Old Black continued, “Beyond the Void Path realm is the Supreme realm. At this level, one can dominate the human race, lead a top-tier faction, and intimidate all directions, earning the title of Supreme.”
“Supreme, that’s far off,” Lin Yun sighed, struck by the unfamiliar and distant realm.
“Lieutenant Lin Yun, if you ask me whether there’s anything higher, that’s beyond my knowledge. As far as I know, there’s nothing above Supreme. I estimate the human race has only a double-digit number of Supreme realm cultivators,” Old Black said.
Lin Yun understood that the ancestral land’s population dwarfed that of the cultivation continent by a massive margin.
With such a vast population, having only a double-digit number of Supreme realm cultivators was an astonishingly low ratio.
Thus, reaching the Supreme realm meant standing at the pinnacle of the ancestral land, among the top of the human race’s pyramid.
“Old Black!”
As Lin Yun and Old Black chatted, a loud voice interrupted.
Lin Yun looked up to see another Heavenly Fire Lieutenant in red armour striding toward them.
The man had a high nose bridge and small, narrow eyes, giving him a sly, rat-like appearance.
“Old Black, it really is you! You’re quite lucky to have made it back to the ancestral land. I never thought I’d see you again in this lifetime,” the small-eyed lieutenant said, approaching Old Black with a familiar air.
“Old Black, is this a friend of yours?” Lin Yun asked, turning to Old Black.
Old Black’s face darkened.
“Shu Chi, are you disappointed I made it back?” Old Black sneered coldly.
“Haha, why would I be disappointed? I’ve already reached the saint realm and become a Heavenly Fire Lieutenant, while you, it seems, haven’t even touched the saint realm. You’re still just a Heavenly Fire Captain. Your future is ruined,” Shu Chi, the lieutenant, scoffed with a mocking laugh.
Old Black’s face grew even grimmer at those words.
Seeing this, Lin Yun immediately understood. Old Black and this man must have bad blood!
“Old Black, I’m a Heavenly Fire Lieutenant now. Dealing with you would be effortless,” Shu Chi said, raising his hand and delivering a heavy pat to Old Black’s shoulder.
Bang!
The force in that pat was considerable, causing Old Black to stumble, the ground beneath him sinking slightly.
Lin Yun quickly stepped forward, supporting Old Black to steady him.
“You alright, Old Black?” Lin Yun asked, holding him up.
“I… I’m fine,” Old Black said, his face darkening further.
Lin Yun looked up at Shu Chi and said, “Lieutenant, if Old Black has offended you in any way, I’ll apologise on his behalf.”
“Oh? Who’s this clueless guy?” Shu Chi said, sizing up Lin Yun.
“I’m Lin Yun, from another star realm, arriving with Old Black,” Lin Yun said calmly.
“From another star realm, huh? You want to apologise for him? Fine, both of you kneel and kowtow, and I’ll accept it,” Shu Chi said, crossing his arms with a playful smirk.
Lin Yun’s gaze hardened. This man was clearly looking for trouble.
“Fellow cultivator, it’s best to show mercy where possible. Please don’t push too far,” Lin Yun said, keeping his tone as calm as possible.
“Kid, a word of advice. You’re an outsider here, with no connections or backing. You’d better keep a low profile and not meddle in things you can’t handle, including matters involving me,” Shu Chi said, arms still crossed, adopting a lecturing tone.
“I don’t want to stir up trouble, but Old Black is my friend. If you’re causing issues for him, I’m sorry, but I’ll have to step in,” Lin Yun said firmly.
“Friends? Haha, how amusing!”
“He’s just a Heavenly Fire Captain, while you’re wearing a Heavenly Fire Lieutenant’s armour. You must be a saint realm lieutenant, right? What value is there in befriending a mere captain? Don’t you think it’s beneath you?” Shu Chi said, looking at Lin Yun as if he were a joke.
“Fellow cultivator, not everything is measured by value,” Lin Yun replied, still calm.
“So, you’re insisting on meddling, huh?” Shu Chi sneered coldly.
“I just don’t want to see my friend bullied, that’s all,” Lin Yun responded.
“It seems you’re used to being a big shot in your star realm and haven’t adjusted to your role here. Think you can control everything? Fine, we’ll see how this plays out,” Shu Chi said, glaring at Lin Yun with a warning in his eyes.
He then turned to Old Black, flashing a malicious smile. “Old Black, you’re lucky to have a Heavenly Fire Lieutenant shielding you today, sparing you my wrath. But it’s useless. I sent you to another star realm once, and I can deal with you again.”
With that, Shu Chi turned and strode away.
Old Black stood rooted to the spot, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his eyes burning with rage as he stared at Shu Chi’s retreating figure.
“Old Black, what’s the story? What’s your grudge with this guy?” Lin Yun asked urgently once Shu Chi was gone.
“He’s the one who framed me, causing me to violate the Heavenly Fire Temple’s rules and get banished to your continent!” Old Black said through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with venom.
“Is that so?” Lin Yun’s gaze sharpened.
That was a deep grudge indeed.
“Old Black, he just said he could deal with you a second time. You need to be careful from now on,” Lin Yun warned.
“Lieutenant Lin Yun, I’ll be cautious. I was reckless back then, but now that he’s trying to harm me again, it won’t be so easy. Don’t get involved, lest you get dragged into this,” Old Black said, still clenching his teeth.
He sighed, “Back then, we were at the same realm. Now, he’s reached the saint realm and become a Heavenly Fire Lieutenant, while I, after my banishment, am still a Heavenly Fire Captain. The gap in status and strength is too wide. Fighting him now is too difficult.”
“Don’t worry. If he comes after you again, come to me. I may be new to the Heavenly Fire Temple, but I’m a lieutenant like him. I’ll do what I can to shield you,” Lin Yun said, patting Old Black’s shoulder.
Lin Yun knew getting involved in such matters wasn’t ideal for a newcomer like him.
But Old Black had helped him, shown him kindness.
Lin Yun always repaid a drop of kindness with a gushing spring!
Old Black was deeply moved by Lin Yun’s words.
