Yun Jin waved her hand casually. "It's nothing, just a small favor."
To her, the whole affair with the Shi Tribe really was nothing more than a minor incident.
The king's eyes softened with emotion.
That day, when the door was pushed open, she never would've thought the person walking in would end up saving the entire Shi Tribe.
"Sect Master Yun," the king said, "I heard from Songnian that you've been collecting ancient manuals from all across the world. The Shi Tribe's royal palace has quite a few secret tomes. I'll have them gathered and delivered to you."
Yun Jin nodded. "Then I'll thank Your Majesty in advance."
The king shook her head. "Those books can't possibly repay the kindness you've shown us. My Shi Tribe owes you a great debt. If you ever need anything, just say the word. The entire Shi Tribe will obey without hesitation."
Her tone was serious, full of determination to repay this favor no matter what it took.
Yun Jin looked at her, then at Yu Songnian, and an idea came to mind.
"If Your Majesty truly wishes to repay me," she said suddenly, "then there is something I'd like to ask."
The king's eyes lit up. "Please, speak freely, Sect Master!"
She wasn't afraid of repaying kindness, only of not being able to.
Yun Jin smiled. "If possible, I'd like to borrow a piece of land here to establish a branch for the Wushuang Sect. In the future, the sect might recruit a few disciples here on the Nanlan Continent. Members of the Shi Tribe or other races are welcome to join if they're interested."
She paused briefly. "I plan to hand the management of this Nanlan Continent branch to Yu Songnian. His cultivation isn't high enough yet, so he'll act as the temporary head. Once he reaches the Mahayana stage, he'll officially become the branch master."
Yu Songnian froze for a moment before understanding what Yun Jin truly meant.
In the past, she'd already set up a branch in the Boundless Sea, with Bai Yiran as its head. And Elder Bai—she was second only to Yun Jin herself, one of the strongest experts in Wushuang Sect.
Now Yun Jin wanted to give him the same position?
That was both a tremendous opportunity and a heavy responsibility. Moreover, it wasn't just a reward. It was also because he carried the mixed bloodline of another race, with the King Stone within him.
The Nanlan Continent had always been wary of outsiders. If it were anyone else, the Shi Tribe might never accept them.
But if it was Yu Songnian, the Shi Tribe would back him without question. There was also a deeper meaning—this way, he could stay in Nanlan longer and take care of the Shi Tribe's affairs while cultivating.
Yu Songnian had been conflicted for a long time.
The Shi Tribe still faced many problems, but this was his mother's homeland. She'd missed it all her life. If she knew the Shi Tribe had fallen so far, how could she rest easy?
Duty toward the Shi Tribe on one side, his own cultivation on the other—it was a constant struggle. Now, Yun Jin had given him a perfect path forward. By setting up a branch, and knowing her style, she'd definitely create a spatial array. Traveling between the two continents would become easy.
He realized it instantly.
And so did the king.
She immediately recognized this as a way to keep Yu Songnian close. Her expression brightened. "That's simple! It'd be an honor for the Shi Tribe to host a branch of the Wushuang Sect. Sect Master Yun can choose any location within our territory. Once you've decided, I'll make all the arrangements at once."
Yun Jin nodded. "Then I'll be troubling Your Majesty again."
The king smiled warmly, about to say more when a sharp pain suddenly hit her chest. She clutched at it and coughed violently.
Yu Songnian rushed to support her, worry in his eyes. "Grandmother, what's wrong?"
Yun Jin looked at her quietly and sighed.
The king had been imprisoned by Zhi Yue for fifty years, and most of her bloodline power had been drained away.
Even though she'd been rescued, her time was limited. No matter how many high-grade pills Yun Jin gave her, the king probably had only a few decades left at most. And for someone at the Mahayana stage, that was barely a blink of an eye.
Yu Songnian froze, realizing what that meant, and sorrow clouded his face. He knew if Yun Jin had a way to save his grandmother, she'd have done it already. But without her bloodline, the king's life force was nearly spent. She was only holding on through sheer willpower.
"Songnian, don't worry," the king said gently, patting his hand. "I'll hang on until the day you truly rise."
She knew her condition. A few decades wasn't enough time for him to reach his peak, but she didn't want him to worry. As long as she was alive, she'd do everything she could for the Shi Tribe, for him.
And when she was gone, with someone as powerful as Yun Jin behind him, no one would dare lay a finger on Yu Songnian. He'd have all the time in the world to grow strong. She might not live to see that day, but just imagining it brought her peace.
"Third Brother, stay and help Her Majesty handle the Shi Tribe's affairs," Yun Jin said softly.
Yu Songnian nodded and supported the king out of the hall.
Yun Jin then turned to look at the envoys from the other tribes.
The moment they met her gaze, every one of them straightened up instinctively.
She walked toward them.
Di Qian shot Yu Shiyi a quick look. "Shiyi, you're the one who knows her best. You go first."
The others nodded in agreement and shoved Yu Shiyi to the front.
Yu Shiyi: "???"
What the hell?!
"Yu Shiyi," Yun Jin greeted him casually.
There was no running now. Gritting his teeth, Yu Shiyi forced a smile. "S-Senior."
Even saying that word hurt.
A year ago, his cultivation had completely crushed hers.
Who could've guessed that after just one year, everything would flip upside down?
While he spoke, he quickly pulled out a storage pouch and offered it with both hands. "Senior Yun, these are all the manuals I've collected over the years. But… as for the Yu Tribe's core techniques, I really don't have the authority to share them."
Yun Jin glanced through the pouch and nodded. "It's fine. This is enough."
Seeing that, the other envoys hurried to hand over their own "offerings."
Yun Jin weighed the pile of items and looked satisfied. "Not bad. At least you all had the sense to bring them yourselves, so I didn't have to collect them personally."
"Of course, of course," they chorused quickly.
Let her collect them personally? They still wanted to live!
Yun Jin smiled. "There's one more thing. Once you return to your tribes, let them know—I'll be visiting each of you in about a month."
The hall went silent.
Every envoy froze.
Visiting?
Visiting for what exactly…?