After entering the vortex, Lin Yun felt himself being propelled forward at an astonishing speed, a velocity so incredible that it left him astounded.
After an unknown amount of time, Lin Yun suddenly sensed a binding force wrapping around him, followed by a repelling sensation that pushed him outward.
“Captain Lin Yun, we have just completely left your continent,” the black mist figure said.
“So, we’re close to the ancestral land now?” Lin Yun asked, looking at the black mist figure.
“It’ll take a little longer, but we’re almost there. Once you reach the ancestral land, you will truly possess endless lifespan, true immortality. Isn’t that exciting? It’s what countless cultivators dream of,” the black mist figure said with a smile.
Lin Yun, however, gave a wry smile and shook his head. “Endless lifespan is only theoretical. If you’re killed, you still die.”
“If you’re afraid of being killed accidentally, you could find a remote place, settle in a quiet corner, and become a small-time local lord, avoiding conflict and worldly affairs to achieve true immortality. Some immortals choose this path. Of course, if you become a death servant of the Heavenly Fire Temple, that won’t be possible,” the black mist figure said.
“What I look forward to isn’t immortality. I crave the challenges of the ancestral land! Hiding away in a corner isn’t my pursuit!” Lin Yun gazed into the distance, his eyes resolute.
“Captain Lin Yun, you have great ambitions. If you rise to prominence in the future, don’t forget to give your brother a hand,” the black mist figure said with a grin.
Lin Yun looked at the black mist figure and flashed a smile.
“Don’t worry, Old Black. You’ve done me a favour. If I achieve something great, I won’t forget you.”
On the journey, Lin Yun chatted further with the black mist figure.
Through him, Lin Yun learned some details about the ancestral land.
The cultivation continent Lin Yun came from, known as the True Martial Continent, consisted of three thousand smaller worlds plus the main True Martial Continent, collectively called a star realm.
There were countless such star realms.
The ancestral land, however, existed independently of all star realms, serving as the source of all realms, the starting point from which all realms extended.
The cultivation continent was extremely far from the ancestral land, and reaching it required breaking through the constraints of heavenly laws, so activating the reception array consumed a significant amount of resources.
…
After a long time, the scene before Lin Yun’s eyes shifted.
He knew he had arrived at the ancestral land.
Looking around, he and the black mist figure stood on a massive circular platform.
“Haha, I’m finally back!” the black mist figure laughed heartily.
“Phew… It’s very different here.”
Lin Yun took a deep breath, feeling that the air here was entirely unlike that of the cultivation continent.
The air carried a unique aura, and inhaling it left him refreshed and invigorated.
The space here also seemed much more stable than on the cultivation continent!
“Of course it’s different. The air in the ancestral land contains Hao qi, which greatly benefits cultivation when absorbed. Because of this Hao qi, cultivators here progress much faster and more efficiently than those on your continent. This Hao qi is unique to the ancestral land,” the black mist figure explained with a smile, visibly excited.
“Captain, Lieutenant, please come down,” a Heavenly Fire Guard below the platform gestured invitingly.
Lin Yun and the black mist figure jumped off the massive platform.
“Lieutenant, please put on your armour. I’ll take you to meet the elder,” the Heavenly Fire Guard said, making another inviting gesture.
“Alright, thank you,” Lin Yun replied with a slight smile, taking out the red armour of a Heavenly Fire Lieutenant.
“Captain Lin Yun, remember my advice. In the Heavenly Fire Temple, strictly follow its rules,” Old Black cautioned.
“Got it,” Lin Yun said, clasping his fists in farewell to Old Black.
After parting with Old Black, Lin Yun followed the Heavenly Fire Guard.
He walked with the guard until they reached a black palace.
“Lieutenant, Elder Shang, who oversees the reception, is inside the hall. You may enter,” the Heavenly Fire Guard said.
“Thank you,” Lin Yun replied, then headed straight toward the palace.
Inside the grand hall, an elder in a light blue robe stood in the centre.
“Greetings, Elder Shang,” Lin Yun said, bowing respectfully as he entered.
The elder turned slowly to face Lin Yun upon hearing his voice.
This was the same elder whose projection had appeared on the cultivation continent to negotiate with Lin Yun, the one who had promised to lend him a true saint artefact.
So, Lin Yun wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with him.
The difference was that Lin Yun had previously seen only a projection, while this time, it was the elder’s real self.
“Since you’re here, return the true saint artefact,” Elder Shang said, his gaze fixed on Lin Yun.
“Of course,” Lin Yun replied, promptly producing the true saint artefact and handing it over with both hands.
“Lin Yun, you’ve used the true saint artefact. Now, follow me to form the death servant contract,” Elder Shang said, taking the artefact.
Lin Yun paused briefly, then nodded. “Yes.”
Lin Yun understood what forming the death servant contract entailed.
But this was something he had agreed to, and backing out was not an option. The Heavenly Fire Temple would never let a prize slip away.
“Forming the death servant contract isn’t entirely bad for you. Death servants are fully loyal to the Heavenly Fire Temple, so the temple is willing to invest more resources in them,” Elder Shang explained.
“I understand,” Lin Yun replied.
For Lin Yun, coming to the ancestral land was about finding a way to resurrect someone, confronting the heavenly laws, and changing the rule that the cultivation continent would be destroyed at the end of its era.
All of this required Lin Yun to possess immense strength.
So, faced with the unavoidable reality of becoming a death servant of the Heavenly Fire Temple, gaining access to more resources and greater cultivation opportunities through this role wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“The Heavenly Fire Guard brought you here because this is where the death servant contract is formed. Go to the statue ahead and drip your blood onto it,” Elder Shang instructed.
Lin Yun, a man who cherished freedom, would have resisted in the past, but now he had no choice.
“Yes,” Lin Yun responded, walking to the statue.
He paused for two seconds before biting his tongue and letting blood drip out.
Drip!
When the blood landed on the statue, it erupted in light, releasing numerous glowing words.
This was the death servant contract.
The words, formed of light, surged directly into Lin Yun’s mind.
“Don’t resist,” Elder Shang reminded from the side.
