“…Brother King!” The youth cast off his languid air, a sudden change rippling through him as his latent power surged forth. With a mighty laugh that echoed through the heavens, he exclaimed.

In a blur of motion, he lunged forward, closing the distance between himself and Wang Lin in the blink of an eye.

As he neared, the youth’s right hand transformed into a blade, rising with blinding speed. A radiant golden light erupted from his hand, solidifying into a gleaming golden sword. With a thunderous roar, he brought it down upon Wang Lin!

The strike possessed the might to cleave the very heavens, causing the skies to darken and the world to tremble. The air crackled with golden energy, threatening to tear the firmament asunder. From all corners, celestial energies rushed to the blade, as if it could devour the power of the cosmos.

The sudden attack sent shockwaves through the gathered cultivators, who had arrived to guide the way. Including the middle-aged man, their expressions shifted in unison, and they retreated with haste, seeking refuge far from Wang Lin.

Tang Jia’s pupils constricted as she watched the youth’s form, sword-hand raised, descend upon his target. The figure before her was swiftly superimposed upon a memory—a shadow of invincibility.

“Without the Celestial Bull Soul Armor, I cannot withstand this blow!” Tang Jia’s cultivation had not yet reached the Void Tribulation stage; she was but an eighth-stage Xuan Tribulation cultivator. Only after transcending the ninth tribulation could she truly step into the realm of the Void Tribulation!

The elder seated beneath the bell also opened his eyes, his gaze sharpening. He radiated an aura of unfathomable depth, a presence that hinted at a cultivation level at the mid-stage of the Void Tribulation, akin to the Celestial Honored One of the Seven Colors. Clearly, his power had reached the pinnacle of that stage.

Wang Lin remained composed. As the golden sword howled towards him, closing to within a mere ten paces, his eyes flashed with piercing light. He focused on the youth’s eyes, concealed beneath the golden radiance, and raised his right hand, pointing forward!

At that single point, the world seemed to pause, as if a force of immeasurable strength compressed upon all around them. Time itself seemed to solidify, freezing the rules of change, the surging celestial energies consumed by the golden sword, and even the descending blade and the youth’s every motion!

The mountain-splitting golden sword strike shattered, undone by Wang Lin’s single gesture. As his opponent remained frozen, Wang Lin strode past the youth, his expression unchanging, and stepped onto the plaza beneath the bell.

Tang Jia, witnessing this, felt her spirit tremble. She whirled around to face Wang Lin, her eyes filled with wonder.

The elder in the mid-stage of the Void Tribulation furrowed his brow, casting a thoughtful glance at Wang Lin.

The spell of paralysis lasted but a moment. Soon, the youth regained his movements, a wry smile upon his face as the golden light faded. He turned to face Wang Lin, his expression complex, before a genuine smile spread across his features.

“After all these years, Brother Wang has not disappointed Yunji… I am still no match for you.”

The youth was none other than Yun Yifeng of the Returning Sect!

“Could you perhaps find a different way to greet me in the future?” Wang Lin asked, a frown upon his brow as he regarded Yun Yifeng.

Yun Yifeng shifted and landed beside Wang Lin on the plaza. He laughed, his joy at seeing Wang Lin clear. The memories of their time in the Cave World, as both enemies and allies, filled him with a bittersweet longing.

Those tens of thousands of years spent in the Cave World formed a significant part of his life.

“Brother Wang, upon returning to the sect, I immediately mobilized our resources to search for you. Alas, we found no trace. I never expected you to suddenly appear at the Returning Sect in this manner. Overjoyed, I was seized by a desire to spar with you once more!” Yun Yifeng spoke as he strode towards Wang Lin, arms outstretched, his sincerity palpable.

Wang Lin paused, studying Yun Yifeng in silence before stepping forward and embracing him.

Yun Yifeng was visibly pleased, pulling Wang Lin towards the side, eager to continue their conversation.

But at that moment, a voice filled with authority echoed from the grand hall at the front of the plaza.

“All have arrived…”

Yun Yifeng stopped, exchanging a glance with Wang Lin. His expression immediately turned serious as he stood respectfully.

“The one who speaks is the sect master of my Returning Sect, a late-stage Void Tribulation cultivator.”

Yun Yifeng’s voice resonated in Wang Lin’s mind. He remained impassive, gazing at the grand hall, which resembled a massive beast lying in wait.

“You three, state your names.” The commanding voice echoed once more.

“The Resting Gate, Tang Jia!” Tang Jia replied softly, her expression grave.

“A wandering cultivator, Bian Yun!” The elder rose, cupping his fist in salute towards the hall.

“The Great Soul Gate, Wang Lin!” Wang Lin spoke slowly, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. He realized that the area had been enveloped in an invisible enchantment the moment the voice emanated from the hall, sealing it off completely. No sound from within could escape.

Even more alarming was the way the enchantment disrupted the natural order, making it impossible to calculate or predict events. The enchantment was not a simple, isolated spell but was rooted in the entirety of the Returning Sect, focusing its power here.

“The Seven Celestial Bull Apertures, three of which were destroyed, and three envoys recognized by the Celestial Bull slain… The four of you, who protected your respective apertures, have performed a great service!

