The Great Han Dynasty boasted a vast territory and hundreds of millions of subjects.
News that Prince Su had emerged from the Qilian Mountains, advanced to the Myriad Manifestations Realm, and dispelled the beast tide spread across the country within days.
Five hundred years ago, when demon tribes invaded and demon cultivators rose, the world fell into chaos, 生灵涂炭 (countless lives perished). The imperial dynasties, noble families, and sects joined forces, paying a heavy price to repel the demons and seal the demon cultivators, restoring peace.
This battle, known as the Demon Sealing War, saw countless experts fall, and almost all those above the Purple Mansion Realm perished.
Both imperial dynasties and noble sects have declined since, and it has been unknown how many years since a Myriad Manifestations expert appeared.
As soon as the news of Prince Su's advancement to Myriad Manifestations spread, those noble families and sects that had quietly become independent immediately grew 低调 (low-key), sending people to the capital to pay tribute and show their submission.
Even several neighboring dynasties and forces that had been ready to move temporarily halted their actions.
However, Lin Yu, the instigator, was completely unaware that his large-scale refining of demon beasts in the Qilian Mountains had triggered such a stir.
Even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared.
The mastermind behind the plot that framed him would never let it go if they knew his cultivation had recovered. Thus, Lin Yu needed to continue improving his strength.
At the very least, he had to ensure invincibility within the Great Han Dynasty.
Only then could he find the real culprit and avenge himself!
...
Time flew. Three months later, a thunderous 巨响 (explosion) erupted in a deep forest of the Qilian Mountains.
A three-zhang-tall golden ape, as 魁梧 (burly) as a hill, was sent flying by the sharp sword intent Lin Yu released with a wave of his hand.
The golden ape knocked down dozens of towering trees along the way, finally crashing heavily to the ground with a thud.
A 狰狞 (ferocious) sword wound gaped in its chest, blood flowing profusely.
The golden ape struggled to its feet, roaring defiantly at Lin Yu, then collapsed before him.
Lin Yu 祭出 (summoned) the Divine Devouring Tripod, refining the golden ape as Ding Ye channeled the vast spiritual energy from the ape's body into his meridians.
Rumble!
Thunderous sounds suddenly erupted from Lin Yu's body as he sat cross-legged under a tree. Sharp sword intents burst forth, slicing through all trees within a hundred zhang.
"Fifth Rank Innate, not bad!" Lin Yu murmured.
"Kid, we've hunted all the easy-to-deal-with Innate demon beasts. You need to find some treasures for Ding Ye to refine, or your cultivation speed will definitely slow down!"
After refining the golden ape, Ding Ye reminded Lin Yu, satisfied yet insistent.
Lin Yu smiled helplessly. The golden ape he had just slain was a Fourth Rank Innate demon beast, on par with his strength before advancing.
He had endured a fierce battle to kill it and, by refining its spiritual energy, had 冲击 (broken through) to Fifth Rank Innate in one fell swoop.
Now, all the easy-to-deal-with Innate demon beasts in the Qilian Mountains had been slain by him. The remaining ones lurking in the mountain's forbidden areas were all Demon Kings of Seventh Rank Innate or above, stronger than him.
His cultivation speed would likely slow down significantly from now on.
In fact, this was normal: the higher the cultivation, the slower the progress and the greater the difficulty of advancement.
But if other cultivators knew his thoughts, they would be green with envy.
Many spend their entire lives unable to advance beyond the Innate Realm. For him to reach Fifth Rank Innate in just a few years and consider it "not bad"—how would that make other cultivators feel?
Lin Yu crossed the Mausoleum Guards' 防线 and quietly returned to the imperial mausoleum, practicing daily to stabilize his foundation and prevent spiritual energy from becoming unbalanced.
As for finding heavenly materials and earthly treasures for Ding Ye to refine, Lin Yu planned to tackle that after solidifying his foundation.
...
"Honorable Ministers, Father has agreed to let me visit 皇兄 (eldest brother). Why do you block my way?"
In the imperial city, Princess Lin Yue, who had just returned from Lingtian Sect, frowned and looked unpleased at the group of imperial ministers blocking her path.
"Princess Seventh, you're unaware that after Lin Yu was demoted to guard the imperial mausoleum, his temperament changed drastically. It's said he wallows in debauchery all day, 疯疯癫癫 (crazy). Although you two are as close as siblings, Lin Yu may not feel the same brotherly love for you. In my view, it's better not to go to the mausoleum!"
The Prime Minister spoke slowly, his voice solemn: "Princess Seventh, you entered Lingtian Sect at a young age and have now advanced to the Innate Realm, with a bright future. If Lin Yu suddenly attacks and hurts you when you least expect it, what then? You are the future hope of the Great Han Dynasty—you must not take risks!"
