Moreover, Lin Yun now could not possibly follow Wu Chengtian to hunt seventh or eighth-tier demons in the depths.
For now, Lin Yun mainly focused on hunting fourth to sixth-tier demons.
“Then we shall part ways here,” Wu Chengtian said, clasping his fists towards Lin Yun.
“Fellow Lin Yun, until we meet again,” Wu Qing and Wu Yue also clasped their fists towards Lin Yun.
“Good, may we meet again if fate allows,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“Oh, by the way, Fellow Lin Yun, take this jade slip. If you encounter danger in the mountains, crush it to call for help. Once I sense it, I will rush to save you with all my strength,” Wu Chengtian said, taking out a jade slip and handing it to Lin Yun.
“Fellow Wu Chengtian, you have already saved me once before. How could I accept this now or trouble you again?” Lin Yun declined with a smile, waving his hand.
“You saved my two brothers, so we owe you two lives. I saved you once before, but I still owe you one life. Please, take it,” Wu Chengtian insisted.
“Yes, Fellow Lin Yun, just take it,” Wu Qing and Wu Yue chimed in.
“Very well, I shall accept it with respect,” Lin Yun said, taking the jade slip.
“Good, we will take our leave now.”
“Farewell!”
After speaking, Wu Chengtian led his two brothers down the mountain.
Their figures disappeared from Lin Yun’s sight.
“Next, I will have to venture alone again,” Lin Yun murmured.
However, having reached the Mysterious Saint realm, Lin Yun’s confidence was much stronger than before, even when venturing alone.
As long as he did not encounter a team with Heaven Saint realm cultivators, Lin Yun had little to fear now.
Immediately, Lin Yun chose a direction and set off, continuing his demon-hunting plan.
As for the group led by the brocade-robed man, Lin Yun knew he still needed to stay cautious of them.
Lin Yun planned to move far from this area to a more distant region, reducing the chance of encountering that group.
…
Time passed, and a hundred years went by in the blink of an eye.
Thirty years ago, Lin Yun had already reunited with his teammates from the Heavenly Fire Temple.
The four teammates were the team leader Zhou Bocheng, Mu Ji, Gan Yu, and Zhong Hongkai.
However, when they reunited, only two remained.
Zhong Hongkai and Gan Yu had perished in the Border Mountains. They had encountered a great danger, and only Mu Ji and Zhou Bocheng survived.
Such situations were not uncommon. Coming to the Border Mountains meant being prepared to sacrifice one’s life.
Since reuniting with Zhou Bocheng and Mu Ji, the three had continued to act as a team until today. Although they faced several dangers during this time, Lin Yun stepped forward each time, covering their retreat.
At this moment, the three were resting on a rock.
“Counting the time, we have been in the Border Mountains for a hundred years,” Zhou Bocheng said with a sigh.
“Yes, a hundred years,” Lin Yun replied.
“In these hundred years, we have encountered no small number of dangers,” Mu Ji said.
Then, with a sweet voice, Mu Ji added, “But thankfully, we had you, Lin Yun. Several times, it was you who helped us through crises.”
Although Zhou Bocheng was the team leader, Lin Yun, with his formidable strength and decisiveness, had long become the core of the team. Both Zhou Bocheng and Mu Ji followed Lin Yun’s lead.
Only by relying on Lin Yun had they managed to survive this long.
“It is just a pity that Gan Yu and Zhong Hongkai were not so fortunate,” Zhou Bocheng said, shaking his head.
Then he changed the subject, “By the way, Lin Yun, we have been in the Border Mountains for a hundred years. It is time to end this demon hunt and return to the Heavenly Fire Temple.”
“Return?” Lin Yun asked, surprised.
“According to the Heavenly Fire Temple’s arrangements, we must stay in the Border Mountains for at least a hundred years. Any longer is voluntary. Since the time is up, it is natural to return,” Zhou Bocheng explained.
“But you have not reached the Heaven Saint realm yet. Since you came here, is it not your goal to reach the Heaven Saint realm?” Lin Yun asked.
Zhou Bocheng had been at the Mysterious Saint realm before coming.
“This hundred years of demon hunting has still improved me. For the rest, I will rely on Haoyue Crystals to advance,” Zhou Bocheng said.
“Zhou Bocheng, if you continue to improve through demon hunting and reach the Heaven Saint realm in one go, it will help you break through major bottlenecks in the future,” Lin Yun said earnestly.
“I understand that, of course, but it is enough for now. If I break through to the Heaven Saint realm half through demon hunting and half through Haoyue Crystals, it will not be as effective as relying entirely on demon hunting, but it is still better than cultivating solely with Haoyue Crystals and absorbing Haoqi,” Zhou Bocheng replied.
Mu Ji also spoke up, “I do not want to stay in this wretched place any longer either. Fellow Lin Yun, since the hundred years are up, let us leave.”
“If you both wish to leave, then go back first. Leaving is safer. Staying longer does not guarantee you will leave alive,” Lin Yun said.
Lin Yun knew they no longer wished to stay here.
“And you?” Mu Ji asked.
Lin Yun, gripping his sword and leaning it against the rock, looked ahead and said, “I do not plan to leave yet.”
“But staying here alone in the Border Mountains is so dangerous. Besides, the Heavenly Fire Temple’s required time is already fulfilled. We can return and report,” Mu Ji said.
Lin Yun smiled, “For me, this place is more interesting. Moreover, I did not come to the Border Mountains to fulfill the Heavenly Fire Temple’s requirements or to appease them. I came for myself. Do not forget, I volunteered to come.”
“Mu Ji, Lin Yun’s ambitions are not like ours. He is someone destined for great things. Do not try to persuade him. I knew he would not leave,” Zhou Bocheng said.
Having spent decades together, almost constantly side by side and fighting together so many times, they naturally understood each other to some extent.
They had long sensed that Lin Yun’s aspirations far surpassed their own.
Back when they did not know Lin Yun well, they thought his volunteering for the Border Mountains was naive, as if he did not understand the dangers, which seemed laughable.
But after spending time with Lin Yun, they realised how extraordinary he was.
Lin Yun’s charisma had won them over.
“Alright, since you have decided to leave, go down the mountain now. There is no point in staying longer,” Lin Yun said with a smile, waving his hand to signal their departure.
“Mu Ji, let us go,” Zhou Bocheng said, standing up.
Mu Ji also stood, looking at Lin Yun with reluctance, “Lin Yun, be careful on your own. You must come back alive. Are you not planning to participate in this Heavenly Fire Trial? I still want to see you shine in it.”
[Note: I have assumed the input is in Chinese and translated it to UK English as per your instructions, applying the specified term changes and avoiding em dashes. If you have further Chinese text or other requests, please provide them.]
