On the other side.
Emperor Huoyun arrived at an altitude of ten thousand metres outside the Divine Capital City, simultaneously revealing a bracelet.
As the bracelet emitted a brilliant light, the space before him tore apart, revealing a rippling barrier gate.
Emperor Huoyun immediately stepped through it.
The rippling barrier gate then vanished, and Emperor Huoyun disappeared without a trace.
After entering the barrier gate, Emperor Huoyun soon arrived at the other end—Heavenly City.
In the centre of Heavenly City stood a grand palace known as the Heavenly God Palace.
The war between the demon race and humans had never ceased on the cultivation continent since records began.
To unite against the demon race, the Heavenly God Palace was established to ally the human race and combat the demons.
The entry requirement for the Heavenly God Palace was achieving immortality.
For this reason, few below the level of immortality knew of the Heavenly God Palace.
Inside the council hall of the Heavenly God Palace.
Emperor Huoyun stepped into the hall.
Ahead sat an elder with a long white beard.
“Deputy Palace Master Yao,” Emperor Huoyun said, clasping his hands towards the white-bearded elder.
“Huoyun, are you here regarding your disciple?” Deputy Palace Master Yao asked with a beaming smile.
“Naturally, it’s about this matter. Where is Emperor Xingwu? Has he come to the Heavenly God Palace?” Emperor Huoyun inquired.
“He’s in Heavenly City. I’ve sent a message to summon him. Huoyun, sit and have some tea first,” Deputy Palace Master Yao said with a smile, waving his hand.
Hearing this, Emperor Huoyun could only sit down and slowly lift his teacup.
Not long after, Emperor Xingwu arrived.
“Emperor Huoyun, it’s been a while,” Emperor Xingwu said, walking into the hall with his hands behind his back.
“Let’s get straight to the point, Emperor Xingwu. I’m here to take my disciple back,” Emperor Huoyun said, his tone slightly grim.
Emperor Huoyun was, of course, displeased.
The matter wasn’t too significant, but it wasn’t trivial either—it depended on how it was resolved.
If Emperor Xingwu chose to settle it privately and release the person, it would be a minor issue.
But if Emperor Xingwu refused to release the person and escalated the matter to the Heavenly God Palace, it would amplify the situation.
Once amplified, according to the Heavenly God Palace’s rules, Lin Yun could face a death sentence.
“Emperor Huoyun, your disciple, as a second-rank official of the Huoyun Empire, caused chaos in my Xingwu Empire, disrupting my arrangements and plans against the demon race. I personally sent people to stop him, yet he defied my orders. Do you think a single word from you is enough to take him back? That’s a bit naive, isn’t it?” Emperor Xingwu said calmly.
“What? I’ve come in person to demand his release, and you still won’t let him go?” A cold glint flashed in Emperor Huoyun’s dark eyes.
Emperor Xingwu gave a cold smile, “If he’s made a mistake, he must be punished!”
“My disciple is not for you to punish! You don’t have the authority. I demand you immediately send my disciple safely back to the Huoyun Empire! Otherwise, you’ll bear the consequences!” Emperor Huoyun’s voice boomed like a bell, carrying an undeniable authority.
“Even if I lack the authority, according to the Heavenly God Palace’s rules, his crime warrants execution. You don’t think the Heavenly God Palace’s rules apply to your Huoyun Empire, do you?” Emperor Xingwu said, still smiling coldly.
“Bang!”
Emperor Huoyun slammed the table, shattering the teacups.
“Emperor Xingwu, don’t push me! If you don’t release him, fine—let our two empires declare war!”
A surge of anger erupted, and the atmosphere in the hall grew tense.
Emperor Huoyun’s words caught Emperor Xingwu off guard.
He had anticipated that Emperor Huoyun would try to save Lin Yun, but he hadn’t expected Emperor Huoyun to value Lin Yun so highly as to threaten war.
It seemed Lin Yun held a significant place in Emperor Huoyun’s heart.
“Declare war? Are you, Emperor Huoyun, planning to defy the Heavenly God Palace’s rules? Do you think the Heavenly God Palace is a mere decoration?” Emperor Xingwu sneered.
