Lin Yun took the ten thousand Tribulation Pills and finally sheathed his sword.
“This counts as an unexpected bonus,” Lin Yun thought, inwardly delighted as he looked at the haul.
If the Baili Clan elder had truly self-destructed, the explosion from his realm would’ve destroyed his storage ring, annihilating most of its contents—leaving Lin Yun with little to gain.
This outcome was plenty satisfying!
Most importantly, he’d successfully secured the Frost Heart.
Though his heart was jubilant, Lin Yun kept his expression steady.
“You can scram now. And if your Baili Clan wants revenge, I’ll welcome it anytime. At least in the Huoyun Empire, I doubt you’d dare try,” Lin Yun said with a cold smirk.
The Baili Clan elder’s face twitched at those words.
Their clan operated in the Tianqian Empire—they wouldn’t dare venture into the Huoyun Empire for retaliation.
“Let’s go!”
With a wave of his hand, the Baili Clan elder led his group away, slinking toward the relic’s entrance in defeat.
This time, they’d lost both their dignity and their gains—what reason was there to linger?
After the Baili Clan departed, Lin Yun soared into the air.
“Anyone else here still eyeing the Frost Heart?”
His gaze swept over the remaining teams, his voice booming like a struck bell, resounding through the entire relic.
Lin Yun knew these teams had stuck around because they, too, coveted the Frost Heart and his Heavenly Dao-grade weapon.
Had the Baili Clan not stepped up first, others among them might’ve tried to seize it from him.
His words plunged the scene into silence.
Not a single team dared respond.
After all, Lin Yun had just defeated the Baili Clan—his strength was plain for all to see.
Even if they lusted after the Frost Heart and the Heavenly Dao-grade weapon, none wanted to follow in the Baili Clan’s footsteps!
Though they couldn’t claim the Frost Heart, their earlier explorations of the underwater cave mansion had yielded some rewards—no one had come away empty-handed.
Seeing no one speak up, Lin Yun descended and approached the Tianqiong Clan’s group.
“Move!”
He shot a glare at the handsome man blocking his path.
The man’s face paled, and he didn’t dare utter a peep, quickly stepping aside.
Having witnessed Lin Yun’s overwhelming power, he was clearly intimidated—gone was his earlier arrogance, and he no longer dared to provoke Lin Yun.
Once the man cleared the way, Lin Yun walked straight to Yu Ying.
“Ying’er, it’s all settled. Sorry for making you worry,” Lin Yun said with a warm smile.
“Brother Yun, as long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters!”
Beaming, Yu Ying continued, “Brother Yun, your strength today really shocked me—you’re incredible!”
Lin Yun’s prowess had truly stunned her.
She now realised there was still a significant gap between herself and him.
“Ying’er, you’re amazing too. Oh, take these Tribulation Pills—they’ll help boost your strength,” Lin Yun offered, handing her a storage ring containing the ten thousand pills.
He was never stingy with his loved ones.
“No need! You don’t have to worry about resources for me—keep them for your own cultivation!” Yu Ying pushed the ring back to him.
Lin Yun figured she was right. With the Tianqiong Clan backing her, Yu Ying likely didn’t lack resources.
The Fourth Elder of the Tianqiong Clan watched their affectionate exchange with irritation, but he lacked the confidence to reprimand Lin Yun.
Lin Yun’s strength had shocked and deterred him—he, too, now feared Lin Yun!
After this battle, the ownership of the Frost Heart was beyond dispute.
The remaining teams began to disperse.
Lin Yun and the Tianqiong Clan also headed out of the relic.
…
On the way out.
“I can finally report back.”
Lin Yun felt a weight lift from his shoulders—another task from Emperor Huoyun successfully completed.
This journey to the Da Kun relic had been fraught with challenges: nearly dying from poison, facing off against the Mu Clan and Baili Clan. But the outcome was favorable, and the rewards were substantial.
First, he’d secured the Frost Heart, fulfilling the trial’s objective.
Second, within the relic, he’d broken through to Third-Turn Tribulation Realm, with leaps in his swordsmanship, Body Refining Technique, Heaven-Shaking Hand, and Mystery Fusion—catapulting his strength to new heights.
He’d also netted a bonus of ten thousand Tribulation Pills.
And, most crucially, he’d reunited with Yu Ying and solidified their bond…
All these gains made the trip more than worthwhile!
One thing, however, nagged at him.
So far, no forces from the Endless Sea had intervened in the relic, which surprised him!
Did that mean no Endless Sea factions had set their sights on the Da Kun relic?
Or were they unwilling to come ashore to contest it?
Though the Frost Heart was in hand, this anomaly left a faint unease lingering in Lin Yun’s heart.
Soon, the teams emerged from the Da Kun relic, returning to the island.
Each group prepared to depart.
“Miss Ying’er, let’s go—it’s time to head back,” the Fourth Elder said.
Yu Ying turned to Lin Yun, her beautiful eyes filled with longing and reluctance.
“Ying’er, let’s step aside and talk.”
Lin Yun led her behind a towering tree, intending to share a private moment.
The Fourth Elder looked displeased but didn’t intervene.
Behind the tree.
Lin Yun released his divine consciousness, shielding their surroundings.
Yu Ying threw herself into his arms.
“Brother Yun, Ying’er doesn’t want to leave you,” she said, her voice heavy with reluctance.
They’d had so little time together before parting again.
“Ying’er, go back for now. I promise, when the time is right, I’ll come to the Tianqiong Clan and propose formally!” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“Brother Yun, I’ll wait for you!” Her clear eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Ying’er, take this jade slip. If there’s an emergency, crush it—it’ll send me a message and your location,” Lin Yun said, handing her the slip.
“Mm!” Yu Ying nodded obediently, tucking it away.
Then, they embraced and shared a kiss.
Boom!
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the sky.
Lin Yun looked up to see a departing airship erupt into a fireball, its blinding light engulfing the island.
As it exploded, bodies and debris rained down—some dead, some still alive but injured.
“Ahhh!”
Screams of the wounded echoed through the air.
