Zhu Zhuyun stared at the magnificent city before her, stunned that Lin Jie had really brought her all the way to Spirit City.
Though she now believed he wouldn't kill her, she still felt uneasy—after all, this was Spirit City.
For Spirit Masters, entry wasn't particularly restricted. All one had to do was register before entering.
Stepping into Spirit City again, Lin Jie found the feeling entirely different from last time. Back then he had come for the tournament and hadn't had the chance to truly look around. This time, with a companion by his side, he could finally take in the majesty of this towering city.
What he didn't know was that the moment he crossed Spirit City's gates, his information had already been placed on a gilded desk within the Pontiff's Palace.
Lin Jie still remembered: when Bibi Dong had gifted him a Spirit Bone, she had asked if he wished to join Spirit Hall.
His answer had been yes—spoken through mental transmission, so only she had heard it. And she had accepted.
He wandered the city for quite a while, carefully observing, before settling into an inn. He planned to rest for the night and head straight to the Pontiff's Palace tomorrow.
At the front desk, he asked casually, "Hello, I'd like a room."
The clerk glanced at him, then at the reluctant Zhu Zhuyun behind him, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Of course, sir. One moment."
Payment made, room key in hand, Lin Jie went upstairs.
Zhu Zhuyun bit her lip, as if making some important decision, and followed after.
Once inside the room, Lin Jie flopped onto the bed, already thinking about his business with Spirit Hall. As for Zhu Zhuyun, she could do whatever she liked. He wasn't about to waste energy on her.
The inn's room was luxurious—so much so that even the sofa was large enough to serve as a bed. Zhu Zhuyun sat there, her gaze flickering as she watched him.
Finally, she asked, "When are you planning to let me go?"
He cracked one eye open. "You want to leave? Go ahead, anytime. But are you really daring enough? This isn't the Star Luo Empire. This is Spirit City."
He wasn't wrong. As the eldest daughter of the Zhu Clan and a former representative of the empire in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, the moment she stepped into Spirit City she had likely already drawn attention. In Spirit Hall's eyes, her Spirit Ancestor rank was hardly impressive. Even the hotel attendants here were Spirit Elders.
Lin Jie's voice was calm: "Tomorrow, I'll be going to Spirit Hall. If you don't want trouble—or death—then stick with me. But remember, don't talk recklessly. If you do, I won't be able to save you."
Though she had countless questions, Zhu Zhuyun swallowed them down.
That night passed quietly.
The next morning, Lin Jie checked out and headed for the Pontiff's Palace.
After thinking it over all night, Zhu Zhuyun decided to follow him. With her strength, surviving alone here was impossible. Staying with him, at least, offered some protection.
Soon, the Pontiff's Palace came into view—its towering pillars, golden domes, and gleaming walls shining brilliantly in the sunlight. This magnificent structure was the very heart of Spirit Hall, the residence of its supreme ruler, and Lin Jie's true destination.
But halfway up the mountain, rows of armored knights blocked his path. Two lances crossed before him.
"This is the sacred Pontiff's Palace. Outsiders are forbidden to enter."
Though Lin Jie had gained some fame as part of Shrek Academy's championship team, he was still just an ordinary Spirit Master. In the eyes of these knights, he had no qualifications to set foot here.
There were, of course, proper channels to apply for Spirit Hall membership—but those could take months, even years, and it was nearly impossible to meet the Pontiff herself. Lin Jie preferred to take the direct route.
Zhu Zhuyun's heart tightened. "Lin Jie… you're not thinking of forcing your way in, are you?"
He gave a faint smile. "Correct. No prize, though."
"You—are you insane? Do you have a death wish?" she snapped.
"You can leave now, if you want. But it's already too late." His feet were already climbing the stone steps toward the palace.
The two knights blocking him reacted instantly.
"Bold criminal! To trespass in the Pontiff's Palace!"
"Seize him!"
Dozens of knights moved at once, surrounding him.
Every one of them was at least a Spirit Ancestor.
Lin Jie only chuckled and sped up. In a blink, he had broken through their line.
Zhu Zhuyun's expression shifted rapidly—anger, disbelief, then resignation. She had no retreat left. He had forced his way in; she could only follow.
His speed was astonishing, and she barely managed to keep pace. Soon, the two of them stood on a broad platform, surrounded once more.
"Lin Jie, what are you doing?!" she demanded.
But before he could answer, the knights shouted in unison:
"Kill all who trespass in the Pontiff's Palace!"
Inside, Bibi Dong looked up briefly at the disturbance outside, then calmly returned to her documents.
In the depths of the hall, several elders exchanged surprised glances. Who dared storm the Pontiff's Palace? But upon sensing the intruder's strength, they simply closed their eyes again, unconcerned.
A voice outside called, "Your Holiness, someone has intruded into the palace!"
Bibi Dong closed her file slowly. "So… he's come."
Her lips curved faintly. "Elder Yue."
"Yes, Your Holiness." A golden figure appeared silently in the great hall.
"Bring him in," she said calmly. Lin Jie intrigued her greatly—not only his talent, but also his soul power grenades, his ability to use spiritual voice transmission at such a young age, and the bold words he had once spoken to her.
The moment he had entered Spirit City, his information had already been placed in her hands. But that he would brazenly storm the Pontiff's Palace? That was unexpected.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"Wait," she added lightly. "No need to hurry. Let's first see how far his strength has grown. So long as there are no casualties, let him struggle."
"Yes, Your Holiness." The golden figure vanished.
Bibi Dong reopened her file, her expression calm once more.
Outside, on the plaza, dozens of knights clashed with Lin Jie.
Even Zhu Zhuyun, unwilling though she was, had no choice but to fight.
The knights were strong—after all, only elite Spirit Masters could serve as palace guards. But to Lin Jie, they were hardly more than obstacles.
Sparks crackled. Lightning arced across his body.
In a blur of blue-white light, his figure darted and struck. Thunderbolts fell, bodies collapsed.
In moments, dozens of knights lay defeated, only a handful still standing—and even they stared in shock at the lightning-wreathed young man.
A few more strikes, and they too fell.
Zhu Zhuyun's eyes widened. To see him crush them so easily was beyond belief.
Lin Jie knew his actions were outright provocation. These were just the gatekeepers; the true powerhouses had surely been watching from the moment he stepped onto the mountain.
Indeed, from a high vantage point, Yue Guan observed with interest. He knew the strength of these knights—and to see Lin Jie overwhelm them so easily only confirmed his worth. Still, Yue Guan did not move. He wanted to see how far this youth could go.
More guards emerged, stronger than the last. Lin Jie almost sighed. Why does this feel like some ridiculous gauntlet trial?
Soon, over fifty knights encircled him, their captain stepping forward with fury in his eyes. To trespass in the Pontiff's Palace was unforgivable.
"You all stand down! I'll handle him myself."
The knights obeyed instantly, retreating in unison.
The captain glared at Lin Jie. "To dare invade the sacred Pontiff's Palace—today, as Captain of the Third Guard Division, I will personally execute you!"
With a roar, six Spirit Rings rose—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black.
A Spirit Emperor.
Lin Jie exhaled slowly. He had already achieved his goal; there was no need to continue fighting seriously. He could sense with his spiritual net that someone powerful was observing him from the depths of the palace.
"Hey, how about I just surrender? I only came here to join Spirit Hall," he called out.
"Arrogant fool!" the captain barked. "This is how you seek admission?"
His Spirit Ability flared, and he lunged to attack.