“Of course I don’t mind. This Dragon King of the West Sea Dragon Palace was once in distress, stranded in human territory, and I…”
Lin Yun, as the Human Emperor, began recounting how he met and bonded with the little green dragon.
He described how they went from mutual wariness and using each other to building a friendship, sharing every detail.
Since the Human Emperor wanted to hear it, Lin Yun was happy to oblige.
As he spoke, past scenes flashed through Lin Yun’s mind.
Before long, Lin Yun had given the Human Emperor the general picture.
After he finished, the scene fell silent.
The Human Emperor said nothing, remaining deep in thought.
Seeing the Human Emperor’s silence, Lin Yun stayed quiet, waiting patiently.
After a moment, the Human Emperor finally spoke, breaking the silence.
“Your experiences are quite similar to mine. I, too, came from a small world to this place, relying on my talent and effort to eventually become the Emperor of the Human Race,” the Human Emperor said with a sigh, a trace of melancholy in his tone.
Though he became the Human Emperor, he ultimately perished.
While he shared similarities with Lin Yun, there were many differences, such as his early genius in formations, honed over tens of thousands of years to achieve profound mastery.
Then, the Human Emperor looked at Lin Yun again. “Young one, since you’re an honorary elder of the West Sea Dragon Palace and have become a life-and-death friend with its Dragon King, I’ll give you another chance.”
He offered Lin Yun another opportunity, perhaps due to his status as an honorary elder or the striking similarities in their journeys.
Perhaps this resemblance was a kind of cycle.
Lin Yun’s eyes lit up at the Human Emperor’s words.
“Really? Thank you, Human Emperor!” Lin Yun quickly expressed his gratitude.
Though it was only another chance, not the full inheritance, this was already a great outcome for Lin Yun.
“For now, I’ll take you as my nominal disciple and grant you part of my inheritance. If you can meet my expectations in the art of formations within a hundred years, I’ll formally make you my direct disciple, and you’ll receive my full legacy. Are you willing?” the Human Emperor asked.
In essence, Lin Yun was a temporary choice, a backup. If he could meet the standard, he would become the official heir.
“I’m willing!” Lin Yun replied eagerly.
“Don’t rush to agree. While you gain benefits, you must also accept a mission: to overthrow the Demon Lord again. Killing it may be nearly impossible, but you must suppress it once more, even at the cost of your life. Are you willing?” the Human Emperor asked solemnly.
“I’m willing!” Lin Yun answered.
Even without the Human Emperor’s command, Lin Yun would take on the Demon Lord.
If such a catastrophe struck, no immortal could escape unscathed, including Lin Yun. Even without this directive, he was prepared to face death.
“I’m giving you a hundred years because, once activated, my consciousness can only last that long before it dissipates completely,” the Human Emperor explained.
He continued, “Until you become my direct disciple, this relic will remain open to other immortals’ trials. If another immortal passes the final test, they will become my direct disciple, and you’ll remain a nominal disciple.”
“I understand,” Lin Yun replied.
After all, he hadn’t passed the final test. If not for his status as an honorary elder of the West Sea Dragon Palace swaying the Human Emperor, he might have left empty-handed.
Becoming a nominal disciple and receiving part of the inheritance was already a good outcome.
And he now had a chance to become the direct disciple.
“This Heavenly Origin Sword Technique is my life’s work. I now pass it to you.”
With a wave of the Human Emperor’s hand, a flood of information surged into Lin Yun’s mind.
Having studied swordsmanship for years, Lin Yun could tell at a glance that this Heavenly Origin Sword Technique far surpassed his current Shadow Sword Art.
If Emperor Huoyun saw this technique, he would likely be astounded.
The only pity was that Lin Yun received only half of it, likely because he was still a nominal disciple. To get the rest, he would need to become the direct disciple.
“I’ll also impart some knowledge of formations and array diagrams. Study them well.”
With those words, another wave of information flooded Lin Yun’s mind.
This formation knowledge was the Human Emperor’s life’s work, enough to drive modern formation masters wild.
With another wave, the Human Emperor opened a stone tablet, and a sword flew out.
“I’ll also give you an Origin-level sword, though refining it will take some effort.”
He tossed the Origin-level sword to Lin Yun.
“An Origin-level weapon?” Lin Yun’s eyes gleamed as he caught the sword.
The blade was entirely azure.
Lin Yun knew how precious such weapons were. Emperor Huoyun and others used Origin-level weapons.
If Lin Yun kept using a Heavenly Dao-level weapon, he’d be at a huge disadvantage against a Dominion Realm opponent wielding an Origin-level weapon.
With this, he could at least compete on equal footing in terms of weaponry.
Buzz.
The sword trembled slightly, resisting Lin Yun, trying to slip from his grasp.
Weapons of Origin-level had some consciousness and sentience.
“Little thing, I’m your master now. Behave,” Lin Yun said with a smile, gripping the sword tightly.
“That’s all for now as a nominal disciple. To fully inherit my legacy, you must become my direct disciple. Work hard to earn my approval.”
With that, the Human Emperor’s figure vanished.
“Thank you, Master.”
Lin Yun knelt and bowed.
Though only a nominal disciple, it was still a master-disciple bond.
After paying his respects, Lin Yun turned to leave the relic.
Not far along, the scenery around him shifted.
When it cleared, Lin Yun found himself at the relic’s entrance.
“This entire relic is one massive formation. Truly remarkable,” Lin Yun mused.
The formation had transported him to the entrance.
With that, Lin Yun stepped out, ready for what lay ahead…
