Xingwu City, within the main building of the Xiaoyao Tower.
Tower Master Hong had already learned of Lin Yun’s return.
The Xiaoyao Tower spanned the four empires, with numerous branches in the Huoyun Empire as well.
In principle, as the chief tower master in the Xingwu Empire, he operated independently from the Xiaoyao Tower in the Huoyun Empire.
But with his status, he could naturally access some information from the Huoyun Empire.
Thus, Tower Master Hong was aware of Lin Yun’s activities in the Huoyun Empire.
This was the strength of the Xiaoyao Tower. While it was difficult for the Xingwu Empire to gather news from the Huoyun Empire—since the Xingwu Hall couldn’t extend to other empires—the Xiaoyao Tower had a presence across all four empires.
Tower Master Hong smiled, “Lin Yun’s return, with such a force, means the Zhutian Alliance is in for a rough time. The cultivation world of the Xingwu Empire is about to undergo another seismic shift. A storm of blood is likely coming soon.”
He had always believed in Lin Yun’s limitless potential.
Yet, learning of Lin Yun’s achievements in the Xingwu Empire still shocked him. From arriving in the Huoyun Empire, becoming a disciple of Emperor Huoyun, and earning the emperor’s trust—it was as if Lin Yun had cheated fate itself!
…
Heavenly Sword Sect, within the grand hall.
Lin Yun, the Sect Leader, and all the elders were seated.
“Lin Yun, I’ve calculated that the Zhutian Alliance currently has over a dozen Tribulation Realm powerhouses. If they call in reinforcements, it could reach twenty or more. This battle won’t be easy,” the Sect Leader said gravely.
“Indeed. Including you, Sect Leader, we have eight Tribulation Realm cultivators. That’s a significant gap in numbers. Our only advantage is having a few high-tier Tribulation Realm cultivators,” the Grand Elder added.
At that moment, two figures approached from outside the hall.
Lin Yun looked up and saw, to his surprise, Wanderer and Du Yuanzi.
“Master! Senior Du Yuanzi!”
Lin Yun stood immediately, bowing to them with joy.
“Haha, Lin Yun, you’ve truly returned alive! Seeing you again makes your master so happy! As soon as I got word from your Sect Leader, I rushed here as fast as I could,” Wanderer said, grinning broadly.
Du Yuanzi, also smiling, gave a thumbs-up, “Lin Yun, you’re one tough bastard! When I heard you entered the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, I thought you were done for. But you crossed it successfully? That’s incredible!”
“Master, Senior Du Yuanzi, thank you for stepping in to help me back then, and for aiding the Heavenly Sword Sect all these years,” Lin Yun said, bowing deeply.
Back when he was fleeing from the Zhutian Alliance, Lin Yun hadn’t even had the chance to thank them.
“Lin Yun, you’re my beloved disciple. Of course, I’d help you with all I’ve got. These old bones aren’t worth much—if I die, I die,” Wanderer said with a laugh.
The Sect Leader interjected, “Senior Wanderer, Senior Du Yuanzi, do you know what realm Lin Yun has reached?”
“What realm? With my disciple’s brilliance, he’s probably close to breaking into the Tribulation Realm, or maybe he already has?” Wanderer said, stroking his chin.
“Haha, Lin Yun is at the Fifth Transition Tribulation Realm!” the Sect Leader laughed.
“What? Fifth Transition Tribulation Realm?!” Wanderer and Du Yuanzi were utterly shocked.
Seeing their stunned expressions, everyone else chuckled, as they’d had the same reaction earlier.
The Sect Leader continued, laughing, “And that’s not all. Lin Yun brought back six Tribulation Realm powerhouses, all under his command, the highest at the Seventh Transition Tribulation Realm. This lad has built his own force.”
“His brilliance always exceeds my imagination and expectations,” Wanderer sighed in awe.
The once-youthful boy had become a lord commanding a region?
“Hm?”
At that moment, everyone felt a slight tremor in the space.
A protector rushed in.
“Sect Leader, Senior Brother Lin Yun! They’re here! The Zhutian Alliance’s forces have arrived!” the protector said urgently.
The Sect Leader and the others’ expressions shifted slightly.
“They came quickly! I wonder how many they brought, how many Tribulation Realm cultivators,” the Grand Elder said, his eyes narrowing.
“No matter how many, we have a Sixth Transition and a Seventh Transition Tribulation Realm cultivator. Our quality is an advantage—we can at least fight!” the Sect Leader said sharply.
Compared to when the Heavenly Sword Sect had only the Sect Leader at the Fourth Transition Tribulation Realm, their confidence was now far greater!
“They’re here at last!”
Lin Yun, who had been smiling moments ago, suddenly radiated boundless killing intent!
He had waited far too long.
The moment had finally arrived.
“Let’s go out!”
With those words, Lin Yun charged outside.
The Sect Leader and the others followed closely.
Above the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Tens of thousands of figures hovered in the air, a dark, oppressive mass like a swarm of locusts, blotting out the sky and casting the sect into shadow.
“It’s the Zhutian Alliance’s forces!”
“They must know Senior Brother Lin Yun is back.”
The disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect rushed to the plaza, looking up.
Daniel, now the top inner disciple, and Zhijin, the second, stood at the plaza’s centre.
“With Brother Lin Yun and the forces he brought, we might have a chance. After holding it in for so long, we can finally fight!” Daniel said, his voice thick with killing intent.
The disciples had been suppressing their anger for years.
In the air.
The Gu Clan Patriarch, the Soul Refining Sect Leader, and the ten other prominent sect leaders stood at the front.
Additionally, there were two more Tribulation Realm cultivators, making a total of fourteen—a truly formidable lineup!
“Lin Yun, come out and face your death!”
The Gu Clan Patriarch, hovering in the air, roared towards the Heavenly Sword Sect below.
His shout, like rolling thunder, echoed through the sect.
“You filthy dogs, you’ve finally shown up. You’ve kept me waiting!” a sharp voice rang out.
At the same time, a figure shot into the sky.
The Sect Leader, Grand Elder, Wanderer, and Du Yuanzi followed closely.
“It’s really you, Lin Yun!”
The Gu Clan Patriarch and the ten other sect leaders fixed their eyes on Lin Yun.
The Soul Refining Sect Leader pointed at Lin Yun, sneering arrogantly, “Lin Yun, you’ve got some guts. Surviving by luck is one thing, but daring to come back? Do you think our Zhutian Alliance is a pushover? Since you’ve returned, this time, you won’t escape!”
“Escape? Haha!”
Lin Yun threw his head back and laughed, “I’ve come back to wipe out your Zhutian Alliance. Why would I escape?!”
His sharp words rang out like a great bell, resounding through the heavens.
