“Trouble from your mouth? A nobody from a tiny tribe dares talk to me like that? You’re begging for a lesson!”
The three-meter giant raised his massive, millstone-like palm, surging with power, ready to strike Lin Yun.
“Stop! No fighting at the alliance entrance!” the elderly registrar shouted.
The giant halted at the warning.
“Kid, you got lucky. I’ll spare you for now!” the giant said coldly.
Lin Yun smirked. “You’re the lucky one. If you’d attacked, I guarantee you’d be dead today!”
“Me, dead? Haha, what a boast!” The giant burst into laughter, his companions joining in.
They were at the alliance headquarters’ entrance, where fighting was forbidden, yet this guy dared make such a claim? Pure bravado!
“Enough!” the registrar snapped, handing two tokens to Lin Yun and Huaixi.
“You two, go inside. These are your tokens. Someone will guide you to your quarters.”
Huaixi quickly took the tokens.
“Lord Lin, let’s go in,” he said, pulling Lin Yun through the side entrance.
Inside, a servant led them to a guest room.
In the room, Huaixi sighed. “Lord Lin, the Fenglu Tribe is powerful, among the top ten in the Western Alliance. Please bear with them.”
Huaixi knew Lin Yun was strong but wasn’t sure of his exact level.
Physical strength could only be gauged by unleashed force, unlike internal cultivation, where one’s realm was clear when energy was used. Unless Lin Yun fully unleashed his power, others could only estimate his strength. If he showed Pure Yang Body-level force, they’d assume he was at least that strong.
Over the next few days, as Lin Yun and Huaixi settled in, more tribes arrived.
Lin Yun spent his time in the room practicing swordsmanship or carving. The poison in his body was manageable for now, thanks to the pills.
Seven days later, they were summoned to gather outside.
The Western Alliance had thousands of tribes, with about 80% sending representatives, though the number varied. Some small tribes had no suitable candidates, while larger ones sent many to the Wuji Heavenly Palace.
Outside, Lin Yun and Huaixi joined the others. Lin Yun estimated seven to eight thousand people were present.
A burly middle-aged man stepped forward.
“Everyone, I’m Elder Shi, an alliance elder. You may address me as such. I’ll lead you to the Wuji Heavenly Palace,” he announced.
“Greetings, Elder Shi,” the crowd saluted.
“You’re all eager for the Wuji Heavenly Palace, I presume? Let me explain: it has nine floors, each with unique opportunities. The higher you go, the greater the rewards!” Elder Shi said.
He continued, “You’re the elite of our Western Alliance tribes. This time, I hope someone reaches the fifth floor. We’ve had no one reach it for several cycles—utterly disappointing!”
In the crowd, Lin Yun asked, “Huaixi, what’s your goal? Which floor?”
“Reaching the second floor would be good. Its opportunities could boost my strength enough to succeed the chief and protect the tribe. The third floor would be ideal—its rewards could help me reach the Pure Yang Body, strengthening the tribe. Beyond that, I dare not dream,” Huaixi said.
“You two, silence! Who permitted you to whisper?” Elder Shi barked at them.
Instantly, all eyes turned to Lin Yun and Huaixi.
Lin Yun frowned, mildly annoyed at being scolded, but since he needed their guidance to the Wuji Heavenly Palace, he stayed quiet.
“That skinny weakling wants to go to the Wuji Heavenly Palace? What a joke! Which tribe is he from?” people murmured.
“Quiet!”
“Pack up and return here in one hour for departure!” Elder Shi ordered.
…
An hour later, Elder Shi led the group out of the city toward the Wuji Heavenly Palace.
The alliance headquarters wasn’t far from the palace. After six days of travel, they arrived.
Lin Yun gazed ahead at a colossal palace floating in the sky, seemingly supported by clouds.
The Wuji Heavenly Palace glowed, its surroundings faintly surreal.
It resembled a mirage—hard to believe without seeing it firsthand.
Even Lin Yun felt awestruck!
“Who could have created this Wuji Heavenly Palace?” Lin Yun wondered.
He sensed its creator must be an extraordinary being.
“Kneel and pay respects!” Elder Shi commanded.
Everyone knelt toward the palace, bowing their heads.
After the ritual, Elder Shi announced, “The Wuji Heavenly Palace opens in two days. We’ll wait here until then!”
The Southern Alliance’s group was already present when the Western Alliance arrived.
The Southern Alliance eyed the Western Alliance with hostility, suggesting tension among the four alliances.
“Huaixi, the four alliances are rivals, right? Will they fight outside the palace?” Lin Yun asked.
“Lord Lin, the alliances are indeed rivals, but the Wuji Heavenly Palace is our sacred faith. No one dares fight at its entrance—it’s disrespectful. You don’t need to worry,” Huaixi explained.
“I see,” Lin Yun nodded.
It made sense. The Wuji Heavenly Palace held supreme reverence in this world, a sacred symbol akin to a deity.
Lin Yun closed his eyes, waiting for the palace to open.
