Chapter 61: Joining New Moon Profound Palace

Yun Che and Xia Yuan Bo stepped into the Elder Hall, where Si Kong Han sat down. He then scrutinized Yun Che with careful attention, his face devoid of any trace of the arrogance befitting a imperial clan's great elder, instead bearing a look of concern: "You say you're Xiao Brother's grandson, but why are your surname Yun?"

"Right, right, Brother-in-law, why did you say your name was Yun Che just now? Er, after being expelled from the Xiao household, did you finally find your biological parents?" Xia Yuan Bo, who had long harbored doubts, quickly asked in a follow-up.

Yun Che replied, "I am not a biological grandson of Grandfather Xiao. But Grandfather raised me for sixteen years, as if he were my own. Half a year ago, I was expelled from the Xiao household. Before leaving, Grandfather informed me of my true surname: Yun."

"Ah, I see." Si Kong Han nodded slowly: "In fact, I've heard about this matter as well."

Yun Che looked up, surprised.

Si Kong Han sighed, then said, "Half a year ago, the son of the Xiao Sect's leader... I recall his name was Xiao Liang Yun, who traveled toward Liu Yun City, passing through the Xinyue City. Since this was the path of the Xiao Sect's patriarch, our Xinyue Imperial Mansion also paid some attention. Later, some news reached us. To others, it was trivial, but concerning Xiao Brother, I investigated further and learned he had been confined in the family's rear mountain, while his grandson was expelled from the family. I've repeatedly wished to help Xiao Brother, but the distance was too great. As a great elder of the Xinyue Imperial Mansion, I couldn't leave for long. Sigh..."

"Si Kong Elder, you need not blame yourself. Your heart is already a blessing. I'm sure Grandfather will be deeply grateful." Yun Che bowed respectfully. Though Si Kong Han had not taken action, it was evident from his expression that his concern for Xiao Lie's condition was genuine.

"By the way, how did you come to know Grandfather in the first place, Si Kong Elder?" Yun Che asked.

"Ha ha, that was seven years ago. I accompanied my son, then only twelve years old, on an errand to Liu Yun City, but my presence was discovered by an enemy. They set an ambush for me. Upon entering the city, I was ambushed. I fought with all my might but could only save myself, unable to attend to my son. When my son was in grave danger, Xiao Brother appeared and saved his life... I, Si Kong Han, have only one son in my lifetime. If not for Xiao Brother, I would have been an old man without an heir. This great debt, I've kept it in my heart all these years, yet I do not know when I might repay it."

Thinking back on those years, Si Kong Han sighed deeply. He looked at Yun Che with admiration: "To think, truly, he is Xiao Brother's grandson. So young, yet he has already broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, entering the Nascent Soul realm. Such talent, even in Xinyue City, is exceptional. Your grandfather was the supreme master of Liu Yun City. Your future achievements will surely surpass his."

"What?" Xia Yuan Bo's eyes widened at the other side: "Si Kong Elder, you're saying my brother has already entered the Nascent Soul realm? This... this... Si Kong Elder, did you mix something up? My brother has always been afflicted with a defective meridian since childhood, remaining at the Nascent Soul stage. How could he have reached the Nascent Soul realm?"

"Oh?" Si Kong Han looked puzzled, though his perception of Yun Che's spiritual power was clearly at the Nascent Soul level.

Yun Che calmly said, "This matter is rather complicated... However, my current spiritual power is indeed at the Nascent Soul level. I wonder if my current spiritual power is qualified to enter the Palace of Spirits?"

As he spoke, Yun Che subtly jabbed Xia Yuan Bo. The moment Xia Yuan Bo was about to speak, he immediately fell silent, his eyes wide with shock, repeatedly thinking in his mind... Oh my god! Brother really has entered the Nascent Soul realm! This is impossible, this can't be!

Looking at Yun Che and Xia Yuan Bo, Si Kong Han sensed there was something hidden, though Yun Che clearly didn't wish to elaborate further, deliberately steering the conversation elsewhere. Si Kong Han didn't press further, smiling and said, "Yun Che, how old are you?"

"Sixteen." Yun Che answered truthfully. At the same time, he felt a little relief.

"Sixteen?" Si Kong Han's face showed surprise, and he stood up from his chair: "I had thought you were already seventeen or eighteen. I assumed you were older! At sixteen, already stepping into the Nascent Soul realm, across Xinyue Imperial Mansion, there are fewer than ten people... If you were born in a higher sect, you would surely be far ahead of where you are now!"

Xia Yuan Bo stood rooted, his thoughts in disarray, repeatedly wanting to speak but unable to.

"Si Kong Elder, you're being too kind." Yun Che modestly said... If Si Kong Han knew he had only just reached the Nascent Soul stage half a year ago, he might have been so shocked as to fall off his chair.

"Come, let me see your talent." Si Kong Han waved his hand.

Yun Che took two steps forward and stood before Si Kong Han. When Si Kong Han placed his hand on Yun Che's pulse, Yun Che quickly held his breath, using his spiritual energy to block up thirty-eight of the fifty-four primary meridians, leaving only sixteen in a clear state. However, such concealment could only fool a superficial examination; a deeper inspection would reveal the truth. But those seeking to join Xinyue Imperial Mansion would exert their utmost effort to display their talent during the examination. Si Kong Han couldn't possibly imagine anyone would go to such lengths to deliberately conceal their abilities, so he didn't press further.

