason, Yi Yun felt his heart skip, as though he had an extreme sense of foreboding.

Luo Huo'er cleared her throat as she said slowly, "Let's do it this way. Since you use This Princess as a bet, let's pull Princess White Fox in as well. She will be participating in the Luo Divine Hall trials, while I'll be participating in the White Fox trials. It will be a fair bet, isn't it?"

"Oh? I wonder how Princess Purple Spirit plans on betting?" Bai Yueqing asked with a smile.

"If Princess White Fox fails to obtain first place, then she will have to stay in the Luo clan while traveling around it." Luo Huo'er answered.

"That's not a problem." Bai Yueqing immediately agreed. What sort of bet was this? Ignoring the upcoming Luo Divine Hall trials, Bai Yueqing believed that it was certain that the White Fox clan would emerge victorious. Even if the White Fox clan lost, leaving Xue'er behind in the Luo clan was fine. It would allow more interactions with Prince Crimson Firmament.

"Then it is agreed upon. When the time comes, Yi Yun will accompany her on her travels."

Luo Huo'er turned her head at Yi Yun and said with a grin. "This mission will be entasked to you. Don't disappoint me!"

As Luo Huo'er said this, she winked at Yi Yun. Yi Yun had a bitter look on his face. This darn girl. She had indeed made her plans revolving around him.

How maleficent was she to think of such a bet!?

True Martial World - Chapter 875: The Fox is Here

As Empress Xuan's palace, Fenghua Palace was much better than the viscount residence when it came to cultivating. It was practically one of the top cultivating grounds in the Luo clan royal capital. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

In the following days, Yi Yun peacefully cultivated in Fenghua Palace. His living arrangements were arranged by the palace maids that Empress Xuan assigned to him. He cultivated together with Luo Huo'er and they would spar at times. Time passed very quickly.

On this day, the sky above Fenghua Palace suddenly buzzed with pearly sounds. It sounded distant but melodious to the ear. Even the palace maids in the cultivation ground could not help but look up.

In a blink of an eyes, a few white ribbons fell from the magnolia clouds, linking the sky to the ground. White lights beamed, as though a palace from the nine heavens had descended.

On the ribbons stood a line of figures. The person leading them had white hair that drooped down to the ground and he wore silk clothes under a fox-fur robe. Several strongmen followed behind him. The other figures were beauties dressed in pink tops and blue skirts. The pearly sounds was a result from the adornments on their heads, which chimed in the wind.

With these people appearing, they resembled immortals that lived in the heavens. They were a feast for the eyes and dazzling to the common people. The sound of their footsteps made anyone who heard them involuntarily feel like they were indulging in the greatest of pleasures.

Yi Yun heard it for a moment before he cleared his mind and recovered his senses.

"Who are these people? Are they allowed to fly above Fenghua Palace?" Yi Yun asked.

"Young Master, they are people from the White Fox clan." A palace maid responded.

People from the White Fox? It was surprising that they could fly above Fenghua Palace. Typical nobles had to land from afar when they approached the royal palaces and enter the palace by foot.

The expedition of the White Fox clan had magnolia clouds paving their paths, accompanied by divine music, making them appear like gods. This was very different to the Luo clan. Whenever the Luo clan's royal family went on an expedition, they would usually choose a domineering mount with Ancient Fey bloodlines. It would look full of pomp, but it would lack a certain bit of elegance.

"It's rather elegant." Yi Yun said.

He knew that the magnolia clouds and ribbons were something similar to spirit cruisers. However, the price of them was a lot more higher. As for the adornments, they must have had mystical arrays engraved on them.

Yi Yun recalled Princess White Fox, who he had met at the banquet. It couldn't be her, right?

The white ribbons descended towards Fenghua Palace, and in a while, a palace maid came from the front hall and said, "Young Master Yi, Her Majesty and Her Highness invite you over."

"I'll be right there." Yi Yun changed out of his cultivation clothes and he followed the palace maid to the front hall.

Upon entering, Yi Yun saw the dozen or more girls who previously stood on the ribbons.

The girls' faces were like peach flowers and they were all very tall. They looked nearly identical, clearly a result of a careful selection.

Yi Yun noticed their charming eyes with their fox tails swaying behind them. Indeed, they were girls from the fox clan.

And on the main seat of the hall sat Empress Xuan. And slightly lower than her sat Luo Huo'er on the left and a person with white hair dressed in fox-fur on the right.

Yi Yun was truly taken aback seeing this person's appearance. The person's white hair shimmered with a silver light, and it sprawled down from his head like now.

He was clearly a male, but his looks were more exquisite than a female. In the middle of his brows were three cinnabar dots, adding a feminine touch to him, but he emitted a manly aura, reminiscent of a dragon. He was clearly an esteemed man who had lived through chaotic times.

"How is it, Little Yun? Are you surprised? That is a male seductive fox." At that moment, Luo Huo'er's voice transmission echoed in Yi Yun's ears.

When Yi Yun heard Luo Huo'er's words, he nearly burst out laughing. Thankfully, he was not drinking tea, or he might have sprayed it all out.

From the sound of Luo Huo'er's tone, she was displeased with the white-haired youth.

At that moment, Empress Xuan spoke, "Third Prince, this is Yi Yun. Yi Yun, this is the Third Prince of the White Fox clan. He came specially to visit our Luo clan royal capital. He had heard news of your performance at the banquet and he wanted to meet you. Third Prince is also a person who appreciates talents."

"Your Majesty, you can just call me Bai Yueqing." Bai Yueqing said. His voice sounded pleasant to the ears, but it sounded a little effeminate. He smiled at Empress Xuan before looking at Yi Yun.

The moment that he was looked at by the Third Prince of the White Fox clan, Yi Yun felt that he was being probed.

This feeling was very weak. If not for Yi Yun's Purple Crystal, it was nearly undetectable.

Yi Yun frowned slightly.

To engage in such a probe after having just met. Was Bai Yueqing certain that he would not have been able to detect it?

Upon seeing Yi Yun’s frown, Bai Yueqing's slender eyes narrowed slightly as he seemed to reveal a smile. It could truly be described as a coquettish gaze.

"I heard from Xue'er that this Yi Yun is rather interesting and I was wondering what sort of person he was… But meeting him today, there is naturally no way to compare him to a gem like Prince Crimson Firmament. Even compared to Prince Crimson Firmament's subordinate, Luo Mo, it seems like he is far inferior. In terms of cultivation level, strength and foundation… especially his body's lifeblood strength, it is far inferior to the Fey race."

