“The strength of the physical body can be enhanced through cultivating Kuji, but willpower—there’s no clear shortcut or method for improving it. Its enhancement is the most ethereal.” Lin Yun couldn’t help but sigh.
Emperor Huoyun said his willpower was decent but still insufficient. But how could it be improved?
…
Dongyuan Prefecture.
After returning to Dongyuan Prefecture, Lin Yun continued to cultivate in seclusion within the City Lord’s Mansion.
Fourteen days later.
Inside the One Thought Clear Heart Tower.
Fourteen days had passed outside, but for Lin Yun inside the One Thought Clear Heart Tower, seventy days had elapsed.
During these seventy days, Lin Yun had been absorbing the ‘barren’ energy stored in the jade pendant.
As he continuously absorbed it, a faint golden glow emanated from his entire body.
Through this absorption, Lin Yun’s body was constantly being strengthened.
At this moment, the golden glow around Lin Yun suddenly intensified, and golden light spots even appeared on his skin.
Moments later, the glow dissipated, and Lin Yun opened his eyes.
“Mid-stage Pure Yang Body.” Lin Yun revealed a smile.
The last time Lin Yun secluded himself in the One Thought Clear Heart Tower for six years, his main task was to advance his realm. After each breakthrough, he would pause for about half a year to consolidate his realm. During that time, besides practising swordsmanship and carving sculptures, he also absorbed barren energy.
This time, during the seventy days of seclusion in the tower, Lin Yun focused solely on absorbing barren energy, allowing his physical body to reach the mid-stage Pure Yang Body in one go.
This undoubtedly gave Lin Yun’s defence and physical strength a decent boost.
“Unfortunately, the barren energy in the jade pendant is almost depleted.” Lin Yun sighed.
Lin Yun’s absorption efficiency was high, which also meant his demand for barren energy was immense.
What would he do once the barren energy ran out? Return to the Land of Exile to obtain more?
Going back to the Land of Exile would inevitably arouse suspicion.
“After exploring the spiritual treasury in the Tianqian Empire, I’ll find a place rich in barren energy.” Lin Yun secretly made up his mind.
This world was vast, with many unique places. Lin Yun believed there must be locations abundant in barren energy.
For now, his priority was to head to the Tianqian Empire to explore the spiritual treasury.
Immediately after, Lin Yun left the One Thought Clear Heart Tower space.
Outside, heavy snow continued to fall, blanketing the mansion in thick layers.
“My lord, you’re out.”
As soon as Lin Yun stepped into the courtyard, the old steward approached with a smile.
“My lord, Lord Huo Zhen brought the distinguished guest you invited to the mansion yesterday. To avoid disturbing your cultivation, he didn’t inform you. Lord Huo Zhen said to notify you as soon as you emerged.” the steward said.
Lin Yun’s eyes lit up. “Oh? Has Huo Zhen brought Senior Du Yuanzi? He should’ve reported to me directly.”
“My lord, the guest is staying in the Heaven-tier guest room. Shall I fetch him?” the steward asked.
“No, I’ll go myself!”
With that, Lin Yun headed straight to the Heaven-tier guest room in the rear courtyard.
Heaven-tier guest room.
“Senior Du Yuanzi!”
As soon as Lin Yun reached the courtyard, he called out.
Just as he approached the door, it opened, and naturally, it was Du Yuanzi.
“Lin Yun, you’re out of seclusion.” Du Yuanzi smiled.
“Senior Du Yuanzi, I couldn’t welcome you yesterday when you arrived. My apologies, I hope you’ll forgive me.” Lin Yun clasped his fists.
“Haha, no need to be so formal with me.” Du Yuanzi laughed heartily.
“By the way, Senior Du Yuanzi, how’s your cultivation progressing?” Lin Yun asked.
“Thanks to you, after the Zhutian Alliance was destroyed, Heavenly Sword Sect gained vast resources and wealth. The sect leader secured plenty for me, and I’ve now reached the Mahayana realm.” Du Yuanzi was visibly delighted about this.
Du Yuanzi had long been stuck at the bottleneck of the Void Nether Realm, unable to break through, so he turned to studying formations, achieving considerable mastery in that field.
Previously, his cultivation wasn’t high, but by setting up various attack and defence formations, he could perform remarkably in battle. His formations could even counter those in the Tribulation Realm.
For someone like him, who specialised in an unconventional path, combat strength couldn’t be judged by realm alone.
Of course, his weakness was glaringly obvious—once his formations were broken, he had no means of resistance.
Now, with his realm elevated, it undoubtedly helped. The higher the realm, the greater the development of the mind and the sharper the thinking, which naturally aided his formation studies.
“Senior Du Yuanzi, do you have enough spirit crystals? Use them to cultivate to the peak of the third-tier Mahayana realm. When the time comes, I’ll find a way to help you advance to the Tribulation Realm. Though your focus is formations, a higher realm brings many benefits, even improving your efficiency in studying formations.” Lin Yun said.
“I have enough spirit crystals. Sect Leader Xiao of Heavenly Sword Sect allocated plenty to me. But breaking through to the Tribulation Realm requires mastering seven complete mysteries, which is the hardest part. It’s not something resources alone can achieve.” Du Yuanzi sighed.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll have a way when the time comes.” Lin Yun grinned.
Resources alone weren’t enough, but with Lin Yun’s Coffin of Mysteries, it was possible!
The Coffin of Mysteries had little effect on cultivators above the Tribulation Realm, but for breaking through to it, it was immensely useful!
At that moment, the door of the opposite guest room opened.
“Disciple, look who’s here.” A familiar voice came from across.
Lin Yun turned and saw his master, Wanderer.
“Master, you’re here too?”
Seeing Wanderer, Lin Yun broke into a joyful and excited smile, stepping forward to greet him.
“Haha, what, not happy to see this old man?” Wanderer chuckled, stroking his beard.
“Of course not, I’m thrilled to see you, Master.” Lin Yun beamed.
“You’ve done well for yourself, kid. This entire Dongyuan Prefecture is your domain. As your master, I had to come check on you.” Wanderer said with a warm smile.
Du Yuanzi stepped forward. “Lin Yun, your master’s been benefiting from your success, getting plenty of resources. In the next few years, he should also step into the Mahayana realm.”
“Really? Then congratulations, Master. Once you reach the peak of the third-tier Mahayana realm, I’ll find a way to help you advance to the Tribulation Realm.” Lin Yun said with a smile.
A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring—this was Lin Yun’s principle.
Both Du Yuanzi and Wanderer had helped him greatly in the past. Now that he had the ability, Lin Yun would spare no effort to repay them.
“By the way, Lin Yun, you called me here to help build a teleportation array, right?” Du Yuanzi said with a smile.
“Yes, I’d like to ask Senior Du Yuanzi to help me construct a long-term teleportation array connecting to my hometown, set up in the City Lord’s Mansion. It doesn’t need to be large, just capable of teleporting a few people at a time.” Lin Yun said.
Lin Yun had promised Yun Shang and the others that when the time was right, he would bring them to reunite with him.
Du Yuanzi readily agreed. “Leave it to me. But building such a teleportation array will take some time. You’ll need to be patient.”
