Outside Fire Cloud Camp’s main hall, on the plaza.
Peach Sis was chewing out a group. Lin Yun rocked up nearby, planning to wait till she’d finished before asking her.
But the plaza crowd clocked him—whispers buzzed.
Peach Sis spotted Lin Yun, cut her rant short, and marched over. “Lin Yun, here for me? What’s up?” she asked, her tone icy.
Lin Yun blinked—her chill vibe threw him. She’d been all warmth before—now this?
“Peach Sis, yeah, got a thing to ask. Finish up first—I’ll wait,” Lin Yun said.
“No need. Spit it out—keep it short. I’m busy,” she replied, flat.
“Peach Sis, my kin Liang Qing—why’s she barred from Mindforce Land now?” Lin Yun asked.
“Mindforce Land’s not for kin. No issue there,” Peach Sis shot back.
“But she used to get in,” Lin Yun pointed out.
“Before?” Peach Sis smirked coldly. “That was a favor to you. Now, it’s by the book. Mindforce Land’s got tight spots—kin can’t train there. Seven Star Tower’s their limit.”
Plain as day—she’s not giving him face anymore.
Lin Yun got it—why she’d flipped, why the cold shoulder.
She went on, “Other camp members’ kin don’t get Mindforce Land. Ask around!”
Back when Lin Yun joined, fresh off the Emperor’s nod, Peach Sis bent rules—let Liang Qing in. After the Emperor waved off her reports last time, she knew Lin Yun’s shine had faded.
She’d dug into records—Emperor Fire Cloud’s last disciple, over a thousand years back, flopped his tasks. The Emperor forgot him—too busy to care.
Only the dazzling ones—by his lofty bar—got real attention, real grooming. That bar? Insanely high.
To Peach Sis, Lin Yun’s on that old flop’s path—no more perks, no more clout.
“Alright, got it,” Lin Yun nodded.
Her spiel? Hard to argue. It *was* a perk before—now it’s not. Rules-wise, she’s solid.
“You’d best tell your kin this camp’s not their playground. Mindforce Land? They don’t rate it! Next time she tries sneaking in, I’ll slap her with camp rules—hard. Don’t cry when I don’t play nice,” Peach Sis said, frosty.
“Understood,” Lin Yun replied, turning to leave.
No comeback—her rulebook stance left him no room. Kicking up a fuss? Just noise.
Still, he found it grimly funny—people’s true colors. When he first hit camp, Peach Sis was all smiles. Now? Total U-turn.
Why? He hadn’t nailed the Emperor’s early goal—lost favor, lost worth. No need to butter him up anymore.
On the plaza, “Lin Yun’s a laugh—still wants special treatment? Us royals don’t even get that—he reckon he’s above us?”
“Right? Does he think he’s still golden? Word is, post-apprenticeship, he’s not seen His Majesty once—probably out of favor.”
Lin Yun left the plaza, headed back to his courtyard.
Inside, Liang Qing rushed over. “Brother Lin Yun, how’d it go? Peach Sis didn’t give you grief, did she?”
“No grief, but no face either. Hang here—I’m off to the palace,” Lin Yun said.
“The palace?” Liang Qing jolted, then fretted, “Brother Lin Yun, not over this, surely? Don’t trouble yourself! A petty thing like this—going to His Majesty might annoy him, tank your standing!”
“Relax, not about that. I’m reporting training progress,” Lin Yun said.
The Emperor’s order—third form, then visit. Time’s now.
“Oh, right. I’ll stay put, no wandering. Oh, Brother Lin Yun—your token,” Liang Qing handed it back.
Lin Yun took it, strode out.
…
He left camp, bee-lined for the palace.
Inside Divine Connection Hall, Emperor Fire Cloud sat high on his throne.
“Master, four years and your disciple hasn’t shown. Looks like third form’s still off,” the red-furred cat said.
“Four years, eh? Let’s see if he cracks it in five. If not, I’ve overhyped his talent,” the Emperor said, calm.
Early days, he’d had high hopes for Lin Yun.
A guard stepped in. “Your Majesty, Lord Lin Yun seeks an audience outside.”
“Let him in,” the Emperor said slowly.
“Yes, sir!” The guard spun, left.
“Barring surprises, third form’s likely done. Four years to third rank—middling,” the Emperor mused.
By his sky-high standards, mind. Normal folk? Forty years to third form’s ace!
Lin Yun entered soon. “Disciple Lin Yun greets Master,” he bowed.
“How’s *Shadow Sword Art* going? Third form’s done, yeah?” the Emperor asked, steady.
“Master, yes—third form’s mastered,” Lin Yun replied.
As the Emperor opened his mouth, Lin Yun cut in.
“Also, fourth form—I’ve got that too,” Lin Yun added.
