The emissary's summons, the army's olive branch

Zijing Palace did not stand on the ground in the inner city. Instead, it floated above the main city, composed of countless airborne mountains entwined with purple vines and splendid palaces, like a realm of gods overlooking the vast city below. Following the Highgod warrior, Lin Yinuo rode a shuttle formed from Light Element through layers of clouds and defensive barriers, finally landing before a magnificent purple palace.

The palace was heavily guarded. Even the lowest-ranking guards were Midgod warriors, while the squad captains were Highgods, their eagle-sharp eyes scanning everyone who entered or left. Only after the warrior escorting Lin Yinuo stepped forward to speak with them were they allowed through.

Inside the great hall, the space was far more expansive than it appeared from outside. The ceiling soared overhead, seemingly containing a starry sky. The mirror-smooth floor reflected the Zijing Flower totems and reliefs depicting the evolution of various laws on the surrounding walls. A gentle yet boundless will permeated the air, involuntarily inspiring awe.

At the far end of the hall stood not a throne, but a hazy purple glow. Within it, a slender figure could just be seen standing with his hands behind his back, facing away from them. Although Lin Yinuo could not see his face, the aura he naturally exuded, as though he were one with the laws of the entire Zijing Continent, instantly told Lin Yinuo that this was, at the very least, a supreme powerhouse who had fused multiple profound mysteries. He might even be an Asura Prefect! And he was merely a Highgod Messenger!

As expected of a Highgod Messenger. His aura is unfathomable, far beyond that of an ordinary Highgod.

"Lord Emissary, Lin Yinuo is here." The warrior who had guided him bowed, then quietly stepped aside.

The figure within the purple glow slowly turned around. He was a handsome man whose face looked quite young, with flowing purple hair and eyes like two pure amethysts, deep and serene. A faint smile rested on his face as his gaze fell upon Lin Yinuo, seemingly able to see through all falsehood.

"Lin Yinuo, from the Yulan Material Plane, a member of the Baruch Clan, with exceptional affinity for every element and a mutated soul. Upon first entering the Infernal Realm, you earned the name 'Dragonblood Asura' and achieved a hundred consecutive victories in the Asura Arena..." The purple-haired emissary spoke gently, yet revealed most of Lin Yinuo's background, apart from the core secrets of his system and fate check-ins.

Lin Yinuo inwardly tensed, but his expression remained calm as he bowed. "I am Lin Yinuo. My respects, Lord Emissary."

The Zijing Emissary nodded slightly, seemingly rather appreciative of his composure. "There is no need for such formality. Your hundred consecutive victories in the Asura Arena prove that your talent, strength, and temperament are all exceptional. My master, Zijing Overgod, has always been generous in her appreciation of outstanding talents throughout the universe."

He changed tack, getting straight to the point. "I summoned you today to formally invite you to join the Sovereign's army on its behalf. By joining the Zijing Army, you will gain better cultivation resources, more profound legacies of the laws, and opportunities to accumulate military merit in exchange for many treasures. With your potential, becoming a general commanding an army in the future, or even receiving a summons from the Sovereign, is not impossible."

An invitation from the Sovereign's army!

To countless Deity-level powerhouses, this was an unparalleled honor and opportunity! With a Sovereign behind them, their resources, status, and safety would all be assured.

Yet Lin Yinuo fell silent. Joining the Sovereign's army certainly offered many benefits, but it also meant being bound by strict military regulations and losing his freedom of action. He carried earth-shattering secrets such as clues to a Sovereign Spark and the Hongmeng Spirit Pearl (imitation), and needed his freedom all the more to pursue them. Moreover, he vaguely felt that the system's existence seemed to be guiding him down a more independent, perhaps even transcendent path.

Joining the army would certainly benefit me in the short term, but in the long run, it would be too restrictive. My goal is by no means merely to become an army general.

He raised his head, his gaze clear and firm, and spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. "Thank you, Lord Emissary, and the Sovereign for your generous regard. However, I am accustomed to traveling alone and living freely. I fear I would struggle to adapt to an organization with strict military regulations. Please forgive me for disappointing your kind intentions."

He had refused!

A flicker of surprise crossed the eyes of the Highgod warrior standing to one side. Few dared to reject a Highgod Messenger's personal recruitment so decisively.

The Zijing Emissary's smile remained unchanged, as though he were unsurprised, though a hint of scrutiny entered his amethyst eyes. "Oh? Freedom is indeed precious. However, vast as the Infernal Realm is, true freedom requires absolute strength to sustain it. Without backing or resources, the path of a lone traveler is often strewn with thorns, and may even... end in an untimely death."

His words were mild, but carried a faint hint of warning.

Lin Yinuo's expression did not change. "I understand. I chose this path myself. Even if it is strewn with thorns, I must press forward without hesitation."

The Zijing Emissary looked steadily at him for a moment, then suddenly chuckled. "Interesting. Since your mind is made up, I will not press you. However, the Sovereign cherishes talent, and this goodwill still stands. Take this Zijing Token."

With a flick of his finger, a purple token carved with an exquisite Zijing Flower and emanating a gentle aura flew toward Lin Yinuo.

"With this token, you may enjoy certain privileges from the Sovereign's army within the Zijing Continent, such as using certain designated teleportation arrays and seeking shelter in emergencies. Consider it a gesture of goodwill."

The stick followed by the carrot? Or is this truly just a gesture of goodwill?

