After consuming the Heartless Herb, it dissolved into a peculiar energy that surged into Lin Yun’s dantian sea. He felt as if he were soaking in a hot spring, his body enveloped in indescribable comfort.
About a day and a half later.
Lin Yun slowly opened his eyes, “The issue of an unstable realm has indeed been fully resolved.”
Even without the Heartless Herb, Lin Yun could have solidified his realm with six months to a year of effort. The herb simply accelerated the process.
“Next, I’ll aim for Fourth Transcending Tribulation Realm. Once I reach it, I can consider returning to the Star Martial Empire,” Lin Yun said, a glint of determination flashing in his dark eyes.
Back then, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had driven him to a dead end, chasing him into the Demonic Beast Mountains. Lin Yun had etched that memory into his heart, never forgetting it for a single day!
During this time, his strength had grown rapidly, and he’d built his own forces.
With the situation here now stabilized, revenge was ready to be put on the agenda.
“First, break through to Fourth Transcending Tribulation Realm.”
Lin Yun produced his Transcending Tribulation Pills.
Advancing to Fourth Transcending Tribulation Realm required 4,000 pills. Condensing them himself would take ages, but for Lin Yun now, it was no issue.
With Emperor Huoyun’s backing, resources weren’t a concern for the moment.
Lin Yun began swallowing the pills.
Each one dissolved into vast energy, nourishing his entire body.
The energy in Transcending Tribulation Pills was qualitatively different from spirit crystals.
…
Three and a half months later.
When Lin Yun’s body and dantian sea reached their limit, his dantian began expanding rapidly.
A few hours later, the process stopped.
Lin Yun opened his eyes.
“Fourth Transcending Tribulation Realm—achieved!”
Feeling the surging inner strength within, Lin Yun smiled.
With no shortage of pills, his advancement had been smooth.
But for most cultivators, lacking a wealthy mentor like Emperor Huoyun, acquiring pills was tough, making each breakthrough a lengthy ordeal.
Next, Lin Yun took out the Blood Calamity Stone gifted by the Taixu Tavern master, ready to feed it to his Purple Qiong Sword.
A Heavenly Dao-grade weapon already possessed some spirituality.
Placing the stone on the sword, a ripple spread as it slowly melted and was absorbed.
“Upgrading you to an Origin-grade weapon is probably a pipe dream,” Lin Yun said, eyeing the sword.
The Blood Calamity Stone was valuable, yet it barely enhanced the sword. To evolve it to Origin-grade would require an unimaginable amount of rare materials.
Lin Yun left the One Thought Clear Heart Tower, returning to his chambers.
Three months of training inside equated to less than a month outside.
“The personal guard should be sorted by now.”
Muttering, Lin Yun stepped out, instructing a guard to summon Liang Yuan.
In the reception hall.
Sun Butler entered.
“My lord, this is the Heart of Radiance sent by the Xiaoyao Tower lord a few days ago,” he said, handing it to Lin Yun.
“Good. Deliver it to Wei Qi. Also, send 15 million spirit crystals to Xiaoyao Tower as payment,” Lin Yun said, producing the crystals and handing them to Sun Butler.
When the Xiaoyao Tower lord and Taixu Tavern master visited, Lin Yun had asked about the Heart of Radiance. Though valuable, it was easier to acquire than a Heavenly Restoration Stone or Lost Island ticket—money could buy it.
They’d promised to prioritize Lin Yun if they got one, bypassing other orders.
“My lord, the tower lord said it’s a gift,” Sun Butler noted.
“Tell him I’ve already accepted one gift. I insist on paying for this. Go,” Lin Yun instructed.
“Yes, sir,” Sun Butler replied, leaving.
Soon, Liang Yuan arrived.
“Brother Lin Yun, you’re out so soon? How’d it go? I thought you’d be in seclusion for months,” Liang Yuan said as he entered.
“Not bad—I’ve broken through to Fourth Transcending Tribulation Realm,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“So fast? Congratulations!” Liang Yuan said warmly.
“Brother Liang, any trouble lately? Any demonic clan activity?” Lin Yun asked.
“Everything’s been calm. Since Wu Tong’s death, your authority in Dongyuan Prefecture is unshakable—everything’s transitioned smoothly. As for the demonic clan, some lone beasts have caused trouble, but the city guard and local counties are handling it. No major issues at the border,” Liang Yuan reported.
“Good. Keep everyone on high alert. How’s the personal guard coming along?” Lin Yun asked.
“It’s established. We recruited externally and selected elites from the city guard—carefully vetted, one in ten thousand. The guard numbers 10,000: 9,900 Combined Realm, 90 Void Realm, and 10 Mahayana Realm. High standards. They’ve undergone training already,” Liang Yuan said.
“Excellent. Here’s 10,000 sets of Huoyun Armor—equip them and have them train with the Huoyun Battle Formation embedded in the armor,” Lin Yun said, handing Liang Yuan a storage ring.
“T-Ten thousand sets of Huoyun Armor?” Liang Yuan gasped.
Huoyun Armor was costly to craft, a closely guarded imperial secret. Its rare materials limited production, reserved for the empire’s most elite units.
The armor boosted individual soldiers’ combat power, but its true strength lay in the embedded arrays, enabling the Huoyun Battle Formation.
Liang Yuan knew this well.
“Yes, 10,000 sets, gifted by His Majesty,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“Brother Lin Yun, His Majesty truly favors you. No other prefecture lord’s personal guard gets Huoyun Armor—only the emperor’s imperial guard and the empire’s top units have it. Yet you do,” Liang Yuan said with a sigh.
Lin Yun nodded with a smile—His Majesty was indeed good to him.
Of course, it was tied to Lin Yun’s efforts, consistently delivering stellar results in every trial.