"However, Xue'er seldom exaggerates. Since she described the situation at the banquet, it is apparently true. However, it is highly unlikely that he modified the seventy-two introductory moves himself to refine an 'outstanding' third-grade relic. Yi Yun probably managed to come across a fascinating modified mystic version of the seventy-two moves, and he had specially prepared for the banquet to be make such an astounding performance. If not, why was there a need to request to compete in introductory moves… ?"

Bai Yueqing quickly came to a conclusion. He did not believe there was such a level of genius in this world. It was likely that Yi Yun had used a clever trick or some other deceptive methods.

He had hoped that Princess White Fox would tie the knot with Prince Crimson Firmament after going to the Luo clan, so that both sides would form an alliance. In the future, when Bai Yueqing inherited the throne, his power would be stabilized as a result. The White Fox clan’s reputation would increase and it would expand its influence.

However, after Princess White Fox saw Yi Yun, her description of Prince Crimson Firmament was rather dull, and instead, she had talked more about Yi Yun.

She had even said that Princess Purple Spirit and Yi Yun appeared like old acquaintances and it even looked like a good relationship. Back then at the banquet, Yi Yun sat beside Princess Purple Spirit, and he was just across Princess White Fox.

This made Bai Yueqing extremely unhappy.

Hence, the moment he came to Fenghua Palace, he immediately requested to meet Yi Yun. However, when he met Yi Yun, Bai Yueqing was somewhat disappointed. He had the White Fox Heaven Eye, so he could tell Yi Yun's cultivation level and strength at a glance. At the beginning stages of the Heaven Ascension realm, Yi Yun was not worthy enough for him, even if Yi Yun was skilled in the Desolate Heaven technique.

Furthermore, in terms of background and status, Yi Yun was far inferior to him. If he took Yi Yun as a love rival, that would be sully his status. He believed that Luo Huo'er would definitely not truly fall in love with Yi Yun.

From Luo Huo'er's innocent demeanor, he believed that she did not think about boy-girl relationships too much. It was unlikely she would be moved by anyone. Hence, it was best if he slowly nurtured their feelings on this matter.

Bai Yueqing smiled after these thoughts flashed in his mind.

"So you are Yi Yun. Your performance is pretty good." Bai Yueqing nodded his head slightly, while his tone sounded like a warm spring breeze.

"This male seductive fox sure is cocky. Who does he think he is? He thinks he's some heaven's gift to women. Does Little Yun even need his evaluation!?" Luo Huo'er pouted her mouth and began transmitting her voice to the people around her.

When Yi Yun heard this, he held back his laughter and remained silent.

True Martial World - Chapter 874: Princess Exchange

Luo Huo'er stood beside Yi Yun and she signaled him with her eyes. Just as she was about to send a Yuan Qi voice transmission, Empress Xuan had lightly glanced at her. Luo Huo'er gaped her mouth and no longer spoke.

Yi Yun faltered and glanced at Luo Huo'er before looking at Empress Xuan. He was somewhat confused. Could this impish brat have complained to Empress Xuan and hoped that her mother would avenge her…?

He honestly said, "Back in the lower realm, the matter regarding the relic was just Her Highness pulling a prank on your humble servant. However, your humble servant had been thoughtless and offensive towards the princess. Your humble servant seeks forgiveness from Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Luo Huo'er's face blushed red. As for Empress Xuan, she stared at Luo Huo'er and said to Yi Yun with a smile, "What Huo'er told me was that you had bullied her. Why does it sound like it was the other way around?"

Eh?

Yi Yun was taken aback. He had believed that the imp was going to use her status as a princess to seek revenge on him. But from the looks of it, things did not play out that way… He was the one who had been bullied, to begin with. But from the way that Empress Xuan said it, it sounded as though Luo Huo'er had been victorious.

Yi Yun was at a loss as to what to say momentarily. The relic's explosion was actually nothing serious, but if Empress Xuan knew about him seeing Luo Huo'er's body, that would be…

Yi Yun dryly coughed and he felt that it was better for him to speak less today. It was better to just listen to what Empress Xuan had to say.

In fact, after the banquet had ended today, Empress Xuan had asked Luo Huo'er on matters regarding Yi Yun. Luo Huo'er never expected that Empress Xuan would ask about such trivial matters. She had previously embellished her embarrassing matters, transferring all the sufferance onto Yi Yun. She had never expected that her mother would be so maleficent to summon Yi Yun and debunk her right there and then.

Indeed, a mother knows her daughter best.

Empress Xuan sized up Yi Yun curiously. She knew that her daughter had been accustomed to being an imp in the royal capital. The guards and palace maids had all suffered under the hands of Luo Huo'er. Only a maidservant like Dong'er, who was silly enough to make Luo Huo'er feel like there was no achievement in bullying her, could accompany Luo Huo'er.

However, Empress Xuan had never expected that someone from a tiny place in the lower realm would make Luo Huo'er suffer. She found it amusing momentarily.

Of course, this was just the fooling around of children in her opinion.

Debunking one was sufficient, so Empress Xuan did not probe any further. Instead, she asked Yi Yun, "Are you accustomed to living in the Viscount residence?"

With the topic being changed, Luo Huo'er heaved a sigh of relief. If Empress Xuan knew of her exposure, with Empress Xuan's understanding of her and Yi Yun's blockhead like answers, she would truly have to kill herself once the truth was revealed!

Yi Yun said, "The Viscount residence is spacious and comfortable. Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Alright, that's good. What Huo'er said is correct as well. The Luo Divine Hall trials are filled with experts and geniuses. You have to make a lot of preparations. You have to know that although you have gotten a lot of attention at the banquet, that's only on the Desolate Heaven technique aspect of things. On Empress Luo's side, they are gearing themselves up to push you down from your pedestal at the Luo Divine Hall trials. This Empress will not lie to you. The number of top geniuses in This Empress' camp is far lower in those in Empress Luo’s camp. At the Luo Divine Hall trials, it will not be easy on you!"

Yi Yun nodded at Empress Xuan's warning. He obviously had foreseen such matters.

"Right, This Empress has summoned you here to let you stay in Fenghua Palace and cultivate. The cultivating grounds here are much better than your Viscount residence. You can use any of them. Huo'er will be with you."

