“Good!” The other members of the Baili Clan nodded in agreement.
Hearing that Lin Yun hadn’t been caught, Yu Ying let out a tentative sigh of relief.
But what came next?
This hurdle still had to be crossed eventually!
As for the other teams present, most of them lingered in place, waiting.
Especially those forces from outside the Huoyun Empire—though they hadn’t made a move against Lin Yun earlier, they were eyeing the Frost Heart with greed. They’d merely held back because the Baili Clan had acted first, choosing to observe instead.
…
In the pool.
Carrying his injuries, Lin Yun dashed a distance further before realising the Baili Clan elder was no longer pursuing him.
“Phew… that was close.”
Lin Yun finally let out a long breath.
Without the Frost Heart in hand, he wouldn’t have escaped even in the pool—he’d likely be dead by now.
Though he’d temporarily shaken off the danger, the pressure still weighed heavily on him.
“They’re definitely waiting for me on the shore. I can’t stay in here forever, can I?” Lin Yun said helplessly.
What now?
He’d find a place to heal first.
With that, Lin Yun pressed onward.
He didn’t head to the underwater cave mansion he’d found earlier—it’d be too easy to discover.
After travelling through the water for about twenty minutes, Lin Yun found a coral reef at the bottom. The spot was relatively concealed.
“I’ll heal behind this coral reef.”
Lin Yun settled behind it, then entered the One Thought Clarity Tower space to begin recovering.
Inside the One Thought Clarity Tower.
After two hours of healing, aided by the powerful self-recovery of the Eleventh Layer Taixu Body Refining Technique, Lin Yun’s injuries fully mended.
But he didn’t rush to leave.
“That Baili Clan elder is surely waiting for me on the shore. If I go out now, it’ll end up like before—I’ll just get beaten again.”
“I’ll boost my strength here in the pool!”
Lin Yun quickly made up his mind.
Before this trial, he’d been cultivating with Tribulation Pills and was already close to Second-Turn Tribulation Realm.
If Emperor Huoyun hadn’t suddenly assigned him this mission, Lin Yun’s original plan had been to reach Second-Turn first.
Since he was now stuck in the water with no way out, he’d use this chance to advance.
With that, Lin Yun took out his Tribulation Pills and began absorbing them.
Each pill dissolved into a vast, pure energy, nourishing his body and gradually elevating him.
…
Fifteen days later.
Lin Yun opened his eyes.
Boom!
His realm aura burst forth, now firmly at Second-Turn Tribulation Realm.
“Second-Turn Tribulation Realm, achieved!” Lin Yun smiled.
Though reaching Second-Turn was expected and unsurprising, the moment it happened, Lin Yun couldn’t suppress his joy.
He clenched his fist lightly, feeling the surging inner energy gather in his palm.
“There’s a clear improvement—nice,” Lin Yun’s smile widened.
Fifteen days inside the One Thought Clarity Tower meant only three days had passed outside.
This boost in realm also bolstered his confidence.
Now, the gap between him and the Eighth-Turn Baili Clan elder had narrowed to six minor realms.
“Now, I’ve got a bit more capital to face him, but it’s still not enough!” Lin Yun murmured.
If they fought again, his combat ability might improve, but with the opponent yet to use their full strength, victory would still elude him.
“If it’s not enough, then I’ll keep advancing!” A sharp glint flashed in Lin Yun’s eyes.
Having only recently broken into the Tribulation Realm, he had plenty of room to grow. He’d come on this trial shortly after his breakthrough, leaving no time to refine his gains.
Straight to Third-Turn Tribulation Realm?
Reaching Third-Turn would require two thousand Tribulation Pills.
The hardest part of advancing in the Tribulation Realm was acquiring Tribulation Pills—they were tough to come by. But Lin Yun had enough on him for now.
As long as he had sufficient pills, it wouldn’t be an issue!
He calculated that reaching Third-Turn would take about two months.
With the One Thought Clarity Tower, two months wasn’t long—only twelve days would pass outside.
“Then I’ll aim for Third-Turn first!” Lin Yun decided firmly.
With that, he entered cultivation mode again, charging towards Third-Turn Tribulation Realm.
…
Over sixty days, Lin Yun tirelessly absorbed Tribulation Pills day and night.
As he did, his flesh, bones, organs, and skin all gradually strengthened.
After absorbing the 2,018th pill, his dantian expanded once more!
Third-Turn Tribulation Realm, achieved!
Everything went smoothly!
“Third-Turn Tribulation Realm—excellent!” Lin Yun opened his eyes, his smile growing broader.
Feeling the potent inner energy of Third-Turn, Lin Yun revelled in the satisfaction.
“Now, the realm gap has shrunk again. I should be able to trade blows with him evenly,” Lin Yun estimated.
Then his tone shifted, “But I don’t just want a draw—I want to win!”
As for Fourth-Turn? The required pills and time would skyrocket, so Lin Yun decided to hold off for now.
Besides, consecutive breakthroughs could destabilise his foundation. Normally, one should consolidate after each advancement.
Having jumped two realms in a row, pushing for a third was out of the question.
“Next, the Twelfth Layer of the Taixu Body Refining Technique!” Lin Yun resolved.
Back at Third-Stage Mahayana realm, he’d reached the Eleventh Layer. After hitting First-Turn Tribulation, he could’ve aimed for the Twelfth. Now at Third-Turn, even the Thirteenth was within reach.
Decision made, Lin Yun took out spirit crystals and began cultivating the Twelfth Layer.
With his Third-Turn body, he found the Twelfth Layer’s physical demands manageable—his body could handle it. The mental torment, however, was excruciating.
But for Lin Yun, as long as his body could endure, mental suffering was nothing to fear!
Plus, with his burning desire to boost his strength, take to the shore, and exact revenge, his resolve was unshakable.
Since his body could take it, Lin Yun absorbed spirit crystals non-stop, 24 hours a day, without issue.
At his current realm, he consumed spirit crystals rapidly.
…
Time slipped by. Cultivating the Twelfth Layer required tens of millions of spirit crystals.
After a dozen days, Lin Yun’s stockpile ran dry.
“Damn it, I’m out of spirit crystals!” Lin Yun opened his eyes, his expression shifting.
This was a problem—especially since he was so close to success. Stopping now was unthinkable.
“I’ll use Tribulation Pills to fill the gap.”
Lin Yun tested one and found it worked—boosting his progress.
The energy in a Tribulation Pill was far purer and stronger than spirit crystals, with one pill equalling tens of thousands of crystals.
It was a wasteful extravagance—nobody sane would use Tribulation Pills this way, given how much rarer they were than spirit crystals.
After four days of absorbing Tribulation Pills.
A faint golden glow emanated from Lin Yun’s skin.
Twelfth Layer of the Taixu Body Refining Technique, achieved!
