“This guy has ultimately exceeded my expectations,” the Xingwu Emperor sighed.
He even wondered if he should have set aside his pride back then and recruited Lin Yun with courtesy.
In the Xingwu Emperor’s eyes now, Lin Yun was worthy.
But there was no medicine for regret in this world.
“And, Your Majesty, this guy brought back many people, all extremely ferocious, including a full six Transcending Tribulation realm cultivators, the highest even reaching the Seventh Transcending Tribulation realm, all obeying Lin Yun’s command. I estimate that most of the forces we sent to attack are already dead,” the Gu Family Head said, his face pale.
“Six Transcending Tribulation realm cultivators?” The Xingwu Emperor was stunned again.
He had heard before that Lin Yun returned with people, but he hadn’t taken it seriously.
After all, when Lin Yun left, his own realm wasn’t high. Could he really make Transcending Tribulation realm cultivators serve him? That was almost impossible!
Yet now, it had become reality.
“Your Majesty, it’s now extremely difficult for my Zhutian Alliance to deal with him. I beg Your Majesty to lend a hand and save our Zhutian Alliance,” the Gu Family Head pleaded, kneeling.
“This is your personal feud. If anyone is to blame, it’s you for provoking Lin Yun in the first place,” the Xingwu Emperor said coldly.
“Your Majesty, my Zhutian Alliance includes not only my Gu Family but also eleven renowned sects and many forces we’ve absorbed over the years. These forces are cradles for cultivating talent for the Empire. If they’re all destroyed, it would be a loss for the Xingwu Empire, especially now with the demon clan causing chaos. We need talent more than ever. Please, Your Majesty, lend a hand!”
After saying this, the Gu Family Head kowtowed repeatedly.
“Against the demon clan, your Zhutian Alliance can contribute. It’s better to keep more forces. Fine, go. I’ll make arrangements,” the Xingwu Emperor waved his hand.
The Xingwu Emperor knew he could no longer recruit Lin Yun.
Since that was the case, he could only choose to preserve the Zhutian Alliance to keep more forces for the Empire against the demon clan. Though the Zhutian Alliance wasn’t as vital as Immortals, every bit of help counted, and the eleven renowned sects were indeed cradles for talent.
Seeing the Xingwu Emperor agree, the Gu Family Head was overjoyed and moved to leave.
“Your Majesty, I’ve escaped to Xingwu City, so I’m no longer in danger, but that guy will definitely go to my Gu Family’s stronghold. Please, Your Majesty, send aid quickly!” the Gu Family Head urged.
“I have my own plans. Go,” the Xingwu Emperor waved his hand.
“Yes, this humble one takes his leave.”
The Gu Family Head responded and exited the hall.
With the Xingwu Emperor’s word, the Gu Family Head was completely reassured that his Gu Family would at least be preserved.
He then hurriedly left the palace.
Inside the palace hall.
Lin Yun summoned the Imperial Guard Commander.
“Your Majesty,” the commander saluted.
“No matter what methods you use, obtain a report on Lin Yun. I want to know what he’s been through these years!” the Xingwu Emperor said.
“Your subordinate obeys!” The commander clasped his fists in acknowledgment.
“Also, take my decree and head to the Gu Family immediately,” the Xingwu Emperor ordered.
…
At an inn in the outer city of Xingwu City.
After leaving the palace, the Gu Family Head came here to meet with the elite Gu Family members who had rushed from their stronghold.
“Family Head!” The Gu Family Grand Elder, leading a group of Gu Family elites, including Gu Dong, saluted the Gu Family Head.
When they attacked the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Gu Family Grand Elder and others hadn’t gone, staying to guard the Gu Family.
This Gu Family Grand Elder was naturally also a Transcending Tribulation realm cultivator.
After all, based on the Gu Family Head’s judgment at the time, he and the eleven sect masters—twelve Transcending Tribulation realm cultivators—were more than enough, so no additional Transcending Tribulation realm cultivators were brought.
“Family Head, are we really abandoning our Gu Family stronghold?” The Gu Family Grand Elder said unwillingly.
The Gu Family had sent a message explaining the situation, prompting them to leave the stronghold and come here. They naturally knew what had happened.
“I’ve just gone to the palace to seek His Majesty’s help, and His Majesty has agreed to assist us,” the Gu Family Head said.
Hearing this, the Gu Family Grand Elder and the other Gu Family elites let out a long sigh of relief.
“Then we’re fine. With His Majesty’s help, our Gu Family will surely be fully protected,” the white-haired Gu Family Grand Elder said.
“Yes, yes, yes,” the other Gu Family members nodded in agreement.
“That Lin Yun has actually reached such heights…” Gu Dong’s face was grim.
Once, Lin Yun was nothing in his eyes. Later, Lin Yun defeated him at the Ten Thousand Flowers Banquet, ending his journey in the competition.
Now, over a dozen years later, he never imagined Lin Yun would reach such a level, even defeating the Gu Family and the Zhutian Alliance, forcing them to seek the Emperor’s help to protect the Gu Family.
Among the younger generation, he realised Lin Yun’s heights were now completely beyond his reach!
“Family Head, even if His Majesty helps preserve the Gu Family and the rest of the Zhutian Alliance, he surely won’t help us deal with Lin Yun,” the Gu Family Grand Elder said.
“Of course, I know that. As long as His Majesty can preserve our Zhutian Alliance, giving us a chance to catch our breath, we can plan a counterattack ourselves!” The Gu Family Head’s eyes gleamed with venom.
This time, they attacked the Heavenly Sword Sect unprepared for Lin Yun’s strength and the many Transcending Tribulation realm cultivators he brought. The Zhutian Alliance hadn’t used its full strength, or they could have gathered over twenty Transcending Tribulation realm cultivators, including those at the Seventh Transcending Tribulation realm!
Now that he had gauged Lin Yun’s strength, he was unwilling to accept defeat and naturally planned a counterattack!
“Grand Elder, notify Senior Huijue. Everyone, get moving. Gather all the Transcending Tribulation realm cultivators the Zhutian Alliance can muster for a meeting!” the Gu Family Head ordered.
…
Elsewhere.
The Gu Family stronghold—Gu City.
The entire Gu City was the Gu Family’s private domain, inhabited solely by Gu Family members, with a population measured in billions.
This was indeed an ancient and vast clan with a long legacy in this land.
A force like the Gu Family was already immensely powerful in the mortal world of the Xingwu Empire. For the Gu Family to advance further, they would need to produce an Immortal, but that was extremely difficult.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two flying vessels approached Gu City at astonishing speed.
“Who goes there? Halt immediately! The Gu Family’s territory forbids unauthorised entry! Trespassers will be killed without mercy!”
A Gu Family deacon on duty at the city tower soared into the air, intercepting the two vessels.
Whoosh!
An arrow shot from one of the vessels, instantly killing the Gu Family deacon.
