At this moment, the Second Elder in red, the Third Elder, Elder Mei Gu, and others flew over, all wearing excited smiles.
“Lin Yun, you’ve brought back so many powerhouses. This is truly a king’s return! If your Master, Elder Cui, knew you’d reached such heights, he’d be overjoyed,” Elder Mei Gu said, brimming with excitement.
“Any news of my Master’s reincarnation?” Lin Yun quickly asked.
“Not yet. After all, it hasn’t been long since his reincarnation. Even if he awakens successfully, it would take a very long time,” Elder Mei Gu replied.
Lin Yun nodded, understanding the reasoning.
“Lin Yun, how do you plan to exact revenge? Though you now command such an elite force, we must devise a strategy. The Zhutian Alliance has a considerable number of Tribulation Realm cultivators. If we can isolate and defeat them individually, that would be ideal.”
“Also, I’ll notify Senior Wanderer and the others to join us in planning. Wanderer will be thrilled to know you’re back,” the Sect Leader said.
Lin Yun nodded, then said, “I returned via the teleportation array, so my return can’t be hidden. I expect the Zhutian Alliance will hear of it and likely come to us. This time, we’ll face them head-on!”
Then, Lin Yun turned his gaze downward.
At the Heavenly Sword Sect, disciples, deacons, and protectors had all gathered in the plaza.
Lin Yun transformed into a streak of light, landing in the plaza before the crowd.
Huo Zhen, the six, and the ten thousand elite guards followed, landing neatly behind Lin Yun.
“Senior Brother!”
The Heavenly Sword Sect disciples looked at Lin Yun with excitement.
After all, Lin Yun was their hope, their faith!
Countless disciples had once idolised Lin Yun.
He had created too many miracles and brought immense glory to the Heavenly Sword Sect—champion of the Thousand Sects Battle, champion of the Ten Thousand Flowers Banquet…
Lin Yun looked at the mere few thousand before him.
The Heavenly Sword Sect had once been far greater than this.
“My fellow disciples, protectors, and elders of the Heavenly Sword Sect, I, Lin Yun, have failed you, dragging you into this mess and letting the sect fall into ruin!”
After speaking, Lin Yun knelt on the ground.
He had always felt deep guilt for implicating the Heavenly Sword Sect and everyone in it!
If not for him, the sect wouldn’t be in this state.
“Big Brother!”
Seeing Lin Yun kneel, Huo Zhen rushed to help him up.
“Don’t move!” Lin Yun waved sharply, stopping Huo Zhen.
Huo Zhen could only step back.
“Everyone, you’ve suffered and been wronged these years. I, Lin Yun, have failed you…” Lin Yun lowered his head.
Then, he raised it abruptly, his eyes shining with astonishing light.
“But I swear, this time, I will make all our enemies tremble! I will restore the Heavenly Sword Sect to glory and make it a supreme power!” Lin Yun’s voice was resolute and powerful.
“Senior Brother…”
Hearing this, the disciples’ eyes reddened, many weeping openly.
Though some had harboured resentment towards Lin Yun over the years, at this moment, they understood that what he had borne and endured was far greater than their own!
In an instant, the Heavenly Sword Sect’s disciples were a sea of tears.
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
When Lin Yun had travelled from Xingwu City to the Heavenly Sword Sect, news of his survival and return had already reached the Zhutian Alliance.
The Zhutian Alliance’s current decision-makers were the Gu Clan Patriarch and the Soul Refining Sect Leader.
The Gu Clan had established a vast city called Gu City, where their clan resided.
At the heart of Gu City stood a lavish complex, resembling a palace, known as the Gu Palace, the core of the Gu Clan.
Gu Palace.
A banquet was underway in the grand hall.
The Gu Clan Patriarch, the Soul Refining Sect Leader, and the leaders of ten other prominent sects sat at the banquet, drinking and discussing matters.
Over the years, the Zhutian Alliance had absorbed many factions, but these twelve were its founding leaders and the core of the alliance.
“Who’d have thought that when we united against the Heavenly Sword Sect and that Lin Yun, we’d inadvertently reshape the cultivation world of the Xingwu Empire? We’ve become the greatest beneficiaries of this upheaval. So, everyone, wasn’t it right to join me back then?” the Soul Refining Sect Leader said with a smile.
“Haha, absolutely,” the other sect leaders replied, laughing.
The banquet, originally for discussing recent matters, had gradually turned into a victory celebration.
At that moment, a Gu Clan elder rushed in, whispering something to the Gu Clan Patriarch.
“What?!” The Gu Clan Patriarch, shocked by the news, stood abruptly.
“What’s wrong, Patriarch Gu?” Everyone turned to him.
“I’ve just received word that Lin Yun is alive and has returned!” the Patriarch said, looking at the group.
“What? Lin Yun is alive?”
His words stunned the entire gathering.
“Patriarch Gu, is this true? Is this absolutely certain?” the Soul Refining Sect Leader asked immediately.
“Absolutely certain. According to reports, he appeared openly at the teleportation array outside Xingwu City, witnessed by many soldiers. He’s likely headed to the Heavenly Sword Sect by now,” the Patriarch said.
“He survived the Demonic Beast Mountain Range? His luck is unbelievable!”
“Exactly, how could he survive that?”
Many sect leaders exclaimed in astonishment.
After Lin Yun entered the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, they had guarded the area for a long time before leaving.
In their view, entering the mountain range meant certain death for Lin Yun!
So, they hadn’t paid attention since, considering him a dead man, even forgetting him.
Now, learning he was alive, they were naturally shocked!
“Now isn’t the time to dwell on how he survived,” the Gu Clan Patriarch said.
“Hmph, surviving is one thing, but daring to return? He clearly doesn’t take our Zhutian Alliance seriously. Since he didn’t die in the mountain range, this time, we’ll ensure his demise!” The Soul Refining Sect Leader slammed the table, his voice booming.
“Yes, this time we’ll make sure he dies!” The other sect leaders echoed.
“Over the years, our Zhutian Alliance has grown much stronger. Dealing with him is no issue, but we mustn’t underestimate him. Everyone, prepare immediately. We’ll unite and attack the Heavenly Sword Sect!” the Gu Clan Patriarch declared.
