“Of course I have confidence in my disciple. As for how many stages he can pass, as long as he does his best, I won’t demand more,” Emperor Huoyun said with a smile.
Emperor Huoyun didn’t ask Lin Yun how many stages he was confident of passing. He knew his disciple’s performance would surely not be poor, and that was enough.
“By the way, disciple, while we wait for the trial to begin, let me introduce you to someone. That is the owner of the Taixu Tavern,” Emperor Huoyun said, pointing to a robust, well-groomed man in white with his hair tied up.
“Tavern Master,” Lin Yun said, standing to bow to the Taixu Tavern owner.
Lin Yun could sense that many prominent figures were present today, but without Emperor Huoyun’s introductions, he wouldn’t know who was who.
“Not a bad lad. Do your best,” the Taixu Tavern owner said, returning a smile.
“Disciple, the one next to him is the master of the Taigu Sect,” Emperor Huoyun continued.
“Sect Master,” Lin Yun said, bowing again to the Taigu Sect master.
“Lin Yun, let’s see how many stages you can pass today,” the Taigu Sect master said, leaning back in his chair with a smile.
“Disciple, to the left is Empress Kunlan, ruler of the Kunlan Empire and the only woman in the top fifteen of the Heavenly Gods List,” Emperor Huoyun said, gesturing towards a striking, dignified woman.
“Your Majesty Kunlan,” Lin Yun said, bowing courteously to Empress Kunlan.
Empress Kunlan, seated in her chair, gave a slight nod in response.
“You already know the master of the Xiaoyao Tower beside her, so no introduction is needed,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Naturally,” Lin Yun replied with a smile.
With Emperor Huoyun’s introductions, Lin Yun now knew the prominent figures present.
As for the others, Emperor Huoyun didn’t introduce them one by one, as there were many immortals at the scene, and Lin Yun would need to get to know them gradually.
At that moment, another figure entered the Mingyue Platform from outside.
“Hm? It’s Xingwu! That fellow actually showed up!” the Xiaoyao Tower master exclaimed.
Lin Yun looked up.
Indeed, it was Emperor Xingwu, slowly walking in from outside.
Emperor Xingwu’s arrival surprised many at the scene.
After all, Emperor Xingwu had lost badly last time and suffered some provocation. Logically, he wouldn’t return today.
“Xingwu, today is Lin Yun’s entry trial. Why are you here?” the Xiaoyao Tower master asked with a smile.
With Emperor Xingwu’s arrival, three of the four great emperors were now present, with only the emperor of the Tianqian Empire absent.
“Why? You lot can come, but I can’t? The Haoyue Crystals I lost last time, I plan to win back today!” Emperor Xingwu said with pride, his aura undiminished.
As he spoke, Emperor Xingwu took a seat in the front row.
“Win them back?” Several prominent figures were taken aback.
“Xingwu, tell us, how do you plan to win them back?” the Xiaoyao Tower master asked, egging him on with a smile.
Emperor Xingwu looked at Emperor Huoyun, “Huoyun, I lost to you last time. How about we play another round today?”
“How do you want to play?” Emperor Huoyun asked, smiling.
“Let’s bet on whether your disciple Lin Yun can set a new record!” Emperor Xingwu said.
“A new record?” The immortals present were stunned.
Everyone knew the highest record for the entry trial was set by Li Tian, at the fourth stage.
For Lin Yun to set a new record, he would need to pass the fifth stage!
Passing the fifth stage was undoubtedly extremely difficult, as most immortals couldn’t even pass the second stage.
Li Tian had been astonishingly brilliant back then, but even he was utterly powerless against the fifth stage.
“Well, Huoyun, do you dare to take the bet? The stake is one thousand Haoyue Crystals!” Emperor Xingwu said, leaning back in his chair with a smile.
Emperor Xingwu was well aware of the entry trial’s difficulty. He had also watched Lin Yun’s battle with Cao Jun that day.
He knew that, based on Lin Yun’s performance then, passing the fourth stage wouldn’t be hard, but the fifth stage was absolutely impossible!
“Xingwu, you really think you can win back the thousand Haoyue Crystals you lost last time?” Emperor Huoyun said with a cold smile.
“Huoyun, take him on! I’m betting on your disciple!” the Xiaoyao Tower master said, stirring the pot.
The prominent figures and other immortals present looked curiously at Emperor Huoyun, wondering if he would accept.
“Lin Yun is indeed a prodigy, but since the Heavenly Gods Palace was founded, no one has ever passed the fifth stage. It’s just too difficult!”
“Exactly. Back then, the second stage was already beyond me. The fifth stage? I wouldn’t even dare to dream of it!”
…
The immortals at the scene were all discussing.
Many of them had taken the entry trial themselves, so they knew how challenging it was.
This time, it wasn’t that they underestimated Lin Yun. On the contrary, they knew he was formidable, but they couldn’t imagine anyone passing the fifth stage!
“Why wouldn’t I dare? Since you want to play, Xingwu, I’ll indulge you!” Emperor Huoyun said with a smile, accepting the challenge.
After all, they had won a thousand Haoyue Crystals from Emperor Xingwu last time. The worst outcome would be losing them back.
“Master, I’m not confident about passing the fifth stage,” Lin Yun said with a wry smile.
“No matter. Just do your best. Winning or losing doesn’t matter,” Emperor Huoyun said, patting Lin Yun’s shoulder.
“Haha, great!” Emperor Xingwu laughed heartily, seeing that Emperor Huoyun had agreed.
“This is getting interesting. Today’s entry trial just got more exciting,” the Xiaoyao Tower master said with a laugh.
At that moment, Vice Palace Master Yao entered from outside.
“Vice Palace Master Yao is here!”
“Greetings, Vice Palace Master Yao.”
The immortals present stood and bowed to Vice Palace Master Yao.
“So many people came. This is the first time an entry trial has drawn such a crowd,” Vice Palace Master Yao remarked.
In the past, when new immortals took the entry trial, only a few would come to watch. Never had there been such a scene.
Then, Vice Palace Master Yao took a seat at the front.
“Sect Master, Kunlan, Tavern Master, you’re all here too?” Vice Palace Master Yao said, surprised to see the Taigu Sect master, Empress Kunlan, and the Taixu Tavern owner.
“Just here to join the fun. I heard Lin Yun is impressive, so I had some free time and came to see for myself,” the Taigu Sect master said.
“Vice Palace Master Yao, Xingwu and Huoyun are at it again,” the Xiaoyao Tower master said with a laugh.
“Oh? What’s the deal?” Vice Palace Master Yao asked curiously.
“They’re betting on whether Lin Yun can set a new record, with a stake of one thousand Haoyue Crystals,” the Xiaoyao Tower master said.
“Haha, these two rivals always go head-to-head wherever they are. But Huoyun, a new record isn’t so easy to achieve,” Vice Palace Master Yao said, looking at Emperor Huoyun towards the end.
