Lin Yun led the group to the teleportation point in the Tianqian Empire.
“Lin Yun, I’ll take the Heavenly Sword Sect members back to the Xingwu Empire now,” the Sect Master said.
“Sect Master, thank you for bringing people to aid me this time.” Lin Yun clasped his fists in gratitude.
The Sect Master smiled and said, “Lin Yun, you’re the deputy sect master of our Heavenly Sword Sect and our pride. Whenever you need us, the Heavenly Sword Sect will fully support you. If you plan to launch another battle in the future, make sure to notify us.”
The Heavenly Sword Sect’s Great Elder added firmly, “Exactly, Lin Yun. The Heavenly Sword Sect will always be your strong backing!”
Lin Yun was deeply moved by their words.
“Sect Master, the Heavenly Sword Sect is where I grew up. I, Lin Yun, will also be its strong backing.” Lin Yun’s gaze was resolute.
Then, Lin Yun turned and instructed, “Huo Zhen, take some spirit crystals and tribulation pills to give to the Heavenly Sword Sect.”
“Yes!”
Huo Zhen responded, taking out 100,000 tribulation pills and 500 million spirit crystals, placing them in another storage ring, and handing it to the Sect Master.
“Lin Yun, keep these resources to nurture talent. We won’t take them. After destroying the Zhutian Alliance, we still have plenty of resources,” the Sect Master said, waving his hand.
“Sect Master, the Heavenly Sword Sect needs to keep growing. The more resources, the better. Please accept them,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“Alright, I won’t refuse then.”
The Sect Master accepted the storage ring without further ado, bid farewell to Lin Yun, and left for the Xingwu Empire.
Lin Yun also led his group back to the Fire Cloud Empire in batches, as the teleportation array couldn’t handle so many at once.
…
Upon returning to the Fire Cloud Empire, Lin Yun sent everyone to Dongyuan Prefecture, instructing Huo Zhen to organize a celebratory banquet to thank them for their help.
As for Lin Yun, he planned to visit the Fire Cloud Emperor first.
“Ying’er, go with everyone to Dongyuan Prefecture first. I’ll see my Master and then return,” Lin Yun said, holding Yu Ying’s hand.
“Okay!” Yu Ying nodded gently, her face blooming with a smile.
After parting, Lin Yun headed straight to the Divine Capital City.
Divine Capital, Imperial Palace.
Tongshen Hall.
“Disciple Lin Yun pays respects to Master. I’ve rescued her and come to report,” Lin Yun said, bowing upon entering the hall.
The Fire Cloud Emperor looked at Lin Yun with a smile: “Disciple, you’ve kept your cards well hidden. To think you have such a close relationship with the dragon clan’s crown prince. As your master for so long, I had no idea.”
Lin Yun was taken aback, then gave a wry smile: “So Master knows too.”
“You went to fight in the Tianqian Empire. Of course, I paid attention. I know everything that happened there,” the Fire Cloud Emperor said, still smiling.
“Thank you, Master, for your support behind the scenes,” Lin Yun said, bowing again.
The Fire Cloud Emperor shook his head with a smile: “Your success in rescuing her this time was mainly due to the dragon clan’s crown prince, not me.”
He continued, “As far as I know, no one in the human race has ties with the dragon clan. You’re the only one, and you’re brothers with their crown prince. You must maintain this relationship—it’s immensely significant for you.”
“Master, my bond with the dragon clan’s crown prince is one of life and death, not driven by profit,” Lin Yun said earnestly.
The Fire Cloud Emperor nodded with a smile: “You stubborn boy. If it’s a bond of life and death, that’s even better—far more reliable than a relationship based on profit. Even I must admire you for befriending the dragon clan’s crown prince, something I could never do.”
Then, with a wave of his hand, the Fire Cloud Emperor produced a stack of scrolls.
“Remember last time you visited, I said I’d have something for you later?” he said, looking at Lin Yun.
“I remember, Master,” Lin Yun replied.
“These scrolls list cultivators who’ve committed heinous acts and carry immense karmic debt. Killing them will help you accumulate considerable fortune.”
The Fire Cloud Emperor tossed the stack to Lin Yun.
Lin Yun caught it quickly: “Thank you, Master.”
“These were carefully selected by me. Only those with the deepest sins remain. I’ve weeded out those with lesser strength or sins,” the Fire Cloud Emperor said.
“Thank you, Master.”
Lin Yun thanked him again, touched by his Master’s painstaking efforts.
The Fire Cloud Emperor continued slowly, “These people’s sins are grave. The empire spared them to let tribulation-bound cultivators accumulate fortune. Now, you can use them to boost your fortune significantly.”
“Once you’ve amassed enough fortune, I’ll help you improve further, and you can prepare for your tribulation. You’re already well-prepared in other aspects.”
Lin Yun’s body was at the late-stage Myriad Forms, which, while stronger is better for tribulation, was already exceptional—surpassing 99% of those undergoing tribulation.
As for mental strength, Lin Yun’s divine sense had reached the Holy Spirit level, also more than sufficient!
“Yes!” Lin Yun responded.
He was both excited and nervous about the tribulation, far harder than any previous major realm advancement.
He was getting closer to it.
But alongside excitement, Lin Yun felt apprehension. Success meant boundless glory; failure meant an abyss.
Who could guarantee success? Not even Lin Yun!
“By the way, Master, it seems my third tribulation hasn’t passed. Please take a look,” Lin Yun said, looking up.
Initially, Lin Yun thought this event might be his third tribulation.
But reflecting on the way back, though there were dangers, he hadn’t faced any mortal threats. So, he asked the Fire Cloud Emperor to confirm.
After observing Lin Yun for a moment, the Fire Cloud Emperor nodded.
“Yes, your third tribulation hasn’t passed.”
This confirmed it for Lin Yun.
“The third tribulation will come, and there’s no escaping it. You must be cautious,” the Fire Cloud Emperor warned.
“I understand, Master,” Lin Yun replied.
“Here’s a protective necklace. Activate it for defense,” the Fire Cloud Emperor said, tossing it to Lin Yun.
The last protective orb Lin Yun used was consumed outside the Spirit Treasury resisting an eternal being’s attack, which the Fire Cloud Emperor knew.
Lin Yun caught the necklace, knowing its value from experience.
“Before giving you this, I placed a mark on it. If you activate it, I’ll know. If you’re in great danger, I’ll do my best to save you,” the Fire Cloud Emperor said.
He was doing everything to protect Lin Yun.
But he knew the third tribulation was inevitable. Only by passing it could Lin Yun succeed in his tribulation!
There was no avoiding it!
