From the Northern Reaches of Luo Tian descended five sovereign stars, attended by a myriad of lesser, cultivating worlds. Upon these spheres thrived countless families devoted to the mystic arts. It was on the star of Illusion, Qian Huan, that Wang Lin seized the Ascendant Fruit from the Huan Clan. Astride the back of his Thunderbeast, he became a bolt of living lightning, streaking towards the domain of the Qian Clan.

Within the Qian Clan, several cultivators who had glimpsed the Second Step of Immortality had long retreated into seclusion. The affairs of the clan fell entirely upon the shoulders of Qian Kuizi. From the moment Wang Lin’s presence touched Qian Huan, Qian Kuizi was aware.

When he beheld Wang Lin descending like a tempest upon his Thunderbeast, a chilling certainty gripped his heart. The ravings of the Huan Clan’s elder were no delusion. This man was undeniably an Emissary of the Thunder Immortal Temple.

Memories stirred of the battle he waged seventy years past against the Huan Clan’s ancient patriarch, a whirlwind of arcane artifacts and unfathomable powers. A seed of consideration took root within Qian Kuizi’s mind.

“Our Qian Clan once swore fealty to a Thunder Immortal Temple Emissary, but he perished in the celestial wars millennia ago. In Luo Tian, save for those ancient, bloodline houses, all must cling to the banner of a Thunder Immortal Temple Emissary…” He hesitated, for the choice before him would dictate the fate of the Qian Clan.

“Alas, our Second Step cultivators are in deep meditation, undisturbed. Were they available, counsel could be sought.”

While Qian Kuizi wrestled with his decision, Wang Lin, seated upon his Thunderbeast, thundered closer.

The Qian Clan’s city dwarfed that of the Huan Clan, a reflection of their standing as the foremost family upon Qian Huan.

Qian Kuizi, along with a retinue of Qian Clan warriors, hastened forth to offer a respectful greeting.

Though Qian Kuizi’s cultivation surpassed Wang Lin’s, within Luo Tian, the authority of a Thunder Immortal Temple Emissary was akin to celestial decree, not to be trifled with.

Upon the Thunderbeast, Wang Lin’s gaze, serene and unwavering, swept over the assembled Qian Clan, finally settling upon Qian Kuizi. “Elder Qian Kuizi,” he spoke, his tone even, “it has been some time.”

Qian Kuizi chuckled, clasping his fist in a respectful bow. “The title of ‘Elder’ is one I dare not presume. The esteemed Emissary’s station is far above mine. I am but a cultivator of meager skill. Let us speak as equals.”

As he spoke, a ripple of astonishment passed through Qian Kuizi. With his own eyes, he could see the truth – in less than a century, this man’s cultivation had soared from the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul to the late stage. He was yet confined to the First Step, but such progress was nothing short of miraculous.

Only the secret arts of the Thunder Immortal Temple could explain such a feat.

But what truly shook Qian Kuizi was the Thunderbeast itself. The creature was even more awe-inspiring than before. When its gaze fell upon him, Qian Kuizi felt as though he were meeting a fellow cultivator of equal standing.

“I suspected long ago that this man held a secret position within the Thunder Immortal Temple. Now, I believe it with near certainty!” Qian Kuizi mused inwardly.

Wang Lin smiled faintly. “Be it so, Qian Kuizi. I have come seeking Ascendant Fruit.”

Qian Kuizi pondered this for a moment. Ascendant Fruit was vital for entering the Thunder Immortal Realm, but clinging to the favor of a Thunder Immortal Temple Emissary held even greater significance.

His only hesitation lay in the future potential of the man before him. For in Luo Tian, once a family had pledged fealty to a Thunder Immortal Temple Emissary, they were forbidden from shifting their allegiance until that Emissary’s demise.

“The Qian Clan has power enough to serve an Emissary who has stepped into the Second Step of Immortality. But those individuals are proud and demanding, requiring exorbitant tributes. This man’s cultivation may be lacking, but his future is boundless. To pledge allegiance now would be a gamble, but should it pay off…” Qian Kuizi was caught in a storm of doubt.

In Luo Tian, a cultivating family without the protection of a Thunder Immortal Temple Emissary was as good as abandoned, their fate hanging precariously in the balance.

The Thunder Immortal Temple was a colossal force, its shadow engulfing all of Luo Tian. Its methods of control were stark and elemental, vastly different from those of the Alliance Star System.

Within Luo Tian, the Thunder Immortal Temple maintained a fixed number of Emissaries, never exceeding ninety-nine.

Each of these ninety-nine Emissaries drew countless cultivating families into their orbit, building their own power. This was the unique way of things in the Luo Tian Star System.

Lei Daozi’s power base lay far from the Northern Reaches. Had he not been sent to investigate, he would never have ventured here. Coupled with his overweening pride, he had come alone, leading to his downfall.

Had Wang Lin and Lei Daozi clashed within Lei Daozi’s domain, Wang Lin would surely have perished! Qian Kuizi deliberated for a long time, but Wang Lin did not press him, waiting in silence. He was unaware that Qian Kuizi’s thoughts had little to do with Ascendant Fruit.

Finally, Qian Kuizi sighed inwardly. The Huan Clan elder’s words echoed in his ears. He hesitated, then clasped his fist in a bow. “Emissary, the Qian Clan possesses a fair store of Ascendant Fruit. We would gladly part with half. However, I have a request, should the Emissary be willing to grant it.”

Wang Lin’s expression was a mask of calm. He said slowly, “Speak.”

Qian Kuizi met Wang Lin’s gaze, his voice steady. “I would like to see the Emissary’s Thunder Immortal Token!” His gaze sharpened, for if the man could not produce the Token, then he was a fraud. And if he could… Qian Kuizi made a silent vow to himself.

