“50,000 Haoyue crystals, an origin-level weapon, or an origin-level secret manual, choose one. Additionally, as a probationary guard, you will receive 2,000 Haoyue crystals every century as a base stipend,” the black mist figure said.
“Probationary guards get so many Haoyue crystals?” Lin Yun exclaimed.
Lin Yun knew well that obtaining even a few Haoyue crystals from the Sky God Palace was extremely difficult.
And this was just for a probationary guard of the Skyfire Temple, with the option to choose an origin-level weapon or secret manual. In this world, such items were among the rarest treasures.
The black mist figure had also mentioned earlier that only by passing the intermediate test to become a Skyfire Guard would one truly be considered a member of the Skyfire Temple.
Of course, this was tied to their extremely high selection standards. After all, many Dominion realm experts failed even the preliminary test.
The Skyfire Temple, based in the ancestral land, sought quality over quantity when selecting talent here.
“Haoyue crystals are not produced in your continent, making them priceless. In the ancestral land, though still valuable, they can be mined, so their worth is not comparable,” the black mist figure explained.
“Could it be that the Haoyue crystals in the Sky God Palace come from Palace Master Mo, Elder Rong Zhen, and the others, obtained from here and distributed to the palace?” Lin Yun murmured.
Lin Yun guessed this must be the case.
No wonder the quantities distributed were so scarce. For ordinary immortals, acquiring even a hundred Haoyue crystals from the Sky God Palace was no easy feat.
Since Palace Master Mo and the others had limited access to these crystals, they had to ration them carefully.
“Young man, have you decided what to choose?” the black mist figure asked, looking at Lin Yun.
“I’ll take the 50,000 Haoyue crystals,” Lin Yun decided.
An origin-level weapon or secret manual was valuable, but for Lin Yun now, they were useless.
Moreover, 50,000 Haoyue crystals was no small sum. Refining Qiankun crystals with his Qiankun Supreme Cauldron would require vast amounts of precious resources.
“Here are the 50,000 Haoyue crystals and the probationary guard armour.”
The black mist figure presented the crystals and handed the black armour to Lin Yun.
Lin Yun accepted them, feeling delighted. Free resources were not to be refused.
“What’s your name? Though you’re only a probationary guard, you’re now part of the Skyfire Temple,” the black mist figure asked.
“I’m Lin Yun,” Lin Yun replied.
The black mist figure produced a fiery red token, inscribed “Lin Yun” on it with a wave, and handed it to him.
“Senior, can we start the intermediate test now?” Lin Yun asked eagerly.
Passing the intermediate test would make him a Skyfire Guard, and Lin Yun was curious about the rewards.
“You want to start the intermediate test now?” the black mist figure asked, surprised.
“Of course, Captain. Is there a problem?” Lin Yun asked with an innocent expression.
“The intermediate test is significantly harder than the preliminary one,” the black mist figure warned.
“No matter. I have to try,” Lin Yun said, flashing a grin with his white teeth.
“Very well,” the black mist figure nodded.
He continued, “Also, no need to call me senior. As a probationary guard of the Skyfire Temple, where ranks are strict, I am a Skyfire Leader. You may address me as Lord or Captain.”
Perhaps because Lin Yun was now a probationary guard and part of the Skyfire Temple, the black mist figure’s attitude toward him was noticeably warmer than before.
“Understood, Captain,” Lin Yun replied.
“Number Three, Number Four, you two are up for this round,” the black mist figure ordered.
“Yes, sir!” the two silver-armoured stone statues responded.
The remaining two statues and the black mist figure stepped back, leaving ample space for the fight.
“Young man, this time, in the intermediate test, I won’t hold back,” said the silver-armoured stone statue Lin Yun had previously defeated.
The other statue added, “You’re at the third level of the Myriad Things realm, so for this second test, you only need to face us two. If a Dominion realm cultivator challenged, they would face all four of us. Though your difficulty is reduced, defeating us both as a third-level Myriad Things realm cultivator is still extremely tough.”
“It’s a bit early to draw conclusions,” Lin Yun said with a grin.
“Number Three, let’s go!”
The statue Lin Yun had defeated charged forward, its fist the size of a sandbag smashing toward Lin Yun with tremendous force.
The other silver-armoured statue attacked swiftly as well.
“Bring it on!”
Ultimate Dragon Technique!
Sky Source Sword Art, Tidal Form!
Lin Yun’s sword surged with power, slashing out with a deafening dragon roar.
Boom!
The attack, like a tidal wave, crashed into the statue’s fist, erupting with a explosive sound and terrifying force.
The space within this divine mansion was clearly more stable than outside. The structure was extraordinary, as ordinary buildings would have been destroyed by such shockwaves.
“Definitely stronger than before,” Lin Yun noted, his eyes narrowing as he felt the fist’s power.
At that moment, the second statue’s attack came fiercely.
Lin Yun swept his sword to block.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The intense battle erupted, with clashes sparking dazzling lights.
Lin Yun noticed the two statues coordinated well, likely trained in a joint combat formation.
Their teamwork made them difficult to handle.
Fortunately, it was only two against one. Facing all four would have been far tougher.
No wonder Dominion realm challengers found it so difficult.
The black mist figure and the other two statues watched.
“Captain, for Lin Yun to hold his own against Number Three and Number Four at the third level of the Myriad Things realm is impressive,” one statue remarked.
“His strength far exceeds that of this continent’s third-level Myriad Things realm. But to pass the intermediate test, he must win. That seems unlikely. His current strength is already remarkable; he can’t possibly unleash more,” the black mist figure said, watching the battlefield.
Just as he spoke, Lin Yun erupted in the arena.
“Dragon Claw!”
Lin Yun’s arm became covered in dragon scales, its power surging dramatically.
Clang!
When Lin Yun’s attack swept toward the two statues again, both were forced back.
“Such immense strength!”
The two silver-armoured statues were astonished.