With Empress Xuan saying this, Yi Yun thought of something and asked, "Is Her Highness also participating in the Luo Divine Hall trials?"

Yi Yun had believed that with Luo Huo'er being at a suitable age, it was reasonable for her to join the Luo Divine Hall trials, but he never expected that Empress Xuan would shake her head and say, "No, Huo'er will be going to the White Fox clan and participating in the collective training and trials in the White Fox clan. And in exchange, Princess White Fox will be staying for the Luo Divine Hall trials."

Empress Xuan's words caught Yi Yun by surprise.

Exchange?

The Luo clan and the White Fox clan were to exchange princesses? What was that for? A rite for the alliance of the two clans?

Yi Yun was somewhat curious, but asking Empress Xuan directly was impolite. Furthermore, from the look on Empress Xuan’s face, she did not appear to be fond of the idea. Her slight change in expression made it clear.

"Alright, as for your residence, Huo'er will arrange it for you. You can take your leave. Huo'er, take Yi Yun around so that he familiarizes himself with the surroundings."

After Empress Xuan said this, she waved her hand.

At that moment, Luo Huo'er was still extremely embarrassed. Upon hearing Empress Xuan's instructions, she heaved a sigh of relief. Spitting out her tongue, she tugged at Yi Yun's sleeves and said, "Leave quickly! Why are you so good at reading people? You nearly caused This Princess to embarrass herself!"

Out of the hall, Luo Huo'er had pursed her lips and had said unhappily.

Yi Yun was rendered speechless. What the heck was this? You were the one lying, and all I did was tell the truth.

"I'm telling you. We'll forget about the relic explosion. If that matter ever leaks out, This Princess will strangle you to death… " Luo Huo'er said with a blushed face when she reached this part in the sentence. "You know what I'm referring to, right?"

Luo Huo'er was too embarrassed to say it loud, but Yi Yun had guessed it. He was tickled, but he endured it. Trying his best to have a serious expression on his face, he said, "I know what matter you are talking about. I won't talk about it."

"You still have the nerve to laugh!?" For some reason, Luo Huo'er had seen through him and she immediately flared up.

Yi Yun gave a look of grievance. He swore to the heavens that he did not even move his lips, but Luo Huo'er was already certain that he wanted to laugh.

"This Princess warns you. That matter is not to be spoken to anyone. It's best that you forget it at once! You lucked out and you still want to laugh? You are infuriating This Princess to death." Luo Huo'er said angrily.

"I'm not laughing… " Yi Yun protested. Indeed, he had not laughed.

"You are thinking of laughing in your heart, so that counts." Luo Huo'er said with great certainty, as though she had seen through him.

"… "

Yi Yun was rendered speechless. He knew that he could not outspeak Luo Huo'er, so he changed the topic of conversation and asked, "Princess Purple Spirit, I want to ask you… "

"Wait, it's better you call me Luo Huo'er. If not, Huo'er is fine as well. Princess Purple Spirit is too awkward."

"Uh… fine. Huo'er, previously, Empress Xuan mentioned that you will be participating in the trials at the White Fox clan, and Empress Xuan appeared unhappy about the arrangements. Why was that so?"

With Yi Yun's question, a new bout of anger came from Luo Huo'er. As she ground her canines, she said huffily, "It's all that witch, Empress Luo's idea. She wants her son to marry Princess White Fox. By marrying her, Crimson Firmament's status would be higher. And who knows what the White Fox clan is thinking, they actually agreed to it!"

"However, despite the White Fox clan appearing to readily agree on the surface, how can they be assured to leave their princess here for the Luo clan's trials? Hence, they proposed to send me to the White Fox clan. As such, an exchange would put their minds to rest!"

"According to Mother, Empress Luo has another idea. Not only does she want to allow Crimson Firmament to marry Princess White Fox, she wants This Princess to be fancied by some fox guy at their clan. When the time comes, I'll be married off to the White Fox clan, then I won't have the qualifications to fight Crimson Firmament for the throne!"

Yi Yun stared with widened eyes at her when he heard this. There were so many hidden intents in this simple scheme.

"Then His Majesty has agreed to it?"

"Yes, Father has agreed. Our Luo clan hasn't recovered yet and it is indeed in need of allies. However, if they are thinking of marrying This Princess off, that will be naivety on their part. Those fox men are as effeminate as they can be. I won't fancy that, and if I disagree with it, Father will not force me!"

Yi Yun nodded. However, if the White Fox clan had a prince that was heir apparent pursuing Luo Huo'er, Emperor Luo would probably have to deliberate on it…

If Crimson Firmament were to marry Princess White Fox, and Luo Huo'er were to marry the new White Fox Emperor, the two clans' alliance would become unbreakable.

As for the Luo clan's greatest enemy — the Fey Phantasm Sect, who came from the sinkhole, and had attacked all the way to the Luo clan's royal capital a few decades ago — they would no longer be as fearful.

Yi Yun was somewhat worried for Luo Huo'er. When something that truly involved the continuation of a clan, a father's law might not be able to withstand the mission of an emperor. If not, he would not be a qualified emperor. Taking ten thousand steps back, even if Luo Huo'er had succeeded in resisting it, her standing in Emperor Luo's heart would drastically deteriorate as a result of this matter. It would then be highly unlikely that she would inherit the throne.

Empress Luo's machinations seemed simple, but they were very deadly. This was probably the reason why Empress Xuan had an unhappy look.

As Yi Yun was thinking, Luo Huo'er's next sentence nearly caused him to stumble to the ground.

Luo Huo'er said, "I say, Little Yun when you are taking part in the Luo Divine Hall trials, go win over the little white fox's hand. If you were to snatch the wife-to-be of Crimson Firmament, that would be fun. Hehe."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Yi Yun was rendered speechless. "I have a wife."

"Oh? Are you married? But that's no big deal. In the Fey race, a warrior can engage in polygamy. It's nothing odd." Luo Huo'er said indifferently.

Yi Yun stared at her and he could not be bothered to speak any further. However, if someone truly snatched Princess White Fox away, Crimson Firmament would probably be screaming bloody murder. That was not only the hatred coming from snatching his loved one, it also threatened his path to the throne. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

"Tch, it was just a joke. Furthermore, even if you were to pursue her, you might not even succeed. That little white fox has very high standards. She might not even think anything of you. Hehe." Luo Huo'er laughed when she said this. She would never give up on a chance to strike at Yi Yun.

