“Young Master, His Majesty has publicly announced that Ji Bin committed evil deeds, and it was His Majesty who permitted Lin Yun to kill him,” the aide said.
Upon hearing this, the smile on Jiyuan’s face froze.
Their newly devised plan had just crumbled…
…
Over the next few days, Lin Yun stayed at home, hosting lavish banquets, eating, drinking, and chatting with friends and his daughters, completely setting aside the burden of cultivation to thoroughly relax.
During this time, Lin Yun also visited the Heavenly God Palace to return the Qiankun Mirror and expressed gratitude to Vice-Palace Master Yao.
This incident allowed Lin Yun’s daughter to undergo a transformation and growth, which was invaluable to Lin Yun, even more important than his own cultivation progress.
Seven days later.
Lin Yun left home, departing the Divine Capital to begin his journey of exploration.
As for his family, Lin Yun left them Tribulation Pills and gave brief instructions, saying he would be gone for some time, though he didn’t know exactly how long.
His daughter, Lin Kexin, accompanied him to the city gates.
At the Divine Capital’s gates.
“Kexin, go back now. Study arrays diligently, and don’t neglect your own strength. When I return, I’ll check your progress,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“Don’t worry, Daddy, I won’t disappoint you. Be careful out there,” Lin Kexin said reluctantly.
“I’ll be fine, your father is an Eternal,” Lin Yun said with a laugh.
Palace Master Yunshang also came to see him off.
“Yunshang, let me know when the child is born,” Lin Yun said, holding her hand with a smile.
“Don’t worry about your travels, I’ll take care of things at home,” Yunshang said earnestly.
After the farewell, Lin Yun turned and left, vanishing from Yunshang and Lin Kexin’s sight in an instant.
…
Since this journey was to comprehend the Mahayana realm, Lin Yun naturally sought to connect with all things.
He decided to disguise himself as an ascetic, wandering the world, concealing his cultivation level and refraining from using internal energy, observing the world from a different identity and perspective.
One month, two months…
One year, two years…
In the blink of an eye, five years passed.
In the Huoyun Empire, Xihua Prefecture, by a roadside near a small county town.
Lin Yun was squatting by the road, observing ants moving their colony.
He had been there for several days, watching the ants search for food and relocate.
Over these five years, Lin Yun had wandered far and wide, observing all things—people, events, objects…
He once spent months by a flower, watching it bloom and wither, among many other experiences.
Lin Yun’s appearance was dishevelled, his body dirty, resembling a beggar. Who could imagine he was a powerful Eternal?
“This fool has been watching ants for days. He was here when I went to town yesterday.”
“A grown man watching ants? Must be daft, a fool!”
…
Passersby on the road mocked and jeered.
But Lin Yun remained focused, absorbed in his observations.
At that moment, a five- or six-year-old boy approached him.
“Big brother, what’s so interesting about ants moving?” The boy squatted opposite Lin Yun, his innocent eyes full of curiosity.
Lin Yun smiled and said, “Don’t underestimate these ants. They have remarkable abilities. When the weather changes and a storm is coming, ants can sense the disaster and organise a mass migration in advance.”
“Each ant carries loads several times its size. This colony has tens of thousands, yet their relocation is orderly. Every ant has a role, with clear division of labour, and they trust their companions completely, making the move so smooth. Tiny ants, yet they cooperate so well—it’s the foundation of their survival.”
The boy seemed to half-understand.
At that moment, a young couple approached.
“Xiaobao, why are you talking to a fool!” the young woman said, pulling the boy.
“Mummy, he’s not a fool. What he said made sense,” the boy said earnestly.
“A fool talking sense? Nonsense!”
The young man beside her stomped on the ant trail, crushing dozens of ants and disrupting their path.
Lin Yun frowned slightly. “Sir, why do this? The ants didn’t provoke you, did they?”
“What, a fool lecturing me? They’re just ants, I’ll crush them if I want. What can you do? You said these ants are capable, but under my foot, they can’t even resist,” the young man said with a laugh.
“Xing哥, why bother with a fool,” the young woman sneered.
“Fool, get out of the way!” The young man kicked Lin Yun, knocking him to the ground.
For five years, Lin Yun had suppressed his strength, living as an ordinary person, so he was easily knocked down.
“Some people are worse than fools,” Lin Yun said, brushing off the dirt with a smile, not resisting.
Hearing Lin Yun say he was worse than a fool, the young man grew furious.
“What did you say? Say it again! Believe me, I’ll cripple you right now!” the young man shouted, pointing at Lin Yun.
In this world of the strong preying on the weak, Lin Yun appeared to him as a fool and beggar, giving him the confidence to berate, just as he had crushed the ants—because he could.
Lin Yun ignored him, suddenly freezing in place.
His communication bracelet had suddenly buzzed to life.
“I have news for everyone: another Eternal has just been born, adding one more to our Heavenly God Palace!” Vice-Palace Master Yao’s voice rang out.
“It’s only been a few years since Lin Yun became an Eternal, and now another one has emerged!”
“Vice-Palace Master Yao, who is this new Eternal? What’s their background?”
…
Many Eternals were openly discussing and inquiring within the storage space.
Eternals are rare, sometimes not appearing for millennia, though occasionally two or three emerge within a century, with no predictable pattern.
“This new Eternal is from the Shadow Hall. She’ll arrive at the Heavenly God Palace soon for the initiation ceremony,” Vice-Palace Master Yao said.
