The major crisis Lin Yun referred to was naturally the loosening of the Dark Demon Clan’s barrier.
Now that Lin Yun had reached the Heavenly Realm and had been in the Ancestral Land for so long, he had no clear idea when the Dark Demon Clan’s barrier might completely break.
To prepare for the possibility of the barrier breaking early, Lin Yun needed to act sooner.
“Return to your star realm?” Elder Li was taken aback.
“Yes, Elder Li,” Lin Yun replied.
“Lin Yun, you should know that while our Heavenly Fire Temple has a passage, travelling to and from your star realm is extremely costly. Now that you’re in the Heavenly Realm, the cost is even more staggering!” Elder Li said gravely.
“Elder Li, I can cover the cost myself. Please tell me how much it will be,” Lin Yun said.
Lin Yun’s meaning was clear: he would use the Heavenly Fire Temple’s channel but bear the expenses himself.
“As a Heavenly Realm cultivator, the resources required for a round trip are nearly equivalent to crafting a true saint weapon. You must understand that most Heavenly Realm cultivators don’t even possess a true saint weapon. In other words, the cost of one round trip exceeds the entire net worth of an average Heavenly Realm cultivator!” Elder Li said solemnly.
Lin Yun was indeed startled by this figure.
However, it didn’t sway his determination.
“Elder Li, my friends and family are there. Even if the cost is so high, even if it bankrupts me, I must find a way to return!” Lin Yun said firmly.
Elder Li shook his head, “Lin Yun, why go to such lengths? Other star realms face their epochal destruction. Even if you save them temporarily, they will eventually perish. As a cultivator, you must learn to abandon the seven emotions and six desires. The Great Dao is merciless! Friends and family will only become shackles on your cultivation path, causing distractions or even leading you to obsession. Since you’ve come to the Ancestral Land, forget about those matters.”
“That’s not true, Elder Li! If a person discards loyalty and righteousness, how are we any different from beasts?” Lin Yun retorted firmly.
Elder Li’s brow furrowed, “Lin Yun, are you insulting me?”
“Elder Li, that’s not my intention, but to me, they are the driving force behind my cultivation. I cannot abandon them!” Lin Yun’s tone was resolute.
Undoubtedly, Lin Yun’s beliefs were in complete conflict with Elder Li’s.
But Lin Yun wouldn’t abandon his convictions just because Elder Li was an elder.
Lin Yun continued, “Elder Li, I can cover the cost myself. I only ask for your help in arranging this matter!”
“Look, you’re already being dragged down by them. You’ve lived too short a time,” Elder Li sighed.
“Please help arrange it, Elder Li,” Lin Yun saluted again.
“Fine, I’ll arrange it. Prepare one hundred million Haoyue Crystals and deliver them to me, and I’ll organise your return. How you gather this sum is your own business; I won’t help with that,” Elder Li said, turning away.
“Please rest assured, Elder Li, I’ll handle it myself,” Lin Yun replied.
“Alright, you may go,” Elder Li said, facing away and waving his hand.
“Your subordinate takes his leave.”
Lin Yun turned and exited the courtyard.
Even if this matter caused Elder Li to be displeased with him, Lin Yun wouldn’t change his mind. At the very least, he had a clear conscience.
Chasing dreams is a solitary journey, inevitably filled with doubts along the way.
“Next, I need to find a way to gather the money,” Lin Yun murmured.
Lin Yun currently had just over fifty million Haoyue Crystals, still far short of one hundred million.
Figuring out how to gather such a large sum was indeed a challenge.
If Lin Yun hadn’t upgraded his true saint weapon earlier, he could have easily covered this amount.
Back at his residence, Lin Yun began thinking about how to raise the funds.
In the Border Mountains, he had made a fortune by seizing Blood Demon Flowers, but such opportunities didn’t come on demand.
After some thought, Lin Yun decided he would need to venture out again, sell off whatever remaining spoils he could, and then find other ways.
“Lieutenant Lin Yun, Commander Guang has arrived and is waiting for you in the courtyard,” a voice from one of Lin Yun’s Heavenly Fire Guards called from outside his room shortly after he returned.
“Alright, I’m coming.”
Lin Yun responded and stepped outside.
In the courtyard, Commander Guang Tiancheng was already standing there, with all members of the Fifth Battalion assembled.
“Lin Yun, your promotion to Heavenly Fire General has been approved. I’m here to deliver the order,” Guang Tiancheng said.
“This is your armour and the standard reward for your promotion to Heavenly Fire General.”
Guang Tiancheng handed Lin Yun a set of Heavenly Fire General armour and a storage ring.
Lin Yun accepted the armour and the ring.
“Additionally, you’ve been appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Cold Fiend Army. You’ll also continue serving as the Lieutenant of the Fifth Battalion until a new lieutenant takes over,” Guang Tiancheng added.
“Yes, sir,” Lin Yun replied.
Guang Tiancheng couldn’t help but sigh, “Lin Yun, your rate of progress is terrifying. When you first joined under me, you were only at the Dominion Realm. Now you’re already at the Heavenly Realm. At this pace, your future is boundless!”
“It’s just a bit of luck,” Lin Yun said with a slight smile.
“Lin Yun, tonight I’m hosting a banquet at my residence to celebrate your promotion. You’ll do me the honour of attending, won’t you?” Guang Tiancheng asked with a smile, extending an invitation.
“With such kindness from Commander Guang, of course I’ll come,” Lin Yun replied with a smile.
“Great, I’ll head back now. Come early,” Guang Tiancheng said before taking his leave.
After Guang Tiancheng left, Lin Yun examined the storage ring with his promotion rewards. Inside were eight million Haoyue Crystals.
“Not bad,” Lin Yun said with a satisfied smile.
This was no small sum, especially since he was currently short on funds.
That evening, Lin Yun went to Commander Guang’s residence.
A banquet was already set up in the courtyard, with all the lieutenants of the Cold Fiend Army present, including Zhu Xing and A Yu.
“Deputy Commander Lin, congratulations!”
“Deputy Commander Lin, your promotion speed leaves us in the dust.”
As soon as Lin Yun arrived, A Yu and the other lieutenants greeted him with smiles, offering their congratulations.
“Thank you all,” Lin Yun responded, clasping his fists.
“Deputy Commander Lin, this is a small gift from me, Zhu Xing, to celebrate your promotion,” Zhu Xing said, stepping forward and presenting a gift.
“Deputy Commander Lin, I’ve prepared a modest gift as well. Please accept it.”
The other lieutenants of the Cold Fiend Army also presented their gifts to Lin Yun.
Their hosting of the banquet and offering of gifts was clearly an attempt to build a relationship with Lin Yun.
After all, since joining the Heavenly Fire Temple, Lin Yun’s rapid rise had been evident to all.
They could see his immense potential and were eager to connect with him now, especially since they were all part of the Cold Fiend Army, giving them a natural advantage in forming ties.
