After entering the quiet room, Lin Yun also entered the space of the One Thought Clarity Tower.
Inside the One Thought Clarity Tower space.
“Let’s begin,” Lin Yun said, taking out his Tribulation Pills and starting to absorb and refine them.
To break through to the second turn of the Tribulation Realm, he needed a thousand Tribulation Pills. Lin Yun currently had more than enough.
With each Tribulation Pill he consumed, Lin Yun could feel a surge of vast energy erupting within him. The energy contained in these pills was on an entirely different level from spirit crystals—like the difference between steel and iron.
About half a month later.
Lin Yun had used over seven hundred Tribulation Pills and was now very close to the second turn of the Tribulation Realm.
Knock, knock, knock!
A knocking sound rang out.
Lin Yun, who was in the midst of cultivation, immediately stopped, exited the One Thought Clarity Tower space, and got up to open the door.
When he opened it, Steward Zheng stood at the entrance.
“Lord Lin, His Majesty has issued an edict summoning you to the palace for an audience!” Steward Zheng said respectfully.
“Master is calling for me? Good, prepare the carriage, we’re heading to the palace!” Lin Yun ordered at once.
…
The imperial palace, Tongshen Hall.
Lin Yun entered the grand hall.
“Greetings, Master,” Lin Yun said, bowing to Emperor Huoyun seated on the throne.
“My disciple, a new test has come for you. It’s both a trial and an opportunity,” Emperor Huoyun said calmly.
In the past, Emperor Huoyun had always addressed him simply as “Lin Yun,” but now he called him “my disciple.” Though it seemed like a small change in title, it was enough to show the Emperor’s growing recognition of Lin Yun.
“Please give your instructions, Master!” Lin Yun replied.
“Recently, in the Endless Sea, strange phenomena have appeared. According to intelligence, it’s suspected that a ruin of the Great Kun Clan has emerged,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“The Great Kun Clan?” Lin Yun sounded unfamiliar with the name.
“The Great Kun Clan was a race in the Endless Sea. Ten thousand years ago, they were wiped out by a coalition of other forces in the Endless Sea. However, the Great Kun Clan possessed a supreme treasure that has never been found. If this is indeed their ruin surfacing, that treasure is very likely to appear. You are to go and compete for it,” Emperor Huoyun explained.
“Master, if it’s a supreme treasure, why not send an Immortal to retrieve it directly? Though I’m eager for experience, I’m not confident I can secure this treasure,” Lin Yun said, puzzled.
“That area is completely outside human territory, deep within the Endless Sea’s domain. Humanity has a peace agreement with them: Immortals won’t casually enter the Endless Sea, and the top powerhouses of the various races there won’t come onto the mainland either. While I’m not afraid to break the agreement, there’s no need to stir up unnecessary trouble over this,” Emperor Huoyun said.
Lin Yun suddenly understood.
“Here’s a sea chart. I’ve marked the general area where the anomaly occurred, and there’s also a piece of intelligence attached.”
Emperor Huoyun tossed a map toward Lin Yun.
Lin Yun caught the map and intelligence, storing them away.
“My disciple, this mission is highly dangerous because you’ll be leaving human territory entirely and entering the Endless Sea. Once you’re there, I won’t be able to offer you any help—you’ll be on your own. This is both a test and a chance to temper yourself,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“I understand, Master!” Lin Yun responded.
“Based on my estimation, there will be no shortage of factions eyeing the Great Kun Clan’s treasure—not just the races of the Endless Sea, but also some major human powers. You may face many opponents, but you needn’t worry too much. No Immortals will go; the strongest there will be Tribulation Realm cultivators. As long as you can outfight them on the scene, go ahead and fight. As for retaliation afterward? Don’t worry—I’ve got your back!” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Thank you, Master!” Lin Yun clasped his fists immediately.
With those words from Emperor Huoyun, Lin Yun felt much more at ease!
Emperor Huoyun continued, “Of course, the real threat will come from some of the races in the Endless Sea.”
“This mission is indeed extremely perilous, so I’ll give you a life-saving item: the Thunderlight Talisman. It can instantly teleport you fifty thousand li away, but it can only be used once before it expires.”
Emperor Huoyun tossed the Thunderlight Talisman to Lin Yun.
This Thunderlight Talisman was far more precious than a Ten Thousand Li Vanishing Talisman, and it was a one-time-use item!
But if used well, it was an absolute lifesaver.
“Also, for this journey, it’s best to use an alias and conceal your real name and identity. Sometimes, that can spare you unnecessary trouble,” Emperor Huoyun advised.
“An alias? Understood, Master,” Lin Yun replied.
“You’ll figure out the situation once you get there. Go now,” Emperor Huoyun said, waving his hand.
“Your disciple takes his leave,” Lin Yun said, bowing before exiting the hall.
After Lin Yun left, a red-furred cat hopped out.
“Master, you’re sending him to the Endless Sea for training? Don’t you think highly of him? Why are you being so harsh? You’ve never given your previous disciples such brutal tasks, have you?” the red-furred cat muttered.
Clearly, the cat knew just how cruel and dangerous the mission Emperor Huoyun had given Lin Yun was!
“It’s precisely because I think highly of him that I’m doing this,” Emperor Huoyun said.
He continued, “He managed to cross the Beast Mountain Range alone—he’s worthy of such a harsh trial.”
“But going alone, it’s impossible for him to succeed. He might even lose his life!” the red-furred cat exclaimed.
“Indeed, it’s impossible for him to succeed, which is why I’m sending him to train. My goal isn’t for him to successfully retrieve the treasure—it’s to temper him. As for losing his life? With the escape treasure I gave him, it shouldn’t be an issue,” Emperor Huoyun said.
With Emperor Huoyun’s strength and resources, that treasure wasn’t particularly valuable to him. His main purpose was to train Lin Yun.
“I see, I understand now,” the red-furred cat said, realisation dawning.
Emperor Huoyun continued, “He’s a good seedling who needs polishing. The path to growth requires both successes and failures.”
“Since he became my disciple, everything’s gone smoothly for him. Geniuses are most prone to falling to arrogance. Letting him fail once will keep him from getting conceited and push him to cultivate harder with a fire in his belly.”
With his intentions laid out so clearly, Emperor Huoyun’s purpose was obvious.
He wasn’t expecting Lin Yun to complete this mission successfully.
The goal of this trial was to let Lin Yun experience a setback, to make him fail once and prevent him from becoming arrogant.
Clearly, Emperor Huoyun had a knack for nurturing talent.
…
Elsewhere.
After exiting the hall, Lin Yun mused to himself.
“This training mission is actually sending me to the Endless Sea—truly beyond my expectations,” Lin Yun said with a wry smile.
He’d long heard of the Endless Sea’s ferocity, even known as a forbidden zone for humans!
In his wildest dreams, Lin Yun never imagined Emperor Huoyun would send him there.
As he walked out of the palace, Lin Yun took out the map and examined it.
“The target location isn’t deep within the Endless Sea, but it’s beyond the near-shore region…” Lin Yun murmured.
Fortunately, the destination wasn’t too far into the Endless Sea, but it was still completely outside human territory, so the danger was undeniable.
“For me, this is indeed a challenge. Let’s give it a shot,” Lin Yun said, a spark of wild determination flashing in his eyes.