Emperor Xingwu knew the Huoyun Empire’s overall strength far surpassed that of the Xingwu Empire.
However, the demon beast mountain range separated them, making conflict difficult. If war broke out, he could simply seal the teleportation channels between the empires. Moreover, with the Heavenly God Palace’s existence, Emperor Huoyun couldn’t easily wage war.
Besides, in this matter, Emperor Xingwu held the moral high ground, with Lin Yun in his custody, giving him ample leverage. He had no reason to fear.
Deputy Palace Master Yao stood up, “Both of you, calm down. The demon race’s threat is growing, and the Heavenly God Palace absolutely forbids internal strife. If you escalate this, it will cause great trouble for the human race!”
“Deputy Palace Master Yao, Lin Yun is a talent with the potential to reach the immortal realm in the future. How can such a talent be killed over a trivial matter? What do you think?” Emperor Huoyun said, looking at Deputy Palace Master Yao.
Emperor Xingwu sneered, “His talent is indeed remarkable, but reaching the immortal realm is no easy feat. Countless prodigies remain stuck at the tribulation realm, unable to step into immortality.”
“Both of you, let me mediate. Since he’s Emperor Huoyun’s beloved disciple, we won’t kill him, but a punishment is still necessary,” Deputy Palace Master Yao said.
“He doesn’t have to die. I’ve already thrown him into the Land of Exile for five hundred years as punishment. If he survives and remains sane after five hundred years, he can be released,” Emperor Xingwu said calmly.
“What? You threw Lin Yun into the Land of Exile?” Emperor Huoyun’s expression changed drastically, his eyes blazing with fury.
Emperor Huoyun was well aware of what the Land of Exile was.
“Since he’s already in the Land of Exile, let him—” Deputy Palace Master Yao began.
“Fifty years? Deputy Palace Master Yao, isn’t that too short?” Emperor Xingwu said, appearing dissatisfied.
“No! I demand his immediate release!” Emperor Huoyun said firmly.
Deputy Palace Master Yao, who had been smiling, slowly grew stern.
He first looked at Emperor Huoyun, “Huoyun, your disciple was at fault, causing trouble in the Xingwu Empire. This punishment is already very lenient. Fifty years is not long for someone in the tribulation realm. You should consider the Heavenly God Palace’s position, shouldn’t you?”
“Deputy Palace Master Yao, fifty years may not be long, but surviving fifty years in the Land of Exile? My disciple may not make it!” Emperor Huoyun said.
Though Emperor Huoyun had always been optimistic about Lin Yun, the Land of Exile was far too perilous. Those in the tribulation realm thrown into it were almost certainly doomed, the only question being how long they lasted.
“Enough. The matter is settled and needs no further discussion. Both of you, return for now,” Deputy Palace Master Yao said, waving his hand.
Emperor Huoyun knew that with the conversation reaching this point, further words were useless. He couldn’t take Lin Yun back by talking.
“Hmph!”
Emperor Huoyun let out a cold snort, turned, and strode out.
“Only fifty years? That’s too lenient for that brat,” Emperor Xingwu said.
Though he said this, he thought otherwise.
He had only mentioned throwing Lin Yun into the Land of Exile, not that Lin Yun was bound with spirit-binding ropes before being cast in.
With Lin Yun bound, Emperor Xingwu believed Lin Yun wouldn’t last fifty years—he’d surely perish!
Let alone fifty years, he doubted Lin Yun could survive even five years in that state.
At that moment, a guard from the Heavenly God Palace hurriedly ran into the hall.
“Deputy Palace Master Yao, this is an urgent letter from the dragon race,” the guard said, handing the letter to Deputy Palace Master Yao.
“A letter from the dragon race? The dragon race has always disdained interacting with us humans. Why would they send a letter?” Deputy Palace Master Yao said, visibly surprised.
As he spoke, he took the letter and slowly opened it.
“A letter from the dragon race?” Emperor Xingwu, who was about to leave, also looked surprised.
“What… what?!”
Upon reading the letter, Deputy Palace Master Yao’s expression changed dramatically. His hand trembled, nearly dropping the letter.
