The four alliance leaders were stronger than others, so others bowed to them. Lin Yun, stronger than them, was naturally more exalted, and their submission was only fitting.
Had they not surrendered or bowed, they might already be dead.
The sight of the four alliance leaders collectively saluting Lin Yun sent waves of astonishment through the crowd.
No one expected the day’s events to end this way.
No one imagined their lofty leaders would ever bow, delivering a profound visual and emotional shock!
Huaixi stood frozen, stunned that his travel companion, Lin Yun, possessed the power to upend the four alliances!
At that moment, everyone knew the Wuji Realm had changed!
They understood that even if the four alliances continued to rule, a far greater existence now loomed above them!
As for Elder Shi of the Western Alliance, who had repeatedly berated Lin Yun, his face was ashen, as if he’d plummeted into an abyss…
In the center.
Lin Yun stood with hands behind his back, facing the four leaders.
“Tell me, how did you reach the Nirvana Body stage?” Lin Yun asked.
“We cultivated to it, naturally,” the Western Alliance Leader said with a dry laugh.
Lin Yun frowned. “Nonsense! Of course you cultivated. I’m asking what you relied on to achieve the Nirvana Body.”
“Our talent and effort, and, of course, the blessings of the Wuji Heavenly Palace,” the Southern Alliance Leader replied.
“So, you all gained something in the Wuji Heavenly Palace, correct?” Lin Yun pressed.
“Of course,” the four leaders nodded.
Lin Yun continued, “I hear the Wuji Heavenly Palace has nine floors. Which floor did you reach?”
“Though we entered at different times, we all reached the seventh floor,” the Southern Alliance Leader reported.
“So, those who reach the seventh floor have the potential to become alliance leaders?” Lin Yun asked.
“Exactly. Reaching the seventh floor marks an elite. With its opportunities and three to four hundred years of dedicated cultivation, one can achieve the Nirvana Body,” the Southern Alliance Leader said.
The Northern Alliance Leader added, “Reaching the seventh floor is rare, maybe once every few hundred or thousand years. Such individuals are treasured and nurtured by the alliances. Even the sixth floor is extremely difficult, with perhaps one person every century. Those who reach it become top forces in the alliances.”
“As for the fifth floor, a few people reach it each time the palace opens—sometimes one or two, sometimes three or four. They become the alliances’ core strength.”
Lin Yun nodded, grasping the pattern.
Essentially, those who reached the seventh floor were nearly guaranteed to achieve the Nirvana Body after three or four centuries of cultivation.
But Lin Yun didn’t have that kind of time.
“What about the eighth floor?” Lin Yun asked curiously.
“Each floor’s difficulty spikes. The eighth floor was beyond us when we entered. We might try now, but the palace only admits those under a hundred years old,” the Southern Alliance Leader said.
“Has anyone reached the eighth floor historically?” Lin Yun pressed.
“Yes. According to records, the last person to reach it was over five thousand years ago. He later unified the Wuji Realm. After his death, it split into the four alliances,” the Northern Alliance Leader said.
“And the ninth floor? Has anyone ever reached it?” Lin Yun asked.
“Not in the last twenty thousand years, at least. Beyond that, there are no records,” the Southern Alliance Leader replied.
Lin Yun nodded slowly.
His goal, naturally, was the ninth floor!
If the seventh floor’s opportunities enabled the Nirvana Body, Lin Yun was eager for the ninth floor’s rewards!
“Lord, who… who are you? The Wuji Realm has never heard of you before,” the Northern Alliance Leader couldn’t help but ask.
The other three leaders glanced at Lin Yun, clearly curious.
“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t,” Lin Yun said coldly.
“Y-Yes, yes,” the Northern Alliance Leader nodded with a dry laugh.
“Tell me more about the Wuji Heavenly Palace. How does one pass each floor?” Lin Yun asked.
“The early tests rely on personal strength. Higher up, the challenges vary for each person,” the Northern Alliance Leader said.
Hearing this, Lin Yun didn’t press further.
He’d asked what he needed and learned what was necessary.
All that remained was entering the Wuji Heavenly Palace himself.
“Alright, I’m done. You may leave. Rest assured, I have no interest in your four alliances and won’t overthrow you. If I wanted to, you’d all be dead by now. My goal is solely to enter the Wuji Heavenly Palace,” Lin Yun said calmly.
The four leaders sighed in relief, Lin Yun’s words a reassuring balm.
“Is there anything else we can do for you, Lord?” the Northern Alliance Leader asked with a smile.
“Nothing. Stay here if you want, or return to your territories,” Lin Yun said evenly.
“Yes! Yes!”
“If you have any orders, the four alliances are at your service.”
The four leaders retreated after speaking.
Lin Yun turned and walked toward Huaixi, his travel companion.
Wherever he passed, the crowd parted, clearing a wide path, avoiding his gaze for fear of offending him.
Undoubtedly, the recent battles had completely reshaped Lin Yun’s status in their minds.
No one dared view him as a short weakling anymore.
Instead, he was a powerhouse surpassing the four alliance leaders!
Lin Yun stopped before Elder Shi, who had berated him multiple times and threatened to revoke his Wuji Heavenly Palace eligibility.
Now, facing Lin Yun, Elder Shi’s face was deathly pale, his legs trembling, barely able to stand, his former arrogance gone.
“Lord, I… I was disrespectful before, blind to your greatness. Please… please forgive me!” Elder Shi’s voice quaked, his fear palpable.
“I’m just passing through. Move,” Lin Yun said coldly.