True Martial World - Chapter 873: Summoning from Empress Xuan

Empress Luo's banquet had ended in a way that was completely unexpected. As for Yi Yun's name, it became well-known amongst the circles of the top elites of various states as well as the upper echelons of the Luo clan. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

He had come from a lower realm, but he had managed to obtain first place in a combined training of the two states, the Fire Cloud State and the Phoenix Firmiana State. This achievement might not have been astounding, but defeating Luo Mo with his Desolate Heaven technique, he had truly vaulted into prominence!

Now, Yi Yun was at the zenith of attention. Especially for him being in his thirties, his future was beyond promising.

At that moment, in a particular hall of the Xushui Ran clan.

Ran Yu was lying prostrate on the ground. Both his hands were held to the ground. Due to using excessive force in his fingers, his veins began bulging out.

In front of Ran Yu sat a middle-aged man. In his hand was a book that he was reading in silence.

This middle-aged man was one of the Elders of the Xushui Ran clan, and he was also Ran Yu's Fourth Uncle, who had always been Ran Yu's backer.

But just a while ago, the middle-aged man had informed Ran Yu of the matters regarding Empress Luo's banquet. Ran Yu's heart was palpitating when he heard the information. The details of the matter were unbelievable, but how could his uncle deceive him?

Yi Yun also knew the Desolate Heaven technique!

Ran Yu did not have a single bit of understanding of the Desolate Heaven technique. He had focused his heart and mind on cultivation. The Desolate Heaven technique was extremely time consuming, but even so, his attainment in cultivation was inferior to Yi Yun’s.

The gap was just too great…

"Don't provoke Yi Yun any further. You can't afford to. The family has decided to no longer target Yi Yun."

The middle-aged man had extinguished Ran Yu's hopes with a figurative basin of cold water, causing Ran Yu's body to jolt.

"But our Xushui Ran clan's reputation… " Ran Yu said in disgruntlement.

"Hmph!" The middle-aged man coldly snorted and said, "Reputation is relative. If Yi Yun was an ant, even if he had bitten you gently, it would be easy to trample him to death. But now, he is no longer an ant. Our Ran clan isn't afraid of Yi Yun obviously, but Yi Yun is currently thriving, and with his close relationship with Princess Purple Spirit, our Ran clan may be able to deal with Yi Yun, but the cost would be too high. It's not worth it!"

Once the middle-aged man said this, Ran Yu's fingers nearly tore the ground open while he was kneeling…

Why was this happening? Just a month ago, Yi Yun was just like an ant in his eyes.

But now, be it his identity, status, and fame, they were all far inferior to Yi Yun’s. Even his family clan had chosen to avoid the cutting edge with the situation in front of them!

The middle-aged man added on, "Now, Yi Yun is living in a viscount residence. In the future, he will often be in the royal capital. As for you… Choose any one of the Ran clan's other state's mundane estates, and I will do my best at arranging it for you."

The middle-aged man stood up while speaking, and he left the hall, leaving Ran Yu slumped to the ground. Minding the family estate and slowly die of old age? Was this his outcome… ?

...

The Luo clan's royal capital was a sacred land of the Luo clan, where many elites stayed.

Not everyone was eligible to have a residence in the Luo clan's royal capital, let alone the breathtaking price of its land.

Being able to own a house in the royal capital was itself a badge of honor.

And now, Yi Yun had obtained a mansion that occupied a circumference of nearly half a kilometer.

This was the Xuan family's estate in the royal capital, and now, it had been conferred onto Yi Yun as his viscount residence.

When Yi Yun first entered the viscount residence, a number of people had sent him congratulatory gifts, but it was not bustling with visitors. On the contrary, the number of people who visited Yi Yun were very few in number.

After all, Yi Yun was on Empress Xuan's side. During the crucial period of the vying of the throne, the factions in the royal capital had to be very cautious in their dealings with people on both sides.

On the first night that Yi Yun stayed in the viscount residence, a visitor came. He was a golden-armored guard from the royal palace. He had come with news — Empress Xuan wanted to meet Yi Yun.

It was understandable that Empress Xuan wanted to meet Yi Yun after the banquet.

After packing his things slightly, he accompanied the golden-armored guard straight for Fenghua Palace.

This was the first time that Yi Yun had visited the Luo clan's royal palace. Looking ahead, it was littered with immortal mountains, with palatial buildings all over it.

The core royal palace was shrouded by a large array and it was invisible. The lofty Emperor Luo lived in the core vicinity of this area.

As for Fenghua Palace, it was located to the back of the royal palace, and similarly, it was protected by a powerful array. Under the escort of the golden-armored guard, Yi Yun successfully entered the palace.

Most of Fenghua Palace was covered with red glass tiles. From afar, Fenghua Palace looked like a fire phoenix that lived in the deep mountains. It was beautiful and brilliant.

"Little Yun!"

The moment that Yi Yun stepped into Fenghua Palace's main hall, he heard a pleasantly surprised voice. It was Luo Huo'er.

Yi Yun turned his head and he saw Luo Huo'er wearing a red tunic as she walked towards him with a grin. Fenghua Palace's main hall was covered with down feather carpet, so Luo Huo'er simply walked bare-footed. Her fair toes looked like a string of white pearls.

And behind Luo Huo'er was Empress Xuan.

As empress, she was elegant and had esteemed deportment. However, when Empress Xuan looked at her daughter, she shook her head.

Usually, Luo Huo'er would bear with it and barely act like a princess when she was out of the palace. But in the palace, there was no inkling from her actions that she was a princess.

Now, in front of Yi Yun, Luo Huo'er was behaving as such.

"Yi Yun greets Your Majesty Empress Xuan, and greets… "

"There's no need for formalities." Seeing Yi Yun about to seriously call her Princess Purple Spirit, Luo Huo'er found it awkward, and she hurriedly cut Yi Yun off. Although Yi Yun called her princess, he was probably holding back his laughter deep down.

"It's been a while since we have met. Little Yun, you have made quite a lot of progress. Not bad, not bad at all. This Princess is very pleased! Thinking of the times back in the lower realm, you had a lot of talent in the Desolate Heaven technique. Back then, This Princess had already thought highly of your talent." Luo Huo'er walked up to him and said with a giggle.

