The two immediately drew their weapons and stepped back, creating distance between them.
Lin Yun wielded a Heavenly Dao-level weapon, while Huo Zhen brandished a Holy Spirit-level one.
Though there was a gap in their weapons, the difference in their realms balanced it out.
With a wave of his hand, Emperor Huoyun unleashed a surge of powerful inner energy, forming a barrier around the two to contain the shockwaves of their impending clash.
“Lord Lin, I’m making my move!”
Huo Zhen raised a long spear.
A cold glint flickered along its surface.
Boom!
Gripping the spear with both hands, Huo Zhen spun it forward, a blinding streak of light tearing through the void toward Lin Yun!
His Fifth-Turn Tribulation Realm aura was unmistakable, bolstered by eighth-tier divine sense and other techniques.
Shadow Sword Art, Fourth Form!
Lin Yun swiftly swung his sword, unleashing his divine sense and the elevenfold Taixu power in an instant!
Boom!
Their attacks collided head-on. Huo Zhen’s spear flicked upward, striking at Lin Yun again with ferocious force.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Their attacks clashed repeatedly. Huo Zhen unleashed another burst of power, only for Lin Yun to block it once more.
“Lord Lin does have some skill.”
Seeing his attacks rendered ineffective, Huo Zhen couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at Lin Yun’s strength.
After all, he was two realms ahead of Lin Yun. He’d assumed his full-force assault would easily overpower him.
“But I, Huo Zhen, have more than just this up my sleeve. Lord Lin, you’d better watch out!”
“Aurora Spear Technique!”
Purple lightning crackled along Huo Zhen’s spear, its contained power surging dramatically.
The spear spun rapidly, twisting into a startling arc. The energy swirled like a vortex, rushing toward the spear’s tip at an astonishing speed!
As all the power converged at the tip, Huo Zhen thrust the spear toward Lin Yun with explosive force.
“He’s using the Aurora Spear Technique? Huo Zhen’s not holding back. I wonder if Lin Yun can still win,” Emperor Huoyun mused, watching the battlefield.
The Aurora Spear Technique was a Heavenly Dao-level spear art of the Huoyun Empire.
As a deputy commander of the Divine Capital’s Forbidden Guard—the emperor’s elite trump card unit—Huo Zhen was among the empire’s finest. It was no surprise he’d mastered a Heavenly Dao-level technique.
The Huoyun Empire’s foundation was indeed formidable.
However, the Aurora Spear Technique couldn’t compare to the Shadow Sword Art—they weren’t even in the same league.
Still, with a two-realm gap and Huo Zhen’s considerable mastery of the Aurora Spear Technique, Emperor Huoyun wasn’t sure if Lin Yun could prevail.
In the battlefield…
“Bring it on!”
Shadow Sword Art, Fifth Form unleashed!
Mysteries, fuse!
Seven mysteries surged along the sword, merging in an instant!
The sword became a meteor, clashing with the radiant streak of Huo Zhen’s spear!
Boom!
Huo Zhen’s spear bent dramatically under the impact.
The terrifying shockwave from the collision roared outward, making the protective barrier set by Emperor Huoyun tremble with a buzzing sound!
Huo Zhen was hurled backward by the overwhelming force, crashing into the barrier, his face paling.
The victor was decided.
Emperor Huoyun watched the scene, his deep eyes rippling with astonishment.
“He fused seven mysteries!”
“And mastered the Fifth Form of the Shadow Sword Art?”
Lin Yun’s fusion of seven mysteries delivered a significant shock to Emperor Huoyun.
He recalled that during the martial exam, Lin Yun had used mystery fusion, but nowhere near seven.
And now, Lin Yun had also learned the Fifth Form of the Shadow Sword Art, which further impressed him.
Though he’d guided Lin Yun on the Fifth Form, each successive form of the Shadow Sword Art grew exponentially harder to master!
In the arena…
Huo Zhen stood, his eyes tinged with shock. He’d been defeated by a Third-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivator?
“Lord Huo, I concede your skill,” Lin Yun said, clasping his fists.
“Lord Lin, I underestimated you. A hero rises young—reaching such heights at just over forty. I can’t help but admire you. No wonder His Majesty took you as a disciple!” Huo Zhen sighed in awe.
He’d thought Lin Yun’s youth and short cultivation time would leave him lacking in many areas. With a two-realm advantage, he’d assumed victory was assured.
“You’re no weakling yourself, Lord Huo,” Lin Yun said with a humble smile.
Lin Yun knew that with the Aurora Spear Technique, Huo Zhen’s strength could rival a partial Sixth-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivator.
“Huo Zhen, any complaints now?” Emperor Huoyun asked.
“Your Majesty, I’m convinced—completely convinced! I’ll follow Your Majesty’s orders and serve as Lord Lin’s deputy!” Huo Zhen’s voice rang out firmly.
For cultivators at this level, pride was natural. In the cultivation world, strength reigned supreme. He’d been reluctant to follow Lin Yun because he thought Lin Yun was weaker.
Now that Lin Yun had defeated him, his reservations vanished.
“Good. Tomorrow, you’ll set out with Lin Yun for Dongyuan Prefecture,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Your humble servant obeys!”
Huo Zhen saluted, his voice resounding.
Emperor Huoyun turned his gaze to Lin Yun.
“Disciple, your performance just now gave me quite a surprise. And I could tell you weren’t even going all out. Well done,” Emperor Huoyun said, looking at Lin Yun.
“Thank you for your praise, Master,” Lin Yun saluted.
“Since you’ve mastered the Fifth Form, I’ll pass on the remaining parts of the Shadow Sword Art to you.”
With that, Emperor Huoyun waved his hand, and a manual flew toward Lin Yun.
Lin Yun caught it immediately.
“Thank you, Master!” Lin Yun was naturally thrilled to receive the latter half of the Shadow Sword Art.
“Lin Yun, I chose Huo Zhen to accompany you because he belongs to no faction—not even the Dongguo Party. His loyalty to the empire is unquestionable, so you can trust him fully. He’ll be a capable right-hand man,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Your disciple understands,” Lin Yun replied.
With Emperor Huoyun’s assurance, Lin Yun felt even more at ease. If the aide assigned to him had ties to the Dongguo Party, he’d rather go without.
“This trip to Dongyuan Prefecture will be no small challenge. Beyond the help I’ve provided, do you have any other needs?” Emperor Huoyun asked.
“Master, there is indeed one matter I’d like to seek Your Majesty’s opinion on,” Lin Yun said.
“Speak freely,” Emperor Huoyun said, leaning back on his throne.
“I’d like to bring Lord Liang Yuan, a fourth-rank official from the Martial Examination Hall, to Dongyuan Prefecture,” Lin Yun said.
“Is that all? Approved. I’ll issue an order to promote him to third rank, and he’ll accompany you to Dongyuan Prefecture tomorrow,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Thank you, Master,” Lin Yun bowed again.
