Emperor Huoyun’s words were meant to remind Lin Yun not to rush into challenging those higher on the Heavenly God List. For now, cultivation and improvement were key.
After all, Lin Yun had only just become an immortal, making him a newcomer among the hundred-plus immortals.
The others had cultivated far longer than him!
“I understand, Master,” Lin Yun replied.
“Come, let’s head to your residence.”
With that, Emperor Huoyun took to the air, and Lin Yun quickly followed.
They left the Heavenly God Palace and arrived in Sky City outside.
“Master, Sky City seems rather quiet,” Lin Yun observed.
“Yes, every immortal is assigned a residence here, but most don’t stay. They’re usually out on the mainland. I, too, spend most of my time in the Huoyun Empire, not here,” Emperor Huoyun explained.
As they spoke, they landed at an unoccupied residence on the left side of Sky City.
“Lin Yun, this is your residence in Sky City. You can cultivate here or in the Huoyun Empire, as you prefer. There’s little difference,” Emperor Huoyun said.
He added, “Also, the Heavenly God Palace has a library with ancient texts. If you want to learn anything, you can browse them there. A map of the palace is in your residence.”
“Understood, Master,” Lin Yun nodded.
Emperor Huoyun instructed, “Disciple, for the next month, focus on cultivating and preparing for the initiation test. Aim for a good result. First, it’ll earn you Haoyue Crystal rewards.”
“Second, it’s a chance to bring honour to yourself, to me, and to the Huoyun Empire. Everyone knows you ascended through the Supreme Golden Thunder Tribulation, so many immortals will be watching your test results.”
“I’ll do my best,” Lin Yun said firmly.
“Good. Any more questions? If not, I’ll take my leave,” Emperor Huoyun asked.
“I have none for now,” Lin Yun replied.
“If anything comes up, you can contact me anytime through the palace’s communication bracelet. I won’t disturb you further,” Emperor Huoyun said, then turned and left.
Lin Yun pushed open the residence’s door and stepped inside.
The residence wasn’t particularly large but was grandly built.
After a brief tour, Lin Yun went to the cultivation room to begin training.
With the initiation test a month away, Lin Yun planned to reach the Second Eternal Realm and take the test at that level, aiming for a strong performance.
In the cultivation room…
“Spirit, do you know where the Heavenly God Palace’s Haoyue Crystals come from?” Lin Yun couldn’t help but ask.
He was genuinely curious about this.
“Master, the Heavenly God Palace was founded over 30,000 years ago. I spent 130,000 years in Emperor Chuchen’s space, completely unaware of what happened outside during that time. I only learned of the current Heavenly God Palace after following you,” the spirit said helplessly.
“Fair enough, my oversight,” Lin Yun said with a wry smile.
The spirit might know about ancient events, but it was clueless about the last 130,000 years.
Over that time, the world had changed drastically!
Lin Yun took out Qiankun Crystals and began cultivating, aiming for the Second Eternal Realm.
Just as he was about to start, a message came through his communication bracelet.
It was the first message since he’d received it, so, intrigued, he opened it immediately.
“Lin Yun, this is Zhuang Song. Congratulations on becoming an immortal,” a voice rang in Lin Yun’s mind.
“Senior Zhuang Song?” Lin Yun was surprised.
Back when Lin Yun won the championship at the Xingwu Empire’s Ten Thousand Flowers Banquet, Little Sword Immortal Zhuang Song had offered to take him as a disciple.
Being chosen by an immortal was a rare and enviable opportunity.
Lin Yun had even thought he’d join Zhuang Song’s lineage.
But events took a turn. The Zhutian Alliance attacked Lin Yun, and Zhuang Song never appeared. In the end, Lin Yun fled to the Huoyun Empire and became Emperor Huoyun’s disciple.
Since then, Lin Yun had had no contact with Little Sword Immortal Zhuang Song.
Life was strange like that, full of uncertainties. What seemed set could change unexpectedly.
“You’re too kind, Senior Zhuang Song,” Lin Yun replied politely through the bracelet.
In the Heavenly God Palace’s eight factions, Zhuang Song belonged to Emperor Xingwu’s camp.
Soon, Zhuang Song’s reply echoed in Lin Yun’s mind, “Lin Yun, I knew you were talented, but I never imagined you’d be this remarkable, reaching immortality in just a few decades. It’s beyond my expectations.”
Perhaps Zhuang Song now regretted not taking Lin Yun as a disciple. It would’ve added another immortal to his lineage.
But it was too late for regrets.
Zhuang Song might have been able to help back then, but Lin Yun didn’t know why he didn’t. Was he unaware of Lin Yun’s danger? Did he defer to Emperor Xingwu? Or was there another reason? Lin Yun had no answers.
“You’re too generous, Senior Zhuang Song,” Lin Yun replied courteously.
After Zhuang Song’s congratulations, other immortals sent messages through the bracelet, congratulating Lin Yun on his ascension. Though he didn’t know most of them, he responded politely to each.
Even the master of Moonlit Pavilion sent a brief congratulatory message.
This surprised Lin Yun.
Among the top twenty on the Heavenly God List, only his master and the Moonlit Pavilion master had sent congratulations, though the latter’s was short.
While Lin Yun had some dealings with Moonlit Pavilion, he’d never met its mysterious and powerful master.
After responding to the well-wishers, Lin Yun entered the One Thought Clear Heart Tower space, absorbed Qiankun Crystals, and began advancing his realm.
After becoming an immortal with infinite lifespan, the One Thought Clear Heart Tower was less critical for most, as time was no longer a constraint.
But Lin Yun wanted to advance quickly to reach the Second Eternal Realm before the initiation test.
Ten days later.
In the One Thought Clear Heart Tower.
Ten days outside meant fifty days inside the tower.
Lin Yun was still absorbing Qiankun Crystals.
“I’m close to the Second Eternal Realm,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
At this rate, he’d definitely reach it before the initiation test!
Just then, his communication bracelet suddenly buzzed with activity…
