“Yi’er, quickly pay your respects to the seniors,” Lin Yun instructed.
“I am Lin Yi, greetings to all the seniors,” Lin Yi hurriedly bowed.
“This… this, am I dreaming?” Emperor Huoyun was still in immense shock, somewhat unable to believe it.
“Master, this is no dream, your disciple has successfully rescued his son,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“Haha, great! Great! Great!”
Emperor Huoyun immediately burst into hearty laughter, repeatedly exclaiming his approval.
“You rascal, though I don’t know how you did it, I must say I’m impressed, to infiltrate the demon clan alone, rescue your son, and even slay a heavenly demon on the side, that’s simply extraordinary! Truly extraordinary! Haha!” Emperor Huoyun was visibly thrilled.
He had felt this mission was a near-certain death, so how could he not be overjoyed seeing Lin Yun return alive?
The master of Xiaoyao Tower also said with a smile, “Lin Yun, though we don’t know how you pulled it off, you’ve absolutely created a miracle!”
“Indeed!”
“Exactly, this Lin Yun is a real freak!”
The gathered bigwigs all chimed in with smiles.
Lin Yun not only returned alive but also saved his son and killed a heavenly demon, who wouldn’t be impressed? Who wouldn’t secretly think he’s incredible?
Even the bigwigs present, including Vice Palace Master Yao, wouldn’t dare claim they could venture alone into the Demon Beast Mountain Range, infiltrate the demon clan’s stronghold, and come back alive.
They wouldn’t dare, they couldn’t do it, but Lin Yun did!
This made everyone see Lin Yun in a new light, genuinely admiring him from the bottom of their hearts.
Only Emperor Xingwu’s face looked particularly grim.
After all, he had confidently declared Lin Yun was doomed, and now he was inwardly questioning, how could this be?
But the truth was undeniable, forcing him to believe.
“Lin Yun, if you don’t mind, could you share how you managed to rescue your son?” Vice Palace Master Yao asked, brimming with curiosity.
“Yes, Lin Yun, do tell,” the other bigwigs echoed, as curious as children.
The feat was so unbelievable, they were desperate to know how Lin Yun did it.
“With one technique!”
After speaking, Lin Yun split into three, creating two clones.
Even the bigwigs present couldn’t distinguish which of the three Lin Yuns was the real one and which were clones!
Their auras were identical.
Though Lin Yun’s clones were less powerful than the original, they could perfectly mimic all his aura, even the trace of dragon clan aura within him, replicated flawlessly.
“Clones! I see, I heard from those who returned from the ruins that you had cloning abilities!” the master of Taixu Tavern said.
“Such a technique, brilliant!” Many marvelled at it.
“By the way, Xingwu, should we start calling you Wuxing now?” Xiaoyao Tower teased, looking at Emperor Xingwu.
“Haha!”
The room erupted in laughter.
“You…”
“I’ll take my leave!”
Emperor Xingwu, both angry and humiliated, stood abruptly and stormed out.
“Well, Xingwu’s left in a huff again,” the master of Xiaoyao Tower chuckled.
…
Meanwhile.
Demon Beast Mountain Range.
Yao Commander’s Mansion.
The demon commander was in high spirits, after all, killing Lin Yun today had resolved a long-standing grudge.
At that moment, a demon beast rushed into the hall in a panic.
“Commander, bad news! Word from the border, Heavenly Demon Dijiang has been slain, the killer is Lin Yun!” the beast reported urgently.
“What? Lin Yun? Nonsense! I killed Lin Yun myself earlier, his body obliterated by my own hand, how could he still be alive!” the commander roared in anger.
After Heavenly Demon Dijiang left the hall with Lin Yun’s son, the commander had waved his hand, reducing Lin Yun’s body to ashes, nothingness.
“Commander, this… this is absolutely true, he also killed many of our demon clan warriors at the border, then openly declared that… that…” the beast stammered.
“What did he say?” the commander pressed.
“He said, if the demon clan wants to assassinate him again, go ahead and try! But they should think carefully, as they might only be targeting his clone. His words were heard clearly by demon clan warriors across thousands of miles at the border,” the beast reported.
“Clone?” The commander froze.
So, what he had destroyed was merely Lin Yun’s clone?
It dawned on him!
He had been fooled by Lin Yun’s clone.
“That scoundrel!!!”
In an instant, towering rage surged within the commander!
A mighty demon commander, tricked by a human? This was an utter disgrace!
Such a perfect opportunity, yet he failed to kill Lin Yun and lost another heavenly demon.
This time, Lin Yun had truly infuriated him.
But this cloning ability was unheard of, leaving him unprepared and easily deceived by Lin Yun’s clone.
“Lin Yun, one day, I’ll tear you to pieces! Tear you to pieces!” the commander roared in fury.
What troubled him more was how to explain this to the demon lord!
…
After returning from the Heavenly God Palace, Emperor Huoyun handed the Supreme Qiankun Cauldron back to Lin Yun.
Lin Yun’s friends and daughter, learning of his safe return, were overjoyed, some even tearful, having feared he wouldn’t come back.
In the following days, Lin Yun devoted himself to studying formations, as mastering them was crucial to obtaining the Human Emperor’s inheritance.
Training in the One Thought Clarity Tower stretched time fivefold.
Time passed, and with only half a month until the Dragon Clan’s Qianlong Abyss opened, Lin Yun emerged from seclusion.
During this time, he learned that Gong Yi of Xiaoyao Tower was still trapped in the Human Emperor’s ruins’ trial, and Emperor Huoyun’s other disciple, Wang Shaoqing, had attempted to cross the tribulation.
Sadly, he failed, but as a prodigy, he survived, entering the tribulation realm. Though alive, his future was bleak.
He had kept his tribulation attempt secret from Emperor Huoyun, who only learned of it when it began.
Emperor Huoyun was greatly displeased with Wang Shaoqing’s reckless attempt, believing he wasn’t ready.
Having entered the tribulation realm, Wang Shaoqing was “sent to the cold palace” by Emperor Huoyun, who no longer paid him attention.