When Yi Yun heard this sentence, he somehow found it somewhat weird…

"When you return to your residence, you need to grasp the opportunity to cultivate. The Luo Divine Hall trials are around the corner, so you should be entering reclusion." As Luo Huo'er said this, she smiled at Yi Yun. "Alright, go on. Enter reclusive training until the trials begin. Don't be distracted!"

What was going on? Yi Yun was scratching his head. He had been summoned here so they could tell him a few sentences? And then get him to enter reclusive training?

Yi Yun blankly looked at Empress Xuan, and he heard her say, "There's no hurry. This Empress still has a few things to talk to you about."

Luo Huo'er hurriedly said, "Mother, Little Yun needs to enter reclusive training!"

"It’s only a few things, it won’t severely delay his reclusion." After Empress Xuan said this, she smiled at Yi Yun. "Yi Yun, since you already know Huo'er from the lower realm, there is no need to be too formal in front of This Empress."

"Huo'er mentioned that when you first met, it was not a jovial relationship and there was some friction between the two of you. This Empress knows Huo'er's character, so it's not odd that she would stir something up. However, on the matter regarding the relic, that had gone too far. This Empress had already reprimanded her."

The matter regarding the relic? Was it about the explosion of the relic during the refining process?

That was Luo Huo'er attempting to trick Yi Yun into making a fool of himself, which resulted in…

It was probably because of Luo Kui having blown up his cauldron that Luo Huo'er finally confirmed that the reason behind her relic exploding was all because of Yi Yun's machinations.

True Martial World - Chapter 872: Rewards and Conferment

Although the young elites who were present found it unbelievable, the outcome was announced by Yi Yun's opponent, Luo Mo.

They looked at the relic in Yi Yun's hand. It was bluish-purple in color and it looked like a dazzling glass bead. In the middle of it, there was a naturally-formed runic pattern, also known as a Dao pattern.

Dao patterns were the manifestation of the condensation of laws. It was common for them to typically appear in high-grade relics, but they were nearly never seen in low-grade relics.

The seventy-two introductory moves might be described as the Luo clan's technique, but it was prevalent in the entire Ten Thousand Fey Empyrean Heaven. Similar techniques could be found in any lowly-tier sect or family clan's library. It was not even worth mentioning.

This so-called poor technique actually managed to allow him to condense a Dao pattern in the relic?

As the people looked at the relic, before looking at Yi Yun again, they subconsciously moved their Adam's apples.

They even began suspecting that the seventy-two introductory moves that they had learned were faked.

Yi Yun had used the seventy-two introductory moves to refine an 'outstanding'-rated third-grade relic that had condensed a Dao pattern, and it made people feel like a child who had only learned the 'Three Character Classic' had defeated the top scholar.

"I've lost… " Luo Mo looked at the relic and sighed.

In fact, he felt that from the appearance of the relic that Yi Yun refined, it was barely at the 'outstanding' rating. However, the Dao pattern was as clear as it could be. It was a manifestation of Yi Yun's nomological insights.

"What you used was not purely the Luo clan's seventy-two introductory moves, right?" Luo Mo asked. Previously, Yi Yun's technique appeared to have several 'flaws', but from the looks of it now, they knew that their assumptions from before were them being too dumb.

Luo Mo's question was also the question on many people's minds.

Yi Yun nodded and said, "Months ago, when I was researching the Luo clan's Desolate Heaven technique at Mt. Fengling, I felt that there were some spots where there was room for some experimentation. So I attempted it."

Attempted it?

Everyone was rendered immediately speechless. Are you serious!? Just a few nonchalant attempts made him produce an 'outstanding' relic with the seventy-two introductory moves?

"Junior Brother Yi is a genius. I admit my inferiority… " Luo Mo sighed and shook his head.

Luo Mo admitted defeat and left. At the banquet, everyone watched Luo Mo's departing back, especially Luo Kui. He felt his face turn hot, yearning for the ability to simply vanish from the palace.

Previously, he had insisted that Yi Yun had defeated him through luck, so he was extremely indignant after losing. But from the looks of Yi Yun's Desolate Heaven technique, how was he even able to compete with him? Thankfully, he did not continue to compete with Yi Yun. If not, Luo Kui felt that he might as well have torn the skin of his face.

However, didn't Yi Yun only cultivate for only about thirty years? Where did he have the time to practice the Desolate Heaven technique?

After his win over Luo Mo, no one dared to doubt that Yi Yun had won through luck. In fact, there was no one who dared to foolishly challenge Yi Yun anymore.

Yi Yun was one of the rare Desolate Heaven technique geniuses in the Luo clan!

Prince Crimson Firmament looked at Yi Yun, while his lips moved. He then looked at Princess White Fox. With Luo Mo being defeated, the only person on his side who could compete with Yi Yun was Princess White Fox.

Prince Crimson Firmament knew that Princess White Fox's talent was astounding, and it was not only limited to the Desolate Heaven technique.

However, Princess White Fox only smiled and shook her head slightly.

A look of disappointment flashed in Prince Crimson Firmament's eyes, but it was just fleeting.

He smiled at her, before turning his head to look at Yi Yun.

At this banquet, not only had he failed at suppressing Princess Purple Spirit and Empress Xuan, he had also embarrassed himself!

This lower-realm punk, who appeared out of nowhere, had never been thought highly of by him from the very beginning.

But now, Yi Yun was standing in the middle of the banquet, winning fame for himself in a single match!

Princess White Fox also looked at Yi Yun. An odd brilliance flashed in her eyes that seemed to be covered with a thin layer of snow. The seventy-two introductory moves used by Yi Yun as well as the Dao pattern in the relic had left a deep impression on her. This human youth was very special…

At that moment, Empress Xuan suddenly got up. Her slender fingers held up a glass of spirit wine and said, "Elder Sister, this time, Yi Yun, Luo Mo and Luo Kui's performances have already helped add excitement to the banquet, so why don't we end it here?"

With Empress Xuan saying this, it was equivalent to giving Empress Luo a way out of the awkward situation.

In fact, she had to give the way out. Although Yi Yun had used his Desolate Heaven technique at the banquet to help regain her pride, in a battle of true strength, Empress Xuan was still too weak.

Just a single Yi Yun allowed her camp to be peerless in the Desolate Heaven technique, but at the Luo Divine Hall trials, it was a competition of strength, not the Desolate Heaven technique!

Hence, although Empress Xuan was greatly delighted seeing Empress Luo and Crimson Firmament suffer the setback, she had no choice but to take the initiative to provide such a gesture.

