Divine Emperor Demon Emperor

Lin Yun was completely unaware of the situation with Tang Chenming. At this moment, he was in his room, seizing every second to refine the residual Elemental Power from the Three-Stars Qi Essence Pills within his body. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Back when he broke through to the Qi Sea Realm Eighth Layer in Celestial Eagle Valley, Lin Yun had been forced to swallow several Three-Stars Qi Essence Pills in a row because there were too many people around. As a result, a significant amount of the pills’ Elemental Power remained unrefined within his body.

If he didn’t refine this Elemental Power quickly, it would do more harm than good to his body over time.

Meanwhile, in the Capital City of Yanhuang Country, thousands of miles away, Lin Xiaotian and the others had already been imprisoned by the Royal Family in the Celestial Prison for nearly half a month.

The sunless Celestial Prison was where the Royal Family held its most serious criminals. Located deep beneath the Imperial Palace, it was a place few ever left once they entered.

Today, under pressure from Master Wu and Gong Qi, the Royal Family finally agreed to let Lu Tao and Guan Renjie visit Lu Tao’s sister, Lu Bingning.

Besides Lu Tao and Guan Renjie, Lan Xi was also present, disguised as their maid. They entered the Celestial Prison under the watchful eyes of several squads of the Forbidden Guard Army.

Due to the perpetual lack of sunlight, the entire Celestial Prison was filled with a foul stench. Many of the inmates had become inhuman husks, more like ghouls than men.

They passed cell after cell, each holding a single prisoner. When these inmates saw Lu Tao’s group of three, some were ashen-faced and devoid of all expression, like the living dead. Others frantically pounded on the iron bars, their eyes filled with raw lust as they stared at Lan Xi.

Making their way to the deepest part of the Celestial Prison, the three of them finally saw Lu Bingning, Lin Xiaotian, and the others. There were six cells in total, one for each of them: Lin Xiaotian, Zhang Jingxiang, Qin Feng, Li Tian, Zhong Lin, and Lu Bingning.

The first person he saw was the haggard Lu Bingning. Lu Tao rushed to her cell, his voice filled with worry and anxiety. "Sis, you..."

Looking at her younger brother, a rare smile appeared on Lu Bingning’s pale face. Weakly, she asked Lu Tao, "Xiao Tao, how is he? Did the Royal Family catch him?"

The "he" she spoke of was, of course, Lin Yun. Hearing that Lu Bingning was still worried about Lin Yun’s safety even now, a surge of anger rose in Lu Tao’s heart. ’If it weren’t for Lin Yun, how could Sis have ended up in this state? It was all because of Lin Yun! In my eyes, Lin Yun is absolutely detestable. He’s done nothing for her and even dragged her down with him.’

"Sis, you’re still worried about him? If it weren’t for him, how could you have ended up like this?"

Seeing Lu Tao curse Lin Yun through gritted teeth, Lu Bingning struggled to the bars and took his hand. "Xiao Tao, don’t talk about him like that. He didn’t drag me into this. It’s all because the Royal Family is too tyrannical."

The more Lu Bingning tried to defend Lin Yun, the angrier Lu Tao became. When he found out that Lin Shan was actually Lin Yun, Lu Tao had already cursed him to hell and back. To him, Lin Yun was a coward who couldn’t even protect his own woman. ’And to think my sister likes him so much!’

"Sis, stop thinking about him! A man like that isn’t worth it. You ended up like this for his sake, but what about him? He doesn’t even dare to show his face! He’s still off in Celestial Eagle Valley, participating in that damn Green Talent List. Does he even care if you live or die?" Lu Tao raged.

"You don’t understand. He’s doing this to save me," Lu Bingning replied.

"I don’t understand? Sis, all I see right now is you suffering for him! Don’t be like this anymore. Sis, just listen to me for once. I’ll ask my Master to plead with His Holiness. You just need to cut all ties with Lin Yun, and His Holiness might let you go," Lu Tao pleaded.

But as soon as Lu Tao finished speaking, Lu Bingning flung his hand away. Her expression turned ice-cold as she said, "Xiao Tao, I will never cut ties with him, even if I die. If you say that again, I will get truly angry."

Lu Bingning’s attitude was resolute, leaving Lu Tao helpless. He muttered a few words of apology, and only then did her gaze soften with affection. "Xiao Tao, don’t worry about me. I believe he will come back."

From the bottom of her heart, Lu Bingning believed in Lin Yun. She believed he would definitely come and rescue all of them, right in front of the entire Royal Family.

Knowing that anything he said would be useless, Lu Tao stood up and walked over to the cells of Lin Xiaotian and Zhang Jingxiang, leaving Lan Xi with Lu Bingning.

Ever since Lin Yun had left Yanhuang Academy, the relationship between Lan Xi and Lu Bingning had become somewhat complicated. They were the best of sisters, but they were in love with the same man.

No one can truly share the person they love. However, after experiencing this ordeal, Lan Xi had come to understand a lot. ’Lu Bingning truly deserves Lin Yun’s love. She is much stronger than I am.’

The suffering Lu Bingning had endured for Lin Yun’s sake made Lan Xi’s heart ache. Looking at Lu Bingning’s weakened body and the wounds covering it, tears welled up in Lan Xi’s eyes. She took Lu Bingning’s hand and said just one thing: "He will definitely come. And when he does, he will make the Royal Family pay."

Hearing Lan Xi’s words, Lu Bingning gave a warm smile. Although she was currently weak, covered in scars, and terribly pale, her smile was as beautiful as ever.

While the two women talked, Lu Tao and Guan Renjie went to the cells of Lin Xiaotian and his wife. Upon seeing the two young men, Lin Xiaotian said nothing, merely giving a slight nod. Looking at him now, who would have thought that he was once one of the three Grand Generals of Yanhuang Country?

His cultivation was sealed, and his four limbs were pinned tightly to the cell walls by four thick iron chains. Although Lin Xiaotian’s condition was wretched, his eyes alone remained incredibly bright.

It wasn’t just Lin Xiaotian; Zhong Lin had received the same treatment, his limbs also pinned to the walls of his cell by four thick iron chains.

As for Li Tian and Qin Feng, although they weren’t bound by chains, it was clear from their appearance that they had also suffered a great deal. Their bodies were covered in wounds, large and small.

The Royal Family had severely tortured the men, and the women were no exception—not just Lu Bingning, but Zhang Jingxiang as well. However, when she saw Guan Renjie, Zhang Jingxiang’s first words were, "Renjie, Auntie only asks one thing of you. Tell Yun’er not to come. He is no match for the Royal Family. As long as he can live a good life... Auntie is begging you."

As she spoke, tears streamed from the corners of her eyes. Lin Yun was her only son. As a parent, Zhang Jingxiang would rather be tortured to death by the Royal Family than let Lin Yun risk his life.

As long as Lin Yun could live on, Zhang Jingxiang could die without regret. As a mother, all she wanted was for her son to be safe.

Facing Zhang Jingxiang, Guan Renjie didn’t know how to respond to her plea. The heart of this normally lawless, profligate young master was in turmoil. The Royal Family had been truly ruthless this time.

It was worth mentioning that the Black-striped Tiger had not been captured. When the Royal Family sent men to Iron Gate Pass to seize Lin Xiaotian and his wife, Lin Xiaotian had immediately sent the Black-striped Tiger away.