“Master, how can I accept this? I’ll take the thousand Haoyue Crystals that Emperor Xingwu lost, but the other thousand are yours, I cannot take them, Haoyue Crystals are precious,” Lin Yun quickly waved his hand.
“If not for you, I’d have lost those thousand Haoyue Crystals to Emperor Xingwu, you won them back for me, so they’re rightfully yours, seeing Emperor Xingwu take a hit today satisfies me,” Emperor Huoyun said with a smile.
“Very well, thank you, Master,” Lin Yun bowed respectfully.
Although Lin Yun possessed the Supreme Qiankun Cauldron, capable of refining Qiankun Crystals, producing two thousand still required considerable high-quality resources.
While the Supreme Qiankun Cauldron could theoretically refine anything, low-quality materials, though processable, rarely yielded Qiankun Crystals, making their production no easy task.
The remaining immortals, yet to leave, looked on with envy, obtaining even a few Haoyue Crystals was immensely difficult for them!
Lin Yun had now acquired a full two thousand from Emperor Xingwu and Emperor Huoyun, but everyone understood he had earned them through his own strength.
The master of Xiaoyao Tower, seated nearby, couldn’t help but speak, “Lin Yun, your performance today has truly reshaped my view of you, you’re remarkable.”
Though the master had known Lin Yun as a prodigy who overcame the soul-severing poison and survived the Supreme Golden Thunder Tribulation, today’s display had redefined his perception of Lin Yun.
Even he couldn’t help but marvel, this was what a true prodigy looked like!
“You’re too kind, Master,” Lin Yun replied with a polite smile.
All of Lin Yun’s brilliance today was earned through his past efforts, sweat, and suffering.
Others saw his dazzling success, but how many understood the immense pain he had endured?
“Haha, this isn’t flattery, it’s fact, you’re truly astonishing, I have a feeling your future achievements and strength will at least reach the level of your master and me,” the master of Xiaoyao Tower said with a laugh.
He then stood, “I must be off, Lin Yun, if you ever need help from Xiaoyao Tower, contact me directly through your communication bracelet, we’ll assist however we can.”
“Master, are you trying to poach my prized disciple?” Emperor Huoyun teased.
“Haha, I’d love to, but I know I can’t, I just see potential in him and wish to build a good relationship,” the master of Xiaoyao Tower replied with a smile.
“Getting you to take the initiative to befriend someone is no small feat,” Emperor Huoyun chuckled.
“Alright, I’ll take my leave,” the master of Xiaoyao Tower said, turning to depart.
Emperor Huoyun turned back to Lin Yun.
“My disciple, can you tell me when your swordsmanship reached such heights? You’ve studied the Shadow Sword Technique for mere decades, yet mastered the ninth form, a speed that even I, its creator, find unbelievable,” Emperor Huoyun asked.
Even he was curious and puzzled.
“Master, it was during the twenty years with the soul-severing poison,” Lin Yun explained.
When Lin Yun was afflicted, Emperor Huoyun had heard he practised swordsmanship at home to pass the time, assuming it was merely a distraction for a broken man, without much thought.
“Your swordsmanship advanced so silently over those twenty years, truly unexpected,” Emperor Huoyun sighed.
“Lin Yun, your mastery in swordsmanship and other areas leaves me in awe,” Bing Yi added, unable to hold back.
Though Bing Yi was no slouch in most areas, except body refinement, he paled in comparison to Lin Yun.
Emperor Huoyun stood, “Since the battle is over, let’s go.”
The three then left Mingyue Terrace.
…
Though the challenge at Mingyue Terrace had concluded, the buzz in the communication bracelets showed no signs of fading.
Elsewhere.
In the Heavenly God Palace’s main hall.
Vice Palace Master Yao, through his communication bracelet, learned of Lin Yun’s victory over Cao Jun.
“It seems I’ve underestimated Lin Yun,” Vice Palace Master Yao remarked, shocked.
Previously, he valued Lin Yun for his connection to the Dragon Clan.
But from this moment, he realised Lin Yun’s own exceptional qualities were extraordinary!
This battle not only stunned Vice Palace Master Yao but shocked all immortals in the Heavenly God Palace.
…
After leaving Mingyue Terrace, Lin Yun visited the Heavenly God List, noting his rank had risen to 99th!
“My disciple, since the founding of the Heavenly God Palace, you’re the first first-level eternal to enter the top hundred,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“Is that so,” Lin Yun smiled faintly.
He hadn’t expected to inadvertently set a record.
Initially, Lin Yun had only come to watch Cao Jun and Bing Yi’s challenge, never anticipating this outcome.
“My disciple, train diligently next, aim to reach the second level of eternity before the initiation trial, and seize the chance to earn more Haoyue Crystals, so you won’t lack them when advancing to the third level, it’s a rare opportunity,” Emperor Huoyun advised.
“I understand,” Lin Yun replied.
“Go on, return to your training, I’ll speak with Vice Palace Master Yao,” Emperor Huoyun waved.
“I take my leave.”
Lin Yun soared into the air, heading to his residence in Tiancheng.
Back at his residence, Lin Yun received numerous congratulations from immortals for reaching 99th on the Heavenly God List!
This time, more immortals congratulated him than when he joined the Heavenly God Palace.
Among them were top figures: Song Lin, ranked fourth, the master of Taixu Tavern, ranked ninth, Empress Kunyuan, ranked tenth, and the master of Taigu Sect, ranked twelfth.
Receiving congratulations from such ‘big shots’ was no small matter, normally, even a successful challenge to the 99th rank wouldn’t prompt personal messages from them.
Lin Yun’s victory over a third-level eternal like Cao Jun as a newly ascended eternal, combined with his brief cultivation time, had drawn their attention.