"Impossible! Big Brother has always been kindest to me. He would never hurt me!" Lin Yue shook her head.
Her mother had passed away early, and she had almost been raised by Lin Yu. They had only separated when she joined Lingtian Sect, sharing an extremely deep bond.
"Princess Seventh, you're still too young. Lin Yu lost one hundred thousand troops and had his cultivation 废去 (废掉). No one can bear such blows!"
"Yes! Even if Lin Yu had a good relationship with you, now that he's a cripple and you're a 天之骄子 (son of heaven), such a gap could easily breed resentment in him!"
The other ministers also spoke up, persuading Princess Seventh to abandon the idea of visiting Lin Yu.
In their view, a precious son should not sit near a collapsing hall. Regardless of whether Lin Yu was truly mad or not, the princess had no need to take risks.
"I don't believe it. Third Brother would never hurt me!"
Lin Yue's expression was firm. She 施展 (performed) her body technique to leap over the ministers and rushed toward the imperial mausoleum.
"Go, follow Princess Seventh! Ensure she comes to no harm!"
Seeing this, the Prime Minister and other ministers hurried after her.
...
Lin Yu finished his cultivation, slowly opening his eyes and shaking his head slightly.
Although he had advanced to Fifth Rank Innate, the royal heart method he practiced was starting to hold him back.
It had barely sufficed in the Innate Realm, but if he cultivated to the Purple Mansion Realm, the heart method's flaws would become increasingly evident.
Just then, his brows furrowed. From several li away, there came the faint sound of breaking air, as if a group of powerhouses were rushing toward the mausoleum.
Lin Yu pushed open the door and saw Lin Yue's figure come into view.
"Seventh Sister...!" Lin Yu looked at Lin Yue in surprise. When he killed Lu Da, he had heard that Lin Yue had advanced to Innate and was returning from Lingtian Sect to visit family, but he hadn't expected her to come see him.
"Third Brother, are you alright?" Lin Yue threw herself into Lin Yu's arms, asking with concern.
"What could happen to me? I eat well and sleep soundly here!" Lin Yu pushed Lin Yue away with a smile.
"Third Brother, you've suffered... How can anyone eat well and sleep soundly in a place like this?"
Lin Yue looked at Lin Yu's simple stone house, tears welling up. She was sure Lin Yu was comforting her—how could he truly be well here?
Lin Yu smiled helplessly. He was telling the truth, but why wouldn't Lin Yue believe him?
He ate the flesh of Innate demon beasts and slept on their pelts—his life was incredibly comfortable!
Divine Devouring Cauldron
Volume 1 Chapter 7: Totally Trapped by Lin Yu
Lin Yue wiped away her tears and whispered, "Third Brother, before I came, the Grand Preceptor and the others said that after successive blows and being confined to guard the imperial mausoleum, you must have a twisted mindset and gone mad. They told me to be careful not to get hurt by you! It's so good to see you're alright!"
"Princess Qi! Princess Qi—!"
At this moment, the Grand Preceptor and a group of high-ranking officials rushed over.
All the way, they had worried that Lin Yu might go berserk and harm Princess Qi. Now, seeing Lin Yu perfectly normal, they all froze in astonishment.
The Lin Yu before them was nothing like a madman—he was as normal as could be!
Moreover, he seemed completely calm, as if he hadn't suffered the setbacks of losing an army, humiliating the country, having his cultivation abolished, or being confined to the imperial mausoleum at all.
Lin Yu turned to look at the Grand Preceptor and the other officials, smiling. "Why are you all in such a hurry? Is there something important?"
"Uh... W-we all followed Princess Qi to visit Your Highness!"
"Your Highness has lived in the imperial mausoleum for so long, and we thought we should come see you!"
"Please don't blame us for visiting so late, Your Highness. State affairs have been too busy, and we couldn't find the time!"
Caught off guard, the Grand Preceptor and others quickly made up excuses.
"So you came to see me with my sister," Lin Yu said, feigning realization as he smiled at them.
"Yes, yes! We all came to visit Your Highness!"
The Grand Preceptor and others nodded repeatedly, all heaving sighs of relief.
"I see," Lin Yu said with a smile. "You can just put the gifts in the house. You came all the way from the imperial city to see me—surely you didn't come empty-handed?"
The Grand Preceptor and others exchanged awkward glances, their expressions a mix of emotions.
They had intended to stop Princess Qi from meeting Lin Yu, so how could they have brought gifts?
But since they claimed to be visiting Lin Yu, arriving without gifts would show blatant disrespect to the prince.
Although Lin Yu was confined to guard the imperial mausoleum, he was still a prince of the Great Han, representing imperial dignity. If the secret guards reported this to the emperor, they would surely be held accountable.
If nothing happened, it might be fine, but if trouble arose and the emperor dug up old grievances, this would be 把柄 [a handle] they handed him.
