Temple of Heavenly Fire.
Inside Shu Zhen’s residence.
“We’ve waited this long, why is there still no news?” Shu Zhen frowned.
Logically, if Lie Wuyan had dealt with Lin Yun, he would have sent a letter to confirm the matter was settled.
“Commander Shu, that fellow probably lingered too long in Tao’an City. Lie Wuyan and his group likely needed to wait for the right moment. They’re two Second-Level Transcendent Realm experts against Lin Yun, so Commander Shu can rest assured, there won’t be any issues,” a subordinate said.
“That makes sense,” Shu Zhen nodded.
At that moment, a subordinate hurriedly entered the room.
“Commander Shu, Lin Yun from the Cold Evil Army is at the camp gate, requesting to see you,” the subordinate reported.
“What!?”
Upon hearing this, Shu Zhen shot to his feet, his voice sharp with shock.
Lin Yun had returned? And was at the gate to see him? The news struck him like a bolt of lightning, jolting his heart.
“The visitor, is it truly Lin Yun from the Cold Evil Army? Did you see him with your own eyes?” Shu Zhen questioned the subordinate.
“Commander Shu, it’s definitely him. I was at the Heavenly Fire Trial last time and saw him in person, so I recognise him,” the subordinate confirmed.
“How could this be? How could this be!?” Shu Zhen’s face turned ashen.
How was Lin Yun still alive? Wasn’t he supposed to have died on the way back?
This was something Shu Zhen hadn’t even dreamed of!
“Commander Shu, he wants to see you. Shall I let him in?” the subordinate asked.
After a moment’s thought, Shu Zhen waved his hand decisively. “Bring him in. I want to see what he intends by coming to meet me!”
“Yes, sir.”
The subordinate left the hall after responding.
Shu Zhen turned to the subordinate who had delivered the message earlier. “Are you certain you delivered the letter? Did Lie Wuyan truly agree to ambush Lin Yun?”
Lin Yun’s return baffled Shu Zhen. Could the ambush have failed?
Impossible!
Or perhaps Lie Wuyan didn’t go through with it?
“Commander Shu, Lie Wuyan and his Transcendent Realm friend were practically gleaming with greed when they heard Lin Yun had a True Sacred Artifact. They definitely went for it. As for why Lin Yun is back, I… I don’t know,” the trusted subordinate said, looking innocent.
“Since he’s back and seeking me out, let’s see what’s going on,” Shu Zhen said, sitting back down.
Moments later, Lin Yun was brought into the room.
“Lin Yun, you killed my brother and still dare to face me? What do you want?” Shu Zhen glanced at him, speaking coldly.
“Commander Shu, I’m here because you sent someone to ambush me,” Lin Yun said calmly.
Bang!
“Ambush? Lin Yun, don’t sling baseless accusations and slander me!” Shu Zhen slammed the table, standing with eyes wide in anger.
At that moment, Shu Zhen’s heart was reeling with shock.
Lin Yun had mentioned the ambush, which meant Lie Wuyan and Wu Gu had indeed tried to intercept him.
If so, why wasn’t Lin Yun dead?
Had the ambush failed? Could Lie Wuyan and Wu Gu together not kill Lin Yun?
“Commander Shu, your strong reaction only proves your guilt, doesn’t it?” Lin Yun sneered.
“Hmph, you killed my brother and now come to provoke me. How could I not react?” Shu Zhen retorted coldly.
Lin Yun sat down on a nearby chair. “It’s normal for you to deny it, but Lie Wuyan has already confessed that you told them I had a True Sacred Artifact and sent them to ambush me.”
Upon hearing this, Shu Zhen’s eyes twitched, and he froze.
His heart surged with waves of shock. Lin Yun had named Lie Wuyan outright, which spoke for itself.
What shocked Shu Zhen even more was how Lie Wuyan could have betrayed him.
Lin Yun, sitting at the table, toyed with a teacup. “Shu Zhen, if I report this to the Temple of Heavenly Fire, you know you’ll pay a price for it!”
“Lin Yun, stop spouting nonsense. You claim I sent someone to ambush you? Show me solid evidence! Without proof, it’s all empty talk!” Shu Zhen’s tone was sharp.
“I’ve already killed both Lie Wuyan and Wu Gu, so they can’t serve as witnesses. But no matter, I have no intention of reporting this to the Temple. I’m just here to warn you,” Lin Yun said, looking at Shu Zhen.
Lin Yun knew that without solid evidence, reporting to the Temple would be futile.
His words hit Shu Zhen like another thunderbolt, draining the colour from his face.
What? Lin Yun had killed both Lie Wuyan and Wu Gu?
They were both Second-Level Transcendent Realm experts!
To Shu Zhen, even if Lin Yun was skilled, if Lie Wuyan and Wu Gu couldn’t win, they should at least have been able to retreat safely.
Killing Lie Wuyan would require strength far surpassing both of them!
Lin Yun stood up. “Shu Zhen, I killed your brother, you tried to have me killed once, so let’s call it even. But let me make this clear: if you come after me again, the next one to die might be you.”
With that, Lin Yun walked out.
After Lin Yun left, the trusted subordinate couldn’t help but exclaim, “Commander Shu, this… this… how could this happen?”
“Go! Head to Blazing Sun Villa at once and check if Lie Wuyan is still alive!” Shu Zhen growled through gritted teeth.
He couldn’t believe Lin Yun could have killed both Lie Wuyan and Wu Gu.
“Yes, yes, I’ll go right now,” the subordinate replied, quickly leaving.
…
Elsewhere.
After leaving Shu Zhen’s camp, Lin Yun went straight to find Elder Li.
Inside Elder Li’s courtyard.
“Greetings, Elder Li. I have gathered the Haoyue Crystals,” Lin Yun said, saluting.
“Oh? You actually managed to collect a billion?” Elder Li looked at Lin Yun in astonishment.
Elder Li had offered no help with the fundraising, expecting Lin Yun to give up when faced with the difficulty.
After all, a billion was no small sum. He thought Lin Yun might take a long time to gather it and eventually abandon the effort.
“Yes, Elder Li. I have placed the billion Haoyue Crystals in this storage ring. Please arrange it for me,” Lin Yun said, handing over the ring.
“Lin Yun, have you really thought this through? A billion Haoyue Crystals is no small amount, even for me. Is it worth such a cost just for a trip back?” Elder Li asked.
