Lin Yun approached from a distance.
Boom!
“Pay respects to the Lord!”
The 10,000 personal guards knelt in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
“Rise,” Lin Yun said with a faint smile.
Boom!
The guards stood as one.
Huo Zhen, Liang Yuan, Yang Wan, Meng Shan, and Zhao Hu saluted Lin Yun.
Lin Yun looked at Liang Yuan, smiling, “Liang Yuan, the city guard’s in high spirits—your training’s paying off.”
“Brother Lin Yun, they’re elites, after all. Though, their upkeep isn’t cheap,” Liang Yuan said with a grin.
Their pay came from the prefecture treasury, so Lin Yun wasn’t concerned.
Dongyuan Prefecture’s annual tax revenue was substantial.
“By the way, is everything set for the garrison?” Lin Yun asked.
Though not taking the city guard, Lin Yun was bringing many Transcending Tribulation Realm experts, leaving the prefecture vulnerable—arrangements were crucial.
“Everything’s in place, Brother. You can rest easy. The border has the Demon-Suppressing Army, and unless the demonic clan launches a major offensive—which isn’t likely now—we’re fine. As for stray beasts within the prefecture, they’re scattered and few, unable to mount a large-scale attack,” Huo Zhen said.
“Good. We won’t be gone long,” Lin Yun nodded.
“Sir, will our trip to the Star Martial Empire upset their royal family?” Huo Zhen asked, concerned.
“We’re settling a personal grudge. Whether the Star Martial royals like it or not, they’ll deal with it,” Lin Yun said, eyes narrowing.
Back when the Heaven-Slaying Alliance tried to kill him and the Heavenly Sword Sect outside the capital, the Star Martial royals knew but did nothing.
Lin Yun had no fondness for Emperor Star Martial and no reason to care about his feelings.
Nothing would stop his resolve for revenge!
“With everything ready, let’s prepare to move out. Star Martial Empire—Lin Yun is coming to kill!” His dark eyes gleamed with fierce killing intent.
“Brother!”
A booming voice rang out.
Lin Yun turned—it was Wei Qi.
“Wei Qi, weren’t you in seclusion? Why’re you out?” Lin Yun asked, surprised.
“Brother, I’ve broken through to Transcending Tribulation Realm!” Wei Qi grinned.
He released his aura—First Transcending Tribulation Realm!
“Great!” Lin Yun smiled.
“Wei Qi’s reached Transcending Tribulation? Another powerhouse for us!”
“Brother Wei Qi, congrats! Congrats!”
Huo Zhen, Liang Yuan, and the others chimed in.
Every new Transcending Tribulation Realm cultivator was a major boost for Lin Yun’s team.
“Wei Qi, congratulations! I kept my promise—your cultivation path is entering new heights,” Lin Yun said warmly.
When recruiting Wei Qi, Lin Yun had vowed to help him reach Transcending Tribulation Realm within a set time.
“Brother, I broke through so fast because of your help. I’ll never forget your kindness—even if it means going through fire for you!” Wei Qi said firmly.
He knew he owed Lin Yun immensely.
“Don’t say that—we’re brothers. Stick with my team, and you won’t lack Transcending Tribulation Pills,” Lin Yun said, smiling.
“Brother, I heard you’re going to the Star Martial Empire for revenge. Take me—I’m Transcending Tribulation now and can help!” Wei Qi said earnestly.
“We’re about to leave. Alright, come with us,” Lin Yun agreed.
“Got it, Brother!” Wei Qi, thrilled, hurried over.
“Oh, Brother, your stuff,” Wei Qi handed Lin Yun a storage ring.
Lin Yun checked it with his divine sense—it was the Profundity Coffin.
A valuable tool for cultivating Transcending Tribulation experts, though it could only be used by one at a time.
Lin Yun stowed the ring and gave the order.
“Move out!”
He led the group out of the city to the teleportation point outside, heading to the divine capital’s teleportation hub.
The only teleportation array between the Huoyun and Star Martial Empires was near the divine capital, requiring travel from there.
The cross-empire array could handle over 1,000 people at once, so they’d teleport in ten batches.
Lin Yun and his group entered the array first.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The array hummed, space trembling.
“Star Martial Empire, your Lin Yun is here!”
As his voice faded, blinding white light enveloped them, pulling them into the teleportation channel.
Star Martial Empire, teleportation point ten miles from Star Martial City.
Guarded by imperial soldiers, as it was an external hub.
Boom!
The array rippled, and over a thousand powerful auras appeared.
Lin Yun looked up, gazing at Star Martial City in the distance.
“Star Martial Empire, your Lin Yun is back…” His eyes shimmered with emotion.
This empire held countless memories—his first stop in the cultivation world, filled with nostalgia.
The second, third, and subsequent batches of his personal guards teleported in.
The sudden influx caught the guarding soldiers’ attention. Inter-empire teleportation was usually sparse, not a mass arrival like this.
“That… that’s Lin Yun?”
One soldier’s eyes widened, staring at Lin Yun in shock.
Lin Yun had shone at the Star Martial Empire’s Ten Thousand Flowers Conference, watched by many.
His later battle with the Heaven-Slaying Alliance outside the city drew crowds too—many knew him.
“Lin Yun? Which Lin Yun?” Some guards, unfamiliar with his face, were puzzled.
“Who else? The Lin Yun who won the last Ten Thousand Flowers Conference!” the soldier who recognized him exclaimed.
“Him? Impossible! Wasn’t he chased by the Heaven-Slaying Alliance into the Demonic Beast Mountains and killed?”
The guards couldn’t believe it.
Even those who hadn’t seen him knew the story—everyone thought he was dead.
“Yeah, I… I’m baffled too. How’s he alive and back with so many strong people!” The soldier gaped at Lin Yun.
He sensed several terrifying auras behind Lin Yun!
Lin Yun overheard their exchange clearly.
“That’s right, I am Lin Yun. I didn’t die. I’m back for revenge!” Lin Yun stood with hands behind his back, his tone sharp.