Wang Lin stared coldly at Qian Kuizi, ceasing all pretense of courtesy. He clapped his storage sack, and Lei Daozi’s jade slip appeared in his hand. As he activated it, arcs of thunder crackled into existence, releasing a palpable wave of celestial might.

Qian Kuizi had witnessed a Thunder Immortal Temple Emissary’s Token in years past. Upon seeing it again, and feeling its raw, crackling power, he immediately bowed his head in reverence, all doubts dispelled.

“Esteemed Emissary,” he said, “the Qian Clan offers you this pledge. When you reach the realm of Yin and Yang, of Illusions Made Real, we will become your devoted family. Until that day, we shall fulfill all of your requests to the best of our ability.” While Qian Kuizi no longer doubted the man’s identity, the matter of fealty was of paramount importance. Ultimately, he chose to remain cautiously neutral, unwilling to offer unconditional allegiance.
Wang Lin betrayed no outward emotion, yet within, a stirring of unease took root. This Thunder Immortal Palace, in his eyes, possessed an unsettling aura.

“To become an affiliated cultivation family… Could it be that these Thunder Immortal Palace emissaries are permitted to cultivate their own power bases?” Wang Lin did not inquire, but stated evenly, “This matter can wait. First, bring forth the Ascendant Fruit.”

Qian Kuizi inwardly sighed. Clearly, the other had not taken his proposition to heart. He considered that only the handing over of the family’s inherited bloodline would constitute true fealty.

He wondered if his present hesitation would deprive the Qian family of a future opportunity. Yet, for the moment, such thoughts were too much to bear. Hearing Wang Lin’s words, Qian Kuizi nodded and gestured to a member of his clan to carry out the order.

Before long, a Qian family cultivator approached, bearing a storage sack, which he respectfully delivered to Qian Kuizi.

Qian Kuizi offered it forth, clasping his hands. “Emissary, within lies half of our Qian family’s Ascendant Fruit.”

Wang Lin swept the sack with his divine sense, giving a slight nod. The number of fruits within was comparable to the number he obtained from the Illusion family. Yet, to Wang Lin, it remained insufficient.

“Thank you!” Wang Lin inclined his head toward Qian Kuizi, then patted the great head of the Thunder Beast. With a low growl, the beast turned and vanished in a flash of lightning.

Qian Kuizi watched the receding thunderous light, a seed of regret sprouting in his heart. Had he been more decisive, and sworn fealty…

The quantity of Ascendant Fruit collected only amounted to a fifth of what Wang Lin desired. Much had changed on Thousand Illusion Star in these past hundred years. The Xu family, mysteriously, had departed.

Leaving Thousand Illusion Star, Wang Lin exploited the mantle of the Thunder Immortal Palace emissary, sweeping across the Northern Domains of Luo Tian in the months that followed. No matter the size of the cultivation star, his presence was felt.

Rumors spread, whispers of the Thunder Immortal Palace emissary’s demand for Ascendant Fruit, growing with each passing day. Yet, under the pressure exerted by Wang Lin in his guise as an emissary, the rumors ultimately subsided, retreating into the veiled conversations between families.

Many cultivation families had never laid eyes upon a Thunder Immortal Palace emissary. Wang Lin’s arrival was greeted with extravagant welcomes.

Almost every family felt the weight of the Thunder Immortal Palace’s prestige, and, like the Qian family, surrendered a portion of their Ascendant Fruit. Eventually, Wang Lin’s mere arrival on a cultivation star was enough to prompt families to present their Ascendant Fruit with utmost respect. Some smaller families even begged for the chance to become affiliated.

Wang Lin considered these requests, but ultimately declined. The matter was too grave. These families held no grudges against him. Were they to become affiliated, and his deception exposed, they would be caught in the crossfire.

Through these various encounters, piecing together fragments of information, Wang Lin slowly gleaned the purpose of Ascendant Fruit in the Thunder Immortal Realm, and the implications of affiliation with a Thunder Immortal Palace emissary.

The number of Ascendant Fruit he had gathered far exceeded his initial needs, yet he continued to amass them. For he knew these fruits would prove invaluable in the Thunder Immortal Realm in the days to come.

Half a year later, Wang Lin, with the Thunder Beast in tow, transformed into a bolt of lightning, vanishing into the void, bound for Cloud Haze Star.

In the resplendent starlit sky, nebulae spread like cosmic tapestries. Astride the Thunder Beast, the constant roar of thunder filled his ears. Wang Lin’s speed was astonishing.

“If this venture succeeds, the Metal attribute of the Heaven Defying Pearl will be complete. And at that point, it will be able to recognize me as its master. I wonder, what powers will be unveiled when this Heaven Defying Pearl is complete?” Wang Lin’s heart swelled with anticipation as he flew towards Cloud Haze Star.

During his journey, he drew forth the Soul Devouring Banner and extracted the soul of the old man from the Land of the Demonic Spirit, a master of escape. He then pored over the soul’s memories, memorizing the old man’s arcane techniques for evasion.

The old man’s abilities had left a deep impression upon Wang Lin. If not for the endless stream of matters demanding his attention, he would have long since immersed himself in their study.

Gradually, Cloud Haze Star grew closer, and after half a month, the star’s signature dense fog began to coalesce in Wang Lin’s sight.

The mists were even thicker than when he had first arrived.

The Thunder Beast howled, and before they even reached the perimeter of the cloud of haze, wild sparks of electricity began to run outward through the fog. Wang Lin narrowed his eyes, studying the haze for a few breaths before plunging in to the cloud bank.

A series of strange, muted roars emanated from within, causing Wang Lin’s gaze to flicker with curiosity and concern.