After the initial clash, Clan Leader Mu spun his halberd, sweeping it fiercely towards Lin Yun.
*Clang!*
The collision sparked dazzling light, its terrifying force seemingly tearing through the void.
Fierce exchanges erupted on the arena, the battle intense from the outset.
In the distance, where the royal heirs gathered, “Lin Yun is this strong? He’s holding his own against Clan Leader Mu?” The spectators were astonished.
“No way, can Clan Leader Mu really not defeat him?” Prince Jiyuan’s expression grew grave.
“Prince Jiyuan, don’t rush. The fight’s only just begun!” Wang Shaoqing said.
“Look, they’re going at it again!” a royal member nearby exclaimed.
—
**On the Arena**
“Lin Yun, it seems you’ve improved greatly these past few years, but I’m no pushover either!”
As Clan Leader Mu spoke, his body glowed with golden light, a stronger surge of power erupting from within, channelling into his halberd.
The halberd’s cyan and golden lights intertwined, then roared forward with sky-shattering momentum, tearing through the void with a *whoosh*, smashing towards Lin Yun!
“Clan Leader Mu, I won’t hold back either!”
Lin Yun’s palm blackened instantly, a terrifying force surging from it, pouring into his sword.
The Heaven-Shaking Hand, perfected, unleashed astonishing power!
As it erupted, Lin Yun’s sword became a shadow, striking like lightning against the oncoming halberd!
*Boom!*
A deafening roar echoed as the ferocious power in Lin Yun’s sword poured out.
A terrifying shockwave swept out like a storm, the arena engulfed in light. A figure was hurled from the glow, crashing heavily below the stage.
All eyes turned to the fallen.
Clan Leader Mu!
The one thrown from the arena was Clan Leader Mu!
When it became clear who had lost, the scene fell silent.
The Mu Clan members were dumbfounded.
They knew their clan leader’s strength, revered as their idol, his halberd mastery unmatched.
Yet now, he had been so decisively defeated by an Eternal Realm cultivator not even a century old?
This outcome far exceeded their expectations, shocking them deeply. Was Lin Yun truly this powerful?
In the distance, “Lin Yun won? And so decisively?”
The royal heirs were stunned.
“How… how could his progress be so rapid? It hasn’t been long, and he can defeat Clan Leader Mu?”
Prince Jiyuan stared at the arena, his heart roiling with shock.
“He’s already this strong?” Wang Shaoqing’s face paled, his senses blurring as if the world spun around him.
Lin Yun’s dazzling performance was another crushing blow to them.
They had hoped to reach the Immortal Realm and one day surpass Lin Yun.
Now, they realised just how far Lin Yun had grown, far beyond their reach.
—
**At the Arena**
The Fire Cloud Emperor and Prime Minister Dongguo Wuji weren’t overly surprised. Having seen Lin Yun survive a Sixth Realm Heavenly Demon’s assassination and self-destruction, they knew his strength.
Yet witnessing his combat prowess again, they couldn’t help but marvel at his monstrous growth.
Clan Leader Mu, fallen below the arena, stared with shock in his eyes.
The last time he saw Lin Yun display his strength was during the entrance trial. In just a decade or two, Lin Yun could now defeat him so decisively?
Lin Yun leapt off the arena, sheathed his sword, and approached Clan Leader Mu.
“Clan Leader Mu, the match is decided. Per our agreement, the slot is mine. You have no objections, I presume?” Lin Yun said with a polite smile.
“Since your strength surpasses mine, I have no complaints. I only blame my own inadequacy. There are only two slots, and the capable take them,” Clan Leader Mu said helplessly.
“Thank you, Clan Leader Mu.”
“Here’s one thousand Bright Moon Crystals, as my personal compensation to you.”
Lin Yun produced the crystals and offered them to Clan Leader Mu.
“No need. Since I failed to earn the slot, I can’t blame others. How could I accept this?” Clan Leader Mu said.
With that, he turned, bid farewell to the Fire Cloud Emperor, and left with the Mu Clan members.
Lin Yun stood momentarily stunned. He refused one thousand Bright Moon Crystals?
Such crystals were highly coveted by Immortals!
Then again, most Immortals carried a deep sense of pride.
After Clan Leader Mu’s departure, “Lin Yun, your progress is truly remarkable,” the Fire Cloud Emperor praised.
“You flatter me, Master. It was mostly luck,” Lin Yun smiled.
“You’re too modest. You’ve also resolved a major issue for me. The Mu Clan matter would’ve been tricky otherwise,” the Fire Cloud Emperor said with relief.
Mishandling it could have alienated the Mu Clan, causing lasting issues.
“The slot dispute involved me, and it caused trouble for you, Master. It was only right I resolve it,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“Well done. You and the Prime Minister should head back. We depart tomorrow. Remember, during this ruin exploration, your life comes first. Don’t push yourself too far,” the Fire Cloud Emperor instructed.
“I understand, Master. I’ll take my leave.”
Lin Yun bowed and departed.
—
**Outside the Palace**
“Lin Yun, we must support each other on this trip,” Prime Minister Dongguo Wuji said.
Having seen Lin Yun’s strength, he knew Lin Yun’s role would be significant.
“Of course, Prime Minister. No need to worry,” Lin Yun smiled.
“Good. We’ll meet outside the city tomorrow morning,” Dongguo Wuji said.
—
The next morning, Lin Yun and Prime Minister Dongguo Wuji met outside the city, then used a teleportation array to travel to the Xingwu Empire, heading straight for the destination marked on the map…