Empress Luo had already sat back on her seat. Due to the loss of her composure from before as well as the defeat at the banquet, any discerning person could tell that she did not look happy.

After hearing Empress Xuan's words and then looking at Empress Xuan's obvious good mood, Empress Luo's mood turned even more sullen.

"Younger Sister is right. We should end it here." Empress Luo said.

At that moment, Empress Xuan glanced at Yi Yun and said with a smile, "Yi Yun's performance was not bad and it should be worthy of a reward as a form of encouragement."

"That is natural. Our Luo clan has always had a love for talent. Such a Desolate Heaven technique genius obviously has to be rewarded." Empress Luo said with a nod.

"This Empress shall award Yi Yun three hundred World Stones, twenty fourth-grade relics, and ten fifth-grade Fey bones." Empress Luo said.

Luo Huo'er secretly rolled her eyes. What stinginess!

How do you even have the nerve to give such a tiny reward?

Following that, Luo Huo'er looked at her mother.

"Mother, you must award him more!" Luo Huo'er said with a Yuan Qi voice transmission.

Empress Xuan smiled and said, "Yi Yun is not one of Empress Luo's men after all. It's reasonable for her to give such a small reward. As for me, I will not be stingy. Yi Yun has truly helped us a lot. Huo'er, you are also lucky to have met such an amazing person in the lower realm."

"Hehe, thank you, Mother… " Luo Huo'er said with a happy smile. It was rare for her to be praised.

At that moment, Empress Xuan looked at Yi Yun and said, "This Empress has yet to think of a good reward for you at the moment… Seeing how you are only a normal civilian, This Empress shall confer you a title of nobility. You shall be a first-ranked Viscount, with Xuan Ye Spiritual Mountain as your fief!"

Xuan Ye Spiritual Mountain was a fief that belonged to the Xuan family. Since Empress Xuan was an empress, she naturally had the right to make the decision of conferring Yi Yun with nobility.

And this superior-grade spiritual mountain had been used by the Xuan family as a cultivation ground for their descendants.

But now, it had been awarded to Yi Yun!

A superior grade spiritual mountain, and a first-ranked Viscount title!

When they heard this, the young elites present were amazed and they were also filled with envy.

Previously, Luo Kui had derided Yi Yun's lack of status to sit beside Luo Huo'er. But now, Yi Yun was a first-grade Viscount!

Looking at Luo Kui again, although he came from a large family clan, he did not even have the lowest nobility ranking.

Just having a nobility title, despite the annual salary being low, Yi Yun's status in the Luo clan would be greatly different most importantly!

After all, the brilliance of one background was a result of one's ancestors. However, once one was conferred with nobility, it was because of having a true ability of their own right. Many disciples of the large family clans would never be conferred with nobility in their entire lives.

People who were conferred with nobility had done enough to earn their respect. Just having a first-grade Viscount title forced anyone who wanted to deride Yi Yun's background to rethink if they had the qualifications to even do so!

By giving such a reward, Empress Xuan had clearly taken this point into consideration.

People mocked Yi Yun for his lower realm background, Empress Xuan gave him a superior-grade spiritual mountain. Others felt that he had a lowly status, she gave him a first-grade Viscount title.

Through Empress Xuan's light and calm actions, she had smacked the faces of many people present.

"The Xuan Ye Spiritual Mountain can be given to you now. As for the first-grade Viscount, it requires Emperor Luo to approve of it before an edict is issued."

The so-called approval of Emperor Luo was just a mere formality. Empress Xuan's family clan had the rank of a Duke, so it was nothing to give the title of Viscount.

True Martial World - Chapter 871: Final Rating

A simple comment from Prince Crimson Firmament made everyone's gazes land on Yi Yun.

The young elites present, especially those that were in Prince Crimson Firmament's camp, had looks of schadenfreude on their faces.

For example, Ran Xueyi had lost face because of Yi Yun previously, and now seeing Yi Yun in trouble, he obviously felt great. In the present situation, it would be useless even if Yi Yun had the princess backing him!

"Yi Yun, at this point in time, you can also use other Desolate Heaven techniques. I'm fine with it." Luo Mo suddenly said as he looked at Yi Yun.

He felt that it was just a farce for Yi Yun to use the seventy-two introductory moves to refine a third-grade relic at his age. If Yi Yun were to use another method, there would be something worth watching at least. Only then would his win appear more valuable.

With Luo Mo saying this, everyone praised Luo Mo for his magnanimity. He did not mind Yi Yun's deliberate act of making things difficult for him earlier on. If Yi Yun agreed to it, it would weaken his stance, but he would have a way to step down from this awkward situation instead of standing there in a silly fashion at least.

However, no one expected Yi Yun to say, "I only know the seventy-two introductory moves. The only other things I know are methods from the lower realm. They are even worse than the seventy-two introductory moves, so there's no need to change the rules. Thank you for your good intentions."

With Yi Yun saying this, the expressions of everyone could be as interesting as one wanted. He was truly a wonder of the ages. Even a genius like Luo Mo would only dare to use the seventy-two introductory moves to refine a third-grade relic after deeply researching the Desolate Heaven technique.

If Yi Yun only knew the seventy-two introductory moves, it meant that he was only at the level of a Desolate Heaven apprentice. And as an apprentice, he had the guts to even compete with Luo Mo…

Even Empress Xuan's camp looked at Yi Yun with discomfort. How were they going to smoothen this situation?

At that moment, Yi Yun began. Indeed, he was still using the desolate heaven disk array that should have been thrown in the trash. Yi Yun placed the third-grade Fey bone in an ostentatious manner.

The hourglass was reversed and the sand began to flow downwards!

This set of seventy-two introductory moves was a combination of hand seals for energy extraction, condensing the energy runes and finally, the relic formation.

Yi Yun obviously began with energy extraction. This was the simplest step for him. With the Purple Crystal, he did not even need to form hands seals.

But of course, that would be too startling if he did that.

The first twenty-four moves of the seventy-two introductory moves were related to energy extraction.

This step was extremely critical. Even Luo Mo had formed one seal after another, afraid that he would make a mistake.

However, Yi Yun did not need to mind this. With his two hands together, he extended them outwards and produced a large number of seals in one go. The seals were squished together and they were just sent flooding into the third-grade Fey bone!

"What!?"

