“Time flies so fast. It’s been nearly five hundred years since we last met,” Lin Yun said with a sigh.
Immersed in cultivation daily, the past four hundred years felt like a fleeting moment to Lin Yun. He barely noticed how swiftly time had passed.
“You rascal, you must have some business this time, right?” Little Green Dragon looked at Lin Yun with a grin.
“Well, yes. We’ve decided to attack the Demon Beast Mountain Range in one year,” Lin Yun said.
He continued, “You know, attacking the Demon Beast Mountain Range isn’t easy. So, the human race hopes the Dragon Clan can send reinforcements.”
“Attack the Demon Beast Mountain Range?”
Little Green Dragon was startled. “Rascal, that’s no joking matter. Even if we get in, we can’t handle the Demon Lord.”
“Don’t worry. This time, we’re attacking because we have a way to deal with the Demon Lord,” Lin Yun said.
“Oh? What way?” Little Green Dragon looked puzzled.
He knew how strong the Demon Lord was. Killing him was no small feat.
Lin Yun explained that he had passed the ultimate test of the Heavenly Fire Temple and that they had agreed to lend him a True Sacred Artifact.
Of course, he didn’t mention that he had agreed to become a Deathsworn in exchange.
After Lin Yun finished explaining, Little Green Dragon exclaimed, “So that’s how it is. Haha, that’s fantastic!” He was thrilled to hear about the True Sacred Artifact.
“Little Green Dragon, attacking the Demon Beast Mountain Range is no small matter. The human race hopes for the Dragon Clan’s assistance. However, since the Dragon Clan excels in water combat, fighting in the mountains may hinder their strength. I’m not sure if the other three Dragon Palaces would be willing to join,” Lin Yun said.
In the last war, after repelling the Demon Clan, the Dragon Kings of the three Dragon Palaces had actively requested not to pursue into the mountains, unwilling to do so.
Lin Yun remembered this clearly.
“Don’t worry. Things are different now. Back then, I had just taken control of the Dragon Clan. But now, nearly a thousand years have passed. I’ve led the Dragon Clan to conquer all directions in the Endless Sea, reclaiming our former territories. My prestige in the Dragon Clan is at its peak, and my control is solid,” Little Green Dragon said.
With a sly smile, he continued, “Besides, if I promise them some Qiankun Crystal Stones as battle rewards, they’ll be even more willing. They’re quite fond of those stones now.”
“Good. With your word, I’m reassured,” Lin Yun said.
“Rascal, I’ll need to trouble you again. I have a batch of resources that I’d like you to refine into Qiankun Crystal Stones,” Little Green Dragon said with a grin.
Through years of conquest, he had amassed plenty of resources.
Though he had reached the maximum level and no longer needed Qiankun Crystal Stones, the Dragon Clan did.
They were now a highly coveted resource.
“No problem at all,” Lin Yun agreed with a smile.
For the next half month, Lin Yun stayed with the Dragon Clan, refining Qiankun Crystal Stones for Little Green Dragon.
After completing the refinement, Lin Yun and Little Green Dragon agreed to use a communication jade slip as a signal.
Once Lin Yun crushed the jade slip, Little Green Dragon would immediately lead the Dragon Clan reinforcements to the mainland.
…
After returning from the Dragon Clan, Lin Yun went back to his home in the divine capital of the Xingwu Empire.
Having been in secluded cultivation at the Divine Mansion for nearly five hundred years, his return brought joy to his family.
Lin Yun sat with Yu Ying and Yun Shang.
Holding Yun Shang’s hand, with Palace Master Yu Ying leaning on his shoulder, Lin Yun felt at ease.
“Brother Yun, you’re always gone for so long. The children miss you dearly,” Yu Ying said, pouting.
“I think it’s you two who miss me,” Lin Yun teased with a grin, looking at them.
Yu Ying’s face flushed slightly.
“Self-absorbed, aren’t you?” Yun Shang gave him a playful glare, but her lips curved into a smile, clearly happy about his return.
“Time passes too quickly. From the time I left Earth until now, a thousand years have gone by. The world has changed so much, and Earth has seen more than a dozen generations pass,” Yun Shang said.
“Yes. My classmates from my school days have likely been gone for a thousand years. Their bones probably don’t even remain,” Lin Yun said with a sigh.
He had to admit, time was relentless.
Yet birth, aging, sickness, and death were part of human nature.
“Your friend, the chubby one, is still around. You can still catch up with him and reminisce about old times,” Yun Shang said.
With Lin Yun’s resources, Fatty and others had reached the Tribulation Realm.
But Lin Yun could only help them up to that point; beyond it, he was powerless.
“This time, being away for over four hundred years was unavoidable. Some burdens I must bear,” Lin Yun said, lowering his head with a helpless sigh.
Who wouldn’t want a cozy life with their spouse and children?
But Lin Yun carried responsibilities. If even he slacked off, who in the human race could take on the task of confronting the Demon Lord?
“Lin Yun, we understand you,” Yun Shang said, gently squeezing his hand.
After a pause, her voice softened. “It’s just… seeing you push yourself so hard, so exhausted, it pains us.”
Yu Ying’s eyes also held a trace of heartache. “Brother Yun, hasn’t the Demon Clan already been defeated? With their Heavenly Demons suffering heavy losses, we shouldn’t need to worry anymore, right?”
“It’s not that simple. Some things are known only to a small group at the top of the human race,” Lin Yun said with a sigh.
He continued, “In truth, the Demon Clan still poses a great threat. The Demon Lord is constantly cultivating and improving. If he succeeds, the entire human race could face extinction!”
“What?” Yu Ying was shocked, clearly not expecting this.
Yun Shang looked equally stunned.
“That’s why I have to keep striving. But my efforts have paid off. Soon, we’ll resolve this trouble, and then we can truly have peace,” Lin Yun said, smiling.
“Lin Yun, are you the one handling it? Will it be dangerous?” Yu Ying asked, visibly worried.
Though Yun Shang said nothing, her concern was evident.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine,” Lin Yun said, giving them both a reassuring smile.
He continued, “Once this issue is fully resolved, I’ll retire from the fight and come back to spend time with you both properly.”
