Chapter 258: A Visit to the Cloud Kingdom

After a brief exchange of glances, Lin Chuan withdrew his gaze.

When the Yun Tai Kong Jian stabilized, cloud mist enveloped every Yun Tai, and the "pre‑match eye‑stare showdown" segment ended.

Lin Chuan felt no great stir in his heart.

He only wanted to finish the match quickly and move on to the Ancient Ruins stage.

Then he would go to the Purple Star Emperor Sect to see how his sister was doing.

After these matters are concluded, he should initiate a private dream‑reincarnation with his daughter Rumeng, trying to find a way to help Rumeng break the Forbidden.

The second round of the Genius Battle will commence seven days later.

……

The next day.

Lin Chuan was deepening bonds with his wives and instructing Lü Ya in cultivation when a voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

"Lin Chuan, the cultivator Yun Tianyan from the Han Yun Prefecture Cloud Kingdom, Yun Lian requests an audience."

The spirit of the Sphere of All Beings' artifact relayed the reminder.

"Someone from the Cloud Kingdom?"

"What do you want with me? Trying to recruit me? This is still during the competition; that's rather hasty."

"Let them come."

Lin Chuan did not refuse.

Be that as it may, the Cloud Kingdom is one of the oldest superpowers, and that prestige must be acknowledged.

In the next instant, space rippled.

Two figures emerged from the fleeting spatial vortex.

A young man in brocade finery, holding a folding fan and exuding elegance, stood beside a slightly uneasy girl.

"I am Yun Tianyan, accompanied by my younger sister Yun Lian on this bold visit; I ask all Daoist Friends for forgiveness."

"I've long admired the great name of Tian Yan Wang."

Lin Chuan had heard Yun Tianyan's story from the Floating Light Daoist; this man is the contemporary Cloud Emperor's appointed successor.

He once seized the champion title of the Genius Battle.

His current strength is at least at the True God Realm.

"I wonder what noble business the Tian Yan Wang's visit entails," Lin Chuan asked with a smile.

"My original purpose is to draw Lin Xiong into the Cloud Kingdom, for the Sphere of All Beings notes that Lin Xiong is merely a solitary cultivator."

Yun Tianyan smiled, "It seems now I have overthought it."

"Oh?"

Lin Chuan smiled, "Why?"

Yun Tianyan's gaze fell on the black‑clad woman seated not far away, "The new Dragon Emperor is already here, so it is no longer my turn."

"Dragon Emperor, what do you say?"

He raised an eyebrow toward Ye Xue, maintaining a faint smile.

Ye Xue walked over, sat beside Lin Chuan, and calmly said, "If Tian Yan Wang wishes to recruit my husband, you may state the conditions; my husband truly is a solitary cultivator."

Yun Tianyan's unruffled face suddenly stiffened at that moment.

Husband?

What situation?

The little Princess Yun Lian sitting nearby was even more shocked.

This…

Are we really competing with Lin Chuan in the same age bracket?

A moment later, Yun Tianyan recovered and laughed, "The new Dragon Emperor actually chose a mortal's peerless Heavenly Pride as a Dao Companion?"

"Once this spreads, it will surely shock the forces across the Nine‑phase World."

"It seems Lin Xiong this time aims to claim the champion title."

The new Dragon Emperor's Dao Companion—such a title suddenly raises Lin Chuan's weight in Yun Tianyan's eyes, as if he must claim the champion title to match it.

"With Tian Yan Wang's auspicious words."

Lin Chuan did not deny; he can accept defeat, but his goal is certainly the champion seat.

"Shall I now state the conditions?"

Yun Tianyan could not guess Lin Chuan's true identity, but that mattered not; if he could truly recruit Lin Chuan, it would only be good for the Cloud Kingdom.

"Please speak," Lin Chuan said, intrigued.

"Our Cloud Kingdom differs from other superpowers; joining us subjects one to far fewer constraints, and one can be cultivated as a core."

"Although the Cloud Kingdom's royal family inherits bloodlines, its past State Tutors, Grand Generals, and even kings of different surnames have all been outsiders."

"The Cloud Kingdom widely recruits talent, shelters countless mortals, never withholds resources, its armory hoards innumerable treasures, embraces all rivers; these are hard for other superpowers to match."