People who were familiar with the Desolate Heaven technique were confounded by this scene.

This wasn't him sending the hand seals, it was like he was throwing out the garbage.

Compared to the seals that Luo Mo produced that were beautiful, perfect, and full of life, Yi Yun's hand seals were unbearable for people to watch.

"What is that punk doing? Continuing in this fashion will cause an explosion!"

In the first process of the relic, Yi Yun had used clumsy hand seals, but he had at least completed it them an orderly manner, but this time… it was unknown what there was left to say.

Before people had the time to say anymore, Yi Yun had already begun to condense runic seals and complete the energy structure.

He produced them rapidly as basic runic seals were formed one after another and were augmented onto the Fey bone.

These runic seals looked unremarkable. But in fact, a number of them had been improved by the Purple Crystal.

The essence of relic refinement was to extract energy from the Fey bone before condensing the energy into runic seals. Once they were compressed together, they would become a relic.

The structure of these runic seals was actually the structure that allowed the best trajectories for energy flow.

And in fact, as humans and the Fey race had limited understanding with the laws of energy, the energy trajectories that they designed were still a distant away from being perfect.

However, with the Purple Crystal in his possession, Yi Yun had already come into contact with the trajectory methods of energy that abided to the Origins. Not only could he easily produce perfect runic seals, he could even do extremely tiny improvements to the seventy-two introductory moves!

Just a simple improvement was trivial, but with it accumulated, it would be different!

"Yi Yun has made mistakes in his seals!"

Amongst the young elites present, there were a few who were accomplished in the Desolate Heaven technique. Even though Yi Yun had made the slightest modifications, they could tell at a glance.

"The few seals that Yi Yun formed appear to be somewhat deformed. It's somewhat different from the orthodoxy of the seventy-two introductory moves." Another person said.

As they discussed it, a smile suffused on Prince Crimson Firmament's lips. Prince Crimson Firmament had never learned the Desolate Heaven technique, so he already felt that it was pretty remarkable that Yi Yun had managed to come this far. After all, Yi Yun could still form hand seals. Although the seals that he produced had numerous flaws, which would result in an eventual explosion, it was still much better than sillily standing there doing nothing.

Time had quickly passed and about fifteen minutes was over. Yi Yun's energy seals were almost done. The speed at which he formed seals was two times faster than Luo Mo!

Of course, this was because Yi Yun had dumped all the seals on the Fey bone, saving him a great deal of time.

However, speed alone was useless. The perfection of the relic refinement depended only on the final outcome. If the energy structure was flawed, these runic seals would eventually explode. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

And previously, many of the Desolate Heaven Master had assessed that Yi Yun had many flaws in his technique!

In a blink of an eye, Yi Yun had finished forming the final runic seal.

No one noticed that when more than seventy runic seals were brought together, the tiny modifications that Yi Yun made had resulted in a chain reaction. They merged together and even possessed a hint of a charm.

This was the aura that belonged to the Origins of energy. It was the result of a Great Dao that existed at the formation of the Universe!

However, Yi Yun's cultivation realm was limited after all. Together with the limitations of his technique and the grade of the Fey bone, this formation of Great Dao only appeared for a fleeting moment before it vanished.

Yi Yun sighed slightly. Even with the Purple Crystal, he found it difficult to explore the Origins of the Universe. That level was just too high for him.

Yi Yun's hands clasped together —

Relic formation!

Boom!

A purple beam flashed and shot straight to the ceiling! People involuntarily narrowed their eyes, unsure of what had happened.

Why was there such an intense beam of light?

But there was no doubt that this was definitely not an explosion.

Whew!

Under the intense purple light, a round bead burning with purple flames flew onto Yi Yun's hand. It appeared to have a spirit in it as it floated to the middle of Yi Yun's palm.

The round bead was bluish-purple in color. In the middle of the bead, there was a beautiful texture that meandered like a tiny snake.

Upon seeing this bizarre scene, people did not even manage to react in time.

"That round bead is… a relic?" A Desolate Heaven Master present suddenly said.

The crystalline relic was burning with a purple flame at the moment of its birth.

Yi Yun had actually managed to refine a finished relic? Was this reality!? Wasn't it said that Yi Yun's hand seals were problematic?

Also… what was the rating of this relic? Many people present were unable to come to a judgment. But Empress Luo, who was an expert in the Desolate Heaven technique, had already stared with her widened eyes as she stood up from her seat.

As empress, Empress Luo seldom lost her composure in such a manner.

She looked at the Fey bone relic in Yi Yun's hand with eyes of surprised doubt.

Empress Xuan and the Desolate Heaven Masters present, including Luo Kui and Luo Mo, who was competing with Yi Yun, were stunned as well.

Luo Mo drew a gasp. His handsome face was already turning slightly pale. He mumbled to himself, "A third grade Fey bone relic with the appearance of a runic pattern… 'outstanding' grade!?

Runic pattern?

Outstanding?

The young elites present knew the classification of the grades of relics, even if they were not Desolate Heaven Masters.

It was the emblem of an outstanding grade relic to have a runic pattern condensed on it!

A third-grade relic could only be given the four grades — poor, ordinary, refined and outstanding. Outstanding was already the highest, and higher grades, such as transcendent and spiritual emergence, were only reserved for higher-grade relics.

Refining an 'outstanding' third-grade relic was not difficult for a truly talented Desolate Heaven Master, but… using the seventy-two introductory moves to refine an 'outstanding'-grade relic? Was that even possible?

True Martial World - Chapter 870: Seventy-two Introductory Moves

Typically, only Desolate Heaven apprentices at the Yuan Foundation realm or those lower would use the 'Introduction to Luo Clan's Desolate Heaven Technique' to attempt to refine a first-grade Fey bone. And most of the time, they would not even be able to do well at refining one. Desolate Heaven Masters that were slightly better would not even use such a technique.

Seeing the Fey bone that Prince Crimson Firmament provided, it was most likely one of the best third-grade Fey bones. It was impossible to use such introductory methods to refine such high-grade Fey bones. The failure rate was nearly 100%!

Was Yi Yun trying to increase the difficulty to make Luo Mo fail?

As people had such thoughts, they saw Luo Mo reveal a look of interest. "Interesting, let's compete in that!"

Were they truly going to compete?

