“Lin Yun, don’t just stand there, come up to receive your award,” Emperor Huoyun called from the front.
“Yes, sir!”
Lin Yun immediately rose, striding forward under the varied gazes of the crowd.
No matter what others thought of him, Lin Yun’s conscience was clear!
In moments, he stood before Emperor Huoyun.
Over the past twenty years, aside from the one time he asked Emperor Huoyun to help him reach the Land of Exile, they’d had no close contact or meaningful exchange.
Lin Yun had even thought that if he didn’t seek out Emperor Huoyun, his master might slowly forget him.
He hadn’t expected that, despite never summoning him, Emperor Huoyun had considered him for the award.
This stirred an indescribable emotion in Lin Yun’s heart…
Emperor Huoyun took the Radiance Award trophy from a tray held by a nearby attendant.
“Lin Yun, this is your honour, take it,” Emperor Huoyun said, handing him the trophy.
“Thank you, Master!”
Lin Yun accepted the trophy, his resolute eyes brimming with gratitude.
“And here’s a storage ring containing three hundred thousand Tribulation Pills, the prize for the Radiance Award.”
Emperor Huoyun handed Lin Yun a ring.
Three hundred thousand Tribulation Pills was no small sum!
It was enough for someone to cultivate from the First Tribulation Realm to the Ninth Tribulation Realm with plenty to spare.
“Your Majesty, Tribulation Pills are useless to me now. Keep them for the empire,” Lin Yun said softly.
Emperor Huoyun shook his head with a smile, “Your daughter must be over twenty now, right? Even if you can’t use them, you should leave something for her and your family. Don’t refuse.”
“Yes, thank you, Master.”
Lin Yun accepted the storage ring.
Then, holding the trophy and prize, he left the front, returning to his seat amid the crowd’s gazes and murmurs.
After the award ceremony.
The millennial celebration officially began, with fine wine and delicacies brought out one after another.
Emperor Huoyun publicly rewarded several generals and ministers with various honours.
This was followed by song and dance performances, as well as arena matches and other events.
Of course, these had little to do with Lin Yun.
The entire millennial celebration was to last three days and nights without pause.
…
The morning of the second day arrived.
It was another bright, sunny day, with the sun blazing overhead.
An exciting arena match was underway, and Lin Yun watched as a spectator.
Unlike the Xingwu Empire, the Huoyun Empire’s millennial celebration arena matches weren’t for selecting strong fighters, as the empire already had the ‘Martial Examination’ system for that purpose.
At that moment, the match in the arena concluded.
“Ladies and gentlemen, anyone else wish to try the arena? Especially those with grudges—settle them on the stage,” Emperor Huoyun announced.
The Huoyun Empire had a tradition: ministers or generals with personal grievances could settle them in the arena during centennial or millennial celebrations, with the loser conceding.
Of course, those simply wishing to spar could also challenge others in the arena.
At this, Wang Shaoqing stood up.
“Lin Yun, we’re both disciples of His Majesty. How about a spar in the arena?” Wang Shaoqing said loudly, looking at Lin Yun.
Wang Shaoqing’s competitive streak was fierce. Throughout his journey, no peer had ever matched him.
But Lin Yun, also a disciple of His Majesty and once bathed in glory, was someone Wang Shaoqing had always wanted to defeat to prove his own superiority.
Unfortunately, Lin Yun’s fall to ruin had denied him that chance.
Wang Shaoqing’s challenge stunned the crowd.
“Lin Yun can’t even use inner energy. Wang Shaoqing is challenging him? Isn’t the outcome obvious?”
“Exactly, is a challenge even necessary?”
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
Emperor Huoyun turned his gaze to Lin Yun and Wang Shaoqing.
“Wang Shaoqing, Lin Yun is afflicted with Soul-Severing Toxin and cannot use inner energy. If you want to fight in the arena, choose someone else,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Master, I know he can’t use inner energy, so for fairness, I won’t use inner energy either. We’ll compete with other skills,” Wang Shaoqing said confidently, standing tall.
His words sparked another wave of discussion.
“That could work.”
“In that case, they could indeed have a match.”
“His Majesty’s two disciples sparring on stage—who’s stronger? That’s quite a spectacle.”
The crowd was clearly intrigued.
After all, one was the current shining genius, the other the once-dazzling prodigy, both disciples of Emperor Huoyun. Who wouldn’t be eager to see their fight? Who wouldn’t be curious?
Wang Shaoqing looked at Lin Yun, brimming with arrogance, “Lin Yun, for fairness, I won’t use inner energy. Do you dare accept my challenge?”
All eyes turned to Lin Yun, waiting for his response.
“Wang Shaoqing, you’re sure you want to fight me?” Lin Yun said, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
Lin Yun hadn’t challenged him, yet Wang Shaoqing’s itch for a fight had brought the challenge to him.
“Of course! Just answer—do you dare accept?” Wang Shaoqing said with a confident smile.
“Hm?”
Just as Lin Yun was about to respond, he froze.
A strange sensation surged within him.
“The Ninth Tribulation is beginning?” Lin Yun thought, startled.
His artifact spirit had once told him that he’d sense the approach of the Ninth Tribulation in advance, giving him time to prepare.
Now, Lin Yun felt it!
“After waiting so long, the day has finally come,” Lin Yun thought, anticipation rising.
Since reaching the peak of the Ninth Tribulation Realm, he’d been awaiting this moment!
Seeing Lin Yun hesitate, Wang Shaoqing pressed, “Lin Yun, we’re young—don’t dawdle. Give me a straight answer!”
“Sorry, I have other matters to attend to, so I can’t accept,” Lin Yun said, looking up.
The Ninth Tribulation was his priority.
Then, Lin Yun turned to Emperor Huoyun at the front.
“Master, I suddenly have some matters to handle and need to step away briefly. I’ll return once they’re resolved,” Lin Yun said, clasping his fists.
Since the Ninth Tribulation was imminent, Lin Yun needed to make time to face it…
“If you have matters to attend to, go ahead,” Emperor Huoyun nodded lightly.
Unable to cure Lin Yun’s Soul-Severing Toxin, Emperor Huoyun had always felt guilty, so he didn’t impose strict demands on him.
