An elder from the White Phoenix Palace stepped forward and said, “Prince Yi, didn’t you say that if we helped, we’d get a share of the exploration here? How can you ask us to leave now?”
“Yes, Prince Yi,” others in the crowd echoed, looking at Prince Yi with reluctance.
“Since you contributed, I won’t let your efforts go unrewarded. You’ll get something,” Prince Yi said.
He turned and ordered, “Commander Yao, give each team ten million spirit crystals and send them out. For the two lone cultivators, one million spirit crystals each.”
“Yes!” the armored commander replied.
The commander then took out the spirit crystals.
“Prince Yi, this… this won’t do! You promised us a share in the exploration, not spirit crystals,” the White Phoenix Palace elder said with a dry laugh.
“Yes, Prince Yi, that’s not what you said when you invited us,” several others couldn’t help but speak up.
Not only were they denied exploration, but their reward was merely spirit crystals. Many of them were Tribulation Realm cultivators, and such compensation was far too cheap!
Even a few Tribulation Pills would’ve been more acceptable.
Prince Yi frowned, displeased, “Don’t push your luck. You’ve lost nothing, just used some inner energy. Ten million spirit crystals per team is already generous. If you’re not satisfied, you’ll get nothing!”
“This…”
Seeing Prince Yi’s anger, the crowd didn’t dare argue further.
The Tianqian Clan’s leading elder stepped forward, “Prince Yi’s offer of ten million spirit crystals is more than satisfactory to our Tianqian Clan.”
Prince Yi’s expression softened, “The Tianqian Clan’s elder is reasonable. Commander Yao, distribute the crystals to the Tianqian Clan first.”
“Thank you, Prince Yi! Thank you!” the Tianqian Clan elder said repeatedly with a smile.
Commander Yao promptly handed ten million spirit crystals to the Tianqian Clan.
No other team dared object, and the commander distributed crystals to the remaining teams.
Even if they were dissatisfied, they didn’t dare defy Prince Yi. They were all forces within the Tianqian Empire, and who wouldn’t fear the Tianqian Royal Clan behind him?
“Using us and discarding us—some prince, utterly shameless,” Lin Yun muttered coldly.
“What did you say!?”
Prince Yi’s face darkened, his icy gaze snapping to Lin Yun.
Though Lin Yun’s voice was low, it reached his ears.
“Nothing,” Lin Yun shrugged.
“You, get out!”
Prince Yi pointed at Lin Yun, bellowing with authority.
A single word, “get,” fully displayed his arrogance.
And he had the capital to be arrogant.
“Young friend, let’s go!” Old Man Yan quickly pushed Lin Yun towards the exit.
At the same time, Yan transmitted quietly, “Lin Yun, let’s leave for now. Clashing with him will be troublesome.”
Lin Yun understood the stakes and followed Yan out.
At the palace entrance.
The other teams began filing out.
Lin Yun and Old Man Yan exited one after the other.
Lin Yun transmitted, “Senior Yan, did you notice *Withered Silence* reacting?”
“I did, but Prince Yi’s claiming this place. We lack the strength and standing to compete. Let it go and seek other opportunities,” Yan’s transmitted voice replied in Lin Yun’s mind.
Lin Yun was deep in thought.
He desperately wanted to explore, especially that stone pillar.
But he had to admit, the strength gap was too wide. He couldn’t challenge Prince Yi.
The law of the jungle prevailed.
Many teams left immediately after exiting, seeking opportunities elsewhere, unwilling to waste more time here.
Some teams left one or two members to stay and wait, hoping to sneak in and scavenge after Prince Yi finished.
As the palace was so conspicuous, new teams kept arriving.
At that moment, Elder Mu of the Baili Clan arrived with his team, clearly drawn by the palace.
“Trouble!”
Lin Yun’s expression shifted slightly upon seeing the Baili Clan.
Elder Mu, their leader, was a Tribulation Realm expert, and Lin Yun was naturally wary.
“Hm? Who’s that kid? Never seen him before.”
As the Baili Clan approached, they quickly noticed Lin Yun.
With only so many teams entering, everyone had seen each other outside before entering the spiritual treasure, memorizing faces.
After fighting the Baili Clan, Lin Yun had changed his appearance, naturally drawing their attention.
“Elder Mu, that’s him!” the white-haired elder who had lost to Lin Yun pointed and shouted.
Lin Yun’s eye twitched slightly.
“Kid, you thought changing your appearance and aura would fool me completely? My sense of smell is sharp!” the white-haired elder glared at Lin Yun.
“Fine, it’s me. You ran pretty fast back then, or you’d be dead too!” Lin Yun stared at the elder with a cold smile.
The white-haired elder’s face changed, “Elder Mu, look how arrogant he is!”
“My arrogance is still better than abandoning your clan and fleeing like a coward,” Lin Yun said with a playful smile.
“You… you…” The white-haired elder trembled with rage, Lin Yun’s words striking a sore spot.
“Elder Zhen, leave it to me.”
Elder Mu, the Tribulation Realm expert, stepped forward slowly, eyeing Lin Yun.
“Kid, you’ve got some nerve, killing my Baili Clan members. Do you know the consequences?” Elder Mu stared at Lin Yun, his eyes chilling.
“Your Baili Clan didn’t know better and dared compete with me for treasures. Naturally, they courted death,” Lin Yun said lightly, shrugging.
At those words, Elder Mu and the entire Baili Clan team’s faces darkened.
This guy, on the brink of death, still dared to speak like that?
“Kid, you’re far too arrogant! If I don’t tear you to pieces today, how can I quell the Baili Clan’s rage!”
Fury blazed in Elder Mu’s eyes. For Lin Yun to maintain such an attitude when he personally intervened was an outright insult!
Lin Yun sneered, “I’ve heard such threats plenty of times. Sadly, those who say this to me usually meet bad ends. I suspect… you’re no exception. Of course, if you beg for mercy now and get out of my sight, I can pretend nothing happened.”
“Ignorant brat, die!”
As Elder Mu spat the final word, his powerful inner energy erupted. A dazzling light formed in his palm, transforming into a phantom that shot towards Lin Yun!