The people were somewhat taken aback when they heard hearing Luo Mo's agreement. Luo Mo must truly have confidence while daring to accept the challenge of using only the 'Introduction to Luo Clan's Desolate Heaven Technique' to produce a top-ranking third-grade Fey bone!

If the relic could be refined, it would be shocking, even if it only had a 'poor' rating.

"Yi Yun is doomed. I guess he had deliberately posed a tough problem so that the both of them would fail together and it would be considered a tie. Unfortunately, Luo Mo is a genius. He even has the confidence in such an absurd competition. Now with Yi Yun irrevocably committed, it's too late for him to go back on his word."

"Using the seventy-two introductory moves to refine a top-ranking third-grade relic is unimaginable!"

As people broke out into a flurry of discussion, Luo Mo had already begun. He beckoned with his stretched out hand, attracting the third-grade Fey bone in Prince Crimson Firmament's hand to make it land directly in his palm.

Following that, the tiny golden cauldron above his right hand's fingertip rapidly spun and it increased in size. Soon, it was about three feet in size. With the lid open, Luo Mo threw the Fey bone into it.

Luo Mo glanced at Yi Yun as he had a confident smile on his face. He was certain that Yi Yun was trying to stump him, but he enjoyed this. It would only be considered a challenge for him if he could use the seventy-two introductory moves to refine a third-grade relic. Just beating Yi Yun alone was meaningless.

"Shall we set the time limit to thirty minutes?"

At that moment, Yi Yun suddenly spoke out. Thirty minutes was too short!

Luo Mo frowned slightly. It was a difficult competition with such a short period of time. Yi Yun was truly trying to prevent him from succeeding. Unfortunately, Luo Mo was confident when it came to his speed at using the Desolate Heaven technique.

"Thirty minutes? Sure!" Luo Mo put his hand out, causing his desolate heaven cauldron to flare up with golden light. The runes on the cauldron began to light up as Luo Mo began forming hand seals. Indeed, they were the hand seals of the seventy-two introductory moves. However, the ones that Luo Mo formed were somewhat different.

Did the hands of Luo Mo give life to the somewhat ordinary hand seals? It was like they had come alive.

A Heaven Eminence seal was condensed as it danced in the sky like an alacritous butterfly.

A Fire Willow seal burned like a small fire plume like it was filled with spirit.

As for the Sun Moon seal, it produced a sun and a moon projection that slowly revolved mid-air.

Luo Mo perfectly condensed every hand seal!

Upon seeing this scene, people could only watch with utter amazement. Was it possible to condense the seventy-two introductory moves in such a manner? If not for them seeing Luo Mo's hand seals today, they would never imagine that it was possible to reach such a standard with the most basic hand seals when one's Desolate Heaven technique reached the peak of perfection.

At that moment, an hourglass with markings was placed in the hall.

The sand rapidly flowed downwards as thirty minutes was not a long time.

Luo Mo had already begun, but Yi Yun had yet to make his move.

"Yi Yun, why aren't you beginning?" Prince Crimson Firmament asked, as a derisive grin suffused on the corners of his mouth.

He had asked while knowing the answer. How was it possible for Yi Yun to use the seventy-two introductory moves to extract the energy of a top-ranking third-grade Fey bone?

Yi Yun lightly answered, "There's no hurry. I'll let Young Master Luo go first. I'll begin after he is done."

Yi Yun chose to let Luo Mo go first mainly because Yi Yun did not have a clear understanding of the Luo clan's seventy-two introductory moves.

The information was recorded in a book after all, and it would be different from what he could see.

Previously, Yi Yun had only seen Tao'er use them, but he had never seen the talented Desolate Heaven Masters of the 12 Empyrean Heavens use the seventy-two introductory moves. Yi Yun could not confirm that his own assumptions had already been perfected.

Now, Yi Yun was planning to affirm his hypothesis with the seventy-two introductory moves used by Luo Mo. He was becoming more and more convinced that using the Luo clan's seventy-two introductory moves derived through the Purple Crystal would be perfect in form. It would even be better than the seventy-two introductory moves that had been honed for countless years!

However, Yi Yun's answer made people disdain him when they heard it. He was still insisting on being tough with his words at such a moment in time.

Slowly, more than half the time had passed.

Luo Mo's motions were still as graceful as ever, as though he was showing a beautiful dance. The energy seals that he condensed appeared perfect, and everything had been done to their best.

But in Yi Yun's energy vision, he could see that the energy extracted from the Fey bone in Luo Mo's desolate heaven cauldron was not flawless. There was 30% left at least.

After all, it was only the seventy-two introductory moves used to refine 'poor'-rated first-grade Fey bones. Using it to refine a top-ranking third-grade Fey bone was something even Luo Mo could not do as well as he wished.

Using such hand seals to extract the Fey bone's energy was just too difficult! Although Luo Mo looked unperturbed, he was actually consuming a great deal of mental strength. It was not apparent because he had a lot of mental strength to begin with.

Seconds changed to minutes and the thirty minutes were nearly coming to an end.

At that moment, Luo Mo finally completed his final hand seal. Luo Mo still had some mental energy left, despite such a draining procedure. He precisely controlled more than seventy hand seals as he bound them together.

Relic formation!

Luo Mo also completed the final step perfectly.

"Whew!"

A golden beam flashed as the desolate heaven cauldron violently trembled. The cauldron's lid flew open as a crystalline third-grade relic shot out of the desolate heaven cauldron, and accurately landed on Luo Mo's hand.

Upon seeing this scene, everyone was astounded.

He had truly managed to refine it!

The third-grade relic refined using the seventy-two introductory moves definitely did not look like it had a bad rating from its luster!

People believed that it would already be amazing if he could refine a 'poor'-grade relic. But in Luo Mo's hands, he could make the ugly beautiful.

"Quality evaluation, quasi-refined!"

At that moment, Empress Luo gave her answer. As the Empress of the Luo clan, she too was proficient in the Desolate Heaven technique.

The 'quasi-refined' rating was above 'ordinary', but compared to a true 'refined'-rating, it was still a distance away.

However, considering the refining conditions for Luo Mo, this outcome was already incredulous.

"It's truly my dear Firmament's fortune to have such a talent assisting him." Empress Luo muttered to herself and she was very pleased with Luo Mo.

Prince Crimson Firmament also nodded lightly at Luo Mo.

At that moment, Prince Crimson Firmament suddenly looked at Yi Yun and a teasing smile suffused on his lips . "Yi Yun, it's your turn!"