Typically, a prefect position vacancy could take centuries to fill, so Shi Wen was puzzled—why did the Chancellor say it wouldn’t be long?
“Do you think Lin Yun, standing against our Dongguo Party, can hold the position of prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture securely?” Dongguo Wuji’s smile grew increasingly sinister.
“Of course he can’t!” Shi Wen’s eyes lit up.
Dongguo Wuji’s gaze narrowed. “Spread the word: once he arrives in Dongyuan Prefecture, have all the Dongguo Party members there unite to ostracise him and frame him. I guarantee he won’t last long in that role. He’ll either step down from the pressure, or he’ll face a bottomless abyss!”
The Dongguo Party’s influence ran deep within the Huoyun Empire—even in Dongyuan Prefecture, they had a substantial presence!
“Yes, Father!” Dongguo Lie quickly agreed.
He continued, “Father, I finally understand why you supported Lin Yun in court. You’d already calculated that he wouldn’t last long there, so you spoke in his favour!”
“You’ve grasped most of it—about seventy percent. Figure out the rest yourself,” Dongguo Wuji said slowly.
As for Shi Wen, he was naturally overjoyed. As long as Lin Yun couldn’t hold on, he’d have his chance to step in.
…
On the other side.
Lin Yun arrived at the Tongshen Hall.
When he got there, Emperor Huoyun hadn’t yet arrived, so Lin Yun waited quietly.
After a few minutes, Emperor Huoyun entered from the back of the hall and took his seat on the throne.
“Greetings, Master,” Lin Yun bowed.
“Disciple, the position of prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture is set, but it won’t be an easy role. This is both a test and a challenge for you. Once you’re there, you’ll face plenty of trouble—resistance from within and threats from the demon clan outside,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Your disciple will do his utmost,” Lin Yun replied.
“I’ve prepared a gift for your appointment. Inside this are 10,000 sets of Huoyun Armor, three battle-class flying vessels, and one billion Spirit Crystals!”
Emperor Huoyun tossed a storage ring to Lin Yun.
The Huoyun Armor was the Huoyun Empire’s most elite armor.
Embedded with intricate formations, it significantly boosted the combat ability of low- to mid-tier cultivators.
A Void Penetration Realm cultivator wearing Huoyun Armor could unleash power comparable to a Unity Realm cultivator.
For higher-tier cultivators, however, it offered little benefit. It was best suited for those in the Spirit Transformation, Void Penetration, and Unity Realms.
Above Unity Realm, it had no effect, and below Spirit Transformation, cultivators couldn’t activate the armor’s formations to harness its power.
Moreover, the Huoyun Armor’s formations linked together. Soldiers wearing it could collectively form the Huoyun Battle Formation—an offensive array!
Each set of Huoyun Armor was worth a million Spirit Crystals at cost price.
Equipping it was rare—only the most elite units could afford it!
These 10,000 sets were worth a staggering 10 billion Spirit Crystals—far beyond what an individual could bear.
Even most prefectures rarely equipped Huoyun Armor.
Of course, the empire had lower-tier armors like Bright Gold Armor, Bright Silver Armor, and Bright Copper Armor, each with varying costs and assigned based on a unit’s status.
Bright Gold Armor, second only to Huoyun Armor, was also reserved for elite forces.
The latter two were cheaper and far more common.
“Thank you, Master!” Lin Yun accepted the items and immediately expressed his gratitude.
This was a massive gift.
“I’m giving you these 10,000 sets of Huoyun Armor so you can select talent in Dongyuan Prefecture and form your own personal guard—an elite force fully under your command and control,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Your disciple understands,” Lin Yun replied.
“Additionally, you’re only at Third-Turn Tribulation Realm. That’s a bit low for a prefect, and it might be hard to command respect there. So, I’ve specially selected a capable aide for you from the Divine Capital’s Forbidden Guard,” Emperor Huoyun added.
He then raised his voice. “Summon Huo Zhen.”
Soon, a towering, eight-foot-tall man clad in armor, with a full beard, strode into the hall.
“Your humble general Huo Zhen greets Your Majesty,” the man saluted.
“Huo Zhen, this is my disciple Lin Yun. From today, you’ll serve under him as his deputy and accompany him to Dongyuan Prefecture,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Your Majesty, I have an unwilling request. Could… could you let me stay with the Divine Capital’s Forbidden Guard instead?” Huo Zhen stammered.
“Oh? Why’s that?” Emperor Huoyun asked, not angry but curious.
“Your Majesty, I’ve heard this Lord Lin only entered the Tribulation Realm a few months ago—probably First-Turn at best. I’m at Fifth-Turn Tribulation Realm. Serving as his deputy… well… Your Majesty knows I’m a straightforward man, so I’ll be blunt. Even if I go with him, I might not serve wholeheartedly,” Huo Zhen said, looking aggrieved.
In the cultivation world, strength ruled, and it was hard for someone of a higher realm to submit to a lower one.
“Huo Zhen, Lin Yun isn’t First-Turn—he’s Third-Turn. And he’s only in his forties to reach that level. Isn’t his exceptional talent enough to earn your loyalty?” Emperor Huoyun said with a smile.
Lin Yun turned to Huo Zhen, smiling as well. “Commander Huo, if you think my strength isn’t enough, how about a spar?”
“Spar with you? No, no, no, Lord Lin. Even if you’re Third-Turn, I’m two realms ahead, and I’m over a thousand years older. Fighting you would be bullying. I speak plainly—don’t take offence, Lord Lin,” Huo Zhen said.
“No offence taken. Just a friendly spar,” Lin Yun replied, still smiling.
“This…” Huo Zhen looked to Emperor Huoyun.
“Since it’s a spar, there’s no harm. Go ahead and spar here,” Emperor Huoyun said.
He also wanted to see Lin Yun’s current combat ability.
The last time he’d witnessed Lin Yun fight was through a projection of his matches after winning the national martial exam.
Since then, he hadn’t seen Lin Yun in action.
Emperor Huoyun was curious—how strong was Lin Yun now? Could he, at Third-Turn Tribulation Realm, fight above his level against a Fifth-Turn opponent?
This was a perfect chance to test Lin Yun’s capabilities.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Huo Zhen saluted.
Then he turned to Lin Yun, clasping his fists. “Lord Lin, I’ll have to offend you then.”
“Commander Huo, if you win, I’ll personally request His Majesty to let you stay instead of coming with me to Dongyuan Prefecture,” Lin Yun said with a courteous smile.
“Lord Lin, we’re two realms apart—you’ve got no chance. But if you do beat me, I’ll follow you willingly and serve with all my heart!” Huo Zhen grinned confidently.
“Good,” Lin Yun nodded with a smile.
