Li Shi’s strength, everyone in the arena has witnessed, his formidable power beyond question.
Moreover, Zhi Jin was once gravely injured by this bloke, his ruthlessness extreme, the sect leader and others remember it vividly.
“Sect Leader, though Lin Yun reaching the top seven means the next round will be tough no matter who he faces, drawing Li Shi is absolutely one of the worst outcomes!” Elder Mei’s expression turned grave too.
Such a powerful opponent, they couldn’t help but worry for Lin Yun.
“Lin Yun will have to face him eventually, but…” Mo Qing clenched her small fists lightly, concern shimmering in her lovely eyes.
At the Wanderer’s spot.
“Wanderer, you old dog, this round, your disciple’s defeat seems a foregone conclusion,” Di Yong sighed.
“That Li Shi strikes with vicious precision, it’s just a matter of whether Lin Yun can lose without too much damage,” Du Yuanzi remarked.
“My disciple’s made it to the top ten, this old man’s already chuffed, those ahead have all trained far longer than Lin Yun,” the Wanderer said, clutching his wine gourd.
With that, he took another swig.
The Wanderer didn’t dare hope Lin Yun could win the next round either.
“Mm, reaching the top ten, he’s already brilliant enough,” Du Yuanzi nodded.
Up front.
“Blast it! How did Lin Yun draw this fiend!” Jin Yao’er’s pretty face clouded with worry at the result.
She’d always had faith in Lin Yun’s matches before.
But Lin Yun against Li Shi, even she lacked confidence he could win, now just fretting over his fate.
At the draw area.
“Him?” Lin Yun’s face shifted slightly at the outcome.
Having clashed with Li Shi before, Lin Yun knew full well how strong he was!
Beating him, like climbing the heavens!
Li Shi glanced at Lin Yun, a chilling smirk curling his lips.
“Lin Yun, back in the barrier space, you only escaped by tossing that point orb, this time, there’s nowhere to run, don’t worry, I’ll make sure you lose miserably!”
Li Shi’s voice wasn’t loud, yet brimmed with arrogance.
Hearing this, the crowd buzzed, stunned—had Li Shi already fought Lin Yun, and Lin Yun fled?
“Li Shi, making me lose won’t be that easy!” Lin Yun’s dark eyes flickered with cold light.
Recalling Zhi Jin nearly killed by his heavy hand, anger flared in Lin Yun’s chest.
“Haha, shameless braggart,” Li Shi laughed.
The draw pressed on, the last pair soon settled.
“Groups are set, finals tomorrow, follow me to the treasury,” the deputy commander said.
With that, he led the ten off the plaza, straight to the imperial treasury in the palace.
At the treasury gates.
“What a massive treasury!”
Seeing it, everyone marvelled at its grandeur.
The deputy commander flashed Emperor Xingwu’s token, passed the guards, and smoothly led the ten inside.
Inside, the light dimmed, countless display cases stretched overhead, vast beyond sight, sprawling and intimidating.
“Don’t wander off, stick close behind me, stray and you’re on your own!” the deputy commander warned.
“Yes, sir,” the ten replied.
He guided Lin Yun and the others to the Saint Spirit-grade weapon displays.
Hundreds of such weapons lined up, dazzling to the eye.
“Blimey, so many Saint Spirit-grade weapons!” Several couldn’t help exclaiming.
“This is an empire’s foundation, eh?” Lin Yun’s heart marvelled too.
“Pick any Saint Spirit-grade weapon here, one each, start choosing,” the deputy commander said.
All ten but Lin Yun stepped forward to select their favourites.
“Lin Yun, why aren’t you picking?” the deputy commander glanced at him.
“Commander, sir, I’d like something else,” Lin Yun said politely.
“Fair enough, you’re already using a Saint Spirit-grade weapon, what do you want? Per the Emperor’s orders, you can swap for something equivalent, but don’t get greedy,” the deputy grinned.
Having seen Lin Yun’s brilliance, he had a good impression, his tone friendly.
“Deputy Commander, I’d like… Qilin essence blood, is there any?” Lin Yun asked.
“Qilin essence blood? I’ll take you to check,” the deputy said.
He turned, ordered a few guards who’d followed to watch the others, then led Lin Yun to the entrance counter to ask the keeper.
After asking, the keeper said, “Qilin essence blood, you can’t buy this stuff outside with money, it’s priceless and rare, with humans and demons long at peace, getting it now is near impossible, so it’s scarce out there, but our empire’s treasury has some.”
“Can I trade for it?” Lin Yun asked eagerly.
“Swapping your Saint Spirit-grade weapon reward for Qilin essence blood, doable, don’t underestimate a weapon’s worth, but you’ll only get two drops, want to trade?” the keeper said.
“Yes, trade!” Lin Yun decided instantly.
“Think it over, I don’t know what you’re up to with it, but a Saint Spirit-grade weapon lasts, boosts your fighting power long-term, this stuff’s gone once used,” the old keeper cautioned.
“Grandpa, I’ve thought it through,” Lin Yun insisted.
“Alright then, I’ll log it and swap it for you,” the old keeper picked up his pen.
After registering, he told Lin Yun to wait, then went to fetch it.
Soon, he returned with a small jade vial.
“It’s in here, check it,” the old keeper handed it over.
Lin Yun took the vial, uncorked it, sniffed—a ferocious, wild aura burst out.
He quickly recapped it, smiling, “No issues, thanks, Grandpa.”
“Lin Yun, since your reward’s sorted, head back, tomorrow’s match is at ten in the morning, for now, you can stay at the plaza drinking and watching the performances, or return to the inn to rest and prep, up to you, just be on time tomorrow,” the deputy commander said.
This banquet would run days and nights nonstop.
“Thanks for the heads-up, Deputy,” Lin Yun bowed again, then took his leave.
Leaving the treasury, Lin Yun returned to the plaza, greeted the sect leader, then left the palace for the outer city inn.
At the inn.
“Tomorrow’s against Li Shi, I need a boost.”
Lin Yun knew his current strength couldn’t beat Li Shi, the pressure weighing heavy.
Then, he entered the One Thought Clarity Tower space, he had to seize this pre-match time to improve.
Time was tight.
Lin Yun flipped his hand, pulled out the jade vial with the Qilin essence blood.
He aimed to use it to strengthen his demon bone once more!
