“Return!”
With Lin Yun’s command, the clone merged back into his body.
“Interesting!” Lin Yun grinned.
Then, he sat down to continue cultivating the second level.
The next morning.
Lin Yun successfully cultivated the second level of the *Wuji Dharma Image*.
As for the third level, he tried it and found the difficulty significantly higher.
“Let’s stop here for now,” Lin Yun said, pausing his cultivation of the *Wuji Dharma Image*.
Next, Lin Yun took out spirit crystals and began absorbing them, preparing to break through to the peak of the Nine-Turn Tribulation realm.
Previously, Lin Yun had been stuck at the Nine-Turn Tribulation realm, not pushing for the peak, as his master had advised him to be fully prepared and confident of passing the tribulation before attempting it.
Now, Lin Yun planned to directly reach the peak of the Nine-Turn Tribulation realm, face the tribulation, and charge towards Immortality, so there was no need to hold back his realm any longer!
Lin Yun cultivated until noon before stopping.
Reaching the peak of the Nine-Turn Tribulation realm would take at least half a month, or several days even with the Mind-Clearing Tower.
Today, Lin Yun was to take his daughter to meet Master Tu Fan, hoping she could become his disciple and learn formations.
…
His daughter was already waiting in the courtyard. After leaving his room, Lin Yun had the household steward prepare a carriage, then took his daughter straight to Master Tu Fan’s residence in the Divine Capital.
Tu Mansion.
After Lin Yun announced his identity and purpose at the gate, the servant went to report.
Soon, the servant returned and led Lin Yun and his daughter into the mansion.
In the reception hall.
Lin Yun met Master Tu Fan in person. His hair and beard were white, but he was full of vigor, seated in a chair at the front of the hall.
“Master Tu Fan,” Lin Yun bowed politely.
“Master Tu Fan,” Lin Kexin also hurriedly bowed, equally courteous.
Master Tu Fan, holding a teacup and leaning back in his chair, said slowly, “Lord Lin Yun, your name has been renowned to me for over twenty years, but this is the first time we’ve met in person.”
“I’ve long heard of Master Tu Fan’s prestige as well,” Lin Yun replied humbly.
“Lord Lin, I’ve only heard of your past deeds, and they were impressive. It’s truly a pity that you were harmed by the demon clan, ruining your prospects. To be honest, if you hadn’t come today, I’d almost forgotten about you,” Master Tu Fan sighed.
Lin Yun had been forgotten by the world after twenty years of obscurity.
“Cultivation is a defiance of the heavens; it’s never smooth sailing,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“True enough. So, Lord Lin, what brings you here today?” Master Tu Fan set down his teacup and looked at Lin Yun.
“My daughter loves formations, so I’d like her to study under you,” Lin Yun said directly.
Then, he took out a holy-spirit-level weapon.
“This holy-spirit-level weapon is a gift,” Lin Yun said, placing it on a nearby table.
“Lord Lin, many wish to become my disciple, including imperial relatives who want to send their children to me. If I accepted them all, I couldn’t teach them well. Formations require time and effort, and teaching them demands care. So, I’m taking no more than five disciples this time. Becoming my disciple isn’t easy; they must pass my test,” Master Tu Fan said slowly.
“I understand. If my daughter fails the test, I won’t blame anyone,” Lin Yun replied.
“Good. Five days from now, have her come for the test. There will be at least a thousand participants, and I’ll only take five,” Tu Fan said.
“Thank you, Master Tu Fan,” Lin Yun said, clasping his hands.
Lin Yun had done his part by securing her a chance; the rest was up to her.
As Lin Yun prepared to leave with his daughter, a familiar figure entered from outside.
Lin Yun looked closely—it was Prince Ji Yuan.
“Prince Ji Yuan,” Lin Yun’s gaze sharpened slightly upon seeing him.
Years ago, Lin Yun had fought him in the arena. At the time, Lin Yun was at the Six-Turn Tribulation realm, and Ji Yuan had agreed to suppress his realm to match. When he found he couldn’t beat Lin Yun, he lifted the suppression, defeating Lin Yun with a three-realm advantage.
Naturally, Lin Yun felt some resentment seeing him.
“Isn’t this Lin Yun?”
Prince Ji Yuan smiled upon seeing him, “Lin Yun, you’ve lived in the city for twenty years, but I heard you rarely leave your house. This is the first time I’ve run into you. Such a prodigy, reduced to a cripple—what a pity. I was waiting for you to defeat me, but it seems you’ll never have that chance.”
“Prince Ji Yuan, I have matters to attend to, so I won’t stay,” Lin Yun said.
“Kexin, let’s go.”
With that, Lin Yun led Lin Kexin towards the exit.
“Lin Yun, we’ve finally met, why rush off?” Prince Ji Yuan stepped forward, blocking Lin Yun’s path.
“Prince Ji Yuan, what more do you want?” Lin Yun looked at him calmly.
“I just want to see how far you’ve fallen, and I heard you don’t have many years left? Such a pity,” Prince Ji Yuan said with a smile.
“Don’t you dare bully my father!”
Lin Kexin stepped forward, standing in front of Lin Yun.
“Lin Yun, I heard your daughter is a stunning beauty. Seeing her today, she’s truly exceptional,” Prince Ji Yuan said, eyeing Lin Kexin.
“Kexin, come behind me,” Lin Yun said, pulling her arm.
“No! Dad, I said when I was little that I’d protect you and never let anyone bully you!” Lin Kexin’s beautiful face was full of determination, her tone resolute.
After surviving the Soul-Severing Poison, Lin Kexin had indeed said this, though she was just a toddler then.
“Kexin…”
Hearing his daughter’s words, Lin Yun’s eyes stung, his heart melting as if warmed by her love.
Even if it meant climbing mountains of blades or plunging into seas of fire for her, Lin Yun felt it was all worth it!
“Pfft, what a joke. You, Lin Yun, reduced to being protected by your daughter?” Prince Ji Yuan sneered.
“Kexin, leave this to me. Even if I’m a cripple, I’m still your eternal mountain, your eternal support!”
Lin Yun stepped forward, standing in front of his daughter and facing Ji Yuan, barely a meter apart.
“Ji Yuan, you keep calling me a cripple. Dare to face this cripple in a single move!” Lin Yun’s dark eyes glinted with a cold light.
Ji Yuan could insult him, and Lin Yun could endure it.
But daring to speak lightly of his daughter? That, Lin Yun would never tolerate!