Three Teachings emphasize fate law, the Wu Clan does not recognize any bloodline outside its own, the Qingqiu Fox Clan only accepts demons, and the Lone Lantern Sword Sect selects disciples with extreme strictness,

the Herb Poison Frost Pavilion and the Array Device Eroding Sun Valley's path are destined to be unsuitable for most cultivators.

Biluoyuan (Jade Abyss) accepts only women.

As for the mysterious Hidden Studio, it never publicly recruits disciples, its management is so severe as to be hair‑raising.

In comparison, the Cloud Kingdom truly lives up to its claim of embracing all rivers and is the superpower most easily joined by ordinary cultivators.

"Speak of something practical."

Lin Chuan raised an eyebrow.

Low thresholds imply high competition.

Yun Tianyan laughed, "Lin Xiong, if you are willing to join the Cloud Kingdom, you can be made a marquis at once, receive a fief of five hundred thousand li, and enjoy the Cloud Kingdom's Qi Yun provision."

"Cultivation resources are, of course, allocated according to national regulations."

"In the future, as long as Lin Xiong cultivates to the Void Deity Realm, he can be promoted to a king, receiving a fief of five million li. What do you think?"

Yun Tianyan's promise was indeed not bad.

Lin Chuan thought for a moment, "I have no interest in becoming a marquis or a prime minister, and I am not very proficient in the Way of Qi Yun."

"However…"

"I have someone to recommend; if she joins, I will count as half a Cloud Kingdom person."

The person Lin Chuan referred to was, of course, Xiao Qingmei Yun Zhi Yi.

Xiao Qingmei practices the Way of Qi Yun, but she is constrained by many restrictions, making it hard to manifest, so joining the Cloud Kingdom might be good.

"Lin Xiong recommends? Who?"

Yun Tianyan was equally interested.

As long as he can win over Lin Chuan, any method is the same for him.

"Yun Zhi Yi, come over." Lin Chuan said, having Xiao Qingmei come to his side, "what do you think?"

"Fine."

Yun Zhi Yi nodded.

She always felt an inexplicable affinity between the Cloud Kingdom and herself.

Perhaps because the Cloud Kingdom's name contains "Cloud"?

Lin Chuan laughed, "Let me introduce: this is housewife Yun Zhi Yi, who happens to have the surname Yun, which ties her closely to your Cloud Kingdom; she practices the Way of Qi Yun."

"Housewife?"

Yun Tianyan was startled again.

"What's the situation?"

"The illustrious Dragon Emperor sharing a husband with a mortal?"

"What a fellow!"

"Our model!"

Shocked as he was, it was a private matter, so Yun Tianyan naturally would not speak of it.

His gaze fell on Yun Zhi Yi; her Qi Yun was not particularly strong.

Yet it was far beyond that of an ordinary cultivator.

If one can amass so much Qi Yun without joining any faction, that is certainly a prodigy of the Qi Yun path.

One must know that if the world's Qi Yun is measured by a stone, the Three Teachings would take five dou.

The Cloud Kingdom alone claims two dou.

Other super powers share two dou.

The remaining one dou is divided among all beings.

Independent cultivators wanting to practice the Way of Qi Yun? Too hard, too hard; one could say there is no way at all.

Exactly so, which makes the woman named "Yun Zhi Yi" before us precious in terms of talent.

Moreover, with a "weight equal to that of the new Dragon Emperor Ye Xue," it proves the woman before us is no ordinary person.

"Alright."

Countless thoughts in his mind converged into one, and Yun Tianyan, without any hesitation, gave his consent,

"Miss Yun's willingness to join the Cloud Kingdom is a blessing for our Cloud Kingdom."

As the successor to the next Cloud Emperor, Yun Tianyan has the authority to make these decisions.

"When the battle of the prodigy ends, I will await the arrival of Lin Xiong, Miss Yun, the Dragon Emperor, and everyone else in the Cloud Kingdom."

"I will definitely keep the appointment."

Lin Chuan and Yun Zhi Yi clasped fists in return.

The goal was achieved; everyone was overjoyed.

Afterwards, both sides chatted merrily for several hours, and only then did Yun Tianyan depart with the little Princess Yun Lian.

As he was leaving, Yun Tianyan didn't forget to tease,

"Lin Xiong, if you encounter my little sister in the upcoming battle, please show mercy."

Lin Chuan smiled without replying.

"Show mercy?"

The greatest respect for a cultivator is, of course, to give one's all!