“In recent months, the demonic clan has come down the mountain a few times, but their groups were small—likely probing attacks, not large-scale assaults,” the Grand Commander said.
“Even probing is a bad sign,” Lin Yun said gravely.
“Exactly. As far as I know, it’s been tens of thousands of years since they’ve done this—not even small probes. Our Demon-Suppressing Army is now on high alert, ready for a full-scale demonic invasion,” the Grand Commander said, his tone turning serious.
He continued, “Lord Lin, there’ve been rogue demonic beasts causing trouble in Dongyuan Prefecture lately. My army’s tied up guarding the mountain base, so we can’t handle them. That falls to you.”
“Rest assured, Grand Commander—it’s my duty. I’ve already instructed Chief Commander Huo Zhen. The city guard will increase patrols and deal with any incidents,” Lin Yun said.
…
Meanwhile.
In the divine capital, at the Dongguo Mansion.
Prime Minister Dongguo Wuji was playing chess alone when his son, Dongguo Lie, rushed in.
“Father, there’s news from Dongyuan Prefecture!” Dongguo Lie said as he ran.
“Oh? Have they already dealt with that Lin Yun?” Dongguo Wuji looked up.
“No… Lin Yun killed Wu Tong and dismantled the Dongguo Party there. The rest have sworn allegiance to him. Our family’s influence can barely reach Dongyuan Prefecture now,” Dongguo Lie said, his face grim.
Dongguo Wuji’s fingers, holding a chess piece, trembled slightly, dropping it onto the board and scattering the game.
“Wu Tong held immense power, with so many under him and my support, yet in his own domain, he was killed by Lin Yun, a mere upstart? How incompetent!” Dongguo Wuji’s dark eyes flickered with anger.
He continued, fuming, “I told him to act boldly, even to kill Lin Yun without fear, and he still botched it!”
Dongguo Wuji’s plan was to use Wu Tong as a pawn. He’d instructed him to deal with Lin Yun fearlessly, assuring him he’d handle any fallout.
In truth, he was deceiving Wu Tong—his real plan was to let Wu Tong kill Lin Yun, then, if the emperor investigated, abandon Wu Tong as a scapegoat.
That way, Lin Yun would be eliminated quietly, with only Wu Tong lost.
He’d thought Wu Tong’s success was certain.
“Father, I heard from Dongyuan Prefecture that Lin Yun fought Wu Tong one-on-one and defeated him at Third Transcending Tribulation Realm,” Dongguo Lie said.
“That impressive? It’s beyond my expectations,” Dongguo Wuji murmured.
“Father, it sounds too exaggerated. I think Lin Yun might’ve spread false rumors to inflate his reputation. History’s written by victors—he can spin whatever tale he wants. Third defeating Seventh? That realm gap’s impossible!” Dongguo Lie said, incredulous.
Exaggeration was common enough.
“It’s not impossible he could leap so many levels. He has the emperor’s Shadow Sword Art and a Heavenly Dao-grade weapon. Against someone like Wu Tong, crossing that gap isn’t out of the question,” Dongguo Wuji said, eyes narrowing.
“Shadow Sword Art and a Heavenly Dao weapon can’t bridge that much, can they?” Dongguo Lie said, still skeptical.
To kill a Seventh Transcending Tribulation Realm cultivator, one’s combat power would need to surpass that level entirely.
Dongguo Wuji shook his head, “You think the emperor’s Shadow Sword Art is just Heavenly Dao-grade? Its power rivals Origin-grade techniques. If it were merely a standard Heavenly Dao secret, would the emperor guard it so closely?”
“It’s that powerful? No wonder only those the emperor approves can learn it,” Dongguo Lie said with a sigh.
As the prime minister’s son, he had access to Heavenly Dao-grade techniques, but not Shadow Sword Art. He’d thought it was just a top-tier Heavenly Dao technique.
“That brat got lucky, learning Shadow Sword Art from the emperor himself,” Dongguo Lie said venomously.
As the prime minister’s son, his sense of superiority was immense—knowing Lin Yun could study a technique he couldn’t made him resentful.
“So, it’s not that surprising he could leap so far. Beyond Shadow Sword Art and the weapon, his own strength isn’t weak—his divine sense, body refinement, and multiple profundity fusions are notable. Still, killing a Seventh Transcending Tribulation Realm was beyond my earlier expectations,” Dongguo Wuji said, gazing into the distance.
“Father, we can’t influence Dongyuan Prefecture anymore—what now?” Dongguo Lie looked at him.
“We missed a prime chance to deal with him, and now he’s dug in. It’ll be hard to touch him for now—let him be,” Dongguo Wuji said, lifting another chess piece.
“Father, let it go? He openly defied our Dongguo Party. If we don’t crush him, what’s left of our prestige?” Dongguo Lie said, unwilling to accept it.
“Did I say let it go? You’re too impatient, too shortsighted,” Dongguo Wuji shook his head.
“What do you mean, Father?” Dongguo Lie pressed.
“Since there’s no good opportunity now, we stay steady, bide our time, wait for a chance. We don’t strike unless it’s a fatal blow!” A chilling glint flashed in Dongguo Wuji’s eyes.
“You mean wait for him to slip up, make a mistake, then seize the chance to strike?” Dongguo Lie said.
“Now you’re catching on,” Dongguo Wuji replied.
“I understand,” Dongguo Lie nodded eagerly.
…
In the divine capital, at the palace.
Inside the Divine Communion Hall.
Emperor Huoyun sat on his throne, having just read a report.
“Lin Yun outwitted Wu Tong, seized control of the city guard, dismantled the Dongguo Party in Dongyuan Prefecture, and killed a Seventh Transcending Tribulation Realm Wu Tong—not bad at all,” the emperor nodded with satisfaction.
When Lin Yun defeated Huo Zhen, a Fifth Transcending Tribulation Realm cultivator, it had caught the emperor’s eye.
Now, Lin Yun’s latest feats impressed him further.
Beyond killing Wu Tong, his overall performance was equally striking.
“Master, you didn’t expect Lin Yun to dismantle the Dongguo Party in Dongyuan Prefecture so fast, did you?” the red-furred cat said.
“Indeed, I was a bit worried he couldn’t handle it, so I sent Huo Zhen to help. But this lad’s got skill—just two days in office, and he crushed the Dongguo Party’s grip on Dongyuan Prefecture. Impressive,” the emperor said with a laugh.
To earn the emperor’s praise as “impressive” was no small thing.
