Five days after returning to the Huoyun Empire, Lin Yun took the seventy thousand Qiankun Crystals he had produced and went to the palace, handing the first batch to Emperor Huoyun.
He also informed Emperor Huoyun about his plan to buy the Xuanyan Stone. The emperor readily provided Lin Yun with thirty thousand Haoyue Crystals.
Over the years, Emperor Huoyun had amassed a considerable amount of Haoyue Crystals to break through to the third level of the Myriad Realm.
With Qiankun Crystals as a substitute, he could now use the Haoyue Crystals.
After obtaining the Haoyue Crystals, Lin Yun returned to the Kunyuan Empire.
In the capital of the Kunyuan Empire, inside the imperial palace.
“Your Majesty, that immortal named Lin Yun is back,” the commander reported.
“He’s back? Let him in,” Empress Kunyuan said, eyes closed.
The commander acknowledged and left the hall.
Soon, Lin Yun entered.
“Greetings, Your Majesty,” Lin Yun said, clasping his fists in salute.
“Lin Yun, why are you here again?” Empress Kunyuan asked, not opening her eyes.
“Your Majesty, you agreed last time to sell me the Xuanyan Stone for thirty thousand Haoyue Crystals. I’ve now gathered them,” Lin Yun said calmly.
“Gathered?”
Empress Kunyuan’s serene expression flickered with surprise as she opened her eyes.
“Lin Yun, you’re not joking, are you?” she asked, staring at him.
“Of course not. Here are the thirty thousand Haoyue Crystals.”
With a wave, Lin Yun displayed the thirty thousand Haoyue Crystals.
Empress Kunyuan looked closely and confirmed the amount, her eyes widening in shock.
“How could you possibly have so many Haoyue Crystals?” she couldn’t help but ask.
In her view, it was impossible for Lin Yun to produce such an amount.
Not just him, no Eternal or Myriad Realm cultivator in the Mahayana realm could.
Yet here Lin Yun was, with the crystals before her, undeniable proof.
“Could it be your master gave them to you? No, impossible. He’d need them for his own cultivation. It would take him seven or eight thousand years to amass this much. How could he give them to you?” Empress Kunyuan was baffled.
“Your Majesty, you don’t need to know how I got them. Just know that I have,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“You’re a mystery,” she sighed, unable to fathom how he’d managed it.
“Your Majesty flatters me. Since I’ve brought the Haoyue Crystals, let’s proceed with the deal. Please present the Xuanyan Stone,” Lin Yun said, smiling.
A flicker of hesitation crossed her face.
She hadn’t intended to sell, quoting a high price to deter him, certain he couldn’t afford it.
Now that he had, she was in a dilemma.
Thirty thousand Haoyue Crystals was a fortune, but she could accumulate them over time and cultivate to advance her realm.
The Xuanyan Stone, however, was irreplaceable. Once gone, it was nearly impossible to find another, no matter the price.
“This Xuanyan Stone is meant for my own use,” she said.
“Your Majesty, as the ruler of the Kunyuan Empire, your word is law. You said you’d sell if I brought thirty thousand Haoyue Crystals. Surely you won’t go back on your word?” Lin Yun said, smiling.
Empress Kunyuan leaned back on her throne, deep in thought.
The hall fell silent, so quiet Lin Yun could hear his own breathing.
He felt a twinge of nervousness, worried she might renege. If she did, he’d be powerless, only able to call her untrustworthy.
“Fine, for thirty thousand Haoyue Crystals, I’ll sell you the Xuanyan Stone.” With a wave, she revealed a fiery red stone.
Though reluctant, she’d made a promise.
Then, she added, “But I have one condition. Tell me how you got so many Haoyue Crystals.”
“Since Your Majesty is so curious, I’ll be honest. My master gave them to me. I’ve only been in the Mahayana realm a short time. I couldn’t earn this much myself,” Lin Yun said, grinning.
“Your master, Emperor Huoyun? He’s generous, giving you so many Haoyue Crystals to buy something. When did he become so lavish?” she remarked.
“Your Majesty, I’ve answered your question. Can I have it now?” Lin Yun asked, smiling.
“Take it,” she said, glancing at the Xuanyan Stone before tossing it to him.
Lin Yun caught it.
The stone felt slightly warm, as if brimming with potent energy.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Beyond the thirty thousand Haoyue Crystals, I owe you a favour,” Lin Yun said, smiling.
“I acknowledge your talent, with your impressive entry test results, but you’re only in the Eternal Realm. It’ll be years before you reach the Myriad Realm. I don’t need your favour,” she said coolly.
(Lin Yun’s advancement to the Myriad Realm was known only to Emperor Huoyun, Mo Qing, and a few others, not Empress Kunyuan.)
Lin Yun smiled. “Your Majesty, don’t underestimate me. Perhaps one day you’ll find my favour useful. With my current strength, I reckon I could aim for the top thirty or forty on the Heavenly God List.”
“Top thirty or forty?” she said, taken aback.
Then she shook her head. “Lin Yun, you’re far too confident. Maybe in a few thousand years, but now? I don’t believe it.”
To her, Lin Yun was boasting excessively.
Though he had potential, his short cultivation time was a major limitation. She estimated it would take him at least a thousand years to break through to the Myriad Realm, and that was optimistic.
Lin Yun shrugged. “If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me, so be it. The favour is yours regardless.”
“Lin Yun, in just over two years, the Heavenly God List will be updated.”
“It’ll see significant changes. If you’re so capable, prove it by reaching the top thirty or forty. Dare you?” she said calmly.
