Hearing this, Lin Yun felt a pang in his chest, his heart heavy with grief.
“But Big Brother, their resistance bought time for the evacuation of several cities. Yang Wan and Senior Yan saved countless lives!” Huo Zhen looked at Lin Yun, his gaze resolute.
“Their deaths carry the weight of mountains!” Lin Yun clenched his fists.
For Tribulation Realm cultivators, death was inevitable. Rather than fading away with old age, they chose a glorious end to their lives.
“By the way, Big Brother, Yang Wan left a letter for you.”
Huo Zhen produced a letter and handed it to Lin Yun.
“To Big Brother, from Yang Wan.”
The envelope bore those words.
Lin Yun opened it.
“Big Brother, when you read this, I, Yang Wan, may no longer be in this world. My life has been rough, orphaned young, humiliated, without true family or friends. To change my fate, I did many wrongs, even worked for the demons to gain their benefits and grow stronger.
Since following you, Big Brother, you never looked down on me. You treated me like a true brother, sharing resources generously without expecting anything in return. No one has ever treated me as well as you have. I, Yang Wan, have no regrets. Tomorrow, I’ll join Old Man Yan to do the most meaningful thing in my life, to atone for my past sins. It’s worth it! I can’t say goodbye in person, so I leave this letter. You promised to drink with us after the war, haha. If there’s a next life, I’ll keep that promise.
Yours, Yang Wan.”
As Lin Yun finished reading, a tear fell onto the letter, his hands trembling as he held it.
“I’m sorry… I couldn’t see you off!” Lin Yun’s voice choked.
“Big Brother, war is cruel. Countless lives are lost. Besides Yang Wan and Senior Yan, many others fell in battle, all because of those damned demons!” Huo Zhen clenched his fists, fury rising.
“The demons are hateful, but they’re just pawns. There’s something even more despicable behind this!” Lin Yun’s eyes burned red.
He meant the Heavenly Dao’s rules.
Everything was orchestrated by the Heavenly Dao, manipulating all like puppets.
If possible, Lin Yun wanted to shatter those rules with one sword.
But the Heavenly Dao was intangible, untouchable. Even if he wanted to resist, he had no way to start.
“Something more despicable?” Huo Zhen was puzzled, unaware of such things.
“By the way, Huo Zhen, did Senior Yan leave any letter?” Lin Yun asked.
“No. Senior Yan said he had nothing left to say. He wasn’t going to die but to do the most meaningful thing in his final years,” Huo Zhen replied.
Lin Yun fell silent, then tucked Yang Wan’s letter away.
If one day he could change the rules, he’d bring Yang Wan back to fulfill that promise, and Senior Yan too.
“Come on, Huo Zhen, let’s go to my place.”
Lin Yun led Huo Zhen to his residence in Tian City.
On the way, they discussed the current war situation. Huo Zhen shared much, saying things were relatively stable now.
In the first few months of the demon war, the demons advanced quickly. But over the past four years, their progress had slowed significantly.
The Fire Cloud Empire had lost only Dongyuan Prefecture, and Wuyang Prefecture, near it, was now the main battlefield.
…
Back at his Tian City home.
“I’m back!” Lin Yun called out.
Moments later, his daughter, Lin Kexin, rushed out.
“Dad, you’re finally back!” She beamed with joy.
Lin Yun had been gone for over five years without contact, and with the war raging, they were naturally worried.
“Kexin, you haven’t been slacking, have you?” Lin Yun smiled.
“Of course not. With the resources and the Coffin of Mystery you left, my cultivation has been steadily improving,” Lin Kexin said, smiling brightly.
Soon, Yu Ying, Yun Shang, Lone Wolf, White Shark, and Wei Qi came out of the house.
“Big Brother, White Shark attempted his tribulation earlier,” Huo Zhen whispered to Lin Yun.
“What?” Lin Yun was shocked.
Since Huo Zhen said this, White Shark must have failed. Only Huo Zhen had become an immortal in the Fire Cloud Empire in recent years. If White Shark had succeeded, the news would’ve been of two immortals.
Lin Yun turned to White Shark. “You attempted your tribulation?”
“Yeah, Yun Bro. I failed, but I was lucky to enter the Tribulation Realm and survive,” White Shark grinned.
“You’re still smiling? You should’ve discussed it with me first,” Lin Yun said seriously.
Though he knew few of his friends could achieve immortality, he wanted to help however he could.
“Big Brother, tribulation depends mostly on oneself. Discussing it wouldn’t have helped much. I reported to the Fire Cloud Emperor beforehand. Knowing my connection to you, he took care of me, preparing me well. Thanks to him, I survived the failure,” White Shark said, still smiling.
Lin Yun knew White Shark had a special physique and great talent, but even geniuses often failed tribulations.
Even the empire’s royals, with abundant resources, rarely succeeded.
With the continent’s vast population, many had better talent or physiques than White Shark, yet successful immortals were rare.
“Fine.” Lin Yun sighed.
White Shark was right. If help guaranteed immortality, immortals would be common.
Lin Yun could aid them in earlier realms, but for the tribulation to immortality, his help was limited, and success was unlikely.
