“I see,” Lin Yun nodded.
Bai Tong stepped forward, “Lord Lin, their leader even demanded Bai Lu as his concubine, saying if she refused, she’d be… his plaything.”
“Courting death!” A chilling glint flashed in Lin Yun’s eyes.
Hearing this, the Bai Patriarch felt reassured.
The Bai clansmen behind him were ecstatic.
It seemed Lin Yun would intervene.
Their Bai family was saved!
Lin Yun produced a gleaming golden lord’s robe and donned it.
Then, he soared into the air above the wall, gazing down at the dense Hu family cultivators below.
“I am Lin Yun, lord of Dongyuan Prefecture. You see me—why aren’t you kneeling?”
His thunderous shout rattled their minds.
His Fifth Transcending Tribulation Realm aura burst forth unrestrained, his domineering presence overwhelming the scene!
“It… it’s really Lord Lin!”
Seeing the lord’s robe, their faces paled.
“Pay respects to Lord Lin!”
Instantly, every Hu cultivator knelt, trembling and shouting.
“Who’s the leader?” Lin Yun’s gaze swept the crowd.
“Lord Lin, it’s… it’s me.”
The white-bearded old man cautiously looked up, his hands shaking uncontrollably.
“You’re the one who said Bai Lu would be your concubine—or your plaything?” Lin Yun’s terrifying gaze locked onto him.
“I… I…” The old man broke into a cold sweat, his body quaking.
When Lin Yun arrived and went straight to Bai Lu, he’d realized the Bai family’s connection to the lord likely hinged on her!
“Die!”
Lin Yun became a streak of light, his sword slashing at the old man.
The terrified man frantically summoned his inner strength to defend.
Before Lin Yun, this Third Transcending Tribulation Realm cultivator was powerless—his defense shattered instantly.
Pfft!
A flash of swordlight, and he was cut down!
“The Grand Elder is dead…”
The Hu cultivators trembled in fear, knowing the lord could wipe out their entire family effortlessly. One less Hu family meant nothing to Dongyuan Prefecture.
Lin Yun scanned the crowd, “Killing one Transcending Tribulation Realm is your lesson. Leave Bai Family Fortress—now!”
“Thank you, Lord Lin, for sparing us!”
They kowtowed again, then scrambled to flee.
“Haha, the Hu Grand Elder’s dead, and the rest are retreating!”
“We won! We won!”
The Bai clansmen on the wall cheered as the Hu family withdrew.
“The crisis is finally over!” The Bai Patriarch let out a long breath.
For them, this was a catastrophic threat, nearly impossible to resolve—but Lin Yun’s single word settled it all.
By now, Lin Yun had returned to the wall.
“Thank you, Lord Lin.”
The Bai clansmen knelt in gratitude.
Lin Yun walked to Bai Lu.
“Bai Lu, sorry I came late,” he said earnestly.
“Brother Lin Yun, you’re not late. That you came at all is enough. I’m so happy you remembered me,” Bai Lu said, her face radiant with a smile.
“You saved my life once—how could I forget?” Lin Yun’s warm smile contrasted sharply with his earlier commanding aura.
“Bai Lu, he’s the lord now—call him Lord Lin!” the Bai Patriarch reminded.
“No need. She can call me what she always has,” Lin Yun said, waving it off.
He continued, “When I return, I’ll instruct my butler—if the Bai family has any issues, come to me directly. With me here, no one in Dongyuan Prefecture will dare touch you.”
“Thank you, Lord Lin! Thank you!” The Bai Patriarch thanked him fervently.
The clansmen behind him were overjoyed.
With the lord’s protection, the Bai family’s status would soar!
“No need to thank me. Bai Lu saved me—this is my debt to her,” Lin Yun said.
Though his aid had long repaid her favor, for Lin Yun, a drop of kindness warranted a fountain in return.
A life-saving debt was worth a lifetime of repayment.
“Brother Lin Yun, I knew you had a kind heart,” Bai Lu said, beaming.
She continued, smiling, “You’re amazing. In just a few years, you became lord of Dongyuan Prefecture. I always knew you’d be a big deal.”
“Indeed, I saw back then you weren’t ordinary,” Bai Yongzhi added with a sigh.
Having adventured with Lin Yun, they’d been awed by his feats, but his rise to lord in mere years still exceeded their wildest expectations.
The Bai Patriarch invited Lin Yun inside, hosting him lavishly.
…
Meanwhile.
Atop a peak in the Demonic Beast Mountains.
The Demon Monarch who’d once projected his will to meet Lin Yun stood gazing at human lands thousands of miles away.
A fierce wind howled.
A Crimson-Tempered Demon Tiger approached.
“Your Excellency, Lin Yun left Dongyuan Prefecture alone, without any subordinates—a perfect chance to kill him. Per your orders, we’ve mobilized. This time, we’re sending a demon comparable to a human Ninth Transcending Tribulation Realm cultivator. No matter his skill, he’s dead!” the tiger reported.
“Good! After a year, the opportunity’s here!” The Demon Monarch grinned coldly.
He paused, eyes narrowing, “One isn’t enough. Send two demons equivalent to Ninth Transcending Tribulation Realm. Strike fast—this time, leave him no chance!”
Killing intent blazed in his eyes.
“Two? Your Excellency, isn’t that overkill? His cross-realm ability is strong, but he’s only Third Transcending Tribulation Realm—one should suffice,” the tiger said.
“This boy’s growth is freakish. After a year, he might’ve improved. One may be enough, but two is safer. I want no mistakes—he must die!” the Demon Monarch said firmly.
“Understood. I’ll relay the order.”
The tiger bowed and hurried off.
The Demon Monarch looked into the distance, “Lin Yun, we offered you a chance to join us, and you refused. You’re finished!”
Bai Family Fortress.
The banquet lasted past nine at night.
Afterward, Lin Yun took his leave.
He aimed to return to the prefecture city by morning for the next day’s big plan.
The distance was considerable—even with a swift flying vessel, it’d take time, so he had to head back now.
