“Alright,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
Empress Kunyuan froze, stunned. She had only meant to tease Lin Yun, to stop his boasting, not expecting him to actually agree.
“Your Majesty, Empress? Why the hesitation? Don’t believe me? Shall we make a bet?” Lin Yun grinned at her.
Empress Kunyuan’s brow furrowed. “Mind your words in my presence! I’m a Dominator Realm expert. You’d best respect your elders and betters!”
As the grand Empress Kunyuan, she was unaccustomed to Eternal or Myriad Realm immortals speaking to her so flippantly, as Lin Yun did with his carefree manner. His boldness was outrageous!
“At the end of the day, you’re still a woman, aren’t you? Unmarried, I wager? Perhaps it’s that fiery temper. Maybe you need someone to tame you. Shall I play matchmaker and pair you with my master?” Lin Yun said, chuckling.
“You… how dare you!”
Empress Kunyuan leapt to her feet, a powerful aura mixed with fury surging towards Lin Yun, overwhelming the hall.
The atmosphere shifted drastically.
Such anger would have left other Eternal or Myriad Realm cultivators paralysed with fear, perhaps even begging for mercy.
But Lin Yun’s formidable physique made her aura’s pressure ineffective, and it certainly didn’t intimidate him.
“Ahem, Your Majesty, calm yourself. Fine, I’ll stop. But it seems you’re still too scared to bet with me,” Lin Yun said, shrugging.
“Laughable! What do I have to fear? Name your terms!” Empress Kunyuan glared at him coldly.
“Didn’t Your Majesty say the Heavenly God List will update in just over two years? If I can reach the top thirty or forty, you’ll owe me a favour. How’s that?” Lin Yun said, still smiling.
“Fine. And if you fail to reach the top thirty or forty?” she asked, her voice tinged with irritation.
“If I fail, you can do whatever you like or make any demand,” Lin Yun replied, shrugging.
“I’ve no interest in making demands of you, but I accept your bet. Let’s see how you back up your boasts,” she said icily.
“Very well, Your Majesty. Just wait and see. I’ll take my leave now.”
Lin Yun bowed and left the hall with a smile.
After his departure, Empress Kunyuan returned to her throne.
As she calmed, she grew uneasy.
She, the mighty Empress Kunyuan, had just made a bet with a mere Eternal Realm cultivator like Lin Yun?
It was akin to an emperor betting with a lowly commander—beneath her dignity.
…
Elsewhere.
After leaving the Kunyuan Empire’s capital, Lin Yun looked at the Xuanyan Stone in his hand, a broad smile on his face. “Finally got it.”
He then flipped his hand, revealing the source-grade sword.
“I’ve got what you wanted, and it took considerable effort, as you’ve seen. You should be willing now,” Lin Yun said.
This time, the sword’s soul didn’t resist.
“You’ve got some skill. Since you’ve done it, I’ll keep my word and follow you in battle,” the sword soul replied.
The Xuanyan Stone was a test from the sword soul. By succeeding, Lin Yun had earned its approval.
“Good. Then I’ll refine you now!”
Lin Yun began establishing a connection with the sword, and the sword soul offered no resistance, allowing the bond to form.
Moments later, “Done!” Lin Yun grinned, sensing the source-grade sword.
Source-grade swords couldn’t be directly crafted. They had to be nurtured from Heavenly Dao-grade swords, upgraded with resources over time. This sword must have been painstakingly enhanced by some great expert. Whether it was the Human Emperor, Lin Yun didn’t know.
But one thing was certain: if the Human Emperor, who only took Lin Yun as a nominal disciple, had given him a source-grade sword, he surely possessed even greater weapons.
Perhaps only by passing the Human Emperor’s final test and becoming a true disciple could Lin Yun obtain them.
Whoosh!
The source-grade sword transformed into a human form.
Lin Yun had to admit, source-grade swords were far superior. Heavenly Dao-grade swords lacked even self-awareness, let alone the ability to take human form.
“Master,” the sword, now human-shaped, bowed to Lin Yun.
No matter its prior reluctance or pride, once refined, it was fully loyal to him.
“What’s your name?” Lin Yun asked.
“I am the Purple Star Sword. You may call me Purple Star,” the sword replied.
“Good. Follow me in battle, and I won’t let you down. Here, take the Xuanyan Stone.”
Lin Yun tossed the Xuanyan Stone to the Purple Star Sword.
He couldn’t deny it stung—thirty thousand Haoyue Crystals for this stone.
But it was worth it. Nurturing a source-grade sword himself would have cost far more time, effort, and resources.
“Thank you, Master,” Purple Star said, smiling as it swallowed the Xuanyan Stone.
“Now, let’s test your power,” Lin Yun said.
Purple Star transformed back into a sword.
Lin Yun grabbed it, soaring into the sky, ascending rapidly.
At ten thousand metres, “Boom!”
Lin Yun channelled his inner energy, swinging the Purple Star Sword fiercely.
Slash!
A streak of light tore across the sky, causing a violent ripple, shattering the surrounding space with explosive cracks.
“Haha, the power’s incredible!” Lin Yun laughed heartily.
Using it himself, he could clearly feel the vast difference between the Purple Star Sword and a Heavenly Dao-grade weapon.
Satisfied, Lin Yun stowed the sword and headed to the Kunyuan Empire’s teleportation array.
…
Huoyun Empire, Divine Capital.
Upon returning, Lin Yun entered the city, planning to retreat for closed-door cultivation.
There was still time before his trip to the Dragon Clan, and with the Mind Clarity Tower, he could extend his training period.
Having refined the source-grade sword, Lin Yun intended to cultivate intensively before heading to the Dragon Clan’s Hidden Dragon Abyss. The stronger he was, the better his chances there.