After consultation between this sect and the Great Soul Gate, those who have rendered service shall be rewarded!” The authoritative voice carried a hint of ancient weariness, the sound of an old ghost who had long forgotten the passage of time.

“Bian Yun!” The voice called out.

“Here!” The elder named Bian Yun stepped forward.

“You have rendered service by protecting the Fourth Aperture. I hereby summon you to become a Gold-Affinity Elder of the Returning Sect and bestow upon you a treasure of the Returning Sect—the Gold-Affinity Five Elements Armor!” As the commanding voice spoke, a golden beam of light shot from the grand hall, radiating an aura of blades and swords, filling the plaza with a murderous intent.
A shimmering cascade of gold stilled before Bian Yun, coalescing into a suit of celestial armor. Waves of oppressive power radiated outwards, washing over him like a suffocating tide. The serenity he once held vanished, replaced by a flicker of fervent excitement.

“I thank you, Sect Master!” Bian Yun inhaled deeply, bowing respectfully towards the grand hall. As he lowered his head, the golden light fractured into countless shimmering threads, each a spark of raw energy, and burrowed into his flesh, vanishing beneath his skin.

“Tang Jia!” The voice, resonant with ageless authority, echoed once more.

“For your valiant defense of the Sixth Gate, I grant you leave to expand the Hiusheng Sect, trebling its grounds, its disciples, and its stores of alchemical resources. Furthermore, I bestow upon you the Guizhong Sect’s prized possession: the Five Elements Water Armor!”

A streak of sapphire light erupted from the hall, unraveling into a torrent of ocean water that blotted out the sky. It crashed over Tang Jia, embracing her in its icy embrace, and with a shudder, the water seeped into her, flowing through every pore. The tranquil depths of her eyes rippled with unforeseen tides.

“I am honored, Sect Master,” she murmured, bowing low.

“Yun Yifeng!”

Yun Yifeng straightened, stepping forward and offering a deep bow.

“For your unwavering vigilance over the Fourth Gate, and seeing as you already bear our sect’s Five Elements Wood Armor, I bequeath to you one of our four inherited Arts, and the celestial weapon: the Soul-Piercing Stiletto!” As the words reverberated, two streaks of light shot from the hall. One was a jade tablet, cool to the touch, promising ancient secrets. The other was a dagger of obsidian, no larger than a man’s thumb, yet shaped like a venomous fang. Nine barbs lined its wicked curve, radiating an aura of chilling dread.

“I am forever in your debt, Sect Master!” Yun Yifeng’s face shone with elation as he received the gifts, bowing once more towards the hall.

“Wang Lin!” The voice paused, a pregnant silence hanging in the air before it finally uttered the name.

Wang Lin, his expression unreadable, strode forward, his gaze fixed upon the hall.

“For your meritorious defense of the Third Gate… I grant you the Five Elements Fire Armor!” A blaze erupted within the hall, swirling into a living inferno that took the shape of a suit of armor. It hurtled towards Wang Lin, radiating unbearable heat.

“The rewards are now bestowed. But that is not all. I am about to entrust you with a task of utmost secrecy!” The voice drifted, distant and knowing. Yun Yifeng hesitated, his lips parting as if to speak, but a glance at the hall silenced him.

The others had received two gifts each. Wang Lin, conspicuously, had received only one.

Not only was Yun Yifeng perplexed, but Tang Jia and the aged Bian Yun exchanged glances, each registering the disparity.

Bian Yun, a veteran of countless trials, cared little for the affairs of others. He simply cast a fleeting glance at Wang Lin before averting his eyes, dismissing the matter with a shrug.

Tang Jia, holding Wang Lin in low regard, found no reason to concern herself.

“Your mission is…” The voice continued, a hypnotic cadence weaving through the chamber, but before it could finish, a flash of cold fire ignited in Wang Lin’s eyes.

“Hold!” Wang Lin halted, his gaze unwavering as he addressed the unseen Sect Master.

His defiance sent ripples of shock through the hall. Yun Yifeng’s face contorted with alarm, his eyes darting to Wang Lin, pleading with him to reconsider. Tang Jia’s face hardened, surprise giving way to disapproval.

Even Bian Yun turned, his usually impassive face now etched with curiosity.

“Your mission is to venture into the Green Demon Continent, infiltrate the Green Demon Temple, and shatter the Green Demon Idol, crippling its spirit. Should you succeed, you four will have earned the eternal gratitude of the entire Tianniu Star!” The imperious voice continued, deaf to Wang Lin’s interruption, unfurling the details of the perilous undertaking.

The words hung heavy in the air. Bian Yun’s composure faltered, replaced by a grim understanding. Tang Jia’s face mirrored his, a flicker of dread extinguishing her previous disdain. Even Yun Yifeng, upon hearing the mission for the first time, paled.

Venturing into the Green Demon Continent was a gamble with life itself. A single misstep could mean eternal damnation.

“The Green Demon Continent is now less populated than before. As for the Green Demon Ancestors, their attention is already diverted by others… This is your task. Now, Wang Lin, what is it you wish to say?” The voice remained unhurried, as if the very fate of the universe held no sway over its tranquil tones.