With the Third Turn of the Heaven-Shaking Hand successfully mastered, it came naturally, as expected, and brought yet another significant boost to Lin Yun’s combat strength.
“Master, you should now be able to take on that Eighth-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivator!” came the voice of the White Ze Beast, Xiao Bai.
Over the past few years, as Xiao Bai matured, it had gradually learned to speak human language.
“Just able to fight him?” Lin Yun’s lips curved into a slight smile.
With his strength surging over this period, his ambitions went far beyond that!
During this retreat, Lin Yun had advanced two full realms!
Add to that the improvements in his Body Refining Technique, Shadow Sword Technique, Mystery Fusion, and Heaven-Shaking Hand—his overall power had absolutely skyrocketed.
Previously stuck at Third-Turn Tribulation Realm, these aspects had been on hold, unable to progress.
Since breaking into the Tribulation Realm, they’d all been ripe for advancement.
It was only now, after accumulating for so long, that they’d erupted all at once—like a volcano dormant for a thousand years finally unleashing its fury!
This was the power of steady accumulation leading to a grand breakthrough.
“After this round of improvements, my swordsmanship, Heaven-Shaking Hand, and other skills have temporarily hit their peak. Further progress will take quite some time,” Lin Yun murmured.
This time, he’d unleashed everything he’d been building up.
As for the time spent, Lin Yun had been in retreat within the One Thought Clarity Tower for a total of fourteen months—nearly three months in the outside world.
For Tribulation Realm cultivators, whose lifespans stretched four or five thousand years, three months was a mere blink of an eye. Retreats lasting decades or even centuries weren’t uncommon for them.
“Let’s go—time to head ashore!” Lin Yun’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
Having improved so much, he was eager to test the results.
And he’d start with the Baili Clan’s team!
Lin Yun exited the One Thought Clarity Tower space, then surged his inner energy, charging straight towards the shore!
…
Above the pool, on the shore.
The various teams sat cross-legged, cultivating while they waited.
Most had ventured into the underwater cave mansion at the pool’s bottom, reaping some gains, big or small.
But their ultimate prize remained the Frost Heart.
Other teams were undoubtedly eyeing Lin Yun as well. They’d only held back earlier because the Baili Clan had made the first move, opting to watch from the sidelines.
As for the Baili Clan, they hadn’t gone back down to search for Lin Yun.
The reason was simple: the Baili Clan elder knew that even if they found him, Lin Yun would just keep fleeing through the water. With the Frost Heart, Lin Yun was untouchable underwater, so chasing him was pointless. Waiting by the shore was the smarter play.
“Elder, that guy’s been underwater for three months. He’s not cultivating down there, is he?” one of the Baili Clan members asked.
“At the Tribulation Realm level, every strength increase takes considerable time. It’s not that easy to advance,” the Baili Clan elder replied with his eyes closed.
He continued, “Besides, he was just First-Turn Tribulation Realm. Even if he’s made some progress—say, reaching Second-Turn—the gap between us would still be massive!”
“Hm, fair point,” the Baili Clan members nodded.
“Be patient and keep waiting. Let’s see how long he can hide!” the Baili Clan elder said slowly.
The Tianqiong Clan’s team was perched on a small hill overlooking the pool.
“Almost three months…” Yu Ying gazed at the water, her beautiful eyes flickering with worry and unease.
She’d been counting the days.
The handsome man couldn’t help but sneer, “This guy’s supposed to be the grand disciple of Emperor Huoyun, yet here he is, hiding underwater like a coward. What a disgrace to his master! He might dodge the first day, but not the fifteenth—how long can he keep this up?”
There’s never a shortage of people ready to mock someone in a tough spot.
A man like him naturally relished the thought of Lin Yun’s downfall.
“Hm? There’s movement!”
The handsome man suddenly noticed ripples on the pool’s surface.
The next moment, the water exploded with a loud “Boom!”
A young, lean figure emerged into everyone’s view.
It was Lin Yun!
“It’s that kid!”
“He’s out! He actually came out!”
In an instant, the previously quiet shore erupted with shouts of surprise.
Every team’s gaze converged on Lin Yun.
They’d been waiting nearly three months, after all.
“Elder, it’s him! He’s surfaced!” the Baili Clan members cried out in unison.
The Baili Clan elder snapped his eyes open, locking onto Lin Yun.
“That little bastard actually dared to show himself!” A fierce glint flashed in the elder’s eyes.
He recalled how, three months ago, Lin Yun had cursed him out while fleeing underwater, and his anger flared anew.
“Brother Yun!”
Seeing Lin Yun, Yu Ying leapt to her feet.
Lin Yun landed directly beside her.
“Brother Yun!”
Yu Ying threw herself into his arms.
The torment of three months of anxious waiting dissolved into tears that streamed down her stunning face.
“Ying’er, I’ve made you worry and suffer these past months. It’s my fault,” Lin Yun said gently, stroking her hair to comfort her.
“Brother Yun, I’m not suffering. I just… what do we do next?” Yu Ying’s voice was thick with concern.
The Fourth Elder of the Tianqiong Clan spoke coldly, “Lin Yun, coming out now is no different from seeking death. The Baili Clan doesn’t fear your status as a disciple of the Huoyun Empire. I suggest you hand the Frost Heart to me. That way, your crisis could be resolved. No matter how precious the Frost Heart is, it’s not worth your life, right?”
“Fourth Elder, if you’re after the Frost Heart, just say it. No need to dress it up so nobly,” Lin Yun replied with a cold laugh.
The Fourth Elder’s face twitched slightly at that.
“Hmph, ungrateful brat. Fine, keep it then. I’ll watch how the Baili Clan wipes you out!” the Fourth Elder spat venomously.
The Tianqiong Clan was based in the Tianqian Empire. Though Lin Yun’s identity as Emperor Huoyun’s disciple had made him view Lin Yun differently, he, too, wasn’t intimidated by it.
“You little bastard, you’ve got some guts showing your face!”
The Baili Clan elder’s booming voice thundered across the shore.
“Brother Yun!” Yu Ying clutched Lin Yun’s arm, visibly worried.
“It’s alright, Ying’er. I can handle this. Trust me! Leave the rest to me!” Lin Yun gave her a reassuring smile.
Then he turned to face the Baili Clan elder.
“Why wouldn’t I dare come out?” Lin Yun said with a faint smile.
“Fair enough—you can’t hide forever. Since you’ve shown yourself, this time I won’t give you another chance!”
“This time, you’re dead! Even if you hand over the Frost Heart now, I’ll still kill you!”
The Baili Clan elder pointed at Lin Yun, his eyes brimming with murderous intent!
Lin Yun stomped the ground and leapt into the air, his Third-Turn Tribulation Realm aura fully unleashed.
“Old dog, bring it on!”
His tone was sharp, his presence commanding, his dark eyes blazing with boundless fighting spirit.
“What? Third-Turn Tribulation Realm?”
“In just three months, this guy reached Third-Turn Tribulation Realm?”
Sensing Lin Yun’s realm, the crowd was stunned!