Thoughts raced through Lin Yinuo's mind, but he showed just the right amount of gratitude as he accepted the token. "Thank you, Lord Emissary."

"Go. I hope to see you on a greater stage in the future." The Zijing Emissary waved a hand and turned away again, gazing into the depths of that hazy purple glow without another word.

"I will take my leave."

Lin Yinuo bowed and left Zijing Palace under the Highgod warrior's guidance.

On the way back to his courtyard, Lin Yinuo rubbed the smooth, warm Zijing Token, his thoughts churning. Refusing the Sovereign's army meant he had lost a powerful backer, and the road ahead would surely be more difficult. But he had also retained the greatest possible freedom and kept his secrets.

I must break through to the Midgod level as soon as possible! Only strength is something I can truly rely on!

Upon returning to his courtyard, he immediately activated every defensive formation, preparing to enter deep secluded cultivation and strive for the Midgod level.

Yet even when a tree wished for stillness, the wind would not cease.

On the third day of his seclusion, a powerful divine sense swept brazenly across his courtyard. Although the defensive formations blocked it, the provocative malice within it reached him clearly.

"Lin Yinuo? Get out here and die! If you dared kill someone from my Golden Flame Castle, you had better be prepared to be destroyed!"

An arrogant, domineering voice exploded outside the courtyard like thunder.

Golden Flame Castle?

Lin Yinuo frowned, instantly recalling the golden-eyed powerhouse he had killed in the Asura Arena-Golden Eyes! It seemed he had been an important member of Golden Flame Castle, and now they had come knocking.

He ended his seclusion and walked to the courtyard entrance. Three figures hovered outside. Their leader was a middle-aged man in luxurious golden robes, with a haughty face and golden flames burning around his body. His aura unmistakably belonged to a Highgod! The two behind him were also peak Midgods with powerful auras.

When the golden-robed Highgod saw Lin Yinuo, killing intent filled his eyes. "You're the one who killed Golden Eyes?"

Lin Yinuo remained calm. "Life and death in the arena are left to fate. Don't you understand the Asura Arena's rules?"

"Rules?" The golden-robed Highgod sneered viciously. "In Zijing Main City, strength is the rule! I'll give you two choices: first, kill yourself to atone; second, have your divine soul crushed by my own hands!"

The mighty pressure of a Highgod bore down on Lin Yinuo like a mountain!

A Highgod... and no ordinary one, either. He has probably already fused profound mysteries. Trouble has arrived.

Lin Yinuo's gaze chilled slightly as the magical power and Destruction Rule within him quietly began to circulate. This battle would probably be unavoidable. Just as well-it would let him test the gap between his current strength and that of a true Highgod!

Just as the confrontation reached breaking point, a cool female voice abruptly rang out:

"Jin Yan, this is my Youyue Prefecture's jurisdiction. Since when was it your place to run wild here?"

A streak of cool moonlight flashed, and a woman in a moon-white dress appeared above Lin Yinuo's courtyard. Her face was incomparably beautiful and her bearing icy as she regarded the golden-robed Highgod indifferently.

At the sight of her, the Highgod named Jin Yan's expression shifted slightly, and a trace of apprehension flashed through his eyes. "Youyue Prefect? This has nothing to do with your Youyue Prefecture. It is a private grudge between my Golden Flame Castle and this brat!"

The Youyue Prefect? Something stirred in Lin Yinuo's mind as he looked at the woman in the moon-white dress. This was a prefect-level powerhouse!

The Youyue Prefect said coldly, "Lin Yinuo has obtained permanent residence in the main city and is protected by its rules. Using force here is a challenge to the main city's authority. Leave immediately, or I will not mind stretching my limbs."

Her voice was quiet, yet carried unquestionable authority. The Moonlight Law faintly flowed around her as her aura locked onto Jin Yan.

Jin Yan's expression shifted repeatedly, and he was clearly extremely wary of the Youyue Prefect. He glared fiercely at Lin Yinuo and left a threat. "Brat, consider yourself lucky! But this isn't over! Unless you hide in the inner city for the rest of your life, you'll... Let's go!"

With that, he and his two subordinates transformed into three streaks of golden light and left in resentment.

Only then did the Youyue Prefect turn her gaze toward Lin Yinuo. Her cool eyes lingered on him for a moment before she said indifferently, "You are the newly risen Dragonblood Asura? You certainly have a knack for attracting trouble. Golden Flame Castle takes revenge for the slightest offense. You will need to be careful from now on."

Lin Yinuo cupped his hands. "Thank you for intervening, Lady Prefect."

The Youyue Prefect nodded slightly without another word, her figure dissolving into moonlight.

Lin Yinuo looked in the direction where she had disappeared, then at the Zijing Token in his hand, understanding dawning within him.

It seems the waters of this inner city run even deeper than I imagined. The various powers are intricately entangled. The Youyue Prefect probably did not intervene merely to uphold the rules. Perhaps she also wishes to recruit me, or perhaps... she is at odds with Golden Flame Castle?

He felt an invisible pressure. Having refused the Sovereign's army and offended Golden Flame Castle, he seemed to have suddenly become isolated within the inner city.

But this did not discourage him. Instead, it stirred an even stronger fighting spirit.

Fine! Under pressure, I can break through even faster! Midgod, let me break through!

He turned and returned to his meditation chamber, his gaze utterly resolute. Secluded cultivation-to break through to the Midgod level!