“What, do you think it is too little?” the elf clan leader asked with a smile.
“Of course not. It is too much. A full one hundred and thirty billion. How could I take so many Haoyue crystals from the elf clan?” Lin Yun hurriedly waved his hands in refusal.
“Haoyue crystals are not a particularly important resource for our elf clan. As I said before, we are family now. There is no need to stand on ceremony.” the clan leader said.
“Wait here. I will go and fetch them for you.”
With that, the clan leader rose and left the hall.
About ten minutes later, the clan leader returned.
“Lin Yun, the Haoyue crystals are in this storage ring. As for advancing your realm, this is all the elf clan can do to help.”
The clan leader walked over to Lin Yun and handed him the storage ring.
“Thank you, clan leader.”
Lin Yun accepted the ring with both hands.
“By the way, clan leader, the main reason I came to the elf clan this time is to take Zitong to the Infinite Heavenly Palace in the Ancestral Heart Realm.” Lin Yun said.
“Go ahead. She is yours now, so it is only right that she goes with you. But you must protect Zitong well.” The clan leader patted Lin Yun on the shoulder, his tone carrying the weight of entrustment.
“Clan leader, rest assured. As long as I live, no harm will come to Zitong.” Lin Yun replied firmly.
“Zitong, when you are over there, do not slack in your cultivation. Without your grandfather and father to supervise you, you must not be lazy.” the clan leader admonished.
“Do not worry. I am not a child anymore.” Zitong promised readily.
“Ah, when a girl grows up, she cannot be kept at home.” the clan leader sighed.
After leaving the hall.
Zitong linked arms with Lin Yun, beaming with joy. “This is wonderful. I never expected Grandfather to agree so easily. I thought he would refuse. I had even prepared how to persuade him. In the past, if I wanted to go to the Ancestral Heart Realm, Grandfather would never have allowed it.”
“You are different now. Now you have me.” Lin Yun smiled and lightly tapped the tip of Zitong’s nose.
Lin Yun and Zitong set off from Heavenly Saint City, heading straight for the Ancestral Heart Realm.
With Lin Yun carrying Zitong as they flew, half a month later they returned to the Ancestral Heart Realm.
…
“Zitong, ahead is the Infinite Heavenly Palace.” Lin Yun pointed towards the mountain peak in the distance.
“Then I am the palace mistress now, right?” Zitong’s face lit up with a beautiful smile.
“Of course. Come, let us descend.”
With that, Lin Yun brought Zitong down to the mountain gate of the Infinite Heavenly Palace.
The Infinite Heavenly Palace was protected by a great array. Flight outward from within was possible, but flying directly in from outside was not. Forcing entry would trigger the array.
At the mountain gate.
“Greetings, palace master!” The guarding disciples immediately bowed to Lin Yun.
Lin Yun returned their greeting with a smile, then led Zitong into the Infinite Heavenly Palace.
Once inside, flight within the palace grounds was permitted, but since it was Zitong’s first visit, she wanted to walk and explore the Infinite Heavenly Palace properly.
So Lin Yun accompanied her as they walked deeper into the palace.
On the Infinite Heavenly Palace plaza.
“Palace master!”
Zou Dongsheng, who was on the plaza, spotted Lin Yun and immediately ran over.
“Excellent! Palace master, you have finally returned safely! We were so worried during this time with no news from you.” Zou Dongsheng was visibly delighted to see Lin Yun.
Lin Yun’s trip to the nine human domains had been prolonged, and with no word from him, they had been deeply concerned, fearing something might have happened to him.
“Lin Yun, were you not coming to fetch me? Why were they worried?” Zitong asked, puzzled.
She naturally had no idea that Lin Yun had been to the nine human domains.
“I went to the nine human domains first, then came to fetch you after returning.” Lin Yun explained.
“What? The nine human domains? Lin Yun, you are far too bold. How could you take such a risk? The six major forces are all out to kill you now.” Zitong grabbed Lin Yun’s arm, her face showing anger.
Zitong was well aware of what it meant for Lin Yun to venture alone into the nine human domains.
“Zitong, I had no choice. And you know I have the means to hide in the void. That is why I dared to go. It was for something extremely important.” Lin Yun explained with a wry smile.
“Thank goodness you returned safely. If anything had happened to you, I would have become a widow so soon after our wedding. You must never take such risks again.” Zitong scolded playfully.
“All right, all right. I will listen to you.” Lin Yun agreed readily.