Si Kong Han lightly tapped Yun Che's wrist and then immediately nodded in amazement: "Ah, now I understand! He must have naturally opened sixteen primary meridians—this is unquestionably genius-level talent! It's precisely the kind of talent we most desperately seek in the Palace of Spirits!"

At this point, Si Kong Han was already quite excited. Originally, he had intended to bring Yun Che into Xinyue Imperial Mansion as a favor to Xiao Lie, giving him a place to stay. But now, seeing Yun Che's talent, even without Xiao Lie's connection, he would surely want to keep him. A natural opening of sixteen primary meridians, such talent, even in the major sects of Xinyue City, would receive high-level preferential treatment, and the resources and influence of those higher sects would far surpass those of Xinyue Imperial Mansion. Yun Che's arrival was, in fact, a treasure for Xinyue Imperial Mansion. Currently, only seven people in Xinyue Imperial Mansion had naturally opened sixteen primary meridians, and perhaps only one or two new ones were added each year. Since such talents usually joined the major sects.

"Yun Che, do you truly wish to join our Palace of Spirits?" Si Kong Han stared intently at Yun Che: "If you truly wish to join, all the examinations can be waived. I can make the decision right away!"

Xia Yuan Bo's mouth hung open, his brain essentially in a state of short-circuiting.

"...May I join a class?" Yun Che asked.

"Of course, no problem!" Si Kong Han slammed his hand on the table, "With your current spiritual power and talent, you fully qualify to enter a class directly!"

Yun Che thought it over for a moment and then nodded slightly: "Very well."

Si Kong Han immediately grasped both hands and slapped the table with such speed it was as if he feared Yun Che would run away. After a moment, a silver arm patch was placed on Yun Che's shoulder: "Then, from now on, you are a disciple of our Xinyue Imperial Mansion's Palace of Spirits. This is your identity mark, as well as your residence key."

"Today is perfect, as the new head of the Xinyue Mansion has just arrived. There will be a reception in the evening. I have many matters to attend to, so I won't linger with you. Xia Yuan Bo, take Yun Che to his residence and settle him in, or introduce him to his future senior brothers and sisters... Oh, Yun Che, would you like to attend the evening reception?" Si Kong Han suddenly said.

"May I attend?" Yun Che was surprised.

"The new head of the Xinyue Mansion's arrival is a matter that shakes the entire Xinyue City. All the sects with sufficient influence and power in Xinyue City have issued invitations, and they will surely give the new head a faceful. At that time, there will be a gathering of all the top sects. Generally, at such occasions, only our Palace of Spirits' core disciples may attend. You've only just joined us today, but your talent is exceptional, so you can barely qualify. This reception is a chance for you to get acquainted with all the top sects in Xinyue City, which will be of great help for your future stay in Xinyue City."

Yun Che naturally understood that allowing a newly joined disciple to attend such a significant reception was mainly due to Grandfather's favor towards him, granting him special consideration to quickly understand the power structure of Xinyue City. At once, he replied with gratitude: "Thank you, Si Kong Elder. I will attend on time... May I bring Xia Yuan Bo with me?"

Si Kong Han hesitated slightly, then smiled and nodded: "Of course. Xia Yuan Bo, you come as well. Yun Che just arrived in Xinyue Imperial Mansion, everything is still unfamiliar. You can help guide him. I will arrange another seat for you."

They left the Elder Hall, and Xia Yuan Bo was still in a daze, continuing to walk far before taking a deep breath, his eyes wide: "Brother! What's going on? You really have entered the Nascent Soul realm? It's possible, possible, you weren't always afflicted with a defective meridian, were you? It couldn't have just happened overnight like this! You're stronger than my sister!"

"This... this..." Yun Che thought it over for a long time, not knowing how to explain it to him, and unwilling to deceive him, so he said vaguely: "Xia Yuan Bo, this matter is a secret. When the time is right, I'll tell you. But please, don't tell anyone else about my previous condition of having a defective meridian, or else someone might have bad intentions."

"Ah... Oh, okay." Xia Yuan Bo scratched his head, confused, then suddenly his eyes brightened: "Brother! I finally understand! You must have been pretending before, right? How else could you enter the Nascent Soul realm all of a sudden? It must be like this, brother, you're so cunning, you tricked all of us into believing it, haha haha haha."

Yun Che shrugged his shoulders, letting Xia Yuan Bo continue in his own delusion. He cast a glance at the Xinyue Imperial Mansion in his field of vision, feeling a sense of admiration.

"How long do you plan to stay here?" A sudden voice in his mind, cool and unexpected, made him startle.

"It depends on the situation. If here allows me sufficient opportunities for growth, I'll stay longer; if not, I'll leave immediately. The main reason I stayed here was to learn some spiritual techniques. After all, the spiritual techniques you know are too advanced for me to learn, so I could only think of this method."

The voice didn't speak further.