Becoming Emperor Fire Cloud’s disciple—best outcome hands down!
No question—among immortals, Emperor Fire Cloud’s top-tier!
And the whole Fire Cloud Empire’s his—tens of thousands of years of stockpiled resources, vast and deep?
Hall Master He, beside him, felt like he was dreaming—Emperor Fire Cloud taking a disciple, just like that.
Emperor Fire Cloud eyed Lin Yun, calm, “Your apprenticeship reward, plus your exam champion prize—name it, what do you need?”
“This disciple needs to master the last two mysteries—break into Tribulation realm,” Lin Yun said.
“Hm, third-rank Mahayana’s too low—need to hit Tribulation soon, which two you missing?” Emperor Fire Cloud said slow.
Third-rank Mahayana was ace out there—but to him? Peanuts.
“Master, I lack the Mystery of Light and Mystery of Darkness,” Lin Yun replied.
“Those two? No issue—wait for it, they’ll be in your hands soon,” Emperor Fire Cloud said, steady.
“Thanks, Master!” Lin Yun clasped his fists.
“Here.”
Emperor Fire Cloud flicked a token at him.
Lin Yun caught it.
Red all over—‘Fire Cloud’ carved on it—proper fancy.
Clearly, this token marked his new gig—Emperor Fire Cloud’s disciple!
“Lin Yun—one more gift.”
Another flick—something else flew.
Lin Yun nabbed it—a manual.
“Shadow Sword Art!” he read.
Sword technique—obvious!
“You’re a sword guy—this is my own creation, forged from countless sword studies—master the first three forms, then see me,” Emperor Fire Cloud said, cool.
“Yes, sir,” Lin Yun answered.
Inside—stunned—this Emperor-made art? Lethal!
Stuff like this—priceless outside, now his with a flick.
“No titles or posts yet—just train hard, no distractions—don’t slack,” Emperor Fire Cloud warned.
“Understood,” Lin Yun replied.
“Off you go—details’ll be sorted,” Emperor Fire Cloud waved.
“Your disciple takes his leave,” Lin Yun bowed.
He and Hall Master He backed out.
Just Emperor Fire Cloud left in the hall.
A red-furred cat hopped up from under the desk.
“Master, you rate this kid—handing him Shadow Sword Art straight off,” the cat said.
“It’s a reward—and a test—see how fast he learns,” Emperor Fire Cloud said slow.
“How long till he hits the third form, you reckon?” the cat asked.
“Normal disciple? Five years my baseline—for him, higher bar—three years,” Emperor Fire Cloud said.
Outside.
“Lin Yun—congrats on joining the Emperor’s crew—your future’s boundless!” Hall Master He beamed the second they stepped out.
“You’re too kind,” Lin Yun smiled, humble.
“Come on—back with me—Liang Yuan’ll flip when he hears,” Hall Master He tugged him toward the palace exit.
Post-palace, they hopped a cart—straight to Exam Prefecture.
Inside.
“Lin Yun—from what I know, the Emperor giving you Shadow Sword Art’s a prize *and* a test!” Hall Master He said.
“A test? How’s that?” Lin Yun blinked, surprised.
“It’s no picnic to learn—he said master three forms and see him—nail it quick, he’ll rate you higher, heap on resources—too slow, he’ll be let down—the bigger his hopes, the bigger the fall!” Hall Master He said, dead serious.
He went on, “He’s swamped running everything—if you disappoint, he might just forget you—no more big support or loot.”
“No way!” Lin Yun gasped.
Hall Master He’s words hit—a weight settled in.
Yeah—such a heavy-hitting master—sky-high standards, sky-high demands!
Fall short of that? No more Emperor’s eye.
From now—Lin Yun had to dazzle—keep dazzling—or bust.
No standing still—tough!
“Feeling the heat? No choice—you’re his disciple—his bar’s insane, being his pupil’s no cakewalk,” Hall Master He said.
“Thanks for the heads-up,” Lin Yun clasped his fists—grateful.
Without that, he might’ve missed the stakes.
“One more tip—Shadow Sword Art—five years max to crack it—two or three’s better—or he’ll lose faith, tough to win back,” Hall Master He warned.
“Got it,” Lin Yun nodded.
Cart rolled back to the prefecture hall.
Liang Yuan waited at the gate—itching for Lin Yun’s Emperor meet news.
Lin Yun and Hall Master He stepped off—Liang Yuan pounced.
“Lin Yun—how’d it go? What’d the Emperor give you—any titles?”
“Gave me a manual—no titles,” Lin Yun said.
Liang Yuan froze, “No… no titles? How? Champs get titles—especially after meeting him!”
“Brother Liang—he took me as his disciple—so no titles,” Lin Yun grinned.
“What? His disciple? Ha! Massive win—am I dreaming?” Liang Yuan roared with laughter.
Even the gate guards gawked—shocked.
Emperor Star Martial’s disciple—beats any title hollow!
“Old Liang—no dream—you nabbed a freak—your reward’s coming,” Hall Master He chuckled.
Exam Hall buzzed with the celebration—all candidates in.
Lin Yun as Emperor Fire Cloud’s disciple? Word spread fast.
Disbelief—then shock, envy, jealousy!
Plenty rushed to butter him up—climb the ladder.
