After losing to Lin Yun back then, Wei Qi had thrown himself into training with fierce determination. Over the years, he’d honed his archery skills significantly, hoping one day to surpass Lin Yun.
But compared to Lin Yun’s monstrous growth, his progress seemed trivial…
Back at the ancient tower, he’d at least been able to pose a threat to Lin Yun.
Now, his attack couldn’t even scratch him.
“Wei Qi, your archery has indeed improved nicely since then,” Lin Yun said.
That single arrow just now could’ve made an ordinary First-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivator tremble in fear.
Wei Qi’s archery prowess stemmed purely from his skill—he wielded the power of the heavens and earth with a profound finesse.
Reaching such a level in archery required both talent and relentless practice.
This kind of extreme specialization had its perks: mastering one skill to its peak made it extraordinarily potent!
Then Lin Yun shifted his tone. “But your limitation lies in your realm. That’s why you can’t touch me. Realm is the foundation. If you could step into the Tribulation Realm and pair it with your archery, your future would be boundless!” Lin Yun said earnestly.
“Lin Yun, compared to you, my progress these past few years is laughable. It seems becoming His Majesty’s disciple has skyrocketed your growth. I thought I could catch up to you, but now that feels like a naive joke,” Wei Qi said with a self-deprecating smile.
Their brief exchange had revealed a gaping chasm between their strengths…
Overtaking Lin Yun now seemed an impossible dream.
“You’re right—being taken under Emperor Huoyun’s wing was a key factor in my rapid rise. Without it, I might not even be in the Tribulation Realm yet. Resources are critical for cultivators,” Lin Yun mused.
He looked up at Wei Qi. “Resources matter, Wei Qi. You can’t do it alone. Join me. I’ll push the empire to back you and secure resources for you—don’t worry about that.”
“You’re still trying to recruit me,” Wei Qi said, rolling his eyes.
“You owe me a favor from back then. I’m cashing it in now—join me. How about it?” Lin Yun asked with a grin.
Wei Qi shook his head. “I don’t deny the favor, and if you need my help, I won’t refuse. But joining you? No thanks. I hate the scheming and power struggles. I just want to cultivate and perfect my archery. My art demands a pure heart—getting tangled in your world of politics and profit would ruin that.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. You won’t have to deal with any of it. I’m the prefect—with me here, no one will target or scheme against you. Just focus on cultivating. Leave the rest to me. How’s that?” Lin Yun pressed.
“This…” Wei Qi hesitated.
Seeing his wavering, Lin Yun struck while the iron was hot. “You’re stuck at Third-Stage Mahayana Realm. Which mysteries are you still missing?”
“The Mysteries of Light and Darkness—I haven’t even grasped their basics. They’re too hard. The Mysteries of Wind and Fire, I’ve only got the rudiments. They’ve kept me bottlenecked, making the Tribulation Realm feel so far off,” Wei Qi sighed.
His talent in archery was phenomenal, but his grasp of mysteries was merely decent.
“Then you need me even more. Join me, and I’ll help you master all those mysteries. Within two years, I’ll get you into the Tribulation Realm!” Lin Yun declared confidently.
“Two years to the Tribulation Realm? That… that’s impossible!” Wei Qi exclaimed, incredulous.
For him, reaching the Tribulation Realm felt distant—maybe a century, or centuries, away. He might even be stuck at Third-Stage Mahayana forever!
“You don’t believe me? I’ll swear it—Lin Yun keeps his word!” Lin Yun said firmly.
“Alright, I’m in!” Wei Qi agreed without hesitation.
The offer was too tempting to resist.
Stepping into the Tribulation Realm was his ultimate dream—and every cultivator’s.
To reach greater heights in archery, his realm had to keep up.
Plus, Lin Yun’s assurance that he wouldn’t have to deal with politics eased his concerns.
Huo Zhen leaned in toward Lin Yun. “Big Brother, isn’t that a bit much? Even with resources, getting him to Tribulation Realm in two years is tough. Going from rudimentary mysteries to full mastery still depends on him.”
Huo Zhen found it hard to believe.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
He turned to Wei Qi. “Wei Qi, settle your affairs here and come to the prefect’s palace within three days. Sound good?”
“No need—I’ve got no family. I’ll go with you now. Once I, Wei Qi, commit, I’m all in!” Wei Qi said resolutely.
Lin Yun could see his sincerity—he wasn’t lying. Wei Qi was a straightforward man.
“Wei Qi, one heads-up: the demon clan’s getting bolder. It might not be long before we’re fighting them. That could mean risking your life,” Lin Yun said seriously.
“Lin Yun, I hate the demon clan too. Those beasts keep trying to invade our human lands. I’ve always thought that if a war breaks out, I’d spill my blood fighting them—I’m human, after all,” Wei Qi said with conviction.
“Good man,” Lin Yun said, clapping him on the shoulder.
“Wei Qi, since you’re set, let’s head out!”
Lin Yun led Wei Qi and Huo Zhen onto the flying vessel.
Piloting it, Lin Yun patrolled roughly a hundred thousand miles around the prefecture capital before heading back.
Successfully recruiting Wei Qi put Lin Yun in high spirits.
His team had gained a key player.
With Wei Qi’s archery prowess, Lin Yun was confident he’d become a vital asset once he reached the Tribulation Realm.
On the vessel, Lin Yun introduced Wei Qi to Huo Zhen, letting them get acquainted.
Huo Zhen, another straightforward soul, hit it off with Wei Qi quickly after a brief chat.
On the vessel…
“Tonight, we’ve got big business to handle,” Lin Yun said.
“Big Brother, you mean the banquet for the generals? Are you worried about Wu Tong and the Dongguo Party causing trouble?” Huo Zhen asked.
“Not just that—there’s something else. You’ll see tonight,” Lin Yun said, gazing at the horizon.
He was, of course, referring to rooting out the demon clan’s spies!
It was a critical task!
*Boom!*
Suddenly, a spatial fluctuation rippled through the air, locking down the surrounding space.
“Space lockdown!” The three on the vessel jolted in alarm.
“Who’s there!” Lin Yun shouted sharply.
At the same time, he unleashed his divine sense to scan the area.