The Grand Preceptor's face darkened. He gave Lin Yu a deep look, then reluctantly took a jade pendant from his waist and offered it.
"Third Prince, I came in a hurry and didn't bring a proper gift. This jade pendant is a treasure I carry with me, capable of withstanding attacks below the Fifth Rank of the Innate Realm. Please accept it as a token."
As he spoke, the Grand Preceptor's heart ached—this was a one-of-a-kind spiritual treasure. Now he not only had to give it to Lin Yu but also beg him to accept it, which made him want to spit blood from frustration.
Seeing the Grand Preceptor offer a jade pendant, the other officials gritted their teeth and presented the jade thumb rings and jade Ruyi scepters they carried to Lin Yu's room.
These high-ranking officials, all at least Innate Realm warriors, carried spiritual treasures like jade thumb rings and Ruyi scepters, each with unique uses and 不菲 [enormous] value.
Thus, when they left Lin Yu's room, their faces were 阴沉 [gloomy], their hearts aching.
"You've given your gifts and visited me, so I won't see you out," Lin Yu said flatly, seeing their pained expressions.
The Grand Preceptor and others had no choice but to take their leave. After exiting the imperial mausoleum, they looked back, secretly regretting, If we knew Lin Yu would extort us, we never would have come!
"Not bad—you've reached the Innate Realm now," Lin Yu said, turning back to Lin Yue. He nodded, a pleased smile on his face.
Lin Yue looked at Lin Yu, tears welling in her eyes. "Big Brother, you've suffered. I came back this time to ask Father to revoke his order and let you return to the imperial city!"
"Big Brother, I haven't found the mastermind who framed you yet, but one day, I will clear your name!"
Lin Yue looked at Lin Yu with determination. In the past, Lin Yu had protected her; now that his cultivation was abolished, it was her turn to protect him.
"Silly girl, the emperor's words are final—how can he revoke an order? Don't upset Father for my sake. Actually, I'm quite content here," Lin Yu said, reaching out to stroke Lin Yue's head. "Cultivate well—maybe one day our Great Han will have a female emperor!"
Lin Yue hadn't expected Lin Yu to still consider her even in this state. Her eyes reddened slightly. "Big Brother, if I become empress, I will definitely redress your grievance and welcome you back to the imperial city in glory!"
Lin Yu smiled and nodded. With his current cultivation, where in the world could he not go?
He stayed in the imperial mausoleum for two reasons: first, the depths of the Qilian Mountains still held many Innate Realm demon lords; second, the mausoleum was quiet, free from disturbance, and suitable for cultivation.
After that, Lin Yu and Lin Yue talked at length—about happy times they'd spent together and their separate lives since parting.
Lin Yue especially asked how Lin Yu was faring in the mausoleum and whether anyone had dared to trouble him. She'd petitioned her sect to return home specifically to support him after hearing of his ordeal!
Lin Yu smiled and reassured her that all was well.
Seeing he wasn't forcing a smile, Lin Yue finally felt more at ease.
"Big Brother, when I return to the sect, I will cultivate hard. When I advance to the Purple Mansion Realm, that will be the day I bring you back to the imperial city!"
Before leaving, Lin Yue made a solemn promise to Lin Yu.
Helping Lin Yu leave the imperial mausoleum and return to the capital became her motivation for cultivation.
"Quick—go check those jade pendants, thumb rings, and Ruyi scepters! They're all treasures containing spiritual energy. If I, Lord Cauldron, refine them, your cultivation will definitely break through to the Sixth Rank of the Innate Realm!"
As soon as Lin Yue left, Lord Cauldron shouted in Lin Yu's mind, eager to refine the gifts from the Grand Preceptor and others.
Lin Yu returned to his room, summoned the Divine Devouring Cauldron, and the jade pendants, thumb rings, and Ruyi scepters in the room floated up, swept into the cauldron by ripples of starlight.
"Good, good! The spiritual energy in these treasures is extremely abundant—equivalent to several Fifth-Rank Innate demon beasts!"
Lord Cauldron chuckled, refining the treasures while channeling their spiritual energy into Lin Yu, boosting his cultivation.
...
A few days later, a 狂暴 [fierce] aura surged from Lin Yu's body, followed by sharp sword intent crisscrossing the air, leaving hundreds of deep sword marks on the stone wall of the room.
"Already Sixth Rank Innate?"
Lin Yu slowly opened his eyes, feeling the surging spiritual energy in his body. He flicked a finger, and a sword qi turned into a fierce ray, easily piercing the wall.
"Tsk tsk! With your Saint Emperor Sword Body and my help, you should be stronger—capable of killing Seventh-Rank Innate demon lords. 可惜 [It's a pity] the cultivation technique you're using is too low-level, holding you back severely!"
Lord Cauldron shook its "head," disdaining the royal secret technique Lin Yu practiced.