Lin Yun remained silent.
The Imperial Guard commander led his men straight towards Lin Yun, arriving before them in an instant.
“Commander,” Lin Yun clasped his fists in greeting.
“Lin Yun, it’s been over ten years since we last met,” the Imperial Guard commander greeted Lin Yun.
Back when Lin Yun participated in the Thousand Sects War and the Ten Thousand Flowers Tournament, this commander was on-site overseeing matters, so he was naturally familiar with Lin Yun.
The commander continued, “Back then, everyone thought you were dead. Who would’ve thought you’d return, and upon your return, cause such a monumental stir? Truly worthy of being the champion of the Ten Thousand Flowers Tournament, a prodigy indeed.”
“You flatter me, Commander. May I ask what brings you here so suddenly?” Lin Yun said with a faint smile, looking at him.
“I’m here to convey His Majesty’s decree.”
The commander cleared his throat and declared, “His Majesty decrees that you immediately cease your attack on the ancient clan and stop targeting the Zhutian Alliance. With the growing threat of the demon clan, internal conflict is unwise. The Zhutian Alliance should be preserved to combat the demon clan.”
At these words, the Wanderer, Du Yuanzi, the Heavenly Sword Sect leader, the elders, and the sect’s disciples all paled dramatically.
They were well aware of how troublesome it would be if the empire intervened!
“As expected, they’re here to protect the ancient clan and the Zhutian Alliance,” Lin Yun’s gaze narrowed slightly.
Then Lin Yun sneered, “When I was ambushed by the Zhutian Alliance outside Xingwu City, why didn’t His Majesty consider that I, too, am a talent of the empire?”
The commander gave a dry laugh. “That was a personal grudge, wasn’t it? If you agree now, His Majesty will rein in the Zhutian Alliance in the future, ensuring they no longer target you. It’s a win-win.”
“My current actions against the Zhutian Alliance are also a personal grudge,” Lin Yun said coldly.
“Lin Yun, His Majesty’s decision is for the good of the empire. I hope you understand and withdraw. Moreover, the ancient clan has a population of billions. If you intend to wipe out so many at once, it gravely violates imperial law. Even as a Tribulation Realm cultivator, the empire will not permit it,” the commander said.
“Then I’ll be clear. The factions that recently joined the Zhutian Alliance, I can spare. But the ancient clan and those eleven prominent sects? I, Lin Yun, am determined to destroy them! This is the oath I made back then, and it will never change!” Lin Yun’s tone was resolute.
With that, Lin Yun waved his hand and ordered, “Continue breaking the formation!”
“Lin Yun, keep breaking the formation?”
The Wanderer and the sect leader were greatly surprised.
Continuing to break the formation would undoubtedly mean challenging Emperor Xingwu and the Xingwu Empire itself.
While they were dissatisfied with Emperor Xingwu’s interference and wanted to destroy the ancient clan for revenge, they also understood the grave consequences of defying the emperor’s decree!
“Understood!”
Huo Zhen and the others obeyed without hesitation, swiftly launching attacks on the formation.
“Continue breaking the formation!” The Heavenly Sword Sect leader gritted his teeth and made his decision.
Though he knew the severity of defying the empire’s decree, since Lin Yun had chosen this path, he would follow him to the end!
Even if the path led to a cliff!
“Lin Yun, you…” The commander’s expression changed upon seeing this.
He had anticipated Lin Yun might be reluctant, but he never expected Lin Yun would dare openly defy Emperor Xingwu’s command.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Lin Yun’s group resumed their attacks, striking the formation.
“Lin Yun, stop at once! You should know the consequences of defying His Majesty’s command! No matter your strength, in the face of the empire, you’re still an ant!” the commander shouted sternly at Lin Yun.
His tone had shifted from persuasion to a stern warning.
Lin Yun gazed down at the ancient clan and said without turning back, “Commander, you’d better leave. The formation is about to break, and if a fight breaks out, it’d be unfortunate if you got caught in the crossfire. I’ve returned this time to turn the Xingwu Empire upside down. No one can change my resolve—not even Emperor Xingwu!”
At these words, the commander’s anger blazed even fiercer!
“Lin Yun, since you’re so stubborn and defy His Majesty’s decree, don’t blame me for being discourteous!” the commander roared.
With that, he brandished a long spear and charged at Lin Yun with lethal force.
Since warnings had failed, he would use force to make Lin Yun submit and accept the decree.
“Lin Yun, be careful!” the Heavenly Sword Sect leader and the others exclaimed.
After all, this commander was a Ninth-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivator, with access to the empire’s resources and secret techniques.
The Heavenly Sword Sect leader and the others stood no chance against him.
With his Ninth-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivation, he could single-handedly take on a dozen mid- or low-tier Tribulation Realm experts.
“Stay out of this. I’ll handle it!”
Lin Yun stepped into the void, drawing his treasured sword and charging forward.
“This is a Ninth-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivator. Is Senior Brother Lin Yun going to face him alone?” Zhi Jin, the second-ranked inner disciple, gasped in awe.
They knew Lin Yun was formidable in cross-realm combat, but this wasn’t a Seventh-Turn opponent—it was a Ninth-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivator, and one backed by the empire’s resources!
This made the Heavenly Sword Sect leader, the elders, the Wanderer, and Du Yuanzi worry for Lin Yun, their hearts racing with anxiety.
Lin Yun knew a Ninth-Turn Tribulation Realm opponent was no easy foe, so as he charged, he unleashed the fifth move of the Shadow Sword Art, the Heaven-Shaking Hand, and all his other techniques in an instant.
The two collided head-on, their weapons clashing in a flash.
Boom!
The terrifying clash was like two suns colliding.
Amid the deafening roar, the unleashed energy surged outward with the force of a thunderstorm.
At the point of impact.
The commander was sent flying back over a hundred meters in mid-air before forcibly stabilizing himself.
“You…”
The commander, now steady, stared at Lin Yun from afar, his pale face brimming with intense shock.
He had been repelled by Lin Yun, a Fifth-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivator?
He was keenly aware of the immense power contained in Lin Yun’s strike!
That force made even him feel wary!
“Commander, I don’t know what other trump cards you might have, but if we keep fighting, I won’t claim I can crush you, but I’m confident you can’t defeat me,” Lin Yun said calmly.
“Hmph!”
“Form the formation!” the commander, his face ashen, barked an order.
Boom!
The five thousand elite Imperial Guards behind him immediately formed a formation.
“Personal Guard, form the formation!” Lin Yun shouted, his aura undaunted.
“Yes!”
The ten thousand guards in Fire Cloud Armor swiftly formed the Fire Cloud Formation.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Both sides’ attack formations activated, brimming with power and ready to strike!
But the formation of Lin Yun’s personal guard clearly exuded far greater might than the opponent’s!
