“It’s time to report back to Master.”
Lin Yun immediately stood up and left, heading towards the imperial palace.
Breaking through to the Tribulation Realm to meet his master had been decided long ago.
The imperial palace, Tongshen Hall.
After reporting outside the hall, Lin Yun soon received a summons from Emperor Huoyun.
“Greetings, Master.” Lin Yun entered the hall and bowed.
“Lin Yun, have you broken through to the Tribulation Realm?” Emperor Huoyun asked.
“Reporting to Master, your disciple has successfully broken through and stepped into the Tribulation Realm,” Lin Yun replied loudly.
“Very good, my disciple. When you mastered the fourth level of the Shadow Sword Technique, I told you that once you entered the Tribulation Realm, I would reward you accordingly,” Emperor Huoyun said.
Emperor Huoyun continued, “Since you’ve successfully broken through, I hereby grant you the rank of a third-grade official in the empire and will establish a residence for you in the divine capital!”
“Thank you, Master.” Lin Yun clasped his fists and bowed.
In the Huoyun Empire, official ranks ranged from ninth grade, the lowest, to first grade, the highest.
A third-grade rank was no small matter; even the heads of various residences were only second-grade.
As for Lin Yun’s specific position, Emperor Huoyun had not yet assigned one, not wanting mundane affairs to hinder Lin Yun’s cultivation.
Moreover, establishing a residence solely for Lin Yun meant he could move out of the Huoyun encampment and own a mansion of his own in the divine capital.
“In addition, there’s another significant reward for you. You may go to the third floor of the imperial treasury and choose any item from there—be it a weapon, a secret manual, or a magical artifact,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Choose anything?”
Upon hearing this, Lin Yun’s eyes lit up!
To be honest, Lin Yun wasn’t particularly interested in an official position or a residence.
But being able to go to the third floor of the treasury and pick anything—that was a grand reward!
It was equivalent to giving Lin Yun millions of imperial merit points. Earning such an immense amount of merit points would be incredibly difficult.
“Thank you, Master!” Lin Yun quickly expressed his gratitude.
“You may return now. Once your residence is arranged, someone will come to the Huoyun encampment to guide you there. You’ve worked hard in your cultivation lately, so take a few days to rest. There’s also another task I’ll entrust to you—it’s both a test and a reward,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Your disciple obeys,” Lin Yun replied.
In his heart, Lin Yun couldn’t help but sigh—his master’s tests really came one after another.
First, he was tasked with learning the Shadow Sword Technique, a test for Lin Yun.
Then came breaking through to the Tribulation Realm, which was also a test in its own right.
For both, Lin Yun had delivered satisfactory results.
“I wonder what the next test will be,” Lin Yun mused, feeling a mix of unease and nervousness.
After all, every test from Emperor Huoyun was extremely difficult!
What would the next test be? Could he complete it? Lin Yun had no confidence at all.
Though the difficulty was high, the rewards were undeniably generous, as proven by the previous two tests!
So, Lin Yun felt both anxious and excited.
If he succeeded, rich rewards would be waiting for him!
After taking his leave, Lin Yun left the palace and headed straight for the imperial treasury.
Naturally, he couldn’t wait to go to the third floor and claim his reward!
The third floor of the treasury.
Few people came to the third floor, so it was very quiet.
When Lin Yun arrived, there was only one other person browsing.
“Senior, I’m back again,” Lin Yun said with a smile, greeting the treasury’s third-floor keeper.
“Here to claim your reward, I assume? The news has already reached me. Everything on the third floor is yours to choose from—pick one,” the old man said with a warm smile.
“Yes, I’m here to claim my reward,” Lin Yun replied, his face beaming with joy.
“I heard you’ve stepped into the Tribulation Realm. To achieve that at such a young age—your future is boundless,” the keeper praised.
“You flatter me, Senior. I’ll go pick something now,” Lin Yun said, clearly eager.
“Haha, can’t wait, can you? Go on, go on!” The old man laughed, stroking his beard.
There were plenty of items on the third floor. How should he choose? Lin Yun found himself a bit torn.
He browsed as he walked.
“You’re Lin Yun, right?” A voice came from behind him.
Lin Yun turned to see a young man dressed in fine clothing.
He had been browsing the third floor when Lin Yun arrived.
Being able to come to the third floor alone indicated that his background must be extraordinary.
“Yes, I’m Lin Yun. And you are?” Lin Yun asked politely.
“The son of the Huoyun Empire’s prime minister, Dongguo Lie!” the man said with a hint of arrogance.
“So it’s Young Master Dongguo. May I ask what brings you here?” Lin Yun looked at him.
“I heard you’re quite impressive and got curious, so I came to take a look. If there’s a chance, I’d love to spar with you and see just how great you really are,” Dongguo Lie said.
“Young Master, you jest. My modest skills could hardly compare to yours,” Lin Yun replied humbly.
“You’re quite sensible, I’ll give you that,” Dongguo Lie said with a smirk, crossing his arms.
Lin Yun paused. This guy wasn’t humble at all.
“Lin Yun, you’re the Emperor’s disciple, after all. Sometimes you should watch your status. That old man at the entrance is just a keeper, yet you’re so polite to him. Don’t you think that lowers your standing?” Dongguo Lie said in a lecturing tone.
“Young Master Dongguo, that’s just how I am,” Lin Yun replied, his expression unchanged.
“A timid personality, huh? I wonder how His Majesty took a liking to you,” Dongguo Lie sneered dismissively.
Lin Yun frowned. “Young Master Dongguo, I’ll go pick my item now. I won’t disturb you further.”
With that, Lin Yun walked past him.
“Hmph.”
Dongguo Lie let out a cold laugh, then picked up an item and headed toward the third-floor exit.
Lin Yun continued browsing, completely ignoring Dongguo Lie. He wasn’t worth ruining his good mood over.
“I’ve already learned two Heaven’s Path-level secret manuals. If I choose again, it’s either a Heaven’s Path-level body-refining technique or a Heaven’s Path-level weapon,” Lin Yun thought as he browsed.
As for Heaven’s Path-level magical artifacts? Lin Yun wasn’t considering those for now.
Though he wanted them all, he could only pick one, so he had to choose carefully.
At that moment, Lin Yun stood in the weapons section, his gaze fixed on a Heaven’s Path-level sword.
Choosing a weapon would prioritise stronger attacks, while a body-refining technique would focus on better defence.
“Lin Yun, are you planning to pick a weapon as your reward? It’s actually a solid choice. Generally, Tribulation Realm cultivators use Saint Spirit-level weapons. Very few use Heaven’s Path-level ones. If you wield a Heaven’s Path-level weapon, you’ll naturally have an edge,” the keeper’s voice sounded beside him.
“Senior, can I test the power of this Heaven’s Path-level weapon?” Lin Yun asked, looking at the old man with anticipation.
After all, Lin Yun had never used a Heaven’s Path-level weapon and didn’t know how strong it truly was.
Back when he was at the Tianjian Sect in the Xingwu Empire, the sect leader had told him that Heaven’s Path-level weapons were a qualitative leap, far superior to Saint Spirit-level ones, and priceless treasures that money couldn’t buy.
Only by experiencing it firsthand could Lin Yun truly understand its power and make a better decision.
