Xingwu Empire.
Lin Yun had already annihilated the ancient clan and ten prominent sects!
Now, Lin Yun and his group were destroying their final target, the Soul Refining Sect.
The Soul Refining Sect had clashed with Lin Yun countless times, repeatedly attempting to kill him.
At this moment, Lin Yun hovered in the sky, overlooking the battlefield below.
Suddenly, Yang Wan flew up from the battlefield.
“Big Brother, a disciple from the Soul Refining Sect, when about to be killed by us, kept shouting your name. He claims to know you and wants to see you,” Huo Zhen said.
“Oh? Bring him up for me to see!” Lin Yun said.
“Yes!” Yang Wan responded, then descended back to the Soul Refining Sect below.
Before long, Yang Wan returned with a somewhat youthful cultivator to Lin Yun’s side.
“Gao Yuan!”
Lin Yun recognized him at a glance. It was Gao Yuan, a prodigy of the Soul Refining Sect’s younger generation.
He had once been Lin Yun’s rival and enemy, so Lin Yun was all too familiar with him.
“Gao Yuan, you wanted to see me. What’s the matter?” Lin Yun asked, hands behind his back, looking at him.
“Lin Yun, please spare me! If you spare me, I… I, Gao Yuan, swear to follow your lead!” Gao Yuan pleaded urgently.
“So you’re here to beg for mercy.”
“Unfortunately, you no longer have the qualifications to even beg me,” Lin Yun said slowly.
Hearing this, Yang Wan, standing nearby, immediately struck Gao Yuan with a palm.
“No!!!” Gao Yuan screamed in terror.
Bang!
But as Yang Wan’s palm landed, Gao Yuan spat out a mouthful of blood, his life force instantly draining away.
He glared at Lin Yun, eyes wide. Once, he had been stronger than Lin Yun, but in the blink of an eye, Lin Yun could effortlessly wipe out their entire Soul Refining Sect…
At this point, the battle below was nearing its end.
Deep underground beneath the Soul Refining Sect, there was a massive bunker.
“Envoy, the Soul Refining Sect is about to fall. Once it’s completely destroyed, this place is very likely to be discovered!” a demon beast reported in panic.
“Have you assessed the enemy’s strength?” asked a blue-winged demon beast seated on a throne ahead.
“A total of eight Tribulation Realm cultivators, the highest being Seventh-Turn, plus Du Yuanzi and the Wanderer from the Xingwu Empire,” the demon beast below replied.
“We shouldn’t confront them directly. This hidden bunker has special protections, making it nearly impossible to detect with divine sense. Let’s hope they don’t find this place,” the blue-winged demon beast said.
…
The battle at the Soul Refining Sect was reaching its final moments.
Suddenly, Huo Zhen rushed up from the battlefield below.
“Big Brother, there’s trouble in East Yuan Prefecture!” Huo Zhen said urgently.
“Trouble? What happened?” Lin Yun’s brow furrowed.
“Demon beasts hiding in East Yuan Prefecture have suddenly banded together and launched a large-scale attack, even breaching a county city!” Huo Zhen said hurriedly.
“What?!” Lin Yun’s pupils twitched sharply.
Lin Yun’s only concern while seeking revenge was the situation in East Yuan Prefecture.
He hadn’t expected the demon clan to choose this moment to launch a major assault.
“This was deliberate by the demon clan!” Lin Yun instantly concluded.
“Big Brother, if this escalates, the empire might hold you accountable, and… it could be a grave offense,” Huo Zhen said.
“Since it’s happened, I’ll bear any punishment, no matter how severe! How grave is it?” Lin Yun looked at Huo Zhen.
Huo Zhen hesitated. “Grave enough… to warrant execution…”
“Even if it means execution, I have no regrets! This place is nearly dealt with. You all head back to East Yuan Prefecture immediately to stabilize the situation. I’ll stay to wrap things up here, then return to face my master and accept my punishment,” Lin Yun said, his gaze resolute.
Having returned to exact his revenge, Lin Yun had no regrets.
“Hm?”
Just as Lin Yun was about to send them off, he suddenly frowned.
“What’s wrong, Big Brother?” Huo Zhen looked at Lin Yun.
“Something’s off beneath the Soul Refining Sect!” Lin Yun said, gazing down at the sect below, deep in thought.
“Off? Big Brother, what do you mean?” Huo Zhen was puzzled.
“I’m not sure, but… there’s a hint of demonic aura. Let’s investigate!” Lin Yun said, then dove downward.
“Demonic aura?” Huo Zhen was startled.
He quickly followed Lin Yun.
…
Fire Cloud Empire, Divine Capital.
Imperial Palace, Chongwu Hall.
This was where the empire held its morning court.
Inside the hall, the morning session was underway.
“Your Majesty, urgent military report: the demon clan has suddenly launched an attack within East Yuan Prefecture. Prefecture Governor Lin Yun abandoned his post, reportedly to settle a personal vendetta in the Xingwu Empire, taking several Tribulation Realm cultivators with him. This left East Yuan Prefecture’s defenses vulnerable, resulting in the fall of a county city,” Dongguo Wuji stepped forward to report.
“I’ve already received the news. I’ve sent an envoy to the Xingwu Empire to summon him back immediately,” Emperor Fire Cloud said calmly.
“Your Majesty, in these critical times, as the governor of East Yuan Prefecture, he not only abandoned his post but took numerous Tribulation Realm cultivators, allowing the demon clan to exploit the opportunity. The impact is extremely severe. According to imperial law, this warrants execution!” Dongguo Wuji raised his head, emphasizing the last two words.
“Your Majesty, his dereliction of duty, if not punished by execution, will undermine the empire’s legal authority. If generals can abandon their posts at will, the empire will be unable to counter the demon clan!”
“Order and discipline must be upheld. If Lin Yun is not executed, it will not convince the masses. Please, Your Majesty, issue the order to set an example!”
“Please, Your Majesty, issue the order!”
In an instant, the ministers of the Dongguo faction all stepped forward.
“Now is not the time to discuss punishment. He will be dealt with upon his return!” Emperor Fire Cloud said calmly.
At these words, Dongguo Wuji and the Dongguo faction’s faces changed.
Under normal circumstances, Emperor Fire Cloud would have immediately declared the execution of a general who abandoned their post to set an example.
Yet His Majesty said to wait until Lin Yun’s return?
Dongguo Lie hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, with escalating conflicts with the demon clan, discipline must be strictly enforced now more than ever. Failing to punish him severely will lead to endless trouble!”
“Can’t you understand me? He will be dealt with upon his return!” Emperor Fire Cloud’s tone turned icy.
Prime Minister Dongguo Wuji immediately stepped forward. “We obey Your Majesty’s command!”
“We obey Your Majesty’s command!”
After Dongguo Wuji’s statement, the other Dongguo faction members followed suit.
“Court dismissed.”
With that, Emperor Fire Cloud rose and left.
The assembled ministers bowed.
After Emperor Fire Cloud departed.
“Father, this matter has caused severe consequences, yet His Majesty wishes to delay the decision. He clearly intends to protect him. Why didn’t you press harder for His Majesty to punish him?” Dongguo Lie said, unwilling to let it go.
“If His Majesty does not punish him severely, the consequences will be dire. Even if delayed, it’s only a matter of time before Lin Yun is summoned back and punished. No need to rush,” Dongguo Wuji said, stroking his beard.
