“No dice, eh? I’ve done my all, no regrets!”
With that, Lin Yun left One Thought Clarity Tower and stepped out of his room.
“Time to stretch my legs.”
Three years—fifteen in the Tower—Lin Yun had barely rested, just chilling in the courtyard, never leaving Fire Cloud Camp! Shows how hard he’d pushed.
Now, three years up and still stuck on third form, he figured it’s time to ease off.
Would Emperor Fire Cloud be disappointed? Truth is, these three years of mad training were to avoid that—Lin Yun had gone all out.
But now? He suddenly didn’t care. He’d given his best—guilt-free. If Master’s let down, so be it—out of his hands.
Liang Qing was in the courtyard.
“Brother Lin Yun, you look a bit pale. What’s up?” she asked.
“Nothing much.”
“Oh, Liang Qing, hand me my token. Need it for a bit,” Lin Yun said.
“Sure!” She pulled it out, handed it over with both hands.
“I’m heading out.”
Lin Yun said, then strode off, straight for Fire Cloud Camp’s main gate.
Walking through, he sparked some chatter.
“This guy’s been here three years—barely shows his face.”
“When he first joined His Majesty, he made waves empire-wide. Then—nothing, like he sank into the sea. Weird. If I hadn’t spotted him, I’d have forgotten he exists.”
…
Buzz kept coming—some snarky digs mixed in.
Leaving camp, Lin Yun decided to hit the Empire Treasury. Three years under Emperor Fire Cloud, and he hadn’t checked it out? Not on!
Before, training ate his time. Now, he could browse.
He was curious—what goodies does a powerhouse like Fire Cloud Empire stock?
The treasury’s near the palace, built grand and imposing. Open to empire officials, soldiers, and royals—heavy guards, no riffraff allowed.
Lin Yun flashed his token, strolled in smooth.
At the entrance, “Lord Lin Yun, as His Majesty’s disciple, this token gets you into floors one, two, and three,” the keeper said.
“Cheers,” Lin Yun replied, stepping into floor one.
Inside, it’s massive—endless at a glance!
Stuff here costs cash, but cheaper than outside. It’s for the empire’s own, after all.
You could also trade empire merit points—earned through war feats or standout deeds.
Like Liang Yuan scouting Lin Yun—his champ win nabbed Liang some points.
Lin Yun scoped floor one. Pretty basic—mid-tier, high-tier, top-tier, pseudo-divine gear—all there. Not fancy, but stocked to the brim—everything you’d need!
Floor one’s for lower-mid empire troops and weaker royal side branches.
After a lap, Lin Yun headed to floor two.
Guard checked his token—smooth entry.
Floor two’s gear jumped up—super-divine, Holy Spirit-grade—high-end stuff!
Cheaper than markets, sure, but Holy Spirit-grade? Still steep—tough to snag.
Like a sword Lin Yun eyed—ten million spirit crystals or ten thousand merit points.
He’d looted an immortal’s ruin before—floor two’s haul didn’t wow him much.
“Third floor it is.”
Lin Yun climbed, eager. Floor two had Holy Spirit-grade—third’s gotta be Heaven-grade, right?
Floor three’s locked tight—not just anyone’s playground. But Lin Yun’s status? Golden ticket!
Third floor’s small—dead quiet, no browsers. Stark contrast to the bustling first floor (thousands milling) and busy second.
At the entrance, an old keeper checked Lin Yun’s token, then gawked, “You’re His Majesty’s new disciple?”
“That’s me, sir,” Lin Yun smiled politely.
“Three years in and your first visit? Odd,” the old keeper said.
“Sir, no Tribulation Pills in the treasury?” Lin Yun asked, curious.
He’d scoured floors one and two—no sign.
Tribulation Pills—key for Tribulation realm monks. Lin Yun’s future need—been on his radar.
“Of course we’ve got ‘em,” the old keeper said.
He added, “But they’re rare and precious—no spirit crystals, only merit points. Want one? Hit the second-floor counter, say you’re after a Tribulation Pill.”
“Got it,” Lin Yun nodded.
Made sense—Tribulation Pills for cash? Chaos. Empire’s stash is finite—would vanish into markets fast. Merit points jack up the bar—earn ‘em by bleeding for the empire.
“Not just Tribulation Pills—everything up here’s merit-only,” the old keeper said.
“Oh?” Lin Yun blinked, surprised.
Floors one and two took crystals.
“Third floor’s all Heaven-grade—priceless stuff. Empire saves it for those who’ve earned it,” the old keeper explained.
“Fair point,” Lin Yun nodded.
No wonder it’s empty.
