On the throne ahead, Emperor Xingwu, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them and looked at Lin Yun.
“Lin Yun, we meet again.”
Lin Yun raised his head. “Your Majesty must have thought I died over a decade ago, right? Unfortunately, I, Lin Yun, have returned alive!”
“You were lucky to become a disciple of Emperor Fire Cloud. Otherwise, you’d already be a corpse,” Emperor Xingwu said coldly.
“I, Lin Yun, earned my place under Emperor Fire Cloud through strength and perseverance, not luck!” Lin Yun stood tall, his aura unwavering.
“Even if it was your strength, you’re now in my hands. Even if Emperor Fire Cloud wants to save you, it won’t be easy. Out of respect for him, I may not kill you, but I can keep you detained forever, a prisoner for life,” Emperor Xingwu said, leaning back on his throne with an air of supremacy.
“Detain me forever? Heh, I guarantee you don’t have that ability,” Lin Yun sneered.
On the way here, Lin Yun had seized the chance to crush the jade slip given to him by Little Green Dragon.
This was Lin Yun’s final trump card!
It was also the reason he dared to defy Emperor Xingwu’s decree earlier.
During the expedition to seize the Great Kun’s relics, Little Green Dragon had given him this jade slip, instructing him to crush it in times of great trouble, promising to help no matter the situation!
The weight of the Dragon Clan needed no explanation.
Even before meeting Little Green Dragon, Lin Yun had heard that tens of thousands of years ago, during the great war between the demon clan and humans, both sides tried to win over the Dragon Clan. Whoever succeeded would have gained a massive advantage, but the Dragon Clan refused to join either side, staying out of the conflict entirely.
This alone spoke volumes about the Dragon Clan’s power.
“You say I don’t have that ability? Haha, what a joke!” Emperor Xingwu laughed heartily.
It was as if he’d heard the most absurd thing.
In the Xingwu Empire, this was the first time he’d heard such a claim.
Emperor Xingwu slowly stood. “Within the Xingwu Empire, I am the law, I am the ruler. You are all mere ants, fit only to be controlled by me!”
“And you, Lin Yun, are no exception!”
As he finished, Emperor Xingwu’s tone grew sharp.
At the same time, a powerful pressure surged from his body, enveloping Lin Yun like a tidal wave.
To him, Lin Yun was just an ant.
And this ant dared to challenge his authority—something he absolutely would not tolerate!
If not for Emperor Fire Cloud’s backing, he would have already killed this defiant ant!
Boom!
The immense pressure descended, and Lin Yun felt as if a mountain had crashed onto him.
“Even if I, Lin Yun, am an ant, I will not let you control or slaughter me!” Lin Yun gritted his teeth, his gaze resolute, his voice firm and powerful.
“Is that so? Soon, you’ll be kneeling before me, and you’ll learn that strength is the ultimate law!” Emperor Xingwu’s eyes glinted with cold intent.
As his words fell, the pressure intensified.
Lin Yun felt his legs turn to lead, the terrifying force threatening to bring him to his knees!
“No! Way!!!”
Lin Yun’s eyes widened, teeth clenched, body trembling as he fought to stand, his face flushed red from the strain.
Blood even seeped from his gums, staining his white teeth red.
Yet Lin Yun still stood!
Bound by the spirit-restraining ropes, unable to use his inner energy, he relied solely on his physical strength, defense, and sheer willpower!
“You… you can kill me, but making me bow before you… is absolutely impossible!”
Lin Yun’s voice trembled but was resolute as iron!
The Imperial Guard commander behind him was startled. Under such pressure, Lin Yun was still standing?
Even Emperor Xingwu felt a flicker of shock.
But it was overshadowed by rage!
“Lin Yun, since you still refuse to yield and insist on defying me, don’t blame me for being merciless! Even if I can’t kill you, I’ll make you wish you were dead!” Emperor Xingwu’s deep eyes blazed with fury.
An emperor’s wrath could leave thousands of corpses!
At that moment, an Imperial Guard rushed into the hall.
“Your Majesty, an envoy from Emperor Fire Cloud requests an audience申請
“Master has sent someone to bring Lin Yun back,” the guard said.
“Did Master send someone to save me?” Lin Yun was stunned.
Lin Yun wasn’t sure if his master would be angry with him, but the fact that he sent someone to rescue him warmed Lin Yun’s heart.
Emperor Xingwu looked up coldly. “No audience! Tell the envoy to inform Emperor Fire Cloud that his disciple, a second-rank official of the Fire Cloud Empire, committed slaughter in the Xingwu Empire, violating regulations. Taking his disciple away directly is a fool’s dream!”
“Yes!”
The guard responded and withdrew from the hall.
“Commander, throw him into the Land of Exile first! Don’t remove the spirit-restraining ropes until he submits,” Emperor Xingwu ordered.
“The Land of Exile?!” The commander was shocked.
“Your Majesty, truly send him to the Land of Exile? What if he dies?” the commander asked, concerned.
Emperor Xingwu said indifferently, “He won’t die so easily. And I believe he’ll yield once he can’t endure the Land of Exile!”
Then, he looked at Lin Yun and said softly, “I hope your resolve holds up in the Land of Exile.”
“Emperor Xingwu, no need for your concern. Also, you’ll regret this!” Lin Yun flashed a ferocious grin.
Emperor Xingwu gave a cold smile, then waved, signaling the commander to take Lin Yun away.
As Lin Yun was escorted out of the hall, he saw Jin Yao’er running toward it from a distance.
“Brother Lin Yun!” Jin Yao’er rushed forward upon seeing him.
“Jin Yao’er,” Lin Yun said, looking at her.
Jin Yao’er had helped him in the past. Though she could be willful, she was a good person.
“Commander, release Lin Yun at once!” Jin Yao’er ordered the commander.
“Princess, forgive me, but I cannot comply. He is a prisoner designated by His Majesty,” the commander said.
“What crime has he committed? He was only seeking revenge! The Zhutian Alliance was justified in targeting him, so why can’t he target them?” Jin Yao’er snapped angrily.
“Princess, he defied His Majesty’s decree—a grave crime!” the commander said.
“Then… where are you taking him?” Jin Yao’er asked.
“To the Land of Exile,” the commander replied.
“What… the Land of Exile!” Jin Yao’er’s face changed drastically upon hearing the name.
